WELCOME

    I welcome you to this (181st) (one hundred eighty-first Annual Communication of our Grand Lodge in Mississippi. To our Past Grand Masters - Masonic warriors and Masonic heroes; to our Grand Officers - true and faithful; to our representatives of subordinate lodges - our great Masonic hope; to the out-of-state and in-state distinguished guests; and to all of you Grand Masons and guests, I say: 
"You're as welcome as the sunshine that drives the clouds away
You're as welcome as the restful night that ends the restless day.
You're as welcome as the dew drops that kiss the flow'rs to life,
You're as welcome as the kindly words that end the bitter strife,
You're as welcome as the wife's deep sleep when lodge don't close till late
(The good old, nice old, friendly clock that stops at half past eight)
Then just call up all the welcomes that memory's tho'ts will lend
And they're but half the welcomes that we here to you extend."
This poem, taken from PGM Tom Q. Ellis's address in 1926, states the way I feel about our gathering here.

    I especially welcome those who are here attending for the first time. I hope that you will be a regular attendee from now on to help take care of Grand Lodge business just as you do in stated communications of your home lodges.

    I truly hope and pray as we consider the matters at hand that we will remember that he who is best is he who can best work and agree and then may it truly be said "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity . . ." Brethren, I hope that each one of you will strive to make this Grand Lodge communication a positive, productive, and harmonious meeting.

    You have honored me far beyond my merits by bestowing upon me the highest office in our fraternity, that of Grand Master. Now; I come today to render accountability to you of my stewardship.

    You may never again want to elect a Grand Master who still relies on his necessary vocation and who works full time (only twelve hours a day). My job has changed dramatically during the three years that I have been in the Grand Line as I have been involved in helping the company by which I have been employed for the last thirty-four years reorganize and restructure. As a part of this reorganization, I became executive vice-president of international operations, and I now travel out of the United States on business.

NECROLOGY

    We are again reminded of the uncertainty of human life, the immutable certainty of death and the vanity of all human pursuits as the funeral bell tolls in our ears and the mournful procession goes about our streets.

    On March 12, 1998, my dear close friend and confidant, Past Grand Master Edward Wakefield Quillen, Sr., passed from this imperfect world to that all perfect celestial lodge above. I miss Edd and our relationship a great deal. A Grand Lodge funeral was held in Bruce, Mississippi, on March 14, 1998, with a great number of mourning Masons present. I had the honor of presenting Brother, Quillen's 50-year pin and his certificate posthumously to his family. The Grand Lodge officers filled their respective places with honor and dignity. We cherish his memory here.

    I thank God for His most gracious mercies in sparing our Grand Officers from casualty and disease.

    We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the families of the Brethren in our subordinate lodges in the loss of loved ones and to the Masonic brotherhood in the loss to our fraternal family. The necrology committee will deliver a suitable and deserving memorial later in this Grand Lodge Communication.

FRATERNAL DEAD OF OTHER GRAND JURISDICTIONS

    The Grand Lodge of Mississippi extends our deepest sympathies to those jurisdictions that have lost distinguished members during the past year.

GRAND MASTERS' CONFERENCE OF NORTH AMERICA

    It was a great honor for me to represent the Masons of Mississippi at the Grand Masters' Conference held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 21 through February 24, 1998. I appreciate the two immediate past Grand Masters - Homer Sullivan and Rodney Ryals - along with the Grand Secretary Fred Bean and the Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden A. H. Rutledge and his Grand Lady Erni for accompanying me. Fred has for many years represented us at the Grand Secretaries' Conference, which is conducted at the same time, but he is also able to attend many of the Grand Masters' sessions.

    I had to fly because of my tight schedule; Red and Erni traveled by train; and Homer, Rodney, and Fred motored to Philadelphia. I truly missed riding with them as we always practice the degree work and discuss the ritual to while away the hours.

    We had the opportunity to visit many of the truly historic places and to attend Christ Church as did Benjamin Franklin. The celebration of a service has not been missed there in over 300 years.

    On February 24, my birthday, I had the privilege of addressing the conference, reporting on the excellent Southeastern Conference that Mississippi hosted in 1997, and commenting on the topics that were presented. I found the conference to be enlightening and beneficial.

