USA > Iowa > Annals of the Grand Lodge of Iowa > Part 34
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In unison the brethren sang "America, the Beautiful"; there was prayer and Scripture reading. Appropriately and eloquently the Grand Chaplain preached, with the text "Safeguards of a Nation." It was an appeal for reverence for the past and for devotion to present duty summed in his closing paragraph:
If we then would safeguard our nation let us think of its past, get a vision of its opportunity and responsibility to the future, and with a loyalty to God, to His commandments, His word, go forth to build for a better, a richer and more glorious future.
At the opening of the annual meeting Mayor Frank C. Owens and Governor J. Strom Thurmond spoke in grace. The address of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brother A. J. M. Wannamaker, was comprehensively complete. He spoke in the spirit of his opening words:
As members of the strongest Fraternal Organization, we con- cern ourselves chiefly with the building into the individual those great positive and eternal truths which cause him to develop and grow, to blossom into the beautiful flower of perfection and give him the stability of character that is so essential in the
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making of great people. The foundation upon which we must build is Faith-Faith in God. Mankind and ourselves.
In graceful phrase he recalled their dead. The general state of the Craft pleased him. With satisfaction he reported on a number of district meetings. The most notable, largely attended and with many of distinction and high public place present, paid honor to their leading citizen, the Honorable James F. Byrnes.
Among his lodges he visited widely. He also made ceremonial calls in North Carolina, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada. He thought well of the Washington Conferences. He reviewed much in domestic affairs of importance. His decisions were many but presented little unusual or other than in line with the law.
The Grand Secretary reported a membership increase of 3,258, with a total of 36,222.
On the recommendation of the Committee on Fraternal Relations, headed by Past Grand Master Henry F. Collins, full recognition was extended to:
Grand Lodge of the Netherlands (Holland), Hague.
Grand Lodge of Uruguay, Montevideo.
Grand Lodge of Minas Geraes, Brazil.
Grand Lodge of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Grand Lodge of Ceara, Brazil.
Excellent individual jurisdictional Reviews were furnished. Iowa had generous space and comment.
M. . W. . James F. Risher, Grand Master, Bamberg.
M. . W. . O. Frank Hart, Grand Secretary, Columbia.
M ... W. . Henry F. Collins, Fraternal Correspondent, Columbia.
Next Annual Communication, place to be designated, March 9, 1949.
SOUTH DAKOTA
(1948)
74th Annual Communication.
Mitchell, June 8 and 9, 1948.
The book opens with the portrait of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brother Ralph R. Twamley. A brief sketch tells of life service in a broad field that justifies the honors that have been his.
The Grand Lodge opened in usual form with prayer by the Grand Chaplain, Brother Dr. Frank E. Lochridge. The National Colors were advanced as the brethren repeated the Pledge of Allegiance. Distinguished guests were made welcome. There was a short address
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of welcome and an equally happy response. Promptly the Grand Master presented his well-written, well-arranged, and comprehen- sive address. Tersely he observed on much of importance. He opens with a salient statement:
Throughout our land and on foreign soil it is the desire of Masons to have fine temples. Wherever you may see Masonic temples you will find Christianity in its highest form which means especially Protestant Churches and the Free Public Schools. Our Masonic forefathers-and we today are keeping apace with them-wanted better churches, better schools, homes, better law enforcement. Masonry goes hand in hand with these things which tend to create better society and better living. Masonry is an advancement of society.
He emphasized that a member must be a Mason in thought and deed. In fine spirit he paid tribute to the memory of their loved and regretted dead. In satisfaction he reported on his many lodge visits. He urged a continuation of membership in the Masonic Ser- vice Association. He also recommended full recognition of the Grand Orient of Italy, which is the Grand Lodge of Italy.
All financial accounting was in full detail. The Grand Secretary advised of a membership gain of 773, with a total of 17,387.
Brother David Graham, from a list of Grand Lodges seeking recog- nition, favored the Grand Lodge of Denmark; The Grande Loja Simbolica de Minas Geraes, Brazil; the Grande Loja do Estado de Sao Paulo, Brazil; the Grande Orient D'Italia, Italy; and with some modifying suggestions several Grand Lodges in Mexico.
