M.W. JAMES W. DAVIS

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

Greetings:

It is a great honor and a privilege for me to welcome each of you here to our 74th Annual Communications, being held at the Hyatt House, Seattle, Washington. I am very grateful for this opportunity to stand before this Grand Lodge to recount to you my Stewardship for the past twelve months. The past three years have indeed been a unique experience.

I accepted the challenge of this mighty responsibility and started out with faith in God and determination to do my best. I can truly say with the divine guidance of the Great Architect of the Universe, we have been successful in most of our programs.

It hardly seems possible that a year ago you reelected me for the third time to the Oriental Chair in the Grand East to rule and pre­side over this Grand Lodge. At that time I was fully aware of my responsibilities.

One of the most beautiful things I can think of is the foundation of masonry had already been laid. All one has to do is build upon it. My challenge today, as well as has always been, let’s builds this Jurisdiction. I shall never be satisfied until we have reached the standard, membership—wise and otherwise that a 74 year—old organization should have reached.   Looking back I can honestly say we have come a long way. Looking forward I must say that we have a long way to go. With that in mind today I challenge each of you to take a progressive step in Masonry. Select your own choice of what role you will play. By all means do something.

At this time I charge every Master Mason with the responsibility of returning to his Blue Lodge; offer his service, try to help that struggling lodge that is trying so hard to reach perfection.

I wish to express my sincere thanks to all the Grand Lodge Officers for the service they have rendered during the past three years. I believe I have the most dedicated group of officers that any Grand Master could ask for. They have worked very hard and I am very proud of them. My District Deputies have done an outstanding job throughout their several districts and I am very proud of them. I do appreciate their services.

To my three Special Deputies, Right Worshipful Brothers Billy Morris, Eugene Roy, and Kenneth Swanigan, I am proud of them and do appreciate the work they are doing.

To all Committee Chairmen and members I am greatful to you for your loyal support that you gave.

One of the most valuable vehicles this Grand Lodge has is the Comptrollers Board. After sitting in several meetings with them, I soon became aware of the long and hard hours they sacrifice for this Grand Lodge. At this time I wish to offer special thanks to Past Grand Master, Louis R. Solomon, Chairman, Past Grand Master, Frank Russell, Past Grand Master, Sylvester J. Lake, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, Jasper R. Warren and Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer, Isiah Simon. These brothers have certainly made their contribution to this Grand Lodge.

NECROLOGY

It is with much sadness and regret that I report to you the Grim Reaper with his scythe has taken his toll of our members during the year. But we know that if this early house of our Tabernacle is dissolved we have another building, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

We pray that our loss is Heaven’s gain.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

I am pleased to report that the membership has grown throughout the entire Jurisdiction. Plus, we have added one new lodge in Germany. The Crafts are healthy and stable.

GRAND MASTERS’ CONFERENCE

On May 11 - 13, 1977, I attended the Grand Heaters’ Conference in Washington, D.C. I was accompanied by Brother Joe, Benton, Senior Warden of Olympus Lodge No. 45.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

It has certainly been my pleasure working with the Executive Officers of Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Stars and Prince Hall Grand High Court, Heroines of Jericho.

SPRING CONFERENCE

Our Annual Spring Conference was held at the Olympic Hotel, Seattle, Washington, April 2, 1977. The Order of Eastern Stars and the Heroines of Jericho were present and participated. In my opinion this was one of the better conferences. My thanks to all who participated and attended.

201st ANNIVERSARY BALL

On the evening of April 2, 1977, we celebrated in the form of a 201st Anniversary Ball. This affair was well attended. Special thanks to Brother Irvin Hawkins and his committee for a job well done.

CONCLUSION

I wish to express my sincere thanks to all the Grand Lodge Officers for the service they have rendered during the year. I believe then are the most dedicated group any Grand Master could have. I am very grateful to all of them.

I further wish to express personal thanks to the Comptrollers Board. They too, have spent many long hard hours working in the best interest of this Grand Lodge. They are to be commended for their time and effort.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.      That the Comptrollers Board be increased from five to seven members.

2.      That we extend the current Building Assessment for three more years.

3.      That the Office of Grand Lecturer become an appointed office.

Fraternally Submitted,

James W. Davis