[During the December Quarterly Communication, Bro. Ernette presented an upbeat "State of the Craft" report as the Grand Lodge approached the end of his first year as Grand Master. Following are excerpts from that message.]

Forty-eight weeks ago, I said that I had no doubt that together, we could move forward with unanimity in the best interest of our Fraternity. In my vision, I saw "The Perfect Match" for achievement in the philosophy of Freemasonry that I defined as "Faith, Family, Fraternity, and Community."

It begins with Faith, because Faith is our strength -- ever-important in our great Fraternity....

"Family" in our philosophy represents the esteem with which we hold our families. In open Masonic ceremonies, (families shared) the honor when (Masons were) invested with their 50-year Emblems of Gold ... (and) new District Deputies being introduced ... families enjoyed the three Masonic family picnics across the state (and) ... joined the guests at the Masonic Homes for the first Concert on the Green.

The finest exemplification of our concern for each other is the Masonic Homes and its "Mission of Love." Giant steps of progress have been achieved there. On Jan. 1 (1998), the two Eastern Star Homes merged with the Masonic Homes, greatly expanding our ability to serve the needs of our Brothers and Sisters (and their loved ones). We searched for additional capability to provide "continuum of care" services in Western Pennsylvania and have a letter of intent with the Valley Care Nursing Home in Sewickley ... with an estimated ... agreement to take place on March 31, 1999.

We completed the ten-year renovation project to the Masonic Health Care Center ... (and) have reached out in new endeavors of caring, such as opening the Respite Cottage to provide services to adults with mild to moderate mental retardation or similar developmental challenges.

"Family" on the Grand Master's Medallion also recognizes the bonds among the "Family of Freemasonry."

A new Multi-Media Center at the Masonic Conference Center on the Patton Campus (dedicated Dec. 12). ..., truly (gives us) a Masonic Conference Center for the use of the Masons of Pennsylvania, our youth, allied organizations, and the Grand Lodge.

With the Appendant Bodies, we are considering our mutual major concerns .... At the invitation of this Grand Lodge, the leadership of the "Family of Freemasonry" in Pennsylvania will come together in a "Partners for Progress Seminar" at the Masonic Conference Center on Feb. 6.

The highly successful OVERTURE Program is fostering a Fraternity with better trained leaders .... Ninety-two per cent of our lodges have participated in the Seminars (and) 300 of the lodges qualified to receive the $500 incentive payment for maximum participation....

... It is incumbent upon us to operate with today's technology. No-interest loans are available from Grand Lodge for Blue Lodges to purchase computers and fit into the Grand Lodge system now being completed ... a low-interest loan program to help Lodges refurbish and improve their facilities.

This is the 125th Anniversary of this magnificent Masonic Temple, the home of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. (The refurbishing and remodeling to restore this historic landmark) has been extensive .... This world-renowned Masonic Temple is well groomed to showcase the headquarters of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania as we prepare to greet the new millennium.

Perhaps nothing has heralded Pennsylvania Masons' progress toward tomorrow more than our entry in Cyberspace. Our home page might be one of the busiest "places" on the Internet. ... There are now more than 1,500 pages of factual information about Freemasonry available through our home page -- and more to come. In just nine months, there have been more than 30,000 "hits" on our home page.

... In Pennsylvania, Freemasonry is nearly three centuries old, a Brotherhood of Man abiding under the Fatherhood of God and serving mankind charitably. Pennsylvania Masons' concern for their neighbors confirms my conviction that the Community is the place to be if we are to personify our commitment and carry forth our charge of service to mankind.

Past Grand Master Sam Williamson came up with ... "A Perfect Match," to describe the Grand Lodge Matching Charities Grants Program. As Masons in lodges across the state are committing themselves and their resources to serve mankind in their OWN communities, Grand Lodge is matching each lodge's financial commitment up to $5,000 a year. (As of Dec. 1) 295 lodges applied for 603 grants of which 503 have been completed (for more than $414,000). Through eleven months of 1998, Masons of Pennsylvania (were responsible) for more than three-quarters of a million charitable dollars that are serving mankind in their communities.

