2009 Winter Bulletin Reduced

The Winter Bulletin

Published by the Cathedral; Washington, D.C.

Winter 2009

Vol. 1

Sovereign Grand
Commander’s Message
Sovereign Grand
Commander’s Allocution
Passages
123rd Annual Session
Historical Session
Portriats Unveiled
New Sovereigns
The Doctor Speaks
Break It On Down
Commentary
㄰
㤵
㜵

Official Organ of the United Supreme Council, 33°
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Prince Hall Affiliation
Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, Inc.
㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㈠偍

㈵



100

95

75

25

5

0

blank page 2
Monday, February 15, 2010 11:54:53 AM

The Winter Bulletin

Sovereign Grand
Commander’s
Message
My Illustrious Brothers: 
 
As always, I pray that God has been gracious unto 
each of you.  Remember, our first duty is to honor 
and obey Almighty God and live according to God’s 
Immutable Laws.    
 
During  the  past  year  ninety‐five  of  our 
distinguished Brothers crossed‐over in homegoings 
and now reside in that “celestial kingdom on high.”  
I  was  deeply  saddened  at  the  passing  of  my 
mentor, our beloved Sovereign Grand Commander 
Emeritus  Edgar  Bridges,  Sr.    Notably  Sovereign 
Grand  Inspector  General  Howard  L.  Woods 
(Arkansas)  and  Grand  Inspector  General  (Dr.) 
Emerson  Walden,  MD  (Maryland)  departed  our 
ranks.    Dr.  Walden  often  assisted  our  Medical 
Director  and  team.    They  as  well  as  all  of  our 
Brothers were and are loved by us.   Hold on to the 
memories  and  remember  we  promised  and  swore 
in our obligations to care for their widows and that 
this duty is never to be taken lightly.  We promised; 
we swore. 
 
During our October 2009 session, Sovereign Grand 
Inspector  General  Alvin  K.  Wilkins,  Sr.  was  elected 
Grand  Minister  of  State  for  our  United  Supreme 
Council.    We  congratulate  him  and  those  Grand 
Inspectors  General  who  were  coroneted  as 
Sovereigns.  They are listed in this edition.  We are 
grateful  for  their  past  service  and  look  forward  to 
working with them in the future.  We cannot thank 
Sovereign  Grand  Inspector  General  Emeritus 
Wilbur  F.  Fernander  enough  for  his  many  years 
service.  Thank you brother Fernander and may our 
God continue to bless and keep you. 
 
In  my  allocution  (printed  in  this  edition)  I  have 
expressed  my  concern  about  discord  within  our 
masonic family and my hope for reconcialiation.   I 
have issued a “call for unity” throughout our Prince 
Hall family.  We must be united and work together 
at  every  level  if  we  are  to  remain  strong.    Our 
existence depends upon it for “unity is strength.”   
 
1

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㌠偍

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is not a time to “lay blame” but a time to work 
together for the betterment of all.  I have directed 
our  Illustrious  Minister  of  State  to  implement  a 
series of written pamphlets to ensure openings and 
closings  of  our  several  houses  are  uniform 
throughout  our  Supreme  Council  Orients  and 
Valleys.    We  will  publish  them  as  fast  as  possible.  
This  is  essential  for  growth  and  education,  and 
must be accomplished with a sense of urgency. 
 
  Finally,  thank  you  for  your  dedication,  zeal  and 
support  during  the  past  year.    We  could  not  and 
cannot  do  it  without  you.    Remember,    “We  are 
only as strong as our weakest link.” 
 
 

“God and My Right.” 

 
 
 
 
 
DEARY VAUGHN, 33o 
Sovereign Grand Commander 
 

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



The Winter Bulletin

United Supreme Council, 33°
Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Prince Hall Affiliation,
Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.
1924 - 14th Street, Northwest - Washington, D.C. 20009-9998
S.G.I.G. DEARY VAUGHN, 33°°
SOVEREIGN GRAND COMMANDER

S.G.I.G. MARVIN CHAMBERS, 33°°
GRAND SECRETARY -GENERAL, H. E.

 
  
TO:    Sovereign  Grand  Commander  Solomon  Wallace,  Lieutenant  Grand  Commander  Jones,  Elected  Officers,  Sovereign 
Grand  Inspectors  General,  Officers  and  Members  of  this  United  Supreme  Council,  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Masters,  to 
the leadership of the General Grand Conference of Royal Arch Masons, the General Grand Council of Royal and Select 
Masters,  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Knights  Templar,  the  Ancient  Egyptian  Arabic  Order  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine, 
Sublime Princes, and to guests one and all, Good Morning. 
 
INVOCATION: First giving honors to Almighty God—Creator of the Universe—thanking Him for all the great things He has 
done and asking for His blessing as we deliberate during this session.  Each year as we assemble, missing faces reminds 
us of our mortality.  Yesterday evening we paused in tribute to those Illustrious Sirs who have crossed the great divide.  
The list is long—every name called struck a personal cord with someone in this session.  The list has no end, for even as 
we speak names are being added to the roll.  We have suffered a great loss in the passing of our beloved mentor and 
leader, Sovereign Grand Commander Emeritus Edgar Bridges, Sr.  We know that the nature of things tells us that some of 
us will not be here next year.  God is gracious and He has granted each of us here another sunrise.  We cherish this day, 
but tomorrow is not promised—therefore we must always take time to thank Him for the life He has given us.  Because 
we know not the time or place, it is our solemn duty to make the most of whatever time we have left.  We learned early 
on  to  never  enter  into  any  great  and  important  undertaking  without  first  invoking  the  aid  of  Deity.    As  our  Illustrious 
Grand Prior comes forward to lead us to the Throne of Grace, I want our Grand Organist to lead us in song as we praise 
God.  Following the song, our Illustrious Grand Prior will lead us in prayer.  And let us pray for those Brothers and Sisters 
who have gone on before us—let us pray for the widows—for the families, and let us pray for ourselves, that what we do 
in our daily lives will be pleasing to Almighty God.  Do not forget those thousands of men and women in uniform who are 
overseas in dangerous places—in service to us and to our nation. 
 
I want to briefly speak to you this morning in the hope that during the coming year we will be of One Mind, One Heart 
and One Purpose.  As we celebrate this Tri‐annual Session, I am reminded of Frankie Beverly’s song, “We are One.”  In 
his song he reminds us that “We have  our love, and no matter how it’s said or done, we are one no matter what we 
do—we are one—love will see us through and we are one and that’s the way it is.”  America is in deep trouble.  I wish I 
could  tell  you  the  State  Of  Our  Nation  is  soon  to  recover,  but  the  sad  truth  is  we  are  facing  some  difficult  months 
ahead—even years before recovery.    As we examine the STATE OF THE NATION, it is important that we as a people be 
of One Mind—a mind that tells us, “to love thy neighbor as thyself.”   This means we must not be divided as a nation as 
we seek solutions to America’s problems.  The state of our national and world economy has been and is especially hard 
on  minority  America  and  minorities  all  over  the  world.    Black  Americans  represent  a  large  part  of  the  unemployed.  
Americans are suffering foreclosures on our homes—student loans to educate our children are extremely hard to come 
by—millions of our citizens are without healthcare—America continues to incarcerate minorities disproportionately.  As 
our  income  decreases  based  on  inflation,  the  prices  for  food,  medicine,  gasoline  and  services  continue  to  rise.    The 
richest nation in the world can spend trillions on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but Congressional leaders do not want to 
create a healthcare program to take care of our own citizens.  Grandma used to say, “Charity begins at home and then 
spreads abroad.”  Corporations are continuing to send raw good overseas to be assembled thus saving them money in 
manufacturing  costs,  yet  still  sell  those  products  to  us  at  high  prices.    They  continue  to  move  operations  overseas  to 
escape our taxes and to hire low wage employees rather than hire Americans.  We are still not satisfied with the way the 
Veterans Administration is treating our veterans.  Our retirement savings and 401K monies have disappeared.  Where  

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



2

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㐠偍

The Winter Bulletin

did the money go?  How is it that America—working class America lost most of our savings while corporate CEO’s still get 
huge bonuses?  Some of us in the black community are doing well and probably in six figures or more.  But the truth is 
we are not doing well until all of us are doing well.  This does not mean everybody should be in six figures.  But when 
Americans  work  all  their  lives  and  pay  taxes  and  Social  Security,  all  our  lives—we  should  be  entitled  to  healthcare, 
education, safe neighborhoods, and a secure and decent retirement.  We are a nation in crisis, but we are a nation that 
has withstood many storms and challenges.   We must be of One Mind—a nation united in our efforts and we must let 
our  voices  be  heard.    If  Congress  continues  to  bicker  and  argue,  we  must  adopt  a  mind‐set  to  change  the  face  of 
Congress through our vote.  We must support the programs of President Obama—not because he is black, but because 
he is the President trying to bring change for the good of America.  We must let our elected leaders know how we feel 
and where we stand on issues.  The NAACP, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tavis Smiley and Bill Cosby cannot do it alone.  We must 
add  our  voices  to  theirs.    Call  your  leaders—email  them  and  for  those  of  you  who  are  not  computer  smart—your 
grandchildren can send the email for you, but we must speak‐up now.  Let them know we want them to stop bickering in 
Washington and come to the table and craft a healthcare bill which will be good for all Americans.  It does no good for us 
to look back and cast blame on President Bush, Vice President Cheney or anyone else.  It does not matter how and when 
we arrived at this sad state.  What is important is how we are going to turn things around.  If you have never written 
your Congressman or US Senator, now is the time.  The address is simple.  Write his or her title and name, Washington, 
DC and Zip Code 20001—it will get there. 
 
Last  year  I  spoke  to  you  about  the  myth  we  were  telling  our  children  for  years—telling  them  they  can  grow‐up  and 
become President.  The myth is now truth.  I never dreamed that in my lifetime, I would see a man or woman of color as 
President  of  the  United  States  of  America.    This  country  was  built  with  the  calloused  hands  of  minority  citizens  and 
immigrants—World  Wars  were  fought  and  won  with  the  spilled  blood  of  Americans  of  many  different  races,  ethnic 
backgrounds and religious  creeds.  Roads, bridges and buildings have been erected in the sweat of the melting pot of 
Americans.  At every level in our society, contributions of black Americans are evident.  We are present on the tennis 
courts and the Supreme Court—and to use some of Jesse’s words—we are present from the warehouse, smoke house, 
pump house and outhouse to the White House.  We are present and moving ahead in society’s arena, but all of this is of 
little  importance  unless  we  use  our  influence  and  strength  as  a  people  to  support  whoever  is  in  the  White  House 
because America must not fail in our efforts to recover our economy.  We can do it if we are of One Mind and also of 
One  Heart—a  heart  dedicated  to  doing  everything  we  can  at  every  level—working  in  our  neighborhoods  and 
communities to further the President’s aims and goals.  Do not listen to former Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele of 
Maryland—listen  to  the  voice  of  your  conscious  and  listen  to  the  voice  of  the  man  at  1600  Pennsylvania  Avenue  in 
Washington.  Remember the words of that champion for civil right, Senator Ted Kennedy.  “Keep the dream alive.” 
 
