Freemasonry is a post-collegiate mostly-all male fraternity dedicated to the social development of the member to form a broader sense of the self and their community.
History, then and now, in the making, and your chance to help make it a reality for the Canton Viaduct Masonic Memorial. From the Milestone Public Flyer.
Canton Viaduct, Canton, Massachusetts, is the oldest railroad bridge of its kind in the world and it was the tallest and longest railroad bridge in the world when it was built in 1835.
Background:
Neponset River flowing under the Canton Viaduct
The Canton Viaduct is the longest and oldest stone viaduct in the Western Hemisphere. The foundation stone was laid in 1834, and it was completed in 1835 by operative stonemasons, many of whom were also Freemasons from area towns and Lodges.
To commemorate the viaduct’s 175th anniversary and the Freemasons who were involved in the construction of this historic structure, it is being proposed that a granite stone obelisk be erected in or near the Canton Viaduct Park next to the waterfall on the west side of the structure near the Neponset Street opening. It is very likely that all of the Towns in the area at that time had Freemasons who worked on the Canton Viaduct.
Masons Marks on the original arch of the Canton Viaduct
This summer or fall, a celebration commemorating the 175th anniversary of this National Historic Monument is expected to be held in Canton at the site of the structure. It is anticipated that numerous dignitaries, both Masonic and non-Masonic, will be in attendance.
The Vision:
It is hoped that this Monument and Milestone would remind all of the contributions of the Freemasons to the development of industry in America. The obelisk would be 8 feet tall in addition to a buried concrete, four foot deep foundation base on which it would stand. There would be a cavity to hold a small Time Capsule to be opened at the 300th anniversary of the construction of the Viaduct (A.D. 2135), have a number of Masonic
symbols carved into it, alluding to the industrial importance of the viaduct since it was so instrumental in jump-starting industry not only in this area, but in all of greater Boston, as well as the distance to Boston and the distance to the Massachusetts Grand Lodge in Boston.
The Freemason Square and Compasses carved in the Foundation Stone with the date of April 20, 1834.
Site work (hopefully this would be done by volunteers) would consist of laying cobblestones around the monument in a design such that the obelisk also served as a sun dial. If there is enough interest in funding this project, a Rough Ashlar and a Finished Ashlar would be placed on either side of the monument near the base. Ideally, an interpretive bronze plaque would have listed all the Lodges and donors who participated in the project and possibly donors who participated in Memorial’s construction.
Canton Viaduct cornerstone back inscription reads: “FOUNDATION STONE LAID APRIL 20, 1834.” The Operative or Craft Freemasons’ calendar year was 5834 A.L. (Anno Lucis – In the Year of Light).
This could be an excellent public relations tool for the local Freemasonry in general as well as local businesses who contribute in the area. The Time Capsule would also contain the names of donors and all those involved in the project to be remembered when it was opened 125 years from now.
Cost:
The obelisk with all the carvings would cost approximately $6, 450. The Ashlars would be $125 to $150 each. Site work would be an additional $200 or so to cover the cost of cobble stones and other materials. The work is anticipated to be voluntary. Add another $200 for the cost of the base and time capsule. The upper estimate of cost for this project would be approximately $7,150, though that price could vary depending on several factors.
This grand project cannot happen without the cooperation and generous donations of Masons, local businesses, and individuals who would like to help ensure the construction of this highly visible icon to America’s Freemasons and their place in the history of building America. The Obelisk would essentially look like the diagram below.
Reserve a Space in the Time Capsule:
Donors who contribute $1,000 or more will be entitled to place an 8 inch X 11inch photo or document into the Time Capsule with whatever subject matter they choose. Those contributing $100 will be entitled to place a 2 inch X 3 inch photo or document of their choice into the Capsule. Please note, of course, that space is limited. The anticipated date of the opening of the Time Capsule is 2,135 AD, which is 300 years after the completion
of the Canton Viaduct.
Contact:
For more information about this project please contact John Ciccotelli, Master of Blue Hill Lodge at: hirams_beehive@yahoo.com or you can call (508) 636-5253. If you would like to contribute to the success of this historic project, your tax deductible donations may be made out and sent to Blue Hill Lodge, A.F. & A. M., c/o Ralph Staples, Secretary, 28 Wardwell Road, Canton, MA 02021. Be sure to put Canton Viaduct Masonic Memorial on the Note at the bottom of the check. Donations can also be made through PayPal.
To do this, go to the PayPal website, type in the amount you want to donate, enter the email address: bluehillhiram@yahoo.com and click submit. You willr eceive a verification of your donation from Blue Hill Lodge for your tax records.
The Freemason Square and Compasses carved in the Foundation Stone with the date of April 20, 1834. The foundation stone was laid on Sunday, April 20, 1834 with a Masonic foundation stone ceremony to give the structure a “soul” and ensure it’s stability. This day may have been chosen to coincide with Paul Revere’s Copper Mill founding in 1801 or the election of Jacques De Molay in 1292, the last Grand Master of the Knight’s Templar.
The majority of the B & P’s Board of Directors were Freemasons, including President Thomas B. Wales and Joseph W. Revere. President Wales was very involved in Freemasonry and gave three of his clipper ships Masonic names: Morning Star, Hesperus (Evening Star), and Templar. According to Masonic tradition, foundation stones are located in the northeast corner of structures with inscriptions such as the Masonic emblem (square and compasses) and the date, which would most likely contain a time capsule. Freemasons use Fibonacci numbers in their structures and there are examples of these “golden ration” numbers in the Canton Viaduct:
The inscription on the back of the cornerstone is recessed into an elongated octagon.
The original roadway portal was built through the eighth cavity from the south end.
There are 13 voussoirs in each river portal.
There are 21 voussoirs in each deck arch.
There are 21 deck arches on each side of the bridge.
There are 21 cavities in the bridge
Canton Viaduct cornerstone back inscription reads: “FOUNDATION STONE
LAID APRIL 20, 1834.” The Operative or Craft Freemasons’ calendar year was5834 A.L. (Anno Lucis – In the Year of Light).
Operative Freemasons laid the cornerstone (the final stone in the structure) in the south end of the west parapet. According to Masonic tradition this location was selected to it being the farthest distance from the foundation stone located in the northeast corner. There are no Masons marks on the front, back or sides of the cornerstone but there may be some on the other surfaces.
