volume 68 most worshipful prince hall grand lodge,...

Volume 68 Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons, State of California, Incorporated Spring 2017

Official Journal of

Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons

State of California, Incorporated ISSN 1553-9245

The Honorable Donald R. Ware, MDMost Worshipful Grand Master – CEO/Publisher

RWSGW David San Juan Publication Manager

RW Charles T. Vaughan Editor-In-Chief

RW David B. DeLuz Associate Editor

RW Roland L. Shorter, Jr. Emeritus – Digest Editor

Staff Writers RW William C. Brown

RW Rufus Johnson RW Willie Mack

RW Reginald Mitchell RW David E. Jenkins RW David B. Deluz

Staff Photographers RW Freddie L. Bradley

RW Clifton SmithRW Hossie J. R. Welch

The Masonic Digest is published at 9027 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003-3229

POSTMASTER: Send notice by form 3679 to the Grand Secretary at the above address.

Permission to reprint any original articles is granted to all recognized Masonic publications with credit to the author and this publication.

Articles and/or opinions herein expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion or carry the endorsement of this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

Mission Statement - The mission of this Masonic Digest Team is to obtain material of a Masonic nature, to condense said material when necessary, and to present the material for dissemination to the Prince Hall Masonic Family.

Where to send articles - All articles suitable for this publication must be submitted to: Charles T. Vaughan, Masonic Digest Editor, electronically via email: [email protected], as text files, and photos file at 300dpi.

The Masonic Digest VOLUME 68 Spring 2017

Contents Cover photographs information please see page 23

1 California Prince Hall Masons Home and AbroadSubmitted by MWGM, Donald R. Ware, MD,

2 Brotherhood of Constitutions in Africa 1772–2017By: Kenneth P Marcus

11 Honoring a Man, And a MasonSubmitted by: RWDGM Brother Samuel King, 33°

12 Masonry Is A Progressive ScienceSubmitted by: RWSGW David San Juan, 33°

15 Nothing Matters More Than LeadershipSubmitted by: RWJGW Robert J. Eagle Spirit, Sr., 33°

16 Fallen Brother Honored By U.S. Air ForceSubmitted by: Phillip W. Jones, and Thomas T. Smith

17 Demonstrating Our Unity as FreemasonsSubmitted by: RW Reginald L. Mitchell, 33°

18 Grand Master’s Official VisitSubmitted by: WM Louis L. Garrett, Sr.

20 Veterans Benefits InformationSubmitted by: James Britt JR, 33° and Stanley Y. Beverley

22 Celebrate Brother Edgar BoggsSubmitted by: RWJD Tyrone Netters

24 Working Together in Celebration.Submitted by: WM Louis L. Garrett, Sr.

25 Lodge #107 and Flower #93 Master/Matron BanquetSubmitted By: RW David E. Jenkins PM Kevin L. Malone

26 The Epitome of a ManSubmitted by: WM Jason E. Sevier

27 Masonic Cross Word PuzzleCourtesy of: RW Alton Roundtree, 33°

28 Lodge #13 and Chapter #8, OES Prayer BreakfastSubmitted by: RW David E. Jenkins

29 Buffalo Soldiers RecognizeSubmitted by: James R. Beauregard RW David E. Jenkins

30 Oldest African-American's Secret for Long LifeSubmitted by: GIG Howard R. Cooks, 33° and PM Shedrick Collins

32 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade January 2017Submitted by: RW Reginald L. Mitchell, 33°

ARTICLE DEADLINE DATE FOR THE NEXT MASONIC DIGEST IS OCTOBER 15, 2017

Spring 2017 Prince Hall Masonic Digest of California - 1

California Prince Hall Masons Home and AbroadSubmitted by Donald R. Ware, MD MWGM, MWPHGL, F&AM, State of California, Inc.

As Our Masonic year comes to an end, I am happy to have the oppor-tunity to once again, communicate to you the State of Our Craft.

Our great legacy of involvement at the World Level has continued from our world debut at the XIV World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges in San Francisco to our current state of affairs. This year we have strived to Improve Upon the acceptance and respect afforded Prince Hall Masons as Men and Masons World Wide.

To that end, we raised the issue of Prince Hall Masons in jurisdic-tions where there is no jurisdictional recognition between Prince Hall Masons and their “Mainstream” Counterparts. Why should this fact alone, stop recognition by the United Grand Lodge of England, our Common Mother Grand Lodge, when we are fully regular and in fact originally chartered by England. We have practiced masonry openly

with full use of symbols for over 200 years in some cases. The opposition to our practice came as an assault on Shrinedom which, of course, re-quired membership as freemasons in our case, Prince Hall Freemasons. If we had lost that challenge, the next step would have been to forfeit Prince Hall Freemasonry. The challenge came we and others fought with us. The case was eventually heard in the US Supreme Court. The Court found that the Prince Hall Shriners were sovereign and could continue to practice Shrinedom unfettered. This was a US Supreme Court decision. Then why should the fate of recog-nition be in the hands of any group than the UGLE.

This Grand Lodge has petitioned UGL of England for recognition for all regularly formed Prince Hall Grand Lodges. Your Grand Master traveled to their Winter quarter meeting to meet with the Grand Chancellor and Deputy Grand Chancellor on this matter. I was well received and had the opportunity to meet unexpect-edly with the Pro Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master of the UGLE. They are resolved to solve this 250 year old enigma. While visiting with them I had the Opportunity to dine the Grand Master and Assistant Grand Master of Russia.

While preparing to return home, I made it known that I was traveling to South Africa on my own. The United Grand Lodge of England made prepa-rations for me to meet key people while on the trip. I was greeted at the hotel

and taken to historic Masonic Sites in Cape town, South Africa. I was told of the Sojourn of Pennsylvania Prince Hall Masons wishing to practice Free Masonry in South Africa during the time of apartheid. After a struggle, these masons were accepted into regu-lar membership in the Grand Lodge of South Africa. This person in his other life is the Chairman and Owner of a billion dollar worldwide business. His name is Kenneth Marcus. He is living the principles of being on the (level) with our brethren. He has submitted an article in this Masonic Digest and should be read at your leisure.

Later in the year I had the opportu-nity to attend the Communication of the Grand Lodge of France. As I entered the Grand Lodge Chamber to be received, I was greeted with cheers as the MWGM of France in French spoke and declared recogni-tion of Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California. This has tremendous implications to the French speaking African diaspora of freemasons.

Continued on Page 10See “Home and Abroad”

2 - Prince Hall Masonic Digest of California Spring 2017

A Brotherhood of Constitutions in South and Southern Africa 1772–2017

Kenneth P Marcus The Founding of the Grand Lodge of Southern Africa and the Roles of the Sister Constitutions; Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Volume 125, 2013, pages 195 218 We acknowledge permission for republishing being given by the Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 EC.

Interconstitutional relationships in South Africa are character-ized by an extremely friendly and

convivial co-operation between four ‘sister’ constitutions.’1 In applauding the unique Masonic landscape in South and Southern Africa vis à vis a ‘Brotherhood of Constitutions’, it is essential to recognize the evolution of the four ‘sisters’ over some 250 years. To appreciate the journey, the hurdles and the complexities encountered in seeking the unity with which the sister constitutions cooperate and support each other, it is necessary that we learn something of the unfolding Masonic activities over the years which have significantly contributed to today’s Masonic bonds in South and Southern Africa, English Freemasonry having been an early keystone in forging the interconstitutional presence.

It can be safely said that behind the his-tory of our interconstitutional brother-hood lies the English Constitution. Boerenbeker considers that ‘The ideal image of the Mother Grand Lodge was a means to make its authority ac-cepted throughout the Masonic world, the Mother Grand Lodge from which had sprung the impetus for the spirit of Freemasonry over the surface of the earth… Thus the English Grand Lodge, in this ideal image of the Mother Grand Lodge, also comes to be the protector of those traditional

forms and values which are ultimately the cement of universal Freemasonry.’2

The Masonic precept of brotherly love has held together in a rugged country of 1.22 million square kilo-meters. Early settlers from Holland and Britain, coupled with British colonial aspirations and the presence of the military, have contributed to the ‘glue’ which continues to bind South African Freemasonry.

It is the wish of the four constitutions in South Africa that ‘the principles of the Ancient Landmarks, customs and usages of the Craft which the English Grand Lodge deems essential for Freemasonry…’ be adhered to,… ‘although allowances can be made for the differences in predisposition, in character, and in the historical de-velopment of the different peoples.’3

Brief excerpts from South African Masonic history may prove a guide to an understanding of the manner in which English Freemasonry has impacted on Freemasonry in South and Southern Africa.

Early Dutch And British Interaction

The spread of Masonry throughout the English-speaking world was by way of lodges warranted by one or other of

the three ‘home’ grand lodges – the English (be it under the Premier or Ancients Grand Lodges), the Irish, or the Scottish. South and Southern Africa have seen Masonic structures evolve since 1772, when the Grand East of the Netherlands established a foothold in De Kaap van Goede Hoop (Cape of Good Hope), consecrating Lodge de Goede Hoop. Behind the pres-ence of the Netherlandic Constitution lies English Freemasonry which in 1731 encouraged Dutch Freemasonry and in 1756 supported the establish-ment of its own Grand Lodge.

The Cape was a victualling point at the southern tip of the continent where ships of various countries, but in particular those of the Dutch and the British East India Companies, took on provisions as they rounded the Cape. The Cape had been a Dutch settlement since 1652, Britain landing its first troops in 1795.

Amongst the sailors, settlers, and troops were Freemasons of both the Dutch and English Constitutions, though memberships were confined to the Lodge de Goede Hoop and Lodge de Goede Trouw under the Grand East of the Netherlands. Understandably the Dutch language was the language of use, leading to continuous dissension amongst those who were of British origin.

1 One lodge, Eendrag Maak Mag (‘Unity is Strength’) remains to this day under the Netherlandic Constitution.

2 E. A. Boerenbeker, ‘The Relations between Dutch and English Freemasonry from 1734 to 1771’, AQC 83 (1970), 160–1.

3 Boerenbeker AQC 83 (1970), 161.


Ledgend

Vector 1 : From Holland – 1772 Lodge de Goede Hoop.‑Vector 2: From England – i). 1795‑1802 1st Occupation – 18ooAntients No.i at the Cape of Good Hope & No. 3 21 on the register 18o6 – 2nd

Occupation – British Lodge, No. 334 in 1811.Vector 3: 182o British Settlers ‑1st Lodge in the Eastern Province – 1828 Albany Lodge, No. 359 at Grahamstown. Vector 4: Byrne & other British

settlers, 1849‑1851‑1st English Lodge Natal – 1858 Port Natal Lodge, No. 73 8. Vector 5: 1st English Lodge in interior of Natal ‑1863 Prince Alfred Lodge, No. 956 at Pietermaritzburg.

Vector 6: 1st English Lodge in the Orange Free State ‑1864 Rising Star Lodge, No. 1022 at Bloemfontein. Vector 7: 1st English Lodge on the Kimberley Diamond Fields ‑1871 Octahedron Lodge, No. 1417 at Klipdrift.