... there has been more service to mankind through our programs at the Masonic Homes. The Outreach Program, Adult Day Care, and Respite Care .... Pennsylvania Masons met a specific need for veterans by building a much-needed recreation pavilion at the Pittsburgh Veterans Administration Health Care Center.

Our commitment to youth continues to be substantial through the services of ... The Pennsylvania Youth Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Masonic Foundation for Children. Our commitment enables the PYF to support and enhance its leadership of DeMolay, Rainbow for Girls, Job's Daughters and Knights of Pythagoras.

The Multi-Media Center ... will give young people even more developmental opportunities. Our master plan includes upgrading and refurbishing the Rankin and Patton buildings on the campus, including air conditioning throughout and individual bathroom accommodations in every sleeping room. Every year scholarships help so many of our maturing young people.

... support continued (by The Foundation for Children for the) Pennsylvania Department of Education's Student Assistance Program. Now, more than 10,000 educators have been trained at the Masonic Conference Center. The Past Grand Master Carl W. Stenberg, Jr. Scholarship Program granted its full complement of seven scholarships to high school seniors who turned their lives around by participating in the Students Assistance Programs in their schools. Law enforcement officers benefit from similar support through the D.A.R.E. Program. In five years, more than 420 officers have been trained to work with elementary students in teaching them how to say "no" to drugs and alcohol and how to cope with peer pressures. The Masonic Conference Center continues to be the Pennsylvania Headquarters for the D.A.R.E. Training Program. We continue to participate enthusiastically in G.R.E.A.T. and P.R.I.D.E.

We are proud of the acceptance and support for the new Law Enforcement Scholarship Program (that granted) four $2,500 annual scholarships, each for four-year terms, for sons, daughters, grandsons, or granddaughters of Pennsylvania Masons who plan to enter college to study Administration of Justice.

For us to continue to do our good works, we must sustain a stable membership in all of our bodies. ... Therefore, Membership Development and Retention remains a high priority. As a result of community involvement, family participation, communication, and greater visibility, we have seen an increase in petitions to a point where new members just about replace the deaths. I think we can look to continued improvement there.

The story of suspensions is disappointing. I fear that in too many cases, there are Brethren who leave the Fraternity and no one has been concerned enough to find out why. If a Brother is having problems, the lodge should be there to help. Grand Lodge is urging personal contact with every recently suspended Brother to learn about and evaluate the circumstances and seek positive results.

A year ago, I asked every Pennsylvania Mason, to make a personal commitment to the Grand Master to "REPLACE YOURSELF." If you're one of the many who has fulfilled that commitment, please accept my personal thank you. But, if you haven't taken that commitment seriously, I ask you to resolve to do so now.

(Every Pennsylvania Mason should have received his) 1999 Masonic calendar ... with a blank petition and another personal letter asking you again to REPLACE YOURSELF. Your assignment is one of education. I am opposed to solicitation .... As a man of quality yourself, it is enjoined upon you to speak selectively to worthy men ... like you, men of quality whom you would be pleased to call Brother -- REPLACE YOURSELF. But, remember, they have to ask.

We have forged ahead in 1998 thanks to dedication and hard work by many -- the Officers, District Deputies, Committees, the 484 Lodges, and so many Masons who have labored hand-in-hand with unanimity. ... the staff of the Grand Lodge, who adopted customer service as their hallmark and put meaning into the charge, "It's not what you can do for Grand Lodge; but what Grand Lodge can do for you."

Brethren, the stage is set for 1999 -- a promising year to close out the Twentieth Century as a prelude to a dynamic start to the next millennium. Abiding in the philosophy of Faith, Family, Fraternity and Community, we are a Brother-hood Serving Mankind.

Thank you, Brethren, one and all.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

James L. Ernette, R.W. Grand Master