Brother Red Mitchell of Norton Massachusetts was a prime mover on the committee to erect the monument to Prince Hall on the Cambridge common. His hard work and perseverance to see the project completed was noticed by the Sun Chronicle who wrote this article titled, “Rediscovering A Hero”, about him and that auspicious occasion.
Norton man’s efforts help honor Prince Hall
Prince Hall was an American patriot, entrepreneur and civil rights activist whose name is considerably less well known than his contemporaries John Hancock and George Washington.
But thanks in part to the efforts of a Norton resident, the life and deeds of the African-American Masonic and educational leader may one day be recounted with the same reverence as those of Martin Luther King and Booker T. Washington.
Cambridge officials unveiled a monument to Hall Saturday on the city common, the same spot where George Washington took command of the Continental Army in 1775.
Red T. Mitchell, a Mason and Norton resident, helped promote the idea of a memorial to a man he calls one of America’s civil rights leaders.
A series of five granite slabs quarried in Africa that form the monument are inscribed with some of Hall’s writings and the biography of the man who agitated against slavery and created the first school for black children in Boston. Mitchell says Hall is also symbolic of African Americans’ role in American independence, which has long been shrouded in history.
Many who have recently delved deeply into the history of Prince Hall, the man, see this African American, not only as the leader of Colonial Black Freemasonry in America but also as A FOUNDING FATHER OF THIS NATION.
Recently Brother Mitchell penned an essay further exemplifying his thoughts on the impact of Prince Hall.
Reflections after watching a Documentary about Jackie Robinson
Red Mitchell July 9, 2010 Norton MA.
Great men and moments in history are not always immediately recognized. Such is the story of Jackie Robinson. Upon reflection of his first game as a major league Baseball player, the tremendous impact it had on race relations led to the comment that, “he is second only to Martin Luther King, Jr. in being the most important black man to have lived in America”. This may be true in the memory of those who are alive at this time. The personal attacks which each endured were sacrificial as if paying the price for a greater opportunity for their people.
I beg you to consider these quotes. “Your Honors need not to be informed that a Life of Slavery, like that of your petitioners, deprived of every social privilege, of every thing requisite to render Life even tolerable, is far worse than non-existence”. And then this, “Patience, I say, for were we not possess’d of a great measure of it you could not bear up under the daily insults you meet with in the streets of Boston”.
These quotes are on the Memorial honoring the Black Patriots of the revolutionary period of our nation erected on the Cambridge Common. They are the words of Prince Hall, the principal character of the monument, representing all those unknown and forgotten African-Americans who participated and contributed to the founding of our nation.
Emancipation, or the abolition of slavery in America, is often associated with Abraham Lincoln and the Civil war. We must know that prior to the Revolutionary war, each of the original thirteen colonies had legal slavery. During the eight-year period of the Revolutionary war, slavery as a legal entity in the northern colonies was essentially abolished.
This first “emancipation” was greatly influenced by the many Americans of African ancestry participating in the war, (July 1781 at White Plains NY, twenty-five percent of the American Army were Negroes.) Prince Hall, called the “First black organizer in American History” and “Boston’s most prominent black in the era of the Revolution” was described in this way. ”Prince Hall, an African, and a person of great influence upon his Colour in Boston, being the Master of the African Lodge, and a person to whom they refer with confidence their principal affairs”.
PS: Didn’t Boston have the “first shot” in acquiring Jackie Robinson as a baseball player?
Ref::
PBS Television
Forgotten Patriots African Americans and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War. Daughters of the American Revolution
The Black Presence in the Era of the American Revolution 1770-1800, Sidney Kaplan
Past Master Burrell Parmer is a member of San Antonio Lodge No. 1 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas. He is the newly appointed Grand Editor of Publications and he also publishes a fascinating website with many of his experiences and writings at: Parmer’s Masonic Traveler.
Heaven sent me here through the womb of a woman
Heaven sent me here from on high
Heaven sent me here through the force of my Creator
The one seen on Masonic aprons, the All-seeing Eye
Creations are powerful, and so Creations are Great
Creations are blessings, helping craftsmen navigate
As I see two tall pillars at the foot of a porch
The entrance of mysteries scientifically torched
Full of grandeur and strength, full of power indeed
The foundation are laid-out in our first three degrees
So the one important question, “What came I here to do”?
To improve myself in Masonry, That’s what I came to prove
Not to prove it to man, many men have been fooled
Not to prove it to woman for from her some became fools
Not to prove it to idols for they have made some lives wreck
But to prove it to ONE, The Almighty Grand Architect
So as you focus on me, don’t ignore the focus on YOU
We’ve been made in an image which make you who are you
Remember that day when the inner door flew wide open?
Remember that hand of friendship given you as a token?
It was once mouth to ear, which you kept breast to breast
I’ve kept all of the secrets in the compartments of my chest
As the two points of the compasses all stretched out to its extreme
Yes those two points of knowledge manifest in my inner being
So understand the dot that sits center in the circle
And understand the vortex where the scriptures sit to guide you
And understand the parallel lines representing two Saints
And understand they’re two Solstice guarding two inner gates
So ask yourself one more time, “What came I here to do”?
I was sent from on high, to understand GOD is TRUTH.
As the celestial skies show its beautiful canopy
Shining bright rays of light, the infinite Light of Masonry
It does not matter what you call yourself
But it does matter being yourself
And so you are, what you will always be
A manifestation of the eye that eternally sees.
Masonic scholarship has come a long way. With the tools, the media and the technology available today Freemasonry has evolved into a medium of communication that has heretofore never been seen in the past. Oh we had great Masonic writers, the Masters, many years ago. Most of them are still widely read today – Mackey, Pike, Claudy, Pound, Newton, Denslow, Hall, Wilmshurst and others. Today a new crop of 21st century Masonic writers are plying their trade.
But the Masonic communication has blossomed into many other avenues of expression. In addition to magazines and books now we have websites, blogs and Masonic radio with podcasts available. We have videos, power point presentations and all the wonders that high-tech computer technology can bring us. And lest we be remiss let us not leave out the Masonic Internet Forum where those who are part of the Masonic intellectual aristocracy vent their spleen.
Yet the standard of “having arrived” in the medium of Masonic communication is still deemed to be the book by a small cadre of those who have authored a 300 page plus “work of art.” If you haven’t devoted 5, 10, 15 years of research to open up a new slant with new discoveries on a Masonic subject, then you haven’t really attained the honor of being called a writer of any merit, according to this clique of Masonic scholarship. You can’t be an author unless you have written a book, say these protectors of Masonic purity.
And may God strike you down immediately if you dare express an opinion, especially one that criticizes other Masons and opens up debate. Why then you are nothing more than a muckraking hack. So research papers are in but opinion essays and blogs are definitely out, the latter being a perversion of “true” scholarship.
This snobbish view prevailing in Masonry today has led to boycotts, ostracizing non conformers and ill feelings between the antients and the moderns in Masonic communication.
There is one form of Masonic communication used by the Masters of yesteryear that is often overlooked by today’s creators of voluminous, heavily footnoted works of assiduous research. It is a way of expressing Masonic feeling and /or opinion in few words while deeply stirring the soul and is the essence of creative writing. The Masonic poet is a lost breed, he working his craft from a state of inspiration, almost an inner whispering of the word gleaned from prodigious meditation rather than in a hundred works of cross reference in ten or more different libraries.
So stands tall Ezekiel Bey, a Prince Hall Masonic Poet who destroys one big myth with every poem he writes, that there is little scholarship in the Prince Hall ranks and even fewer who publish anything. Bey is a Phylaxis Society researcher and Fellow , 2nd Vice President of the Council of Representatives, an authority on Bogus Masonry, who has written a book and many a research paper, yet he really shines when it comes to Masonic poetry. He epitomizes to me the complete Masonic writer and communicator, one who has mastered many realms of Masonic communication while refusing to turn up his nose at any means of expression.
The Hour Glass
STANDING IN THE CENTER OF THE CIRCLE By Ezekiel M. Bey
As the earth wind blows, in a chaotic mist making whirls of dust, from the air it twist. Hurricane and lightening, darkening the sky heavy clouds are made, rain become plumb-lines
Horizontal rivers, as a level sits though the waves make angles, as the currents kick. Nature makes designs, from what the Master draws tessellated borders on the Adept’s Floor.
Mountainous terrain, how the rocks are cut shaped and fashioned cleverly, like a cliff that tucks beautiful the scene, when the view is wide when the eye is open, a creating mind.
Beautiful the woman, in her natural state to be protected by him, he becomes her gate. To embrace her spirit, to admire her soul to complete her oneness, is her vital goal
Now can you imagine, counting all the stars counting every vein, on a single palm, counting every atom, in a single cell, counting every angel, those from heaven fell
Can you see the limits where there are no bounds? can you break the speed, of a single sound? As a circle’s infinite, there’s one place to enter all of this is possible, standing in the center.
MASONRY ON THE INSIDE By Ezekiel M. Bey
Masonry prepares us, for the inner man Masonry assists us, helps us understand Masonry’s the spirit what we are inside Masonry’s the knowledge of the inner eye All of us have entered through the inner door
Thrice a voice had spoken, was it all your choice With all faith and confidence we confirmed with “yea” It was all a wonder, at high noon’s mid-day As the apprentice learned, that the truth tells all
As he build on bricks, soon became a fellow He perfected arts, from the Master’s lead A true Master rose from a grip of needs Oh those ruffians ran, from desperation’s call
One by one it happened, yes they had to fall Solomon the wise, or Solomon the fool You are no KING Solomon breaking all the rules Oh the power of greed, a destructive path.
You can rule with iron, don’t ignore the craft It does not take much to connect the dots You can switch positions to reveal your plot Some have said the winner, just gave birth to lose Those you chose the loser will rise up to rule
God has said the first, shall indeed be last And the last be first of the greener grass. So the hour glass changed, from the upper chamber Ending sands of time, to the lower nature Till the last grain falls, No more sun dial’s tick
Till the clock’s last second, till the last laid brick. So you wonder why, why I haven’t fell. Made of the best timber, of the strongest cell. Its because of Faith, it’s because of Mercy. Its because of Grace, it’s because God RAISED ME!
Are you signed up to be an organ donor when you die? Maybe your eyes or your heart or your liver or your spleen can help save and/or prolong the life of another in need.
Have you ever watched a Masonic Lodge slowly die? It does most things right, has good programs, no dissension yet it ceases to grow. One by one its members die off, or move away or just stop coming. Meetings that were once 30 members dwindle to 20 and then to 10, and then to 5. Still the Lodge holds on refusing to succumb to its own funeral. Finally the meetings are attended by 1, one solitary Mason comes to Lodge. And then there were none.
Paul Dean Lodge in Easton, MA had a similar journey. But instead of just closing the doors and relinquishing the charter this Lodge merged with Paul Revere Lodge in Brockton, MA and became a Masonic organ donor.
The donation was made to the Bangor Maine Masonic Temple which was gutted in a horrible fire. All the Masonic furniture in Paul Dean’s Lodge room was shipped down East. And then the grandeur that once adorned the halls of Easton, MA now put new life into the Body at Bangor, ME. And so the cycle of life in the Craft continues.
Before that happy ending could become a reality much struggle and many obstacles would be placed before the Brothers of Bangor. The fire swept the Bangor Masonic Temple in January of 2004. For five years Bangor Masons made attempts to purchase property and rebuild. But deals fell through and situations changed and in 2009 they were still homeless. Just when they thought that a new home was beyond their reach, the Bangor Theological Seminary came up for sale.
RW Guy Chapman tells the story in an article he wrote for The Maine Mason titled “The Bangor Maine Masons Before and After.”
“……….on April 17, 2009, the former Bangor Theological Seminary came onto the market. Richard Trott negotiated a price of $550,000 subject to the approval of the board of directors of the Bangor Masonic Foundation. The sale was completed on June 29, 2009.”
“The actual origin of the Bangor Theological Seminary is somewhat obscure. Its birth involves the efforts of the Reverend John Sawyer, who was one of Maine’s first journeying evangelists.2 Rev. Sawyer lived to be 103 years old and his grave is located in a cemetery west of the town of Garland, ME. The Seminary was chartered on February 25, 1814.”
“The present Chapel was completed in 1859, with the cornerstone being laid on June 10, 1858 and the building dedicated on July 27, 1859. The present Gym was built in 1895. The two buildings were connected in 1986 by the Ruth Rice Hutchins Center.”
The purchase consisted of three good sized buildings clustered together.
The Chapel
The Gymnasium
The Hutchins Center – the connecter
Chapman explains how they will be used:
“The chapel will become the lodge hall. The dining room and kitchen will continue to function in the same fashion and be available for the use of non-profit groups as well as the Masonic Fraternity. The large classroom over the kitchen and the adjacent office will become a second lodge hall and DeMolay room. The basement classroom where the childcare is located will continue in its same capacity. The classrooms above the church that are no longer rented by the Penobscot Theater Group will become the Learning Center. One of the two rooms off the lodge hall will be a Masonic library and museum. The other one will be a preparation room and storage for the two Blue Lodges. The rest of the building will be used as storage for the equipment and regalia of the other Masonic bodies.”
“There is some cosmetic work to be done as well as a few repairs to the exterior of the building to make it perfect. The biggest job will be the renovation of the chapel to a lodge hall and the installation of the 32 Learning Center. We also have to install a new electrical entrance. While it was in the possession of the Seminary the buildings received excellent care, which will make our endeavors a lot easier.”
“The land area consists of 3 acres and has 94 existing parking spaces, with a possibility of increasing it to 144 spaces. We hope to see them used frequently by various Masonic and related bodies.”
Brother Fred Kenyon of Paul Dean Lodge, now Paul Revere Lodge, Brother and dear friend watched his Lodge die. But even in that time of sorrow and mourning he joined in the effort to see that other Lodges lived and prospered. From that time when all hope seemed lost there came a rebirth and a Grand reopening which of course had a Grand ceremony to go with it.
So Fred and four other Brothers from Massachusetts took the trek “down east” as they say in New England to witness a new beginning on a new day.
All that hurt and despair that had been lumped around Kenyon’s heart now burst forth into enthusiasm and joy! When I received his story in E-Mail the emotional feeling of what this meant to one who has seen a Lodge die jumped out of the pages at me. I knew right then and there that I would not paraphrase or rewrite or embellish what was before my eyes for I could never generate the true meaning of what Masonry has meant to this person in my words. So I will just pass on Fred Kenyon’s story and his daughter Lynne’s remarks to you in their words. And what you will witness this day is a daughter’s love for her father and a father’s love for the Craft.
Fred’s words are in black type and Lynne’s words are in red.
The Bangor ME. Masonic building sustained a tragic Fire on Jan 24 2004.
Everything was lost except for the Guest book which a Brother happen to have at home. Paul Dean lodge A.F.A.M. of North Easton, MA at about that same time was in the process of merging with Paul Revere lodge in Brockton, MA and Paul Deans members rather than put all their furniture and other regalia in Storage voted unanimously to donate it to Bangor, ME. The lodges in Bangor are: Virtue #10 and Andrew #83
~Friday April 30, 2010~ arrived in Bangor at 2:45P at the riverside Inn and got settled. A suggestion was made that we find the new Lodge quarters just to be sure of its whereabouts and headed off! Found it No Problem, there were a couple of cars in the lot and a back door was open. Once inside we (the 5 men from MA. John F Kenyon, Fred Gladstone, Marty Messenger, Allen Gilman, and Jerry Nourdling) found a young woman Vacuuming the rugs etc. She called Brother Eric Yachanin Past Master for us. He welcomed us and lead us to the new lodge room where the donated furniture from Paul Dean Lodge(North Easton,MA)was.
I asked Eric at that time if knew R.W. Guy Chapman… I was asked by our mutual Friend Rufus Cox to give him a Hat and Coin from Paul Revere Lodge( I had brought up a bunch to pass out) He answered stating that he not only knew him but that he was on the premises. He took out his cell phone and called him, explained who was there… and upon hanging up told us that he would be right over. After introductions were made, R.W. Chapman offered to bring us on a tour of the new facility. The place is so big without a tour guide you can get lost! During the tour he asked us what our plans were for Supper(in Maine they have Supper not Dinner), We of course had none having just arrived but we had planned to find a place. R.W. Chapman picked up his cell phone and made a quick call… “Hello Bob? yes the guys from MA are here…” after a momentary conversation on the phone he told us that the Grand Master Robert Landry had already arrived in the city for the ceremonies to happen the next day, he left a message for him and continued with the tour. After about 15 min. R.W. Guys cell rang it was the Grand Master saying he would like to take us all to Supper! We met back at the Lodge Facilities at 7P The Grand Master Robert Landry and his entourage arrived just after us… included with him was his Wife and R.W. Guy Chapman plus the WGM of the Eastern star Susan Hawes and her Husband and an old friend of ours George Copeland sr. as well. We were taken to the Muddy Rudder in Brewer ME. in total there were 14 of us. I sat across from the Grand Master we all had a great time. * My dad says every time he tells it that he had a wonderful time at dinner with Bob Landry and that he is more down to earth than even my Dad is, very likeable guy and wonderful host! as they sat there at dinner Dad asked GM.Bob “wow been in Bangor only about 4 hours and already had the grand tour of the new facilities now dinner with THE Grand Master too how are you ever gonna top this? and Bob said “TOMORROW!” ;^)~
~Saturday.~
Everyone in our group was up early had some Breakfast and planned to leave somewhat early to hopefully get a good parking space. We arrived at the new lodge quarters at almost 10am they saw this Brother standing kind of directing traffic into the lot and stopped in front of him about to ask where is a good place to park… his only question was “are you the guys from MA? With a nod the Brother pointed to a piece of prime real-estate for parking reserved just for them right near the door… what service!
They signed in and received aprons and were seated
Dad told me that one guy in their party had forgotten his apron and sat down without it by mistake but that this was semi public ceremony and casual so casual and laid back that he had no problem getting up and walking out to get one and coming back…
The Grand master opened the Lodge at 10am and performed the Dedication ceremony where 2 proclamations were read 1 from the Mayor of Bangor Frank Farrington stating that today is Maine Masonic day in Bangor and 1 from the Governor of Maine John Baldacci that stated today is Maine Masonic day in the entire state. He then told the 200+ people in attendance that there was some unfinished Business to take care of before they called recess to go outside and have the laying of the cornerstone ceremony. The Grand Master instructed the Grand secretary to call “the roll of the workmen” he began:
John F. Kenyon
Alan Gilman
Jerry Nourdling
Fred Gladstone
Bob Smith
Charles Woodman
Marty Messenger
George W. Copeland
George is the oldest living past Grand patron of the Eastern Star
He instructed the Grand Marshall to “escort these Brothers to the East facing the West” The Grand Master then told the 200+ people in attendance that these Gentlemen donated all of the furniture we see here in the lodge room. We received a standing Ovation.
Let me tell you Fred… every time every single time I have heard My Dad tell this and he gets to this part? From about the roll of the workmen part, he literally cries… it was just so overwhelming to him to have such a wonderful thing happen he cries, in fact he cried reading his notes back to me today when he got to this part that should say it all on impressions…
Brother George Copeland sr. then made a presentation of a ballot box that had come from St. Andrew lodge in New York when Paul Dean Lodge first received the furnishings, and had been overlooked when the furnishings and other regalia was donated to Bangor ME. This is the same furniture that I believe was given to a Masonic Lodge possibly the one in NY by the brother of John Wilkes Booth… yes THAT John Wilkes Booth!
After the presentation was done the Grand Master gave us “Grand Honors.” As My Dad says NO ONE gets that NO ONE and instructed the Grand Marshall to seat our Brothers “Anywhere in the Lodge we wished to be seated” of course we all went back to our own seats. When he got to me( I was first going up so last to be seated) after a hand shake he put his arm around my shoulder and told the members(200+) present that this Brother(my Dad)is a 50 year member of a lodge right here in Maine! In which I said Mt. Bigelow lodge #202 in Stratton, ME. and I received a standing Ovation for that. Wow huh?
The Grand Master then called a recess and all went outside for the ceremony of laying the cornerstone after which everyone was invited to the brand new banquet hall for a scrumptious luncheon…
From birth to life to death to rebirth the cycle of Masonic life goes on with the help of those who are Masonic Organ Donors.
First I had the opportunity last week to speak at Lyles Middle School in Lexington, Massachusetts to the classes of a Lodge Brother who teaches history at the school. I managed to talk to four periods of combined classes, my subject being the first battle of the American Revolutionary War in Lexington, Massachusetts . I traced the development of the Minute Men from 1643 to 1775 and showed what a pivotal part they had to play in the early days of the Revolution before a standing army was conscripted.
Interwoven with the story was my own personal journey.
I spoke to the students about being born and brought up in Lexington, about being a member of DeMolay in Lexington and marching in the Patriot’s Day Parade, about joining Freemasonry and the Paul Revere Colonial Degree Team where I took the name of William Munroe, a Freemason who was a Sergeant in the Lexington Minutemen and who was stationed on an all night watch through the night of April 18, 1775 on the Lexington Green.
Six days later I attended one of the most intense Lodge meetings that the Pride of Mt. Pisgah #135, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas has held in its existence. Pride of Mt. Pisgah is building a brand new Masonic building of its own, moving out of rented quarters when it is completed.
The land was purchased about six months ago but the red tape took a little while to make the transfer a reality. Now that hurdle has been accomplished we were able in this meeting to get down to concrete assignments and to plan a time frame for the raising of the building.
The Master had been busy between Communications handling permits and city of Dallas paperwork which is monumental. He also had been busy completing 501(c)3 paperwork and I drew the assignment to help finish completes this application as well as proof read it and making any last revisions.
We will be building a steel building and we voted at our meeting to accept the architectural plans and materials purchase to frame the building. Assignments were handed out to get bids on a general contractor, electrician, plumber etc. Much of the building will be sweat equity. We are going to be doing a lot of the inside work ourselves. So I can see many days of hard labor ahead of us. We have set a September ground breaking date and a January completion date.
But there is one thing I am sure of. All the wages will be paid and none will go away dissatisfied. This story is far from over and you will be reading many serial follow ups to our progress. As this small Lodge takes upon itself a task that is all consuming and far reaching I ask for your prayers that this project will have a fruitful ending.
“Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” – James Baldwin
“I resign.” Those were the words of Derek Gordon in a terse certified letter to the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. No long drawn out accusations, no reprimands, no recrimination, just “I resign.”Faced with what he felt was a rigged kangaroo court, Gordon saw he had little other options.
Why subject himself to the humiliation his Grand Lodge was about to heap upon him. He knew in his heart that he did no wrong and remained true to the real spirit of Freemasonry. If one way or the other he was going to go then it would be on his terms not the terms of a tyrannical closed society purging its membership of any dissenters or freethinkers.
The option Gordon took was one the Grand Lodge of Arkansas said was not available. You cannot resign, they told him, and since you are under charges we will not give you a demit. Such were the machinations of a power thirsty Grand Lodge with an Ahmadinejad prototype as Grand Master. This Grand Lodge, like a number of others in the United States, felt that it could rule arbitrarily and make up the laws, rules and regulations on the fly to thwart every challenge to their despotic ways. They pushed through a non electronic Masonic communication law on the spur of the moment in order to have an excuse on which to hang their phony charges against Gordon. They refused to reveal specifically what he had done wrong, telling him to come enter the “Lion’s Den” and then we will tell you all about how we are going to screw, blue and tattoo you.
The Grand Lodge of Arkansas rigged the rules so that once they had you under charges there was no way for you to escape, or so they said. This enabled them to rule by fear and keep anybody not toeing the party line on the outside looking in. If you were up on charges, which were often made up bogus violations, then the Grand Lodge gave you two choices, submit to a Masonic trial (predetermined outcome) or fill out a form to self expel yourself, in the process also self blackballing yourself from every other jurisdiction in the United States. It resembles the choice of death by a firing squad or death by the electric chair. Self expulsion is also akin to “tar and feathering” yourself and if you refuse to sign the form or attend your Masonic trial they will try you in absentia. In other words if you don’t tar and feather yourself we will do it for you. This process cannot be inspired by Masonic practice; rather it seems to have been borrowed from the KKK.
Gordon’s position was that he was a volunteer not a paid member of staff and therefore he had every right to resign, especially if he felt he was not being treated well. Even President Nixon was allowed to resign under fire.
Many a fellow Mason, responding to the case of Frank Haas and the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, Gate City Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Georgia and most recently Derek Gordon and the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, has repeatedly said that whatever a Grand Lodge decides and whatever it rules it is within its rights and taking the dispute outside of Freemasonry into the civil courts is wrong. These well intentioned Brothers tell us that Freemasonry is a private organization and rules itself as a power unto itself and that bringing the profane into adjudication is both Masonically illegal and immoral.
That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Most Grand Lodges today are public corporations. It would be very foolish in today’s world not to be. The limited liability and the tax advantages are just too great for a multimillion dollar organization like Freemasonry to pass up. But to attain these advantages a company or organization must sign onto the articles of incorporation and the corporate and nonprofit laws, – secular, civil rules that supersede any Masonic traditions or by-laws, rules and regulations of Grand Lodges. This was reported in an earlier Beehive column that seemed to generate little comment or attention.
Well let’s take the common practice of Grand Masters to rule and govern by edict when the Grand Lodge is not in Session. Most Grand Lodge by-laws stipulate that the Grand Master rules in absentia. This is a Masonic tradition and how most Grand Lodges have been governed for centuries. However, in most cases, depending on the state, this is not legally correct. Most state’s corporation rules state that the corporation is governed by a Board of Directors when the Grand Lodge is not in session. Corporate rules supersede any organization’s by-laws. This means that the Grand Master cannot decide matters at all, he must refer all business over to the Board.
Thus when a Grand Master sandbags a Brother by showing up at his Lodge under false pretenses and then expelling him by edict, that action may be blatantly illegal. Likewise, when a Grand Master visits a Lodge and promptly pulls its charter and closes it down, that too may be illegal. In other areas of corporate law it may also be illegal to file vague charges against a volunteer or employee without specifically informing the accused of exactly the offense that was violated and in what manner. Some Grand Masters pay little or no attention to the civil laws which they are required to adhere to. If more Masons knew of this situation perhaps they would call them on it.
So when a Grand Lodge becomes a corporation it agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of incorporation and the corporate and nonprofit civil laws that accompany them, first and foremost, over ruling any previously held positions when in conflict. Furthermore, one can no longer say that Freemasonry is a private organization or that it should not operate in the civil public domain. By becoming a public corporation and operating under the rules of a public corporation it has the same status as General Motors and under the present administration could be deemed too big to fail and therefore, if in trouble, could be taken over by the state. Lastly as a public corporation its membership and the entire public community has the right to look at its tax, revenues and payroll records as well as its charitable contributions as filed with the government.
THE BIGGEST THING FREEMASONS TODAY NEED TO FACE IS THAT FREEMASONRY IS NO LONGER A PRIVATE SOCIETY.
Let’s take a look at what Arkansas expects of its nonprofit and volunteer organizations.
The state of Arkansas has published guidelines for its nonprofit and volunteer organizations. Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe explains what his state has put in place.
“I am proud to introduce this new publication, ‘Legal Guide For Arkansas Nonprofit and Volunteer Organizations,’ a resource and guide for nonprofit and volunteer management organizations. It is the result of a collaborative effort between the UALR, Bowen School of Law, the Department of Human Services Division of Volunteerism, the Arkansas Service Commission, and Williams & Anderson PLC. Together, their efforts are a model for public-private partnerships. I am confident that this manual will become an indispensable tool for nonprofit and volunteer organizations as they work to improve the quality of life for all Arkansans.” – Governor Mike Beebe
Volunteers may, of course, resign at any time. Since
volunteers are vital to the functioning of most nonprofit
organizations, they should be asked to give notice of their
resignations as soon as possible. Job descriptions should include
information about how much notice the organization requests for
that particular job, depending on the needs of the organization.
Pg. 98
Discrimination
Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1991 prohibits
employers of fifteen (15) employees or more, whether for-profit
or nonprofit, from discriminating on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin.37 The Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 196738 and the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 199039 prohibit discrimination based on age and disability.
Although state civil rights laws vary, the Arkansas Civil
Rights Act of 1993 also prohibits discrimination and applies to
employers of nine (9) or more.40
Nevertheless, a nonprofit should implement
non-discriminatory practices and procedures even if it has
few “employees” who may sue for discrimination. The most
obvious reason is that it is the right thing to do; a more practical
consideration is that the organization may eventually grow into
civil rights law coverage.
One of the most effective ways to avoid discrimination
and the appearance of discrimination is to make sure that the
organization reflects the diversity of the community served.
Directors, officers, volunteers and employees should reflect
diversity of, for example, age, race, sex, religion, national origin
and disability. Many groups also feel the need for other types of
diversity, such as geographic and socio-economic.
Pgs 94-95
According to the 2000 census Arkansas’ population is 15.7% African American. How does the Grand Lodge of Arkansas reflect this diversity? Is 15.7 % of its membership African American?, 10%?, 5%?, 1%?, any at all? Does anyone know of at least one African American that belongs to the Grand Lodge of Arkansas?
Now let’s take a look at what the state of Arkansas demands of its nonprofit corporations.
“THE ARKANSAS NONPROFIT CORPORATION ACT OF 1993.”
AR LEGIS 1147 (1993)
SECTION 620. Resignation (a) A member may resign at any time.
(b) The resignation of a member does not relieve the member from any
obligations the member may have to the corporation as a result of
obligations incurred or commitments made prior to resignation.
SECTION 621. Termination, Expulsion And Suspension
(a) No member of a public benefit or mutual benefit corporation may be
expelled or suspended, and no membership or memberships in such
corporations may be terminated or suspended except pursuant to a procedure
that is fair and reasonable and is carried out in good faith.
(b) A procedure is fair and reasonable when either:
(1) the articles or bylaws set forth a procedure that provides:
(i) not less than fifteen days prior written notice of the expulsion,
suspension or termination and the reasons therefore; and
(ii) an opportunity for the member to be heard, orally or in writing, not
less than five days before the effective date of the expulsion, suspension
or termination by a person or persons authorized to decide that the
proposed expulsion, termination or suspension not take place; or
(2) it is fair and reasonable taking into consideration all of the relevant
facts and circumstances.
(c) Any written notice given by mail must be given by first-class or
certified mail sent to the last address of the member shown on the
corporation’s records.
(d) Any proceeding challenging an expulsion, suspension or termination,
including a proceeding in which defective notice is alleged, must be
commenced within one year after the effective date of the expulsion,
suspension or termination.
(e) A member who has been expelled or suspended may be liable to the
corporation for dues, assessments or fees as a result of obligations
incurred or commitments made prior to expulsion or suspension.
There is a catch to all this:
Arkansas Nonprofit Corporation Act
There are two versions of the Arkansas Nonprofit Corporation Act, (“ANPCA”), one passed in 1963, and one passed in 1993. Corporations created prior to 1993 are subject to the 1963 Act, unless they choose to subject themselves to the 1993 Act. Any organizations incorporated after 1993 are subject to the 1993 Act. – Arkansas Attorney General’s Office
So the Grand Lodge of Arkansas may be grandfathered out of many of these requirements as it was incorporated in 1846. Yet many Arkansas nonprofit corporations realizing that the post civil rights era of legislation has seen many changes drastically transforming society have signed onto the 1993 act voluntarily. Many also have done so because the new Act protects the interest of members and ensures against deception and mistreatment. For some it becomes not what you can get away with but rather what is the spirit of the times and how can I join in to be a part of it. Sadly it seems that the Grand Lodge of Arkansas would rather live in the Civil War era and operate under the rules of a bygone era. How Masonic is that?
We say that Freemasonry has its own law yet we admonish all within the Craft to uphold the civil government and obey the civil statutes. Does that mean that Freemasonry can knowingly try to operate with Masonic Law that is in direct conflict with Civil Law?
Let’s review what we have learned from this event.
1) This is no longer your Grandfather’s Chevrolet …..er Grand Lodge. Freemasonry must stop living in the past as West Virginia and Arkansas are doing. Instead it needs to adapt to the mores of present day society.
2) Running a closed society that allows no freedom of expression and muzzles its members is antithetical to Freemasonry of the Enlightenment.
3) Operating a society with laws, rules and regulations that conflict with civil law and civil rights is not only not in the spirit of Freemasonry but also blatantly immoral.
4) An organization in this day and age, especially a nonprofit volunteer one, cannot realistically force a person against his will to remain a member. It should be the option of any Freemason to simply resign from any Grand Lodge.
5) Making up silly and vindictive rules such as prohibiting members from using the Internet or any electronic means to discuss Freemasonry is unbecoming and un-Masonic.
6) It’s been almost 50 years since Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights movement transformed America. It is past time that Grand Lodges reflected that change.
7) It is painfully evident that Grand Lodges can no longer operate as they have done in the past. This is the 21st century with new ways of looking at different lifestyles and morality. Grand Lodges are now in a public-private partnership yet they refuse to recognize their duty to civil law and their new commitments. Failure of Freemasonry to operate within the framework of present day moral, societal and political civil practice could be very costly to the Craft.
Finally let us dispense with the notion that holding Freemasonry accountable in civil court is against Masonic moral law. It is Grand Lodges who took themselves out of staying a purely private organization and into the civil world of corporate non-profits. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. And you can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth. If you want the benefits of a nonprofit corporation than abide by the civil laws that go with it and govern your Grand Lodge in the spirit of the law as it was intended.
The Beehive urges every Freemason in the U.S.A. to investigate the process its Grand Lodge is using and to educate himself on how it operates, to use the Freedom of Information Act when needed and to hold his Grand Lodge, a nonprofit corporation, accountable in civil court when necessary.
Derek Gordon is not going to self expel himself, nor is he going to attend his Masonic trial. Attempts by the Grand Lodge of Arkansas to redefine what he has done is futile. HE HAS RESIGNED – NOT SELF EXPELLED HIMSELF. To the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, accept the resignation of Derek Gordon and put an end to your foolishness.
This is not the Civil War era, this is the Information Age and we are all watching you.
Ohio Grand Master Terry W. Posey has posted on his blog some more reasons for Ohio’s decision regarding former West Virginia Grand Master Frank Haas. Let us not forget the issues in this case and become so caught up in protocol and procedure that we forget about civil and human rights, inalienable rights given to us by God. And let us remember that no one over rules God.
Withdrawl of Recognition by the Grand Lodge of West VirginiaOn April 22, 2010 the following was sent to those member Grand Lodges of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America.
I write to provide some explanation of the actions taken by Steubenville Lodge #45, regarding the Masonic membership of Frank J. Haas.
Frank J. Haas was Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of West Virginia in 2006. The following items were proposed to be changed by him and those changes passed at the 2006 Grand Lodge Session held in Wheeling, but the vote was abruptly set aside less than two weeks later. This was and is again the current Masonic law under The Grand Lodge of West Virginia.
1. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia forbids the Pledge of Allegiance at lodge meetings.
2. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia is the only Grand Lodge to refuse by law to allow DeMolay, Rainbow, or Job’s Daughters to meet in any lodge rooms. Their lodges are forbidden from donating any money to any charitable organization, including Masonic youth organizations or permitting them to earn money on the lodge premises.
3. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia is the only Grand Lodge in the United States not to belong to the Masonic Service Association.
4. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia forbids the charter of a Royal Arch Chapter to hang in its lodge rooms. No Masonic art that includes symbols of any other Masonic organization except the symbolic lodge can hang in West Virginia lodge rooms (this includes portraits of Past Grand High Priests and Past Grand Commanders). The Grand Lodge of West Virginia has banned books, movies, slideshows, songs, CD’s, an Ohio singer, and websites.
5. Family members cannot be pallbearers at a Masonic Funeral in West Virginia unless they are Masons. The ashes of a deceased brother cannot receive a Masonic Funeral in West Virginia, because it is by their Masonic law declared “undignified.”
6. Almost no one with a physical disability can be elected to receive the degree of Freemasonry in a Lodge under The Grand Lodge of West Virginia. The cause of the injury, be it military service or anything else, does not matter.
The above-referenced reforms were passed as part of the “Wheeling Reforms” at the 2006 Grand Lodge Session of The Grand Lodge of West Virginia but were set aside by the succeeding Grand Master less than two weeks later. That action has brought about the turmoil in the Craft in West Virginia and ultimately resulted in the expulsion of Frank J. Haas, the Grand Master who proposed the reforms.
All of these topics have been the subject of much discussion on the websites, including http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com and masonic-crusade.com and blogs and the Philalethes publications. This has also been widely reported in detail in the popular press by the Associated Press and with a color spread in the New York Times.
I have observed the situation for two and a half years. In a most respectful tone, I wrote to three Grand Masters of West Virginia and offered my good offices to mediate its conflict. All offers were ignored or rejected.
Steubenville Lodge #45 regularly received and investigated a petition from Frank J. Haas to receive the degrees of Freemasonry in that Lodge.
He made a full disclosure of the Notice of Expulsion by the Past Grand Master of West Virginia and answered all questions presented to him by the Steubenville Lodge’s Committee of Investigation. The Lodge did the necessary background work, including a home visit. They were convinced that he was a good man and true, and he met all requirements, including residency for the requisite time, for membership.
