W Vern F. Fichter (283) Grand Historian, Taken from our Grand Lodge Proceedings of 1966, Volume LXIV, Part II, Pages

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1 M W Grand Lodge of F.& A.M. of Washington Annual Reports of the Grand Historians Report of the Grand Historian W Vern F. Fichter (283) Grand Historian, Taken from our Grand Lodge Proceedings of 1966, Volume LXIV, Part II, Pages To The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington: WE HAVE NOT FINISHED WE VE JUST BEGUN The history of our Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington has been recorded as it happened and this is contained in the many volumes housed in the Grand Lodge offices in Tacoma. th The Proceedings of our 109 Annual Communication to this moment have been recorded by our esteemed Grand Secretary and are now a part of the history of our Grand Lodge. The history I will be talking about is from out of the past and we hope it will govern the history of our Fraternity tomorrow. For the moment let us concern ourselves with the education of our brethren and how that has affected our Craft. For approximately one hundred thirty-three years the belief has existed that there is, within our brethren, a very deep and burning desire for Masonic education yet only a few scholars of any particular period have expended their time and energies for the benefit of all Masons. The wise philosophers and, if you will, the Masonic statesmen, have empowered us with the right to teach our initiates that the Design of Freemasonry is to render a man more virtuous consequently more happy. Some eighty-nine years ago an Iowa Mason visited several cities in the western part of that State after which he drew the conclusion that Masonry was nearly dead in that area. The reason he gave was that Masons there did not read anything of a Masonic nature. A Worshipful Master stated he was not suffering for Masonic reading he did not read anything, not even our Great Light. This conclusion may seem strange to some since the Iowa Grand Lodge Library was founded in 1844, some thirty-three years earlier, and has since grown to be one of the most complete Masonic Libraries in the world. This illustration is used only to bring to our attention again a similar problem which exists today throughout most of our Grand Jurisdiction. Our brethren do not read enough and moreover they are not presented enough good Masonic literature that they might become well read Masons. I am well aware there are among us today brethren we can readily classify as Masonic scholars and a few other worthy Brothers scattered throughout our Grand Jurisdiction who have made a definite effort to gain further Light in Masonry through further study but this number is pitifully small. Let us reflect for just a moment on the growth of our Grand Lodge. In 1858 there were 113 members on the rolls as reported to Grand Lodge as of December 31, 1964, 65,558 members in good standing were reported on Returns. This is a grand total gain of 65,445. Considering the comparatively sparse population of a good share of our State for many years the overall growth in numbers has been very good. The gain from 1910 through 1920 was 14,144; from 1920 through 1930 we find a gain of 20,518; this gain of the past decade was offset a great deal by the records of 1930 through 1940 showing a loss of 9,715 which, as we well know, was caused in most part by those years of the depression; from 1940 through 1950 we find a gain of 22,450 which to date is the decade of greatest growth; from 1950 through 1960 the gain drops to 6,975; from 1960 through December 31, 1964 we find a loss of 2,287. Actually we find a loss in total members, as reported each year, since 1958 but I hasten to state that I am in full agreement with our Grand Secretary R W Brother Daniel T. Simmons that, We should not consider we are on the horns of a dilemma because we have shown a loss in membership. Let us rather believe wholeheartedly and further indicate we have 65,558 outstanding Masons in the Grand Jurisdiction of Washington Page 1 of 6

2 We cannot consider for one moment those great men, who became Officers of our constituent Lodges and of our Grand Lodge, to be dead, even though they have passed over to the other shore. Their very thoughts, words, actions and desires for the Masonic Fraternity in our Grand Jurisdiction are with us each and every day we awake to behold the opportunity to be of greater service to humanity. We should thank God we are given this privilege. We have but to read and study our Washington Masonic Code, our Washington Masonic Monitor, study and present our Standard Work exactly as written or read thoroughly the Proceedings of our Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, since its inception, to understand the time, energy and life s blood expended by these worthy Master Masons which has resulted in a Masonic Brotherhood we should be most proud to uphold. We should endeavor with all the dignity appertaining to our office and without fear to extend ourselves in an effort