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PROLOGUE CONVENTION MESSAGE [1943
St. Louis]
PRESIDENT CARBAJAL: Paul Harris has been honored with many
titles and awards for his service to humanity. In Rotary, we
have given him three official titles ‑ founder, past president,
and president emeritus. Last month, Paul celebrated his
seventyfifth birthday, but he will ever be young in heart. We
are grateful that he has come to St. Louis to give us his annual
convention message. Ladies and gentlemen, here is the founder of
our great international organization, Paul Harris! But before
you listen to the inspiring message of Paul's, I would like to
pay homage to our first international lady, Mrs. Harris.
The audience arose and applauded as Paul and Mrs. Harris were
escorted to the platform.
PRESIDENT CARBAJAL: Jean wants to say a few words to you:
MRS. PAUL HARRIS: It is indeed a deep privilege to be here once
again at this convention (we thought probably we might not be
able to come this year), especially to have the privilege of
meeting our beloved friends, Fernando and Mrs. Carbajal. They
are friends of long standing. We met them in South America, and
their courtesies and their gracious friendliness can never be
forgotten, not only in their beautiful city of Lima, Peru, but
also in all of South America.
I
think I came back from South America a little more polite, a
little more gracious. I think I was inclined to be hurried and
say, "Well, what now?" But they would stand back and graciously
tell me how to be more polite and more gracious, and I not only
thank them for that, but also for their other contributions.
I
see many flags here today from all the lands, but I miss the
faces of their representatives. I miss their friendship and
their love and their individual contributions. We cannot do
without these. God hasten the day when we shall again meet all
those clear friends from those lands, whose hearts are heavy
today because they are not here. We hope that God will deal with
us in mercy; that we seek His wisdom and His understanding and
His knowledge; that we shall do so quietly, calmly and
prudently, and with wisdom and mercy and in love.
We
hope for that day ‑ there is a day of hope always, and I don't
think it is very far away. Let us, then, pray for that day soon,
with victory for the allies, when we may again meet in peace and
love and in harmony.
PRESIDENT CARBAJAL: Here is our President Emeritus Paul!
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