I stand here today to tell you the STATE OF PRINCE HALL MASONRY is on shaky ground and we need to “shore‐up” our 
foundation.    We  have  a  proud  history  from  African  Lodge  459  to  the  present.    Down  through  the  ages  there  were 
elements devoted to destroying Prince Hall Masonry.  Tall Cedars in our forest sustained our fraternity.  Willard Allen, 
Jno G. Lewis, Amos T. Hall, Thurgood Marshall,   Joseph L. H. Smith, Booker T. Alexander, X. L. Neal and Prince Hall and a 
host of others devoted their lives to our fraternity.  Our fraternity survived some very difficult times—times when society 
did not trust us to meet in secret—times when Prince Hall Masons were accused of plotting against society—times when 
we were accused of being a cult and plotting against our churches—and more importantly, times when our leaders of 
the past were the voices against bigotry and injustice.  External forces tried to destroy us, but we prevailed.  Our leaders 
of old left us  a legacy built  out of determination and dignity.  And  now we fight  within.  To borrow the words from a 
famous comic strip from some years ago, “I have seen the enemy and it is us.”  Let me say that again, “I have seen the 
enemy  and  it  is  us.”    How  much  longer  will  we  see  discord,  distrust,  discontent  and  disharmony  within  our  fraternal 
family?  Again I appeal to the heads of all our national fraternal bodies—the leaders of our Grand Jurisdictions and the 
Shrine to come to the table and reestablish our unity of One Purpose.  The discord we are experiencing is detrimental to 
the growth and future welfare of all Prince Hall fraternal bodies and the impact of that discord is being felt at every level 
and in every house.  Our strength through the ages has always been our unity—not our numbers.   
 
The STATE OF SCOTTISH RITE Masonry is indeed affected by the discord within our Masonic family.  Our membership 
traditionally comes from “Blue Lodge Masons.”  For many years the shrine’s membership has traditionally come by way 
of Thirty‐second Degree Masons and Fourteenth Degree Knights Templar.  Now this system is in jeopardy.  I hope and 
pray  that  all  our  difference  can  be  resolved  peacefully  and  meaningfully  through  dialogue  and  not  by  way  of  legal 

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



3

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㔠偍

The Winter Bulletin

actions.  I have said before, the life‐blood of our fraternal family is our ability to attract young men and young women 
and induce them to join our ranks.  We have learned through the years, that the best way to accomplish this is by the 
example we set and not by what we say.  Our actions must speak louder than our words.  We are being watched and the 
picture  we  paint  –a  picture  reflecting  internal  strife  is  the  worst  example  we  can  show.      Three  years  ago  I  penned  a 
letter outlining the duties and responsibilities of a Grand Inspector General.  To the Class of 2009, you will find it in your 
Class Book.  Read it—show it to members in your Consistory.  We must hold ourselves to high standards.  Those of us in 
this  chamber  are  here  because  we  love  freemasonry—it  is  in  our  hearts.    We  are  of  One  Heart.    We  must  conduct 
ourselves  with dignity.  Do the right things in private  as well as in  public.  Remember one of our purposes is to make 
good  men  better.    We  can  accomplish  this  as  we  search  for  divine  truth  and  as  we  extend  our  hands  to  help  our 
fellowman.    We  must  continue  to  be  a  positive  influence  throughout  our  communities  as  we  seek  ways  to  better  the 
condition of mankind. 
 
As always, I must remind you of our duty to visit the sick and shut‐in.  Take care of our widows.  I ask you to do three 
things—nothing  new—nothing  difficult—I  am  asking  you  to  Lead,  to  be  Dedicated  and  to  be  Committed.    Lead  by 
example—not simply within our fraternity, but lead within our communities and especially within our churches.  This is 
the absolute best way to impress and teach our youth.  Let your conduct and habits speak for you.  You accepted the 
mantle of leadership when you accepted the rank and title Grand Inspector General.  Stay dedicated.  Maintain your zeal 
for the institution of freemasonry and work to eliminate discord and disharmony.  Strive to be a part of the solution and 
not a part of the problem.  Work to strengthen our Blue Lodges and actively participate in all houses in which you hold 
membership.  Sustain your commitment.  Say what you will do and do what you say.  Our word must be our bond.  Stay 
strong in the faith that our fraternity will last.  Help it survive and grow by bringing in a new member each Masonic year.  
Participate in meetings—not simply to be there but participate as a worker.  The more you work, the more pleasure you 
will have.  Roll up your sleeves. 
 
As we depart from this session, let us return to our respective Consistories and reinforce the theme: One  Mind, One 
Heart and One Purpose.  Be of one mind as we labor in the pursuit of good and the destruction of evil.  We have one 
heart and the cause of human condition is our cause.  The brotherly love which cements us binds our hearts together. 
We are of one purpose—service to Almighty God and to our fellowman.  John Wesley reminds us of our purpose with 
these words: 
“A charge to keep I have, 
a God to glorify, 
a never‐dying soul to save, 
and fit it for the sky. 
 
To serve the present age, 
My calling to fulfill; 
O may it all my powers engage 
 To do my Master’s will!” 
 
I am truly grateful to all of you for the support you have shown me this year.  It has been a very difficult year for the 
Vaughn family.  We will never be able to adequately express to you how thankful we are for your cards, prayers and the 
outpouring of sympathy to help us during the devastating loss of our grandson.  Thank you so much for caring.  Continue 
to pray for us that we will be able to enjoy a few more days and that we will do the right things.  As I close I want you to 
ponder this thought, someone said, “It is not what we get in this life, but it is what we give.”  Thank you and I pray that 
our Heavenly Father will continue to bless our United Supreme Council and each of you individually. 
 
DEARY VAUGHN, 33o 
Sovereign Grand Commander 
 
 
 
 
 
4

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㔠偍

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



The Winter Bulletin

Elected Officers
 

United Supreme Council, 33o
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Prince Hall Affiliation,
Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.
The United Supreme Council Elected Officers
2009 - 2012

Illustrious William O. Jones, 33
Lieutenant Grand Commander

Illustrious Deary Vaughn, 33 °

°

Sovereign Grand Commander

°

Illustrious Alvin K. Wilkins, 33°
Grand Minister of State

Illustrious Gilbert S. Reddings, 33
Grand Treasurer General, Holy Empire

Illustrious Ralph Slaughter, 33
Grand Chancellor

°

°

Illustrious Marvin D. Chambers, 33
Grand Secretary General, Holy Empire

㄰
㤵
㜵

Illustrious Wilbert M. Curtis, 33
Grand Auditor General

°

Illustrious William A. Marsh, Jr., 33
Grand Attorney General

°

°

Illustrious Benjamin L. Hooks, 33
Grand Prior

㈵


“God and My Right”
5

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㠠偍



The Winter Bulletin

Passages
 

In Memorium

㄰

o

Edgar Bridges, Sr., 33
Sovereign Grand Commander Emeritus
August 12, 1918 – September 7, 2009

㤵
㜵

㈵



6

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㠠偍

The Winter Bulletin

Passages
 

Edgar Bridges, Sr., 33o
Sovereign Grand Commander Emeritus
“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
till thou return unto the ground; for out of it
wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto
dust shalt thou return.”

He was a man of remarkable courage as
exhibited during and before the civil rights
movement. He traveled the dangerous roads of
Mississippi in the fight for equality. He sought
change for a better America and had a vision
that one day, schools would be desegregated.
He epitomized the words of Dr. King, “He was a
Drum Major for Justice.”

Edgar Bridges, Sr.,
Illustrious leader and
mentor to thousands crossed over the calm sea
of life on September 7, 2009 destined to take his
rightful place in the presence of Almighty God.
He fought the good fight; he funished his course.
Our beloved Brother came into this world on
August 12, 1918 in Mississippi to proud parents
Kelly and Bessie Lewis Bridges. He knew God
and Christ at an early age and embraced the
teachings of the Holy Bible throughout his life.
His faith never wavered.

His masonic career is unparalleled. He served as
Lieutenant Grand Commander, Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction
and later as Sovereign Grand Commander
providing leadership and guidance to thousands
of Grand Inspectors General and Sublime
Princes, throughout the United States, Europe,
Asia and the Middle East. To sit and listen to
him was to learn, for he was a great teacher who
was uncanny in his ability to simplify life’s
lessons. He devoted many years service to the
Most Worshipful Stringer Grand Lodge, F&AM
(PHA) of Mississippi in numerous leadership
positions and subsequently as Most Worshipful
Grand Master. He was Grand Joshua Emeritus,
Heroines of Jerico and he was a distinguished
member and Lecturer for the Odd Fellows of
America.

Many of us are old enough to know that as we
travel our faith journey, we sometime encounter
people who leave a lasting imprint on our lives.
Through our interaction with them, we become
stronger, more spiritual and sometimes wiser.
Brother Bridges was such a man. He touched
many lives and mentored thousands. He was a
man of great character and dignity and carried
himself in a way that set the example for Sisters
and Brothers, not only within the masonic
family, but throughout society at large. To some
extent, he was a self-educated man who learned
from people and was endowed with tremendous
common sense. His passion for education and
community service was always evident and he
worked tirelessly, not only within his
community, but throughout the world spreading
the message that we must help others. Brother
Bridges knew that one of his purposes in life
was to help and support those in need, and he
knew that when he emptied his cup, helping
those in need, God was ever faithful in re-filling
the cup.

He was a devoted family man. His wife, Willie
Mae Newman Bridges and son Thad S. Bridges,
Sr. preceded him in death. However, his legacy
lives on through his sons, Alvin, Carvin, Edgar,
Louis and Amos and daughters Erma, Golda,
Eleanor, Carolyn, Ann and Betty as well as
through thirty-nine grand-children, fifty greatgrand-children and two great, great-grandchildren.
We loved him dearly and we will be telling his
story for many years to come.
Masons
throughout the world join with his family, his
friends and his community in celebrating his
“crossing the great divide.” The winds will
slowly erode his footprints in the sands of time,
but his imprint on our lives is indelibly etched in
our hearts and minds.

He attended a number of educational
institutions: Lawrence County Public Schools,
Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute,
Waterman School of Technicians (Mobile, AL)
and Pacific Training School (Los Angeles, CA.)
He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in
Religious Education and Theology, and studies
in Systematic Theology from Mississippi Baptist
Seminary.

Farewell Edgar Bridges, Sr., Servant of God.

卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㠠偍

㤵
㜵

㈵



7

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮

㄰

The Winter Bulletin

Passages
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of
Arkansas, Prince Hall Affiliation. He was a
Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the
United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall
Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., and
served as Grand Orator. In addition he was a
Past Master, Past District Deputy Grand Master,
Past
Grand
Secretary,
Past
Eminent
Commander, Past Eminent Grand Commander
and a Past Potentate. He was an Honorary Past
Grand Master in five Jurisdictions—Oklahoma,
Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and Florida. He
was a walking Who’s Who and Encyclopedia in
Freemasonry. He truly spent his day—part in
prayer, part in labor and part in serving a friend
or Brother in time of need and his hands being
an engineer were always prompt to execute the
design. Brother Woods was a man possessing
great wisdom and he was extremely tactful when
interacting with Sisters and Brothers.