SCOTTISH RITE MASONRY

    I am very proud to be a Scottish Rite Mason, having membership in the Delta Scottish Rite Bodies at the Valley of Clarksdale. The Sovereign Grand Inspector General Julian W. Fagan orchestrated an all-the-way-in-one-day Scottish Rite Shrine Festival, along with Hamasa Potentate John Edd Parker, at the Starkville Shrine Club building on May 30, 1998. This occasion was a tremendous success as 198 candidates received Scottish Rite degrees, and 144 received the distinction of joining the Fraternal Order of the Shrine. Several months before elected Grand Master, Illustrious J. W. Fagan called me about this event and said that it would be held in honor of the District Deputy Grand Lecturers. I certainly was agreeable without one-second delay as I love our D.D.G.L.'s and we should find ways to honor them and show our appreciation more often. I had the great honor of making the closing remarks for this great meeting and I recommend that those of you who are not Scottish Rite Masons seriously consider petitioning for membership.

YORK RITE MASONRY

    Joanne and I were the guests for the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar Annual Conclave held on March 27th and 28th in Meridian. We thank Past Grand Commander Billy McNair for the hospitality extended to us. I was also privileged to address this conclave.

    We again enjoyed York Rite Masonry on May 8th and 9th when we were special guests of the Grand Chapter convocation and the Grand Council Assembly in Meridian. We thank Most Excellent Grand High Priest Frank Hankinson III and Illustrious Grand Master Billy Frank Smith for a most enjoyable banquet and a productive session. We congratulate Glen Dale Brady, Right Eminent Grand Commander, Billy J. Morrow, Illustrious Grand Master; and James A. Davis, Most Excellent Grand High Priest on being elected to lead the York Rite Bodies for 1998 and 1999.

    One of the highlights of my year was receiving the investiture into the St. Jude Red Cross of Constantine.

    We can all be proud of our own PGM Jim Ward, who, as you well know, is the Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the United States. You would not believe the travel schedule and the pace that Jim maintains as he continues promoting Freemasonry and representing Mississippi all over the United States and other countries.

    Joanne and I thank Jim and Jan who have served many years as official hosts for the Grand Lodge Communication, for all they do for us and for all other Mississippi Masons.

    If you are not a York Rite Mason, I would also encourage you to take note of the scheduled festivals and receive these beautiful and meaningful degrees. As to the health of the York Rite in Amory, I am very proud of a few men in our York Rite in my local Lodge who have worked hard to reorganize and put degree teams together and as a result have brought in several new members and have advanced current members.

ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR

    As I have mentioned on many occasions this year, I cannot say enough regarding the support of the OES and their promotion of Masonry, especially in my home chapter and in those districts near us, with which I am most familiar. I have enjoyed being at several district meetings including one in Amory where a district school of instruction was held. I was introduced and asked to speak at each of these meetings. Along with their unfailing support of Masonry, in the planning of meetings and the shared care of the Lodges, the Eastern Star members have always supported the Masonic Home for Children.

    Congratulations to Worthy Grand Matron Eleanor Keyseear and Worthy Grand Patron Tom Wallace for their leadership and I appreciate their requesting me to address the Grand Chapter on April 21, 1998, where I was well received and honored. I appreciate Fred Bean and Linda Knight, with whom I served as Worthy Patron in 1983, accompanying me. My home chapter is proud to have Helen Wright as District Deputy Grand Matron.

    Joanne and I enjoyed the annual Little Red Schoolhouse picnic in Lexington in spite of the inclement weather.

    It has been a pleasure to be in the company of the incoming WGM and WGP Paulette Fioretti and Jim Sumrall on many of the aforementioned occasions. They too are doing a great job to promote unity and harmony, with Paulette's theme of Music and Poetry. Brethren, you are once more encouraged to exercise your rights and benefits as a Master Mason to request membership into the Order of the Eastern Star.

AAONMS

    The Shrine, truly the greatest philanthropy in the universe, is an institution in which I along with many of you, am proud to claim membership.

    We have three fine Shrine temples, and each of the three honored Joanne and me with an invitation to attend the Potentate Ball.

    I thank my home temple - Hamasa - and 1998 Potentate John Edd Parker for the beautiful Grand Master fez, which they presented to me.

    I appreciate Illustrious Potentate John Edd Parker, who is the only Potentate in Hamasa history to be elected twice, having served previously in 1983. John Edd and the Divan have sincerely promoted Blue Lodge Masonry on every occasion, and I was delighted to witness the Divan confer an Entered Apprentice Degree at Tupelo this year.

    Joanne and I will be forever grateful to Hamasa Temple for inviting us to be their guests at the Imperial Shrine Convention held at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It was a great pleasure to be in the company of the Divan and their wives and our wonderful Recorder James Skelton for several days. I know what it means to have the red carpet rolled out.

    I attended all of the sessions and found them to be very informative. Joanne and I were certainly touched by the hospital program, especially the presentation of the family that had received treatments which had elevated the quality of their lives.

SOUTHEASTERN MASONIC CONFERENCE

    August 6-8, 1998, JGW Joe Edd Wiggs, SGW Alva Rutledge and Erni, Grand Secretary Fred Bean and Norma, and I attended the Thirty-eighth Annual Southeastern Masonic Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, held at the Gault House Hotel. This was my third conference to attend, and I found each of them to be very educational, especially this one which focused on problems and goals, intrinsic to the geographical and cultural environment which we share.

    I was again honored to represent the membership by presenting a paper on the topic of "The Religious Connection of Freemasonry." We enjoyed the company of those attending, and I especially thank Grand Master Ronnie Bell of Kentucky and his committee for all the events and hospitality. I was especially thrilled at the banquet on Friday night when I was commissioned a Kentucky Governor's Colonel.

MASONIC HOME GOLF TOURNAMENT

    Alex and Ann Weddington, who would not want any recognition, deserve highest accolades for their many untold deeds of support for the Masonic Home children. They not only provide financial support but also give their time, an example of which we noted at the Annual G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery Golf Tournament. We again thank them and those that assist them with this special fundraiser each year.

YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS

    Eleanor Keyseear, Supreme Deputy for the Order of the Rainbow, and Chuck McMaster, the State Executive Officer for Demolay, are to be commended for their untiring and endless efforts in the leadership of these youth organizations. Our youth are truly the hope of the future. Brethren, these organizations need your time and financial support.

    It was a great pleasure for me to attend Rainbow Assembly on June 27, 1998, and to have the honor of addressing these bright, beautiful young ladies. They certainly do know how to make a person feel welcome. I was unable to attend the Demolay Conclave held in Meridian, but SGW Alva Rutledge and Erni represented the Grand Lodge. I heard many favorable comments from them about the event. Erni remarked that she wishes that her sons had had the opportunity to belong to a Demolay chapter when they were growing up.

    I am very honored at being nominated to receive the Honorary Legion of Honor in Demolay, which will be presented in 1999.

    Congratulations to the new chapter of Demolay in Perkinston. On my official visit, I was truly impressed with the Demolay presentation. May God bless these organizations.

GRAND LECTURER AND DEPUTY GRAND LECTURERS

    I love the ritualistic work and I am so thankful for our Grand Lecturer Danny Alexander, the expert Deputy staff, and Custodians of the Work that through the district and Deputy system keep our ritual pure and unimpaired. I have enjoyed attending the schools for many years and certainly consider the Deputies to be my friends and Masonic warriors and heroes. I look forward to attending as many schools as possible for many years to come.

    I thank the Deputies and, of course, the Grand Lecturer, who is chairman of the scholarship committee, for the remarkable participation in the scholarship program. I am confident it was because of your diligent promotion of this program that it achieved the success that it did.

    I again appreciate the Deputies' help in organizing and scheduling meetings in consideration of my personal schedule, and I thank you for attending many of the meetings and degrees. For example, in August we conferred the Master Mason Degree in Birmingham, Alabama, the pit degree in Ellisville, and the Master Mason Degree during the celebration of the Masonic weekend in Aberdeen. I will never be able to tell you how much you mean to me and how important your support has been.

