M.W.
WILLIAM C. RHEUBOTTOM
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND
MASTER
To The Right Worshipful
Deputy Grand Master (In Sprit), Right Worshipful Grand Senior and Junior
Wardens, Past Grand Masters, Grand Lodge Officers, Worshipful Masters, Past
Masters, Visiting Grand Masters, Visiting Dignitaries and Brothers.
Greetings;
As Grand Master of Masons
for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and
Jurisdiction, I extend to each and every one of you a very warm welcome. I
am particularly pleased to welcome our distinguished guests, who are
visiting from other Grand Lodges and Jurisdictions. We are honored that you
have made it your priority to be with us on this auspicious occasion. We
appreciate the opportunity to return the hospitality and friendship our
representatives have received while visiting your Grand Jurisdictions.
To the Brethren of Prince
Hall Lodges in the Jurisdiction of Washington, I am extremely pleased to see
you here. My Brethren, we are at the crossroads of a new era. What we do
during the next two and days will have a serious effect on the direction
this Grand Lodge will take, as we move closer to the new millennium. We as a
Grand Lodge must position ourselves to effectively respond to changes
forthcoming in the next century.
My Brethren, on the 94th
Annual Communication another page must be added in our history book and new
dimensions in the development and expansion of Prince Hall Masonry, wherever
disbursed around the globe, are due to the successes that were accomplished
this year.
I wish to thank the
excellent staff of officers and each of you for your prayers and support. I
cannot say enough about the officers this past year; they all worked
overtime to bring credit to our great Jurisdiction. Not once did I see or
experience any unwillingness to meet a new challenge placed before them.
Each time I called upon their services, the Deputy Grand Master, Senior and
Junior Wardens, Grand Lecturer, Grand Trustees and the various committee
chairmen and those serving on those committees were always there and willing
to take on another task or project. A special tribute must be made to Grand
Senior Warden Miller, during the last six months for performing the duties
of Deputy Grand Master Slogan.
As always the Grand
Secretary and Grand Treasurer performed their duties quietly and
proficiently.
As for the Grand Lecturer,
he was very busy traveling all over the Jurisdiction. Needless to say, I was
not with him most of the time, but word of his great work always got back to
me.
NECROLOGY
Life is like a flower
which blooms today and tomorrow fades and is cast aside, most of us,
Brethren, are fast approaching, or have already passed the median of life;
the Grim Reaper continues to invade our ranks.
We pause to remember with
Brotherly love the memory of those of our craftsmen who have fallen asleep
in death and passed from our sight during the year. Silently one by one they
glided away, leaving a memory rich in love and affection. Let us show by our
deeds that we are not unworthy of having known those who have passed.
Stephen H. Hinton Jr.
Mabuhay Military Lodge #59
December 28, 1995
Elbert Barnes, Sr.
Cassia Lodge #5
April 27, 1996
Adam Chandler Lee
Grant Rogers Lodge #61 May 1, 1996
William Gardner, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge #65
May 16, 1996
Benjamin F. Booth
Cassia Lodge #5 May
10, 1996
Charles R. Walker
Cassia Lodge #5 May
17, 1996
Bennett Wilborn
Harmony Lodge #2
May 27, 1996
Parker B. Harris
Cassia Lodge #5 July
28, 1996
James Alexander Abiff
Lodge #37
August 30, 1996
Irvin O. Williams Sr.
Hercules Lodge #17
September 11, 1996
William D. Johnson
Harmony Lodge #2
September 15, 1996
Thomas P. Waggener Hercules
Lodge #17 September 27,
1996
John W. Alexander True
Resolution Lodge #16
October 20, 1996
George Williams, Sr. Abiff
Lodge #37
November 22, 1996
Henry A. Smith
Hercules Lodge
#17 November 4, 1996
Arthur L. Hill
Harmony
Lodge #2 November
23, 1996
Lanie Ferguson
Harmony Lodge #2
November 28, 1996
Leonard Satcher
Hamma Hamma Lodge #35
December 27, 1996
William W.
