M.W.
JAMES W. DAVIS
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND
MASTER
Greetings:
It is a great honor and a privilege for me to welcome each of you here to
our 72nd Annual Communications, being held at the Red Lion Motor Inn, Pasco,
Washington. I am very greatful for this opportunity to stand before this
Grand Lodge to recount to you my stewardship for the past twelve months.
This year indeed has been a unique experience, and certainly a new ball
game to me.
I accepted the challenge of this mighty responsibility and started the year
out with faith in God and a determination to do my best. I can truly say
with the divine guidance of the Great Architect of the Universe, we have
been successful in all our programs.
It hardly seems possible that a year ago you elected me to the Oriental
Chair in the Grand East to rule and preside over this Grand Lodge. At that
time I believed that I was fully aware of my responsibilities.
One of the most beautiful things I can think of is the foundation of masonry
had already been laid. All one has to do is build upon it. My challenge
today, as well as has always been, let’s build this Jurisdiction. I shall
never be satisfied until we have reached the standard, membership-wide and
otherwise that a 72 year old organization should have reached. Looking back
I can honestly say we have come a long way. Looking forward I must say that
we have a long way to go. With that in mind today I challenge each of you to
take a progressive step in Masonry. Select your own choice of what role you
will play. By all means do something.
At this time I charge every Master Mason with the responsibility of
returning to his Blue Lodge; offer his service, try to help that struggling
lodge that is trying so hard to reach perfection.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to all the Grand Lodge officers for the
service they have rendered during the past year. I believe I have the most
dedicated group of officers that any Grand Master could ask for. They have
worked very hard this year and I am very proud of them. My District Deputies
have done an outstanding job throughout their several districts and I am
very proud of them. I do appreciate their services.
To my two Special Deputies, Right Worshipful Brother Clyde W. Joe, and Right
Worshipful Brother Joseph Trim, I am proud of them and do appreciate the
work they are doing.
To all Committee Chairmen and members I am greatful to you for your loyal
support that you gave.
One of the most valuable vehicles this Grand Lodge has is the Comptroller
Board. After sitting in several meetings with them, I soon became aware of
the long and hard hours they sacrifice for this Grand Lodge. At this time I
wish to offer special thanks to Past Grand Master Sylvester J. Lake,
Chairman, Past Grand Master, Frank Russell, Past Grand Master, Louis R.
Solomon, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary Jasper R. Warren and Right
Worshipful Grand Treasurer, Elbert Timmes. These brothers have certainly
made their contribution to this Grand Lodge.
It seems fitting to me that I call your attention to the outstanding job
done by Past Grand Master Louis R. Solomon and his committee on Building
throughout this Jurisdiction. Finally after 72 years they have brought to
reality the Jurisdiction Headquarters Building. They spent many long, hard
hours on this project. They are to be highly commended for their service.
NECROLOGY
The question is asked in the Holy Writ “What man is he that liveth and shall
not see death?” And we know that the answer is: “Not one.” Again as always
death has invided our ranks and made our hearts heavy. The mystery of death,
like the mystery of birth, continues to defy understanding; and we are never
quite ready when the day has ended. There is not one in this assemblage who
does not have a personal interest in our brothers upon whom the seal of
finality has been placed. The eleven brothers who passed were all men who
squared their actions as they went about their earthly labors. The young may
die, the old must die; but the wiseth knoweth how soon. We think today with
reverence of those brothers who disroded, retired, and sought solace in that
Grand Lodge above, where the scales of doubt and procrastination shall fall
from our eyes and the purpose of the divine plan shall be viewed in all its
splendor.
Almighty and Eternal God - in Whom we live and move and have our being, we
beseech. Thee to be present with us in this hour and during all the days of
our earthly life; lead us by the hand of love; point out to us the pathway
of duty. Pour out Thy continual blessing upon the relatives and friends of
our departed brother. Lead them to know that he is waiting to greet them in
a world where light and bliss are eternal. Grant us Thy divine assurance,
oh! most merciful God, to redeem our misspent time, and in the important
duties which Thou hast assigned us In the erection of our spiritual temple,
give us wisdom to direct us, strength to support us and the beauty of
holiness to adorn our labors arid render them acceptable in Thy sight so
that, when fur labors here on earth are ended, we may be with Thee amidst
the radiant splendor of eternal truth. Amen!
STATE OF THE CRAFT
I am pleased to report to you that I have traveled throughout the entire
Jurisdiction, I found the Craft to be healthy arid stable in most areas
Beehive Lodge No. 60, Tainan Taiwan, is suffering for the lack of personnel.
It is my understanding that the base there will be closed.
Pasco, Washington - After a number of efforts exhausted by District Deputy
Grand Master Sanford Barnes, Past Grand Master, James E. Chase, and myself
trying to get these brothers to bring Pioneer Lodge No. 39 active, I had no
alternative but to pick up the charter which was done June 28, 1975.
I further wish to report that the membership has grown throughout the entire
Jurisdiction; plus we have added four new lodges to the Jurisdiction one in
Renton, Washington; one in Moses Lake, Washington and two in Germany. This
accomplishment was achieved under the leadership of Right Worshipful Special
Deputy Clyde W. Joe, Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master Charles
L. Bridges and Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master Jesse W. Price.
These brothers did a tremendous amount of herd work and I deeply appreciate
their labor,
GRAND MASTER’S CONFERENCE
I attended the Grand Master’s Conference in Portland, Oregon accompanied by
the Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother, Jimmy Simmons and Grand
Lecturer, Right Worshipful Brother, Irvin Hawkins. Also in attendance was
Past Grand Master. James E. Chase, Past Grand Master, Johnny Allen, Past
Grand Master, Theodore Spearman, Right Worshipful District Deputy, Sanford
Barnes, and Past Grand Master, Russell S. Gideon. Under the leadership of
Grand Master, William B. Odom and his Grand Lodge the conference was said to
be one of the best they have ever had. It was inspiring arid educational to
me.
FRATERNAL RELATIONS
I have enjoyed working with the Order of Eastern Stars and the Heroines of
Jericho. I hey had a beautiful experience working and traveling with Sister
Hattie D. Barnes, Grand Worthy Matron and Sister Willie L. Hawkins, Most
Ancient Grand Matron Brother Columbus Black, Grand Worthy Patron and Brother
James A. Davis, Grand Joshua.
SPRING CONFERENCE
Our Annual Spring Conference convened at the Olympic, Hotel, Seattle,
Washington, March 8, 1975. The Order of Eastern Stars and Heroines of
Jericho were present and participated in the conference. It was well planned
and went off very smooth
200TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRINCE HALL MASONS
The evening of March 8, 1975, we celebrated the 200th Anniversary of Prince
Hall Masons being in existence. This affair was financed by the Grand Lodge
officers and a few other faithful brothers. It was free to the public. The
Grand Ballroom at the Olympic Hotel was packed. My special thanks to Past
Grand Master Chase and his committee for a job well done.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
I recommend the initiation fee for new members to the Grand Lodge remain
$10.00 instead of $5.00.
2.
I recommend the sum of $100.00 be donated to the Grand Master’s Conference
and the sum of $50.00 to the Legal Defense Fund.
3.
That the resolution coming from the Comptroller Board be given careful
consideration.
4.
That the resolution coming from Abiff Lodge No. 37 also be given careful
consideration.
5.
That the following U.D. Lodges be granted a charter at this session:
a.
Martin Luther King Jr., Renton, Washington
b.
Corinthian, Moses Lake, Washington
c.
Pride of Giessen, Giessen Germany
d.
Joseph P. Wilson, Kaiserslautern, Germany
James W. Davis,
Most Worshipful Grand Master
