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Northern Jurisdiction of Prince Hall Masons
May 18, 19 & 20th, 1975
Sheraton Hotel - Boston, Mass.

[[image - black and white photograph of three men wearing the regalia of Prince Hall Masons]]
[[caption]] 
[[l to r]]
RALPH H. JONES Cathedral Secretary
EMMETT F. BAILEY Grand Keeper of Archives
WILLIAM R. VENABLE Secretary General H.E.
[[/[[caption]] ]]

When the United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Northern Jurisdiction opens its session in New York at the Statler Hilton Hotel, May 14, 1972, It will be the 91st consecutive annual meeting.

William Cooper was the first Sovereign Grand Commander when the first session was held in 1881.  That same year he yielded leadership to Moses Wheeler who ably led until 1887, when David C. Gray succeeded him.  Phillip Colding was the next Sovereign Grand Commander and after serving one year saw his successor, George Wellington Roper, take over leadership in 1890.

It was seven years before Robert Lafayette Reed was elected head and after a two-year term Joshua David Kelly assumed the leadership role in 1899.  His tern was to span the change of the century for it was not until 1910 that Robert Henry Hucless became Sovereign Grand Commander.  It was a short reign for in 1911 James Francis Rickards became the highest ranking Prince Hall Mason in the Northern Jurisdiction.

Sumner A. Furniss became the illustrious administrator and leader in the interesting post World War I days in 1921.  His leadership was destined to run longer than any of his predecessors and he, along with the outstanding support of his Lieutenant Commander George Williamson Crawford, purchased ground and constructed the imposing Scottish Rite Cathedral, the corporate home that is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Latest estimates of certified appraisers is that to replace the Cathedral today with the same quality material would require an expenditure of close to two million dollars.

In 1949 Mr. Crawford succeeded to the office of Sovereign Grand Commander.  A brilliant lawyer and trustee of several colleges, he consolidated his membership and program into on-going activities.

Leland Dickerson French, who had served 15 years as Lieutenant Grand Commander under Mr. Crawford, was ably equipped to carry on in unbroken continuity the programs and objectivity of this distinguished group of high Prince Hall Masons.  

In 1965 the nonagenarian Mr. Crawford, weighed down by duties as corporation lawyer and the vagaries of advancing years, asked to be relieved of his duties as Sovereign Grand Commander.  His request was granted and he was voted Sovereign Grand Commander Emeritus and his toga of authority fell upon the brawny shoulders of six-foot Leland French.

Implementation of programs and more involvement in the community problems were the foundation upon which Sovereign Grand Commander French built his program.  He advocated and had approved the establishment of the Supreme Council Benevolent Foundation that is giving viable testimony of the charitable nature of Masons, even in higher degrees.

Therefore when the deliberations of the United Supreme Council, A.A.S.R. of Freemasonry begins in the Statler-Hilton hotel, 7th Avenue and 33rd Street in New York City, the matter of involvement in community life and action, building of the Benevolent Foundation for future grants, education and research in fields of medicine, history, and other disciplines of learning, will all have high priority and consideration.

One of the proudest boasts of the Northern Jurisdiction is the brotherly and warm relationship it enjoys with the United Supreme Council, A.A.S.R. (P.H.A.) of the Southern Jurisdiction.  Evidence of this fraternal affection is the fact that an official delegation from the Northern Jurisdiction will be present when the Southern Jurisdiction holds sessions in Monrovia, Liberia, during the latter part of October. 

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