GRAND COUNCIL OF THE INDEPENDENT UNITED ORDER OF MECHANICS

FRIENDLY SOCIETY, OF NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

ISLAND OF THE SEAS AND THE ENTIRE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, INCORPORATED.

Greetings;

My fellow Sir. Knights Companion, I greet you today in the name of our Great

Architect of this Vast Universe, in the capacity as Most Worshipful Grand Master

Worshipful Grand Master. On behalf of the Executive Committee of Grand Council,

I take this privilege to wish you and your families a blessed and enjoyable St. John’s Day.

As we gather today in a place of Worship, to Memorialize and reflect on the life and

work of our Extraordinary, Patron Saint, Saint John the Baptist, for his work and

believe, let us follow his example.

The Mission of St. John the Baptist, was to prepare the way for Jesus coming, for

people to repent and be baptize, that God’s judgment on the world was imminent

and that they should prepare themselves for His coming.

There are four Virtues of St. John the Baptist;

1- HIS SELF-DENIAL:

He lived far from the world in solitude, of the desert, wearing Camel’s hair and his

food was of the poorest description.

2- HIS OBEDIENCE:

It had to be a ridiculously hard task to preach penance to sensual and worldly –

Minded People in Those times.

3- HIS COURAGE:

St. John the Baptist did not hesitate to speak out the Truth boldly, to the Pharisees and

The Sadducees.

4- HIS HUMILITY:

It’s clear he spoke to hundreds and Thousands of people, many of whom thought

John could be a Messiah; however he rebukes their claim by saying, I am not the

Christ, I am not worthy to lose his slippers.

“BACK TO BASICS”

Regardless of the Hostility that St. John the Baptist face, he did not give in to the Political establishment, but was resolute and steadfast, in preaching, to the people to repent and be baptized. He also informed his followers that the Messiah, who is coming, do not Baptize with water, but with the Holy Spirit.

My Fellow Sir. Knights Companion, as we celebrate St. John the Baptist, our Patron Saint with our families and friends, let us endeavor to travel in the footsteps of our Patron Saint, by Loving each other, respecting one another, and continue to pray for each other, when we are absent from each other, and in our Prayers, pray for the continued Blessing for the Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society Western Hemisphere, Incorporated., and our Members worldwide.

Fraternally,

Rt. Hon. Errol G.Collins

Most Worshipful Grand Master

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