Testimonials

My journey into freemasonry was very innocent. While growing up I became aware that an uncle, who resided in the same city, was a Freemason. However, at that time I never aspired to become a Freemason and it wasn’t until after I graduated from college that my interest in freemasonry peaked. I attended post-graduate studies out of state, and it was during this time that I inquired to a cousin about becoming a Freemason. At that time my cousin suggested that I wait until after graduation and become settled before I solicit membership into a lodge.  Now, I mentioned these two relatives of mine because my uncle (now deceased), from my mother's side, was affiliated with a so-called A.F. & A.M jurisdiction established by the infamous John G. Jones, and my cousin, from my father's side, was and still is affiliated with a Prince Hall lodge.  Later I found out that my father’s side had a history of Prince Hall masons that goes back to my great grandfather in South Carolina.

So, after graduation, I moved back to my town and a year later I spoke to my uncle about becoming a Freemason. My uncle happily gave me a petition to his lodge which had other relatives as members and this became my entry into Freemasonry, albeit unknowingly clandestine. When I joined my uncle’s lodge, I thought that I was joining a universal brotherhood and was happy about my membership. After being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, I continued onward with my masonic journey achieving degrees in both the York Rite and Scottish Rite until I married and started having children where my masonic career became dormant for a few years.

When I decided to rejoin my lodge and become active again, I found out that my lodge had gone dark and was no longer active. Not knowing where to turn exactly I inquired to a mainstream lodge and during the initial conversations with a Past Master of the lodge that the lodge would have to reach out to the Grand Lodge to seek advice because I was considered a clandestine mason. “Whoa! Clandestine?”, I asked. Imagine the hurt and disappointment of being told that I was a fake, illegitimate mason. I was later informed that I would have to repeat all three craft degrees because my degrees are not recognized.  Double whammy! I did not know what clandestine masonry was since the information I was researching before I joined focused generally on freemasonry by “regular” freemasons.  I decided to hold off from pursuing membership in this mainstream lodge because I needed to do some research and investigate this clandestine stuff.

In the meanwhile, as I am researching, a past master of my original lodge happened to reach out to me to ask me if I was interested in becoming active again as he had joined another lodge after our lodge went dark. Considering that I would not have to repeat the degrees I decided to join his lodge and became a member shortly thereafter. Now, this second lodge I joined was under the same Grand Lodge originally but subsequently left to affiliate with another “A.F. & A.M.” Grand Lodge. So, I picked up where I left off and continued onward with my masonic journey becoming active in the various appendant bodies. I resumed my research on clandestine masonry and reached a faulty conclusion that my jurisdiction was legitimate and had every right to organize. Blinded, I became a very strong advocate for “A.F. & A.M.” and the John G. Jones lineage. Always prepared and ready to defend. However, in the back of my mind, I could not shake the “clandestine” conversation from the past.

For years following my reentry into freemasonry, this question of legitimacy and regularity always lingered. It was only when I began to understand lineage and regularity that the missing pieces were coming together. I had to conclude after years of studying this question, researching, and comparing factual and substantiated documents that I had to arrive at the ugly truth, the gut-wrenching reality that I was indeed a clandestine mason. So, now with this certainty, what do I do? I had achieved so much in my organizations, so much money spent, and time invested, what do I do?  Do I acknowledge that I am a clandestine mason and accept all the faulty arguments such as “no one owns the philosophy of freemasonry”, “all jurisdictions are sovereign”, “John G. Jones was never expelled from the Supreme Council”, “H.C. Scott received a charter from Romania and all Grand Lodges established from his D.C. Grand Lodge were legitimate”, “John G. Jones had the legal masonic authority to establish masonic jurisdictions throughout the United States”, etc. or do I accept the arguments regarding lineage and regularity along with the rules that make up western freemasonry? I decided the latter and began to inquire how I may become a regular and legitimate freemason. I knew that at the end of this inquiry it may lead to these parathion of brothers who I had become very close to, also to the loss of many of the achievements that I had obtained in both the York and Scottish Rites.  I had to face this truth if I was going to fully accept and embrace Regular Freemasonry.