As Foreign Correspondent, Brother Graham submitted a fine re- port-interesting and informative. On other Proceedings or Reviews, in pithy paragraphs, he comments in wit and wisdom. The trivial and the deeply serious have notice. Reviews and overly sensitive reviewers; higher bodies, so called; Past Grand Masters, over valued; high ranking Masons; and potentates; all come under the lash. Even Negro Masonry has attention in a new way. What he says on it, as illustrating intellectual vagaries, justifies quotation:
Negro Masonry. The matter of Negro Masonry referred to in last year's report has created a great deal of excitement in a number of jurisdictions, particularly California and Texas, both of whom would like Massachusetts to revise its report as adopted by that Grand Lodge. Your Foreign Correspondent nodded a little when he left the impression that Massachusetts was not a self governing Grand Lodge at the time the Grand Lodge of England issued a warrant to Prince Hall and his as- sociates. His attention has been called to the error. However, the American doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction was not uni- versally held at that time, nor is it, even in this year of Light. The Grand Lodge of Scotland still has at least two Lodges on Canadian soil, several in Western Australia, New Zealand, and Panama, all located in occupied territory. The Grand Lodge of
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Ireland has lodges in South Australia and the Grand Lodge of England has lodges in New Zealand, Egypt, Newfoundland, Queensland, Brazil and Chile, all of them being in the occupied territory of national or state Grand Lodges. Scotland, England and the Netherlands jointly occupy the various provinces of South Africa; England, Scotland, Massachusetts, and the Phil- lippine Islands all claim lodges in China. All of this is away off the subject under discussion. Your Foreign Correspondent is not going to enter any further into the question of Negro Masonry at this time, because it is completely outside the sphere of our interest. We have no negro lodges of any type within the state and it comes with poor grace when we try to settle prob- lems of which we have no first hand information. However, one does have private convictions upon the subject.
He closed with what most Fraternal Correspondents can agree and say "amen": .
There is an old Scotch saying that you cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's lug. Neither can you make a polished writer out of one with the disposition of this Foreign Corres- pondent. Some things said in this report may sound ungener- ous, even unkind, but they are not intended that way. The brother with whom we differ most is still a Mason and a brother and dear to our heart. The debt owed to Freemasonry makes one a debtor to every vigorous exponent of alien ideas as well as every valiant defender of well known and well loved ideas. "I am a part of all that I have met," cried one, and his cry is echoed by everyone who has been privileged to scan the col- lected Masonic thinking of an entire world. A well known churchman of another century coined a phrase which might be borrowed and applied to all the differences of opinion that arise in Masonic discussions: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."
M. . W. . Albro C. Ayres, Grand Master, Deadwood.
R. . W. . Elvin F. Strain, Grand Secretary, Sioux Falls.
W. . David Graham, Foreign Correspondent, Elk Point.
Next Annual Communication, Sioux Falls, June 14, 1949.
TENNESSEE
(1948)
135th Annual Communication. Nashville, January 26 and 27, 1949. A small book and a delight to read; a compliment to a competent Grand Secretary.
Opened in ample form, with devotionals led by the Grand Chap- lain, Brother Thomas C. Pentecost, routine affairs were cared for, and distinguished guests were received with the Grand Honors. Promptly the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brother Anderson Lacy Price, presented his well-prepared and comprehensive address. In gratitude he thanked all who had helped him carry on and for himself and them quoted this verse:
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"Four things a man must do If he would keep his record true; Think, without confusion, clearly, Love his fellowmen sincerely, Act from honest motives purely, Trust in God and Heaven securely."
He reported on many inspiring District Meetings. He attended the Washington Conferences and was impressed with their value. Inci- dentally he recommended a continuance of the contribution to the George Washington Memorial. Briefly he advised on lodge con- solidations, duplicate charters, new lodges instituted, and a corner stone laying. He granted many routine dispensations. His closing paragraph was a pleasing expression of devotion:
With the closing of this session, my services will end as Grand Master, but not as a member of this Grand Lodge; and I trust that my efforts for the benefit of the Fraternity may repay in some measure my obligation for the great honor you have bestowed. Memories of friendships formed in this association will remain with me as priceless treasures through the years.
The Grand Secretary reported a membership increase of 3,978, with a total of 61,252. Full lodge statistics follow. Benevolences in several fields were generously cared for.
