M.W. FRANK RUSSELL

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

To the Right Worshipful and Worshipful Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, Worshipful Masters, Past Masters, Wardens, and Brothers of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. of the State of Washington and Jurisdiction, Visiting Dignitaries and Visiting Brothers:

Greetings:

First, I would like to express my appreciation to each and every one of the members of this Grand Jurisdiction who have seen my involvement in this Jurisdiction over a number of years and saw fit to nominate and sustain that nomination so that I may serve you in the capacity of Grand Master. To each and every one of you again, I wish to express my sincere appreciation and heart felt thanks for this opportunity and the experiences that have been afforded me in serving this office. I express a sincere, hearty welcome to the Sixty--Sixth Annual Communication of this Most Worship Prince Hall Grand Lodge for the State of Washington and its Jurisdiction.  Welcome to each and every one of you.

To the visitors and dignitaries I trust that your visitation here will be that of experiencing a fellowship and brotherly association, endowed with rich experiences so that you will be able to go back to your homes and express a pleasure for having been with us during this communication. It is without any question to state that being elected and having the responsibility as Grand Master is an awesome responsibility.

It is a challenging position for one to be in and it is a demanding responsibility that must be complied with. To this end my twelve months in office, in my judgment I have attempted to set forth some programs, set forth some ideas, set for meaningful changes and involvements of this Grand Lodge in areas which I felt needed immediate attention. I must express at the very onset of this report none of the aforementioned conditions could have been done or would have been possible to have participated in had it not been for the officers and members of this Grand Lodge of the State or Washington and its Jurisdiction. I do not believe that any man can truly understand and appreciate the true principals of this fraternity unless he becomes a Master Mason and serves either as Worshipful Master or as Grand Master. To this end he begins to realize that there is no law, no edict, no command that either you or I must obey in this fraternity unless we truly wanted to obey them. As I speak to you this very moment, I have no magnetic force nor do I have a physical force to hold you in your seat, but out of the respect for the tentacles of something in which you believe and cherish, you and I subdue our passions.

It is with this in mind that i compliment this Jurisdiction. It is with this in mind that I compliment the officers and the members of this Jurisdiction. It is with this in mind that I reel that I have dedicated my masonic year as Grand Master.

The privileges, the honors, the values that have been accorded to my visitations across this country are so numerous; suffice it to say that I wish to express to all who participated, who assisted---my sincere appreciation as Grand Master. I do no believe that there could be any other fraternity that could hold men together under such trying times for so long.

NECROLOGY

Almighty and gracious God of the Universe, creator of all man kind, grant us Thy peace at this moment. Bless us in Thy name, at this moment. Give us a sequence of Thy understanding at this moment. Grant us a fragrance of Thy mercy at this moment.  All mighty and gracious God, as we assemble under Thy watchful eye again and as we note that we who are assembled have been blessed so often to assemble together each year about this time; yet, ‘Oh Merciful God’, we realize the work that your hand must be done and some will not be with us again next year. For those, ‘Oh Merciful God On High’, who will not be with us again and Precious Lord for those who have already gone, grant them Thy peace; grant them a safe place in Thy Kingdom.

As we ask this of the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe to bless us here and as we pause with this all important thing in man’s mind, a thing called ‘Time”, help us to understand Thy will and help us to have Thy will done in us as it is in Thy self. And when our days are done, ‘Oh Merciful Father’, and Thy will is complete on this earth, help us to join our brethren who have preceded before us in that celestial Lodge not made by hard, but sits in the Heavens. We ask this in Thy name………………………….Amen.

The Last Rites were performed for the following Brothers:

STATE OF THE CRAFT

As I reflect on the meaning of this question arid my responsibility as Grand Master, to answer it, it is my judgment and candid opinion that the condition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge and the State of Washington and its Jurisdiction and Masons therein is in a healthy condition. That they have shown a dedication to this Jurisdiction in the following manner:

First, this Grand Jurisdiction set out upon its election to keep the brethren properly informed by immediately establishing a reasonable line of communication or an improved line and method of communication.

As a result, a vast amount of feedback was received and inculcated into the action of this administration. It goes without saying that the Craft had to be informed of a change in the location of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge annual session. The decision was made by me. As I look at you today seated here, your presence indicates the condition of this Craft after having been properly informed and looking forward for two consecutive years to Alaska and then being advised that we had changed location, and still you are here in such numbers.

