imagine. But I really did not learn how to be a Mason until I was in the Lodge for about five years, my second year as [Worshipful] Master. Then I begin to learn how to be a Master Mason. It is just wonderful to be part of this Or- der! PM Treven Lagerman: Yes, sir. You are a wonderful inspiration to all of us. DGM James Baker: Well, I just try to be me and do like my daddy said, “ be a man ” in anything you endeavor to do. My dad was not a Mason, but he was a man. He would also say, “ whatever you do, do it with all your might and be the best person that you can be. ” That is all that I have tried to do over the years. I guess, there has been no position in Masonry that I have held that I have asked for. Every position that I was elected to or appointed, someone in the Lodge approached me and asked me would I serve in that position. I declined Warden [Senior Grand] for a few years. Then when I felt that I had the green light, I told them that I would accept. Not long afterwards I was nominated [and elected] to be Deputy Grand Master. PM Sherman Ruth: Okay. Well, we going to keep this hot potato moving and we will give the mic to Bro. How- ard Matthews. Bro. Howard Matthews: Sir, good evening. It is absolutely my honor and pleasure to be with you today. But you know, I am not going to let you get away just that simply, in re- gard to your discussion of learning to be a Mason. You said it took you about five years? I think we want to know, and it is important, especially for young Masons coming along. As brother Ruth mentioned, this is about posterity. If you could explain what
that really means. In other words, what do you mean by being a Mason? What was it that you learned and how during that first five years? DGM James Baker: I learned more about responsibility. I gained more leadership abilities from a business perspective back then. I had served as the president of the PTA and I had served as the president of softball leagues, but [being WM and an up- right Mason] was a different type of leadership. The way I had to carry myself. I also learned that everything I needed to know was in my Monitor and the Code. It ’ s not rocket science! I read back in that Code, and it told me the responsibilities of a Master Mason and the Monitor told me the responsibilities of a WM and the re- sponsibilities of every position in the Lodge. It also told me how to carry myself. In the charge, the first charge [EA Charge] did always say, “ never stoop down to a lower level. You bid men to come up to you. [A Master Mason] is not supposed to descend one single step to them. My old daddy used to say, “ if you go into the hog pen, you will get mud on your shoes. ” [When presented with contro- versy] just saying no; no ifs, ands, or buts about it. So, it's just that I learned those type of things. I learned more about respect- ing others. I learned that I had to do certain things, in order for young peo- ple to respect me. I didn't know these things at first, but I had to be taught by the older people in the Lodge. I used to go certain places and our Lodge secretary talked to me one meeting night and told me that if I was going to be leading this Lodge, if I was going to be the Master of the Lodge, I could not visit certain venues on a Saturday and then visit the local church on Sunday morning and stand in front of the Lodge members. So, I learned to enhance what my dad was
telling me all those years, I just didn't want to listen at the time. Come on, let me see! If that isn ’ t enough, I can figure out more. Bro. Howard Matthews: Oh, yes, sir. You can keep figuring out! I definite- ly want to hear it, I am sure on behalf of my brothers we all want to receive it. DGM James Baker: I tell the young brothers that Prince Hall Freemasonry is just as simple. READ YOUR MONITOR! When you open the Lodge, it tells you all your responsi- bilities. Read your Code and work hard without expecting anything in return. Don ’ t get involved with these little coupes that some Lodges and Grand Lodges have. Know the rules and regulations of your organization. So that when you say something, you have substance. If you don't like my plan, don't just criticize my plan, but offer a solution. If can't do that, then I don't want to hear it. Bro. Howard Matthews: If I may, Deputy Grand Master. In the begin- ning you talked about your back- ground and being a Marine. That is very important to us, and we thank you for your service. Could you help place that for us? [time in the armed services] Where did that happen in your Masonic journey? Were you a Marine, and then you became a Ma- son or were you are Mason and then you became a Marine? DGM James Baker: I served in the Marine Corps before I became a ma- son. I was about 27 or 28 years old when the guy [Eagle Lodge #212 WM] approached me. So, it must have been something in me that I didn't see that others saw. This happened basi- cally throughout my life, even in ele- mentary school. I don't know. Because I was quite the prankster, I was the “ bad boy ” I guess. Mischievous, more so than bad. My
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