Dotson Inland Empire
Lodge #3 December 28, 1996
Robert E. Lindsay
Evergreen Lodge #9
January 1, 1997
Willie Lee Sanders
Cassia Lodge #5
January 7, 1997
Robert V. Kent
Cassia Lodge #5
January 21, 1997
Edward Marshall
Harmony Lodge #2
March 9, 1997
Lee Andrew Jones,
Jr. Cassia Lodge #5
March 10, 1997
James B. Sloan
Egyptian Lodge #44
May 29, 1997
Charles D.
Stubblefield Cassia Lodge
#5 May 30, 1997
Joe Baldwin
Evergreen Lodge
#9 June 12, 1997
And to the appointed Grand
Officers; thank you for your excellent services and support as well; I
truly, truly appreciate each of you. A special “thank you” to all my
District Deputies for their hard work and support, as well as all our Past
Grand Masters for their wisdom and council.
It is indeed a pleasure
for me to stand here today before you, with much humility, and render to you
and accounting of my stewardship for Masonic year 1996-1997. First, I must
say thanks to God for allowing me to serve you, my Brethren, as your Chief
Executive Officer. The Bible has always been my guide in my everyday life.
This protects me from being robbed of my self-dignity, skills, metal,
physical and economic resources by wolves in sheep clothing, or those who
masquerade as Brothers!
I wish to thank my wife,
family and my very close friends who I talk to daily for the support they
gave me this past year. When the real test came, the Bible and prayer were
there to give spiritual and physical strength to carry me through.
STATE OF THE CRAFT
I am pleased to report
that the overall State of the Craft is excellent. In an organization such as
this, we always expect some problems as a normal part of our everyday
business. We meet those problems, make the necessary decisions, and move on.
I feel that I have been a Grand Master that was sensitive to the needs of
those who I was put here to serve, yet mindful of the fact that decisions
are based on the needs of the whole, not the individual.
We have in the
Jurisdiction at present, 64 chartered Lodges. Our membership has not
increased as much as our potential shows it should, but I think we will
begin to pick up in the coming year. Our new lodges have great potential for
growth.
As most of you are aware,
we continue to experience a negative impact on our lodges in District #9
(Europe). District Deputy Grand Master Andrew Morgan has done a truly
remarkable job in holding those lodges together. He reported that Masonic
year 1996-1997 has been a watershed year. It has been one peacekeeping
mission after another, and the latest operation joint endeavor, to support
the Bosnia Mission, totally impacted all of the lodges in the District to
some degree.
This district has
established programs to visit the family members of the Brothers who were
left behind. Mainly providing transportation to and from shopping areas and
doing maintenance on cars, which seemingly break down everyday.
Additionally, the District is providing care packages to the Brothers in
Bosnia. They mostly want food and personal hygiene items. The Bosnia Peace
Mission has severely plagued our operation in Europe, I believe if we can
survive through December 1997, when everyone is supposed to return, and I
have no doubt, they will, the lodges should be fully functional in a few
months thereafter.
State of District #1
Membership in the District
is slowly growing. Community projects in this District have increased, and
interest in Masonic activity is drawing attention. Harmony appears to
prevail in the District.
State of District #2
Membership is also
increasing in this District. Most of the Worshipful Masters are dedicated,
and hard working, whose goals are the betterment of their lodges and the
Grand Lodge. The District’s commitment to community and charitable programs
and projects is commendable -- keep up the good work.
State of District #3 & #4
Lodges in these two
Districts have experienced a slight increase in its membership. The lodge
in Yakima is not functioning as well as I would like it to. Hopefully, and
soon more military people will be permanently stationed in the Yakima Firing
Center.
State of District #5
This District, located in
Vancouver B. C. was the host lodge for our 93rd Annual Communication. This
lodge is doing an excellent job in pursuing Masonry in its truest sense,
both in ritualistic work and community outreach programs. Our Grand Lodge
has had at least two other Prince Hall Lodges in the province of British
Columbia; one lodge located in Victoria B.C. was chartered in 1923. We also
had a Prince Hall Lodge charted in 1920 in the province of Alberta called
Pride of Alberta #20. Evergreen #9 was recently moved to this District - and
is doing very well.