to retain the respect of all around us. You and I, the Master Masons of today, must adopt the attitude that even in spite of the record pace of activities surrounding our daily lives, we are not finished we ve just begun. We must not induce into the Proceedings of our Grand Lodge or be a part of any inducement to change the structure of this Grand Body whereby we might cause the slightest crumbling of the very mortar which binds the true and squared building stones of our illustrious Fraternity into one common mass. This mass which has risen above the smoke and smog of strife to become the only institution consisting of men who throughout their lifetime have improved themselves to the level whereupon they can rightfully be classified as Master Masons. This is the level which many men, who have since departed from our midst, could not or would not attempt to attain. Some put forth a measurable effort once they realized there was really something worthwhile to accomplish and thereby leave a mark upon the pathway of life but this expression was not made until too much time had passed. These good people could have contributed a great deal to humanity if they had only followed the dictates of their own conscience, had used that God-given talent of thinking for themselves and not followed the leader who chose to use his influence in leading those who would follow in directions away from the teachings of that greatest of all Architects. It has been said that the greatest adversary we have is fear. Fear has been cultivated in the minds of many within our nation and has grown to such heights that all peoples in public office are no longer the trusted ones or the ones who work for the good of mankind. Rather it is a belief of those who live in fear that our republic form of government has not long to exist. Question: Do we, as free thinking people, advise our members in legislature how we feel concerning certain acts of Congressional people? Masonic scholars have repeatedly indicated that Freemasons, in general, have been afraid to indicate their relationship with a Masonic Lodge. History reminds us that in certain areas of this small planet. Earth, Masons did not dare reveal publicly their affiliation with our Fraternity for fear of losing their life or of banishment via the various and barbarous routes employed during those times. Within the boundaries of our United States, Masonry, during a particular era, came to a standstill and in some areas a loss in total members was quite pronounced. Had it not been for those who lived during that time of our United States history who did not permit themselves to be governed by fear. Masonic relationships could not be enjoyed today between the M W Grand Lodges of our United States. Fear has played, and still plays, a formidable commanding role in the lives of many Master Masons within our Grand Jurisdiction. This fear dictates the action as well as the lack of action concerning many activities of our constituent Lodges thus writing the finish to many worthwhile projects from which our Masonic Light might have shown a little brighter. Fear of detection causes many brethren to hide their identification as a Master Mason because the revealing of same might cause the loss of employment or subdue the opportunities for advancement. The only fear we should recognize is the fear that we will not accomplish the goals set forth for us by the Great Architect and thus enlarge the doubt in our minds we will gain entrance into That house not made with hands Page 2 of 6

3 We have only to refer to the list of Most Worthy brethren who have served as Grand Masters of our Most Worshipful Grand Lodge and to the list of the Worthy brethren who have served with our Grand Masters to realize that fear of earthly beings has no place in our Masonic way of life. In their regular and necessary livelihoods they were in constant contact with people people born and reared in the sight of our God but not all were a part of our great organization. These outstanding brethren feared not their beliefs and Masonic activities would hamper progress or cause them to be banished from their well earned positions in society. Fear did not take precedent and cause them to believe they were finished before they had begun nor did it cause them to halt their well-aimed intentions of assisting the brethren who succeeded them in making our Fraternity the organization most revered by all mankind. Not too many years have passed since we as Masons were looked upon by the profane as being members of a chosen organization. During the early days the very trunk of our Fraternal family tree was composed of a chosen group of men known to us as The Builders and there is no doubt this was a chosen group. Historians before us have differed, to some degree, with some personal deletion in their writings of our Masonic ancestry, but I choose to believe, as many early Masonic scholars have, that Freemasonry has always worked for the good and for the betterment of mankind and more especially our brethren wheresoever dispersed. A