I finally made the crossover from being an irregular and clandestine mason to becoming a legitimate regular mason. I reached out to a friend who is affiliated with Prince Hall for years and had been talking with me about joining Prince Hall regarding petitioning a local lodge in my area. True to his word, he immediately made the connection and got the ball rolling for me.  This process was not to be taken lightly. Since I was a clandestine mason, I could not be tried however I did have to explain in detail what I knew regarding the philosophy of Freemasonry, and the history of freemasonry, and I even included the history of Prince Hall and the Hiramic legend successfully.  I am very grateful for the quick response and for moving my petition forward. Based on a very successful interview, my petition was voted favorable, and subsequently, I was healed into my lodge. The evening that I was re-obligated into the first three degrees was so overwhelming. Finally, free to travel and engage regular freemasons who abided by the rules.  I am sure that many brothers from the other side would never understand how I was able to give up so much to only have been healed as a Master Mason.  My response is very simple, I would rather be a plain but regular Master Mason than hold the highest numerical degrees as I did as a clandestine and irregular mason.  There is nothing more fulfilling.

Bro. Rashad Burns
King David Lodge #15 F.&A.M. PHA
Trenton NJ.

For years now I have done in depth research on clandestine masonry, and it was not because I became Prince Hall Affiliated. It was because I wanted to do things right and I wanted to teach about something that is not taught correctly in these Professed Masonic organizations. PHA gets a bad wrap from these clandestine groups because they are the first to call out an illegitimate mason when they see one. On top of that Prince Hall Grand Lodges used to take these businesses to court all the time so these bodies have started to teach their membership to stay away from Prince Hall members or just flat out talk negatively about them. Truth is, if we are not the ones calling things for what they are, then who will?

There is no doubt that the body I was a part of had Brotherly Love, knowledge in esoteric masonry and most of the education down packed. I learned a lot from them, and I will never take that away from them. Problem is that a philosophy can be followed by anyone, but it does not determine legitimacy. There seems to be this logic that if you act like a mason and carry yourself as such, then that is what makes you a mason. If that is truly the case, if you act like a Mechanic, does that make you a mechanic? If you follow the philosophy of the Odd Fellows, are you an Odd Fellow? There is more to Freemasonry then acting, parting and meeting. We have men joining these “professed” masonic organizations but have no idea that some of the things that is being taught is not correct.

Understanding what regularity is was something that was not taught to me while I was there. I mean, honest question, what is a regularly constituted lodge? Emphasis on the word regularly and what does that have to do with lineage? Notice, I did not mention anything about recognition as that is a totally different concept. The concept of legitimacy that is taught in some of these establishments is that if you have a state charter then you are legit but how is that possible if the state has nothing to do with Freemasonry? They seem to leave out the fact that a state charter and a masonic charter are 2 completely different things.

I remember asking questions and getting answers that brushed me off. I remember getting answers that did not match the information I ran into. For example, how were you “Scottish Rite Affiliated” when you have the Holy Royal Arch and Knights Templar in your degree system? For those that do not know, those are degrees you get in the York Rite, not Scottish. Furthermore, how were you “Scottish Rite Affiliated” if you skip the 4-13 Scottish Rite degrees? Did not make any sense whatsoever. I remember being taught clichés like "no one owns Freemasonry" and "there were lodges before the Grand Lodge of England" to justify something that is considered unmasonic. I have asked myself constantly are they saying this because this is what they were taught as information was passed down to them or are those teaching really know what is up? I became Prince Hall, and it was night and day. Things are not like the things I was told before joining. I mean if you heard some of the things they would say, “they think they own masonry” “they don’t realize they’re just affiliated” “they don’t know anything about masonry, they’re all about partying”. The more I learned about clandestine masonry the more I wish I could teach it to my previous jurisdiction without judgment. The more I wish I could have this open dialog with those who just do not know. We believe what we are taught because we trust those who are teaching us, but what if those who are teaching us were taught wrong? Then the narrative continues. I know some will read this and just keep it moving and that is OK. To each their own but to those who are reading this, understand that there is a truth that is not being taught to you and I have no problem ever answering questions you may have. Understand that I have not titled an individual clandestine for some time now because while most of embody the characteristics of a Freemason, some just do not know so I choose to focus on the organizations as there is no other way to define them. You came into masonry to receive more light and with an open mind and that should never stop.

