M.W. Bro. Stewart W. Miner’s 50th MasonicAnniversary

M. W. Bro. Stewart W. Miner’s 50th Masonic Anniversary Remarks by M. W. Bro. Edmund Cohen, Grand Master of Masons in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Thursday, November 15, 2007

Let me begin by welcoming each of you to this wonderPriest of Royal Arch Masons in Virginia in 1985, and ful occasion sponsored by Cherrydale Lodge No. 42 and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the District of Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120, and thank our distinColumbia from 1987 – 2004, to name only a few of those guished Brethren from the Grand Lodge of the District titles. of Columbia for coming here to add to the honors which are so clearly due our dear Brother Stewart Wilson Miner. Of course, when you consider what those positions entailed in time and commitment, and hard work, and when you reflect upon what Most As we begin I am reminded, and Worshipful Miner accomplished I’m sure you too have noticed in each of these high offices, you that too many of our public figbegin to understand what these ures are heavy on press releases titles really signify, and you begin and light on performance, they to gain some appreciation of his boast more often than they contributions to Freemasonry achieve, and they seem to take over so many years. credit for when the sun shines and the rains stop. But those of us who know Most Worshipful Miner, and that Masons, on the other hand, are includes many in this room, by nature and tradition modest M.W. Bro. Edmund Cohen, Grand Master of understand that the true measand understated. And Most Masons in the Commonwealth of Virginia ure of this Brother is so much Worshipful Stewart Wilson more than the sum of his titles. Miner, who we are here to recognize, is a man who has done much and bragged little. He is a worker who is always there to encourage, to help, to step up and lead, and often to shoulder the burden and do the lion’s share of the work. There is so much we could say, but I think three characteristics capture the essence of this Masonic leader. The first is his warmth and humility, the second is his scholarship, and the third is his contribution as a Masonic speaker. Any one of And I’m also sure you have these would be sufficient to noticed that in the public cereexcite our admiration, but monies that we view on From left: M.W. Bros. Robert Heyat, together they are truly inspirtelevision, and the business cerStewart Miner and Edmund Cohen ing. emonies we attend in person, there is often is an excess of hype and hyperbole. Everyone is heroic and everything is historic. High office and lofty titles sometimes go to one’s head, previous behavior tends to change—and rarely for the better—and these titles tend to distance the recipient But again, Masons are not that way. Our ceremony for from his fellows. our 50-year Masonic veterans is beautiful and meaningful, but it has a quiet dignity, and is of modest length. But Most Worshipful Miner has always understood that Masonic titles are no more than recognition of However, there are times when more is required and past services performed, and that the respect of the this is such a time. For tonight we are to mark an Brethren is earned one Brother at a time, one day at important milestone in the life of an extraordinary a time. Masonic leader. What earned that recognition and respect was not the Some only know Most Worshipful Miner by his titles. cheery slap on the back of the salesman or politician. Grand Master of Masons in Virginia in 1974, Grand High There was nothing artificial or perfunctory about his

greeting. You knew he really cared when he quietly made so many others shine more brightly in their writasked about your health and your family. ings. And so again, we value him for the fact that he is And what won your affection for this quiet and gentle man was his genuineness and humility. It set you at always ready to share with us his time, his insights, and his talents. ease and let you know that you were talking with someAnd finally, we come to his reputation as a Masonic one who was your friend and Brother—nothing more, speaker. Over the years, he has been invited to be the nothing less. You forgot his Grand titles, and knew keynote speaker at so many Lodges and other events. immediately that he was a grand human being. He was expected to carry the meeting with an original It was not just what he accomplished in his various offices that you appreciated, it was also his behavior and demeanor out of office that won your respect. It was not just what he did for the Craft, but what he did for each of us. He was always ready to share his time with us, to share his thoughts and insights, and to make us feel better. Grand Master Heyat presents M. W. Bro. and thoughtful program. It was a high wire act, but he delivered each time. And again, the measure of the man is the effect he had upon us in the audience. He has an elegant way of expressing himself. He educated us, he inspired us, he motivated us, and yes, he entertained us. His talks were always appropriate to the occasion, and always more than we expected. If you have been privileged to read some of his many writings on Freemasonry, you saw yet another side of this good Brother. You began to appreciate his well-deserved reputation for Masonic It is uncomfortable for me, in my inadequate way, to be telling you what a great speaker he is, but after all, few are his equal in that way either. Miner with his 50 Year Card. scholarship. His skill at research led to important So now, as I call Most Worshipful Miner to the East to insights into our Masonic history and traditions. And receive the recognition that is his due as a 50 year he shared those insights with us in his many articles on Masonic veteran, I say we have with us tonight a true Freemasonry. As a result of his efforts we learned a lot and faithful Brother who has, during these 50 years, about our Craft; and as a result of reading his articles, been a real craftsman. A Brother who has sought with we developed a thirst to learn even more. much success to become a perfect Ashlar, and who If you simply ignored his accomplishments in office, and his personal interactions, and just read all that he wrote about our Fraternity, you would, on that score alone, be very impressed with his contributions to Freemasonry. along the way encouraged so many of us, by his example, to become better men and better Masons. Most Worshipful Miner, you have been a role model for me and for so many others. You have so clearly demonstrated that Freemasonry is all about virtue and honor. And it is, therefore, a great privilege for me to able to But again, the measure of the man is not what he did in present you with your 50-year Masonic pin, certificate, his own name, for in addition to being a gifted writer, he and dues cards. ■ is a skillful editor. And behind the scenes, his editing

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mission and programs and the change in many of our lodges. Furthermore, our Grand Lodge occupies a prominent position and a source for emulation, here in the United States, and around the world. We are now at a juncture. Interest in Freemasonry is greatly increasing and well qualified young men are knocking at our door. It is our duty and our mission to act as a beacon of light to our community and the human society at large. This will be possible only if we go back to our roots, recognize and practice our moral principles, extend the hand of brotherhood, and work as a team and take our mission, our goals and commitments seriously. I am confident, that together we will succeed and follow this path to great new heights. God bless you, God bless our Fraternity and God bless our great country, the United States of America! ■