PHA and your GL

[companion3X3]

Yeah that what I thought, had to be recent.

 

[Ashlar2006]

And some Prince Hall Masons have issues with so-called Mainstream Masons also . This is not a one sided affair . Recognition is a two way street . Nothing is stopping PHA Grand Lodges from recognizing MS Grand Lodges , but they do not .

As I stated in a post above . My GL approached the PHAGL of KY a few years ago about recognizing them and was turned down flat by PHA Masons , but it was we the MS Masons who continued to take the blame for the non-recognition in my state even though we stretched forth our hand to them . As of last year they now recognize us , with the stipulation that we are not to set in lodge with them .

 

[WFo752594]

this was taken from a web clip a found.


EFFCTS OF RECOGNITION OF PRINCE HALL MASONRY
By
M:W: Allen G. Tidwell, P.G.M.
Slidell Lodge No. 311
September 1, 1990
Alexandria, LA

In attempting to foresee the effort of any given course of action, probably it is wise, in the beginning to
determine what are genuine and then work from there.

However, sometimes there is a problem.

For instance, when ore is heated, along with the molten metal is a dross that needs to be
skimmed off and discarded.

So it is with written work. Far too often, in time, added opinion becomes accepted fact.

After 200 years, we find in some quarters our founding fathers are being pictured as
reprobates-unheard of a few years ago.

While he was alive, Brother J. Edgar Hoover was considered the epitome of integrity. He was
trusted by many presidents as well as by his countrymen. Those who wish to destroy what
history will say about the character of this dedicated American already has begun, by
exaggeration and innuendo, their hatchet work.

Countless other examples could be cited.

So too, is the topic this speaker will discuss with you this date.

There have been instances where intelligent men have glossed over, or argued against, facts
and circumstances.

After considering several sources, I believe that you will find the following helpful in your
deliberations.

PRINCE HALL MASONRY: REGULAR OR IRREGULAR?

Subsequent to getting into the effects of recognition of Prince Hall Masonry, I will relate
some of the history and background as pertaining to that particular organization.

The first question you may ask is:

"Just what or who is Prince Hall"?

Prince Hall was a black man born probably in West Africa around 1735 (the date is disputed).
According to one version of the story, Prince Hall, at the age of fourteen, was carried to
America by slave-traders. He was sold as a chattel into the family of William Hall, a leather
dresser of Boston; and his new owners called him "Prince." He worked in that household for
twenty-one years. In 1770, apparently for good behaviour, his owners set him free. He had
learned his former master's trade of leather dresser and was able to earn his livelihood by that
means. On March 6, in either 1775 or 1778 (the date is not clear), he was made a Mason.
Within the next three years, he, along with a number of other black men, formed a Lodge that
they called African Lodge No.1.

Interestingly, Prince Hall was reportedly initiated by a Sergeant John Batt of the British
Army's 38th Regiment of Foot, which was stationed in Boston when the American
Revolution started. There was a regimental Lodge, No.441, I.C. L-Iesus Christus (Jesus
Christ), but it is not known whether Batt belonged or not. Batt was discharged from the
British army in 1777, and promptly joined the rebel forces but deserted the next year. He does
not come across as a man of deep principle. It has been suggested that he was a confidence
man who made quite a bit of money by pretending to initiate some black men into Masonry
for a fee. Quite possibly, the initiation ceremony consisted, as Coil
suggests, of "sales talks, and a copy of one of the published Masonic "exposures. Some
modern students have argued that these black men were really not Masons, because they had
joined in such irregular circumstances.

However, the Grand Lodge of England (Moderns) issued Warrant No.459 to African Lodge
of Boston on September 29, 1784. In 1792 the Grand Lodge changed the Lodge's number to
"370." Because the Lodge failed to comply with the terms of its warrant by not submitting
any annual returns or reports after 1798 and not remitting any Moines for the Grand Charity
Fund since 1797, the United Grand Lodge of England, as the lawful successor to the Grand
Lodge of England (Moderns), did in 1813, EASE African Lodge of Boston from its register
of Lodges. This caused the forfeiting of the 1784 English warrant which became null and
void. As proof of its intent and purpose, the Grand Lodge of England assigned the Lodge
Numbers "370" and "459" to other Lodges.