On the recommendation of Brother Wallace Phelan Douglas, Chair- man of the Correspondence Committee, full recognition was ex- tended to
Grand Lodge of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Grand Lodge of Minas Geraes, Brazil Grand Lodge of Peru Grand Lodge of Hungary
The report on Fraternal Correspondence was furnished by Brother Wallace Phelan Douglas. The Foreword, a general summary, was excellent, wisely reporting and advising on education, youth move- ments, so-called higher degrees and bodies, and relaxation on physi- cal requirements. He closed with what may be often repeated:
Speakers, on almost every occasion, have flung the challenge to Masons and Masonry to fully accept the responsibility to make their full contribution to the welfare of mankind. For, said the California Correspondence Report, "The official Grand Voice of Freemasonry is heard throughout the land declaiming that the people are the primary source of all sovereignty and that today 'the work needs more than it ever has needed the con- sistent lives of Godly men.' "
His Reviews are individual and in coverage are pleasingly sufficient. His observation is keen and his comments timely and good. Iowa has generous consideration. The Sanitarium is praised, the Library admired, and the Reviewer complimented by the quotation of a salient paragraph from his summary.
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M. . W .. Lucien Campbell Connell, Grand Master, Nashville.
M .:. W. . Thomas Earl Doss, Grand Secretary, Nashville.
R.'.W.'. Wallace Phelan Douglas, Chairman Committee on Foreign Correspondence, Humboldt.
Next Annual Communication, Nashville, January 25, 1950.
TEXAS
(1947)
112th Annual Communication. Waco, December 3 and 4, 1947.
During the year there were several Special Communications for funerals and the laying of corner stones.
Preliminary to the routine session of the Grand Lodge there was a dedication of the site on which will be erected a Grand Lodge Memorial Temple. The ceremony was dignified and colorful, with a beautifully phrased and eloquently patriotic address by the Grand Orator, Brother Gabe Allen of Waco. The regular session opened in all form and dignified ceremony. So fully appropriate for the occasion, or for any occasion, was the opening prayer of Grand Chaplain Shirley C. Guthrie that it must be repeated here:
Now, O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal hope:
.Into Thy divine presence we come, realizing that anything that we strive to do of our own knowledge and strength is doomed to failure, and so we come, our Father, invoking Thy divine presence and Thy divine blessings upon us, and asking that Thou wouldst direct our thinking, our actions, in every par- ticular.
We are grateful to Thee, O great God, for all the blessings that have been ours since last we met here. We are grateful to Thee for Masons all over the world, and we ask Thy blessings upon them and upon their families today, asking, O God, that Thou wouldst mold us and make us to be that which is well pleasing to Thee.
We ask Thee for forgiveness of all sins, that Thou dost find within us. We wouldst prove ourselves, Father, to be men, good men, men good and true, that hold high the teachings of the great light in Masonry, the holy Bible.
And now, Father, we pray that Thou wouldst direct all of the deliberations of the day. May Thy blessings abide upon our Grand Master and all his deliberations, and all of those who work with him, so we make our prayer in the name of the Great Master of the Universe. Amen.
Much business of detail, purely domestic, was quickly disposed of. The Grand Secretary reported a membership increase of 15,786, with a total of 177,037.
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So timely and good and so compelling in thought is the opening statement of the Grand Master, Brother R. Bruce Brannon, in his address that it must be quoted. May it be widely read and deeply pondered :
We assemble here to labor as Freemasons. There is no other such gathering, though many similar ones meet about the globe. As members of Texas' oldest institution we, my brethren, have much for which we should be grateful. We have been richly blessed. We live in one of the most abundantly blessed states in the most blessed union on earth. The Supreme Grand Master has poured out his blessings upon us. While the rest of the world lives more or less in want, we live in the midst of abund- ance. We have just passed through one of the most horrible wars man has ever known. Our losses have been great, but, measured by those of other nations, ours have been compara- tively light. The world, though, is far from settled-mankind still suffers from the tyranny of the dictator and tyranny of the mob. Intolerance, hatred and insane ambition still walk abroad. A small group of power-mad men are still working to bring suffering and want to countless millions of innocent and de- fenseless people. They are looking in our direction. The abund- ance we enjoy has evoked their envious desires. The very free- dom we enjoy-the fact that we gather here today-is evidence of that freedom; yes, that freedom mocks them in their mad jealousy and greed.
