M.W.
JAMES E. CHASE
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND
MASTER
We have gathered here in the beautiful city of Vancouver, Washington,
located on the lovely Columbia River, for another Grand Communication; our
Order having accomplished 69 years of meaningful participation in the lives
of our beloved Brothers. This is a very special occasion for this is the
first time Vancouver has been the host city. The Brothers and Sisters here,
working with the Grand Entertainment Committee, have left no stones unturned
in their efforts to make this a memorable occasion for everyone. I am
confident that this session will be a most successful one and we shall
return to our homes inspired to work harder than ever to carry on this
important work.
I want you to know how deeply I have appreciated the honor of serving as
your Most Worshipful Grand Master this past Masonic year. This has been one
of the most enriching and rewarding experiences of my life. I thank you for
making this possible. Also, I appreciate so much your support. It has always
been my hope that I would warrant the trust you have placed in me.
Also, I want to tell you of my deep appreciation for your hospitality and
lovely gifts. I shall cherish your presents and your kindness always. They
mean so much to me because they came from you.
NECROLOGY
Dear Heavenly Father, We thank Thee for the privilege of meeting here. We
remember with both pride and humility the exemplary qualities of the
founders of our organization. Those Brothers who founded our Order inspire
us to live in its great tradition of worthy ideals.
Grant us FAITH to light our souls, LOVE to free us from prejudice and
hypocrisy, and TRUTH to guide us in life’s never-ending search for Thy
answers to life’s questions.
In a chaotic world where diverse pressures are great and old ways no longer
seem appropriate, we thank Thee for loyalty and brotherhood which bind us in
the close relationships we cherish this day. May Thy divine spirit bless us
as we work together. In the name of Thy dear Son, our Savior, we pray.
Amen.
God shall wipe away all tears; and there shall be no more death, neither
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain; for the former
things have passed away. In Memory of: Brother Leroy Slade – Mandarin Lodge
No. 57 - June 13, 1971; Brother Joel Russell — Inland Empire Lodge No. 3 -
October 4, 1971; Brother Sylvester A. Thomas - True Resolution Lodge No. 16
- November 18, 1971; Brother Schley Jackson – Hercules Lodge No. 17 -
January 9, 1972; Brother Robert Jones - Abiff Lodge No. 37 -
February 14, 1972; Brother Ezell Harris - Inland Empire Lodge No. 3 - March
17, 1972; and Brother Benny Walker - Cassia Lodge No. 5 - May 5, 1972.
It remains that we who are living should so live and, by our actions, attend
the coming of the day of fate, that we may neither be surprised nor leave
our duties imperfect, nor our sins uncancelled, nor unappeased, but that
when our bodies, in their turn, descend to their graves, our souls may
ascend to the regions of eternal light. Whatever fate is to befall us in
this world, let the motto of our lives be: For the past, CHARITY; for the
present, HOPE; for the future, FAITH.
STATE OF THE CRAFT
I am pleased to report that the Craft is in an excellent condition. The
projected income for the fiscal year so ably prepared by our Grand Lodge
Finance Committee was very accurate and realistic. With the help of my
staff, we were able to operate within our budget.
It is with sincere pride and pleasure that I report to you that we have
chartered two lodges in the 6th District; they are: Eureka No. 41 and
Craftsmen’s No. 58. However, because of the closing of the Air Base,
Craftsmen was forced to dissolve. All remaining members as well as all
assets were transferred to O’Misawa No. 54 as of April 15, 1972.
Due to the closure of another military base in the Far East, Eureka No. 41
was forced to dissolve and their membership and assets were transferred to
Cherry Blossom No. 42.
Inspite of the fact that we have lost two lodges by dissolution, our
membership is still growing in size and quality. We have one more bright
spot in the 6th District; namely, Beehive Lodge U.D. According to the
reports I have received from them and the reports and recommendations I have
received from my District Deputy Grand Master, Brother Roland R. Rainey,
they are an up-and-coning group of Brothers who desire a Charter.
