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“A ccording to The MacArthur Study Bible, one of the Pharisees—a lawyer—

asked Jesus a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” (Matthew 22:34-36) Jesus responded, “You shall love your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 33: 37-38) Although the Pharisee did not ask a question about the second great commandment, Jesus continued, “And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22: 39-40)

Obviously, Jesus felt that the second commandment needed to be revealed immediately because of its importance. In addition to loving God, we must also love our neighbors—everybody. Thus, my brothers and my sisters in Christ, I

greet you with unconditional love in my heart. I have to love you unconditionally because at my appointed time, I want to be welcomed into the kingdom of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

One of our United States presidents, John F. Kennedy, said, “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or look only to the present are certain to miss the future.” Missing the future is something that I do not want to happen to the Alabama Prince Hall Masonic Family. By changing nothing, nothing changes; there will be no future, and death would be inevitable for our organization.

However, I do have one restriction. I want to see only positive change; there is no place for negative change in the Jurisdiction of Alabama. Nothing can stop people who have the right mental attitude from achieving their goal, but nothing on earth can help people who have the wrong mental attitude to achieve their goal. Our Masonic Family must have leaders and members who have the right mental attitude to effect positive change in our Jurisdiction. Humility is the key to our success. Jesus Christ was humble, and he set that example for us to follow. He was not arrogant or pretentious!

I am reminded of something that I heard Jesse Jackson say some years ago. He said, “Never look down on your brother or on your sister unless you are helping them up!” That is a powerful statement. For example, some of us might have been blessed to achieve higher education degrees, but that

does not make us any better than the person who might not have had the opportunity to finish high school because he had to work and help his parents to feed their family. Having common sense is more meaningful and is certainly equally as important. Having two doctoral degrees does not make me any more important than the brother who has no degrees. Every person in this Jurisdiction is equally important to me!

I conclude my remarks with one statement to which I want you to give some very serious thought and consideration: The true measure of a brother is how he treats another person who can do him absolutely no good! Seriously, think about this statement.

I love each of you unconditionally. When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.

I will always pray for the Grand Architect to bless each of you, to bless the total Prince Hall Masonic Family, and to bless all people in the universe.

Fraternally,

William O. Jones Hon. William O. Jones, DVM, Ph.D. Most Worshipful Grand Master

MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE, F RE E AND A C C E PT E D MASONS OF ALABAMA

TT H EH E CC O R N E R S T O N EO R N E R S T O N E MM E S S A G EE S S A G E Volume VI Issue I An Official Publication of the M.W.P.H.G.L. of Alabama Summer 2013

TTTH EH EH E GGG R ANDR ANDR AND MMMAS T E RAS T E RAS T E R ’’’ SSS TTT RE S TLERE S TLERE S TLE BBB OA R DOA R DOA R D

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M . W. P. H . G . L . F. & A . M . O F A L . W E L C O M E S T H E N F L T O I T S R A N K S

O n May 17, 2013, Marcell

Dareus, the 2011 third round

National Football League

draft selectee of the New York, Buffalo

Bills, became a member of the

Jurisdiction of Alabama Prince Hall

Masons. Marcell’s position as a

professional player with the NFL Buffalo

Bills is Defensive Tackle. A former

defensive end of the University of

Alabama Crimson Tide, Marcell was the

Most Valuable Player of the 2010

National Championship game. A courteous young man, Dareus

will be extending his cable tow

assisting the Prince Hall Legacy

Foundation, LLC, in identifying

key sources of support for our

COLORED MASONIC TEMPLE

BUILDING renovation project.

During the off-season, Marcell

resides in his native home of

Birmingham, Alabama.

M . W . G . M . o f A l a b a m a a n d

Lieu te nant Gra nd Com mander o f

the U nite d Supr eme Cou nci l ,

South ern Jur i sdict io n Wil l iam O.

Jon es (r ) & I l l . M arce l l Dareu s

Administrative Assistant and Right Worshipful Grand Marshal Corey D. Hawkins, Sr., Ill. Marcell Dareus, M.W.G.M. of Alabama & Lieutenant Grand Commander of the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction William O. Jones and Ill. L. Ken Collins.

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G R A N D M A S T E R ’ S A P P R E C I A T I O N B A N Q U E T

S ponsored by District 7 Master’s Council

under the leadership of R.W.G.D.D.