Thus since 1813 the 1784 English warrant of African Lodge of Boston has been a worthless
scrap of paper devoid of any Masonic authority, validity, force, or effect. Any act, deed, or
effort performed in the name of African Lodge No. 459/370 of Boston since 1813 has been
invalid and ultra virus (beyond the legal power or authority of an organization). Any group of
men, regardless of color, attempting to claim any legitimacy or regularities since 1813 by
virtue of possessing the physical 1784 English warrant of African Lodge of Boston is simply
practising self-deception.

Not having any lawful and competent and regular Masonic authority since 1813, the members
of African Lodge of Boston and ALL bodies claiming descent from it cannot escape the
classification of illegitimate and clandestine. Witness the fact that the United Grand Lodge of
England has not extended any recognition to, nor held any communication with the Prince
Hall Masons for more than 175 years. The United Grand Lodge of England, also, has never
extended any recognition to any of the Prince Hall Grand Lodges in the United States.

Subsequent to October, 1989, recognition of Prince Hall Masonry, in America, had been
considered in only two instances.

Seventeen American Grand Lodges severed relations with the Grand Lodge of the State of
Washington.

The next year, in 1899, the Grand Lodge of the State of Washington reversed its action.

In 1947, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts recognized Prince Hall Masonry.

At least eleven American Grand Lodges reproached them and the Grand Lodges of Florida
and Texas severed relations with the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

Two years later, in 1949, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts retracted its action.

To date, only 7 regular Grand Lodges in the United States have effectively extended any form
of recognition to any of the Prince Hall Grand Lodges. Those recognition's were effected
between the months of October 1989, and August 1991.

Consequently, regular Masonry throughout the world, (Connecticut, Nebraska, Wisconsin,
Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota, and the State of Washington not included), consider
ALL Prince Hall Grand Lodges, as well as any other "so-called" Negro Grand Lodges, in the
United States, illegitimate and clandestine.

It's important to note that on June 26, 1827, according to a notice in the Boston Daily
Advertiser, African Lodge declared its independence of any external authority. It began to
call itself African Grand Lodge No.1.

It should also be noted that the words "Prince Hall" were incorporated into their title
following a recommendation made at a conference of Prince Hall Grand Masters held in
Arkansas in 1944.

Note that I have used the term, Negro Grand Lodges, and not "Negro Lodges." There exists in
America, at this date, regular, predominately Negro Lodges. For instance, Alpha Lodge
No.116, located in East Orange, New Jersey, which has approximately 171 members is
governed by the authority of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, F.&A.M.

Now, I will get back to the original question. How does the recognition of Prince Hall
Masonry by some Grand Jurisdictions, affect regular Masonry?

I now offer for your consideration possible results of recognizing Prince Hall Masonry.

What would be some of the advantages of recognizing this clandestine group?

Well, with Prince Hall recognition, their members may be visiting our constituent Lodges, so we may have more
in attendance at our meetings.

Perhaps they may contribute some of their money to our charities or to our Lodges.

Recently in Massachusetts, a Prince Hall Lodge official successfully fostered the idea of a
brotherhood night with a regular lodge. A dinner followed by speakers was held, with
alternate seating to increase the friendliness of the occasion. Ladies and men of the Prince
Hall Order of the Eastern Star prepared the meal, and ladies of the members of the regular
Lodge assisted in serving. Such social gatherings could be expected to increase.

Masonry has been accused of paying lip service to the Fatherhood of God and the
Brotherhood of Man. Recognition may improve our image.

Recognition would almost certainly be the first step toward union of the two organizations.
Thus, the size of our fraternity may increase.

However, certain negative effects may be felt.

The most obvious observation to the question of recognition is that by recognizing "Prince
Hall Masonry," by decree, is inherently counterproductive. All but seven of our Grand
Jurisdictions acknowledge, for the reasons aforementioned and many others, Prince Hall
Masonry is clandestine, and we are by law and obligation restricted from sitting and/or
communicating with clandestine Masons. When the Grand Lodges of Connecticut, Nebraska,
Wisconsin, Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota and the State of Washington recognized
clandestine Masons as regular, it put the rest of the Grand Lodges in our Nation in a very
precarious position.