Vector 8: Annexation of the Transvaal, 1877 ‑1st English Lodge in the Transvaal – 1878 Transvaal Lodge, No. 1747 at Pretoria..Vector 9: 1st English Lodge on the Witwatersrand goldfields ‑189o Johannesburg Lodge, No. 2313Vector 10: 1st English Lodge on the goldfields of Marico district ‑1892 El Dorado Lodge, No. 2314 at Malmani. Vector 11 : 1st English Lodge in the

Eastern Transvaal – 1894 Ermelo Lodge No. 2516Vector 12: Expansion in the Eastern Transvaal – i). 1925 Waldie Peirson Lodge No. 4737 at Breyten.Vector 13: 1st English Lodge in South West Africa – 1925 Damaraland Lodge, No. 4758 at Windhoek. (Sponsored by Western Division but conse‑

crated by the Transvaal District).Vector 14: 1st English Lodge in foreign country within a South African District ‑1951 Swaziland Lodge, No. 7035 at Bremasdorp.


The civilian residents of Cape Town had found a home in the Dutch lodges, although a few had been ad-mitted into military lodges, several regimental lodges serving the needs of British military brethren.

Cultural and language issues com-bined to persuade the English-speaking brethren to submit a petition to the Grand Lodge of England to establish an English-speaking lodge in Cape Town under jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England. This was granted in 1811 and the British Lodge No. 619 was consecrated in 1812. The Deputy Grand Master National of the Dutch lodges officiated and installed the Worshipful Master. Officers of Lodge de Goede Hoop and Lodge de Goede Trouw were present together with the lodge assembly of ‘other respect-able brethren.4

Thus began the first formal Masonic brotherhood of these two consti-tutions in the Cape Colony, and it continued, albeit with politi-cal, language, and similar schisms from time to time as the Dutch and English Constitutions moved into the hinterland.

It is noteworthy that Sir Johannes Andries Truter, Deputy Grand Master National for the Netherlandic Constitution in the colony, was re-quested by England to assume author-ity over the English lodges in South Africa and he duly established an English Provincial Grand Lodge in Cape Town in 1828.5

Moving North…

Fraternal relationships in the first half of the nineteenth century were essentially amicable. Masonic di-versity though reflected coopera-tion, support, and encouragement in the two recognized constitu-tions. The establishment of lodges of both the Dutch and English in the Cape Colony progressed slowly, the Dutch being more prominent in that many of considerable stature were members of the Netherlandic constitution. The Great Trek of the Boers in 1835 saw the movement of the Dutch Constitution into the Republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal and many towns in the hinterland had lodges of both constitutions, very often residents being members of both and support-ing each other at Masonic meetings and events. Nevertheless it is fair to say that there were only a hand-ful of lodges in both constitutions until the mid–1800’s. Uninspiring leadership on the part of the Dutch and the absence of an English pro-vincial leadership contributed to a slow-down in the appearance of new lodges. This changed in the 1850’s with the appointment of a strong Dutch leader, Sir Christoffel Brand, who so ably led the Netherlandic Constitution. Territorial assertion was prominent in the second half of the century as Freemasonry gradu-ally moved outward in the Cape Colony, the latter part of the cen-tury seeing the establishment of an English lodge in Natal in 1868 as well as in the Boer Republics of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal in 1864 and 1878 respectively.

The first Scottish lodge in South Africa was established as a conse-quence of English speaking mem-bers of Lodge de Goede Hoop break-ing out in an endeavour to move away from the constraints of the Netherlandic Constitution but in particular the use of the Dutch lan-guage. Lodge Southern Cross No. 398 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland was consecrated in 1860. One of the advantages offered by the Scottish Constitution was that it permitted its lodges to work in either English or Dutch as of course did the Netherlandic. The Duke of Abercorn, Grand Master of Ireland, attended a meeting requested by a Past Master in the English and Scottish constitutions following which a petition, supported by the English, Dutch, and Scottish lodges in Johannesburg, was approved, and in 1895 Lodge Abercorn No. 159 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Ireland became the first Irish lodge consecrated in South Africa.

T he event ua l movement o f Freemasonry into Southern Africa saw the first English Craft lodge, Rhodesia Lodge No. 2479, conse-crated in 1895 in what was then Mashonaland. Interestingly this was the first time the name Rhodesia had ever been used. Although Cecil Rhodes was a Mason, he was never very active as such, but was respon-sible for several generous donations to the Craft. Lodge Luangwe No. 4820 was consecrated in Northern Rhodesia in 1926. Swaziland Lodge No. 7035 was consecrated in 1951 and was the first lodge in the then Transvaal District to meet in a for-eign land. St George Lodge No. 7763 in Malawi was consecrated in 1962

4 T. N. Cranstoun-Day, The British Lodge No. 334 and English Freemasonry at the Cape of Good Hope 1795–1935, (Cape Town, 1936), 15.

5 C. C. Silberbauer, Journal and World, May 1932, 9


and the Gaborone Lodge No. 8781 in Botswana in 1977. A continu-ing feature in all these countries is interconstitutional visiting, and the support of the Scottish and Irish constitutions, having been formed in 1959 and 1962 respectively, is highly regarded. Dual memberships also significantly contribute toward the Masonic activities in those countries.

German West Africa

Early German settlers brought the spirit of Freemasonry with them into the new colony of German South West Africa after 1884, the first recorded activity of Freemasonry taking place in 1905.

The Grand Lodge of Hamburg be-gan life as a Provincial Grand Lodge under the Grand Lodge of England in October 1740. Until the outbreak of the First World War, the Grand Lodge of Hamburg was in amity with the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland. After 1919 there was no immediate resump-tion of recognition, and it is prob-able that national pride and mutual misunderstandings were the reasons for the complete breakdown of com-munications with the British Grand Lodges until 1932. Until that time three German lodges in South West Africa had continued working under the Grand Lodge of Hamburg.

The first record of a meeting of what could be called the ‘German lodges’ in the then Protectorate of South West Africa was in Swakopmund in February 1919. With the rise to power of the Nationalist Socialist Workers party in Germany in 1933 and its policies toward Freemasonry, its influence flowed over into the Protectorate, and all ‘German’ lodges closed.

Five English Constitution lodges (the first having been consecrated in 1926) continued meeting under the allegiance of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), it be-ing felt that South West Africa was too far away from the South African Districts. However in 1956

the UGLE recognized the sacrifices and difficulties of the early pioneers of English Freemasonry in South West Africa and ap-pointed a Grand Inspector. Two years later, following a motion by the English Constitution lodges in the territory, the request for the formation of a District Grand Lodge of South West Africa was agreed, and in November of that year the f i rst Distr ict Grand Master was ap-pointed. In 1993, follow-ing the establishment of the Republic of Namibia, the name of the District Grand Lodge was changed from ‘South West Africa’ to ‘Namibia.’6

Scottish Geographical Magazine, 1885

6 G. McGregor, The History of Freemasonry in Namibia, 1908–2016 (forthcoming).


The 1770 Convention

In the second half of the nineteenth century considerable rivalry over the establishment of new lodges was encountered between English, Dutch, and Scottish Freemasons, cer-tain instances having been already experienced earlier in the century. Confrontation between the English, Scottish, and the Dutch arose as a consequence of rivalry between the constitutions, accentuated by the expansionist moves of the Dutch and English in particular. Several English and Scottish Masons claimed that the Dutch Constitution had no right to establish new lodges in South Africa and had done so in violation of the Convention of 1770.

The Grand Lodges of England and Holland had in that year agreed that if the Grand Lodge of England would not constitute any new lodges within its jurisdiction, the Grand Lodge of Holland would observe the same restrictions in respect of all parts of the world where lodges were already established under the patronage of England. This had been tacitly ig-nored in South Africa for over 100 years. Holland dismissed the objec-tion, pointing out that the Dutch Constitution had established itself in the Cape in 1772, and its lodges had been ruled since then by the Deputy Grand Master National appointed by Holland. It also pointed out that it had in fact been the first Masonic constitution in the Cape. The mat-ter was submitted to the UGLE in 1867 and the latter responded saying that, following the ceding of the Cape to Britain in 1814, Dutch lodges had welcomed the newly-formed

English lodges and, when the English Provincial Grand Lodge in South Africa was formed in 1828, the head of the Dutch lodges had been chosen to lead the English lodges as well.’7 By this double appointment the Grand Master of English Freemasonry thus recognized the Dutch lodges, and it was therefore felt that the 1770 Convention had never applied to the Cape, which was considered neutral ground where the two constitutions had existed side by side since 1812.

The UGLE thus affirmed that the 1770 Convention, outlining the ter-ritories of Masonic constitutions in the world, did not apply to South Africa and the ruling remains in force to this day.’8

Prince Hall Freemasonry

The existence of two so-called ‘co-loured’ lodges under the unrecog-nized Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania created a problem for Freemasonry in South Africa. The first of these lodges was formed in Cape Town in 1901 and the sec-ond in Kimberley some years later. Repeated requests for recognition were made, which could not be ex-tended, because Prince Hall Masonry was unrecognized by the ‘home’ constitutions. Constitutionally of course English Freemasonry has no racial barriers, but there were prob-lems created by new South African legislation such as the Group Areas Act and similar legislation which effectively barred whites and so-called ‘coloureds’ from mixing in lodges. Fortunately approaches made by the Grand Lodge of Southern Africa to the government eventually

succeeded in having these barriers removed.’9 The outcome saw the charters returned to Pennsylvania and in 1977 the original members initiated, passed, and raised as mem-bers of two lodges under the Grand Lodge of Southern Africa. All of this was undertaken in one day.

The removal of the restrictions was to have an impact on South African Freemasonry as a whole and although progress in admitting all ethnic groups has been slow, it is at least definite.

When is Politics not Politics?10

The strict Masonic injunction that Freemasons must not participate as Masons in political matters is gen-erally adhered to in the recognized Masonic world. It was not always so however. In the latter years of the nineteenth century and the first of the twentieth, European Grand Lodges tended to influence civil governments.

In 1875 Lord Carnarvon, the Pro Grand Master of the UGLE, addressed a communication to the Grand Master in which he strongly suggested the spread of District Grand Lodges in the Cape, Griqualand West, the Transvaal, the Orange Free State, and Natal. Not only was he of the opinion that such a move would enable English Freemasonry to bring the whole of Dutch Masonry ultimately under the UGLE, but his statement of Masonic policy complemented Carnarvon’s po-litical ambition as Colonial Secretary, namely to secure a confederation of South African states. Carnarvon believed that Freemasonry was ‘not only a landmark to the church, to

7 A. A. Cooper, The Freemasons of South Africa (Cape Town: Human and Rousseau, 1986), 27.

8 Freemasons’ Hall, UGLE. Communications, 6 March 1867, 5 June 1867.

9 A. A. Cooper & D. E. G. Vieler, A Century of Brotherhood: A History of English Freemasonry in the Transvaal from 1895–1995 ( Johannesburg: District Grand Lodge of the Transvaal, 1995), 114.

10 Headline in the Natal Masonic News 2 (1), April 1985.


education and social order but also… a real link of empire.’11

In 1881 representatives of a number of the Netherlandic lodges in this country requested their Grand East for assistance in bringing peace to the Transvaal, then in the grip of the First South African War of Independence. An urgent request was made to the Dutch representative of the UGLE asking him to submit to England a resolution supporting the endeavours of the Boers in the Transvaal Republic in opposing the political annexation of the Transvaal, asking that support from England be forthcoming at a special meeting of the Grand East. The approach was rebuffed by no less than the Grand Master, HRH Albert Edward, The Prince of Wales. Ensuing communications led to the Grand East of the Netherlands break-ing off relations with England. This break however did not interfere with relations between the two constitu-tions in South Africa, and amicable interconstitutional visitations con-tinued, except where war conditions prevented this. Similar sentiments were expressed in 1899 at the onset of the Second War of Independence.