DISPENSATIONS

    Several dispensations were requested and it was my great pleasure to be able to grant all but one request. These are all on file and may be opened for inspection upon request.

JURISPRUDENCE

    The Jurisprudence Committee comprised of PGM A. J. Tullos, chairman, PGM Tracy Lusk; and D.D.G.L. Jimmie Nichols are to be commended for the outstanding job they have done in the lofty task of interpreting the constitution, laws, rules, and regulations contained in the Williams' Digest of Laws. Their job is to interpret and assist, and it is our job in our respective lodges to see that the laws are enforced.

    A special thanks to A. J. Tullos for a special edition pamphlet for easier understanding of lodge trial proceedings and for the new 19th edition of Williams' Digest of Laws and for his patience for the many hours he spent with this Grand Master on the phone.

    I have issued an edict this year prohibiting Wahabi Shrine Temple from sponsoring the first Shriner's slot Machine Tournament to be held at Fitzgerald's Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. This is in violation of the Rules Related to Masonic Discipline, RULE 1, Titled: AUTHORITY OF LODGES, SUB-SECTION MASONIC OFFENSES found on page 125 of Williams Digest of Laws.

CORNERSTONES, DEDICATIONS, AND CELEBRATIONS

    Just five days after Grand Lodge on February 16, I was privileged to attend a 150th anniversary celebration at Abert Lodge #89 in Starkville. There were a good number in attendance, who enjoyed an interesting program and delicious cuisine. On April 4th, it was my great pleasure to be at Willis Lodge #92 at White Oaks for its 150th year celebration with a standing room only crowd and with an outstanding Mississippi catfish supper and enjoyment entertainment.

    The Grand Lodge convened on May 9, 1998, at Pascagoula Lodge #419 with an outstanding delegation to open an Entered Apprentice Lodge and marched in procession (only PGM Homer Sullivan can tell you how far) to the re-laying of the cornerstone on the Harrison County Courts Building. We thank W. M. and Judge Pat H. Watts, Jr., and PGM Eli Smith and a host of others for the professional arrangements and hard work in preparing for this cornerstone. A meal was enjoyed by all after the ceremony, and Homer walked back to the Lodge in procession by himself. I thank them for the beautiful commemorative trowel, which they presented to me. The Grand Lodge officers did an outstanding job in performing their duties as they did in all the other public ceremonies for the remainder of the year. They all knew their parts proficiently and did not have to refer to their scripts.

    On July 25, 1998, SGW Alva Rutledge, Erni Rutledge, JGW Joe Edd Wiggs, Joanne, and I were very honored to be guests at the Masonic Home Annual Reunion. We enjoyed being with these special people, most especially my good friend Roland Rutledge from Amory. We appreciate Bill Rutledge for all he does to produce a newsletter and to keep everyone in touch.

    On August 22, 1998, Prairie Lodge #87 at Okolona held an honor day for the Grand Master in conjunction with the celebration of their 150th anniversary. A tremendous crowd enjoyed guest speaker Pete Collins, a particular favorite with Masonic families; two special music groups and other speakers, and a delicious barbecue dinner.

    On August 29 in Oxford, PGM Tracy and Jane Lusk celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by being honored by their children with a reception well attended by Masonic families and friends.

    The Grand Lodge was opened again on September 5, 1998, at Southern State #500 for the purpose of laying the cornerstone on their masterfully designed and furnished Lodge hall, attended by a Masonic Hall of Fame. Then a Master Mason's Lodge was opened for the purpose of dedicating the new hall. I can assure you that it took no coaxing to get the crowd to come in from the sweltering heat, especially with the appetizing reception, which was enjoyed by all. I shall treasure always the beautiful trowel which I received in commemoration of this great day. A special thanks to George McGowan, Luther Conn, and the Building committee for all the hard work.

    Then Grand Lodge again convened on October 3, 1998, to perform the cornerstone ceremony at Circle Lodge #638 at Madison. The Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden is worshipful Master of this state-of-the-art lodge. As you well know, the SGW, who is an engineer, would not have less than the best. There was a very impressive flag ceremony employing flags which have been moved from state to state and have been flown at special events. SGW Alva Rutledge will see these flags fly again at the Grand Master's Conference, which he will attend in Hawaii in February 1999.

    I regret very deeply that I was prohibited at the last minute from attending Pearl River Lodge #105 in Carthage. Although I did not have this on my schedule, but I had thought I could attend. I thank PGM Homer Sullivan for filling in for me without any advance notice. On October 15, 1998, Mrs. Mary Russell, a renowned artist, presented a hand painted portrait of George Washington to the Lodge.

    One hundred and fifty years of masonry was gloriously and magnificently celebrated on October 26 at Philadelphia #93 with masons, families, and friends, as over 150 attended. A sumptuous meal was enjoyed by all.

    On January 29, 1999, I had the great privilege of attending the 50th anniversary at W. E. King #615 at Heidelburg. I appreciate the invitation and the great effort to host these historical moments. Carpe them - seize the day.

    The Grand Lodge again had the great privilege of opening an Entered Apprentice Lodge for the purpose of laying the cornerstone for McComb City # 382 at their new Lodge on the morning of January 30, 1999. The ceremony, conducted with dignity and honor, allowed us to make an impression on the public while performing this ancient, sacred ceremony. We thank PM C. V. Glennis and the building committee for the hard work and dedication and the refreshments at the home of J.B. Robinson.

    On the same day, I again had the great honor to travel on to Carriere #445 to celebrate with them their 100th anniversary. It is a distinct pleasure to be present and to participate in the commemoration of such a special event.

    There are many other special celebrations that we were honored to attend, such as the annual Master Mason pit degree in Ellisville, the annual Aberdeen Masonic Weekend in Aberdeen, the annual family night in Winona, the annual fishfry at Paden and other annual celebrations that are not mentioned in this address but are nonetheless very special.

NOMINATIONS MADE AND COMMISSIONS ISSUED

    It was a signal honor to issue nominations to other Grand Jurisdictions and to accept commissions issued to our Grand Representatives. We must all take these duties seriously and perform the same with honor to the fraternity.

VISITATIONS

    Some of the most precious memories I will have with me forever are the many visits that other Grand Lodge officers and I made and to the open meetings and celebrations that my wife Joanne was able to attend. The best part of being Grand Master is meeting and being with you Grand Masons and your families. Thank you all for each and every invitation and I apologize for those few that could not be worked out because of schedule conflicts.

    On August 1, 1998, a team from Mississippi traveled to the Scottish Rite Temple in Birmingham, Alabama, to perform a Master Mason degree. The day was filled with fellowship and good Masonry. My personal highlight was being made an Alabama Governor's Colonel. I will cherish this memory always.

    Joanne and I thank those Lodges that presented us with gifts, many of which you will see displayed at the reception on Tuesday night. Being invited to visit and to get to know the Masonic families at the various lodges was a gift within itself.

    I was also honored to attend many tiled meetings in which I was extended the gavel in the East and was given the pleasure of conferring forty-five degrees during the year. If my schedule had permitted, I would have gone to a degree every night of the week with the exception of Wednesday and Sunday.

    I was extended invitations for visits to many out-of-state Grand Lodges, including some abroad, but because of my schedule I regretfully had to decline. I felt that I needed to dedicate my limited time to my state commitments. I do have a meeting in the planning process with Grand Master Julio Escoto Santana of the Grand Lodge of the Dominican Republic to present him a relief check from Mississippi for aid from destruction caused by hurricane Georges.

    I thank God for traveling mercies and for my traveling companions - Joanne; Sherman Burton, Grand Pursuivant; and Dwain Dunn.

    I am convinced that a Grand Master can render no greater service than that of visiting the Brethren in their lodges.

LENGTH OF SERVICE CERTIFICATES AND PINS

    The first prayer we ever hear upon being initiated affirms that we dedicate and devote our lives to God's service and that we will become true and faithful Brethren. This prayer was certainly answered as there were 336 fifty- year and one seventy-year certificates and pins issued this year, and it has been my pleasure to present many of these.

MASONIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION

    For many years now Brothers James Arnett and Jasper Pinson have represented the Masonic Service Association in our Veterans' Hospitals in Mississippi and are truly dedicated Masons. We should take every opportunity to express our appreciation to them.

    I urge you to pay attention to the Masonic Service Association and the many functions it offers to us. I certainly have found the services highly educational, especially the Short Talk bulletins. These Brethren do a tremendous job in handling press matters on issues affecting our fraternity.

GRAND LODGE OFFICE

    Fred Bean, Grand Secretary, along with Office Manager Jean Sanders, Joyce Clark, and Martha Williams, serves this Grand Lodge with an outstanding and most excellent level of professionalism that would be the envy of any business or corporation. I thank God for their many years of loyal and dedicated service to Masonry. I especially appreciate their patience and kindness with this procrastinating Grand Master.

MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN

    Brethren, at the 180th Grand Lodge Communication, the Board sought your authorization to move our two Masonic children, Joe Clark and Michael Hornbeck, to Palmer Home in Columbus, Mississippi, after the completion of the 1998 school year. As of June 5, 1998, they have been residing at Palmer Home; and we are supporting them as we always have and always will. They seem to be adjusting well according to reports from Dr. Rob Crankshaw, Director of Counseling. Anthony Watkins is a full-time student at Meridian Community College, and Christine Shores is in the Queen City Nursing Home in Meridian.

    I have certainly been fortunate to have served with the most dedicated, professional, committed men one could ever ask for on the Board of Managers of the Masonic Home. The Board carefully considers and weighs the matters that come before them in continuing to manage the properties. This Board, like other boards, may seem slow, but we consider it to be a very deliberate and thorough process when we are considering various options. After having spent many hours in research and consideration of the monumental decision at hand, the Board requests your support in what they consider to be the correct direction to follow. I strongly urge you to support the Board with a vote of confidence in their management of the affairs to which they are entrusted. It is very difficult for the Board to consider an arrangement of any sort without having the authority to act on a proposal for a year until its next communication. Brethren, you had the confidence to elect the Board and to elect the one that makes the appointments. Now, it is time to support them in the trust that you have reposed in them.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

    Brethren, there is so much I wanted to do and so little that I did do. When I accepted this great honor, I quoted Harry Truman in saying that this job is too big for me, for that matter it is too big for any one person. I said that I needed help, help, help. I accepted with the confidence that you reposed and your pledge to help and support me. There is abundant evidence that you did your part, and I think that somehow, somewhere, we made a difference. I am concerned about loss of membership, needless to say, and the number of Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts not advancing and the number of Lodges not having a quorum to have stated meetings. We must not be fainthearted and we must never give up and we must keep on keeping on.

    There are so very few negatives, and those that exist are overshadowed by the positives. I am extremely proud of the leadership of the District Deputy Grand Lecturers and the quality of our ritualistic work. The great spirit of unity and the attention to duty are at a very high level. The many activities in our communities and our lodges are at an elevated level. The presence of our lodges in our communities will become more and more evident by support of the Grand Lodge Endowment Fund as we reduce our per capita to zero and keep our money for needs in home lodges and in community projects.

    Behold how swiftly the sands run through the hour glass. I am saddened that my time in office, not unlike the sands of the hour glass, is rapidly expiring; and I, like so many before me, realize that I have not accomplished all that I had planned.

    That sadness is only momentary because as I look yonder in the Grand West I see a man's man and a Mason's Mason whom I can assure you will live up to your expectations in leading us into a new millennium. Then yonder in the Grand South is another Mason's Mason who is well qualified to bear on his shoulders the mantle of authority in the year 2000. These are two successful entrepreneurs, proven businessmen and leaders in their chosen professions. I have no doubt that they will faithfully execute the duty to their elected offices.

    George Washington's last two words uttered were "Tis well" and so it is with the state of the craft.

RECOMMENDATIONS

    I recommend very strongly the support of the Grand Lodge Endowment Fund.

    I recommend a renewed interest in our commitment to our youth organizations.

    I recommend that at each annual Grand Lodge Communication that the exemplification of the three degrees be dedicated to the memories of Past Grand Master Dr. J. Rice Williams, Grand Lecturer for thirty-nine years and Past Grand Master Watt Carter, Grand Lecturer for forty years, for a total of seventy-nine years in this century and that the Grand Lecturer or his designee present a brief memorial of these two men so that generations upon generations will know of their contributions to Masonry.

    I recommend that the Ad Hoc Masonic Internet Committee be continued by the incoming Grand Master and that the members of the committee develop a web page for the Grand Lodge with Chairman Ron Savell as web master, and Dennis Bullard and Paul Howard as committeemen and assistant web masters.

IN APPRECIATION

    First of all, I give thanks to God Almighty for strength of mind and body in attempting to perform my duties and for traveling mercies in my many travels around the state.

    Common gratitude decrees that I should record the courtesies and cooperation of the company which employs me. To Jimmy Glenn and Malcolm Glenn, both Master Masons, and the entire Glenn family, I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to discharge my duties as Grand Master. Their attitude about my serving as Grand Master has been very positive. I owe so much to Mr. Coy Glenn, the founder of our company, who taught me how to serve best and who taught me that being the best is a lifetime job. Mr. Glenn was a staunch Mason who did not have the opportunity to go to college but considered Masonry his higher education. In the workplace he taught me many principles of Masonry, which I did not recognize at the time. Thank you, Glenn Enterprises.

    To my father and mother, Cecil and Herma Forbus, who I know feel as if I have neglected them this year, I appreciate their rearing me in a Christian home.

    To my mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ann and Joseph Haughton, who took me in as if I were their own, I appreciate the support they have given me in this and other endeavors I have pursued. To PGM Homer Sullivan and PGM Rodney Ryals, thanks for being such strong beacons in leading Joanne and me along the way. To DGM James Homan, who was always ready to fulfill the duty of Grand Master, and the JGW Joe Edd Wiggs, who was always encouraging me, I appreciate your support. To SGW Alva Rutledge thanks for your hour upon hour of dedication to Masonry and your assistance in many ways, especially acting as a sounding board for my thoughts. I am forever grateful.

    To all the appointed and elected Grand Lodge Officers and Committeemen, I am proud of you and your commitment to your duties, and I appreciate your attendance and support on all occasions.

    To my home lodge, J. A. Mayfield #165, Chapter #41 OES, and Amory York Rite Bodies, I am deeply touched by your support, the remodeling of our Lodge, and the Grand Master's reception you held in March. You have added so much to the success of this Masonic year. I don't know how to say thanks for all that Dot, Dwain, and Susan Dunn, Billy and Helen Wright, Linda Knight, and Sherman Burton, Grand Pursuivant have done for Masonry and this Grand Master. I thank PGM Charles Black and Evelyn for a cherished friendship, patronage, and encouragement that they have given Joanne and me. PGM Ed Quillen and PGM Charles Black honored me with my 1st appointments in Grand Lodge.

    I appreciate Ron Savell and the ad hoc committee, which has been exploring the idea of posting up a Mississippi Grand Lodge website. Over half the Grand Lodges in the United States are located on the Internet.

    To Fred Bean, Grand Secretary, there are too many things to list, so I just say thanks for everything.

    I appreciate Joanne's ladies' committee who have worked so hard in making this Grand Lodge so successful.

    I could not have been Grand Master without any of you but especially my lovely, intelligent wife Joanne. I feel that with her computer expertise we have moved into the age of technology by maintaining a website with my schedule and a gallery of pictures from my visits. She has also helped me by traveling with me, encouraging me, and lifting me up when I was down. I love you, Joanne.

    As I have said so many times this year and I hope I have so stated on every occasion, I appreciate all of the support from the Past Grand Masters, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine, Rainbow, Demolay, Order of the Eastern Star (especially my home chapter), and all of you Grand Masons in your support and faith in me. I will never be the same as I am deeply touched by the honors that you have bestowed on me.

    During this year I spoke frequently about a man's duty. A favorite quote of mine was uttered by Robert E. Lee: "Duty then is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less." I hope that when history evaluates my term in office, I will be found to be a man who did his duty, cheerfully and willingly, and to be a man who did not sacrifice his integrity.

    May God bless our great fraternity and this Grand Lodge session and may the Lord bless and keep you - today and forever.

Fraternally submitted
James A. Forbus Grand Master