While I am not currently representing them as I write this, I am the current Secretary for St. James Lodge No. 114, a Worthy Brother for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, 32nd degree Sublime Prince and the Assistant Director for the Commission on Bogus Masonry for the Phylaxis Society and I did all this while starting over and I am still not done.

There are five stages of loss and grief that have been identified by renowned psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross that human beings experience, when faced with the prospect of their own demise or the loss of a loved one. These are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. This paper will examine each of the five stages and discuss my experience with each stage, as I grieved the loss of believing I was a legitimate freemason. On the surface, this may appear to be a trivial comparison.

However, when you factor in the loss of friendships, family relationships, monetary investments and the loss of identity, the reality that you are not truly a freemason can be devastating.

I began my “Masonic” journey in 1998 at the age of 24 with the prompting of my uncle (who was then the J.W. of Cook Lodge #7 of the M.W. St. John Grand Lodge Chicago, IL John G. Jones affiliated). I knew nothing about masonry except that masons were supposed to look out for each other and that my uncle, whom I respected and looked up to was a member. I petitioned his lodge, was initiated and quickly became engrossed in what I believed to be freemasonry. I studied Lester’s Look To The East religiously, attended instruction classes, joined the “York and Scottish Rites,” and was elected and served as Junior Warden. I was riding high on the wave of “freemasonry” until I crashed into the break wall of the truth that I was not a real mason! Around 2002, I was participating in an online Masonic forum called “The Lodge Room” in their non-tyled section. All was well until I tried to gain access to the “tyled” portion of the site. I was promptly denied entry and graciously informed that I was not a legitimate mason. Thus, began my journey through the five stages of grief and loss as outlined above.

In the first stage of denial, a person wants to believe that the diagnosis is mistaken, or the information is incorrect and may cling to a false reality that simply makes them feel better. This is a natural coping mechanism to help a person deal with shocking news. When I was denied entry into the online forum and told I was not a real Mason I did not believe it. I was offended that I had been excluded and mislabeled. I immediately asked one of the well informed brothers of my lodge about this. To my shock and dismay he admitted that he had done his own research and discovered that indeed we were not recognized by mainstream Masonic bodies as legitimate masons. Nevertheless, we had been around for almost 100 years, were incorporated with the State of Illinois, took the same obligation etc. At this time I took a big swallow of the Bogus Masonry “Kool Aid” and went into active denial. I continued in my state of denial until the desire for “more light” would not allow me to use this coping mechanism to avoid the truth.  In my search for further light, I discovered two Masonic organizations that were dedicated to masonic education, the Phylaxis and Philalethes Societies. I was overjoyed and promptly sought admittance to these august bodies (remember I was in the stage of denial), once again the tyler rightfully denied the entrance I sought. Now unable to hide from the truth through denial I entered the stage of anger.

With the loss of a loved one, or a personal life threatening illness, the pain of loss turns into anger which can be directed at a higher power, the doctors or the affected loved one. I was angry with my lodge, grand lodge, and honestly my uncle that I had been lied to. When I interviewed to join I was told that I would be accepted by masons all over the world and that I could visit any lodge. I was also told that Prince Hall lodges were not accepted by mainstream masons, which was the opposite of the truth. Coincidentally, I became a bogus mason in 1998, the same year that the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois F.A &M and the Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F.A.M entered into mutual recognition. I felt betrayed because I was told these lies by someone I trusted and loved. In addition I was angry that I wasted over a decade of my life, spending time and money to support an organization that was not real.

As I wrestled with my anger, like Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord at Peniel, I moved into the bargaining stage. In the Kubler-Ross model, bargaining is defined as a person offering to do or not do something if their loved one is spared or if the pain of loss can be taken away etc. Of course, my bargaining stage was not manifested in this way, it was mostly me rationalizing my situation. For example, yes I knew I was bogus, but we still practiced Masonic charity, I was living the tenets of freemasonry, studying and searching for more light etc. In addition, I had family there and my brothers who really had my back and had proven this by their actions over the years. So it really did not make a difference that I was a bogus mason right?

As author and renowned grief expert David Kessler explains “We do not enter and leave each individual stage in a linear fashion. We may feel one, then another and back again to the first one.” I found this to be true as I drifted between the bargaining, denial, and anger stages depending on the situation. I remained in this cycle of emotional purgatory until a situation came about that woke me out of my stupor and caused me to take to become a regular mason. Ironically this action also caused me to enter into the next stage of grief being depression.

My ex-wife whom I do not get along with decided to come back to our sister chapter. This was the catalyst and excuse to finally leave my former bogus lodge. I reached out to a friend I knew who was a Prince Hall mason and he agreed to vouch for me. I petitioned Plumbline Lodge #116 subordinate to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois and its Jurisdiction. I was accepted and healed into Prince Hall Masonry and I finally felt whole, for the moment! The brethren of Plumbline welcomed me with open arms. However the problem was that there are a lot of differences between bogus masonry and regular masonry that I was not aware of nor did I expect. For example there are officers like District Deputy Grand Masters that did not exist at my former “Grand Lodge.”  This is because we were just a building and there was no true geographic jurisdiction for a grand master to need help with governing. Honestly I was too embarrassed to ask what is a DDGM? At my former lodge no one memorized ritual. Everything was done by reading the book and a lot of parts were omitted especially regarding degree work. In contrast, Prince Hall Masonry does everything from memory. As one of our late beloved past masters told me while visiting him in the hospital “reading out of the book ain’t kosher!” To put it plainly I quickly went from feeling like I was a knowledgeable master mason to feeling like the newest E.A in the northeast corner! I also felt isolated not knowing any of the brothers in Plumbline and I was persona non grata with the members of my former bogus lodge for defecting to PHA. All of this resulted in me feeling overwhelmed, and lonely, which are feelings experienced in depression. People experiencing depression from the loss of a loved one may not want to do basic activities of life like eat or shower, which of course I did not experience. However from a Masonic perspective I was depressed as I did not want to go to the meetings or do anything related to masonry, I just sat at home feeling bad on my meeting nights. I felt like the children of Israel wandering in the desert not being able to return to Egypt the land of bondage, but, also unable to cross into the promised land without a profound change taking place.  

Acceptance, the book of Numbers in the VSL states that the old and rebellious generation of Israel had to die off before they could go into the Promised Land.  In like manner I had to kill my ego and old self with the setting maul so that I could truly be raised from a dead level to a living perpendicular and live as an upright regular mason. I received a call from the newly elected Worshipful Master asking if everything was alright, as I had not been to the lodge in quite some time?  I was overjoyed and relieved by his call! I swallowed my pride and came to the next meeting and I have been active ever since. Once I buried my pride and accepted that I was in fact a new mason with a large amount to learn, I was able to rise and start the journey of hard work and diligent Masonic study needed. In the Kubler-Ross model acceptance does not mean that everything is alright. It simply reflects that the person has accepted the reality that for example their loved one is really gone and they are moving on with their life in a positive way. Yes I still get upset when I reflect on my time in Bogus Masonry. Like how much further along I would be in my Masonic career if I had become a regular mason twenty years ago?  Despite these feelings, I could not be happier with my decision to become a Prince Hall mason. I have joined the Phylaxis Society and visited other regular jurisdictions both mainstream and Prince Hall Affiliated.  I am now enjoying the full rights and benefits of a master mason.

To call this paper from “labor to refreshment” my purpose for writing this was twofold. I first wanted to aid and assist other former bogus masons that may be struggling in their pilgrimage to the promised land of legitimate masonry. Secondly, my goal is to help regular masons understand how serious the problem of bogus masonry is and the effect it has on the men ensnared in its evil tentacles. Yes it is serious enough to invoke the same emotions a person would experience with the loss of a loved one. With this in mind it is my hope that as men like myself seek to become whole they will be welcomed with compassion and understanding for all that they may be going through. Without the proper support they may stay wandering in the desert of Masonic despair or worse return back to Egypt the land of bondage otherwise known as Bogus Masonry.

‍Sources: Five Stages of Grief by Elisabeth Kubler Ross & David Kessler
https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/

The Father of Bogus Masonry
John G. Jones was born on September 18, 1849 in Ithaca, New York, County of Tompkins. At seven years old, his family relocated to Chicago Illinois. At an older age Jones studied law under W. W. O’Brien, who was a famous criminal lawyer in Illinois.
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On March 24, 1881, the Supreme Court of Illinois admitted Jones to the Illinois Bar. He was later elected State Representative of the 5th District of Cook County Illinois.
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John G. Jones was a member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M., of the State of Illinois. He was initiated, passed, and raised in John Jones Lodge No. 7. This lodge was named after his uncle, John Jones. John G. Jones served as Master of his Lodge. He was elected Grand Secretary in 1873 & 1874 and served as such until being elected Deputy Grand Master in 1875. He was not re-elected there after, but became very active in Scottish Rite Masonry in 1876.In 1887 he was suspended by Grand Master J. W. Moore for contumacy until Grand Lodge Session in October, and reinstated by that body after many denials. He was retried in 1903 by a Grand Lodge Commission for fraudulently conferring the degrees of Masonry without authority upon persons who had not petitioned any lodge in the Jurisdiction of the MWPHGL of Illinois. The records of Illinois show Jones had preferred charges against the P.H.G.L. of Massachusetts, but the Committee of Appeals and Grievance of Illinois declared those charges without foundation.
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The same records contain charges by Massachusetts. Vs. Jones for “affiliating and working with suspended, irregular, and clandestine masons in the City of Boston.
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He was found guilty, and suspended indefinitely by Grand Lodge, and in 1904 expelled by Grand Lodge. Since that date he proceeded to set up clandestine lodges, and his organization under new leaders continued to do so.
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The following is found in the Illinois records:
“John G. Jones, and William Gray charged, tried, and expelled from all the rights, benefits and privileges of Masonry for gross Unmasonic conduct, October 14, 1903. Their false statements relating to a “split in the Grand Lodge of Illinois,” and their fraudulent scheme of pretending to confer legally the degrees of Masonry from the first to the thirty-third degree exposed.
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”The records of Illinois, 1904, pages 180-181, contain further matter about those two men, in substance as follows:
a. Following their suspension, both Jones and Gray went about the state setting up Lodges with Gray as Grand Master, and Jones as Grand Secretary.
b. They sent notices throughout the state saying a schism had occurred in the Grand Lodge.
c. Jones had officers of the G.L., arrested on several occasions.
d. Took the G.L., into court but as they never were re-instated into the craft, it is presumed they did not win their court action to set aside the expulsion.
e. In 1909, proceedings, pages 191-192, more of the doings of both Jones and Gray are recorded where they organized a Lodge in the Englewood section of Chicago but the P.H.G.L. took the matter in hand and the proposed Lodge became Celestial No. 80, under the P.H.G.L. of that state.