We' as freedom-loving men must not be blind to the power- ful forces now at work. Surely, we, as intelligent men, must now know that we can place no confidence in the empty pro- mises of the mad leaders of these nihilistic forces. We may call it by any name we choose-Fascism, Naziism, or Commun- ism. These powers cannot live in the air that free men breathe. Thus, they must destroy all the institutions that freedom and free men have erected. Consequently, wherever and whenever these megalomaniacs rise to full power, they must do so over the broken bodies of free men and the institutions free men love.
He took much satisfaction in the state of the Order. On the growth in numbers he urged that there be devoted effort to make the new members truly Masons. On their fraternal dead he appropriately repeated a familiar verse:
They are only with us in memory, They have laid aside the working tools, Their work on earth is done, By honest toil throughout their lives
Their wages they have won. The hour of twelve has struck on high,
That called them to their rest;
No more the cares of earth they'll know, They are now forever blessed.
He constituted several lodges, granted many routine dispensations, and among his lodges visited frequently, far and wide. He condemned a growing use of Cipher-Code Books and ordered Masters to confis- cate and destroy whenever found. Their Homes had his high praise on both condition and conduct.
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He dwelt at length on Negro Masonry, presenting little new, merely re-stating what the majority of regular, legal Masonry is already agreed upon. "He who touches tar will be defiled."
The Foreign Correspondent, Most Worshipful W. Marcus Weather- red, in a report that was approved, said:
We, your Committee on Foreign Correspondence, have care- fully considered the Petitions for Fraternal Recognition of the following Grand Lodges, to-wit:
Gran Logia de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Grand Lodge of Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Grand Lodge of Ceara, Ceara, Brazil.
Grand Lodge of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Grande Loja Simbolica de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Grand Loge Nacional, de la Syrie et du Liban (Cyria and the Lebanon), Beirut.
He dwelt at long length on what is getting to be tiresome-Massa- chusetts and Negro Masonry. The substance of his thought is in the closing paragraphs of his comment:
The Masons of Massachusetts may be able to recognize as entirely legitimate these negro bodies-"WITHOUT MUTUALLY EMBARRASSING DEMANDS OR COMMITMENTS," but if you recognize them as "entirely legitimate," doesn't that mean that you recognize them as "MASONS," and if you recognize a man as a Mason, isn't he entitled to be received upon the Five Points of Fellowship, and if he is so received, how can you avoid the "Mutually embarrassing demands or commitments" incident to recognition ?
The writer of these Reviews alone is responsible for the views herein contained, but Brethren of Massachusetts, he keenly feels that you have made an untimely blunder, and hopes and prays that such controversial issues will not be further agitated and cause rifts in that splendid relationship that now exists between the Grand Lodges of the United States.
On the matter the regretted, yet to be expected, has transpired. Under date of December 1, 1948, in the report of the Committee on Fraternal Correspondence, this statement was made and action taken:
We fully recognize and appreciate the fact that neither the Grand Lodge of Texas nor its installed Grand Master has any power or authority, directly or indirectly, to decide what law, usages, customs, or landmarks shall be adopted, observed, en- forced or obeyed by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, but when resolutions, edicts and/or reports are adopted by a Grand Lodge that undermine or wholly and totally ignore or directly conflict with that comity that prevails among all regular Grand Lodges in the United States, and when a Grand Lodge turns its back upon the usages and customs long established among Grand Lodges in the United States and for one year totally ignores and treats with at least silent contempt the protest of
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a Grand Lodge, its installed Grand Master, and its duly ap- pointed Committee on Foreign Correspondence, then we believe that we have the right to take drastic action.
We do not recognize this or these negro bodies as legitimate, nor can we go along with them "without mutually embarrassing demands or commitments."
THEREFORE, we offer the following resolution:
"That the Grand Lodge of Texas discontinue all fraternal relations with the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts. We hope in time the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts will see fit to recognize and acknowledge the rights of the Grand Lodge of Texas."
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE,
Leo Hart, Chairman, M. A. Childers Dallas Smith Ward Collier James M. Caviness R. C. Broaddus Courtney Mellard.
