M.W.
FRANK RUSSELL
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND
MASTER
Welcome to all Master Masons of the Washington Jurisdiction, the officers of
this Jurisdiction, and visitors who have journeyed to partake with us in our
68th Grand Communication. I trust that our endeavors here will build upon
that foundation that has been laid by our forerunners for their 67 years of
continued work, harmony, deliberation, and interest with the goal in mind of
the unity and brotherhood of this fraternity and for service to mankind.
I am sure that each of you wish to join with me in expressing to our host
lodge and Chapter our most heartfelt thanks for the effort in the
preparation to afford us the comfort, the convenience, and the warm
hospitality we have enjoyed thus far. May I express to the host lodge, on
behalf of the brethren our appreciation for your work that has been done
within the entertainment committee for this Grand Lodge. I am sure that
without the dedication, support, and interest, we would not be enjoying the
harmonious atmosphere that is about us at this time.
Your attention is briefly called at this moment of the time span that you
and I have attempted in some way to make a meaningful contribution to free
masonry. Time is not important, what is important, I believe, is our
commitment to improve Prince Hall Masonry, the commitment within our mind
will be of significant importance. At this point, in this communication,
each one of us should not only make that type of commitment, we have to make
an introspection of ourselves to redefine where we are coming from as
individuals and more clearly where we are going collectively as black masons
so as to be farther ahead at the end of this communication. I am committing
myself, and I am asking you to look very deeply at yourself as we review our
efforts and actions for the last 12 months for Prince Hall Masonry must be
evaluated.
The history of this Jurisdiction indicates to me that the brethren of
Jurisdiction, the officers of this Jurisdiction and more particularly for
the last 68 years they have in fact made a contribution to this
Jurisdiction. Yet, no mason should ever consider himself if indispensable
in the pursuit of the accomplishments and the development of the fraternity
for which their existence is of a common goal. I wish to express my sincere
appreciation and dedication for the service by each and every one of the
elected officers of the Jurisdiction: R.W. Deputy Grand Master, James E.
Chase; R.W. Senior Grand Warden, James W. Davis; R.W. Junior Grand Warden,
Jimmy Simmons; R.W. Grand Lecturer, Carlton B. Tucker; Grand Senior Deacon,
Thomas P. Waggener; Grand Junior Deacon, Ernest Coleman; Grand Senior
Steward Reginald Bright; Grand Junior Steward, Dave Wilson; Grand Chaplain,
Rev. C. F. Williams; Grand Tyler, James T. Smith; Grand Organist, E.A.
Douglas; Grand Bible Bearer, Eugene R. Russell; Grand Marshall, Ollie Moore;
Grand Orator, Percy Powell; Grand Attorney, Jack Tanner; Grand Historians,
Willie Joe Davis and Herbert B. Baldwin; Grand Standard Bearer, Sanford
Barnes;
Grand Pursuivant, Howard Lanier; Grand Trustees, Isiah Simon, Glenwood
Buxton, William M. Charles, Sr., Loyle C. Brooks, and Prank Hooks.
I am confident that many may not understand the necessity of one to identify
a worthy brother. Even at the risk of many of my brethren not truly
appreciating my thoughts at this time, we must admit that the support and
the steadfast counsel and help over the past three consecutive years by Past
Grand Master Louis P. Solomon has truly been a beacon to guide me and
protector of this office. I would easily add that all of the Past Grand
Masters have certainly made contribution equal to this office.
It seems fitting to me to note that these Past Grand Masters which no longer
have or are needing the pursuit of the flowers of the luxury of the Grand
Masters office or promotion to an office, but they have continually
contributed their service and their contribution for the good of the
brethren of this jurisdiction and more particularly for this Grand Lodge.
It is true as time moves on that the priorities of a Grand Lodge determine
and dictate that there must be opportunity for our brethren to take the
leadership of their Grand Lodge and to make their contribution to build upon
and add to as other brethren before have done. It is with this in mind that
this Grand Lodge has successfully been able to, withstanding any type of
withering by an administration or individual because we are all builders.