Rev. Howard L. Woods, 33o
Sovereign Grand Inspector General

“And I heard voices from heaven saying unto
me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in
the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit
that they may rest from their labours; and their
works do follow them.”
It has been said that the one certainty in life is
death. Each of us must return to the dust from
whence we came—we know not the time or
place. So it was that God’s faithful servant
Reverend Howard L. Woods “crossed-over” to
receive his heavenly reward on January 2, 2009.
Brother Woods was born to Chester A. (Sr.) and
Irene Elizabeth Colding Woods on February 2,
1931 in Natural Springs, Arkansas. He was
reared in Chicago and graduated from DuSable
High School and attended Philander Smith
College.

Sisters and Brothers, far and near, join his
family in lamenting his “crossing.” We are in
prayer with his wife, Tollye Woods, sons, Simon
and Michael, daughters, Anne Lorri, Neva,
Michelle, Zana and Robin and his mother Mrs.
Elizabeth Macklin, seventeen grandchildren,
eighteen great-grand-children and many
relatives and friends.
We have lost a Brother—a giant in Freemasonry
which should kindle within us a spirit of
gratitude and respect and we should strive to
imitate the virtues of his mind and heart and
keep his memory a pleasant remembrance.
Freemasonry does not sit in judgment of the
departed; however, one of Freemasonry’s
greatest divine attributes teaches us that one
great lesson, that even if we have judged, we
should at all times remain silent for the true
motto of the Craft is, Audi, Vide, Tace (Hear,
See and be Silent.) Brother Woods taught us
this valuable lesson by example. We are
convinced that Sovereign Grand Inspector
General Ho ward L. Woods has earned a
rightful place in that Celestial Kingdom on high.
May he enjoy his heavenly rewards and “bask”
in the light, bliss and grace of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ

Upon his return to Little Rock, Brother Woods
eventually united with St. Paul United Methodist
Church. He discovered that he had been gifted
with a voice and something to say, which led
him to the ministry. He was a teacher, speaker,
lecturer, and last but not least, a preacher of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Following his retirement
as a Purchasing Agent with a realty firm in
1993, he continued his ministry and served
faithfully at St. Paul as the Associate Pastor. He
served on numerous boards and commissions,
notably as Chair, Arkansas State Police
Commission and as Troop Chair, Boys Scouts of
America.
MWGM Woods distinguished himself as a
“Mason among Masons” and leader having
served as Most Worshipful Grand Master for the

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



8

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㠠偍

The Winter Bulletin

123rd Annual Session - Washington, DC

Washington, District of Columbia
Washington Capitol Hyatt Capitol Hill
To Dr. Watkins and the staff, thank you for what you do to
accommodate us. Class presidents were busy informing and
organizing class reunions. The Sovereign Grand Commander
convened an Executive Session. The Saturday night concert
was more than we anticipated. Ms. Dorothy McClung Lewis,
from Mississippi, billed as “The Songbird of the South,”
presented songs in a vibrant voice that is truly a gift from God.
Some of her songs were reminiscent of her childhood.
Sovereign Grand Commander Vaughn heard her on one of his
visits to Mississippi and invited her to come to our session.
What a treat. She was given a standing ovation and was
followed by the Howard University Chorus which was as
expected, near flawless. Brothers and Sisters continued well
into the night visiting hospitality suites.

Dateline, Washington, D.C. Friday, October 9, 2009. I
arrived by air as did others. I encountered SGIG Charles
Davenport (South Carolina) and we rode to the hotel
together. We seem to always meet in the airport each year as
we come to the sessions. It was a very nice day in
Washington with a slight breeze blowing and a clear sky.
Upon arrival at the Capitol Hyatt, SGIG Willie Rucker, Jr.,
(Texas) Transportation Coordinator was busy assisting
Sisters and Brothers. The Rev. Dr. Paul Lowe (North
Carolina) was also outside greeting arrivals. SGIG Hubert
L. Reece (Texas) as usual, had done a remarkable job
coordinating rooms with the hotel staff, There were a few
minor “glitches.” All-in-all registration was fairly swift and
the hotel staff was very accommodating and courteous. The
hotel lobby was full as Sisters and Brothers used this time to
greet old friends, meet new one and get a bite to eat.
Unfortunately, one hotel cannot accommodate all of us and
Sisters and Brothers were registered in other hotels, but
many came to the Hyatt to fellowship.

Sunday, October 11, 2009.
The morning began with
breakfast for Actives, the Northern Jurisdiction, the Shrine
Delegation and invited guests. The second Executive Session
was held prior to church services. During the Sunday
morning worship service, Rev. Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks
(Tennessee) the Illustrious Grand Prior gave us a “soulstirring” sermon. A special treat was that Ms. Dorothy
McClung Lewis sang with the Scottish Rite Choir. The
Illustrious Grand Minister of State, SGIG Alvin K. Wilkins,
Sr., (Korea) conducted a special elevation for the special
dignitaries of the United Supreme Council following church
services. Also during the afternoon, SGIG Wilkins, assisted
by members from the Orient of Korea, unveiled beautiful
portraits of three of our beloved deceased Brothers--Amos T.
Hall, Thurgood Marshall and Dr. Charles H. Wesley. More is
said about them in this issue. SGIG Wilkins Assisted by

Saturday, October 10, 2009. Sisters and Brothers
continued to arrive throughout the day. SGIG Dr. Allen
Stewart (Mississippi) President Of our Charitable
Foundation convened a meeting and presented a very
comprehensive report detailing our charitable contributions
for this year. A lot of things were ongoing at the same time.
SGIG Calvin Miller, II (Alabama) was organizing the Class
of 2009. SGIG Dr. Ulysses W. Watkins, Jr. (Texas) and his
medical team were medically screening Brothers. Don't
even think about what it would cost if we were to
compensate these fine doctors for their services.
9

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨲㤠偍

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



The Winter Bulletin

123rd Annual Session - Washington, DC Continued
SGIG William J. L. Crisp (Maryland) and GIG Robert H.
Taylor (Maryland) conducted an Educational Symposium
which was well received as indicated by numerous favorable
comments. As usual the Divine Service on Sunday evening
was sad but inspirational as we heard the names of those who
have “gone on before us.” Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr.
(AME) delivered a stirring sermon befitting the occasion.

By MWGM McWilliams, MWPHGL of DC, MWGM Kwami
Acquash, AF&AM of DC, Sovereign Grand Commander
Ronald A. Seale, Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, AASR,
Sovereign Grand Commander, John Wm. McNaughton,
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, AASR and our own Sovereign
Grand Commander Solomon Wallace, Northern Jurisdiction,
PHA, spoke briefly.

Monday, October 12, 2009. We began breakfast very early
but after having visited several hospitality suites on Sunday
night, I had some difficulty with early rising and I am
reasonably sure and probably right in suggesting some
Brothers were in the same “sleepy-headed” mode as I.
Nevertheless the breakfast was hosted by Most Worshipful
Grand Master, David A. McWilliams, Sr., host Grand Master,
MWPHGL of the District of Columbia. After breakfast the
United Supreme Council convened in full ceremonial.
Following the reception of various delegations and dignitaries
and remarks, because of time constraints, Sovereign Grand
Commander Vaughn decided to forgo his allocution and
directed that it be included in its entirety in this edition of the
bulletin. The Thirty-third Degree - We immediately
prepared for degree work and The Edgar Bridges, Sr. Class of
2009 was escorted into the chambers where the Thirty-third
and last degree was conferred upon them by a degree team
from the Samuel T. Daniels Council of Deliberation, Orient of
Maryland. This was the highlight of Monday's session. The
team was headed by GIG Michael B. Allen, First

Four Sovereign Grand Commanders were assembled
together. This was an historical first. Wow!! Renown U.S.
Congressman John Lewis (Georgia) addressed the banquet
audience. We were also honored to have with us during the
banquet U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop, Jr. (Georgia) and
U.S. Congressman Al Green (Texas) both whom I was able to
talk with after the banquet. All three congressmen are Thirtythird Degree Masons with the degree having been conferred
upon Congressman Lewis during this session. It was an
enjoyable evening for all and a fitting culmination of a very
long day.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009. The Council reconvened during
the morning and Sovereign Grand Commander Vaughn called
for reports from committees. Some Sisters and Brothers had
already departed but there was still a very sizable crowd
attending the morning session. Sovereign Grand Commander
Vaughn expressed his gratitude for the support given him
during the year and especially thanked all dignitaries for
joining us during this 123rd Annual Session. He especially
thanked Sovereign Grand Commanders Seale, McNaughton,
Wallace and the Imperial Potentate, Oliver Washington, Jr.,
AEAONMS, Inc., and national heads of other masonic bodies
for their support. We then closed the session with our “Chain
of Union.” Conspicuously absent was our beloved Brother,
Illustrious Grand Minister of State, Emeritus, SGIG Wilbur
Fernander (Florida.) Sir, we miss you and wish you well and
God speed. (SGIG William J. L. Crisp)

Lieutenant Commander, Maryland COD. It was evident
the team prepared quite well. They did a superb job and
their Grand Master, MWGM Shelton D. Redden,
Illustrious Lieutenant Grand Commander Emeritus and
the Illustrious Deputy for Maryland, SGIG LeRoy A.
Lassiter were beaming with pride. I was also extremely
proud since several members of the degree team were my
protégés during my years in Maryland prior to moving to
North Carolina in 2003. The Sovereign Grand Commander
expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the degree team
and commended them for “a job well done.” He then issued
the challenge for other Orients to “step-up” with a team
prepared to confer the Thirty-third degree.

United Supreme Council,
Southern Jurisdiction Sessions Schedule

California has conferred the degree several times and this was
the first time for Maryland. Obviously California and
Maryland are ready and prepared to again confer the degree.
Following another Executive Session, we then prepared for
the evening banquet. The ladies were in their “finery” and the
Brothers did not look bad either. One of the highlights of the
evening was the announcement by the Sovereign Grand
Commander of Deputy of the Year. This honor and distinction
was garnered by the Illustrious Deputy for Louisiana, SGIG
William Moore, Jr. We congratulate you Illustrious Sir. The
Edgar Bridges, Sr. Class of 2009, led by their class leader, GIG
Sanchez A. Briscoe (North Carolina) presented a sizable
donation to our Charitable Foundation. In addition to remarks

Year

Dates

Place

2010

October 8 12

TBA

100

2011

October 7 11

South Carolina

95

2012

October 5 9

Washington, DC

2013

October 11 - 15

75

North Carolina
25

2014

October 10 - 14 Texas

5

0

10

123rd replacement page
Monday, February 15, 2010 12:48:29 PM

The Winter Bulletin

An Historical Session
The 123rd Annual Session was unlike any
other in the history of our United Supreme
Council. For the first time in the history of
Scottish Rite Freemasonry, four Sovereign
Grand Commanders were together in
Washington, D. C. Just prior to our annual
session, the Sovereign Grand Commanders,
Northern and Southern Supreme Councils,
The Honorable John Wm. McNaughton ,
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and The
Honorable Ronald A. Seale
, Southern
Masonic Jurisdiction invited and hosted our
Sovereign Grand Commanders, Illustrious
Solomon Wallace and Dr. Deary Vaughn
at their session. All four distinguished
leaders were present throughout our 123rd
Annual Session. Our distinguished visitors
“from across the aisle,”
were warmly
received including their wives. Sovereign
Grand Commanders Vaughn and Wallace
expressed their profound pleasure and
gratitude that freemasonry is changing and
someday we will realize a masonic family
wherein barriers such as race and color will
no longer matter.
Sovereign Grand
Commander Seale spoke of us coming
together from all walks of life. He stated
that although we have “come together” there
are still questions to be answered, alluding
to existing division which we must
overcome to realize full and total acceptance
by all subordinate bodies. It is enough to
say the wall is coming down, slowly but
surely.
Sovereign Grand Commander
McNaughton told the class they are the
future of freemasonry and it is an honor to
be a mason.
Both Sovereign Grand
Commanders Seale and McNaughton
pledged and generously donated to our
Charitable Foundation.

