The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-08-22
THE GRAND LODGE.

IhE GnNNP EObIEs
The 4Sth annual, communi, ton of
the M. w. Grand Lodge A. F. A. NJ.
of Missouri and iurisdictio has
passed into history. 1t was LRdoubt-
edly the greatest communication
ever held, and certain facts, tenden-
cies and principles stand out very con
spicuously indeed. One set of con-
spiciously prominent facts relates to
the personalities of individual mem
bers of the Grand Lodge. The other
set relates to the power and influence
of the Grand Lodge itself. Some Of
the most conspicuous facts relating
to influence of individuals cluster
around the aggressive and dominating
personality of the Grand Master him
self. Never was the personal influ-
ence of one man, in. directing and con-
trolling the proceedings Of dellber-
ative body, so plainly in evidence, or
so dominatingly felt, as was true in
the case of Grand Master Crews. A
demonstration such as has never be-
fore been witnessed in the Grand
l4OuStt lOllONtu luC IteuAhS VI hAo
annual address; and if Deputy Young
had not summarily squelched debate,
the flow of fervid praise and well
merited encomium would still be go
ing on at this time. 1t is only fair
and true to say that Grand Master
Crews is the NEST masterful presid-
ing officer the Grand Lodge has ever
had. Among the other facts evident
and conspicuous concerning individu-
ais are the following: 1. That Joe
E. Herriford is the ablest authority on
Masonic procedure in the jurisdiction.
2. That DR.. M. o. Ricketts, possesses
an essentially legal mind, and is a
profound student of Masonic juris-
prudence. g.. That the high class
business administration of R. T. Coles
is largely responsible for the present
excellent status. A. That the steady
moral force of A. R. Chinn is one of
the chief assets ~ the Grand Lodge.
3. That Geo. w. X. Love is one hun.
dred per cent efficiency as Grand Sec.
retary. 6. That Vaughan of st. Louis
caused the boys to sit up and take
notice. Z. That l. H. Bradbury has
lost none of his fire and vigor. s. That
w. H. Dawley brings to the office of
his Grand Registrar fidelity and an
intelligence seldom seen.
Speaking of the power and influence
of the Grand Lodge itself, can best
quote from book on the race ques-
ton just published by white man.
The closing sentence of that book
refers to the future status of the
Negro in America. IL says: apart
rom the sympathy and occasional
helping hand of his white brother, he
must indeed tread the wine press
Alone" That program "treading the
vine press alone" just suits us; which
fact constituted the very spirit and
essence of the atmosphere lowering
around and in the Grand Lodge.
Through that body and others, the
Negro is arriving at that self consci-
BUSINESS which is to be the salvation
Of the race. We realize that we must
build a civilization within a civiliza-
ton and we are doing so. We seek 10
change none of the landmarks of Mas
my, but we are developing Masonic,
principles along the lines of our native
genius and character and the result
apparently will be a new and high
aspect of civilization. Every Negro
who attended the 48th communication
of cur Grand Lodge was edlfied--he
felt the subtle influence of new racial
power, and he knew that new level
of development had been achieved. A
moral wave swept over this communi-
cation like a hurricane of fire, result
ing in the creation of an atmosphere;
ant from that atmosphere there can
never be any letting down. And so the
48th communication of the Grand
Lodge A. F. and A. NJ. of Missouri and
its jurisdiction made history-it made
history for the race, and it erected a
new kingdom of racial hope in the
heart and oife of every individual who
vas in attendance.
VIM r. Griffin