State of District #6
These lodges are located
in Japan and are doing very well. They are also pursuing Masonry in its
truest sense, both in ritualistic work, community outreach programs and
charitable contributions.
State of District #7
This District is the home
of Toni Lodge #46 and is located in Okinawa, Japan. This District is showing
a slight increase in membership. They are also doing very well in their
ritualistic work and an excellent job in its community outreach programs and
charitable contribution.
State of District #8
This District, home of the
Marianas Travelers Lodge #49, is located in Guam. Whose District Deputy is
Billy Hall. They are doing very well keeping with rich traditions of Prince
Hall Masonry. In fact, WM Glenn Marshall is present here today. This
District is also pursuing Masonry in its truest sense, both in ritualistic
work as well as community outreach programs and charitable contributions.
State of District #10
With its five lodges in
the District, located in South Korea, are performing very well considering
the fast turnover of its members, long field training exercises and the
diversity of Masonic organization operating in Korea. District Deputy
Shepard has instituted a campaign to simply get “back to basics,” both
ritualistically and administratively. They have automated and simplified
administrative procedures, assuring continuity throughout the District.
Training of leaders in
those areas is on going, because of the rapid turnover of members. The
lodges have donated over
$3000.00 to community
programs and have provided more than over 5000 hours of community service.
State of District #11
This District is located
in Puyallup, Fort Lewis, Lacey, Olympia, Vancouver, and all points between.
In the past Masonic year, these Brothers have had a very successful working
year. This District is very visible by the public, and events centered on
the family -- keep up the good work.
State of District #12
This District is located
in Angles City, Philippines and is the home of Mabuhay Lodge #59. This lodge
was reissued its charter on February 22, 1995. Members of this lodge consist
mainly of retired military personnel. They are proud to have their charter
back and are busy performing their Masonic duties.
STATE OF THE CRAFT — CONCLUSION
For many, membership, pure
numbers is important. Numbers and totals are important because it is from
this source that we derive revenue by which our various charities,
philanthropic and other programs are funded. Fewer members mean less
revenue. To overcome this reduction, additional funds must be sought from
those who remain dedicated to our principles and purposes, or we adjust our
operating budget, with current and projected membership without incurring
taxes - no we are not considering raising taxes.
Sure, numbers and totals
are important. But, is this where our greatest concern should lie, in
numbers? In quantity? I think not. It is my contention that we as a total
Fraternity, that we as the complete body of Freemasonry should be concerned
with quality. Quality of character, quality of knowledge, quality of our
charities, quality of our actions as Masons in the work place, in our
communities, our home, our places of worship and in our lodges.
Yes, numbers, quantities
are important. Numbers and quantities without substance, without quality
will not enhance the status of Freemasonry. Numbers and quantity alone
without imparting and instilling the beauties and philosophies of Masonry in
each member will not generate long-term success and recognition for our
cause.
Is there a solution to the
small number of members attending their lodge meetings, or those that have
dropped out because of lack of interest or other causes? Is there an answer
to a need to inspire leadership and participation in our lodges? I believe
there
is. But it will take
planning, direction, dedication, commitment, and work on the part of every
concerned Mason if we are to realize success. The lack of involvement of
those members mentioned above speaks loud and clear of a crying need to give
attention to the care, education, and nurturing of these important people.
All in all, I would
describe the State of the Craft as being relatively healthy with known and
recognized illnesses. Some of our ailments have been identified and
prescriptions for recovery are being addressed by our Membership Committee.
Our illnesses have been generated over a long period of time. Some ailments
are so deeply imbedded that quick cure and a rapid recovery need not be
expected. Application of good leadership principles, education of members
and training of officers will play a large part in making Prince Hall
Masonry a healthy, vital part of society, and will enable us to practice
charity and do good unto all mankind.
STATE OF THE NATION
With the State of our
Nation as it appears today, there is even a greater need for our Masonic
Order to open its door and become more visible. With some progress having
been made, racism is still around and doing well. There is much to concern
ourselves with today. “For African-Americans, the future is looking like the
past once again, black churches are burning, a repeat of the 1890’s and the
1960’s; Affirmative Action and immigration policies are under attack and/or
repealed; supremacist militias are returning unchecked. Recently a
conservative U.S. Supreme Court struck down two more “majority-minority”
voting districts, making it tougher to elect people of color to congress and
to state offices. Ironically after the Civil War there were two Black U.S.
