M. W. J.E. HAWKINS
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER
The M.W. Grand
Master, J. E. Hawkins, delivered his address to the Grand Lodge as follows:
Brethren of the Grand
Lodge--Greeting:
A little over six
years ago the Grand Lodge of Washington and Oregon was erected at Seattle,
and many of those whom I now see before me participated in the ceremony of
launching upon the Masonic sea the youngest, and at that time, the frailest
bark commanded by Negro Masons in these United States. And time in its
onward course has brought us to attend, this, our Sixth Annual
Communication. The fifth year of our Masonic existence is now a matter of
history. We are surrounded by the most gratifying evidences of prosperity,
and are enjoying the fruits which come from pure precept and faithful
example. And we return thanks to the Divine Architect of the Universe that
we are again permitted to grasp the hand of true and faithful brothers and
to bow in humble adoration around our sacred altar.
And we can say with
pardonable pride that the relations which have heretofore and do now exist
among the brethren of this Jurisdiction, make it a double pleasure, after a
year of separation, to again meet face to face those who are endeared to us
by the strongest yet tenderest of fraternal ties. We are wonderfully
blessed in that our lots have been cast in pleasant places, and we are not
unmindful of the progress made by our Grand Lodge along the lines of
morality, temperance and economy. And not only among our membership, but
among our people generally. Nor do we forget, that striving for recognition
as Masons, it was the efforts of the members of this Grand Lodge to gain
that recognition vouchsafed to all regular Masons, that primarily caused
the honored and lamented W.H. Upton to place before the Masonic world the
history and rightful status of Negro Masons.
CONDITION
God, in His infinite
mere, has blessed our Lodges during the past year, as to increase in
membership and finance, and the reports received from the Lodges are
encouraging. The condition of the Craft in this state is fairly prosperous.
And while the realty holdings of the Lodges are not great, yet efforts along
the lines of accumulating property are under way in several lodges, and the
prospects for the future are bright in this Jurisdiction.
NECROLOGY
We have been
singularly blessed in that the Grim Reaper has paid to this entire
Jurisdiction but one visit during the past year when he summoned from our
midst Bro. H.B. Jones, Past Master of Trinity Lodge No. 7.
FRATERNAL RELATIONS
We enjoy the most
friendly and cordial relations with alt of our sister Grand Lodges, and to
our Chairman on Foreign Correspondence is due much credit in bringing our
Grand Lodge to the respectful attention of the Masons of the world, and
through the efforts of that committee, reference of the highest order has
been made as to our work. We have had but few fraternal visits, but we have
had much fraternal correspondence and exchange of greetings which have been
pleasant as well as profitable to us.
And we are convinced
from the reports received that at this time more, intimate relations and a
greater degree of interest obtains among the Regular Colored Grand Lodges
than ever before, and the tie that binds us is growing stronger each year.
This condition is brought about largely by the careful manner in which the
reports of the various Grand Lodges are reviewed. and the able and
interesting manner in which the comments upon these reports are presented
to us by the brilliant writers who are on the committees for Foreign
Correspondence, who are bringing us closer together, and among whom is our
own Parker. And it is a matter of great satisfaction to us that our Grand
Lodge is on the most friendly relations with every one of our sister
jurisdictions.
VISITATIONS
It is a matter of
sincere regret to us that we have been unable to visit all of the Lodges
during the year.
On April 18th I
started on my annual tour of visiting the Lodges east of the mountains,
visiting Inland Empire Lodge No. 3, of Spokane, on the 20th day of April. I
found that lodge working in peace and harmony and altogether prosperous.
On April 22nd I
arrived at North Yakima, where I attended Guiding Star Lodge No. 6. The
brothers held their first Communication in their new hall during my visit. I
found the members of Guiding Star Lodge earnest in their efforts to advance
the interests of the Craft in their vicinity, peace and harmony prevailing
and the lodge in a prosperous condition.
On April 24th I
visited Cascade Lodge No. 8, of Roslyn, the home lodge of Bro. J. E.
Shepperson, D.G.M., and found that lodge to be in an exceptionally
prosperous condition and the members working in the greatest harmony.
On May 21st I visited
Evergreen Lodge, U.D., at Everett. This lodge is made up almost entirely of
the former members of Compass Lodge No. 4 of Everett, which lodge
surrendered its warrant to the Grand Lodge in 1908.
I visited Trinity
Lodge No. 7 on February 16th officially and have visited that lodge several
times since the official visit. That lodge has made a wonderful progress in
the past year; has increased its membership and treasury balance, and among
its members peace and harmony reign supreme.
I have attended
Washington Lodge No. 2 regularly, it being the lodge in which I hold
membership, and while there have been some discouraging incidents which have
arisen therein, at this time everything which had a tendency to mar the
amiable relations between the brethren, seems to have been settled.
CORNER STONE LAYING
On November 10th I
received a request from, Bro. E.H. Holmes, Worshipful Master of Inland
Empire Lodge No. 3, in which he requested permission to assemble his craft
the latter part of that month, for the purpose of laying the corner stone of
the Saint Paul's Baptist church. Bro. Holmes asked that Right Worshipful
Bro. Frank A. Stokes, our Grand Lecturer, be commissioned to do this work. I
granted this request, issued a commission to Bro. Stokes to officiate upon
that solemn occasion. Bro. Stokes assembled the craft as Grand Master and
with the assistance of his officers laid the stone in a manner comporting to
the dignity of the occasion, and in accord with the ancient ceremony of the
institution. Thereafter the craft returned to their hail and was closed in
due form.
RECOMMENDATIONS
As the standard of
intelligence rises among our membership the greater degree of respect
commanded, the greater our usefulness in our several communities, and the
greater the influence of the Masonic Fraternity for the betterment of our
people.