As we approach our crossroads at this our Annual Session at this time, it
gives me great pleasure to indicate to you the decision about the future
part of the contributions of this Grand Lodge which will be done with
determination arid consideration for the good of this Grand Lodge. I have
attempted to perform this duty with the brethren in mind and that the good
of this Jurisdiction was in the forefront of what decision in all of my
concerns.
NECROLOGY
Almighty and gracious God, grant us the understanding of this life and that
which is truly to come, death. Be gracious unto us in this and be
understanding of our transgressions in death. Assist us in this life to
develop contributions and to share those bounties, of a temporary life. Give
unto the brethren and to mankind the understanding of self—respect, and
grant all of the brethren here with named peace and harmony in the celestial
lodge not made with human hands…Inland Empire Lodge #3 — Workcuff and Aaron
Cave, Jr.; Harmony Lodge #2 — Eugene Whiteside; Guiding Star #6 — Joseph
Wimbush; Torii Lodge #46 — Alton Merwitz; Misawa Air Base Japan #54 — Lee
Burrell, Jones K. Hamilton and Dilton J. Jolley; Cassia Lodge #5 —Turman
Davis, Jr., James H. Lasley, John F. Bryant, and Edgar H. Pryor; Marianas
Travelers #49 — Henry W. Baurber; Eureka #41 — Bernard W. Cross; Hercules
#17 — Gilbert A. Austin, Jerome Pagan, and Booker T. Washington; Evergreen
#9 — Erskine A. Solomon, Sr.
STATE OF THE CRAFT
Rhetoric at this point has very little substance. It is in this light that
we will deal with the condition of this Grand Jurisdiction. The total assets
of this Grand Jurisdiction are $1,077,348.32; the membership of this Grand
Jurisdiction is budgeted out to 1200 members; the number of lodges in this
Grand Jurisdiction is 27; the number of U.D. Lodges is 2; we have a
respectable home in the City of Tacoma having a worth of $85,000.00. We have
a structure that is highly acceptable in the City of Seattle, with worth of
$50,000.00. We have, also, made a commitment for a total sum of $20,000.00
in cash to the brethren in Spokane, Washington where upon it will be
possible to bring about the lodge in 1972 or before the end of 1971, in the
estimate of $40,000.00.
We have also made it possible for the brethren of Okinawa to have a home in
a foreign land. The Building Department represented by Past Grand Master,
Louis P. Solomon, with a cadre of brethren performed an acceptable job in an
outstanding manner.
The physical condition as well as the moral is beyond reproach as this Grand
Jurisdiction’s work and concern for the brethren.
Your District Deputies have performed in a highly acceptable manner, also.
Those Grand Lodge officers holding the position of District Deputies are:
Bennett Wilborn #1, Jasper P. Warren #2, McKinley Yates #3, William T.
Gaskins #4, A. E. Pendray #5, Roland R. Rainey #6, Willie W. Martin #8.
Special District Deputies are: William Lanier #1, Leonard Baldwin and Lloyd
E. Davis #2, and John Peterson #6. These brethren have performed in an
acceptable manner to further augment the clear posture of the healthy
conditions of this Jurisdiction.
Our Grand Junior Warden Brother Jimmy Simmons working within the youth
program has shown the Prince Hall awareness from zero percent to an
acceptable degree of black awareness. Too long we have failed to deal with
youth conditions, yet, in the last three consecutive years, we note with
great pleasure, that the youth concern in this Jurisdiction has given more
than $3,000.00 in scholarships for the Grand Lodge. The reports and
services that have been extended and shown by this Grand Lodge’s visitations
to the Far East Command which was carried out so ably by the Past Grand
Master Solomon and his cadre (Grand Lecturer Carlton B. Tucker, District
Deputy Rainey, and Brother Sylvester Lake) exemplifies to the brethren in
the Philippines, Okinawa, Guam, and the heart of Japan our concern for them
also.