John G. Jones, left such a mark and scar in history, that the disgust was expressed by our Mother Grand Lodge, The MWPHGL Free and Accepted Masons of the Jurisdiction of Massachusetts, in 1903. In a New York Masonic organ called “The Freemason” it published in 1911 the decision of that Grand Lodge and signed by Grand Master, William H. Jackson. In a reply to an inquiry for information regarding one “John G. Jones”, this periodical mentioned that on December 17, 1903 at the Annual Communication of the MWPHGL Free and Accepted Masons, State of Massachusetts, held at Boston, Massachusetts, it was voted that, “this Grand Lodge declare itself, and go upon record relative to the expulsion from Masonry of John G. Jones, of Chicago Illinois.
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In compliance with said vote, the following declaration was issued: “That the MWPHGL, Free and Accepted Masons, State of Massachusetts, does not and will not affiliate with or in any way recognize Masonically, any person affiliating with, recognizing or in any way having Masonic intercourse with John G. Jones, recently expelled from Masonry by the MWPHGL of Illinois, or with those with whom he is in affiliation.” This was signed by GM William H. Jackson, and attested by Benjamin C. Hazel, Grand Secretary”.
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In accordance with the foregoing communication, Most Worshipful Edward V.C. Eato at the time Grand Master of the MWPHGL of New York issued an edict warning the Lodges and their members not to have any Masonic intercourse with Jones or his representatives under pain of punishment for contumacy.
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Many individual suspended and/or expelled masons, such as Dorsey F. Seville who was the brother of secretary John C. Seville of Hiram Lodge No. 4 of the MWPHGL of The State of New York, was associated with Jones. The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia suspended Dorsey F. Seville on August 6, 1896, because of charges preferred under the date of June 25, 1896. He was associated with John G. Jones, particularly in the latter’s of the bogus Scottish rite body of the South and West.
In the book “History of the Shrine” authored by Honorable Joseph A. Walkes Jr., you will read on page 32-33, that Dorsey F. Seville on October 22, 1895 met with Jones and several others at the home of Dorsey F. Seville and organized a Supreme Council and, on October 25, 1895, Thornton A. Jackson, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of Prince Hall Masons issued an order advising that Johns G. Jones had been suspended for:1. Having invaded the District of Columbia.2. Attempting to confer the 33rd degree in violation of the Constitution of the Supreme Council3. Having formed spurious Supreme Council in opposition to the one, which had given him Masonic existence as a Scottish Rite Mason, thereby, violating his oath of fealty.
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Two other persons affiliated with Jones were “Bishop” Jesse B. Thornton and Clem Smith (about 1903) in New York who were influential in the formation of bogus Lodges and organized a club in or near the City of Buffalo with Clem Smith in charge.
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Later Smith retired and Thornton became the moving spirit as Grand Master of a so-called Hiram Grand Lodge and it was not long before Jones and Thornton had a falling out and the former expelled Thornton while in turn the latter expelled Jones.
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The following was published in “The Freemason” of Brooklyn, N.Y., December 1911, page 1:Hiram G.L. of A. F. & A. M., with headquarters in Brooklyn.
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“It occurs to our minds that possibly this “Hiram” organization is the body that was supposed to have been started in this State some year or so ago by John G. Jones of Chicago. We believe interested with Jones was a man calling himself ‘Bishop’ J. B. Thornton, who quite recently was in Raymond Street Jail on the charges of swindling, in failing to confer so-called Masonic degrees after collecting the initiation fee from his victim. If that is the organization, its clandestine character is clearly established, for John G. Jones was expelled from the Grand Lodge of Illinois about 1903, and Thornton’s origin is unknown. He never was a member of our jurisdiction.
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The Freemason, May, 1912, page 6:Thornton In Toils At Last.
“For quite some time the Freemason has had considerable correspondence with authorities in Virginia and North Carolina concerning that Masonic rascal, “Bishop” Jesse B. Thornton. In the former state he posed as the Grand Master of New York and collected considerable money while in its confines. In the town of Farmville mulcted one Mason to the extent of fifty-five dollars for thirty-two degrees, then passed on into the Tarheel State, where he ran afoul of the state insurance department and is now awaiting trial.
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”Another associate of Jones was another suspended by the Jurisdiction of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Michigan was “John A. Bell, a member of North Star Lodge No.5 at Grand Rapids. Was expelled because of rebellious conduct. In revenge, Bell set up Lodges on his own account and later a so-called “John A. Bell Sovereign Grand Lodge”
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Although not the first expelled or suspended Mason in our history, to be part of or start a bogus Masonic outfit, he earned the title of “Father of Bogus Masonry”, due to his affiliation and influence with numerous illegal bogus Masons, helping in the establishing of many bogus Grand Lodges in New York and abroad.
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Although one William J. Fitzpatrick was not from New York, the bogus body he was affiliated with had a “Supreme Council” operating in New York. Their head quarters are in Detroit Michigan.
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William J. Fitzpatrick was born January 20, 1889 at Fitzpatrick, Alabama, which was a small town in Macon county. It is alleged that Fitzpatrick was initiated in a National Compact Lodge, under the administration of a Rev. and Bishop John Wesley Allstalk of Alabama who served from 1909 until his death in 1920. Allstalk apparently was at one time a plaintiff in a court action by the National Grand Lodge against the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, due to his signature on court documents.
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Fitzpatrick was initiated in Bethel Lodge No. 123, a Prince Hall Lodge in Alabama. It is believed that he was probably a “Lewis” (A son of a Master Mason) as in those days a son of a Master Mason could be initiated under-age. Fitzpatrick was elected and installed Master of his Lodge in 1910, and remained Master until 1911. It was in 1908 that he was suspended from his Lodge for mishandling funds.
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Interestingly enough he became Master of “Cotton Valley Lodge No. 502” at Fort Davis, Alabama. The records do not reveal how he became affiliated with another Lodge, and the Grand Master suggested that it was probably due to improper handling of Grand Lodge records. He is known to had demitted to “Byrd’s Eye Lodge No. 461” at Birmington and again demitted to Mt. Calvary No. 76 on June 23, 1920, a Prince Hall Lodge in Ohio in Akron. He later applied membership in Bezaleel Consistory No. 15, Cleveland, Ohio, of the United Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction. Fitzpatrick left his Lodge No. 76 on September 12, 1929, and was later known to be affiliated with the National Compact in 1936, and had gotten suspended from that body in 1938. History shows that he was “crowned” a 33° in 1939 by a Cato McGhee, a Grand Commander of some Scottish Rite body in Chicago Illinois.
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It appears that Fitzpatrick while being part of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, had joined a Supreme Council in 1924 over which a Dr. Benderson was Grand Commander.