Carl H. Claudy, a great Masonic writer, in describing the importance of the obligation,
indicated even though there would be no light and no building, a man might be made a
Master Mason.

On the other hand, no matter how beautiful the building with every working tool and
convenience at hand, there would be no initiation, passing or raising without the obligation.
Most Masons, although not wilfully, but due to human weakness, sometimes break one or
more sections of their obligation.

If a clandestinely made Mason were to attend your lodge, there no doubt would be guilt on
the part of some of the regular Masons in attendance. Picture in your mind the possible
reactions. Some would leave. Some would be afraid of what the clandestine Mason would
think, so they would suppress their emotions and remain silent - but would never return to
Lodge. Others may even strongly state their feelings and objections.

In any case, the peace and harmony of the Lodge would be seriously disturbed - if the lodge,
in fact, continued to exist.

Another great Masonic writer wrote that no matter that the ritual had been exposed, the
deeper meanings of the symbols and allegories of Masonry would not be comprehended
unless a man had been initiated, passed and raised in a just and legally constituted Lodge of
Masons.

If clandestinely made Masons were to sit in a regular Lodge, the Masonic obligation would be broken and in the
highest sense, the lodge would no longer be legal. This may be a hindrance on the part of the members, and
perhaps especially any candidate, to ever understand deeply the symbols and allegory of Masonry .

Recognition of Prince Hall Masonry would mean that there would be two recognized Grand
Lodges in a given State.

It has been the tradition in the United States to have only one regular Grand Lodge within the
boundary of any one State.

The change in American tradition may involve problems.

Prince Hall Masonry is not recognized as legitimate anywhere in the world, except now in
seven American States.

If regular Masonry is to recognize Prince Hall Masonry, then in justice and fairness the
claims of the Grand Lodges that have broken off from Prince Hall Masonry, and even other
clandestine Grand Lodges, would need to be investigated. They deserve the same
consideration, for we will have set precedence by the earlier recognition.

As regular Masons, we must now, and evermore, remain extremely cautious if we wish to visit a lodge in one of
the seven aforerferenced Grand Jurisdictions for fear that a person who has not been regularly initiated, passed
and raised, may be sitting in that regular lodge. How are we to know? It certainly is not easy to recognize as it
once was.

As you know, the Grand Lodge of Louisiana withdrew recognition of the Grand Lodge of
Connecticut as a safeguard for Louisiana Masons not to be inadvertently subjected to the
possibility of sitting with clandestine Masons. During Masonic year 1990, the Grand Master
took a different posture in dealing with the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, Wisconsin, and the
State of Washington. He authored a "Statement of Position" concerning the aforementioned
Grand Lodges, and it was published in the "Louisiana Freemason," our quarterly Masonic
publication. This was done in an effort to effectively alert Louisiana Masons pertaining to the
actions of the Grand Lodges of Connecticut and Nebraska and to reiterate our responsibilities
to our Masonic obligations and our Masonic Law that both forbid us from sitting and/or
communicating with clandestine Masons.

On February 19, 1991, the United Grand Lodge of England published a statement titled
"Prince Hall Masonry and North American Grand Lodges" that read as follows:

"The Board has considered reports that the Grand Lodges of Connecticut, Wisconsin
and the State of Washington have each recognized the 'Prince Hall' Grand Lodge
operating within its jurisdiction, been recognized by it and have established reciprocal
rights of inter-visitation. This means that members of Masonic constitutions not
recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England may be encountered in Lodges in
North America under Grand Lodges that we at present recognize.

Until further notice, Brethren of the English Constitution should not visit Lodges
under the Grand Lodges named above.

Brethren from recognised Masonic jurisdictions in North America (including the four
named above) continue to be welcome at our meetings. "

The following states effected their recognition of Prince Hall Masonry after the
aforereferenced position paper was written and before the United Grand Lodge of England
paper was made cognisant of the referenced States actions. Those dates are as
follows:

(Wisconsin' s action was effected June 18, 1990.)
(Washington State's action was effected June 19, 1990.)
(Colorado ' s action was effected January 28, 1991.)
(North Dakota's action was effected June 1991.)
(Minnesota' s action was effected August 1991.)