The report and the condition found, plus the information that was revealed
and shared with the brethren during the District meeting, gives further
indication that this Grand Jurisdiction of the State of the Craft is in
excellent condition.
FRATERNAL RELATIONSHIP
It has been said that the State of Washington is one of the strongest,
cohesive groups of master masons in the United States. Too often, it is
proven that we work only for a period of time when we serve as master
masons; yet, the light and records of the C.C. of F.C., Brother E.A. Douglas
who has served and tested this set, will set forth the charge of the
fraternal rapport in which this Grand Lodge is held in high esteem in all
areas of the Globe. I speak not without authority as many of you know that
this Jurisdiction was honored by the election of your Grand Master Frank
Russell to preside over the Conference of Grand Masters of the United
States. Certainly, this is indicative of your organization where all the
Grand Masters had to take part in order that this might be possible.
Suffice it to say, the brethren of the State of Washington are collectively
and individually joining with me in making sure that this is a continual
goal.
CONCLUSION
I wish to take this opportunity to express to all of the brethren of the Far
Last Command at this Grand Lodge our appreciation and sincere concern and I
wish to express the hope and desire that you will feel at home at this
communication as many of the brethren of the Far East Command the concerns
of those citizens all across the country that the State of Washington is
participating in meaningful endeavors with all the brethren across this
nation; that this grand lodge supports and will support those training
programs such as those that are recommended in the Grand Master’s address
pertaining to the Honorable Leon Sullivan in the OIC, Inc., Operations
Industry Centers.
Now my brethren, I urge you to consider the challenge ahead for this
Jurisdiction. We are not individually little Caesars. We are a unit. urge
you to take a look and ask yourself, from your present officers or wherever
you may be, what will be your contribution, what will be your goal to a
meaningful progress to the M.W.P.H.G.L. of the State of Washington and its
Jurisdiction, for many of us, we will continue to assist, counsel, and
participate, but many of you must become the leaders, you must make your
contributions in a highly identifiable manner. I urge you to make this
contribution. I urge you to be concerned with the direction of this Grand
Lodge. I urge you to step forward and work for the good of the order
together with your brother masons.
I wish to personally thank all of the brethren of the M.W.P.H.G.L. for your
last three consecutive years of support. It truly has been an experience.
It has been a great help and stimulus not only masonically, ritualistically,
personally, spiritually, but also economically, socially, and politically. I
wonder many times where would I be had I not been a mason these past three
years. I owe a significant amount of wherever I am to masonry and that is
you. It is you and many of the brethren who have passed and gone on to that
celestial lodge not made by hand.
I want to express to you my thanks for all the kind things that you may have
said at one time or another. I want to express my thanks to those who may
have become frustrated and discouraged because I did not do what you may
have thought I should have done.
I want to thank those who have supported me when I was doing the things that
were not in compliance to your ideas. Personally, I feel that I have been
tremendously fortunate in the things you have given me, in your support, and
the identifiable correction that you have made over these three years which
have caused me to grow.
As Grand Master, it has truly been wonderful. This communication will be the
last communication that I will be speaking to you as the Grand Master of
this Grand Lodge. As it has been said many times before, I will become one
of the Past Grand Masters. This Grand Lodge will continue on and on, and I
am confident that it will continue because I see many good leaders who will
make contributions as I hope I have and those that I know have made before
me.
On behalf of my wife and family, as many of you know, we appreciate the many
things you have done. I have grown and I can now truly say very sincerely,
my brethren, how wonderful it is for brethren to dwell in unity. May we
forever dwell in unity for this is my commitment to you that I will be
forever a part of that unity. I will continue to offer myself in whatever
capacity that I may be able to assist, learn, act, and speak in the capacity
of a Past Grand Master.
Thank you.
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