Michael Neumann
Premium Member
Brethren,
History has shown that we have been successful in our simple quest to make good men better. Through lists such as those including Nat 'King' Cole and President Harry S. Truman we can see many of the names that have graced our halls and our successes through their works. We have enjoyed a rich history since our official birth in 1717 and we have survived numerous conflicts both internally and externally.
The years of infancy were filled with turmoil, to the point that there was a brief split in the ranks.
Points of Difference between 'Antients' and 'Moderns'
“We shall fail to understand the controversy and its bearing upon present-day freemasonry unless we examine, however briefly, the differences that distinguished the two bodies. The transposition of the modes of recognition in the First and Second Degrees was an outstanding difference to which reference has already been made, and it was regarded with something akin to horror by a great many masons, whether owning allegiance to the Grand Lodge or not. There were many other differences, some of them probably going back to pre-Grand Lodge days….” “…over a large part of the three-quarters of a century ending nominally in 1813. It must also be made clear that the matters comprehended by this question have been much debated and every Masonic scholar has his individual opinion on many of them.”
With this contention holding strong from 1751 until 1813 there were many who conceded that we would not resolve this conflict. We did and have since then continued to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood across our world. It was by no degree easy to move past the differences we realized that unity was needed, it was in our obligations, regulations, and accepted that a house divided cannot stand. A similar schism has been experienced here in the United States of America.
On March 6, 1775 “Lodge #441, Irish Constitution, John Batt- Master, who was a sergeant in the British Army stationed under General Gage at Castle Williams, Boston, Mass., initiated Prince Hall” (Tupper, 2010). It is not this event that cause the schism but the events that ensued. OnJuly 4, 1776we declared our independence and spent the next several years fighting viciously to defend it. During this time the payment of dues to the Grand Lodge in England was difficult at best and many lodges fell into the arrears. Intensifying this difficulty, as we seen earlier, from 1751-1813 masonry in England was going through its own growing pains. As our nation slowly emerged and began governing herself our lodges fought for precedence over one another. Jurisdictions were formed and it was Accepted that the now United Grand Lodge of England was our mother lodge.
In 1784 Prince Hall was granted a warrant under the English registry.
“Freemason’s proudly proclaim the supremacy of the Grand Lodge of England. It was the Grand Lodge of England that granted a warrant on September 29, 1784 for African Lodge No. 459, and this warrant is still in existence.” (Milliken, n.d.)
“In 1813, it and the other English Lodges in the United States were erased. Incidentally, African Lodge #459 had been renumbered #370 in 1792 but the Lodge was unaware of this.” (Tupper, 2010)
Because of the times and many other factors African Lodge was cast aside by “mainstream” masonry during for formation of Grand Lodges within the US and eventually deemed irregular, regardless of the fact they held a valid charter from the mother lodge. Whether or not they went dormant for a number of years or whether or not they for a short time declared independence from the UGLE matters not for the UGLE now recognizes Prince Hall Affiliated Masonry, so should we. With this recognition come all the rights, lights and privileges up to and including the inter-visitation we desire.
It is with these facts in mind that I humbly request that we reassess our stance in regards to Prince Hall Affiliated Masonry and her Grand Lodges. Both rivers of masonry run parallel and are stepped in a deep & rich history, connecting these two rivers with the tributaries of joint recognition and inter-visitation would provide strength and unity. Each of us has obligated ourselves to abide by the rules, regulations, and edicts of our Lodge and Grand Lodge. We have proudly maintained these obligations and will continue to uphold them so long as the GAOTU permits. Amending these regulations to permit the exchange of Masonic communications between our neighbors, coworkers, and in many cases family members would provide a greater sense of pleasure in our craft.
For this cause to pass, please visit your state link below and fill out the petition. Print a copy to send and then submit the form, each form is pointed to the state specific Grand Lodge email. Texas PHA did not have an email available so I directed to the lodges.
Research links that provided much of the information above -
http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2009/11/prince-hall-myths-legends-and-facts/
http://mastermason.com/brothergene/education/ancients_and_moderns.htm
http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/Essays/pha1.html
State Petition Forms -
TX
TX PHA
AL
AL PHA
AR (No GL Email)
AR PHA
FL
FL PHA (Still awaiting email)
GA
GA PHA (Still awaiting email)
KY
KY PHA
LA
LA PHA (Still awaiting email)
MS
MS PHA
SC
SC PHA
TN
TN PHA
WV
WV PHA
If anyone notices missing links or additional emails that should be included please inform me.
Here is the FB page https://www.facebook.com/#!/MasonicAmity once the website is complete I will release it on this thread.