I am sure the condition of the Craft is healthy. A special report pertaining to this will be given to you by our Grand Senior Warden later this morning. The condition of the Craft is good as we look and say that Building Project No. 1 is less than seven months that this administration took office was a reality. The condition of the Craft is excellent.

The responsibility of journeying to Artic Lodge and constituting, consecrating, dedication, installing those officers in a manner acceptable to all Masons; the condition of this Craft is healthy. The membership of this Jurisdiction is certainly to be complimented for this membership has contributed this Masonic year has paid and contributed to this Grand Lodge better than $20,000 in assessment funds. The condition of this Craft is good.

Then to the Grand Master end Deputy Grand Master’s journey to Japan--a trip long overdue to the Craft of this Jurisdiction--I may say to you brethren that if such an amount of time transcends again before the Grand Master goes again, you may not have a true Master Mason in No. 6 because of the depth of misunderstanding, and the lack of concern to cause a lot of hardship. However, as we look out today, we see brethren of that Jurisdiction from that District here, their assessment being paid, their commitment to masonry is being made; the condition of this Craft in Japan is good.

The area in which we are weakest is in our youth program in this Grand Lodge. Second to it is the increase in our members. Those two conditions are not at all acceptable to me. This, I will have a special recommendation pertaining to the question of membership in this Grand Lodge.

I will make recommendations appropriate to attempting to increase the membership of this Grand Lodge and in fusing that membership with a program of youth. It is my suggestion that the ensuing administration assign the Grand Junior Warden with no question about it a responsibility of this Grand Lodge to take charge of the youth program and all of this aspect and report to this Grand Lodge regularly as to his stewardship in the area of youth, and every Mason pledge to bring one (1) member that is new into his lodge in “70”.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

I can state categorically that the fraternal relations of this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge is exemplified by the type of respect, respect, and effect of leadership that the past administrations have involved with of the Grand Jurisdiction and as a legacy that these past Grand Masters, past Grand Officers of this Jurisdiction have performed in such a magnificent and acceptable manner, the fraternal relationship that I have inherited, the fraternal relationship that I have experienced leaves me with the conclusion that this Grand Jurisdiction experiences a true, warm, and brotherly fraternal relationship across all Jurisdictions that I have encountered.

Therefore, let us as a body of Masons at this time give the past administration their proper due and respect for the work well done, and we here now experience the benefit and reap the harvest of their labors.

DISTRICT DEPUTIES

It is the responsibility of Grand Master to select in his cabinet individuals who in his judgment can assist the program under his administration. It is with all candor that I feel that it 5.s imperative that in this annual address to you that I admit very humbly that without the services of the District Deputy Grand Masters of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, that this administration would not have been able to do any of its work satisfactorily.

I am taking this opportunity in an open form to express my appreciation specifically to my District Deputies that have worked so untiring, and unselfishly for this administration. I must also relate to you that due to my inability to keep my dates straight, that I even added hardship to my District Deputies. To them I humbly apologize. I wish to state in this annual address that District Deputy Lockhart of District No. 1, District Deputy Leonard Baldwin of District No. 2, District Deputy McKinley Yates of District No. 3, District Deputy Herbert D. Baldwin of District No. 4, District Deputy Grand Mast Pendray of District No. 5, District Deputy Ernest Spence of District No. 6, and District Deputy Martin of District No. 8. As Grand Master, I wish to publicly express to you my satisfaction for your job well done.  As we stand here today, I am sure, had it not been for you we would not be enjoying the progress that we have experienced thus far.  To you my brethren, you have my heart felt thanks and appreciation.

YOUR GRAND LODGE

It was my pleasure as Grand Master to journey to our sister Grand Lodge and actually our offspring as my predecessor and the predecessors before him have often done. The annual meeting of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oregon and its Jurisdiction: It was my pleasure to have set with Grand Master Dillard and his cabinet. I wish to express that the Grand Master Session, the Grand Masters of this Jurisdiction certainly supported the visitations.

I wish to compliment the Past Grand Masters, for their dedication and support with the Grand Master during his visitations and no place have I been where there was not a Past Grand Master of this Jurisdiction sometime with me.

