M.W. CHARLES D. STUBBLEFIELD

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

Greetings:

Through the infinite mercy and unlimited grace of the Supreme Architect of the Universe we are assembled in this the 82nd Annual Communication in the City of Tacoma, Washington. We join our predecessors in this act of accounting and appraisal.

This very act has sent us to the pages of our past, because we ‘have learned to respect the noble tradition which imposes accountability on every man, even those of us who have been raised to this high pinnacle of power as Grand Master.

Brothers, I need not remind you that this Grand Lodge can only be successful if each and every one of us do and play his part. This world in which we live is but the stage upon which we perform life’s work, and we, as craftsmen, must play our parts well in our community and in life itself.

We have paid our private homage to the Grand Architect day after day, but as I stand before you today, I feel as naked and alone as a young E.A. upon his first admission, and I have no pride which prevents me from acknowledging here and now, in the presence of this company, my continued reliance upon Divine Providence as I move from step to step along the unchartered path of life from danger to danger unseen and uncharted.

I have had a most rewarding experience during the Masonic year now closing. I feel highly honored to have been elected Grand Master of this Great Most Worshipful Grand Lodge. I am truly grateful for your cooperation during this Masonic year.

NECROLOGY

It is with much sadness and regret that I report to you the Grim Reaper has taken its toll on 15 of our members during the year. But there is one wonderful thought which we must never forget: When Brothers die, God takes them into another world, more wonderful and more beautiful than this one.

No death can hurt our brothers, or any of God’s children. For death is just a door that leads into God’s other wonderful world.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

 I am pleased to report to you that as I travel throughout the Jurisdiction, I find the Craft to be healthy and stable financially in most areas. We are growing but not to the extent that we should. Brothers, we need new brothers to make our Order grow as it should.

The courtesies extended to this office have been too numerous to recite in detail. Lodges and other Masonic bodies have extended themselves to give proper recognition to this office.

I have been blessed with a staff of such quality and experience, a staff that has traveled with me all over this Jurisdiction on my visita­tions. I would like to thank all the brothers who gave me the inspiration and support that I needed.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

We are pleased to announce that nothing but harmony reigns between all bodies, male and female, active in this Jurisdiction. The relationship between this office and that of the Grand Matron and Most Ancient Grand Matron has been as cordial as one would expect. We have been extended every courtesy by them and their staff, and have given them the benefit of our best counsel when such counsel was sought.

NON - PRINCE HALL MASONS

There still exists in this state a number of Non-Prince Hall Masons and they seem to grow daily. This Grand Lodge will have to take a stand on which avenue we are traveling and stay on the course.

I have had numerous meetings with the attorney of the White Grand Lodge of Washington, on clandestine Masons, and they are waiting to see which course we will take; they are behind us. Brothers, let’s make a move in the right direction.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.        That Pride of Great Britain Lodge U.D.’s request for a Charter be granted and they be given a number.

2.        A State Youth Coordinator be appointed by the M.W. Grand Master, having direct responsibility for all Grand Lodge youth activities, to include the Order of Knights of Pythagoras. The Youth Director (Grand Junior Warden), will be charged with the responsibility to supervise and report all activities of the Grand Lodge Youth Department.

3.        The Grand Lodge Youth Department program be expanded to include other youth programs/activities as well as our current programs (Order of Knights of Pythagoras).

4.        Appoint a Chairman for the Public Relations Department, responsible for Grand Lodge Public Relations matters. The Grand Senior Warden shall have the duty to supervise the Public Relations Department.

5.        The M.W. Grand Lodge establishes a Scholarship and Education Department, and that the M.W. Grand Master appoints a Chairman of said Department. The Grand Senior Warden shall have the duty of supervising same.

6.        That this Grand Lodge give the Grand Master the authority to appoint a Committee for the Roslyn, Washington centennial in 1986, with the purchase of a gravestone marker and a marker in the public park.  The gravestone is for PGM John Shepperson: the marker for the park is for our birthplace. The cost of this project to be presented to the Comptroller Board for payment will be approximately $800.00.

7.        That Jasper R. Warren be made an honorary PGM of this Jurisdiction, for the work and dedication that he has given to this Grand Jurisdic­tion.

Fraternally,

/s/Charles D. Stubblefield

CHARLES D. STUBBLEFIELD

M.W. Grand Master, Prince Hall