History has shown that we have been successful in our simple quest to make good men better. Through lists such as those including Nat 'King' Cole and President Harry S. Truman we can see many of the names that have graced our halls and our successes through their works. We have enjoyed a rich history since our official birth in 1717 and we have survived numerous conflicts both internally and externally.
The years of infancy were filled with turmoil, to the point that there was a brief split in the ranks.
Points of Difference between 'Antients' and 'Moderns'
“We shall fail to understand the controversy and its bearing upon present-day freemasonry unless we examine, however briefly, the differences that distinguished the two bodies. The transposition of the modes of recognition in the First and Second Degrees was an outstanding difference to which reference has already been made, and it was regarded with something akin to horror by a great many masons, whether owning allegiance to the Grand Lodge or not. There were many other differences, some of them probably going back to pre-Grand Lodge days….” “…over a large part of the three-quarters of a century ending nominally in 1813. It must also be made clear that the matters comprehended by this question have been much debated and every Masonic scholar has his individual opinion on many of them.”
With this contention holding strong from 1751 until 1813 there were many who conceded that we would not resolve this conflict. We did and have since then continued to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood across our world. It was by no degree easy to move past the differences we realized that unity was needed, it was in our obligations, regulations, and accepted that a house divided cannot stand. A similar schism has been experienced here in the United States of America.
On March 6, 1775 “Lodge #441, Irish Constitution, John Batt- Master, who was a sergeant in the British Army stationed under General Gage at Castle Williams, Boston, Mass., initiated Prince Hall” (Tupper, 2010). It is not this event that cause the schism but the events that ensued. OnJuly 4, 1776we declared our independence and spent the next several years fighting viciously to defend it. During this time the payment of dues to the Grand Lodge in England was difficult at best and many lodges fell into the arrears. Intensifying this difficulty, as we seen earlier, from 1751-1813 masonry in England was going through its own growing pains. As our nation slowly emerged and began governing herself our lodges fought for precedence over one another. Jurisdictions were formed and it was Accepted that the now United Grand Lodge of England was our mother lodge.
In 1784 Prince Hall was granted a warrant under the English registry.
“Freemason’s proudly proclaim the supremacy of the Grand Lodge of England. It was the Grand Lodge of England that granted a warrant on September 29, 1784 for African Lodge No. 459, and this warrant is still in existence.” (Milliken, n.d.)
“In 1813, it and the other English Lodges in the United States were erased. Incidentally, African Lodge #459 had been renumbered #370 in 1792 but the Lodge was unaware of this.” (Tupper, 2010)
Because of the times and many other factors African Lodge was cast aside by “mainstream” masonry during for formation of Grand Lodges within the US and eventually deemed irregular, regardless of the fact they held a valid charter from the mother lodge. Whether or not they went dormant for a number of years or whether or not they for a short time declared independence from the UGLE matters not for the UGLE now recognizes Prince Hall Affiliated Masonry, so should we. With this recognition come all the rights, lights and privileges up to and including the inter-visitation we desire.
It is with these facts in mind that I humbly request that we reassess our stance in regards to Prince Hall Affiliated Masonry and her Grand Lodges. Both rivers of masonry run parallel and are stepped in a deep & rich history, connecting these two rivers with the tributaries of joint recognition and inter-visitation would provide strength and unity. Each of us has obligated ourselves to abide by the rules, regulations, and edicts of our Lodge and Grand Lodge. We have proudly maintained these obligations and will continue to uphold them so long as the GAOTU permits. Amending these regulations to permit the exchange of Masonic communications between our neighbors, coworkers, and in many cases family members would provide a greater sense of pleasure in our craft.
For this cause to pass, please visit your state link below and fill out the petition. Print a copy to send and then submit the form, each form is pointed to the state specific Grand Lodge email. Texas PHA did not have an email available so I directed to the lodges.
Research links that provided much of the information above -
http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2009/11/prince-hall-myths-legends-and-facts/
http://mastermason.com/brothergene/education/ancients_and_moderns.htm
http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/Essays/pha1.html
State Petition Forms -
TX
TX PHA
AL
AL PHA
AR (No GL Email)
AR PHA
FL
FL PHA (Still awaiting email)
GA
GA PHA (Still awaiting email)
KY
KY PHA
LA
LA PHA (Still awaiting email)
MS
MS PHA
SC
SC PHA
TN
TN PHA
WV
WV PHA
If anyone notices missing links or additional emails that should be included please inform me.
Here is the FB page https://www.facebook.com/#!/MasonicAmity once the website is complete I will release it on this thread.
Last edited: