M.W. JIMMY SIMMONS

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

Greetings:

As Host Worshipful Grand Master of Masons for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Washington and Jurisdiction.  It is a distinct honor and a privilege to welcome you to the Seventy-fifth (75th) Annual Session of our Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge for the State of Washington, Free and Accepted Masons

First, allow me to thank the entire membership of Prince Hall Masons for the help and cooperation given to on personally and the Grand Lodge collectively during these twelve (12) months in office.

I deem it appropriate and necessary at this time to ask the blessing of the Grand Master of the Universe upon our deliberations. Brother Grand Chaplain, will you come before the altar and offer a word of prayer?

When I was elected and installed  in this high position as Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons I promised to be guided by the constitution and by—laws of the Grand Lodge and to keep this organization alive and moving forward.  The record will show that the image and stature of Prince Hall Masons have grown and improved during this year, our membership has increased our finance affairs are in good order, there is peace and harmony among the membership.  We wish to thank the host lodge, Guiding Star #6, F.&  A.M., Yakima, Washington for inviting this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge to the be its guest on its seventy-fifth anniversary of Prince Hall Masons for the state of Washington.  I shall take this opportunity to thank R.W. Deputy Grand Master, Carlton B. Tucker, Grand Entertainment Committee Chairman, R.W. District Deputy Grand Master Sanford I. Barnes, His Co-chairman, for a fine job in preparing for our 75th Anniversary.  Our thanks to you again.

NECROLOGY

Since we last assembled in the 74th Grand Communication, death has invaded our ranks.  We, not knowing the moment they shall be spent and exhausted, it is for us to make  valuable use of the remaining previous moments and make our contribution to life and humanity in general worthwhile and memorable or our existence. 

The Grand Master of the Universe has summoned from our rolls eleven (11) brethren:

May God through his Grace, Mercy and Truth, grant rest to their souls.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

It is a pleasure for me to report to you today on the condition of our Craft. After reading all the reports of our District Deputy Grand Masters and meeting on a personal basis with the Worshipful Masters, Wardens in our Jurisdiction, I find the craft healthy and stable in most of our areas. However, there has been some minor problems to deal with.

Marianas Travelers Lodge #49 at Anderson AFB, Guam. Their building was damaged when a tornado struck the island. At this present time they are in another building and continue to meet.

Beehive Lodge #60 and Mandarin Lodge #57, both of Taipei, Taiwan are feeling the effects of the military slowdown in the area, but are able to hold regular meetings and will function as long as possible.

I have been impressed with the quality of men being accepted into our ranks. They come from all walks of life such as preachers, teachers, bankers as well as laborers. Our challenge today is not more men in masonry but more masonry in men. Our future is bright and in good hands. We cannot look backward but move forward with the coming years ahead.

THE CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS AND GRAND CHAPTERS

The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington was the host grand lodge to entertain the Grand Masters Conference and Conference of Grand Chapters, O.E.S. in May 1978.

I would like to thank ray chairman, Past Grand Master James W. Davis, and all the committee members for the many months of hard work. Your excellent performance has enhanced the image of Prince Hall Masonry in the State of Washington to the extent that the Jurisdiction is held in the highest esteem.

UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE SCOTTISH RITE FREEMASONRY

NORTHERN JURISDICTION

I traveled to Chicago, Illinois to attend the United Supreme Council Meeting. It was a very impressive class of candidate from our Jurisdiction. I would like to thank the Sovereign Grand Commander, Russell S. Gideon, for planning the interesting workshop. You made our stay a pleasant one.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

It has been a pleasure for me to work with the Order of Eastern Stars, Grand Worthy Matron, Sister Mardine Purnell and Grand Worthy Patron, Brother Columbus Black. It was a great experience for me to work with the Most Ancient Grand Matron, Sister Willie Mae Gray, Heroines of Jericho and Brother Charles W. Hampton, Worthy Grand Joshua.

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRINCE HALL MASONS

On the evening of April 1, 1978, we celebrated the seventy-fifth (75th) Anniversary of Prince Hall Masons in the State of Washington and Jurisdiction. This celebration was held at the Olympic Hotel Grand Ballroom. My special thanks to Brother Irvin Hawkins and his committee for an outstanding job.

SPRING CONFERENCE

Our Annual Spring Conference was held at the Olympic Hotel, Seattle, Washington, April 1, 1978.  The Order of Eastern Stars and the Heroines of Jericho were present and participated in the conference.  Thanks to all the Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, Worshipful Masters, and Brothers for all attending and working on the various panels.  You did an outstanding job and it was enjoyed by all.

SENTINEL N.A.A.C.P. CREDIT UNION

On or about the last of August 1977 I was informed of the problem existing at the Credit Union. I called a meeting with P.G.M. James N. Davis and P.G.M. Louis R. Solomon chairman of the Comptrollers Board. They gave me all the information they had about the credit union operation the past year. Past Grand Master, James W. Davis had been meeting and working with the credit union president, Brother Levi Townsend. On September 1, 1977 I called a meeting with President Brother Glenwood Buxton on the progress of the credit union. Brother Buxton informed me that the credit union was in serious trouble. On September 20, 1977 Brother Glenwood Buxton met with the Prince Hall Comptrollers Board and explained the condition of the credit union. He felt that the problem could be resolved in a very short period, but as time went on the situation deteriorated. On December 27, 1977 I was informed by Brother Buxton that the Washington State Division of Savings and Loans Association had revoked the charter of the Sentinel N.A.A.C.P. Credit Union effective December 23, 1978.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.      That all future Commander-In-Chiefs and Illustrious Potentates elected to office in this jurisdiction, must have served as a Past Master in a subordinate lodge recognized by the Prince Hall Masonic family.

2.      That all lodges in this Jurisdiction who fail to forward their Quarterly and Annual Reports to the Grand Secretary’s office as prescribed in Part 2, Title 70, Section 70.02 of the by-Laws of this Grand Lodge be penalized the sum of $2.00 per day for every day late, unless the lodge requests permission from the Grand Master.

3.      That this Grand Body go on record as adopting the Knights of Pythagoras as a part of this Jurisdiction and that a budget of $1,000.00 be set up is a working fund.

4.      I recommend that the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge consider purchasing a fifteen passenger club wagon 1978 Ford.

CONCLUSION

Our wish is to improve, to advance, and make progress, so Brethren with your continued support for a Grand Lodge Program we shall press on ever searching for future light in Masonry. Our faith being in God. I hope that whatever we touch in the future we will leave it better than we found it.

Fraternally yours,

Jimmy Simmons