I thoroughly researched the Code of The Grand Lodge of Ohio and determined that there is nothing to prevent his receiving the degrees. Inasmuch as he is an Ohio resident, the Constitution of The Grand Lodge of Ohio confers jurisdiction over his membership to The Grand Lodge of Ohio.
After he was unanimously elected to receive the degrees by Steubenville Lodge #45, I concurred with the Lodge that the laws of The Grand Lodge of Ohio had been complied with, and the Lodge proceeded to confer the three degrees of Freemasonry on Frank J. Haas, who for years had been an honorary member of that lodge. On April 17, 2010, he received the three degrees of Freemasonry in Steubenville Lodge.
On the next business day, the Grand Master of West Virginia withdrew fraternal relations with The Grand Lodge of Ohio because of the action taken by Steubenville Lodge.
The Grand Lodge of West Virginia has withdrawn its fraternal recognition of other Grand Lodges before. In 1991, Charles E. Forsythe, then Grand Master, issued two edicts regarding Prince Hall Masons. His edicts forbade members of The Grand Lodge of West Virginia to be present in Lodges under the Grand Lodges of Connecticut, Wisconsin, Nebraska, State of Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, and North Dakota, all of which had recognized the regular Prince Hall Grand Lodges in their states.
Despite the unfortunate action taken by The Grand Lodge of West Virginia, I am convinced that Steubenville Lodge #45 acted consistently with the Code of The Grand Lodge of Ohio, and I find no fault on their part or that of Brother Haas.
The Grand Lodge of Ohio acted consistently with Ohio law. We ask our sister Grand Lodges to respect our law.
Fraternally,
Terry W. Posey
Grand Master
Addendum to Blog Article on 4/23/2010:
I have been informed by the Grand Master of West Virginia that this withdrawl does NOT interfere with fraternal relations of appendant bodies and that members can continue those relationships.
A quote by Martin Luther King: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about those things that matter.”
http://gmohio.blogspot.com/2010/04/withdrawl-of-recognition-by-grand-lodge.html – No Longer live, archive page.
One of the other violations Haas was convicted of is discourse with a clandestine Lodge. Haas met with Prince Hall leaders to discuss recognition. He did not go to the Grand Lodge building of Prince Hall nor did he invite them to the building of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. Rather they met at a neutral site – a hotel.
If it is illegal to even talk to Prince Hall Masons then it is impossible to ever negotiate recognition. By codifying non Masonic discourse outside Mainstream Masonry you have institutionalized racism.
Years ago I was told by many a Mason to shut up, stop creating such a ruckus and let time heal all wounds, for in time all those racists and all these divisions will disappear as the Old Guard dies off.
The years have come and gone and now I am a senior citizen and the Old Guard has died off. But the racism in Freemasonry and the overbearing, over controlling, tyrannical Grand Lodges are still with us. Frank Haas and West Virginia, Atlanta’s Gate City Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Georgia and Derek Gordon and the Grand Lodge of Arkansas have all been with us lately. And tomorrow we will be pointing to another horrific incident in the annuals of Freemasonry. And this will go on and on until we come to some sort of understanding that all the jurisdictions in the U.S.A. are one big family that needs to pull together. We can find a way to do that while still maintaining state jurisdictional hegemony if we put our minds to it, work together and approach this as a problem to be solved rather than something to be ignored because it’s not my jurisdiction.
It all started with somebody who was willing to break the code of mutual support…………no matter the deed. Most Worshipful Terry W. Posey writes on his blog:
“Frank Haas is a Judge in West Virginia and until several years ago was Grand Master of West Virginia. The story of his being expelled from the Grand Lodge of West Virginia is well-documented in various Masonic and other publications. I have reviewed as many as were available, including West Virginia’s Proceedings, the New York Times and www.masonic-crusade.com .”
“He moved to Ohio last year. After that, he petitioned Steubenville Lodge # 45 for the degrees of Freemasonry.”
“I thoroughly researched the Code of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and there is nothing to prevent his receiving these degrees. Inasmuch as he is an Ohio resident, the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ohio confers jurisdiction over his membership to the Grand Lodge of Ohio and the lodge’s membership.”
“He made a full disclosure of the Notice of Expulsion by the Past Grand Master of West Virginia and answered all questions presented to him by the Lodge’s Committee of Investigation. The Lodge did the necessary background work, including a home visit. They were assured that he was a good man and true, and he met all requirements, including residency for the requisite time, for membership.”
“Steubenville Lodge # 45 gave a unanimous ballot approving his membership.”
“On April 17, he received the three degrees of Freemasonry in Steubenville Lodge.” http://gmohio.blogspot.com/2010/04/frank-haas.html – page archive
The response was for the Grand Lodge of West Virginia to withdraw recognition of Ohio. The Grand Lodge of Ohio’s website reports it thusly:
“The Grand Master of West Virginia, Gregory A. Riley, Sr., issued an edict on April 19, 2010 withdrawing fraternal recognition from the Grand Lodge of Ohio because Steubenville Lodge No. 45 elected Frank Haas to membership and conferred the three degrees of Masonry on him on Saturday, April 17, 2010.”
If West Virginia can withdraw recognition of Ohio so quickly and easily, why is it that some of the Grand Lodges in the United States who are really doing a wonderful job have not withdrawn recognition from West Virginia, clearly a rogue Grand Lodge, a long time ago? It seems to me that only the bad guys have the chutzpah to take action.
And if the Conference of Grand Masters is truly our national voice in American Freemasonry why has it not voted on a proposal to withdraw recognition from those Grand Lodges who trample on the civil rights of their Brethren and who refuse to recognize Prince Hall?
Why is it that American Freemasonry refuses to police itself? Are we waiting for the civil courts to step in? Do we really think that the actions of one Grand Lodge has no bearing on the public’s perception of all of American Freemasonry? Are we going to stand by and do nothing while one after another after another of these incidents of tyrannical power gone amuck , these actions of Right Wing Masonic Militia take place?
Will there be any national response to the plight of Derek Gordon?
The Beehive will wait to see further developments as this may be one of many battles to come. Widely rumored in Prince Hall circles is the story that the UGLE is seriously considering withdrawing recognition from all American Grand Lodges who refuse to recognize Prince Hall.
It all started with somebody who was willing to break the code of mutual support…………no matter the deed. Most Worshipful Terry W. Posey writes on his blog: