Masons1982
This piece is
transcribed from pages 72 and 73 of The Coal Miner Who Came West by
Ernest Moore In Collaboration with Gloria Phelps, Copyright 1982 by Ernest R.
Moore. The article is unsigned, and very likely written by the author who was
a Prince Hall Mason as was his grandfather, John Hale (1846-1921), who is the
subject of the book. (Transcribed by D. DeCoster, August 31, 2010 from a copy
borrowed from The Seattle Public Library. Spelling is in the original.)
“THIS IS TRUE"
It happened in the
City of Destiny, Tacoma, Washington, on Saturday afternoon October 2, 1982, at
1:30 p.m., on the sight of the $44 million Sports-Convention Center, known as
the TACOMA MINI-DOME. Right before the eyes of those in attendance, under a
partly clouded sky, through which the sun sprinkled its rays of sunlight,
enabling those of us who did not wear our long-john’s to withstand the
antagonizing winds that swept from Mt. Rainier. For over two hours, we stood
eight abreast, with a depth of some two blocks, clothed with dark suits, white
shirts, shod with shoes of black and proudly wrapped with lamb’s skin aprons.
Not one of us dared break rank, for this was truly not only an auspicious, but
an historical occasion. An occasion where upon, the most worshipful Grand
Master, George Brodewick of the Grand Lodge, Free and accepted Masons of
Washington (White Masons) had invited their Black brothers, the most
Worshipful Grand Master, Johnny Allen, of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of Washington and jurisdiction to participate with laying the
Dome’s cornerstone.
Never before in the
history of Prince Hall Masonry in America has there been such recognition and
fraternization accorded us. Having received orders from our Grand Marshal,
Berry Carter, to proceed toward the speakers platform, and as we approached we
were greeted along the way with spontaneous applause that caused many of our
elder Brothers to “straighten up and fly right.” You should have been there
to have seen our Brothers “strut their stuff”. They really put on the dog,
and rightly so, for to them this was the dawning of a new day in Masonry. A
day where in all men of our order shall here after not by their race, or
color, but by their deeds, predicated upon truth and justice, for all men are
but God’s divinity, wrapped in human flesh, and we are our brothers keepers.
Having arrived just in front of the speakers platform, we could clearly
observe the platform’s dignitaries. The Mayor of Tacoma, Doug Southerland,
Master of Ceremonies, who had requested the Grand Loge, Free and Accepted
Masons of Washington, to lay the cornerstone. Sharing the platform with him
were the most Worshipful Grand Master George Bordewick and his officialdom.
The most Worshipful Grant Master Johnny Allen, of the Most Worshipful Prince
Hall Grand Loge of Washington and Jurisdiction, with his guest, The Most
Worshipful Grand Master Thomas Brown of the Oregon Jurisdiction, and the
Honorable Russell S. Gideon, Sovern Grand Commander of the United Supreme
Council of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites of freemasonry P.H.A. Northern
Jurisdiction U.S.A. Inc. In introducing his guest Grand Master Johnny Allen
was most eloquent, affective, and at his best. Grand Master Bordewick said,
“this was the largest public gathering of Masons in Washington since the
dedication of the Seattle Masonic Temple in 1916, “ and that constitutional
problems have long prevented Black and White Masons from joining in a single
order. “Someday, maybe we can solve these problems.” Grand Master Allen
said, to his knowledge, the Tacoma ceremony was the first time Black and White
Masons have gathered together for a joint ceremony anywhere in America. When
presented the working tools of a Master Mason, the plumb, the level, and the
square, Grand Master Bordewick layed the cornerstone with its cavity bearing
the various memorials of our time, current newspapers, names of city council
and other civic bodies including documents of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction. The crowning words of the day
were those spoken by the Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted
Masons of Washington (White). Brother Warren Murphy said, “Our membership can
boast of great statesmen, societies, explorers, and men distinguished in every
walk of life. However, it is not limited to the great or wealthy, but rather
to all men, because every man of good reputation and character is eligible to
petition for membership. In fact Masonry regards no man on account of this
worldly wealth or honor, but because of his personal integrity as a matured
man.” Mayor Southerland of Tacoma, and Grand Master Brodewick, stretched
their necks to the end of their cable towes. The Prince Hall Masons with the
aid and assistance of the Grand Architect of the Universe will vouch safely
their voyage through this stormy sea of life. The historical event was
brought to close by prayer from Bishop Tolbert, of the Methodist Episcopal
Churches Dist. No. 1.”