George D. Echols, an appreciation

Banquet was held on May 4, 2013, at the Greater

Peace Baptist Church Family Life Center, in

Opelika, Alabama, honoring our esteemed

M.W.G.M. Dr. William O. Jones. The event was a

fantastic success, eloquently decorated and

exquisitely catered. Participants attended from

throughout the state and across state lines.

Among the guests were Dr. Jones’ family

members, professional associates, friends and the

Masonic family and affiliates. R.W.G. Chaplain E.

Baxter Morris delivered the address.

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D I S T R I C T N O . 1 5

N E W ER A L O D G E N O . 60 WA L K E R C O U N T Y

MA S T E R ’ S C O U N C I L

Lots of food and loads of fun is what New Era Lodge #60 provided in their Annual Community Picnic. Hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, music and board games help unite the community in a day of free summer activities.

Walker County Masters Council Scholars Committee members, Nathaniel Martin, S.W. of Lodge #60 & P.M. and W.D. Atkins, Tyler, Lodge #252 P.M., present two $500 scholarships to area recipients. Faris Hardie and L’Eric Vinson will be attending Bevill State Community College.

Pictured are representatives from Walker County Lodges attending the 142nd Annual Communication of the M.W.P.H.G.L. F. & A. M. of AL. receiving ‘Good and Wholesome Instructions.’ They include New Era Lodge #60; Willing Workers Lodge #252.

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A S H L A R S ’ S T O N E

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5

O n Friday, May 24, 2013 the

Madison/Limestone Counties

Worshipful Council held its

Annual Awards Banquet.

During this event lodges of District 17 and

OES Chapters of District 15 united to

recognize individuals for outstanding

service to their respective organization

and to make charitable contributions to

deserving non-profit organizations and

award scholarships to deserving students

who demonstrated academic excellence

during the 2013 school year. Also during

this event Pride of Lincoln Lodge No. 817

named their scholarship in recognition of

the pioneers of the Lodge PM Walter L.

Rice. Morning Star Lodge No. 50 made a

charitable contribution to Operation

Making a Difference, Inc. O.M.D. focuses

its concentration on the betterment of at-

risk children in the Huntsville community.

Award recipients for the evening

included Bro. Taurean Dawkins No.

59 and Bro. Frank Jackson, No. 98,

as Master Masons of the year and

WM Jerome Glover No. 50 as

Worshipful Master of the Year. PM

Frank Langford of Lodge No. 98,

was the Perry O. Ward award

recipient and PM Walter Rice, Lodge

No. 817-Honors of the Council

award recipient. Several other

awards were given to members of

Eastern Star Chapters as the event

came to an end once again recognizing the

exceptional work of the Brothers and

Sisters in District 15 and District 17.

Pride of Lincoln No. 817 Provides Service to Veterans

A S H L A R S ’ S T O N E

D uring the Memorial

Day weekend the

members of No. 817

fulfill their annual

visit to the Tutt Fan Veteran’s Home

located in Huntsville, Alabama,

where they sponsor a down-home

barbeque with music and games.

This event allows the members of

No 817 to interact with the veterans

and to

render back

gratitude to

the veterans

in a show of

t h e i r

recognition

of the service

t h e y

provided to

our Nation.

A ssistant Grand

District Deputy

Robert Goodloe

and members of

lodges in the Shoals in

District 17 are hard at work

at their trestle board. These

lodges have committed to

making degree work a

combined effort between the

lodges in the area. Some of

the Community Service

projects that have been

conducted included financial

contributions to a summer

league basketball program

for loca l youth, and

volunteering for local youth,

and volunteering for local

Habitat for Humanity. The

b r o t h e r s h a v e a l s o

d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e i r

commitment to improving

themselves in Masonry by

conducting themselves in

Masonry by conducting their

f i r s t a n n u a l M a s o n i c

workshop and cross-training

among the lodges with an

emphasis on leadership.

Annual elections were

conducted with AGDD

Goodloe presiding resulting

in the election of two new

Worshipful Masters to

Centennial No. 19 and Big

Spring No. 29.

D i s t r i c t 1 7 S h o a l s A r e a Wo r k i n g H a r d

Madison/Limestone Counties WM Council Awards Banquet U p c o m i n g E v e n t sU p c o m i n g E v e n t sU p c o m i n g E v e n t s

D I S T R I C T N O . 1 7

NO. 817 LODGE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PICNIC AUGUST 3

NO. 6 • CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT AUGUST 10

NO. 28 • BACK-TO-SCHOOL JAM AUGUST 16

NO. 98 LODGE PAST MASTER’S BANQUET SEPTEMBER 6

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HH ONORINGONORING OO URUR LL EGACYEGACY

T he Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free & Accepted Mason of Alabama [M.W.P.H.G.L.F.

& A. M. of AL.] has repeatedly been on the forefront setting the standard for excellent leadership. An example first conceived by the founder of our distinguished Order, the Honorable Prince Hall. In 1775 among great odds and insurmountable challenges imposed upon the colored race, Bro. Hall along with fourteen brave and insightful Craft persisted in establishing the first recognized legitimate modern day Masonic Order specifically for people of Color during the birth and infancy of the new colonies. Establishing it was the basis recognizing and authorizing people of color to legally assemble. During an era when it was unlawful for African descendants to do. It indelibly was the foundation that all subsequent colored fraternities and sororities imitated hereafter.

The forefathers of the Alabama Prince Hall Jurisdiction first established our Order in 1867, just eighty-three years after the charter was granted to our Order’s founder, Most Worshipful Grand Master Prince Hall, in 1784. It was in 1870 when the first Alabama ‘Colored Masonic Grand Lodge’ reckons its age.

Fifty-two years later, in 1922, the M.W.P.H.G.L.F. & A. M. of AL. forged ahead

having the foresight to construct a state of the art multi-story facility during the midst of one of the most repressive apartheid segregation and racist periods in the history of the Nation and state. This facility served primarily people of color- educating, providing health aid, legal aid, clothing, food, entertaining and providing facilities for meeting and social activities. This corporate flagship executive tower financed, designed, organized, constructed , owned and managed through the leadership of the Alabama Prince Hall Masonic Order. It has stood the test of time. And in 2022 the building will be in existence for 100 years. We want to commemorate this milestone landmark by having completed the restoration of this great historic landmark continuing the Legacy of our Order for generations to follow.

The Masonic Order is known for various landmarks marking certain points of recognition. The Colored Masonic Temple Building is the Alabama Prince Hall Masonic Order’s great Landmark. And, once again the M.W.P.H.G.L.F. & A. M. of AL., is setting the standard for distinction and excellence to the Masonic & general community, as well as the state and nation with the renovation of this historic landmark. What a privilege for the Great Architect of the Universe to have placed us in the midst of history to be part of this grand moment.

We would be failing our great obligation if we came up short. We want you to stand tall and be involved in this historic event.

As part of our charge to restore our great Temple Building, we are offering a specialty state registered vehicle tag authorized by the State of Alabama Department of Motor Vehicle, as a means of generating resources toward completing the restoration.

Presently, there is another masonic order in our state that offers a specialty masonic vehicle tag. Prince Hall masons are already reporting seeing this tag inquiring about this other masonic vehicle tag and mistaking it for our Prince Hall vehicle tag. You too, may have seen this tag. Do not be fooled by this alternative tag. Proceeds from this specialty masonic tag do not benefit our Alabama Prince Hall organization.

We’re not giving up on bringing this landmark offering to reality; and you can make it happen by joining with us and committing to purchase one of these Alabama Prince Hall Specialty vehicle tags for your car. The AL. D.M.V. Prince Hall specialty tag can be purchased for $50.00. $41.00 goes toward the Colored Masonic Temple Building Renovation. Contact the M.W.P.H.G.L.F. & A. M. of AL. Birmingham office for more information on how to reserve yours.

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PASSED ON TO YOU COMPLIMENTS OF GOD: THROUGH YOUR GREAT GRAND-DADS;

YOUR GRAND DADS-YOUR DADS; UNCLES AND THE UNWAIVERING SUPPORT OF THE

WOMEN IN THEIR LIVES. . .

IT’S YOUR TURN… WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION—YOUR SONS,

GRANDSONS, GREAT GRANDSONS, NEPHEWS AND DAUGHTERS?

‘ . . .WE ARE WHO WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR…’ B AR ACK OBAMA

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. . . Congratulation to our 2012-2013 Scholarship Recipients . . .

REGION #1

WILLIAM M. POMPEY •

BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN COLLEGE

$1,400.00

REGION #4

VICTORIA M. JACKSON •

University of South Alabama

$1,400.00

REGION #3

EBONI B. JACKSON •

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

$1,400.00

REGION #5

BRIA NICOLE BURNS •

Currently enrolled in Jefferson State Community College •

Transferring to Spelman College in August 2013

$1,400.00

REGION #6

CHARLES A. L. MADKIN, III •

Calhoun Community College

$1,400.00

REGION #2

BRANDON J. WILLIS •

Alabama A. & M. University

$1,400.00

2012 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

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MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE

F. & A. M. OF ALABAMA

ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD SUBMISSION PROCESS

All scholarship award applications should be in the office of the Most Worshipful Grand Master on or before May 31st of each year. It is very important for the following process to be followed in order to avoid wasting time returning applications and missing deadlines.

1. Criteria are given to the Grand District Deputies (GDD) at the Semiannual Trustees Meeting in January of each year.

2. The GDD gives the criteria to all Worshipful Masters immediately following the Semiannual Trustees Meeting.

3. The Worshipful Masters and the Lodge members make the criteria available to the students in their lodge communities.

4. Completed applications from the students are returned to the Worshipful Masters on or before the date the Worshipful Master sets for the return.

5. The Worshipful Masters and the Lodge Members evaluate all applications and select one student as the lodge’s nominee.

6. The Worshipful Masters send one student applicant completed packet to the GDD for consideration.

7. The GDD receives one application from each lodge, reviews and evaluates them.

8. The GDD selects one applicant from among all the applications he receives and sends that one applicant’s completed packet from his district to the Grand Master. (An equitable rotation system will be used by the Grand District Deputy in awarding scholarships annually.)

9. The Grand Master reviews the applications for completeness and gives all the applications that he receives from the Grand District Deputies to the Jurisdiction’s Scholarship Award’s Committee at the Annual Session for its review and evaluation.

10. After its review and evaluation of the applications, the Scholarship Awards Committee recommends one student from each region to receive the scholarship award.

11. The Scholarship Awards Committee presents the six (6) regional scholarship winners in its report to the Grand Master and to the craft at the Annual Session.

12. The Grand Master sends announcement letters to the awardees in which he requests the information needed to send along with the checks to the college/university.

13. After the student sends the requested information, checks are prepared and are sent directly to the college/university to be applied to the students’ accounts.

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DISTRICT MAP COLORIZATION PROVIDED BY:

GRAND DISTRICT DEPUTY GEORGE D. ECHOLS

DISTRICT 7

REGION 5 • DISTRICTS 13, 14 & 15

TOMMY HARDY [13] A. DEREK BOWMAN [14] KENNETH E. HARDY [15]

REGION 2 • DISTRICTS 2 & 12

ROBERT GLENN [2] RICHARD WILSON [12]

REGION 1 • DISTRICTS 1, 3 & 4

KIETH LAFAYETTE [1] WOODIE PUGH [3] GEORGE WILSON [4]

REGION 4 • DISTRICTS 7, 8 & 10

GEORGE D. ECHOLS [7] BENJAMIN BEASLEY [8] DEXTER A. MADDEN

REGION 3 • DISTRICTS 5 & 6

JIMMY FARMER [5] BILLY MORRIS [6]

REGION 6 • DISTRICT 17

JIMMY L. FARMER

MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE F. & A. M. OF ALABABMA

REGIONAL DISTRICT ALIGNMENTS

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Monday, July 22, 2013 7:00 A.M. — 11:59 P.M. Grand Lodge Office

7:00 A.M. — 8:00 P.M. Registration

7:00 A.M. — 11:59 P.M. Vendors

7:00 A.M. — 4:00 P.M. Health Fair

8:00 A.M. — 1:00 P.M. Trustees Meeting

8:00 A.M. — 6:00 P.M. Chorus Rehearsals

8:00 A.M. — 6:00 P.M. Committee Meetings

1:00 A.M. — 3:00 P.M. Trustees Luncheon

3:00 P.M. — 6:00 P.M. DD,WM & Secretary's Workshop

5:00 P.M. — 7:00 P.M. Dignitaries Holding Room

6:00 P.M. — 8:00 P.M. Welcoming Program

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 7:00 A.M. — 11:59 P.M. Grand Lodge Office

7:00 A.M. — 8:00 P.M. Registration

7:00 A.M. — 11:59 P.M. Vendors

8:00 A.M. — 4:00 P.M. Health Fair

8:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M. Dignitaries Holding Room