The above report was adopted by the M. . W. . Grand Lodge of Texas, December 1, 1948.
During the sessions several distinguished visitors spoke well and in good taste briefly. Masonic Education has been carried to high value and efficiency. A paragraph in the report of the committee illustrates the purpose of the work:
Turning to the newly made Brethren, if a man "is good enough to be made a Mason," then certainly he should be made a "good Mason." The making of a good Mason does not stop with the conferring of the Master's degree. It is only the beginning of a good Mason, and to these newly made Brethren we owe the responsibility of properly instructing them as to the designs that are and have been drawn on the trestleboard. He should be, and it is our responsibility and duty to see that he is truly and correctly informed as to the proper use of the Square, the Compass, the Level, the Plumb Line, and the Trowel. If we fail in this respect, we not only do an injury to the newly made Brother, but we are injuring ourselves.
Brother Weatherred, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Cor- respondence, presented, as usual, a most interesting and informative report. A statement in his short Foreword deserves general thought and consideration :
So far as Masonry is concerned, we find most Jurisdictions working together in happy unison, in the erection of the true Masonic Structure. Here and there, we find those who are willing and anxious to resurrect inflammatory incidents, that caused much strife in years long gone, but for the good of all were agreeably buried, and why they should spring to life again, we cannot tell. It is greatly to be hoped that they will not be persisted in, to the great confusion of the Order, but
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that the calm counsel of those who love the Fraternity, and desire peace and harmony will prevail, each helping everyone his Brother, to the end that we can dwell together as Brethren, and BUILD.
His jurisdictional Reviews are individual and are marked with keen notice of the important, wise comment, kindly suggestion, literary value, all in graceful expression. Iowa has generous space and con- sideration. Grand Master Perkins is commended for efficient devo- tion to duty. The Fraternal Correspondent is complimented on what he calls "splendidly conducted reviews."
M. . W. . Horace K. Jackson, Grand Master, Gatesville.
R. . W. . George H. Belew, Grand Secretary, Waco.
M. . W. . Leo Hart, Chairman Committee on Foreign Correspond- ence, Gilmer.
Next Annual Communication, Waco, December 1, 1948.
UTAH (1948)
76th Annual Communication. Salt Lake City, January 26 and 27, 1948.
There is real pleasure in the privilege of being permitted to read a well-compiled and well-written account of the actions and activities of a fine jurisdiction. Utah qualifies in every way.
The portrait of Grand Master-elect Ortis Clifford Skaife adorns the opening page. The short sketch of his life evidences business efficiency and resultant success, patriotism in army service, help- fulness in social betterment movements, domestic happiness, and devotion to the best in Masonry. After a formal opening the Grand Lodge honored the Past Grand Masters and extended a graceful welcome to distinguished guests.
The address of the Grand Master, Brother Harold Cline, while not unduly extended, was comprehensive. He expressed satisfaction on the state of the Craft, in healthy growth, sound finances, and the manifestation of ideal yet practical Masonry. He favored many of his lodges with a personal visit. In tribute to their dead he quoted a beautifully fitting verse:
"But once we pass this way, and then-no more, But once, and then the silent door Swings upon its hinges, opens-closes- And then no more we pass this way, So while we may, with all our might, We will assay sweet comfort and delight, To all we meet upon the pilgrim way, For no man travels twice the great highway That climbs from darkness up to light- Through night to day."
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His dispensations and decisions were few and presented little out of the ordinary. He thought well of the Washington Conferences, which he attended. He discussed "Clubs" at length and with some disfavor. His closing statement may well have careful thought:
While we may not now be overburdened by the numbers of Masonic Clubs, or clubs composed principally of Masons, and neither action nor curtailment of numbers at this time indicated or necessary, still in the future we should scrutinize not only the general purpose and scope of intended activities of proposed clubs subject to its jurisdiction, but should give careful con- sideration to their necessity. Past Grand Master and Grand Secretary Emeritus Sam Henry Goodwin years ago sounded a warning, which I now reiterate, against too many barnacles of Masonry diverting the attention and interest of the brethren. Masonic lodges, and the coordinate bodies, furnish more than ample Masonic activity for the average Mason.
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