KEEP YOUR FORK

 

There was a mason who had  been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and had been given three months to live.  So, as he was getting his things ‘in order,’ he contacted his minister and had him come to his house to discuss certain aspects of his final wish.  He told the minister which hymns he wanted sung at the service, what scriptures he would like read, and what suit he wanted to be buried in.  The brother also requested to be buried with his Masonic Bible.

      Everything was in order and the minister was preparing to leave when the man suddenly remembered something very important to him  “There’s one more thing,” he said excitedly.  “What’s that?” came the minister’s reply.  “It is very important,” the brother continued, “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand,”

      The minister stood looking at the man, not knowing what to say. “That surprises you, doesn’t it?”, the man asked.  Well to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the minister.

      The man explained. “In all my years of attending Church socials and pot luck dinners, and in masonry, we have the ‘fourth’, or knife and fork degree, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course are being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say “Keep your Fork”.  It was my favourite part because I then knew, something better was coming… like velvety chocolate cake, or deep dish apple pie.  Something wonderful and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork’.  Then I want you to tell them: Keep your fork -- the best is yet to come.

      The minister’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he clutched the man’s hand to say goodbye.  He knew this would be one of the last times he would see the man before his death.  But he also knew that the man had a better grasp of Heaven than he did.  He knew  that something better was coming.

      At the funeral, brethren and friends were paying their respects at the casket and they saw him in a neat suit, his apron and his Masonic bible and the fork, placed in his right hand.   Over and over, the minister heard the question - “What’s with the fork”.  And over and over he smiled.

      During his message, the minister told the people of the conversation he had with the man shortly before he died.  He also explained about the fork and what it symbolized to him.  He also told them he could not stop thinking about it either.

      He was right.  So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you, oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.

 

From an article submitted to the Claude Presbyterian Church magazine ‘The Scroll’, by Carolyn Shackleton and edited to the masculine, by Companion Knight Peter D. Park, Crusader Correspondent, Athelstan York Rite College No. 41.

 

QUINTE YORK RITE COLLEGE NO. 53

                                                                                Belleville, Ontario

 

The York Rite Bodies in the Quinte area are benefiting from the ongoing assistance rendered by our College.

      The Officers and members have for many years accepted, and continue to accept, invitations to provide a team to install the Officers of York Rite Bodies, in particular, Preceptory and Chapter.  We also have a competent team of College members comprised of Sir Knights from Kingston, Belleville and Picton that confer the Malta Orders with a high degree of proficiency.

      Two members that contribute a great deal to all the York Rite Bodies, Companion Knights John Parsons and Brian Keighley, will journey to Charlotte, North Carolina this July to receive their OPC.   Their continuing efforts epitomize the general attitude and support to our Aims and Purposes.  It is encouraging to see lights shine in order that many can benefit by the brilliance.

      On September 24, 1999, on the occasion of the official visit of our Grand Governor, R.E.D. Bro. David G. Walker, OPC, we conferred the Order Knight of York upon five candidates, and three more at our February assembly.

      Quinte York Rite College No. 53 rises to express our congratulations to Companion Knight Mark Honkawa of London York Rite College No. 67 for receiving the Sovereign College Service Award, presented by Rt. Em. Dist. Bro. David G. Walker, OPC, Grand Governor of Ontario.

      The Installation of Officers will take place at our regular April Assembly, under the direction of M.P.D. Bro. Donald A. King, K.G.C.Y.           

Gene Le Gier - Correspondent

 

YORK RITE SOVEREIGN COLLEGE

                                                                      CHARITABLE FUND U.S.A.

                                                                      ATHELSTAN DONATIONS

                                                                     From 9-2-99 to March 1-2000

 

Prince Edwin College No. 8                             $   850.00

New York College No. 22                                    200.00

Upper Michigan College No. 40                              35.00

Central Illinois College No. 42                               133.00

Texian College No. 60                                          750.00

Pentagon College No. 62                                      250.00

Champoeg College No. 96                                    250.00

Laurel Valley College No. 97                                250.00

Mayflower College No. 105                                  250.00

Anchorage College No. 120                                  250.00

Green Mountain College No. 139                          100.00

Sacramento Valley College No. 159                      500.00

Bruce Harmon Hunt College No. 162                    250.00

            Total Donations for period        $4,068.00