The following definitions are taken from Albert Mackey's "Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry":

Clandestine – The ordinary meaning of this word is secret, hidden. The French word
"clandestine," from which it is derived, is defined to be something
done in a hiding-place and against the laws, which best suits the
Masonic signification, which is illegal, not authorized.


Clandestine Lodge- A body of Masons united in a lodge without the consent of a Grand Lodge, or,
although originally legally constituted, continued to work after its charter has been
revoked, is styled a "Clandestine Lodge. "

Clandestine Mason- One made in or affiliated with a clandestine Lodge. With clandestine
Lodges or
Masons, regular Masons and forbidden to associate or converse on
Masonic subjects.

Using Mackey's definitions, it seems clear to me that the only way a man can become a
regular Mason and sit in a Lodge of regular Masons is to be initiated, passed and raised in a
regular Lodge as each of us was. It seems absolutely absurd to view it in any other way.

The Grand Lodge of West Virginia obviously has similar convictions. Their Grand Master for
1991, M: W : Charles E. Forsythe, applaudably has issued two Edicts dealing with the
subject. His Edicts FORBID members of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of West
Virginia, A.F.&.A.M., to be present in Lodges under the Grand Lodges of Connecticut,
Wisconsin, Nebraska, State of Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, and North Dakota. His
Edicts DO NOT prohibit members of those named jurisdictions from visiting Lodges under
the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of West Virginia, A.F.&A.M. His show
of strength and concern for Masonic heritage and integrity when dealing with this
controversial and sensitive matter is commendable

In summary, it is my opinion, that the ideal of recognizing clandestine Masonry is ill
conceived and is inherently divisional in its effects toward regular Freemasonry. In these
present times, as we suffer through a period of attitude apathy and lack of interest in the
moral teachings of our fraternity, I repetitiously state that to intentionally cause a division in
our Masonic fraternity is counterproductive and produces absolutely no merit whatsoever.
These should be times, as never before in our existence, for all regular Masons to be pulling
together toward a common cause. The actions taken by the Grand Lodges of Connecticut,
Nebraska, Wisconsin, Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota and the State of Washington,
relative to recognizing Prince Hall Masonry as legitimate is contrary to a desired goal of
working together, as regular Masons, toward a common cause. This carries with it an
escalated and distinct possibility of causing an irreparable split in Freemasonry in North
America.

INFORMATON SAURCES

"A Problem For The 90's -Prince Hall Freemasonry And The Question of Regularity"
Wallace McLeod, FPS, International Vice-President, The Philalethes Society.


"Important For Regular Masons"
Prepared by Masonic Research Associates, Anchorage, Alaska.

"Foreign Countries"
Carl H. Claudy, Southern Ppublishers, Inc., Masonic Publications Division, Kingsport, Tennessee.


1

Prince Hall wasn't Black. His father was an Englishman that work in the leather craft trade and his mother was Black. It states that Prince Hall was fair skinned. At that time in history no Black Man couldn't walk around organizing anything without lynch party coming after him. The name change to Prince Hall was to declare their independence from Mainstream Masonry. See, it always been two America with different attitudes, one White and one Black!

 

[sfoe]

From what I have been told, something similar to this happened in TN where I am a F&AM. I was told that PHA didn't want us to recognize them or them recognize us. Needless to say, neither group wants to recognize the other in TN.

And some Prince Hall Masons have issues with so-called Mainstream Masons also . This is not a one sided affair . Recognition is a two way street . Nothing is stopping PHA Grand Lodges from recognizing MS Grand Lodges , but they do not .

As I stated in a post above . My GL approached the PHAGL of KY a few years ago about recognizing them and was turned down flat by PHA Masons , but it was we the MS Masons who continued to take the blame for the non-recognition in my state even though we stretched forth our hand to them . As of last year they now recognize us , with the stipulation that we are not to set in lodge with them .

 

[Custer148]

Recently the GL of NE and the PHAGL held a MM degree with Past Masters of both GLs doing the work for a brother of each GL. It was a degree that was not lost on either man raised at that time.
At our last AC, a recording of a phone call was played that was made in 1990 by then GM Charles Amidon to the PH GM at the time (regretfully his name escapes me) which made known the results of the GL of NE vote and the results of the PHGL vote to recognize each other. After the playing of the call both of the GMs were introduced at the podium and were met with a standing ovation. I am glad I was there to witness this. The GL of NE has PHA members at our AC every year and the GM of the NE GL goes to the PHA AC every year.