It was also mentioned and noted that there
will be a conference in Canada convened
sometime in the next year in which all
Sovereign Grand Commanders the world
over will attend. Sovereign Grand
Commanders Seale and McNaughton
extended invitations to our Sovereign Grand
Commanders to join them during this
forthcoming conference. Sovereign Grand
Commanders
Vaughn
and
Wallace
graciously accepted the invitations.

More History - Welcome from Two
Grand Masters
We were more than happy to have the host
Grand Master, Most Worshipful Grand
Master David A. McWilliams, Sr., Most
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free
and Accepted Masons, P.H.A., officially
welcome us to the District of Columbia.
Most Worshipful McWilliams was with us
throughout the session. Again another first
occurred during our banquet. In addition to
Most Worshipful Grand Master McWilliams
officially welcoming all to the banquet,
Most Worshipful Grand Master Kwame
Acquaah, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, Jurisdiction of the District of
Columbia also brought greeting and
welcomed us in behalf of his Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge.
To our
knowledge, Most Worshipful Grand Master
Acquaah holds the distinction of being the
first black person ever elected Most
Worshipful Grand Master of an AF&AM
Jurisdiction.
He is an attorney and
originally hails from Gyana. Yes the walls
are slowly but surely coming down. (GIG
Robert Taylor)

㤵
㜵

㈵



The Winter Bulletin

 

Portraits of  our Leaders

Several  years  ago,  the  Council  of  Deliberation, 
Korea,  embarked  upon  a  monumental  task  of 
preserving  the  history  of  our  United  Supreme 
Council, Southern Jurisdiction, by capturing our 
past leaders in oil paintings.  Our aim is not only 
to  preserve  our  history,  but  to  enhance 
understanding and appreciation for what these 
great  men  did  not  only  for  freemasonry,  but 
within their communities and our nation.  Each 
of  our  past  leaders  has  a  history  as  brave 
pioneers  who  were  unwilling  to  settle  for  the 
status  quo  and  who  worked  tirelessly  and 
diligently  to  change  America  from  a  nation  of 
segregation  and  “Jim  Crowism”  into  a  nation 
wherein  men  and  women  of  color  could  enjoy 
equal opportunities and equal rights.  We feel it 
is  important  to  preserve  our  heritage  and 
sustain  our  linkage  to  our  glorious  and 
distinguished  past.    While  I  am  no  longer  the 
Illustrious Deputy for Korea, I do sincerely hope 
the Council of Deliberation, Korea will continue 
this  honorable  and  noble  project  and  continue 
to  appreciate  this  project  as  a  “labor  of  love.”  
Prior to our 123rd Annual Session, we presented 
six  portraits  to  our  United  Supreme  Council.    I 
will not endeavor to express the history of each 
for  their  accomplishments  and  dedicated 
service to the Scottish Rite and Freemasonry in 
general  would  require  hours.    While  we  have 
not  “captured”  or    unveiled  Sovereign  Grand 
Commander  Dr.  Willard  Wallace  Allen,  we 
would be remiss if we  did not remind you that 
Dr.  Allen  holds  the  distinction  as  the  longest 
serving  Sovereign  Grand  Commander  having 
held  the  position  from  1929  until  his  death  on 
October 2, 1961.  Dr. Allen also served as Most 
Worshipful  Grand  Master  of  Maryland  for 
thirty‐eight consecutive years. 
 
 Sovereign  Grand  Commander  Jno  Gideon 
Lewis,  Jr.,  followed  Dr.  Allen  and  served  from 
October 1961 until his passing on April 1, 1979.  
He  was  also  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  of 
the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of 
Louisiana  for  many  years  and  was  often 

described  as  “The  Mason’s  Mason.”    Sovereign 
Grand  Commander  Lewis  was  regarded  in  very 
high esteem throughout the Prince Hall family. 
 
The  Illustrious  Isadore  Huddleston  Clayborn,  as 
Lieutenant  Grand  Commander,  succeeded 
Brother Lewis as Sovereign Grand Commander.  
He  was  also  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master, 
Most  Worshipful  Prince  Hall  Grand  Lodge  of 
Texas.    Sovereign  Grand  Commander  Clayborn 
served in this capacity from April 1979 until his 
peaceful and final rest on April 4, 1994.  He was 
a  strong  and  forceful  leader  with  great 
compassion and empathy. 
 
As  Lieutenant  Grand  Commander,  Sovereign 
Grand Inspector General Samson Julius Bennett 
succeeded  Sovereign  Grand  Commander 
Clayborn  and  served  as  Sovereign  Grand 
Commander  from  April  1994  until  his  eternal 
rest  in  1999.    Like  his  predecessor,  Brother 
Clayborn,  he  also  served  as  a  Grand  Master‐‐
Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  Most 
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alabama. 
 
In  1999,  Sovereign  Grand  Inspector  General 
Edgar  Bridges,  Sr.  transisted  from  Lieutenant 
Grand  Commander  to  Sovereign  Grand 
Commander,  upon  the  death  of  our  beloved 
Brother  S.  J.  Bennett.    He  served  as  such  until 
October  2003.    He  too  was  a  distinguished 
Grand  Master  of  the  Most  Worshipful  Stringer 
Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi,  P.H.A.    He  was  a 
“freedom  fighter”  and  traveled  the  rural  roads 
of  Mississippi,  at  a  dangerous  time  in  our 
history, often putting the welfare and safety of 
his family at risk for civil rights. 
 
In  October  2003,  our  current  Sovereign  Grand 
Commander,  Sovereign  Grand  Commander  Dr. 
Deary  Vaughn,  succeeded  Sovereign  Grand 
Commander  Emeritus  Edgar  Bridges,  Sr.    Much 
can  be  said  about  Dr.  Vaughn  and  his  masonic 
journey, but his legacy is still being written.   
 

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



12

The Winter Bulletin

Portraits of our Leaders
Continued
 

 
 
In  addition  to  the  five  Sovereign  Grand 
Commanders above, we believed that Sovereign 
Grand  Inspector  General  James  Alexander 
Mingo’s  many  years  service  as  our  Illustrious 
Grand  Secretary  General  of  The  Holy  Empire 
warranted  special  recognition  and  so  we 
honored  along  with  our  distinguished 
Soverweign  Grand  Commanders.        Brother 
Mingo  followed  Dr.  Charles  H.  Wesley  as 
Secretary  General  and  served  under  two 
Sovereign  Grand  Commanders—SGC  Jno  G. 
Lewis,  Jr.  and  SGC  I.  H.  Clayborn.    James 
Alexander  Mingo  “went  to  higher  ground”  on 
September 3, 1993. 
 
During  our  123rd  Annual  Session,  we  unveiled 
three  additional  portraits  of  Scottish  Rite 
leaders  who  left  their  lasting  imprint  upon  our 
fraternity  and  who  are  and  will  continue  to  be 
admired and respected for many years to come 
by  masons  far  and  near  and  citizens  of  our 
nation. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dr. Charles H. Wesley 

 
It  was  our  distinct  honor  and  privilege  to 
present  Dr.  Charles  Harris  Wesley,  PhD.    Dr. 
Wesley was a noted African‐American historian, 
educator, writer and author.  Born in Louisville, 
Kentucky,  he  graduated  from  Fisk  University  in 
1911.  He was awarded a graduate fellowship to 
Yale where he waited  
 
13

 
on tables to earn his board while completing his 
Master’s  Degree  in  1913.    He  received  his 
doctorate from Harvard and accepted a position 
at Howard University where he served as Dean 
of the Liberal Arts College and subsequently as 
Dean  of  the  Liberal  Arts  Graduate  School.    In 
1942  he  became  President  of  Wilberforce 
University  (now  Central  State)  from  1942  to 
1947  then  as  President  of  Central  State  from 
1947  until  1965  when  he  ended  his  teaching 
career.    Dr.  Wesley  was  the  fourteenth  and  a 
five  term  General  President  and  National 
Historian  for  seven  decades  of  Alpha  Phi 
Alpha—the  first  Greek‐letter  fraternity 
established  for  African‐Americans.    As  one  of 
the  nation’s  most  eminent  black  scholars,  he 
wrote  numerous  works  that  broke  ground  in 
preserving  black  history.    His  doctoral 
dissertation,  “Negro  Labor  in  the  United  States 
1850  to  1925:  A  Study  in  American  Economic 
History,”  was  considered  the  first  scholarly 
examination  of  the  black  labor  force  in  the 
period  after  slavery.    Published  in  1925,  the 
New  York  Times  called  it  “a  valuable 
contribution  to  the  economic  history  of  the 
United States.”  
 
Dr. Wesley was an ordained minister in the AME 
Church  and  Presiding  Elder  of  the  AME 
Churches  in  Washington,  D.C.    He  was  also  a 
candidate  for  Bishop.    He  was  a  Prince  Hall 
Mason  in  the  Jurisdiction  of  the  District  of 
Columbia and a member of the United Supreme 
Council, Southern Jurisdiction, Scottish Rite.   He 
authored  several  books  on  Prince  Hall 
Freemasonry,  including  “Prince  Hall:    Life  and 
Legacy”  and  wrote  a  dozen  books  on  black 
history.    In  1974,  at  the  age  of  82,  Dr.  Wesley 
came  out  of  retirement  to  become  the  first 
Director  of  the  Afro‐American  Historical  and 
Cultural  Museum  in  Philadelphia.    Dr.  Charles 
Harris  Wesley  accepted  his  reward  of  eternal 
life on August 16, 1987 in Washington, D.C. and 
is  buried  in  Lincoln  Memorial  Cemetery, 
Suitland, Maryland.  
 