8:00 A.M. — 5:00 P.M. Grand Lodge Opening Session

8:00 A.M. — 6:00 P.M. Committee Meetings

800 A.M. — 7:00 P.M. Chorus Rehearsals

5:00 P.M. — 7:00 P.M. Dignitaries Holding Room

7:00 P.M. — 9:00 P.M. Lodge of Sorrow

Wednesday, July 24, 2013 5:00 A.M. — 7:00 A.M. Past Masters Degree

7:00 A.M. — 1:00 P.M. Grand Lodge Office

7:00 A.M. — 1:oo P.M. Registration

7:00 A.M. — 12:00 P.M. Health Fair

7:00 A.M. — 2:00 P.M. Vendors

8:00 A.M. — 1:00 P.M. Grand Lodge Closing Session

Battle House Leinkauf

Battle House Moonlight Foyer

Riverview Preconvene 2 Center

Battle House Moonlight Foyer

Battle House Moonlight B

Battle House Oakleigh Garden

Battle House Bienville Square

Battle House Crystal Ballroom

Battle House Moonlight B,C, D & E

Riverview Jubilee Suite

Riveriew Bon Secour Bay

Battle House Leinkauf

Battle House Moonlight Foyer

Riverview Preconvene 2 Center

Battle House Moonlight Foyer

Battle House Moonlight C

Battle House Moonlight A & B

Battle House Bienville Square

Battle House Oakleigh Garden

Riverview Jubilee Suite

Riveriew Bon Secour Bay

Battle House Crystal Ballroom

Battle House Leinkauf

Battle House Moonlight Foyer

Battle House Moonlight Foyer

Riverview Preconvene 2 Center

Battle House Moonlight A & B

MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE F R E E A N D A CCEPT ED M A SON S of A L A BA MA

1 4 3 r d A n n u a l C o m m u n i c a t i o n

S C H E D U L E O F E V E N T S

12

Most Worshipful Grand Master

R.W. Deputy Grand Master

R. W. Grand Senior Warden

R.W. Grand Junior Warden

R.W. Grand Treasurer

R.W. Grand Secretary

R.W. Grand Trustee

R.W. Grand Trustee

R.W. Grand Trustee

R.W. Grand Chaplain

R.W. Grand Sword Bearer

R.W. Grand Standard Bearer

R.W. Grand Senior Deacon

R.W. Grand Junior Deacon

R.W Grand Senior Steward

R.W. Grand Junior Steward

R.W. Grand Recording Secretary

R.W. Grand Attorney

R.W. Grand Tyler

R.W. Grand Marshall

R.W. Grand Convention Coordinator

R.W. Grand Musician

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

2012-2013

Dr. William O. Jones

Dr. Corey H. Thomas

Robert L. Langford, Sr.

Matthew Hardy

Lucius Fleming

Joseph T. Williams

Warren L. Duncan

Victor B. Pettus

Ulysses S. Reed

Rev. E. Baxter Morris

Joseph B. Walker

Jerome Kirk

Donald Parks

Wm Dean Anderson

John T. Manuel

Acie L. Hale

Kevin L. Howard

Tyrone Means, Esq.

Robert Gilmore

Corey D. Hawkins, Esq.

James Littleton

Kim A. Jones

R.W. GRAND DISTRICT DEPUTIES

2012-2013

Keith Lafayette District No. 1

Robert W. Glenn District No. 2

Woodie Pugh District No. 3

George Wilson District No. 4

Jimmy L. Farmer District No. 5

Billy Morris District No. 6

George D. Echols District No. 7

Benjamin E. Beasley District No. 8

Dexter Madden District No. 10

Richard Wilson District No. 12

Tommy Hardy District No. 13

A. Derek Bowman District No. 14

Kenneth E. Hardy District No. 15

Andrew J. Fuller District No. 17

R.W. ≈ Right Worshipful

TT H EH E CC O R N E R S T O N EO R N E R S T O N E MM E S S A G EE S S A G E Post Office Box #10504

Birmingham, Alabama 35202

Joseph T. Williams

Grand Secretary

Honorable Dr. William O. Jones

Most Worshipful Grand Master

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Wm. Dean Anderson

Grand Junior Deacon

COPY EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER’S

Nathaniel Marin, Esq.

New Era Lodge # 60

Anthony J. Johnson

Morning Star Lodge # 50

CIRCULATION

Corey D. Hawkins

Grand Marshal