Mason is particularly bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience. We are all Craftsmen actuated by such motives, we need not fear any opposition to our Fraternity from without so long as we are pure within. I have not finished I have just begun, could very well have been a thought which spurred an outstanding Master Mason who, in 1923, moved to Prosser, Washington, with the intention of becoming a part of its social and community life. He was not long in gaining the confidence of the people in that fair city serving as City Treasurer, Chairman of the Benton County Planning Commission, President of the Prosser Memorial Hospital, President of the Prosser Chamber of Commerce and caring for the monetary matters of many who lived in or about Prosser, Washington, individually and in some cases collectively. This man, in the personage of our recently departed beloved Brother and Past Grand Master, M W Brother Harold N. Nelsen, received the Degrees of Masonry in Ionic Lodge, No.90, F. & A. M. in 1923 as a courtesy to Phillips Lodge, No.225, of Wisconsin. He dimitted into Euclid Lodge, No.125, F. & A. M., at Prosser in 1924, served as Worshipful Master during 1927 and 1928 and Secretary from 1930 to He was appointed a District Deputy of the Grand Master in 1934, appointed to the Masonic Home Board in 1946, served as a most outstanding Grand Master during his term in 1951 and 1952, was appointed to the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Home Endowment, 1953, the Grand Lodge Committee on Finance, 1963, and the Grand Lodge Committee on Jurisprudence, 1964, 1965 and during 1966 until the time of his passing May 25, There is no doubt in the minds of all the brethren of Prosser, Washington, the Masonic District No.23 or of the entire Grand Jurisdiction of Washington that M W Brother Harold N. Nelsen did not fear that his Masonic obligations and activities would hinder his associations with whomsoever he would come in contact. There is, further, no doubt whatsoever that his Masonic affiliations and the teachings, both received and taught by him, enhanced his position in life and enabled him to assist with and be assured Prosser would grow not only in mere numbers but would be of the proper moral fiber. We, as Master Masons, should have no reservations that many of the personal and community goals were achieved. The brethren of Prosser are very proud of their associations with Brother Nelsen and eagerly point out the several physical structures erected since 1923 which will live on to proclaim what M W Brother Nelsen believed in and was ready to defend at any time. Recently it came to my attention that in the eastern part of our country some children have been spiking their oranges with hypodermic shots of vodka and bringing these to school. In some schools in our own State students have been known to spike the punch at parties following some school Page 3 of 6

4 activities. I don t believe for one minute that kids won t be kids but are these acts the result of lessons taught in the youth organizations of Job s Daughters, Rainbow Girls or DeMolay for boys? Are such things upheld and presented to our youth in the home and in our churches? Definitely not at least not in the churches I have come to know and definitely not in our youth organizations. In our Grand Jurisdiction it is quite easy to note the changes which govern our livelihoods. These changes have been the result of exercise of our responsibilities and, in some important instances, the lack of same. This is not only true in our role as a good citizen but also as a good member or Officer of our Lodge and of our chosen church. We are proud that, in the main, the general public has considered us a group who were temperate and public spirited people interested always in improving general conditions about us and, at the same time, doing everything in our power to maintain the freedoms for all mankind, those freedoms which our brethren worked so hard to write in and retain within the Constitution of our State and our United States. How can these freedoms be retained and how can our way of life continue if we as Masons, and I mean all Masons, continue to walk the easy path? It will be impossible to retain the way of life we hold so dear if we will not put on the work shoes, get off the paved pathway and leave our footprints in the sands of time going where the work is. Isn t it amazing how many good people will shrink and go the opposite way when the word work is mentioned? Work, as we refer to it, does not need to indicate to each Brother that he will be expected to lead a dull life full of thankless hours and constant effort. The kind of work we must face up to and dig into can bring many hours of wonderful experiences, of fellowship and a boundless show of appreciation from a majority of the general public as well as from the brethren of our Fraternity. The attainments of our Lodges are almost unlimited when considering what can be rendered in their service to humanity. Masons have been and should remain active in supporting projects of a civic, cultural and political nature for the betterment of our communities and more especially for our public school system. It is most essential that we properly instruct our youth in the American system of government and I do not mean the present fast trend toward the ultra liberal form of government. If this is not done we cannot expect our system of free enterprise to endure. When searching the Proceedings of our Grand Lodge we find that all was not so rosy as we would imagine. In an early record we find that due to dissension and factionalism in reference to our Grand Master, M W Brother James Biles, and reported during the Grand Communication in 1868, that strong differences of opinion had existed for several years and even though definite efforts had been made toward reconciliation these efforts had failed to produce the desired results. He therefore had granted a Dispensation for Blue Mountain Lodge, U.D., in Walla Walla, on March 28, 1868, which was Chartered as Blue Mountain Lodge, No.13, on September 13, Walla Walla became the first city in Washington to support two Masonic Lodges which was and is of historical significance. This, however, is not the most important fact to be derived. Here again we are reminded that men who were not afraid to think for themselves realized one of our oldest Landmarks must prevail How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. The brethren of District No.24, of which Walla Walla Lodge, No.7, and Blue Mountain Lodge, No.13, are a part, once again indicated they were Not finished just begun. They united in 1964 and presented a successful Achievement Award Program honoring outstanding students of the junior class within the public high schools of that area. This most worthwhile venture on their part indicates to all that differences of opinion are a most needed ingredient in the sustenance and growth of Freemasonry. It can be the most healthful element when presented in the proper light and discussed by Master Masons with all the dignity and composure each can muster. True, we are individuals and each individual is a human being capable of having feelings and ideas which govern our actions and reactions when presented with items of business which are of a pressing nature. We have been presented with important resolutions and items Page 4 of 6

5 of business during this Annual Communication. We have been called upon to look into the real meaning and reason for the presentation of each resolution, and then to vote upon each one according to the dictates of our own conscience. This is not so difficult for us when we refer to the continued faith indicated by President Andrew Jackson when he said, It has been one of the boasts of my life, though not often expressed, that in Masonry I belong to an association which, though not political, embraces principles which are not confined to particular localities or countries, but which have a marked universality, and embraces within the grasp the whole human race, making us all Brothers. The greatest task we have before us is the education of our Craft. We have many learned Brothers in our Institution but not enough effort is being put forth to properly educate every Master Mason on our rolls. The need is so apparent for action on the part of all the Officers elected and appointed to govern their Lodges to plan and schedule meetings which will consist, in part, of the dispensing of educational material to the Brothers on the sidelines. The Worshipful Masters will be somewhat surprised how much knowledge can be imparted if five or ten minutes are devoted each meeting toward Masonic Education and how much enthusiasm will be shown by all those attending because they have received good and wholesome instructions. Once the members of our constituent Lodges learn, and the word will pass rather fast, that the Officers of their respective Lodges are planning their meetings thoroughly and teaching Masonry at each Communication, attendance will rise. Also fewer members will ask for Dimits and the N.P.D s will be less. My brethren do not scoff at this idea all you need do is put this plan into effect when you return to your respective homes and diligently work at it for the remainder of your term as Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. It will be then and only then that you can consider yourself convinced of its merits. Our Grand Orator, Brother George L. Buck, quite appropriately informed the delegates during the 1951 Annual Communication: We think, we speak, but we do not act.... Today Masonry lies in the hands of the modern man, largely an unused tool, capable of great achievement for God, for country, for mankind but doing very little. In my mind Past Grand Master M W Brother Morton Gregory is classified as a true Masonic scholar. During my comparatively short tenure as a Master Mason, and from the records of the past many years, I have made personal note of the interest M W Brother Gregory has shown in the area of Masonic Craft education. During the time he was chairman of our Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Research and Education, seminars were held in many areas with the Lodges of two or more Districts joining for these meetings. For the most part those in attendance were Worshipful Masters and Wardens of the respective Lodges. The information imparted to these brethren has been very good and that which is needed on a full scale basis by every member of all Lodges. Our present Masonic Research and Education Committee members are to be commended for all they strived to accomplish during this past year. What they have done is past history but their endeavors may have stimulated some of our brethren who will carry on to great heights and greater achievement. To me it is quite evident this particular committee is Not finished they have just begun. With the continued encouragement of R W Brother Daniel T. Simmons, the enthusiasm of M W Brother Albert N. Bradford and of the then Deputy Grand Master, R W Brother George H. Bovingdon, the brethren of District No.23 presented a resolution upon which the brethren attending th our 108 Annual Communication approvingly voted, thereby designating the third week of April of each year as Public Schools Week. To your historian it has become more apparent this was a most important and valuable decision on the part of all the voting delegates. For several decades the brethren have been searching in an attempt to discover a program which could be placed in operation throughout our Grand Jurisdiction awakening the Craft to the need for education of our members in the needs of our public schools and further to inform the general public that we as Master Masons support our public schools, standing ready to be of assistance wherever we are needed. Historically we are the organization which fostered this form of education and still prefer to call ourselves the Page 5 of 6

6 champions of our public schools but once again just thinking and talking is not enough timely and appropriate action is the only procedure which will produce the desired results. Our Grand Master, M W Brother George H. Bovingdon, is to be commended for the interest he has expressed this past year in the Achievement Awards Programs which are being presented in several Districts and areas. He fully realizes the need for Public Schools Programs in every Lodge and even further the most discreet way of reminding the lay people that we of the Masonic Fraternity stand ever ready to show our general support of the schools of our individual public school districts. R W Brother E. Haskell Johns has, on special occasions, indicated to the students of several public high schools just how we as Masons feel about and believe in that institution within which they are obtaining their education. R W Brother Audley Mahaffey has on many occasions reminded the brethren of the great need for definite and active Public Schools Committees within the structure of each Lodge. Brother Mahaffey has been quite active in our State Legislature and on our behalf has nearly become a martyr in his attempts to prevent those items of legislation from becoming law which would have been to our detriment. There is no doubt in the minds of we free-thinking people that these good Brothers have Not finished they just have just begun. In addition to those outstanding brethren referred to earlier, I pay tribute to W Brother Charles Deichman, Centralia, V W Brother Oscar Hanson, Benton City, W Brother Stanley Kimball, Seattle, M W Brother Robert Guthrie, Wapato, W Brother Paul Sevedge, Richland, and V W Brother Claire Abel of Ephrata. These most worthy brethren, even though they may not have been aware of it, have been a great inspiration especially during this past year. Their lessons have been well taught and it is hoped that in the days ahead I will be able to pass on to others the tenets of our institution with the dignity with which they have been presented to me. My brethren, it has been a distinct honor and pleasure to serve as a part of our Grand Lodge under the very able direction of our Grand Master George H. Bovingdon. His interest in, and concern for, every member and every widow and every child of a deceased member has been an inspiration and to him we owe a great debt of gratitude. The opportunities presented to meet in fellowship with you have caused me to feel very humble and at the same time most happy. As you return to your individual homes and while preparations are being made for the next Communication of your Lodge, be most positive in your thinking. Endeavor at all times to make friends and be certain your brethren know they can rely upon you as a true, and trusted friend. Friends are one of the most important assets you may acquire. In closing I must present to you a thought which has been with me for the past twenty-five years and it is hoped all gathered here will adopt it as a personal and Masonic Motto I have not finished I ve just begun. Received and ordered printed in the Proceedings. Respectfully submitted, Vern F. Fighter, Grand Historian Page 6 of 6