 

㤵
㜵

㈵



The Winter Bulletin

Portraits of our Leaders Continued
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Judge  Hall  was  very  active  in  Prince  Hall 
Freemasonry  and  served  as  Most  Worshipful 
Grand  Master,  Most  Worshipful  Prince  Hall 
Grand  Lodge  of  Oklahoma  from  1941  to  1971.  
He was a pioneer who “dispatched” Prince Hall 
Freemasonry  abroad  by  establishing  lodges  in 
Germany,  Korea  and  Alaska.    In  April  1963, 
Worshipful Master Ernest W. Armstrong (PHML 
No.  140)  wrote    a  letter  to  Sovereign  Grand 
Commander  Jno  G.  Lewis  requesting  a 
Consistory  in  Germany.    The  Sovereign  Grand 
Commander  granted  the  request  and  in  April 
1963  sent  Lieutenant  Grand  Commander, 
Sovereign Grand Inspector General Amos T. Hall 
to Germany to confer the required degrees and 
constitute  Prince  Hall  Military  Consistory  No. 
304.   
 
Judge  Hall  was  very  active  in  his  church—
Morning  Star  Baptist  Church  of  Tulsa  and  later 
in  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  North  Tulsa.    For 
his  public  service  of  more  than  forty  years,  he 
received  many  honors  and  citations  from  civic 
organizations  including  honorary  doctoral 
degrees  from  Wiley  College  and  Langston 
University.  This quiet, peace‐loving and humble 
man was a leader in the fight for desegregation.  
Judge  Amo  T.  Hall  went  to  his  final  reward  on 
November  12,  1971  in  Tulsa.    He  would  have 
been  impressed  by  the  list  of  distinguished 
citizens who attended his funeral.  Present were 
U.S.  Supreme  Court  Justice  Thurgood  Marshall 
(one of his closest friends) Roy Wilkins, National 
Director,  NAACP,  Oklahoma  Govenor,  The 
Honorable  David  Hall,  and  the  Mayor  of  Tulsa, 
The  Honorable  Robert  LaFortune  among  the 
more than fifteen hundred who came to mourn 
his  death,  extol  his  memory  and  hear  the 
seventy‐five year old jurist eulogized.  In tribute, 
Justice  Marshall  said,  “He  led  the  fight  (for 
desegregation)  here  and  around  the  country  in 
the days when it was a little rough—and to say 
a  little  rough  is  putting  it  mildly.    It  takes 
strength to stand up quietly, lawfully, peacefully 
and say, I will not be moved.  I am going down 
that road and nobody’s going to stop me.  Amos 
T. Hall did just that and he carried so many with 
him.” 
 

JudgeAmos T. Hall 

 
 
Renown  Prince  Hall  Mason,  Lawyer  and  Judge, 
Amos  T.  Hall  became  one  of  Oklahoma’s  most 
significant civil rights lawyers.  Born October 2, 
1896  in  Bastrop,  Louisiana  he  was  educated 
locally  and  graduated  from  Rust  College  in 
Mississippi  and  Gilbert  Industrial  College  in 
Baldwin,  Louisiana  before  moving  to  Tulsa, 
Oklahoma  in  1921.    While  working  as  a  church 
janitor, he acquired an old set of law books and 
developed  an  interest  in  law.    He  became  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace—which  did  not  require  a 
law degree, and continued to study law at night.  
A self‐taught lawyer, he passed the bar in 1925 
and  was  admitted  to  the  Oklahoma  Bar 
Association  and  the  Tulsa  County  Bar 
Association.    Although  soft‐spoken,  he  was  a 
dynamic  advocate  and  articulate  trial  lawyer.  
As the attorney for the Oklahoma Association of 
Negro  Teachers,  he  led  the  fight  for  equal 
salaries  for  teachers  via  the  case,  “Freeman  v. 
Oklahoma  City  School  Board,  1948.”    He  was 
very  active  as  a  member  of  the  NAACP  and 
served as the attorney for the Oklahoma NAACP 
and  was  President  of  the  Tulsa  NAACP.    For  a 
number  of  years  he  served  as  attorney  for  the 
State Conference of Branches of the NAACP and 
as  a  member  of  the  National  Legal  Committee 
of  the  NAACP.    Brother  Hall  was  appointed 
Special  Judge,  District  Court  of  Tulsa  County  in 
1969.    In  1970  he  became  the  first  African‐
American  elected  to  a  judicial  position  in 
Oklahoma. 
14

㤵
㜵

㈵



The Winter Bulletin

Portraits of our Leaders Continued
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

emerging  nations—Ghana  and  what  is  now 
Tanzania.   
 
After  amassing  an  impressive  record  of 
Supreme  Court  challenges  to  state‐sponsored 
discrimination,  including  Brown  v.  Board 
decision  in  1954,  President  John  F.  Kennedy 
appointed Marshall to the U.S. Court of Appeals 
for  the  Second  Circuit.    While  on  this  court  he 
wrote  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  decisions.  
Biographers  Michael  Davis  and  Hunter  Clark 
noted  that,  “none  of  his  ninety‐eight  majority 
decisions  was  ever  reversed  by  the  Supreme 
Court.”   
 
By  1948  Marshall  was  well  known  and  was 
deeply  involved  in  a  series  of  cases  to  help 
blacks  gain  admission  to  law  schools  in  Texas 
and  Oklahoma.    These  efforts  had  emptied  the 
treasury  of  the  NAACP.      Amos  T.  Hall,  the 
NAACP  lawyer  in  Oklahoma,  was  President  of 
the  Prince  Hall  Conference  of  Grand  Masters 
and  suggested  to  Marshall  if  he  joined  the 
lodge, he (Hall) could get some money for him.  
He joined and from then on received substantial 
contributions  from  the  Masons.    He  became  a 
staunch  mason  and  supporter  of  Freemasonry 
and  received  many  awards  over  the  years.    He 
was coroneted an active member of the United 
Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, Scottish 
Rite  in  October  1951.    In  1961,  when  he  was 
appointed a Federal Judge, he was also elected 
Grand Minister of State for the United Supreme 
Council,  Southern  Jurisdiction.    In  1965 
President  Lyndon  Johnson  appointed  Judge 
Marshall U.S. Solicitor General.  In this capacity 
he  successful  won  fourteen  of  the  nineteen 
cases  he  argued  before  the  Supreme  Court  on 
behalf  of  the  government.    In  1967  he became 
the  first  African‐American  appointed  as  an 
Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court.  
He  was  a  champion  for  justice  and  a  voice  for 
voiceless  Americans  and  a  man  of  great 
sensitivity  toward  racial  injustice.    Associate 
Supreme  Court  Justice  Thurgood  Marshall,  one 
of the greatest jurist of this century, “closed his 
book of life” on January 24, 1993. (SGIG Alvin K. 
Wilkins, Sr.) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Justice Thurgood Marshall 

 
We  were  delight  to  pay  tribute  to  Thurgood 
Marshall (the grandson of slave) who was born 
in Baltimore, Maryland on July 2, 1908.  Early on 
his father instilled in him an appreciation for the 
constitution  and  the  rule  of  law.    After  high 
school  in  1925,  he  followed  his  brother  to 
Lincoln  University  in  Pennsylvania.    His 
classmates  included  a  distinguished  group  of 
future  black  leaders  such  as  poet  and  author 
Langston  Hughes,  the  future  President  of 
Ghana,  Kwame  Nkrumah  and  musician  Cab 
Calloway.  In 1930 he applied to the University 
of  Maryland  Law  School  but  was  denied 
because  he  was  black—an  event  that  was  to 
haunt  and  direct  his  future  professional  life.  
That same year he was accepted in the Howard 
University  Law  School  and  was  influenced  by 
Dean Charles Hamilton Houston.  Paramount in 
Houston’s outlook was the need to overturn the 
1898  Supreme  Court  ruling,  Plessy  v.  Ferguson 
which  established  the  legal  doctrine  “separate 
but  equal.”    His  first  major  case  came  in  1933 
when  he  successful  sued  the  University  of 
Maryland  to  admit  a  young  African‐American 
named  Donald  Gaines  Murray.    Author  H.  L. 
Mencken  lauded  him  and  at  the  same  time 
chided the University’s denial of blacks into the 
law  school  as  “brutal  and  absurd.”    Thurgood 
followed  his  Howard  University  mentor 
(Houston)  to  New  York  and  later  became  Chief 
Counsel  for  the  NAACP.    During  this  period  he 
was asked by the United Nations and the United 
Kingdom  to  help  draft  the  constitutions  of 

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



15

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨳ㄠ偍

The Winter Bulletin

Constitutional Matters
Constitutional Changes and Ritualistic Matters
The Committee on Ritual and Ritualistic
Matters is reviewing and addressing
concerns, making corrections and making
changes as they pertain to the ritual and
ceremonies of the Rite. During the 123rd
Annual Session, this committee presented
some significant recommendations. One is
the revision of the Opening and Closing
Ceremonies for the Consistory. Note there
are no changes to the actual ceremony, but
more definitive instructions on how to set-up
and move about the Consistory. In additon,
more information will be included in the
revised pamphlet such as duties of officers
and motions according to Robert’s Rules of
Order. The recommended revision was
adopted and will be forthcoming soon.

AASR Houses during the opening and
conferring of all degrees.

A dispensation was approved and issued for
a Consistory and other houses in Iraq. We
wish our Brothers in arms well and pray this
Consistory will grow. Remember to keep
praying for the safety of our Sisters and
Brothers serving “in harms way.”

Lodge of Perfectio n – 2 Chronicles,
Chapter 3, Chapter of Rose C
roix –
Isaiah, Chapter 53, Council o f Ka dosh –
Isaiah, Chapter 6:8, Consistory – John,
Chapter 15:13.
Official notification of
adopted changes will be forthcoming from
the office of the Illustrious Grand Secretary
General and this information should be
passed to all AASR bodies in all Orients.

Research by the committee revealed that by
direction of Sovereign Grand Commander I.
H. Clayborn, the late Rev. (SGIG) Howard
L. Woods had previously researched and
provided biblical scriptures for each house
and these scriptures were accepted and
approvel by Sovereign Grand Commander
Clayborn. They were published in the
United Supreme Council’s “Quarterly” in
1981. The following biblical scriptures will
be used in all Orients of the United Supreme
Council, 33o, Ancient & Accepted Scottish
Rite of Freemasonry,
Prince Hall
Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA:

Another recommendation which was
adopted is that the bible will be open in all

(SGIG A. K. Wilkins, Sr.)

Annual Educational Symposium
Each year during our annual session, we conduct an Educational Symposium. We present
lectures pertaining to Scottish Rite and time permitting, answer questions from the floor. We
present topics of historical and philosophical relevance to the Rite and Freemasonry. This forum
is open to all grades in the United Supreme Council and we encourage all to attend. While some
members may feel this forum is only for the class, I assure you this is not the case.
(SGIG A. K. Wilkins, Sr.)

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



16

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨳ㄠ偍

The Winter Bulletin

Editorial Staff
Efforts of worthy Sublime Princes, Grand Inspectors General and Loyal Ladies
We are more than willing to highlight efforts of worthy Sublime Princes, Grand
Inspectors General and Loyal Ladies who have distinguished themselves through
community service and other significant endeavors. We do ask that you “channel”
your articles and pictures through your Illustrious Deputies. Please caption
pictures on the reverse sides or at the bottom if transmitted via email. We, the staff
do reseve the right to edit articles, but we will always endeavor to maintain the
context and content befitting our Illustrious Brothers’ and Sisters’
accomplishments.
We prefer you email articles and pictures to us at
[email protected] or [email protected] or mail to William J. L.
Crisp, 3804 Sunchase Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28306, and when in
doubt, call me at (H) 910-864-1669, (C) 910-818-5892.

The United Supreme Council, 33o
of the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Prince Hall Affiliation
Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America 

The Bulletin Staff
Printed twice each year by The United Supreme Council, 33o
of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry,
Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.
Editor-in-Chief: Ill. Deary Vaughn, 33o Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Ill Alvin K. Wilkins, Sr, 33o

㄰

o

Senior Editor and Staff Writer: Ill. William J. L. Crisp, 33

㤵

Assistant Editors: Ill. Marvin D. Chambers, 33o Ill. Robert H. Taylor, 33o Ill. Michael B. Allen, 33o
Pictorial Editors: Ill. Alvin R. Kirk, 33oand Ill. Danny A. West, 33o

㜵

㈵



17

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨳ㄠ偍

The Winter Bulletin

New Sovereigns
Congratulations New Sovereigns
On Saturday, October 10, 2009, The
Illustrious Grand Minister of State,
Sovereign Grand Inspector General Alvin K.
Wilkins, Sr., (Korea) assisted by several
Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, in
ceremony coroneted two Grand Inspectors
General to the rank and title Sovereign
Grand Inspector General (Active.) We
congratulate Arvin W. Glass, Illustrious
Deputy for the Orient of Tennessee and
Pink J Garner, the Illustrious Deputy for
the Orient of Kentucky.

Orient of Korea, Jessie Smith, Orient of
Nevada, Dr. Donald R. Ware, MD, Orient
of California, Dr. Jackson L. Davis, III,
MD, Orient of the District of Columbia,
Anthony Ackwood and Anthony Bowen,
Orient of Oklahoma. On Sunday, October
11, 2009, the Illustrious Grand Minister of
State coroneted Robert M. L. Walker and
Wade Parham, Orient of North Carolina to
Sovereign Grand Inspector General (Active
Emeritus.) To each of you we offer our
congratulations and hope that you and the
members of your Orients are pleased with
your distinguished perferment.
We
anticipate that you will acquit yourselves in
demeanor and acumen befitting the rank and
title bestowed upon you. (SGIG William Crisp)

Also on Saturday, six Grand Inspectors
General were coroneted to the rank and title
Sovereign Grand Inspector General (Active
Emeritus.) They are Charles L. Perkins,

New Deputies Appointed
During our 123rd Annual Session, SGIG
Charles Alexander, Deputy for Missouri,
recommended to the Sovereign Grand
Commander that he be replaced. Based on
SGIG Alexander’s recommendation, the
Sovereign Grand Commander appointed
Grand Inspector General John L. Bogan,
Deputy for the Orient of Missouri. To
Brother Bogan, we congratulate you and
pray that you will do well in your new
assignment. We cannot possibly thank
SGIG Alexander enough for his many years
of dedicated service to our United Supreme
Council. He has been a tremendous asset to
his Orient but also a valuable contributing
citizen to his state. Although he has
stepped-down, we are confident he will still
be a voice of reason. Thank you Brother
Alexander for the man you are and for the
example you set in conduct and character.

Sovereign Grand Inspector General Jessie
Smith was appointed Deputy for Nevada.
We have known Jessie for many years and
we have always been impressed with his
ability to interact quietly but forcefully with
Sisters and Brothers.
Congratulations
Brother Smith.
Sovereign Grand Inspector General
Charles L. Perkins was appointed Deputy
for the Orient of Korea. Brother Perkins
now heads an Orient, primarily of military
members and an Orient which will challenge
him because of constant changes, as many of
his members leave Korea for other military
assignments.
Although the constant
“rotation” of Brothers ans Sisters presents
unique problems, Korea remains a strong
Orient.
We congratulate you Brother
Perkins. (GIG Robert H. Taylor)

㤵
㜵

㈵



18

The Winter Bulletin

Special Degree Work Conducted
SGIG Wilkins was more than busy on
Saturday and Sunday conducting degree
work for a special class of distinguished
persons and was ably assisted by GIG Gale
M. Collins (North Carolina) and GIG
Nicholas Padilla (Maryland) and others.
Advanced to the Thirty-second degree were:
George E. Dickerson, Sr., Jacob Gillison,
Derrick A. Humphries, Bishop Samuel L.
Green, Sr. and Tim Smith.
Following the advancement, SGIG Wilkins,
in a special ceremony, elevated seventeen
Sublime Princes to the rank and title of
Grand Inspector General. Perhaps many of
you will recognize names as some are well
known within their respective Orients and
even nationally. Elevated to the Thirty-third
degree were: Illustrious John Lewis, U.S.
Congressman,
Georgia,
Illustrious
Barrington D. Scott, Illustrious Kenneth
Brewer, Sr., Illustrious Monroe Murdock,
Illustroius Carl Redus, Jr., Mayor of Pine
Bluff, Arkansas, Illustrious Jacob Gillison,
Illustrious Derrick A. Humphries, former
Attornye for the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Illustrious Rev. Dr.
William J. Barber, II, President of the
NAACP State Conference, North Carolina,
Illustrious Mike Espy, former U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture, Illustrious Bishop
Samuel L. Green, Sr., AME Bishop for
Arkansas and Oklahoma, Illustrious
Herman W. Young, Illustrious Louis
Smitherson, Illustrious James V. Blake,
Jr., Illustrious Tim Smith, Illustrious
George E. Dickerson, Sr., Illustrious Dr.
Ivan T. Moseley, Sr., PhD and Illustrious
Dr. Robert P. Brissett, DPM.
We
congratulate each of you and hope you will
associate with well informed Scottish Rite
Masons in your endeavors to learn. Well
done and well deserved.

The annals of the U.S. Congress are filled
with contributions to our nation made by
members of the Masonic Fraternity. Over
the years Prince Hall Masons have played a
prominent role. In recent years several
Prince Hall Brothers have continued to serve
our nation well. Among those in the 1990’s
have been Congressmen Jim Clyburn, South
Carolina, John Conyers, Jr., Michigan, Al
Green, Texas, Sanford Bishop, Georgia,
Charles Rangel, New York, G.K.
Butterfields, North Carolina, William Lacy
Clay, Jr. and Emmanual Cleaver, Missouri
just to name a few. As previously stated,
during our 123rd Annual Session,
Congressman John Lewis received the
Thirty-third degree. GIG Lewis has a
distinguished history. He was born the son
of a sharecropper on February 21, 1940
outside Troy, Alabama and grew up on his
family’s farm and like many of us born to
that era, he attended segregated public
schools. As a youngster, he witnessed the
Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the words of
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired
him to become active in the Civil Rights
Movement.
He
was
active
in
demonstrations from Fisk University to the
infamous Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma,
Alabama. It is enough to say he has
dedicated his life to equal rights and equal
opportunities for all people. He was elected
to Congress in 1986 and has served the
people of Georgia and the nation
continuously since then. John Lewis is a
legend and we are more than proud to
acknowledge him as a Prince Hall Brother.
We thank you Congressman Lewis, for your
unblimished service to the people of our
nation. May God continued to bless you.

㤵
㜵

(SGIG William Crisp)
㈵



19

The Winter Bulletin

The Doctor Speaks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

telephone directories. Other sources of
information include testimonials, quack
doctors, and advertised amazing “cures”
available on money-back guarantees.
The fact that a person has a medical degree
does not, by itself, mean that he or she is
competent to practice medicine. First of all,
a physician must have a valid, current
license to practice. Second, physicians
should be expected to observe the ethical
standards of their profession, whether or not
they happen to be members of local medical
societies. Finally, in order to provide
patients with the best possible care, a
physician must continue to study and learn
the most accurate scientific knowledge
available and the most recent improvements
in medical techniques.

Sovereign Grand Inspector General 
Dr. Ulysses W. Watkins, Jr., MD 
Illustrious Grand Medical Director and Minister of Health 

FINDING A FAMILY PHYSICIAN

Eighty percent of the medical services
needed by a family can be provided by a
family physician.
Annual medical
examinations can give the physician vital
information needed at the time of an
emergency.
If medical specialists and
hospital care are needed, the physician can
arrange for them.
The detection and
treatment of most diseases by the family
physician can result in complete cures.
Early diagnosis of a chronic health condition
can save a person’s life. The physician’s
knowledge of each family member’s health
can save unnecessary treatment, time,
money, and frustration. There are both
reliable and unreliable sources of
information about selecting a physician.
The reliable sources include county medical
societies, hospitals registered with the
American Medical Association, and
accredited local hospital departments.
Medical schools, as divisions of accredited
universities, can also assist in the selection
of a physician.
Unreliable sources of
information may be rumors and listings in

PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THECOUNTER DRUGS

All medicines are “drugs” under the federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Under this
law, drugs are divided into two classes,
prescription drugs and over-the-counter
drugs. Prescription Drugs can be used
safely and effectively only under a
physician’s supervision. It is a violation of
federal law to sell such a drug without a
prescription from a physician. Medical
doctors and dentists are licensed to prescribe
drugs for human use.
Registered
pharmacists fill prescriptions and a
prescription is as personal as your name. It
is designed for one person and is based on
that person’s age, height, weight, condition
of health, illness, and other factors. No one
should ever take a drug prescribed for
someone else. When taking a prescription

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



20

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨳㈠偍

The Winter Bulletin

The Doctor Speaks (Continued)
HEALTH MISCONCEPTIONS

drug, you need to know: 1) How much to
take each time, 2) How often and when to
take the drug, 3) When to check back with
your physician on the drug’s effects, and
4) How to follow special instructions if the
physician has any.
The label of the
prescribed drug also will give instructions.
For example, the label may read, “Take
before meals.” If the person thinks the
prescribed drug is not doing what his
physician intended, the person should check
with the physician immediately.
The
original prescription may specify whether
refills are permitted. If not, your physician
should be asked whether the prescribed drug
can be refilled. Over-the-Counter Drugs
are safe and effective if used according to
instructions on the label. These drugs can
be sold legally without a physician’s
prescription. The law requires that over-thecounter drugs labeling which tells the person
how to use the drugs for specific conditions
and what to avoid. The label indicates the
specific conditions for which the drug will
bring relief. Also, the label tells you how to
use it safely and when not to use it. Typical
warning may be: “Do not drive while taking
this medicine,” or, “Discontinue use if rapid
pulse, dizziness, or blurring of vision
occurs.” All labels should be read and
followed exactly. The amount of the drug
given to children differs from the amount for
teen-agers and adults. Over-the-counter
drugs are used for minor illness which lasts
a short while. No one should become a
“steady user” of over-the-counter drugs
except at the physician’s order. The most
common over-the-counter drug is aspirin.
Other over-the-counter drugs which are
popular are drugs for colds, coughs, sore
throats, and constipation. If you are in doubt
about any over-the-counter drug, contact
your physician.