Senators, one more than there is now. The Reconstruction Act of 1867 forced
southern states to allow black men to vote, resulting in former slaves being
elected in record numbers. Between 1870 and 1900, southern states sent 22
blacks to congress and hundreds to local offices. But by 1901 all the
southern black congressmen had been driven out of office, along with local
elected officials. North Carolina’s George White was the last to go. Whites
(the majority) rigged the primary to get rid of him. Blacks were burned,
shot and mutilated by lynch mobs to destroy their political rights.”
While much progress has
and is being made, more needs to be done. There is much to concern ourselves
with today. To list a few.
Proposition 48— California
Health Care issues -- Decision made by the United State Supreme Court that
Federal Affirmative Action Program ruled unlawful.
Ø
Sexual Harassment issues
Ø
Federal Government Secret Syphilis Experiment conducted on unsuspecting
black men.
Ø
Welfare Reform.
Ø
Drug Infestation in our communities.
Ø
The Glass Ceiling System.
Ø
Misunderstanding and/or perception between the races.
Ø
Increasing numbers of homeless.
Ø
Increasing numbers of the hungry.
Ø
National concerns over the recent Supreme Court decisions.
My Brothers we cannot
afford to be complacent, we must wake up and involve ourselves. We must take
responsibility for our own destiny; no one is going to do it for us. We must
remember our forefathers and the sacrifices they made in an effort to make
things better for us. What about our future generations? Let’s face it,
America, with all of its problems; I cannot name any other place that I
would want to live. Can you? Let us all work very hard to make America a
better America for all of its citizens!
1996-1997 SIGNIFICANT GRAND LODGE PROGRAMS
Listed below are the Grand
Lodge Programs that a considerable amount of human resources were devoted in
carrying out the purpose of said programs. Each of the program chairmen will
report on their programs in their perspective reports.
Ø
Scholarship & Investment
Ø
Roslyn Cemetery
Ø
Membership Expansion Committee
Ø
Annual Spring Workshop
Ø
Committee on Clandestine Masons
Ø
Grand Historian
Ø
3-5 Year Planning Committee
Ø
Grand Entertainment Committee
Ø
Prince Hall Community Development Association
During my official visit
to District #5, we invited the families of our membership and the community
to attend this visit. There they observed the host lodge receiving (the
altar disarranged) the Grand Lodge officers and the Grand Master (and giving
them public Grand Honors only). A short program followed, with the Grand
Lodge officers introducing themselves and briefing the audience on Prince
Hall Masonic history, the structure of the Lodge, the Grand Lodge and some
of its programs.
3-5 YEAR PLANNING COMMITTEE
During the Annual Session
you will be briefed on the various projects. This is an attempt to do some
long range planning on those nine improvement projects identified by the
committee.
THE CONFERENCE OF PRINCE HALL GRAND MASTERS
In May
of this year I had the privilege of attending the Conference of
Grand Masters, held in Omaha, Nebraska, hosted by Most Worshipful Grand
Master John W. Reed, Sr. The conference was very enlightening and well
attended, with thirty-eight Prince HaIl Grand Masters present.
While there, I had the
honor of serving for the second year as the chairman of the Audit Committee.
This was very rewarding
and afforded me an opportunity to review and offer minor adjustments to the
financial structures of the Conference of Grand Masters. I, also, wrote a
letter of commendation to the executive secretary-treasurer Past Master John
D. Howard for the excellent management of the finances of the conference.
There was some dialogue
regarding those jurisdictions having passed joint resolutions of recognition
and rights of visitation, between Prince Hall and Caucasian Lodges. I was
impressed by the number of jurisdictions desiring and working toward the
achievement of that goal. Needless to say there were some jurisdictions that
opposed this action, but respected the right and decisions of those who were
in favor. “The Mission Statement of the Conference of Grand Masters; Prince
Hall Masons is to identify Masonic and Non-Masonic research subject(s);
present the product of that research for use by jurisdiction so disposed,
publicize appropriate positions and issues at a press conference as desired
and necessary”.
