M.W. HILLARD HOOD

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

Right Worshipful Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Officers and Members:

Greetings:

You recall, I am sure, the biblical account of the Meetings of Phillip and the Ethiopian Enuich on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. The Ethiopian answered him, “How can I, except some man should guide me?”

Undoubtedly, the most serious problem confronting masonry is that many men whose names get on our rosters lack adequate understanding of what they read and of what they hear. It is not their fault, but ours, how can they unless properly guided?

It is for this reason, that we have stressed continuously our program of wider dissemination of Masonic knowledge, ritualistic, jurisprudential and historical. The task of giving greater understanding to the ages-old teaching of Free Masonry must ever be our prime occupation. To do an effective and efficient job, we must provide more and better guides, or how can our votaries understand?

With that theme, I present to you, my Brethren, at this 51st Annual Communication, this report of our activities for the year with the hope that you will express approval.

NECROLOGY

Leaf after leaf drops off,

flower after flower,

Some in the chill, some in the

warmer hour;

Alive they flourish, and alive

they fall,

And earth who nourished them

receives them all,

Should we, her wiser sons be

less content,

To sink into her lap when life

is spent?

The Master said, “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” Of course, he did not mean that a man would be spared the physical exper­ience of what we call death.

He spoke in the spiritual sense saying in effect that any man dutiful and faithful to his great teachings would live forever through his contributions to humanity-he would gain immortality. No one can be a true Mason unless he believes in life everlasting.

Honoring those Brethren who were with us on Earth a year ago and are now guiding us from their stations in the Celestial Grand Lodge. Among them are beloved friends and leaders of our Jurisdiction. W. N. William Badger No. 1; J.L. Davis, No. 5; T. Sullivan, No. 1.        

Firm in our conviction that all of them yet live, we bow in humble submission to the errorless decision of the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe, and resolve to add value to our lives by greater contribution to the lives of others. The lesson taught is that death cannot defeat us if we keep the work; that elusive spirit-will stay lost unless we are dili­gent, sincere, honest, worthy and well qualified.

RECOMMENDATIONS

No. 1.  Owing to the increased work expected of the Grand Secretary’s office and the need of proper working space available, I recommend that a rental fee of $10.00 dollars per month be allowed that office.

No. 2.  That the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington subscribe to the Re­search Fund of the Grand Master’s Conference to the sum of $50.00 dollars.

No. 3.  As it is very necessary for the Grand Master to make several visits which cannot be foreseen at the time of the Grand Lodge Communication and that much expense is placed upon the Grand Master’s office which must be met in order to carry on the work successfully, I therefore recommend that the sum of $500.00 be an official budget for the Grand Master’s office expense.

No. 4.  That here-to-fore in a regular communication of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, it was approved that the Grand Master or representatives that he might select attend the annual meeting of the Grand Master’s Conference. There being no financial amount set aside for this particular-expense I recommend that the Grand Master be empowered to draw warrant upon the Treasury for the expenditure necessary to attending said annual meeting.

No. 5a.  That a committee be appointed to plan our Educational Work.

No. 5b.  That a committee be appointed which will arrange a program relative to awarding scholarships and outline a program necessary for such work.

No. 6.  That each member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and its Jurisdiction purchase 100.00 dollars worth of stock in the Temple Association,

No. 7.  That the Shrine dispute which now confronts Prince Hall Masonry through­out the United States be given careful consideration and that the Grand Master of the Washington Jurisdiction be given the power to cooper­ate with other Grand Master’s in order to create peace and harmony of Free Masonry among the Craft.

No. 8.  I recommend that the representatives on the board of directors in the Temple Association representing the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Wash­ington and its Jurisdiction be appointed by the Grand Master subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge.

No. 9.  I recommend that charters be granted to the following U. D. Lodges.

       a.  Abiff Lodge U. D., located at Seattle, Washington

       b.  Beaver Lodge U. D., located at Portland, Oregon

       c.  Pioneer Lodge U. D., located at Pasco, Washington

       d.  St. John’s Lodge U. D., located at Spokane, Washington

No. 10 I recommend that the Grand Tax be increased $.45 cents per quarter, said increase being for the purpose of’ taking care of added expense of the two offices contained in my recommendation.

RELATIONSHIP

SUBSEQUENT BODIES

During the year, the continuation of Harmonious relationship continues to exist between the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and its Jurisdiction and the Subsequent bodies of this Jurisdiction. I want to thank the Shrine for their loyal support to the Grand Waster in upholding his Edict. LET US PRAY for the continuation of this spirit of peace as it is one of the surest signs of a hardy family of Masons.

The Cooperative relationship between the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge continues as one of the most beautiful experiences of Masonry in our Jurisdiction.

PRINCE HALL MASONRY

We are enjoying most harmonious relationship with all Prince Hall Jurisdictions.

STATE OF TIE ORDER

Catapulted into the 51st Anniversary of Prince Hall Masonry in Washington by the enthusiasm of our Gold Celebration of last year, your Grand Lodge con­tinued on the MARCH. Peace, Harmony and Constructive labor were our guideposts throughout the year. All of your officers have acquitted themselves well and are due your thanks, for their industry and devotion to duty. The reports of our District Deputies show that practically all of our lodges experience good and progressive years.

I am most grateful for the high honor bestowed upon me by your, my brethren, and your willingness to work with respect under my leadership has been constant inspiration.

Now my Brethren, I have come to the end of my tenure of office as your Grand Master. There has been no trail too long nor night too dark for me to fail to answer the call in the performance of my duty and I have fulfilled every assignment of my office to the best of my ability.

With a deep feeling of humility and gratitude, I shall always treasure the high honor and confidence you reposed in me.

Fraternally yours,

Hilliard Hood,