 

[removed12612]

I have not been to our GL meeting but I know the PHA Brothers from the PHA GL of IN are at our annual communications...and from I have heard, they do make an impressive entrance.

I just would like to point out that not all "MS" GL have fraternal relations right now either....

 

[Boat-az]

Link to Florida Grand Lodge Digest

Here is the link to the Florida Digest of Masonic Law. You can see it for yourself. There was legislation submitted this year at Grand Lodge to recognize PHA but we voted it down. The principle reason Florida does not recognize PHA is that they have no interest in recognizing us. It was also pointed out that there are a total of 8 Grand Lodges of Masons within the Jurisdiction of Florida. This is a much different matter than anywhere else in the nation.

We have the right here in Florida to refuse admittance to any Mason to our own Lodge for any reason, even if he might be a true and lawful Mason. This goes a long way toward the harmony of the individual Lodges.

I have a few friends who have joined Larsen Lodge #361, a Lodge in my home district having resigned from both PHA and the International Masons. This is legal in our State and ironically encouraged by our Grand Lodge to the chagrin of many Masons here.

Personally, I don't see how someone could be accepted and obligated in our Fraternity of F&AM when they are allowed to simply denounce the obligation they made at another Order. Unfortunately, it is not my choice.

Grand Lodge of Florida

 

[Bob Franks]

About 2 or 3 years ago for NC and a little longer for TX . Any brothers from those states know the exact dates ?

In North Carolina, we voted to Recognise on September 20, 2008. I did not have a vote that year, but I was present.

S&F

 

[Winter]

Ashlar, I feel bad for you, Brother! LOL I can see you beating your head on your keyboard everytime people make blanket acusations about you nasty racist southerners and how the whole PHA problem is all your fault!

I also love how people keep trotting out the Tidwell paper, which is full of plenty of holes and blatently wrong. Here is the current status of PHA and the UGLE.

Report From The United Grand Lodge of England
Prince Hall Masonry and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

BACKGROUND

1. Annex A states the Board's view of Regularity and recognition.

2. Annex B is a short history of Prince Hall Masonry.

COMMENT ON PRINCE HALL MASONRY

3. By the standards of today, the formation of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was irregular. In the 18th Century, however, three Grand Lodges in North America were formed by not three but two Lodges, and the Grand Lodge of New Jersey was formed simply by a Grand Convention of Masons. By standards then prevailing, the formation of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts could have been seen as merely eccentric, and of acceptable regularity.

4. Notwithstanding the unusual transformation of its original Lodge into a Grand Lodge, the philosophy and practice of Prince Hall Masonry today are of exemplary regularity.

RECOGNITION OF OR OTHER RELATIONS WITH PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGES

5. Some Grand Lodges in North America have recognised Prince Hall Grand Lodges, and others allow inter-visitation between their Brethren and Brethren of Prince Hall Grand Lodges in their territory. Both sorts are dealing with what the Board sees as irregularly-formed bodies. Grand Lodge's initial reaction was to stop Brethren of the English Constitution visiting Lodges in the affected jurisdictions.

6. In 1988 the Board was unable to support an application from the Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, seeking recognition for his Grand Lodge (and in ultimate effect on behalf of some 300,000 Prince Hall Masons in jurisdictions descended from his).

BOARD'S CURRENT VIEW AND PROPOSAL

7. The Board has been reconsidering the application for over three years, and it believes that the proper course is now to ignore the unusual formation of the African Grand Lodge and to recommend instead that the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts should be deemed to be and accepted as regular, and recognised. This is not intended to set a general precedent, but the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which was the African Grand Lodge's forerunner may also merit special consideration.

8. If the problem of regularity were to be solved in this way, the State Grand Lodge of Massachusetts would have no objection to the United Grand Lodge of England recognising the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, both-Massachusetts Grand Lodges having sovereign jurisdiction over the Brethren and Lodges of their Constitution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Recognition of other Prince Hall Grand Lodges descended from African Lodge might follow similar lines.

9. The Board recommends that the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts be recognised.

10. An appropriate resolution will be moved, and appears at item of the paper of business.

11. The administrations of the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland have been kept informed of the Board's deliberations. They agree in principle that the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts should be recognised and are aware of what might follow.