There have been numerous research studies
concerning health misconceptions of
Americans.
The number of health
misconceptions is far greater than the
average consumer may imagine.
These
misconceptions are the results of beliefs
passed from generation to generation, claims
made by faddist, misinformation obtained
from various sources, fear campaigns
sponsored by groups opposing efforts to
improve
community
health,
biased
propaganda distributed by cultists, and
publications prepared by persons not
qualified to write on particular health
problems.

MISCONCEPTIONS – VITAMINS
¾ Taking vitamin pills will ensure
good health.
¾ Vitamin pills can cure most diseases.
¾ If one vitamin pill a day is good, two
or three vitamin pills are better.
¾ Vitamins need not be prescribed by
physicians.
¾ Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is stored in
the body.
¾ Potatoes have no vitamins.
¾ Vitamins provide the human body
with sufficient calories.
¾ Vitamins rebuild blood.
¾ Vitamins take the place of iron in the
human body.
(Summer Edition – Quackery and more
misconceptions)

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



21

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨳㈠偍

The Winter Bulletin

Orients on the Move
Orients on the Move - Virginia

GIG Robert C. Jacobs, KCCH, Venerable Master, SP Wayne K. Rachel, Sr., Commander-in-Chief of
our Richmond Consistory 22A, GIG Robert Carpenter, General Secretary, SGIG George M. Ellis, Jr.,
and GIG Malcolm R. Holley, Jr., Junior Warden, Lodge of Perfection. 

COD will hold its 85th annual session in
March 19-22, 2010 at the Hilton Garden Inn,
South Park Drive in Colonial Heights,
Virginia.

The Illustrious Deputy for Virginia, SGIG
George M. Ellis, Jr. and members of the VA
COD accomplished a historic first in May
2009. Members of our PHA Scottish Rite
and Scottish Rite Masons, AF&AM held a
fellowship dinner at the Scottish Rite
Temple in Richmond, Virginia to discuss
future relations between the two entities.
The occasion drew 110 participants with
several guest speakers from both “sides of
the aisle.” Speakers included GIG Robert
Carpenter, General Secretary, GIG Robert
C. Jacobs, KCCH, Venerable Master, GIG
Malcolm R. Holley, Jr., Junior Warden,
Lodge of Perfection, our own SGIG George
M. Ellis, Jr. and SP Wayne K. Rachel, Sr.,
Commander-in-Chief of our Richmond
Consistory 22A.
Future meeting are
expected to take place between the two
Scottish Rite bodies. As expected, we were
well represented by our Loyal Ladies and at
the conclusion of the dinner, email addresses
and telephone numbers were exchanged.

SGIG George M. Ellis, Jr. has served as the
Illustrious Deputy since 2002.
Great
progress has been demonstrated in the
Orient due to his leadership and innovative
ideas.
During our annual session in
Washington, DC this past October, George
announced he intends to “step-down” as the
Illustrious Deputy following Virginia’s
forthcoming session. He has recommended
SGIG Michael Parris to be his successor.
Our
Illustrious
Sovereign
Grand
Commander, Dr. Deary Vaughn has
commented numerous times in praising
Brother Ellis for the fine work he has done
and for the progress made within the Orient
of Virginia. The May gathering of Eagles
and Doves is but another example of
George’s dynamic leadership and how
Virginia Scottish Rite Masons are working
to further relations between the two Scottish
Rite bodies. Yes, the “walls are slowly but
surely coming down.” (GIG Robert H. Taylor)

Our Virginia COD consists of nine
Consistories. Seven Assemblies comprise
the State Grand Assembly. The Virginia

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



22

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨳㌠偍

The Winter Bulletin

Orients on the Move (Continued)
Orient on the Move – District of Columbia

L to R:  Grand Secretary General Chambers, 
Grand  Treasurer  General  Reddings,  SGLLR 
Ruth  C.  Smith  (DC)  and  Soivereign  Grand 
Commander Dr. Deary Vaughn 

Visitation  to  DC  State  Grand  Assemblies  –  Deputy 
Robert  E.  Wheeler  with  Council  of  Deliberation 
Officers and Commanders‐in‐Chief 

A few years ago, the Sovereign Grand
Commander decreed that each Orient must
have a minimum of three Consistories. The
Orients of England and the District of
Columbia immediately began organizing
additional Consistories. At the time of the
decree, Washington, D.C. had one
Consistory—Johnathan Davis Consistory
No. 1 and one Assembly--the Richard
Howard Gleaves Assembly No. 2, OGC.
The late SGIG Bert A. G. Overby, then
Deputy for the Orient of D.C., successfully
expanded his Orient in a very short period of
time.
In addition to Jonathan Davis
Consistory, the Orient now has three
additional Consistories—James W. Banyard
No. 11, Henry A. Dove No. 15 and Johnnie
L. Doctor No. 18.
Henry A. Dove
Consistory was opened under the leadership
of the current Deputy, SGIG Robert E.
Wheeler. SGIG Wheeler also opened four
Assemblies and constituted a State Grand
Assembly, OGC. The S. Matthew Ellis
State Grand Assembly, OGC consists of the
James W. Banyard Assembly No. 11,

Henry A. Dove Assembly No.15, Edward E.
Marshall Assembly No. 18 and of course the
Richard Howard Gleaves Assembly No. 2.
The S. Matthew Ellis State Grand Assembly,
OGC celebrated their third anniversary in
November 2009, and Sovereign Grand
Commander Deary Vaughn visited with
them.
He was accompanied by the
Illustrious Grand Treasurer General of The
Holy Empire, SGIG Gilbert S. Reddings and
the Illustrious Grand Secretary General of
The Holy Empire, SGIG Marvin D.
Chambers. The anniversary program was
followed by a reception and cake cutting
ceremony.
The Sovereign Grand
Commander was gracious in his praise and
confidence in the Illustrious Deputy Robert
E. Wheeler and the State Grand Loyal Lady
Ruler, Ruth C. Smith. This was his first
visit with this State Grand Assembly and he
assured them he will return for future visits.
(GIG Robert H. Taylor)

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



23

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨳㌠偍

The Winter Bulletin

123rd Annual Session Pictorials

Special class elevated to 330

Grand Minister of State A.K. Wilkins and
Special Degree Team

Newly Coroneted Sovereigns

Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr.
Sunday morning service

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵


Scottish Rite Choir
with Ms. Dorothy McClung Lewis
Sunday morning service

Rev. (Dr) Benjamin L. Hooks
Divine Service
24

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨴〠偍



The Winter Bulletin

123rd Annual Session Pictorials

Class of 2009 attend Divine Service

Loyal Ladies and Guests
Divine Service

Divine Service
Grand Secretary General Chambers
calling the rolls of departed Brothers

L to R: SGC McNaughton, SGC Vaughn,
SGC Seale and SGC Wallace

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵


Educational Symposium
SGIG William Crisp

Educational Symposium
Grand Minister of State A. K. Wilkins, Sr.

25

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨴㜠偍



The Winter Bulletin

123rd Annual Session Pictorials

Receiving SGC Wallace and
Northern Delegation

Receiving SGC McNaughton Northern
Masonic Jurisdiction

Receiving Host Grand Master
MWGM David A. McWilliams, Sr. (DC)
and MW Grand Masters

SGC Vaughn preparing to escort
MW Grand Masters to East

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵


MWGM McWilliams (DC) gives
official welcome

MWGM Redden (MD) responds to
welcoming for Grand Masters
26

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨵㐠偍



The Winter Bulletin

123rd Annual Session Pictorials

Welcoming
MWGM Acquaah, AF&AM (DC)

Remarks by SGC Seale Southern
Masonic Jurisdiction

Remarks by SGC McNaughton
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction

Congressman John Lewis (GA)

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵


Congressman (GIG) Al Green (TX)

Congressman Sanford Bishop. Jr. (GA)



27

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈷㨵㤠偍

The Winter Bulletin

123rd Annual Session Pictorials

GIG Michael B. Allen (MD) and the
Maryland Degree Team that conferred
the 33o Degree

Remarks by Class President
GIG Sanchez A. Briscoe (NC)

Rapt attention Saturday Evening Concert

Ms. Dorothy McClung Lewis
featured performer during the
Saturday evening concert

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵

Grand Minister of State A. K. Wilkins, Sr.
and members from the Orient of Korea
presenting portraits

GIG Robert H. Taylor Educational
Symposium presentation
28

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈸㨰㔠偍




The Winter Bulletin

BREAK IT ON DOWN

Yisrael  Synagogue  believes  that  we  can 
best learn who God really is by learning  
 
God’s names as God has revealed to us 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures.    God  has  many 
names and each name reveals a portion 
of  God’s  character,  such  as  strength, 
might,  power,  compassion  and  so  on.  
This gives us a little insight into why our 
ancestors  and  our  parents  gave  my 
generation  biblical  names—names 
which  had  meaning.    For  example, 
Moses means “the man of God. “ (Deut 
33:1.)    Today,  children  have  names  like 
Jo‐wan‐da.  What does it mean? 
 
God  has  many  names,  but  we  have 
learned that the true name is ineffable.  
That  is,  God’s  name  is  incapable  of 
being expressed in words, and according 
to the Jewish faith, His true name is not 
to  be  uttered.    The  Jewish  people 
stopped saying God’s name by the third 
century  AD.    Thus  the  true 
pronunciation  is  no  longer  known.    The 
true word was lost—sound familiar?   
 
Our  introduction  into  the  Scottish  Rite 
revealed to us the Ineffable Degrees—4 
through  14.    Each  of  these  degrees 
teaches  us  important  lessons,  which 
point to attributes in character.  Each of 
these  attributes  such  as  fidelity  (4th 
degree) loyalty (6th Degree) honor, love 
and humility (8th Degree) can be directly 
linked and attributed to one or more of 
the many, many names of God. 
 
In the Tenach (Old Testament) Elohim is 
the  first  name  for  God.    In  Genesis  1:1, 
the third word (in the Hebrew Scripture) 
is,  “In  the  beginning  Elohim  (God) 
created  the  heaven  and  the  earth.”    In 

 
Sovereign Grand Inspector
General
 
William J. L. Crisp
  Staff Writer
Senior Editor and

The Ineffable Names of God
 
The Jewish Congregation, Shema Yisrael 
has  written  a  very  thorough  and 
comprehensive  article  on,  “The  Names 
and Titles of God,” some of which I have 
extracted  and  included  herein.    I  think 
most  of  you  will  agree  that  in  the  last 
thirty  or  forty  years,  society’s 
knowledge of God has declined.  God is 
forbidden  in  our  schools,  in  our 
government agencies, in our businesses 
and  in  our  communities.    I  don’t  know 
where  to  lay  the  blame,  but  what  is 
evident is that as our knowledge of God 
and  the  presence  of  God  decreased 
within  our  society,  there  appears  to 
have    been  a  corresponding  increase  in 
crime.  Also, if you examine our youth as 
they  stroll  through  the  shopping  malls, 
we  are  able  to  witness  moral  decay.  
They  exhibit  little  respect  and  human 
dignity. 
 
Remarkably,  as  we  teach  our  children, 
our  grandchildren  and  ourselves  about 
God,  we  can  see  changes  in  their 
character  as  well  as  in  own.    Shema 

㄰

㤵
㜵

㈵



29

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈸㨰㘠偍

The Winter Bulletin

(Continued)
BREAK
IT
ON
DOWN
the  Hebrew  Scripture,  Elohim  is  used 
burning bush.  “And God said to Moses, 

more  than  2300  times  to  refer  to  the 
God  of  Israel.    The  Hebrews  often 
combined  Elohim  with  other  words  to 
define  the  different  attributes  of  God.  
For  example,  Elohay  Kedem  –  God  of 
the  Beginning  (Deut  33:27.)    Elohay 
Mishpat – God of Justice (Isaiah 30:18.)  
Elohay  Kedoshim‐‐Holy  God  (Leviticus 
19:2  and  Joshua  24:19.)    Most 
importantly,  Elohay  Elohim  –  God  of 
Gods (Deut 10:17.)    
 
El  is  another  name  for  God.    It  is  a 
simple  form  and  relates  to  Elohim.  
When  combined  with  other  words, 
again  attributes  of  God  as  revealed.    El 
Rah’ee  –  The  God  Who  Sees  (Genesis 
16:13)  meaning  The  Powerful  One  sees 
and knows all.  El Sali – God Of My Rock 
(Psalm 42:10) meaning The Mighty One 
is  my  defender,  my  stronghold,  my 
protector from all attacks.  El Shaddai – 
God,  The  All  Sufficient  (Genesis  17:1.)  
“Shad”  means  breast  in  Hebrew.    Thus, 
like  a  nursing  mother,  God  completely 
nourishes  and  satisfies  His  people  and 
takes  care  of  all  our  needs.    Notice  in 
each  of  these  examples  given,  I  have 
underscored  certain  words  which  are 
attributes belonging to God. 
 
In the 13th Degree, we are invested with 
the  Tetragrammaton.    Therefore,  with 
your  prior  knowledge,  I  will  simply 
remind  you  that  Tetragrammaton 
means  “The  Four  Letters”  because  it 
comes  from  letters  in  the  Hebrew 
alphabet—Y‐‐,  H‐‐,  V‐‐,  H‐‐,  which  we 
were  directed  to  refer  to  simply  as 
YHVH.    YHVH  is  a  name  that  translates 
as “Lord.”  It is used approximately 7000 
times  in  the  Tenach  (Old  Testament) 
and  is  the  name  most  used  than  any 
other  name  for  God.    The  root  of  the 
Tetragrammaton is the special memorial 
name that God revealed to Moses at the 

“I  AM  WHO  I  AM,”  and  He  said,  “thus 
you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM 
has  sent  me  to  you…this  is  my  eternal 
name and this is how I am to be recalled 
for all generation.”  (Exodus 3:14‐15.)   
 
Even though the name YHVH appears in 
Genesis 2, God did not reveal Himself as 
YHVH  until  Genesis  3.    YHVH  is  from  a 
Hebrew  verb  meaning,  “to  be.”    This 
emphasizes  God’s  absolute  being,  all 
reality,  and  all  existence.    Everything 
else  derives  its  being  from  Him.  
Therefore, God (YHVH – Lord) is beyond 
His  creation.    Therefore,  God  (YHVH  – 
Lord)  is  without  beginning  and  without 
end because He always is.  Since God is 
before  the  beginning  and  without  end, 
we  understand  how  God  is  the  Alpha 
and Omega.  Although some pronounce 
YHVH  as  Jehovah  or  Yaweh,  we  no 
longer know the true pronunciation.  As 
I  earlier  stated,  the  Hebrews  stopped 
saying  this  name  by  the  third  century 
AD.  for  fear  of  mispronouncing  God’s 
name 
and 
of 
violating 
the 
commandment,  “You  shall  not  take  the 
name  of  YHVH  your  God  in  vain.”  
(Exodus 20:7.)  According to the Rabbis, 
the  Tetragrammaton  may  not  be 
pronounced under any circumstance.   
 
Adonai  (Add‐dough‐nye)  is  another 
name  usually  substituted  in  place  of 
YHVH.    Again,  when  YHVH  is  combined 
with  other  words  the  Lord’s  different 
attributes  are  emphasized.    For 
example, YHVH Elohim‐‐Lord God; YHVH 
Yireh‐‐The  Lord  Who  Sees  (Genesis 
22:14.)    Adonai  is  all  seeing  and  aware 
of  our  problems  and  our  needs.    YHVH 
Shalom  ‐  The  Lord  Of  Peace  (Judges 
6:24.)    Shalom  means  wholeness, 
completeness,  peace.    Adonai  is 
complete  in  and  of  Himself.    Adonai  is 
the  rabbinical  substitute  for  the 
30

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈸㨰㘠偍

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



The Winter Bulletin

BREAK IT ON DOWN (Continued)
Lord,  that  will  I  seek  after;  that  I  may 
dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  all  the 
days of my life, to behold the beauty of 
the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.”  
Seek  ye  the  kingdom  of  God,  my 
Brothers—now, in this life that we may 
come to know God’s temple.  The over‐
riding  lesson  in  the  Lodge  of  Perfection 
is that we must forever strive to be God‐
like  in  our  quest  to  become  perfect 
beings  and  that  we  are  forever 
“married”  to  God  and  MUST  live 
according to God’s Immutable Laws. 
 
(Disclaimer:    The  text  of  this  article 
although  compiled  by  me,  is  a 
complilation  of  information  “gleaned” 
from  more  than  forty  years  in 
Consistory.    It  is  intended  to  engender 
thought  and  speculation  and  is 
information, some of which was passed‐
on  to  me  by  sage  and  august  Brothers 
and  some  gained  by  painstaking 
research..  (SGIG William J. L. Crisp)    
 

Tetragrammaton  and  translates  as  “My 
Lords.”    It  is  an  emphatic  form  of  the 
word  “Adon,”  which  means  Master  or 
Lord. 
 
We  now  understand  the  implications 
inherent  in  the  several  passwords  or 
sacred words given to us in the Ineffable 
Degrees.    Each  of  the  degrees  in  the 
Lodge  of  Perfection  teaches  us 
important lessons such as fidelity, honor 
and  humility,  to  name  a  few.    From 
these lessons, perhaps we can conclude 
that  the  over‐riding  lesson  is  that  the 
substitute names for God are to remind 
us  to  continuously  try  and  cultivate 
God‐like  attributes  in  ourselves.    Each 
time  we  traverse  the  several  degrees 
within  the  Lodge  of  Perfection,  be 
mindful  of:  Adonai,  Jehovah,  Shekinah, 
Jah Hua Yevay Shekinah, Gaborai Khayil, 
Alkhanan,  Adonai,  El  Shadi,  YHVH  and 
Adonai YHVH.   
 
The 4th Verse of the 27th Psalm of David 
tells us, “One thing have I desired of the 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

㄰

Winter Bulletin 2008 – Question Answered 
 
The cover of the Winter Bulletin 2008 asked readers to identify the portraits on the cover.  GIG 
William C. E. Sayles (WE) correctly identified the portraits of SGC Edgar Bridges, Sr., SGC Jno G. 
Lewis, Jr., SGC Isadore H. Clayborn and SGC Samson J. Bennett.   GIG Sayles also provided the 
dates each of our distinguished leaders served our United Supreme Council as Sovereign Grand 
Commander.  Congratulations GIG Sayles. 
 
 
31

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈸㨰㜠偍

㤵
㜵

㈵



The Winter Bulletin

Commentariolum
(Latin for Commentary)
Even in his last days, he continued his
efforts on the national level. He was quick
to voice his support and campaign for then
Senator Obama. Now we are confronted
with a disturbing trend. I believe President
Carter was and is absolutely correct in his
assessment concerning racism and bias
toward President Obama. This gentleman
knows the people of America. What is most
disturbing is that there are millions of
Americans, as well as members of Congress,
who would rather see President Obama’s
economic programs fail than for America to
successfully emerge from our recession.
The opposition simply does not want him to
succeed. The question is why? To me the
answer is evident—racial prejudice. Never
in our history have we seen such open
disdain for a sitting President. Have you
listened to the young lady on “The View?”
She is in essence a “poster child” for the
“poisonous” opposition. No matter how
much it is denied, there is much resentment
that a “black” family is in the “White
House.” It is amazing that nations abroad
have embraced President Obama and are
willing to work with him on world affairs,
while at home every decision he makes and
every action he takes is unjustly criticized.

Millions of us sat home and watched the
eulogy for Senator Ted Kennedy on
television. We watched and admired the
poise and grace of his wife Victoria as she
held her composure at probably the most
difficult time in her life. We watched his
children as they witnessed the distinguished
citizens and elected officials laud the
accomplishments of Senator Kennedy. Then
we watched as he was flown to our nation’s
capitol for his congressional staff and others
to say farewell. Much was said and printed
about his many years in public service as a
congressman and senator. For me, it was
much more personal. Like many of you, I
am old enough to remember the civil rights
era and could not help but focus on Senator
Kennedy’s life as a civil rights advocate
rather than his legendary feats in Congress.
His demise brought to mind that this was
one of the most courageous men of my time.
He lost his fight with cancer, but cancer did
not conquer his spirit or his soul. During it
all, I could not help but reflect on the
Kennedy family’s role in helping to fight for
equal rights for all people. Even after the
deaths of his brothers, Ted continued to
sponsor
legislation
and
speak-out
contesting racism and bias whenever and
wherever he saw it and heard it. He was
forever steadfast in his belief that every
American was constitutionally entitled to
equal rights and equal justice. No other
family in America has given as much as the
Kennedy clan to change the face of
America. As I watched the honor guard
bringing his casket from the cathedral to the
hearse, it was pouring rain and I thought,
how fitting that a driving rain, like many
obstacles placed in his path over the years
could not stop him. More importantly, I
thought here is a man who can never be
replaced. I hope I am wrong and that God
will give us another champion of his caliber.

The world is seeing the ugly side of America
and nations are shaking their heads at the
devisiveness which is evident in our society.
January 2010 will mark his first year in
office and already many are “branding” him
a failure. Need I remind you he did not
create the national debt. He did not start the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but he has
accepted these challenges. Yet, plotting is
already underway to “oust” him during the
next elections. How will it end? I do not
know, but I am just as afraid now as I was in
the sixties. (SGIG Marvin D. Chambers, Grand
Secretary General, The Holy Empire)

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



32

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈸㨰㜠偍

The Winter Bulletin

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



33

㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈸㨱〠偍

The Winter Bulletin

UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL
ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE FREEMASONRY
SOUTHERN JURISDICTION, PRINCE HALL AFFILIATION

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS - UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Prince Hall Affiliation

The Bulletin
Issued from the Cathedral
1924 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WASHINGTON, DC
Permit No. 23

㄰
㤵
㜵

㈵



㈰〹⁗楮瑥爠䉵汬整楮
卡瑵牤慹Ⱐ䙥扲畡特‱㌬′〱〠ㄺ㈸㨱㐠偍