The English separatist movement spread northwards from the Eastern Province and successfully so. It is interesting to note that the reason for the Grand Lodge agreeing to this separation is to be found in the memo from Lord Carnarvon to the Grand Master, the Prince of Wales, in 1875 in which he wrote that ‘it is not fair to insist upon Cape Town being the sole centre of Masonic activity.’ He supported the concept of separate District Grand Lodges

hoping that the ‘English elements scattered through the Dutch states are strong enough, if incorporated in one District Grand Lodge, to overpower and absorb all foreign in-fluences and thus to bring the whole of Dutch Masonry ultimately under the Grand Lodge of England.’12

Boer And Brit

The ‘Boer’ War of 1899–1902 pitted Boer against Brit in the last of what could be termed a ‘gentleman’s war.’ Numerous examples, both told and untold, of Masonic considerations on the battlefield are described:

On the word of no less an authority than Bro. Conan Doyle… it has often transpired that, when the captors and captured in warfare had found a mutual Masonic bond existed between them, then rela-tions have been more friendly and considerate the one to the other; the wounded man, if a Mason, has been more kindly treated.’13

The Boers were apparently more scrupulous than the British in pre-serving Masonic buildings during the war:

Though the Boers looted and destroyed property of all kinds, yet more than one instance has been recorded in which buildings known to be devoted to Masonic purposes have been saved from destruction and guards placed over them to prevent them from being pillaged.’14

Many of the leading military and political figures were prominent

Freemasons and although at war with each other, it can be said that there is little doubt that Masonic recognition played a role in settling the outcome of the Boer War. Of course the Masonic injunction that no Mason shall discuss political or religious affairs in the lodge or be involved in affairs contrary to the laws of the land, and which could be considered high treason, was not always upheld. Such brethren were false to the ancient charges of Masonry and it was the duty of the Grand or District Grand Lodge that they be excluded from the fraternity. No record however can be found of any English Constitution Mason be-ing expelled from his lodge in South Africa on conviction of high treason.

Interconstitutional Cooperation at its Best

There were two instances of intense interconstitutional cooperation and support in South Africa in the 1960’s, both within a few years of one an-other. Events in Holland had led to a situation which suggested that the Netherlandic Constitution in South Africa would not be recognized by England, Ireland, and Scotland. Following visits to Holland and the home Grand Lodges, the Deputy Grand Master National under the Grand East of the Netherlands, R.W. Bro. Col. C. Graham Botha, ap-proached the sister constitutions for their guidance and assistance in the founding of a proposed Grand Lodge of South Africa.

Why did the Netherlandic brethren turn to the sister constitutions? After all the leadership and many of the

11 R. Hyam, Britain’s Imperial Century 1815–1914: A Study of Empire and Expansion (London: Batsford, 1976. Rev. ed. 1991), 154.

12 FMH: Grand Lodge Letters, Pro-Grand Master Lord Carnarvon to Grand Master Prince of Wales, Memo, 9 December, 1875.

13 Masonic Illustrated, London, April 1902, 131.

14 The Freemason, 19 December 1900, 18.


brethren ranging under the banner of the Netherlandic Constitution in South Africa were highly skilled in the professions and other aspects of regularly organized society. The answer is quite simple. Botha and his colleagues were determined not only to seek immediate recognition from the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland, but to ensure that the harmonious amity between the four constitutions would be re-tained, coupled with interconstitu-tional visitations, so critical to the relationships existing between the four constitutions in the country.

Fortunately Bro. Botha had solicited the assistance of the doyen of the Masonic leaders of the country, R.W. Bro. T. N. Cranstoun-Day, District Grand Master of South Africa, Western Division, in the English Constitution and the pre-eminent authority on Masonic constitutional law and jurisprudence, in the drafting of a declaration setting out the aims of a proposed Grand Lodge of South Africa. Cranstoun-Day was asked by the sister constitutions to convene a joint conference to be held before the proposed meeting in Cape Town on 18 February 1961 for the purpose of forming the new Grand Lodge. At the conference held in Bloemfontein on 6 February, Cranstoun-Day, sup-ported by the Irish and Scottish constitutions, entrenched the right of the UGLE and the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland to ‘continue to be recognized on the basis of abso-lute equality… continue to have the right to grant charters for new lodges (and Royal Arch chapters) at their discretion, until such time in the

future when it might be found expe-dient or necessary to form a ‘United Grand Lodge of South Africa’, by the four constitutions acting by mutual agreement.’15 The Grand Lodge of Southern Africa was inaugurated in April 1961, and was duly recognized by the three home Grand Lodges.

In conceding equality of Masonic jurisdiction the new Grand Lodge specifically acknowledged the right of the other three constitutions to continue to grant charters for new lodges and Royal Arch chapters and the further right to form another or other Grand Lodges with sole and sovereign Masonic jurisdiction over the Craft and symbolic degrees within their administration. The uniqueness of the South African Masonic constitutional situation rests on these limitations on the jurisdic-tion of the Grand Lodge of South Africa. While there is no formal body of international Masonic law, there are widely-accepted practices and us-ages and one of these is the doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction. The three Grand Lodges accepted this doctrine, which can be stated as:

1. There can be only one regular Grand Lodge in any geographical territory; and

2. Once such a Grand Lodge is es-tablished, the English, Irish, and Scottish Grand Lodges will cease to issue charters or warrants for new Lodges in that territory.’16

There is no question though that the circumstances leading to the formation of the Grand Lodge of

Southern Africa justified the exclu-sion of this doctrine. But equally there is no question that its exclu-sion has left that grand lodge in an unsatisfactory situation. For while internationally it enjoys the status of a recognized grand lodge, its sov-ereignty in South Africa is restricted and it can only grow and extend its sovereignty in competition with the other three constitutions.

The Grand Lodge of South Africa is not a signatory to the concordat of 1905, as subsequently amended be-tween the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland. There is how-ever an agreement relating to breth-ren who are excluded or expelled in one or the other jurisdictions.

Commission of Inquiry

Given the long-standing attack on Freemasonry by the Dutch Reformed Church, and, following intense pres-sure against Freemasonry in the early 1960’s, the Prime Minister, Dr H. F. Verwoerd in 1964 appointed a Commission of Inquiry into secret organizations, namely Freemasonry, the Afrikaaner Broederbond (‘broth-erhood’), and the Sons of England. The commission was to determine whether one or others of the named organizations and any other se-cret organizations might be found guilty of undermining the state. The English Constitution was supported by London with full confidence in anything that it might contribute in responding to the commission in cooperation with the other constitu-tions with whom a close involvement was sine qua non.

15 Amended Declaration, Conference of the District and Provincial Grand Masters and their Deputies and representatives of the English, Irish, and Scottish Constitutions and the Grand East of the

Netherlands in Southern Africa, held at Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, on 6 February 1961. See K. Marcus, The Founding of the Grand Lodge of Southern Africa’, AQC 125 (2012), 216–18.

16 G. Draffen of Newington, ‘Some Aspects of international Masonic Law and Customs’, AQC 88 (1975), 87; D. E. G. Vieler, ‘A discussion of the unique Masonic Constitutional situation in South Africa’,

Transactions of the Lyceum Lodge of Research, 5 (1984), 33–45.


Two brethren, justices of the Supreme Court, were requested to act on behalf of English Freemasonry and the sister constitutions in South Africa. A memorandum for submis-sion to the commission was com-pleted and included a copy of the case of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England v. Holborn Borough Council.’17 A meeting of the heads of all four constitutions, together with representatives from South West Africa, was held in September 1964, and it was decided that, rather than engage in a formal hearing with the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, a ‘heads of argument for Freemasonry’ be submitted. This was undertaken in November 1964. The commission submitted its find-ings in respect of all three organi-zations to the State President in December of that year in which it came to the conclusion that, inter alia, Freemasonry in South Africa ‘is not guilty of any conduct mentioned in the terms of reference.’18

A United Grand Lodge of South Africa

The first recorded proposal of a move to form a United Grand Lodge for South Africa was circularized in 1870. A Dutch lodge, Lodge Harmony, sug-gested ‘that considering the great speed of Masonry in the colony and the position taken up by the several lodges, whether time had not arrived that there should be established in this colony a separate and distinct Grand East.’19 It also suggested that the large sums of money sent an-nually to Europe might be more beneficially spent in the colony in

providing education and assistance to the families of so many brethren in the colony.

The Pro Grand Master of the UGLE, Lord Carnarvon, had advised the Grand Master in late 1875 to grant the request from brothers Richard Southey and Richard Giddy, the two leading English Freemasons in the Masonic Province of the Cape of Good Hope and adjacent British colonies in South Africa, to divide the province into districts. He was suggesting that such a move would improve local administration, stymie the English Masons who had begun to think about forming a United Grand Lodge of South Africa, and prevent the risk that the control of the Craft in South Africa might fall into Dutch hands just when English Freemasonry was expanding there.’20

Joppa Lodge No. 864 (No. 1166 until 1863) in the English Constitution in 1875 held the first formal open meeting to discuss the formation of a United Grand Lodge of South Africa. All hopes of unity how-ever between English, Dutch, and Scottish members throughout South Africa by means of a local Grand Lodge disappeared with the start of the Transvaal War of Independence in 1880.

The concept of a United Grand Lodge of South Africa has prevailed since 1870 and has been a point of discussion and debate amongst breth-ren from time to time.

Freemasonry in South Africa Today…

The four constitutions of English, Irish, Scottish, and South African Freemasonry have for the past fifty-five years worked in close amity. In most parts of the country inter-constitutional visiting continues unabated and the use of common lodge facilities similarly so. In many instances interconstitutional sup-port for various charitable objec-tives is to be found, whether these be in respect of the funding ac-tivities for the English Constitution tercentenary celebration, Masonic Samaritan Fund endeavours, The South African Masonic Education Fund of South Africa, or the further-ance of Masonic awareness amongst the general public.

English remains the language insisted upon by the English Constitution. However the Irish, Scottish, and South African Constitutions con-tinue to permit the alternative use of modern-day Afrikaans.

Currently the membership statistics for the English Constitution stand at 3320, the Irish 560, the Scottish 1280, and the Grand Lodge of South Africa some 900 members. English Freemasons thus constitute some 55% of all Freemasons in South Africa.

The constitutions remain closely knitted in a pattern of interconstitu-tional conviviality, notwithstanding individual aspirations and differences of opinion from time to time.

17 All England Law Reports, 1957 (3). United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England v. Holborn Borough Council, 281–86.

18 Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Secret Organisations, 1964 (137), 19.

19 CA A 2223 Volume 26, DGMN, Letters received, Lodges, Lodge Harmony, Richmond, July 1868-September 1883: resolution circular, 10 September 1870.

20 Freemasons’ Hall, UGLE. Grand Lodge Letters: Pro-Grand Master Lord Carnarvon – Grand Master, Prince of Wales, Memo, 9 December, 1875.


… And Tomorrow?

What of tomorrow? History is a vast early warning system and English Freemasonry is at a silent crossroads in South Africa, as are the Irish, Scottish, and South African Constitutions.

Given the demographics of South African society following the po-litical dispensation since 1994, if the Craft does succeed in enlisting interest and membership from our fellow South Africans, where will their allegiance lie? How many young South Africans of the future will pay much attention to his-tory? Why should the future young Masons in South African wish to retain cultural and traditional links

with the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland? Or even the Grand Lodge of South Africa?

In all probability a United Grand Lodge of South Africa is inevitable, if the Craft is to succeed in growing its very worthy presence in this country. After all the concept of a United Grand Lodge of South Africa was first mooted more than a 150 years ago, and it is highly likely that the concept will be raised again in the coming years.

However the step to a United Grand Lodge in South Africa can only be taken if Masons of all allegiances give up their constitutional differ-ences, and pledge themselves to a

South African United Grand Lodge. Many in positions of authority will have to step down, for in one Grand Lodge there can be but few officials compared to the hierarchy of District and Provincial Grand Lodge Officers of the four constitutions. Pride, am-bition, and reluctance to accept in-novation are the main hindrances to unity, as they have been since the concept of a United Grand Lodge for South Africa was first mooted. Consideration of these human at-tributes is perhaps of as great im-portance in evaluating the progress in South Africa towards a greater Masonic unity as is examining the forces of historical circumstance.

Deputy Grand Master Samuel T. King and I were fortunate to travel together to the XV World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges in Madagascar. This was follow up to the IVXth Conference in San Francisco. During that time, we met a host of Grand Masters from the continent of Africa as well as other jurisdictions including Spain and Germany. Indeed Prince Hall California has created a very large foot print in our worldwide organiza-tion of Freemasons.

At home we were happy to begin the year with the M L Kingdom Day Parade in Los Angeles. Again we made mason-ic history by having the sitting Grand Master of California Masons and the Right Eminent Grand Commander, California Knights Templar along with a group of Sir Knights work-ing with our Right Eminent Grand Commander, Sir Knight Reginald

Mitchell to provide an Honor Guard for the two Grand Masters. The Parade was televised on ABC television with over ten million viewers.

Accompanying the MWPH Grand Lodge in the second car was Meredith Y. Bell, Grand Worthy Matron of the Golden State Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Rite of Adoption, State of California. Most Ancient Grand Matron, Rosalind R. Boateng of the Prince Hall Grand High Court Heroines of Jericho, State of California and the Grand Princess Captain Etoile Abraham of the Pacific Prince Hall Grand Guild State of California. The third Car was The Holy Royal Arch Masons Grand Chapter, State of California Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Othello Burton and the Deputy of the Orient of California, AASR, SJ, PHA Billy G. Harrington.

In Inglewood California the RW Deputy Grand Master Samuel T. King led a Parade with a full compliment of Prince Hall Bodies. I am proud to say the M L Kingdom Day Celebrations were very well attended by our Lodges and Chapters across the State.

In Northern California one of our Lodges was at the brink of disaster loosing members and entangled in a public lawsuit with the possibility of losing property as well. I am happy to announce that Our Grand Lodge was able to settle all claims, take control of the property and sell it at an accept-able price. By the grace of God all will be satisfied. I thank him for his grace and mercy.

Until our next communication. I remain your humble servant, Donald R. Ware, MD. Most Worshipful Grand Master

"Home and Abroad"Continued from Page 1


Honoring a Man, And a MasonSubmitted by: RWDGM Brother Samuel King, 33°

On Thursday, May 4, 2017, the city of Los Angeles honored community icon, entrepreneur, and Mason by naming the intersection of Vermont Ave and Gage Ave “LEON TED GARR SQUARE”. The president of the City Council Herb Wesson, and council members Curren Price and Marqueece Harris-Dawson united to designate the intersection in an official sign unveiling ceremony.

Bro. Garr began his business career when he constructed one of the first buildings at Grambling College, now Grambling University. He served in the United States Army during World War II, after which he relocat-ed to Los Angeles, California in the early 1940’s. In 1958 he co-founded the Coast Construction Company in Los Angeles and in 1963 founded Garr Construction.

Having lived in Los Angeles for over 80 years, Brother Garr has built a business empire, which includes a construction company, shopping centers, motels, apartment build-ings, commercial buildings, senior citizen housing, real estate hold-ings in Orange County, View Park and a child care center which has served the South Los Angeles area for more than 20 years and is located at Vermont Ave. and Gage Ave.

Brother Garr helped to create Founders Nation Bank and infused millions of dollars from his personal wealth in the financial institution. He has enriched the lives of individuals, families and the community through employment and philanthropy.

At the Pan African Film Festival in 2012, his life story was told in a docu-mentary entitled “This Life of Mine, The Fascination Journey of Leon T. Garr”. The movie was directed by Antwone Fisher.

Brother Leon T. Garr was born on March 23, 1914 in Ruston, Louisiana. On March 23, 2017, his daughter Ranza

Trotter and granddaughter Gera’e Vernon joined Brother Garr celebrate his 103rd birthday. Brother Garr de-mitted to Garrison Lodge No. 45 on July 14, 1958 and has had continuous membership since. He has been a 50 year member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F& AM of the state of CA. Inc., since 2008, with a total membership of 59 years in Garrison Lodge No. 45.

We the officers and members of Garrison Lodge No. 45 applaud and salute our Bro. Leon T. Garr, for the outstanding life he has lived and the abundant generosity he has shown.


Masonry Is A Progressive ScienceSubmitted by: RWSGW David San Juan, 33°

It has been my privilege to submit another article for the Masonic Digest. It has been my pleasure to have served my Lodge and an honor to serve this Grand Lodge for the past 27 years.

As a young mason, I delved deeply in to the ritualistic aspects of our beloved craft. My inquisitive per-sonality was being fortified by the mysteries that were unfolding with every page of books that I read.

I studied and memorized everything I challenged myself by practice and performance in reciting every as-pect of degree work and ceremonies. Excellence was my goal at every op-portunity. Sharing my enthusiasm and Masonic knowledge. Those that I had the pleasure of training always got the same beginning explanation of masonry from me; “Masonry is a progressive science.”

“Masonry is a progressive science con-sisting of different Degrees calculated

for the more gradual advancement in the knowledge of its mysteries; according to the progress we make, we limit or extend our inquiries and in proportion to our capacities we ascend to a greater or lesser degree of perfection.”

Let us analyze this statement. First we are told that Masonry is a science. The word “science” comes from the Latin “scire” “to know”; not just to have specialized information on one, two or more subjects, but – to know. It may be asked “What kind of sci-ence is Masonry – it has been referred to as the noble science and royal art – what particular science and what form of art?” When the word “science” is used today, there imme-diately comes to the mind the query “What branch of science; chemistry, physics, electricity and magnetism, medicine, or what?” The science of Masonry incorporates all these and much more – it is the science of the Spirit – the science of Being – the science of Life – and its practice is the Royal Art.

Starting with the initiation allud-ing to childbirth and infancy, the maturation and sophistication of the fellow craft degree to the end point of life in the master mason’s degree. In a state of helplessness, we make our entrance into this, our mortal existence, utterly dependent upon our parents for our nurture, care and protection. Indeed, without that, particularly the protection and lov-ing care of our mother, our existence would be brief. Imprisoned in a world of time and space, we have, in our

childhood, to acquire the knowledge to use the proper working tools in that world; arithmetic, reading, writ-ing and so on.

Sooner or later, perhaps too soon in the present time, we have to give proofs of our proficiency by what is the fear of our youth – examina-tions. After these we acquire a false sense of completion little appreciat-ing that before us lie many, many searching and difficult examinations in our emotional, mental and spiri-tual worlds – examinations of far more importance. Leaving behind the fair heights of childhood, we arrive at maturity and take our sta-tions in the quarries of this life as both craftsman and material. A re-turn from refreshment to labor and our station is the one that we have attained in our individual evolution and is the most suited for our spiri-tual progress if we will make use of it – this our Passing. Silently, without sound of metal tool must the work of rebuilding the unfinished and invis-ible Temple proceed and we must be careful to perform our allotted task while it is yet day. Our first work is that of the Rough Ashlar.

“The Rough Ashlar” “is for the Entered Apprentice to work, mark and indent on. It represents man in his crude and imperfect state by nature. Before it can be modelled into the Perfect Ashlar, fit to be tried and approved by the Square of God’s Word and the Compasses of the Craftsman’s own self-convincing conscience, of truth, fair work and square, fit for that edifice, that house


not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, there is a very considerable amount of work to be done. There is first to be a cleaning up; a puri-fication, a subjugation of our lower passions and as Entered Apprentices, with gavel and chisel, we must re-move those knobs, mental reserva-tions and our comprehension of ourselves and the world around us as limited within the sphere of our own particular environment and contacts. All superfluities must be removed be-fore the ashlar can be measured for its final proportions. One of the things that we have got to do in working on the ashlar is to keep a check to see that we do not keep working on one face only. Apart from the fact that we may fail to leave ourselves with sufficient energy to finish the other surfaces, we may make it lopsided, and therefore unfit for the building. We have to keep turning the stone round or go round it, so that we can see it on all faces. In other words we must see ourselves – and see ourselves properly, not just from one angle – as we think we are or like to think we are. We must look at our financial situations as they really are, and stop pretending that we are solvent. We have to present many surfaces to the life in our Lodges, and by the fric-tion, the conflict, the struggle, we are prepared, made smooth and perfected

Having served our time as E.A.s in the work of discipline, self-purifica-tion, self-control and Masonic edu-cation the bringing into due form of the outward self, we have prepared the stone for the hands of the more experienced workman who is to be none other than ourselves.

Yet we may find that our progress up-ward is impeded by the unnecessary clothing that we wear and which will hamper our passage through

the door into the middle chamber even though we have satisfied its guardian by proper responses to his legitimate demands. The gaudy coat of self-esteem must be flung off. The robes of self-righteousness, spiritual pride and self-satisfaction must be discarded. Clothed with humility we find that at this higher level we must leave behind the valuations we have acquired in the lower and mundane existence. We learn how poor, limited and erroneous have been our assessment of certain val-ues and we recognize immediately the wisdom of “Judge not, lest ye also be judged.”

According to the dictionary “to advance” is “to move forward or upward”, “to progress”, “to rise.” Yet we may find that our progress up-ward is impeded by the unnecessary clothing that we wear and which will hamper our passage through the door into the middle chamber even though we have satisfied its guardian by proper responses to his legitimate demands. The gaudy coat of self–esteem must be flung off. The robes of self–righteousness, spiritual pride and self–satisfaction must be discarded. Clothed with humility we find that at this higher level we must leave behind the valuations we have acquired in the lower and mundane existence. We learn how poor, limited and erroneous have been our assessment of certain val-ues and we recognize immediately the wisdom of “Judge not, lest ye also be judged.”

If we are careful not to substitute the form for the meaning we shall realize that the importance of the Second Degree is that we have “passed” to a higher and inner plane where our work truly must be in silence – with-out sound of metal tool.

It is this last aspect however that I wish to stress with regard to our progress. The danger of being fixed, settled. The danger of having one’s consciousness over–charged with the form; the Lodge, the Temple, the Ceremonies, the Officers, the Candidates, the Ritual, Grand Lodge etc., to the detriment of an awareness of the great and full import that lies behind it all. We must look to the time when we can say with Henley:

But to do all this we must observe and criticize ourselves, and in our Lodges. There must be some introspection, not with a view to bewailing our weaknesses or even to strengthening our resolves but rather that like good craftsmen, we turn the stone round to examine the work we do on all its surfaces, and like great artists, pause, step back and criticize our work.

We have all sprung from the same stock, are partakers of the same na-ture and sharers in the same hope. We must make employ the discipline of the EA to ensure that property ownership is a priority again.

Life is a school and we each must seek a Master, learn our lessons and sit for our examinations. If we fail, then back to school we must go. We must teach and expect our officers to be financial in all of our undertakings. But over and above all this: We must plan for our future, and remember our forefathers and mothers. Those great men and women whose shoulders we stand on. They were not worried about odds or other superfluities that were at their every turn. They didn’t allow obstacles to define them or stop them from laying a great foundation

I am the master of my fate, I am captain of my soul.


which we now know as our Prince Hall family. They are our teachers.

They surely knew that, Jesus the Master Teacher came to this world beckoning us to raise ourselves up from whatever low levels that we may exist? He taught us to love ye one another. So I say, “As Jesus ascended, so we too can ascend!”

How much longer do we wait for a Messiah to come to us and raise us up from where we are? We are as capable as our predecessors to own our own properties! We are as educated and sophisticated, and though we have come a long way, we find ourselves in a place where we have a long way to go.

We must first make up our minds to be progressive, and determined to realize ownership. But this is not easy because we possess what is known as our personality, and so long as we hang on to and cherish our personal-ity, liking our own standards of what is good and what is bad, our own standards of justice, our own stan-dards of truth, our likes and dislikes,

our angers and so on – so shall we tend to be pulled over to the left and then over to the right, the one will oppose the other and we shall swing like a pendulum from side to side. We must learn to work together as our leaders of the past. Just imagine two hard working men tasked with digging a foundation, and facing away from each other. Both are shoveling

dirt over their shoulder into the oth-ers ditch. We are to turn neither to the right nor to the left – we are to be balanced – midway; not pulled one way or the other.

The work is not to be thought of as a spare time occupation or as a hobby, to be picked up in a haphazard fashion and put down again when it tires. If the stone is to take its place in the structure, it must be sound, it must be smooth and true, or the structure might be affected. There must be no blunders and it cannot be left. Rather than have to do the work all over again.

A wit, once said, that the only differ-ence between a groove and a grave, was the use of vowels.

I say to you, to heed the words of Ezekiel, the Dry Bones are in the Valley, and it’s time for them to come together and raise up!

If and when we satisfy this require-ment, then and then only, can we, as did our ancient brethren go up

“with winding stairs into the Middle Chamber” (I Kings, viii, 6–8). Then, are we true CRAFTSMEN.

It is a pity that owing to the stress of modern life we have found it neces-sary to reduce our Ceremonies to a minimum length and to shorten the time between taking Degrees. Consequently, too much is said and

too little absorbed. We trust that the importance neither is, nor ever will be eroded from the Candidate’s memory without giving him the chance of properly absorbing it.

A matter, it seems to me, of fun-damental importance in reading, religion and ritual, is the necessity of avoiding substituting the form for the meaning. Probably the reason for the emptiness of some of our Lodges is due to the fact that those responsible have allowed form to usurp meaning. The followers have asked for bread and have been given a stone.

Finally brethren, to depart for a mo-ment from the architectural phrase-ology and imagery of our Masonic Order, may I just suggest to you:

Should we not brethren, be humbly thankful that we have had given to us, our great Order “having subsisted from time immemorial” to assist us in our Work: grateful, that we have this functional means of grace, this science of spiritual regeneration, this art of spiritual advancement.

“May the work begun in Thy Name, be continued to Thy Glory!”

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” (II Tim. ii, 15.)

We must learn to work together as our leaders of the past. Just imagine two hard working men tasked with digging a

foundation, and facing away from each other. Both are shoveling dirt over their shoulder into the others ditch.

We are to turn neither to the right nor to the left – we are to be balanced – midway; not pulled one way or the other.


Nothing Matters More Than LeadershipSubmitted by: RWJGW Robert J. Eagle Spirit, Sr., 33°

Leaders see the vision, chart the path and inspire others to follow them to success. I have often said, “Leadership potential in a person is like beauty, it’s hard to describe, but you know it when you see it.” This might explain why some people seem to find leading roles in every organization they join. It just comes naturally. Then there are those who want desperately to be lead-ers, but the harder they try, the less accepted their leadership becomes.

1. The first lesson is, beware of a leader who relies on style and ora-tory, and doesn’t back it up with character, substance and integrity. Grand presentations and great ora-tory may be impressive, but results are what matters. Words matter, but actions, results and character matter more.

2. Leadership grows with experience. Leaders who are short on experi-ence make foolish mistakes that undermine their credibility. People

who work with them notice this and quietly question the leader’s right to lead.

3. There is a big difference between leadership and management which is not always well understood. Management skills are almost al-ways present in good leaders. The opposite is not always true. The simplest example is an excursion. The manager makes sure details are attended to: provisions, routes, transportation plans. The leader makes sure the people want to go, will follow wherever they go and stick together along the way. That’s a very big difference.

4. Weak leaders often resort to order-ing or directing people on what to do by using the power of their position. Strong leaders build con-sensus, collaboration and coop-eration not simply compliance. People choose to follow if the leader “walks his talk” e.g., does what he says. If the leader fails to “walk the talk,” the followers soon lose faith and doubt the leader.

An even worse case is when the leader practices “two-faced talk,” saying

one thing and doing some-thing entirely different.

That kind of hypocrisy is a failure of integrity.

5. Leaders must earn (and deserve) the right to lead, and not rely on having it “bestowed on them.” The great leaders take charge, get results, and take less than their share of the credit (for success) and more than their share of the blame (for failure). Great leaders are ac-countable and take responsibility for the consequences of their ac-tions. Weak leaders do not.

6. Weak leaders whine, complain and blame others for their failures. This is a dead giveaway of a leader who is long on style and short on substance and integrity. The best leaders have long been found to be “servant leaders,” people who realize that they actually enable the success of others, and of those they lead based on plans they have developed together.

7. There is little room for a too-big ego and narcissism in a leader’s makeup. A strong leader neither pretends to be, nor needs to be the “smartest person in the room.” That kind of leader discourages followers. A truly effective leader encourages the ideas and input of followers, listens to them and then includes their input in the deci-sions about what to do, and how. Only an ego-driven narcissist (or an insecure leader) insists that his ideas be the basis of all decisions.

8. In the ultimate act of despera-tion, the failed tries to practice “victory by definition.” This is a form of denial (or delusion) that portrays a failure at success by


redefining the measures, after outcomes are known. This is a devastating mistake, since real-ity ultimately defines success or failure, but not some contrived set of distorted matrix.

9. A common myth, perpetrated over the past few decades is that great leaders are (or must be) “charis-matic.” They may be or may not.

Many of the best leaders were self-effacing, modest people of great substance, achievement and earned-respect. The conclusions were that while “charisma” helped inspire people temporarily, charac-ter, experience, behavior, skills and personal attributes, but most of all integrity was far more important.

There you have it, no matter how many more ways you look at it, good leadership makes all the difference, it always has, and it always will.

Fallen Brother Honored By U.S. Air ForceSubmitted by: Phillip W. Jones, Secretary Thomas T. Smith, Lodge #78

On December 14, 2016 Air Force

Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 218, of Beale Air Force Base, California honored Special Agent Michael A. Cinco by dedicat-ing the Office of Special Investigations Building at Beale Air Force Base in his name.

One year earlier, on December 21, 2015, Brother Michael A. Cinco, 28, was killed in the line of duty

while valiantly serving his country. He was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 11th Field Investigations Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Randolph AFB, Texas. Staff Sergeant Cinco was attached to the Air Force’s 455th Air Expeditionary Wing and part of the Crimson Task Force, which contributed to the joint, multina-tional force protection efforts for the Bagram Airfield area including out-side the wired security. He died after a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack on their patrol outside Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.

Staff Sergeant Cinco, a native of Weslaco, Texas was newly married. He started his journey as a Prince Hall Mason on September 6, 2011. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason at Thomas T. Smith Lodge #78 in Marysville, California on March 3, 2012. He became active

in the Lodge and in the community. He served as a Steward and Deacon. He participated in the First Annual Table Lodge held in Sacramento, and the Lodge’s 26th Annual Family Day Celebration. He was a volunteer for the Annual Youth Fishing Derby, and the Beale Air Force Base Youth Center. He also marched in the Annual Bok Kai Parade with his Lodge in Marysville, California.

In attendance at the building dedica-tion was his wife Veronica, his mother, a sister, a brother and one nephew.

We are all pleased to have such a brother as Brother Michael C. Cinco as a member of our Lodge. He will always be remembered by his Masonic Brothers as a loving and dedicated hus-band, a conscientious and professional airman, and a faithful Brother.


Both REGC from Sir Reginald L. Mitchell and Sir Stephan Alderete

September 2016Pacific Prince Hall Grand Commandery visiting California Knights Templars during their Knights Templar Orders

Most Excellent Grand High Priest Prince Hall Othello Burton, Most Excellent Grand High Priest CA Richard Baskin, Most Illustrious Master Cryptic Mason CA William Price, Most Illustrious Grand Thrice Illustrious Master Bernard Roberts Jr.,

VEDGC Clarence Allen Jr., Right Eminent Grand Commander CA Sir Stephan Alderete, Right Eminent Grand Commander Prince Hall Sir Reginald L. Mitchell, Right Eminent Grand Captain General Grand Encampment USA Sir David J. Kussman

Prince Hall Grand York Rite and California Grand York Rite Leaders demonstrating our unity as Freemasons

Submitted by: RW Reginald L. Mitchell, 33°

Our Prince Hall York Rite bodies have been in existence for over 108 years here in the state of California. These bodies consist of The Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter Holy Royal Arch Masons, Pacific Prince Hall Grand Commandery Knights Templar, Prince Hall Grand High Court Heroines of Jericho, The Pacific Prince Hall Grand Guild Heroines of the Templars Crusade and most recently The Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council Royal and Select Masters, The Prince Hall Grand Court of the Ladies of the Circle of Perfection, and Pacific Prince Hall Priory# 16 (KYCH)

Over the past several years they have establish fraternal relationships with our brothers from the California York Rite bodies and recently have had many historical events and gathering together. During the annual York Rite Annual Grand Communication it is a common occurrence that the Right Eminent Grand Commander and Grand Commandery officers visit each Grand bodies during these events. September 2016 the Right Eminent Grand Commander from the California Grand Commandery Sir Stephan Alderete visited the Pacific Prince Hall Annual Grand Conclave in Ontario California.

October 2016 members of the Pacific Prince Hall Grand Commandery attended the conferring of the Knights Templars orders in San Diego California, November 2016 a gathering honoring the six Grand York Rite leaders in California was held in Victorville Ca. November 2016 our members attending the 4th annual holiday Hornblower cruise in San Diego Ca.


Grand Master’s Official Visit Workshop and the Mason on Site

Submitted by: WM Louis L. Garrett, Sr.

On Friday, April 7, 2017 the Honorable Most Worshipful Grand Master Donald R. Ware, MD, ar-rived in San Francisco to start his Northern California region annu-al visit. The host lodge, Hannibal Lodge #1, Worshipful Master, Louis L. Garrett, Sr. opened the lodge and received the Grand Master in ritualistic from. There were 43 broth-ers from throughout the Northern California region in attendance for this historical occasion. MWGM Dr. Ware was received for the ex-press purpose of making a mason on site. PM John Fuller, Chairman of the Mason on Site team proceeded with their work. The brothers on the degree team were on point in

every phase of the degrees; they were outstanding. The Ceremonial team composed of: RW Vernell Shaw III, Senior Warden, (Third Degree); RW Arian Frett, Junior Warden (Entered Apprentice Degree); RW Kevin Garner; RW Senior Warden; RW

Steve Kirkendoll; RW Junior Deacon (Fellow Craft Degree); RW Eric Williams, Lecturer for the Ceremony; RW Williams (Master Carpet and

Prince Hall Story); and Comments/Closing MWGM Donald Ware. The Mason made on Site was Assembly Member Jim Cooper.

On this special occasion, Hannibal Lodge No. 1 was filled with a

bountiful amount of brotherly love that would make all Masons proud. The evening concluded with a repass. Brothers gathered together sharing food with the Grand Master.

On Saturday, April 8, 2017, the Grand Master’s Workshop and Official Visit was call to order at 8:00 a.m. at the San Francisco Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 2850 19th Avenue, San Francisco, California, by RWSGW David San Juan.

The Plenary Session was Called to Order and the Opening Prayer was given by RWSGW David San Juan and Reverend Evins; Pledge of Allegiance led by RWDDGM Aaron Washington; Welcome given by WM Louis L. Garrett, Sr.; Housekeeping by RWSGW David San Juan; Roll Call of Lodges and Grand Lodge Officers by RWGS Billy G. Harrington; Sickness and Distress/Grand Lodge Officers by RWSGW David San Juan; Lodge


Property/Financial/Legal Responsibility by SW Richard Walker, RWDDGM Aaron Washington, and RW Elliot Stevenson; Registration by RWAGT Andrew Smith; Grand Master Remarks by GWGM Donald R. Ware; Masonic Leadership by RWJGW Robert Eagle Spirit.

At the conclusion of the Plenary Session all brothers participated in the workshops. The workshops were most informative. Master/Wardens, presented by RWJGW Robert Eagle Spirit; Treasurer/Secretary, presented by RWGT Norman Riley, RWGS Billy G. Harrington, and RWAGT Andrew Smith; Past Master /

Membership presented by RWSGW David San Juan; Deacons/Stewards/Marshals /Chaplains presented by: RWGL Brain Macon; Lodge Property/Trustee Board/Members/Obligations to Grand Lodge pre-sented by SW Richard Walker, RWDDGM Aaron Washington and

WM Elliot Stevenson.

After lunch the host lodge, Hannibal Lodge No. 1, opened the lodge in ritualistic form and received T he Most Wo r s h i p f u l G r a n d Master, Donald R. Ware MD. MWGM Ware’s re-marks were timely and informative. He explained how the California Prince Hall Masons are having a strong influence on the world stage of masonry.

The Grand Masters lapel pen has been reconstructed. MWGM Ware along with other Grand Lodge officers placed the new pen on the lapel of MWPGM Phillips. This was a very emotional moment for all in attendance.

Special thanks was given to Frank Loui – Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Supreme Council in California Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA – for the donation of the Scottish Rite Center facility for the Grand Master visit. We used the entire facility for the day. Thanks.

The weather was wet outside, but the brothers were out of the el-

ements. It is always great when brothers are working together im-proving their knowledge and work-ing together as Masons.


Veterans Benefits InformationSubmitted by: Brother James Britt JR, 33° and Veterans Benefits Advocate, Stanley Y. Beverley, Lodge #108

As the American military is involved in two wars abroad, the number of wounded warriors continues to grow. It takes the courage and strength of a warrior to ask for help. The ques-tion many military veterans ask, do I qualify for Veterans Medical Care and Benefits at the VA? The answer is likely yes for most. All wounded veterans should ask for the help they earned while serving this great nation. Applying now to the Department of Veterans Affairs for Health Services, Medical Treatment and Veterans benefits is easier and faster than ever. There are many ways a veteran may qualify to receive top-notch VA Health Care at over 1,400 medical centers and clinics across the nation. The V A has highly trained physicians and clinicians that provide the necessary medical treatment in many specialties.

Eligibility for VA health care is de-pendent upon a number of variables, which may influence the final deter-mination of the services for which you qualify. These factors include the nature of a veterans discharge from military service, e.g, honorable, dishonorable, length of service and VA adjudicated disabilities, a class referred to as service-connected. Combat veterans are strongly en-couraged to apply for disability com-pensation if you incurred any injury while serving in a combat zone, even if it was temporary duty. Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who qualify, even if the illness, injury or disease, did not occur in a war zone, during

active military service. Disability compensation varies with the degree of disability, and the number of the veterans dependents.

Veterans with certain severe dis-abilities may be eligible for additional special monthly compensation. The benefits are not subject to federal or state income tax. Certain veterans are eligible for disability compensa-tion based on the presumption that their disability is service-connected.

A veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in support of military operations. Fifteen or more illnesses are presumed by the VA to be service-connected for such veter-ans, three recently recognized in 2010 are ischemic heart disease, chronic B-cell Leukemia's and Parkinson's disease. The most common related injuries are Prostate and Respiratory Cancers, Hearing, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Diabetes.

Vietnam War veterans are especially encouraged to submit claims to the VA if they were denied a claim in the past related to AO. Any compensa-tion claim denied in the past should be resubmitted, and may qualify for a significant retroactive monetary award. The VA recently developed new rules to speed up the applica-tion process to ensure that veterans receive the benefits they deserve. Veterans who served in Vietnam and who have a presumed illness do not

have to prove an association between their medical problems and their military service. They only need to show documents such as movement orders, performance reports, person-nel action, morning reports, etc., indicating they served in the hostile/combat area. This is a major revision from past requirements.

Gulf War veterans with chronic disabilities may receive disability compensation for chronic disabilities resulting from undiagnosed illnesses and/or medically unexplained chron-ic multi-symptom illnesses defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms. A disability is considered chronic if it existed for at least six months.

Individual Unemployment is a part of VA's disability compensation program that allows the VA to pay certain vet-erans compensation at the 100% rate, even though the VA has not rated their service-connected disabilities at the total level. This benefit is avail-able if a veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his/her disabilities, with at least one service-related disability ratable at 60% or more, or two with a combined rating of 70% or more. Substantially gainfully employment is defined as employment at which non-disabled individuals earn their livelihood with earnings comparable to the particular occupation in the community where the veteran lives.

Veterans in receipt of this benefit may work as long as it is not con-sidered substantially gainful. The


employment must be marginal in accordance with the amount estab-lished by the U. S. Census Bureau's as the poverty level for the veteran only.

Special consideration will be given for veterans who are considered un-employable because of a service-connected disability, but fail to meet the minimum percentage standard, or there is evidence of exceptional or unusual circumstances to impairment of earning capacity, example, due to disabilities requiring frequent periods of hospitalization. Some veterans may have to complete an employment questionnaire once a year in order for the VA to determine continued eligi-bility to Individual Unemployability.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Program is a program whose primary function is to help veterans with ser-vice-connected disabilities become suitably employed, maintain employ-ment, or achieve independence in a daily setting. Services include vocational and personal coun-seling, education and training, financial aid, job assistance, and if needed, medical and dental treatment. All are de-signed to help each eligible dis-abled member to reach his/her rehabilitation goal. Services generally last up to 48 months, but they can be extended in certain circumstances. Usually, you must be first awarded a monthly VA disability com-pensation payment. In some

cases, you may be eligible if you are not getting VA compensation. For example, if you are awaiting discharge from the military because of a disability you may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation. If you are rated at 10% disabled, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilita-tion services, however it must be determine that you have a serious employment handicap.

If you need training, VA will pay your training cost, such as tuition and fees, books, supplies, equipment, and if needed, special services. While you are in training, VA will also pay you a monthly benefit to help with living expenses, called a subsistence allowance. This special program is not associated with the G I Bill.

Veterans are encouraged to contact the nearest VA Office, if they feel they qualify for Veterans health care and benefits.

Go online to The Department of Veterans Affairs website, va.gov for more information. To obtain a dis-charge certificate, DD214, military medical records and/or personnel re-cords, go to evetrecs.com. Complete a Standard Form 180, and mail it to the address listed in the instructions. It is never too late to file a claim.

When filing an initial claim, it is advisable to collect all medical treat-ment documents, x-ray, MRI results, witnesses, family or friend statements and any other supporting documents. Where possible, request a treatment summary from each treating medical provider, and attach to the claim. Write a personal summary, describ-ing each specific disability, associated medication, and identify how the disabilities have affected your overall health and quality of life. There are many Service organizations in your community that can provide profes-sional assistance and direct support

to monitor your claim until a decision is decided by the VA. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Vet, NCO and Officers Association, to include your county Veteran Service Officer is but a few. The purpose of this article is to provide basic information to active duty military and veterans, and encourage them to apply for their benefits.


The Masonic Stars Align to Celebrate Brother Edgar Boggs

Submitted by: JD Tyrone Netters

On October 30, 2016 at the Lions Gate Hotel in Sacramento, California it was billed as an event celebrating a mason with an outstanding masonic career of service and accomplish-ment, and indeed it was.

One knew the stars were aligning to make a statement when California Prince Hall Grand Master Donald Ware, Deputy Grand Master Sam King, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order

Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdictions, Inc. – Imperial Potentate, Brother Carl D. Parker, Past Potentate Council (Alcazar #179) – PP Charles T. Vaughan III , Harmony Lodge 61 Worshipful Master Sidney Moore, Past Masters’ Council –PM Warren R. Bryan, Exemplar Consistory #299 – CIC Kenneth J. Bentley, Robert W. Brown Council of Deliberation – GIG Lawrence Harris, Holy Royal Arch – EHIP Dallas Tillman, Holy Royal Arch – MEGHP Othello Burton, Alcazar Temple #179 (A.E.A.O.N.M.S.) – III Potentate Walter Lomax, Past Master Tony Broom, Harmony Lodge 61 Junior Warden – Lance Simmons, Inspirational Speaker

– Rosa Williams and special family, community friends and fellow Prince Hall brethren had gathered to pay homage to a humble and good ma-sonic brother, Brother Edgar Boggs.

Brother Boggs is not only the current treasurer of Harmony Lodge 61, serves on the Grand Lodge staff, a Prince Hall Noble, a Past Master, the Head Deacon of his Church but a beloved father and community leader.

The accolades flowed like waves warmly breaking on an ocean’s shore. Beginning with his wife, Sister Sharon Boggs, family members, who had flown in from around the coun-try, and his daughter, Jenda Boggs, let it be known that they had been privileged to have a father and a fam-ily head of household like Brother Boggs, for sharing wisdom, values of right and wrong, leadership, kindness and above all love.

Grand Master Donald Ware gave thanks for the standard of excel-lence that Brother Boggs has given as a Grand Lodge staff member and

throughout his masonic career. Imperial Potentate Parker, added a beautiful plaque of service, Harmony Lodge 61 Worshipful Master, Brother Sidney Moore, said “how good it is to give a worthy brother his due why he is alive and vibrant.” Prince Hall Shriner Potentate and secretary of Harmony Lodge Brother Walter Lomax summarized the evening by leading a grand toast of thanks to Brother Boggs by all attending.

After all the reflections, laughter and heart felt sincerity, true to his reputation, indeed his legacy, Brother Boggs simply and humbly thanked all who had weathered a rainy, cold December evening to give him his due. He prayed that all would return safely to their abodes and shared that the evening was one of the most im-portant experiences of his life.

Again, as Prince Hall Masons we should all be proud that one of our brethren has set such an exemplary life as he continues his life travels.


Masonic Digest Cover Page

The Cover page illustrates some of the pictorial highlights of the Prince Hall masonic year 2016-17.

Middle picture Most Worshipful Grand Master Ware with the MW Peter Lownes Pro Grand Master, United Grand Lodge of England.

Upper left hand corner MW John Heisner, Grand Master, Masons of California and Grand Commander, Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, California, Sir Stephan Alderette. At the Los Angeles ML Kingdom Day Parade.

Most Worshipful Ware, and DGM Samuel T. King with the India Delegation and Madagascar.

Honorable Adrian Dove CEO, M.L. Kingdom Day Parade with John Heisner and Grand Worthy Matron Meredith Y. Bell, Golden State Grand Chapter, O.E.S., PHRA, California.

DGM Sam T. King, MWPGM Tom Jackson President Emeritus, World Conference of Regular Grand Lodges MW Ware, and Aaron Lux a member of the California Delegation and Madagascar.

RW King, MWPGM Timothy Foley, District of Columbia, MW Ware, and Grand Secretary Conference of Grand Masters of Africa and Madagascar.

RW David San Juan; Current Owner Good Hope No. 29 Building, Ryan E. Landis; MW Ware; Worshipful Master, Norman Hooks Good Hope No. 29 and Senior Warden, No.29, Jason Joseph.

MWGMWare with the MWGM, United Grand Lodge of Germany and Madagascar.

The Assistant Grand Master of Russia; MWGM, Ware and the Grand Master of Russia.

Grand Master Ware and the Grand Master of Spain and Madagascar.

Grand Chancellor, Derek Dinsmore and Deputy Grand Chancellor, John Hamill, United Grand Lodge of England.

Grand Master Ware, Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge of Nigeria and DGM Samuel T. King.


Hannibal Lodge #1 Black History Program

“Brothers and Sisters in District One Working Together in Celebration of Black History Month”

— This was a family affair.Submitted by: WM Louis L. Garrett, Sr.

On February 11, 2017, Hannibal Lodge #1 planned a family trip to Col. Allen Allensworth State Park in Tulare County. This was done in memory of a pioneer mason Brother, Col. Allen Allensworth. The broth-ers from Hannibal Lodge 1, along with the sisters from Namoni 2 were happy to join together honoring such an historical person. We also became the San Francisco Charted Chapter of The Friends of Allensworth.

In August 1908 Colonel Allen Allensworth and five others coura-geous settlers established a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. Their dream of developing an abundant and thriv-ing community stemmed directly from a strong belief in programs that

allowed blacks to help themselves create better lives.

Allen Allensworth was born a slave in 1842. He escaped and gained his freedom during the Civil War. He was commissioned as a chaplain of the 24th Infantry of the US Army in 1886. When he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1906, he held the highest rank achieved by an African American army officer. The town of Allensworth was his dream. The restored Allinersworth home is now a museum, open on request to the public.

Allensworth became a fleshing town for a number of years, with many families gravitating to the concept on a town governed by African

Americans. Col. Allensworth and his family divided their time between their home in Los Angeles and the rural life of the Allensworth com-munity. While in Los Angeles, Col. Allensworth was in an accident and lost his life. This along with com-plications the town diminished and is now a state park. The history of African Americans in California is captured in this experience and all should take time to investigate and carry on this legacy.

One of the highlights of the trip was that we had members of the Joshua Singleton family along with us on this trip. Joshua Singleton was the owner of the General store in Allensworth until 1828.

Brothers and Sisters that traveled to Allensworth


High Desert Lodge #107 And High Desert Flower #93 Annual Master/Matron Banquet

Submitted By: RW David E. Jenkins PM Kevin L. Malone

April 1, 2017. This represented the 24th year for the Lodge/Chapter banquet. The event was held in the Hilton Garden Inn, 12603 Mariposa Road, Victorville, CA 92395. Approximately 180 persons were in attendance.

Worshipful Master David Allen and Worthy Matron Kiera Thomas rep-resented their organizations in fine manner. The theme: “Keeping an Eye on your Destiny'' was carried out in likewise fine form. Some of the dignitaries present were MWPGM Lovell Morgan and his wife Barbara; MWPGM Jeffery Jones of Prince Hall

Grand Lodge of Nevada, PGWM Estella Johnson as-well-as the lead-ers of other Prince Hall organiza-tions. Seven dignitaries were also in attendance from the California Jurisdiction - Victorville Lodge #634,

Daylight lodge #682 and High Desert Holy Royal Arch Masons #127.

Singer Mr. Trevon Davi s o f Panorama City, CA (a fellow Clark Atlanta University alumni of Worthy Matron Kiera Thomas) rendered two musical selections: “Dream the Impossible Dream” and “My Soul is Anchored in the Lord”. The selections were very well received with a standing ova-tion. Keynote speaker for the event was educator/writer and poet Ms. Kimberly Peters-Serrano of Toluca Lake, CA. She is an educator and writer of two published books of po-

etry. Ms. Peters-Serrano held every-one's attention as she remarked on her upbringing and encouraged all to “Not give up“ and complete one's destiny. Other highlights: Worthy Matron Thomas recognized several

individuals for their participation, attendance and help in making the event a success. She acknowledged her banquet committee members, Past Matrons/influencers and gave special recognition to her mother sister Marie Dillon-Gray. A special recognition and acknowledgement was given to 17 yr. old Mykeyera Robinson who will graduate on May 25th from Granite Hills High School of Apple Valley, CA with a 3.5 GPA. Ms. Robinson is a Pre-Med student who had her choice of 10 colleges/universities. She will be at-tending HBCU Fisk University in Nashville, TN in the fall.

Worshipful Master David Allen spoke of growing up in the streets of Chicago, overcoming the odds of those streets and his tenure in the United States Marine Corps. He thanked and acknowledged the


The Epitome of a ManSubmitted by: WM Jason E. Sevier

On Friday April 21 2017, Past Master Earsel Rolling was celebrated for a century of servitude at Fidelity Lodge #10 in San Diego, Ca. Past Master Rolling was joined by RW Grand Jr. Warden Robert Eagle Spirit, the brothers of Fidelity lodge #10, Ruth chapter #11, and other extended fam-ily and friends on a fun filled Friday night to celebrate his blessing of life, and turning 100 years old. Masons are taught to be peaceful and chari-table beings; and to use the moral lessons applied to their builders or architectural tools to improve their lives, and the lives of others around them. Mr. Earsel Rolling has been doing exactly that for 100 years.

Born in Mississippi on April 9th, 1917 during the outbreak of WWI, living to see 100 was a thought that never crossed his mind. His views on life have always been “keep things simple.” His life of servitude began early in his childhood, but reso-nated when he decided to enlist in the U.S Navy in 1938. He served faithfully during that time, and was deployed various times around the

globe. His various tours of duty in-cluded the USS Oklahoma (BB37), and the George Climber (APA27) just to name a few. In his words, “To serve my country was an honor, not many can or would do during that time, especially for men of color. He honorably retired after 22 years of naval service as Chief Steward, and continued on to civil service for 35 years at Naval Station North Island. In 1949, he decided to take another path of servitude, being initiated, passed, and raised to the sublime degree of a master mason within the walls of Fidelity Lodge #10, advanc-ing around the lodge, and ultimately being elected as Worshipful Master in 1964. He has been a devoted member, and now active mentor to this lodge for over 65 years; “It is an absolute pleasure to watch my lodge grow, and the good men that have emerged from its portals.” It’s ironic to state that he is 100 years old, and Fidelity Lodge will be celebrating its 114th year in existence in July.

In his words; “you don’t get to be 100 years old without the hand of God

on your life,” and Mr. Rolling has definitely been keeping his hand in the good Lords service. A member of the deacon board within the Calvary Baptist Church for over 70 years, and a steadfast pillar within the congrega-tion, and mentor to various people. “If I stayed faithful to the things committed to my care (family, work, church, etc) then the good Lords mercy and blessings would surely continue to shower down upon me.

The evening was full of good food, fun, and most of all music, and Mr. Rolling didn’t hesitate to cut a quick rug with a few of the sisters of Ruth chapter, to the familiar James Brown hit “Papa don’t take no mess.” All in all, the evening was a complete suc-cess, to see his face as he was being taken home was priceless, and to be a part of the care/comfort of someone who helped lay the foundation within the walls of Fidelity Lodge is a huge motivation for the entire lodge, and our future is brighter by the day. To God be the Glory, and let us continue to improve upon.

members of High Desert Lodge #107 and several event attendees as well. A special acknowledgement was given to his wife Sophia for her sup-port and encouragement while he pursued his Masonic endeavors. He thanked the banquet committee and looked on proudly as a representa-tive from the Los Angeles Children

Protective Services Department {Palmdale Division ) presented PM Donny Jones, PM Kevin Malone and the members of Each One Reach One Mentoring program with a Certificate of Appreciation for their work in Mentorship. PM Kevin Malone was given a special Certificate of Appreciation for his

personal one on one mentoring with young members of the community.

An enjoyable evening: the program moved briskly along, the food and mu-sic was very good and the fellowship/brotherly love/sisterhood was great!


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Across1 Literally Encircled Hence Limited3 Make Valid7 Endless Life Of The Spirit8 At Right Angles To A Level9 Masonic Punishment12 Not Belonging To Any Lodge15 Capable Of Being Read Or

Understood16 Secret Listeners20 Symbolical Representing22 Beyond Computation24 Peace Of Mind25 Dermoti’s Book29 Final Word Of Assent35 Vase With A Foot36 To Leave With Permission37 Pour Oil On38 Harshness Or Severities Of Climate40 That Which Is Kept Back, Withheld42 Skilled Laborer45 The Platform Or Raised Floor

47 Belonging To The Earth50 Rest Period51 Show Open Approval53 Badge Of A Mason54 A Practical Stone Mason55 Quality Of Being Upright56 To Impose Rule57 Ceremonies Deliberately Kept Secret58 Binds Freemasons59 A Letter

Down2 Circular Travel About4 Ah Wretched (That I Am)5 Not Regular6 Sixth Century Greek Philosopher10 Proclamation By Authority11 To Impress13 First14 Permission To Do The Forbidden17 Loyalty18 Charitable Brotherhood Members19 Friends Of Truth

21 Symbol Of Light23 Pertaining To Charity;

Relief Of The Poor26 Topmost Stone27 Ancient City Of Palestine28 Agreement To Do Evil30 To Express Sympathy And Pity31 Confines Of A Grand Lodge32 Accepted Member, Not An

Operative Mason33 Change In Fortune Or Situation34 The Lord39 Solemn Ceremony41 An Absolute Ruler43 Masonic Punishment44 A Liberal Art46 A Building Stone48 Doctrine Held To Be True

Without Proof49 Old, Time Honored51 A Figure That Symbolizes Eternity52 A Small Candle

Courtesy of: RW Alton Roundtree, 33°


Joint Orange Valley Lodge No. 13 And Queen Elizabeth Chapter No. 8, OES

Annual Prayer BreakfastSubmitted by: RW David E. Jenkins

Event held on February 4, 2017, at the Lodge Hall - 293112th Street, Riverside 92507.

Approximately 40 persons were in attendance. These included WM Jenkins, SW Dwayne E. Hester, JW Ryan K. Robinson, Secretary Larry B. Martin, and MWPGM Lovel l Morgan. From Queen Elizabeth, we saw Worthy Matron Gwendolyn Fife, Past Matrons (PMs) Barbara Whitman, Emma Grif fin, Jimmie Flowers, Joan Miller, as well as Associate Patron Damon L. Alexander.

Mu sica l s elect ion s i ncluded “Praise Him” {Past Master James R. Beauregard, and PM Barbara

Whitman, “Falling In Love With Jesus” (Beauregard, and Whitman), and “l Need You Now” (Dnez Baker). The offerings were enthusiastically accepted.

The Guest Speaker, Roselyn Shaw, - associated with Jurupa Valley Missionary Baptist Church, Jurupa - delivered a stirring, spiritual message. It seemed to center on unity, that one could not function (positively) alone, insecurity and the value of individuals. Her message contained much thought for consideration and action. In her remarks, Sister Fife thanked all for their attendance, and also thanked Ms Shaw for her timely comments. WM Jenkins commented on the fact that being at the event was God's will; that brotherly love and sisterly love should prevail; and continuing to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. He also thanked Brother Beauregard and his crew for the outstanding meal. The Joint Prayer Breakfast was deemed an unqualified success!


Buffalo Soldiers RecognizeSubmitted by: James R. Beauregard RW David E. Jenkins

On February 4, 2017, the 25th Infantry of the Buffalo Soldiers honored PM James R. Beauregard, and two others. The event unfolded at the Pinnacle Peak Restaurant, 2533 South La Cadena Drive, Colton CA 92324. Approximately SO persons attended.

Brother Beauregard received certifi-cates of appreciation from the 25th Infantry, plus from the city and coun-ty offices. Beauregard was named a “Community Veteran Volunteer of the Year”. During his remarks, Beauregard spoke about feeding the less fortunate. It began for him, many years ago, when he saw a woman “dumpster diving”. He and his crew has been feeding at Orange Valley’s Lodge, every Sunday, for some 30 plus years. Additionally, they de-liver meals, Sundays, to some 185 individuals at shelters, parks, etc. On Thanksgivings, and Christmas, tradi-tional meals are provided. Beauregard and his co-volunteers also provide blankets, and items of clothing. “Toys for Tots” are taken to children in the neighborhood, plus to tots at a special children’s school. He reported that he’s been with the United States Air Force for 47 years. (Retired after 22

years. PM Beauregard still works at Los Angeles Air Force Base. This requires him to depart Riverside at 3:00 AM, each week day.) His personal motto? “Smile. You’ll nev-er meet a stranger”v. He adds that he has always considered himself a

servant. Having personally known Brother Beau for many years, it still amazes me how much he gets out of the “twen-ty four hours” in a day. Not only does he belong to many “houses", he continues to

work in Orange Valley Lodge (Treasurer), and in Sheik Temple and Queen Elizabeth as Recorder/Secretary. On top of that, Beauregard gives many hours to his church - Greater Faith Christian Fellowship, Moreno Valley. He is, indeed, worthy of hon-ors and recognition. (NOTE : Two other individuals were also

recognized: Johnnie Griffitts, recipi-ent of our nation’s Bronze Star, and Purple Heart- “Boots of Honor", and Mary N. Long - “Shining Star Community Volunteer of the Year”. For information on the Inland Empire Buffalo Soldiers Association, contact Trooper Yolonda Williams (Founder/CEO). She can be reached at: (951) 657-7088, and cell phone (951) 722-0456. Trooper Williams’ email is brocourage1587 @gmail.com).


Orange County's Oldest African-American's (103 Years!) Secret for Long Life: “Soul Food and Hard Work"

Submitted by: GIG Howard R. Cooks, 33° PM Shedrick Collins

The 103–year–old Santa Ana resi-dent recently received a certificate of recognition from the city as a belated birthday present. The oldest African-American alive in Orange County today is one of about 500 or so locals above the century mark. “How am I able to live so long a life and my health al-lows me to get up and get around?” he asks. “I just feel that the man got me here for some kind of reason.”

T he centena r ia n walks briskly without the slightest hunch before taking a seat in the front yard of his home. Bussey's sharp memories serve as a portal to Orange County's black past, having lived in the county since 1946. He speaks in loud booms, slowed only by pen-sive pauses when re-counting a rich life that began on Nov. 21, 1913, in Bobo, a small town near Tenaha, Texas. There, Bussey's parents worked the farmland they owned there while raising a family of 12. (Longevity runs in Bussey's blood; both his mother and grandmother lived past 100.)

But Bussey left Bobo behind for Dallas when he was called into service for World War II. He completed basic

training and became a marksman at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, at a time when the United States Army still segregated its soldiers by color. But one day, while working as an instructor on the rifle range, Bussey's hands and feet froze from the cold.

The frostbite proved serious enough to land him in the hospital. The Army transferred Bussey to George Air Force Base in Victorville, California, then to a hospital in Palm Springs when his injuries didn't fully heal.

When WWII ended in 1945, Bussey earned an honorable discharge and returned to civilian life. “I had a

brother living in Fullerton, and I came out and stayed with him until around 1946,” Bussey recalls. In the 2009 book A Different Shade of Orange: Voices of Orange County, California, Black Pioneers, Bussey described Fullerton as having been

more prejudiced than East Texas. Back in those days, the city had few black resi-dents, all of whom lived on East Truslow Avenue, including Bussey.

Neighboring Brea was worse. Not only did a housing covenant prevent blacks from renting and owning property, but Brea was also a “Sundown Town,” where blacks were expected to leave the city before dusk-or else. “I think that was a bad deal because I feel every-body should have a right to go, come and stay wherever and

whenever they want,” Bussey says. “I just tried to stay out of that area.”

Santa Ana seemed more welcoming; its proximity to the Tustin and El Toro Marine bases made it Orange County's small chocolate city. Bussey moved there in 1947; with help from the GI Bill, he put a $600 down payment on a home. The following

"Soul food and hard work is keeping me here," says Warren Bussey with a laugh.


year, he and a friend started Bussey Maintenance, a janitorial-servic-es company. But the city was no stranger to racism throughout the 1950’s and ‘60s. “When I was going in and out of these people's homes for work, at that time, blacks had to go in through the back door,” Bussey recalls. “Downtown, we'd go in the stores and . . . cafés down there [through] the back door.”

Bussey Maintenance grew to include six trucks and 40 employees, and his household expanded, too. “I also met a lady friend, and we finally got married,” Bussey says of his late wife, Mamie Eva.

In 1955, Mamie opened Jimmy's Café, a soul food restaurant, on Fourth Street, with chitlins, corn bread, biscuits and the like on the menu. Bussey coined the phrase “hard work and soul food” while branching out from those two businesses to own a shoe shine stand and upholstery shop. The full-page ad he bought in the Santa Ana Register one year marked the first for an African-American businessman in Orange County. “I was really lucky with everything that I touched at that time,” he says.

Bussey's standing in the community made him a mediator of sorts for police relations. Among the Santa Ana Police Department's top brass whom he knew well was then-Police Chief Edward Allen. Bussey bailed black folks out of jail, including more

than a few arrested by “Mr. Red,” a ginger-haired cop with a bad reputa-tion in the community. “He hated black people,” Bussey claims.

Aside from his many business ven-tures, Bussey helped to start a Prince Hall chapter of the Freemasons, named for the abolitionist who fought in the American Revolution but couldn't join the whites-only Masonic lodges at the time. In 1958, the Wiley L. Kimbrough Lodge No. 91 officially opened, a humble build-ing in the shadow of the city jail that remains the only majority-black chap-ter in Orange County. Bussey is the sole charter member who still lives in Santa Ana. Throughout the de-cades, he became a Grand Inspector General 33rd Degree Freemason and only in the past three years has his regular attendance at meetings tapered off.

After 44 years of hard work, Bussey retired in 1984 at the age of 71. By then, he was a widower, his wife having passed away after 35 years of marriage, and Bussey has stayed single since. “My wife would always tell me, ‘You ain't never gonna get no other woman to treat you like I treat you,’ so I guess I stuck with that,” he says with a chuckle. They never had chil-dren together, though he has two from previ-ous relationships.

The modern-day Methuselah gets up from his chair in his yard and walks to his garage door, lifting it up with strength. “The aches and pain bother me, but I don't give up,” he says. “I still get up around here and exercise, work on my yard and my antique cars.” Parked in the driveway is a 1957 Chevy 5100 truck, but inside the garage is his most prized classic: a 1930 Ford Model A that he says he drove during Santa Ana's first Black History Parade in 1957.

After more than 70 years in Orange County, Bussey is woven into our black history, and his presence here is as important as ever. Earlier this year, he told his life story to students at Valley High School in Santa Ana, once one of Orange County's blackest high schools. Last week, an entourage of fellow black Freemasons accom-panied Bussey as he happily received a certificate of recognition from the City Council to a standing ovation from the packed chambers. “It really made me feel good,” he says. “Orange County, I'd say, is 100 percent better than it was.”

C I R C U M S C R I B E D H E A L C PI L I M M O R T A L I T Y

P E R P E N D I C U L A R A A TC S U S P E N S I O N HU N A F F I L I A T E D D M D AM L I N T E L L I G I B L E G

E A V E S D R O P P E R S C U S OF M H P H P T E T RE M B L E M A T I C A L E O H B I AA U I N E S T I M A B L E N SL L E S P L A ET R A N Q U I L L I T Y A H I M A N R E Z O NY T E T T L I C

E B E C I A M E N N AC E M O J O L T S G V M

A O T O N U R N E H P S I PD E M I T H S S R R E E T C SO M L Y P I S S C A N O I N TN I N C L E M E N C I E S U R S OI S H A R D R L S N

E R E S E R V A T I O N I P A R T I F I C E RR A M Y C C T O T T E

D A I S A Y T E R R E S T R I A L U PT T S T I E V A D R

R E F R E S H M E N T O C O U N T E N A N C E IT O L N N I T C MA P R O N A E R A I AP O P E R A T I V E R E C T I T U D E E N J O I NE M L E N DR M Y S T E R I E S C E M E N T E P I S T L E


Martin Luther King Jr. Kingdom Day Parade January 2017 Los Angeles, California

Submitted by: RW Reginald L. Mitchell, 33°

January 2017 MWGM John Heisner Grand Lodge of California rode in the MLK Parade with The MW Prince Hall GL MWGM Dr. Donald R. Ware for the first time with the Knights Templar of California along with our Prince Hall Knights Templar this year as escorts of the two Grand Masters.

Grand Princess Captain Etoile Abraham Pacific Prince Hall Grand Guild Heroines of the Templars Crusade, and Most Ancient Grand Matron Rosalind Boateng Prince Hall Grand High Court Heroines of Jericho

Most Worshipful Prince Hall members, California Grand Lodge and California Knights Templars at the 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Kingdom Day Parade

MWGM Donald R. Ware, MWPHGLCA, MWGM John Heisner Grand Lodge of California, being escorted by both REGC Stephan Alderete Grand Commander of California Knights Templar, and

REGC Reginald L. Mitchell Pacific Prince Hall Knights Templar. Knights Templars Escorting on both sides of the vehicle are members mixed together of both Grand Commanderies. This is the first time

this has ever happened in California Masonic History.

Pacific Prince Hall Knights Templars and California Knights Templars at the 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Kingdom Day parade Los Angeles CA.

The Prince Hall Memorial Education And Scholarship Fund

A 501(C)(3) Tax Exempt, Non-Profit, Charitable Corporation

The PHMESF needs you to plant the SEEDS Simple: You decide to donate for what period!

Effective: $451,000.00 Donated to date! Thank You!!

Efficient: Impact for you and the PHMESF at the end of the Tax year

Direct: You get a Receipt/Thank You each month for your records: 100% Deductable!

Sustainable: $10.00 a month will not wreck your budget!

GO On line to: www.phmesf.com Click on Give Direct!

100% of your donation goes to Scholarships!

Our numbers are dwindling, but before we go, we need to do what we can to ensure the work of educating the young goes on. Even in America, as you know, times can be hard. The need still exists to help young people

without a family who have the means to assist with higher education or vocational training. Let Us Build an Endowment! This is our chance to make a difference.

YES WE CAN!

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSACRAMENTO, CA

PERMIT NO. 586

The Masonic DigestMOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS STATE OF CALIFORNIA, INCORPORATED 9027 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90003-3229

Improvement: To become better in quality or condition.

2017 Dates to Remember:

162nd Annual Communication (Grand Lodge) – July 13-20 (Sacramento)

124th Imperial Council Session – A.E.A.O.N.M.S. – August 18 - 24 2017 (Kansas City)

United Supreme Council – 131st Annual Session – October 6-10 2017 (Jacksonville)

volume 68 most worshipful prince hall grand lodge,...

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