 

[Ashlar2006]

Bro. Winter , It makes me want to scream . I am sick to death of these accusations . What makes it even worse is when you point out that some PHA jurisdictions do not want to recognize the "Mainstream" counterparts you can hear crickets chirping . It seems it is more convenient to blame us mean ol' white guys .

Here in the near future we will will recognize the PHAGL of Ky. and I can guarantee that even though PHA was the FIRST to state that they do not want visitation with us , we will get the blame for that also .

 

[Winter]

Keep the faith, Brother!

 

[PatrickWilliams]

Bro. Winter , It makes me want to scream . I am sick to death of these accusations . What makes it even worse is when you point out that some PHA jurisdictions do not want to recognize the "Mainstream" counterparts you can hear crickets chirping . It seems it is more convenient to blame us mean ol' white guys .

Here in the near future we will will recognize the PHAGL of Ky. and I can guarantee that even though PHA was the FIRST to state that they do not want visitation with us , we will get the blame for that also .

For what it's worth, Ash - you won't be the only jurisdiction in which visitation is not allowed but some form of recognition is on the books. Baby steps, Brother, baby steps. I hope in time that all regular Masons will be able to sit in Lodge together. I trust that this will happen. And I pray that it will happen in my lifetime.

 

[Bob Franks]

segregation/separation

Racial intolerance is not peculiar to the South.
Growing up in Indianapolis, in the early 1960s Little Rock, Ark, and Selma, Ala, were all over the news. My father tiring of the slanted news asked my brother and I [both early teens] "what is the school in Indianapolis that Negros [sic] go to?" My brother and I answered in unison, "Crispus Attucks!"
Indiana was considered North in the Civil War, was it not?

When I was asking about Masonry (in Indiana) in the 1970s, I was told, "They have their lodges and we have ours."
SOME brotherly love!

S&F

 

[Gary]

We are the generation that has the means to change that. And we should.

 

[Bob Franks]

PHA and us

Tuesday night we will meet at a local restaurant with our Prince Hall Affiliate counterparts in the local district. We are trying to find joint activities outside the lodge that would increase familiarity between the two groups. At present the situation gets really tense if visitation between the two groups is mentioned.
This will be the third or fourth such meeting. Each time we encourage a few more members to attend, but it is slow going.

S&F

 

[PatrickWilliams]

Tuesday night we will meet at a local restaurant with our Prince Hall Affiliate counterparts in the local district. We are trying to find joint activities outside the lodge that would increase familiarity between the two groups. At present the situation gets really tense if visitation between the two groups is mentioned.
This will be the third or fourth such meeting. Each time we encourage a few more members to attend, but it is slow going.

S&F

Hold on Brother, and keep fighting the good fight. It takes time, energy and effort.

 

[Bob Franks]

Hold on Brother, and keep fighting the good fight. It takes time, energy and effort.

Thanks, Bro. Patrick! I need all the encouragement I can get. I just get SO worn down.

As an aside, in AF&AM-NC the SD is appointed, the JW is elected.
In 1998 I was SD and spoke up in an area meeting about the possibility of Recognizing our PH Brothers, encouraging it.
Come December (elections), I was not elected to JW. [I was able to get back into line later.]
I've got by scar, and I wear it proudly.

I just want to be a Mason!

S&F

 

[Duncan1574]

What can I do to help?

 

[Bob Franks]

What can I do to help?

Tell me how to respond 'in the most tender manner' when a Brother says, "I ain't going to stand in lodge with no N_____r!"
I want to be firm, steadfast, and also brotherly.

They say you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Sometime in their life, each of these Brothers wanted to better themselves with Masonry. I want to foster that, not tell them their views are unmasonic and demand that they demit.
I want to better their Masonry.

S&F

 

[TrowelTalk]

Interesting discussion, albeit somewhat frustrating...

I am no scholar on the history of recognition of the PH Grand Lodges, but I do know that there is a mutual recognition agreement here in Maryland, the two Grand Lines meet quarterly, and my Lodge hosts an annual event welcoming both Grand Lines into our Lodge.

Here are some photos from last years event:

We have a great time and look forward to next year.