M.W. VICTOR S. BAXTER

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

TO: The Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Grand Senior and Junior Wardens, Past Grand Masters, Grand Lodge Officers, Worshipful Masters, Visiting Grand Masters, Visiting Dignitaries and brothers

Greetings:

O, God, we need thy help that we may give ourselves in utmost sincerity to the completion of every task thou has laid upon us. Make me strong to do right and zealous in the pursuit of my deity.

In accepting this high office, I fully realized the heavy responsibility that goes with it. In assuming the duties of this position I accepted the token of all your confidence as a sacred trust and pledged to give you my best efforts for the welfare of our Grand Lodge.

I have had a very challenging year. I am deeply grateful and highly honored to have been elected as your Most Worshipful Grand Master of this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Washington and Jurisdiction.

NECROLOGY

“Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said I go unto the Father; for my Father is greater than I.” John 14:28.

This past Masonic year the Grand Architect of the Universe called the following to rest from their labors, a total of 21.

                                    James W. Barge                                                                    Charles White

                                    Headquarters Lodge #75                                                        Vancouver Lodge #47

                                    Formerly Mabuhay Lodge #59                                                January 6, 1994

                                    November 15, 1992

                                    Walter Swett                                                                          Peter J. Stacey

                                    True Resolution Lodge #16                                                    Divine Prince Lodge #85

                                    August 14, 1993                                                                      January 6, 1994

                                    Willie J. Lindsay                                                                    Jerry S. Lee

                                    Perfect Ashler Lodge #40                                                       William H. Upton Lodge #11

                                    August 18, 1993                                                                      January 15, 1994

                                    Allen Alvin Ford                                                                     Bryan Perry

                                    Cassia Lodge #5                                                                     Divine Prince Lodge #85

                                    August 27, 1993                                                                      February 6, 1994

                                    Benjamin Harrison Paster Sr.                                             Medford J. Wayman

                                    Vancouver Lodge #47                                                             Abiff Lodge #37

                                    September 13, 1993                                                               February 14, 1994

                                    William B. Pryor                                                                    Isaiah Edwards

                                    Hercules Lodge #17                                                                Hercules Lodge #17

                                    September 16, 1993                                                               March 12, 1994

                                    Robert C. Fleeks                                                                  Emanuel J. Taylor Sr.

                                    Harmony Lodge #2                                                                 Hercules Lodge #17

                                    September 16, 1993                                                               April12, 1994

                                    Allen Melvin Burton                                                             Earl J. Goudeau

                                    Hercules Lodge #17                                                                Inland Empire #3

                                    October 17, 1993                                                                    April 20, 1994

                                    Peter L. Hicks                                                                       Johnnie Rowe

                                    Harmony Lodge #2                                                                 Cassia Lodge #5

                                    December 9, 1993                                                                  April 21, 1994

                                    Virgil M. Buford                                                                    Chester Sidwell

                                    Abiff Lodge #37                                                                       Harmony Lodge #2

                                    October 17, 1993                                                                   April 20, 1994

                                    Earl S. Querles                                                                                                        

                                    Pride of Orient Lodge #55                                                                    

                                    December 24, 1993                                                                           

Our beloved brethren linger in our memory and their good deeds magnify them before the altar of our souls.  We are grateful to God for allowing them to have been with us a little while and we know that after while, we shall see our brothers on the other side.

STATE OF THE NATION

The “non-political” layman has reasons to be confused as to whether he should be encourage or discouraged concerning the “State of the Nation.”  New housing starts are reported to be on the upswing.  That’s good, if you have sufficient funds for such purchases, with the federal, state and municipal governments continuing to “down-size” who will have funds for a housing down payment.  What is “down-sizing?”  It means the last hired and the first fired.  That category encompasses young Blacks.  It is still true.  The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

My hat is off to President Nelson Mandela, with Blacks in South Africa voting for the first time in the all-races election.  Never before has a person paid such a heavy price for such loyalty and worthy goal.  He is blessed by God to see old age, and he is a King in his own right, equal to the task that is now laid at his feet.  It was a long fight to end apartheid.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

I want to thank the Deputy Grand Master, William C. Rheubottom, Grand Senior Warden James B. Sloan, and Grand Junior Warden Jesse P. Miller for carrying out their duties in a very outstanding and meticulous manner.  I would also like to thank the Grand Treasurer, Darwyn Anderson, Grand Secretary David Archibald, Assistant Grand Secretary A. Rudolph Hill and Secretary T. Diane Day for their outstanding support, devotion, time and dedication.

I am pleased to state the Worshipful Masters are doing an excellent job with their lodges.  Worshipful Masters, I say to you, Keep up the good work with your lodges and remember harmony is the strength of our institution, and with it we can go a long way.

I want to thank all of the Deputies at Large, Special District Deputies, Past Grand Masters and Grand Lodge officers for your support. I especially want to thank Past Grand Masters Carlton B. Tucker, Daniel L. Lunsford, and Billy V. Morris.

My Aide-de-Camp, Keith Ogden, and Past Aide-de-Camp Emeritus, Squire Moore Jr. You have been there with me and I say to you both, many thanks, and may God continue to bless each of you.

UNCF- I want to personally thank each of you brothers for helping us raise $3,200.00 to turn over to the U.N.C.F. This is the second time this amount of money has been collected for this project. Again, I salute each of you.

I want to especially thank PGM Tucker and PGM Lunsford for their advice, wisdom and continued support during my tenure this year. You both, as advisors to me, have been a valuable asset.

Grand Senior Deacon Joe B. McNeal, I want to thank you for setting up the recognition banquet for Most Worshipful Grand Master Davidson and staff. It was a sight to behold. Again, thank you for the superb performance you displayed. Also I want to thank Deputy Grand Master Rheubottom, P.G.M. Lunsford and P.G.M. Davis for attending that function with me on January 21, 1994.

I’d like to thank each of you brothers for supporting the Knights of Pythagoras. The funds each of you have donated have certainly been a support to our youth. Thank you and keep up the good work.

Headquarters Lodge #75 - I want to thank Deputy-at-Large Staton and Worshipful Master Jennings for doing an outstanding job with the brothers who came into Headquarters Lodge. You and your staff of officers are to be complimented.

Grand Trustees - I want to thank the Trustees for their dedication and support.  Especially, I want to thank RW Robert Denmark, Chairman of the Trustee Board, and Worshipful Brother Berry Carter, for their continued support.

Standing Committee Chairman - I want to thank each of you for your managerial expertise in your particular departments. Keep up the good work.

Comptroller Board -- I want to thank you for your dedication, devotion and support. Keep up the good work.

CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS

I attended the 75th Grand Masters’ Conference in Houston, Texas on May 11-14, 1994. There were 33 Grand Masters in attendance at Houston. One of our main topics was about our youth. We also talked extensively about building a Prince Hall Memorial Site. During the 1993 Conference, the Grand Masters voted to consider erecting a National Memorial Building and a Birthplace Monument in honor of our founder, Prince Hall. It was also brought up that the Conference of Grand Masters requested to see the President of the United States, or one of his representatives, but so far this has not happened.

Our officers for the Grand Masters’ Conference are: M.W.G.M. Howard Woods, of Arkansas, Chairman of the Steering Committee; and Grand Master William C. Parker of North Carolina, Vice Chairman. M.W.G.M. Deary Vaughn of Oklahoma Jurisdiction and committee are in the process of re-writing the proposed By-Laws for the Conference of Grand Masters. Copies for review will be sent to all seated Grand Masters. I thought the conference of Grand Masters held in Houston was excellent.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

It is a privilege for me to report that my working relationship with Grand Worthy Matron JoAnne Houston, Most Ancient Grand Matron Jeannette Jackson, Grand Worthy Patron James Dallas, and Grand Worthy Joshua Cecil AlIen has been absolutely excellent. My working relationship with the Deputy of the Orient Scottish Rite Masonry, Deputy James W. Davis, and Imperial Deputy of the Desert, Billy V. Morris, is also excellent. We continue working together in peace and harmony.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.      The election for ‘Subordinate Lodges stay as they are, which elections are held every December.

2.      Continue to explore the means of improving the Palmer Lake area.

3.  The Following UD Lodges be chartered at this 91St Annual Communication:  Revelations UD, Japan, and Pride of Washington UD, Lacey, Washington.

4.      The Establishment of a Committee on Professional Salaried Positions.

5.      The Grand Lodge Insurance Proposal be read and reviewed by Worshipful Masters of each Lodge and recommendations be forward back to the committee. I further recommend that a committee be appointed to write rules and regulations governing this office. This committee report shall be presented at the next Grand Lodge for adoption.

6.      We continue to explore the means of improving Roslyn Cemetery.  I have tried to be a Grand Master who would stand up and, in an intelligent way, speak on any issue that pertains to the welfare and membership of our Jurisdiction

I’ve tried to be a Grand Master who would stand up and, in intelligent way, speak on any issue that pertains to the welfare and membership of our Jurisdiction.

In conclusion, I want to thank each and every one of you for your many kindnesses during this year. May God continue to bless each one of you in your endeavors.

May God above look down with interest upon his erring children as they stumble along life’s roadway, filled with its many obstacles; wrap his arms of love, mercy and compassion around you and pore upon each of you his finest blessings.

Fraternally submitted

/s/VICTOR S. BAXTER SR.