Regularly, throughout the
conference of Grand Masters, and throughout the individual jurisdictions,
charitable contributions are made to organizations such as: N.A.A.C.P.;
N.A.A.C.P.Legal Defense and Education Fund; Supreme Council; Knights of Pythagoras;
Youth Fraternities; Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts; OlC; various charities such as
Homeless Shelters, Battered Women Shelters, Homes for Girls, Homes for Boys;
Youth Camps; Scholarships for Students; Grants to Colleges and Educational
Institutions; Church Programs; Storm Damage Shelters; Sickle Cell Anemia
Foundations; Blood Banks, Organ Donors, and AIDS Prevention Projects, etc.
It was the consensus of
all the Grand Masters present that, while Prince Hall Masonry is primarily
an African American organization, there are a number of Caucasians, Asians,
and people of other ethnic and national groups to be found in Prince Hall
Lodges. The organization does not discriminate on the basis of race,
religion, or any other detriment that may hinder a coming together of all
God’s creations. Most all religions are represented in the various lodges,
except those that bar membership in Masonic lodges.
The Grand Masters who
attended the Conference of Grand Masters authorized Grand Master Howard
Woods, the president of the Conference of Grand Masters, to travel to
Pittsburgh, PA, July 12-14, 1997 for the National Meeting of the NAACP and
make a donation there in front of some 20,000 to 40,000 delegates, for
optimum effect. The total amount to be donated will be $36,600.00. They are
printing 10,000 copies of a souvenir book and the Conference of Grand
Masters will be given a free page.
GROUP INSURANCE
The Royal Financial Services Company was present and gave a slide
presentation of their plan for those Grand Lodges that are interested in
group insurance for their members. The company announced the establishment
of the Howard C. Woods/Royal MacCubees Scholarship Fund to be funded thusly:
$1000 to be given to each of the seven (7) regions; $1500 each to be given
to the Knights of Pythagoras and the Empress of the Galaxy for a Grand total
of $10,000.
Future meeting sites for the Conference of Grand Masters are:
1998 - Washington D.C.
1999 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
2000 - Massachusetts
2001 - North Carolina
2002 - Pennsylvania
2003 - Washington State
2004 - South Carolina
For entertainment the
Buick Motor Company sponsored a reception and musical entertainment. This
affair was most enjoyable.
FRATERNAL RELATIONS
We have established a very
good relationship with most of our sister jurisdictions throughout 46 Prince
hail Grand Lodges. Our ties to these bodies, and my personal relationship
with Grand Masters, has been a wonderful experience for me. I have gained
personal friends whom I feel I can call on at any given time, to assist this
Grand Lodge in any worthwhile endeavor.
I am pleased to report
that relations between our grand organizations of the Prince Hall family of
Washington are good. Grand Worthy Matron Millicent Blocquer of Prince Hall
Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star and Most Ancient Grand Matron Rose
Enoch of Prince Hall Grand High Court, Heroines of Jericho and I have had a
cooperative working relationship this past Masonic year.
I must state that an
excellent and harmonious relationship existed with Sovereign Grand Inspector
General Frank Russell, Deputy of Scottish Rite Masonry, Orient of
Washington. I also have similar working relationships with Deputy of the
Desert William Spenser and Grand High Priest William Spenser of the Holy
Royal Arch Masons.
The Most Worshipful Prince
Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction now shares and enjoys a
harmonious and productive relationship with the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge
of Washington, F. & A. M., contrary to some beliefs, and for perceptions,
Prince Hall Masonry has maintained its uniqueness, customs, tradition and
its proud heritage. There has not been any attempt from either Grand body to
merge, change, or infringe upon each other’s sovereignty and I seriously
doubt that there ever will be. We are also enjoying a harmonious working
relationship with the Grand Lodge of Idaho, who are, in my view,
trailblazers in their own right.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend the following:
1.
Dr. Rev. E.S. Brazil, who has served this Grand
Lodge faithfully for 14 dedicated years, is given Emeritus status as Grand
Chaplain.
2.
Establishing a committee on religious awareness
(the goals of the committee is charged with informing the public in regard
to Freemasonry’s compatibility with religion and to provide the same to our
members.
3.
Establish a committee on public schools (the
committee will design program(s) to assist needy children in grades
preschool through eighth grades (to teach basic reading skills, reading
comprehension and character development.
4.
That the Grand Lodge, at the g4~ Annual
Communication, sustain me in my act of waiving Section 73.01, contained in
Title 73, located in the By-laws section of the Masonic Code Book, in order
to appoint James B. Sloan as an Honorary Past Grand Master.
IN CONCLUSION
I would like to say “thank you” to a fine staff of officers who have worked
diligently throughout the year. To the executive team, the cabinet, and the
deputies, both special and at-large, your loyalty and support throughout the
year has been immeasurable. I compliment each of you for giving unwaveringly
of your time, money, and dedication.
And so, my Brothers as I come to a close, I must offer you my personal
perception of how I view our organization. Freemasonry does not exist to
combat any particular evil, to provide a solution for national, regional or
local problem, or to propagate any specific dogma. It has no patent remedy
for the ills of the humanity and no special theory for the political or
economic adjustment of the problems in national life. It does not solely
exist even for social fellowship or benevolent ministries. It is aware that
everywhere want, misery, crime; vice and racism abound, but for these things
it makes no economic or remedial provision. Freemasonry does however,
emphatically say to its members. “Act on the Square.” The assumption is
that, just as a building is unreliable and unsafe, if not built on the
square, so a man’s life will only be to the community what it ought to be in
so far as it is lived. “On the Square.” Living on the square, to all devout
and sincere Masons, means the dedication of personal knowledge,
acquirements, and possessions to the highest purposes of life. In other
words, Freemasonry exists to ensure the right direction for man’s power and
purposes, and that in all the circumstances and relationships of life his
character and conduct shall be in complete harmony with those principles and
high ideals to which the Fraternity is dedicated. The three great tenets of
the Craft are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, and its four Cardinal
Virtues are Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice. Unfailing adherence
to these Tenets and Virtues is demanded of every Freemason whatever be his
rank or profession, and failure in the application of any one of these
Tenants or Virtues means failure to live out in daily life the traditions
and ideals of the Craft. It is well that non-Masons should know these
things, and the result inevitably will be that Freemasonry will stand higher
in their esteem.
Some men are known for their knowledge; some for their eloquence and some
for their wealth, but Freemasonry does not measure men by these standards.
Unfortunately some members of the Craft do, and find it very difficult to
stay with the truth and carry out their promises.
Nevertheless, Freemasonry measures men by the presence or absence of love in
their souls, love for one another and love for humanity, It’s endeavors to
develop a fraternity of great feats. A true Mason is never knowingly guilty
of rudeness, never selfish, never resentful, never glad when others go
wrong, but is always hopeful, always patient, and always eager to believe
the best. He is generous, mild, and modest; his hand is ever ready to lift
the fallen, cheer the disheartened help the widow and orphans, and give
relief and comfort to those in distress. Hence, it will be seen that love is
the dominating quality in applied Masonic teaching. It is a reflection of
divine love in our dealings with our fellow man. Without love, the beautiful
ceremonies of the Craft would be nothing more than empty and idle words.
Love is above eloquence, above knowledge and certainly above wealth. No true
sense of love can be expressed by men who cherish thoughts of envy, malice,
resentment, or ingratitude. If we are ever to have “peace on earth” and
goodwill among men, it can only be mutual love and by sharing each other’s
trust and confidence. My Brothers, Act on the Square.
And, finally, my Brothers, do not judge men by the swiftness of their
tongue, judge them by the content of their character and the deeds they have
performed in time, all that dwells in darkness will soon come to the light.
“Let your light so shine.”
My Brothers, the power in which you entrusted and turned over to me at the
close of our 93rd Session, I now return to you. Thank you for allowing me to
serve you.
Fraternally,
/s/WILLIAM C. RHEUBOTTOM
Most Worshipful Grand Master
Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington
and Jurisdiction