You may rest assured that the assets of our Jurisdiction are growing
steadily inspite of many handicaps any administration is faced with today.
FRATERNAL RELATIONS
The State of Washington and its Jurisdiction continues to have harmonious
and fruitful relationships with all the other Prince Hall Jurisdictions in
the United States. It is pleasing to me to see our members of the Masonic
family attending national meetings and conventions in other jurisdictions. I
am sure that all of us feel very fortunate to be a part of such a tremendous
organization when we return home from one of these memorable occasions. It
is indeed inspiring.
Through correspondence I have received from other parts of the country, I
have learned that our Washington Jurisdiction holds a place of respect among
the Craft nationally. We have received many communications from other
Jurisdictions congratulating us and wishing us well on the occasion of this
our 69th Grand Lodge Communication.
Intra-fraternal relations continue to be harmonious and excellent. All
groups in our Jurisdiction: the Masons, the Order of Eastern Star, the
Consistory, the Shriners, and the Heroines of Jericho are carrying on the
work in an exemplary manner, working for the good of our Masonic family.
SPECIAL CONVENTION — NORTHWEST
CONFERENCE
Our Northwest Conference was held in Yakima, Washington on March 4, 1972
with R.W. Senior Grand Warden, Jimmy Simmons in charge. I deeply appreciate
R.W. Simmons’ devotion to the Masonic cause. I am sure that all those
attending would agree that this was undoubtedly one of the most constructive
spring conferences we have ever held. This meeting represents a great deal
of hard work and dedication; the kind that will make us grow and prosper.
We were fortunate that we were present in Yakima that day, when Naomi
Chapter No. 5 and our Prince Hall Grand Chapter honored Sister May Bradford
with a life membership luncheon.
CODE REVISION COMMITTEE
At the suggestion and advice of our Past Grand Masters, I appointed a
committee to work on updating and revising our Code. The committee is
composed of all Past Grand Masters who felt they had the time to serve in
this capacity. The Past Grand Masters have added to their committee other
Brothers who have had a special interest in this. The committee has tried to
be objective about their work, not allowing any bias of their own or anyone
else’s, including the Grand Master, to interfere with their work. They have
functioned in an impartial manner with only the good of our Order in mind.
Many long, tedious hours have been spent and I know this is a job well done.
They have put Masonry above personal desire and for this I sincerely thank
them.
BUILDING FUND
Only a few short years ago, the image of our Jurisdiction in our communities
was not what we would have liked it to be, mainly because our meeting hall
facilities were woefully inadequate. They did not inspire us to actively
participate in our Masonic affairs.
Today, we are on the march--Tacoma, Toni Lodge No. 46 of Okinawa, and
Spokane have buildings of which we can be proud. But, we cannot be
satisfied until all cities in our Jurisdiction have adequate facilities.
Those in need of temples are Yakima; the Tri-Cities area; Seattle;
Vancouver, Washington; Vancouver, B.C.; Everett; Guam; and other lodges in
the Far East.
Whereas, we may be pleased with many facets of the building program, we are
not satisfied with the operation as a whole. We have Masons who have gone
far beyond their grace period. This we cannot tolerate much longer if we can
expect to accomplish the goal we have set before us.
In January 1972, I wrote a letter to the Worshipful Masters of every
subordinate lodge notifying them that I was granting a dispensation to them
for the purpose of evaluating and reviewing cases of brothers who are
non-affiliated with the lodge for failure to pay the building assessment. I
quote, ‘‘This dispensation will remain in effect until June 20, 1972 and is
retroactive to July 15, 1971. After each case has been evaluated and
reviewed individually as to financial ability to pay; any necessary,
appropriate action may be taken in order to bring any brother back into
good, bona fide Masonic standing.’’
In making this decision to grant this dispensation, it is not my intention
to forestall or prevent a brother from shouldering his rightful obligation,
but rather it is to alleviate the pressure on those who temporarily find
themselves in unfortunate circumstances. This does not automatically exempt
any brother from paying.
A few years ago, the Grand Lodge saw the need to create a building fund in
order to update our physical image and the Grand Body wisely instituted this
program. Today no one can deny the benefits derived from it. We all
appreciate the gains that we have made and we desire to continue to
progress.
In our request for progress, we sometimes find the path stewn with obstacles
of every conceivable nature, and we feel they must be eliminated if we are
to reach our goal; but we must be careful not to cast aside any that are
vital to our well-being. Those of us who have labored long and hard and have
sacrificed in order to acquire a temple that we can look upon with pride,
know the real value of this building program. But yet, there may be brothers
that also recognize the value and have a sincere desire to do their share,
but financially are unable to pay as soon as they would like. These are the
brothers we should not cast aside, but rather we should give them a
reasonable length of time in which to complete their building fund
obligation. ‘‘Together we shall surely reach our goal.’’
FAR EAST COMMAND — THE 6TH
DISTRICT
The trip to the Far East to attend the 4th Annual Conference of District 6
is one that I shall never forget. Accompanying me on the trip were R.W.
Deputy Grand Master, Brother James W. Davis, and our Grand Secretary,
Brother Jasper R. Warren. Enroute to Japan we stopped overnight in Honolulu,
one of the most beautiful spots in our country.
We arrived in Tokyo at 5:30 p.m. on the same day, March 21, 1972, and were
met by R.W. District Deputy Grand Master, Brother Roland R. Rainey and
Brothers and Sisters of District 6. No Heads of State of any country could
have enjoyed a warmer welcome and greeting than we Prince Hall Masons
received. Prior to this, the delegation, likewise, had greeted Brother
Russell S. Gideon, Grand Minister of State, Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite of Freemasonry, who joined our group at this time. We were all treated
royally and our every desire was fulfilled, The agenda included a
Thanksgiving Service, a beautiful banquet, a superb banquet followed by a
dance, a lovely after-party at the home of Special District Deputy Grand
Master Lawrence Staton and Sister Staton who were gracious hosts, an
exciting golf game with ‘‘Big Jack’’ Jackson as my host, and a relaxing
evening of fun and entertainment at the Club in Zama.
Meeting the fine families of our Brothers was a high point of my visit. I
find that the zeal and enthusiasm of our Sisters match that of their
husbands, our Brothers.
The Conference was most constructive and informative. We had a fine
representation of the entire District. We have grown to a membership of
approximately 350, most of these attending our Annual Conference of the Far
East. At the meeting, I saw a Raising (3rd Degree) which was most Impressive
and done in an excellent manner.
Anyone who has been fortunate enough to have journeyed to the 6th District
in the Far East can attest to the fact that here is where Masonry lives,
breathes, and has its being. There are many reasons why this is so.
There are two important factors that I feel contribute to the success we are
having in the Far East Command. One is that we have a group of dedicated,
young and aggressive Masons who are ready to go forward there. They plan,
work hard, and are willing to contribute generously of their finances,
traveling great distances to carry on the work. Secondly, we have been
blessed with a District Deputy Grand Master, Brother Roland R. Rainey, who
has the strength and wisdom to counsel, motivate and inspire the members in
District 6. The names of Mabuhay 59, Eureka 41, Cherry Blossom 42, Marianas
Travelers 49, Toni 46, O’Misawa 54, Pride of the Orient 55, Mandarin 57,
Craftsmen’s 58, and Beehive U.D. will long live in the annals of Masonry.
Because of the expansion and growth of our Craft in the Far East as well as
the great distances between Lodges, I felt that we were in need of Special
District Deputy Grand Masters who could give the services to which the
Lodges were entitled. Therefore, upon the recommendation of District Deputy
Grand Master, Roland R. Rainey, I appointed two Special District Deputy
Grand Masters. They are: Special District Deputy Grand Master, Lawrence
Staton whose area will include Eureka 41, O’Misawa 54, Pride of the Orient
55, Marianas Travelers 49, and Craftsmen’s 58; and Special District Deputy
Grand Master, Freddie L. Bradley, whose territory includes Toni 46, Mandarin
57, Mabuhay 59, and Beehive U.D.
My heartfelt thanks goes to all of the Masonic family who made this 4th
Annual Convention such a major success.
THE YOUTH PROGRAM
Because of the vital roll youth plays in the perpetuation of our Masonic
family and in the world as a whole, the time has come where we must give
more of our finances and of our concerted effort and attention to our Youth
Department supporting their work. I am announcing that I shall be appointing
a committee to be under the leadership of our Junior Grand Warden, Brother
Carlton B, Tucker. They will be asked to bring to the Grand Lodge their
findings on new plans and ways and means of financing the programs.
OFFICIAL VISITS
I have made official visits to the following Districts: District 4 — May 5,
1972; Inland Empire Lodge 3, Perfect Ashler Lodge 40. District 3 — May 9,
1972, Guiding Star Lodge 6. District 2 — May 18, 1972,
Cassia Lodge 5, and Egyptian Lodge 44, Hamma Hamma Lodge 35. Vancouver Lodge
47 — May 20, 1972. District 1 — June 17, 1972, Olympus Lodge 45, Abiff Lodge
37, Union Lodge 43, J.C. Logan Lodge 53, Hercules Lodge 17, and Harmony
Lodge 2.
I found the Brethren and the Officers sincerely dedicated, with a
willingness to work for the improvement and progress of their Lodges. They
truly inspired me and they have made my task lighter. They have been the
backbone of our Jurisdiction.
IN DEEP APPRECIATION:
In using your wisdom and excellent judgment, you, my Brethren, elected one
of the finest slate of Officers our Washington Jurisdiction has ever had. No
Grand Master could have asked for more support or more excellence among his
staff. Also, my appointive Officers have, likewise, been outstanding and
hard, sincere workers. All Grand Officers have been motivated and inspired
to give their very best. For this, I am grateful to you all.
My special thanks goes to: Brother JAMES W. DAVIS, Deputy Grand Master, who
has been everything to me and to Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of
Washington. This wonderful Grand Session is a tribute to him and his hard
work as well as the toil and devotion of the Grand Entertainment Committee.
Brother JASPER R. WARREN, Grand Secretary, whose outstanding ability and
devotion to the work is second to none. We are fortunate to have such an
efficient officer. Brother JIMMY SIMMONS, Senior Grand Warden for his fine
work on the Northwest Conference.
Brother CARLTON B. TUCKER, Junior Grand Warden, for his untiring efforts on
behalf of our youth and for the excellent showing of our youth at the
Northwest Conference. My District Deputy Grand Masters, who have done such
an exceptionally fine job of carrying on the business of this Jurisdiction
in their Districts. The Past Grand Masters for their help, their counsel,
and their support. All our committee chairmen and committee members who
have worked so diligently and meticulously to carry on the important work of
our Order. All of our Brethren for their devotion to our Prince Hall Grand
Lodge of the State of Washington and its Jurisdiction and for their
endeavors to make this Jurisdiction second to none, I give my heartfelt
thanks.
PROCLAMATIONS AND OFFICIAL ACTS
1.
To observe the mandatory celebrations of St. John
the Devine, Prince Hall Day, and St. John the Baptist.
2.
Proclamation convening the 69th Grand Lodge
Communication.
3.
All dispensations requested by the District Deputy
Grand Master were granted.
4.
Dissolution of Eureka 41, with all members and
assets consolidated with Cherry Blossom 42 — April 15, 1972.
5.
Dissolution of Craftsmen’s 58, with all members
and assets consolidated with O’Misawa 54 — April 15, 1972.
APPOINTMENTS:
Special District Deputy Grand Master, Lawrence Staton of District 6; Special
District Deputy Grand Master, Freddie L. Bradley of District 6; Special
Liaison to Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Past Grand Master E.A. Douglas; and
Special District Deputy Grand Master, Ernest J. Mouton of District 2.
To you, Worshipful Masters and Officers, who have served your Lodges the
past Masonic year of 1971—1972, I give my sincere congratulations for a
successful administration for I know you have taken advantage of your
opportunities for service — the kind which has made this one of the best
years in our Masonic history. I deeply appreciate the support which you have
given me.
Yours has been a position of high trust, one to which you were selected by
your own members who felt confident of your ability to serve then capably
and conscientiously. As officers of your Lodge, you fully appreciated the
responsibilities that became yours with the assumption of your position, and
I know it was pride in your Lodge and in our whole Masonic Order that
inspired you throughout the year to give your very best so that your
community would truly become a better place In which to live.
Bearing In mind that progress demands that each succeeding year must be
better than the last, you have worked to make your year successful, to
expand your activities and goals so that your Lodge would be of utmost
possible service to your community. Your Lodges have taken an active part in
carrying out, not only the local programs of our Order, but also those of
the Grand Lodge as well.
At the beginning of my term of office, I urged you all to avail yourselves
fully of the services and opportunities for guidance and leadership found
in the Grand Lodge and in your District Deputy Grand Master in your own
District. I feel sure you have taken this advice and by doing so, your Lodge
has grown in service, in worthwhile programs, and in planting the seeds of
good deeds wherever you reside.
It is my hope that the Wardens and Officers have been it, close touch with
the committee chairmen, trustees and Past Masters of your Lodge so that
there could be free flow of discussion and ideas regarding your
administration’s program; and so that there has been a coordinated effort to
assure its completions. Also, it is hoped you have reviewed each item of
your programs and have laid plans for the attainment of those goals which
might yet be unfulfilled. I am pleased to report that in my visits in the
several districts, I found you have been making every effort to follow these
suggestions.
In the past, I have charged you to make your Lodge so vital that the best
men in your community will he attracted and will seek memberships in our
Order so they, too, might engage in these activities,
We must make our program so varied and vital that each member will be
attracted to service in some area of activity which will meet a special
interest of his own.
I am sure you have appointed committeemen who have been actively aggressive
in the promotion of their particular assignment and who have had the
leadership ability and talent necessary to command the respect and support
of the membership. In talking with Brothers all over out Jurisdiction, I
find that there has been concerted effort to do this.
To you, my Brothers, who do not at this time hold an office in your local
Lodge, I must give my congratulations, for it is obvious you have given your
Officers and your Lodge the support which is so vital and necessary for a
successful program, we are grateful for your interest in the affairs of your
Lodge. Your input has been necessary in making our leader a strong, viable
organization. While your membership and charitable contributions of
themselves has been essential, of equal importance has been the value of
your efforts, guidance, and your opinions.
In the beginning of the year, the farmer prepares the soil and sows his
seed. I hope we, as Masons, have emulated the farmer in our endeavors, Our
Lodge is the soil and our activities are the seed. If our Lodge has been
healthy and well organized, it has been a fit place in which to sow the
seeds of good deeds — a fit place in which to nurture the seeds so that they
will have grown and multiplied — FOR AS THE MASONS SOW, AMERICA REAPS.
Sixty-nine years ago, on April 13, 1903, the brave and dedicated members of
three lodges met in the City of Seattle, Washington and decided to determine
their own destiny by organizing their own Grand Lodge, known as the Grand
Lodge of Washington and Oregon, A.F. & A.M. The lodges I am speaking of
were Enterprise Lodge 47 of Portland, Oregon; Washington Lodge 49 of
Seattle; and Inland Empire Lodge 53 of Spokane, Washington. No one at that
time could possibly have predicted or dreamed of the impact Masonry would
have upon the Black citizens of the Washington—Oregon Jurisdiction.
Beginning in the humblest way, two lodges in Washington and one in Oregon
with small memberships, set out on a monumental task we might call ‘‘an
impossible dream,’’ which has grown into a large, Impressive Jurisdiction.
We now have lodges in the State of Washington; in Vancouver, B.C., Canada;
Alaska; in the Philippines; Guam; Taiwan; Okinawa; and Japan. Furthermore,
our Masonic family has expanded to include the Order of the Eastern Star,
the Consistory, the Shrine, and the Heroines of Jericho.