The Grand Master’s Conference in Los Angeles, California:   To this Supreme Council in Philadelphia and certainly to the Oregon Grand Lodge, the Past Grand Masters of this Jurisdiction were there, and I wish to compliment them on the visitation that they extended.

I believe at this time I would like to highlight my annual address by pointing out in my judgment the progress and direction of this administration. It goes without saying that all the special affairs were very enjoyable and appreciative by this Grand Jurisdiction. However, these special affairs stand out at the top in this administration: First, that being the presentation and investing, and too, Brother Russell Gideon, our beloved brother End Past Grand Master of this Jurisdiction his collar and apron on behalf of this Grand Lodge.

Next, it was the establishing of the U.D. Chapter of Eastern Star in the city of Tacoma, and I say that this was a special affair because the Grand Master personally took a hand in advising the lodges in that city that they would not fight the establishment of this U.D. Chapter but give its support as all brothers should do when there is need and justification for an Eastern Star Chapter.

Last, but not least, was the dedication, consecration, and Cornerstone laying of the Masonic Temple in Tacoma, Washington. This came about because of several meaningful commitments that were made by members of this Grand Lodge and sections of this Grand Jurisdiction. It is fitting to say that in this report the J. W. Wesley Foundation that was founded by many of our Past Brethren, and a Past Grand Master, (Past Grand Masters Fred Harris, Brothers Arthur Yeary, Percy L. Robinson, Lee Grand Rogers) and all otter brethren that I fail to cite in this report were the real contributors toward seeing that the Temple came into being.

You who carried on the work of the Wesley Foundation, we who bought stock and sustained that corporation in times of need only carried on the decision that they made. To the Brethren and to the Grand Lodge that stood and made the decision that they will move in this direction and certainly to the Grand Chapter that made contributions in surrendering their stock over to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, to me these affairs are the true progress of this administration and highlight that caused the dedication, consecration of the Tacoma Temple to be. Brethren, I could go on and on of the major affairs that this Grand Lodge during this administration could be pleased to cite in this report.

Suffice it to say, that it is Impossible for me to try to elucidate to you at the close of my year on the work that we have done, the work that this administration has done. As you will hear from various officers and members of special committees, there will be several areas that I am sure you will be most interested.

I trust that we filled a portion of the responsibilities that could be filled in this Masonic year. I trust that we, as an elected body and appointed body as Master Masons, have conducted ourselves in a manner that has not tarnished or stained the office in the light and eyesight of the community or other Master Masons. I trust that every Grand Lodge officer elected and appointed truly realizes that I appreciate your service, your dedication, your criticism, and evaluation, for truly this has been a year for you to be proud and for me to be proud and than God above that we are here to be proud.

RECOMMENDATIONS

We offer the following recommendations for your consideration:

1.       That this Grand Jurisdiction accept petitions from the Sons of Master Masons or members of the Knights of Pathagerists at the age of 18 years; that a man in the arm forces of this country at the age of 18 years be admitted.

2.       That this Grand Lodge taxation be increased 50 cents per quarter for general taxation per member.

3.       That this Grand Lodge approve the establishment of a Grand High Court, the Heroines of Jericho of Washington Jurisdiction subject to viewing of the by—laws and constitution of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Washington.

4.       That the building department proposed by—laws be approved by this Grand Lodge.

5.       That this Grand Lodge donate to the Conference of Grand Masters in Boston, Mass, the sum of $125 at its annual meeting and at that same meeting the sum of $50 be donated to the Legal Defense Fund of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

6.       That a Night Templar Department be established to service the Grand Master as such.

7.       That the Lodge petitioning to be release from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge to form a Grand Lodge in the state of Alaska, that upon the completion of the Grand Lodge’s financial responsibility is fulfilled, that this Grand Lodge approve of the formation of their Grand Lodge of the State of Alaska and that whatever assistance that this Grand Lodge can do we surely will put up but upon the completion of the financial responsibility that this Grand Lodge goes on record that they are to be released as constituent Lodges of this Grand Jurisdiction.

8.       That this Grand Lodge during this Session grants a Charter to Menderian U.D. Lodge located in Taipei, Taiwan. In my judgment it is in order that these Brothers now enter the rolls as a regular constituted Lodge of this Jurisdiction, and after said dispensation be returned to this Grand Lodge.

9.       That the provisions proposed under the Masonic Code be approved by this Grand Lodge.

Fraternally Submitted

Frank Russell