Therefore, I recommend that no person be
admitted to membership in any lodge in this Jurisdiction who cannot read or
write the English language understandingly.
1. I recommend the repeal of the
Resolution providing for certificates, as set forth on pages 34-36 of the
minutes of 1908, as submitted by Inland Empire Lodge No. 3.
2. I recommend that a warrant be
granted Evergreen Lodge, U. D., of Everett.
3. I recommend the adoption of a law
forbidding canvass for office both in the Grand Lodge and in the Subordinate
Lodges.
4. recommend that a committee
be appointed to frame some form or report as to the advisability of
establishing an endowment.
5. I recommend that all members,
including preachers, pay dues.
6. I recommend that the Grand Lodge
per capita tax be reduced to $1.00.
7. I recommend that no member be
assessed or taxed as a Past Master until he has passed the Master's chair,
And that no person not an actual Past Master be allowed a vote in the Grand
Lodge except Wardens acting as delegates and representing a lodge.
8. I recommend that no proxies be
allowed in the Grand Lodge.
9. I recommend that the Committee on
Investigation in particular lodges be more thorough in its work.
Under date of
December 1, 7.908, I received an application from Cassia Lodge No. 5 for a
dispensation to enter, pass and raise Masons for the period of thirty days
for less than the regular fee. This application was accompanied by a
personal letter from Bro. N. B. Simon, W. M., urging me to issue said
dispensation.
On the 16th day of
December, 1908, I issued a dispensation to Cassia Lodge No. 5 to enter, pass
and raise Masons for the period of thirty days for $15.00. That previous to
the issuance of said dispensation and under date of October 20, 1908 Cassia
Lodge No. 5, through its Secretary, John B. Nelson, sent a communication to
Washington Lodge No. 2, making inquiry as to the status of one Jacob Fields,
who claimed to have been entered and passed in Washington Lodge No. 2. That
Washington Lodge No. 2, through the office of the M. W. G. M., notified
Cassia Lodge No. 5 that the said Jacob Fields had been entered and passed in
Washington Lodge No. 2, but that his conduct subsequent to that time had
been such that said lodge had refused to confer further degrees upon him,
and Cassia Lodge No. 5 was advised as to the record of the candidate and
warned that he was unfit timber. That said communication was read in open
lodge by the Secretary of Cassia Lodge No. 5.
On the 18th day of
December, 1908, Bro. N.B. Simon, W.PT., of Cassia Lodge No. 5, contrary to
the provisions of the dispensation issued under date of December 16, 1908,
entered, passed and raised five men, on said night, one of whom was the said
Jacob Fields, over the protest of the majority of the Masons assembled, and
subsequent to said initiation, held the annual election, in which election
the newly made brethren participated, and at which Bro. N. B. Simon was
re-elected Worshipful Master.
I was immediately
advised by Bro. W.D. Fry, P S.W., of Cassia Lodge No. 5. of the acts of
Bro. N.B. Simon, and I removed Bro. Simon from office until the convening
of this Grand Session, placing the warrant in the hands of the S.W.
On November 17, 1908.
1 received a report and complaint from Bro. J.E. Shepperson. D.G.M.,
advising me that Bro. Frank King, W.M., of Cascade Lodge No. 8, had left
the city of Roslyn and resigned the keeping of the warrant of said lodge
during his absence into the hands of irresponsible persons, and that the
lodge had great trouble in recovering possession of the warrant. I thereupon
arrested the jewel of his office and placed the warrant in the keeping of W.J. Morrison, S.W. Charges and counter charges were made by members of
Cascade Lodge relative to irregularities therein, and prior to taking
definite action, as above stated, I sent Bro. Joseph Simms. D.D.G.M., of
that District, to make an investigation of the charges preferred. He
reported substantially as above stated.
NEW LODGES
On March 10, 1909, I
received a petition from seven former members of Compass Lodge No. 4 of
Everett, asking for a dispensation to set up a. new lodge, which said
dispensation was granted March 16, 1909. We commissioned Bro. S. S. Scott,
as a special D.D.G.M., to set up said lodge petitioned for under U.D.,
and the lodge was established on March 17, 1909, under the name of Evergreen
Lodge, U.D.
DISPENSATIONS
December 10, 1908, to
Washington Lodge No. 2, a dispensation to enter, pass and raise Masons for
the period of sixty days for $15.00.
December 16, 1908, to
Cassia Lodge No. 5, a dispensation to enter, pass and raise Masons for the
period of thirty days for $15.00.
January 22, 1909, to
Washington Lodge No. 2, a dispensation to hold a Communication on January
25, 1909, for the purpose of initiation, said night being a regular
communication night.
March 16, 1909, to
Evergreen Lodge, U.D.; a dispensation to set up a new lodge.
March 30, 1909, a
dispensation to Trinity Lodge No. 7, to enter, pass and raise Masons for the
period of sixty days for $15.00.
CONCLUSION
Brethren:
My tenure of office
is at .an end. In a few short hour, hence I will again take my place as a
member upon the floor of this Grand Lodge. I scarcely think it possible
that every member of this Grand Lodge will be entirely satisfied with my
effort during the past year, but I can truthfully say that if I have made
mistakes, and, "it is human to err," the mistakes were of the head and not
of the heart. And I congratulate myself upon being able to return to you,
untarnished, the trust confided to me, and in conclusion I desire to speak
for him whom you shall choose as my successor.
That you will give to
him the same cordial and loyal support extended to me, and that he may be
blessed with that degree of affection and brotherly love which you have so
unsparingly given and it has been my privilege to enjoy during my
administration.
"The primal duties
shine aloft, like stars.
The charities that
soothe. and heal, and bless,
Are scattered at the
feet of man, like flowers."