Today we most he proud of Prince Hall Masonry, proud of the past and of our
heritage. The life source flows on from those who have founded our Order
and have gone on before us leaving us to carry on the heritage. Our thoughts
should tune into two directions; toward the past with reverence and
gratitude and toward the future with hope and renewed dedication. This
thought reminds me of an adaptation of a verse from the poem ‘Heritage’’ by
Gene Lindberg:
‘‘Their dreams, deep-rooted in the past
Must never die! Though now, at last,
Part you play, has just begun.
Their dreams are yours – a trust
to keep – where they have planted,
you must reap; Must hold the goal they
sought to win. Where their trail ends,
your trails begin.”
The torch that they lit and passed on to us must now be passed on by us.
Each must add its might to help oil the wheels of progress.
Today we are living in a new era-an era of advancement and progress. It
is an era of change; of new ideas; of new ideas, concepts, and technology.
We must not fall into the human error of taking things for granted, to
ignore the trot that hundreds of years of human development lie behind us;
and to these generations, we owe our present civilization. Progress does not
come overnight, but it is like a snowball that grows as it rolls down a hill
of fresh-fallen snow. Such is man’s progress; each day adding something new,
each day accomplishment becoming possible because of something we
experienced the day before. Likewise, no age is independent of the age
which preceded it.
Even before the dawn of civilization, the world has been changing
constantly. During the untold ages, the mountains, valleys, streams and
coastlines have changed hundreds of times. The seas have covered the land
and mountains have pushed their heads up out of the water. The waters,
mountains, and valleys are truly the handiwork of the Grand Architect of the
Universe. Therefore, if what the Infinite God bath wrought has changed down
through ages, it would seem to me that the customs and usages of finite man
are Insignificant as the wheels of time grind on and certainly they can be
changed, too. The day has come when we must realize that we, also, must make
changes in order to advance and to cope with our society of today.
Never before in the history of Masonry have we been under as severe and
increasing strain as we are today. Inspite of the fact that Masonry was well
designed and instituted to meet the simple needs of early times, today we
find our fraternity ill-suited to cope with the new burdens and
responsibilities imposed on us by a complex society. Adaptation to change
has been so slow and so reluctant that the future role of our Masonic
institutions seems threatened by our own reluctance to progress with the
times.
The necessity and urgency of keeping abreast of the times has been
recognized by every administration from Past Grand Master J.C. Logan to our
immediate Past Grand Master Frank Russell. They have all felt that our
Movement should be forward.
This was vividly brought out by Past Grand Master Louis R. Solomon in his
1968 message when he said, ‘‘Today we, as Prince Hall Masons, must take
stock of the fact that every facet of our lives in this great nation of ours
is expanding and changing so rapidly that we are as a group, apparently
unable to keep up with the ever-changing condition. Masonry must move with
the times. It must also show advancement in the application of its
principles.’’
We must have vision, dedication, and fortitude to devise new solutions and
make vigorous change in order that old functions can be replaced with new
techniques. Only in this way can we attract youth.
In taking a new look at youth and surveying our membership, we are compelled
to note the absence of youth in our Order, Black and White. This should make
us be concerned about the future of our Craft. In order to attract the youth
of our time, we must become relevant in the community. We must become
involved in our problems of today: housing, employment, education, equal
treatment in the courts, civil rights, etc.
We can no longer afford leadership which clings to the past because of fear
of the future. Today, above all we must be flexible. We must have remarkable
agility of heart and mind to cope with the constant and unpredictable
changes that will surely come in the course of our lifetime. We must do many
jobs well, if we are to meet the challenge of tomorrow. We must accept our
responsibilities of today.
I close now with a poem by Kalidasa for I feel it expresses so well the
thoughts I have tried to convey:
“Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of achievement,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today, well lived, makes every yesterday
a dream of happiness
And Tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day
Such is the salutation to the dawn.’’
JAMES E. CHASE
Most Worshipful Grand Master