On June 2, 2001 I sat in my office here in New York and browsed through the Internet and came across some unusual material on Freemasonry and Shrinedom. The information caught my eye, as it was data that has been shared from time to time on various groups I belong to on the Internet. Nothing in depth, but small information on this particular individual who I had the pleasure of one time meeting when he ran a sect of a Muslims in Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York. This group was very prominent in the late 70’s to early 80’s.This person who I recognized by the name “Al Imam Issa Al Haadi Al Mahdi” or as many new him by “Dr. Malachi York” had various websites claiming to be the Imperial Grand Potentate (Internationally). He is the leader of Al Mahdi Temple No. 19. ILL. And uses the name and title of Rev. Dr. Malachi Z. York 33 degree (A.E.O. & N.M.S.) The Ancient Egiptian (note the spelling) Order & Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Northern & Southern Jurisdiction, and also Grand Master of Nuwaubian Grand Lodge (A.F. & A.M.) Ancient Free & Accepted Masons Inc. Ramses II Mir No.9. He also claims to be a Scottish Rite Freemason of Amos Grand Lodge of Macon, Ga. and Deputy Grand Master of Pride of Georgia Lodge A.F. & A.M. Well after seeing that it kind of blew my mind.

After reading a little I decided to write him and E-mail that was freely furnished in his web site:

Ezekiel Wrote: (6/02/01) Dr. York, I am Ezekiel M. Bey from New York. I have been reading many of your articles since you had the Ansaar Community well established. The reason I am writing you is because I have seen you evolve in many areas that may confuse those who do not know you. You and I have met many of times. I by other names as well as those I have seen you trans-change.

I probably have all of your Ansaar Community subscription and volumes. What I need to know is what do you consider yourself now? You first called yourself a Muslim, now by what I see, a Moor. But then you also say you are a Mason which many years ago you were against the Masonic Order.

I am not challenging you in any way but would like to know what are your evolutionary reasons for all of your changes? I know all things change and nothing stays the same. But you have so rapidly went from one stage to another in which the people of today do not understand, and in order for one to keep up they might have to know you by what you present at the moment and not like I, who have seen you in your early years.

Well, I wish you the best and hope you can enlighten me on what your intentions are especially now which you call yourself a Shriner.

I know you know the history of the Moorish Fez and what is presently worn, which is a Tarbush. I see you have been reading and studying amongst the Moors.

What would you say Noble Drew Ali would say about your movements today?

Well, the next day to my surprise I received a reply from Dr. York.

Dr. York’s Reply:(6/02/01) “ If you really followed the books and I believe you did you would know I was always a Freemason. And crossed the desert along time ago to the shrine finding many mistakes in the rituals and handbooks. The tunnel vision discouraged me but I was called to sit on the International Supreme Council of Shriners and to upgrade the handbook and research the roots of the ritual meanings presented with original Arabic manuscripts and translate them into some sense, which I accepted.

I found Muslims to be blindly following undercover Euro- Arabs terrorists with no regards for the true Mothers and Fathers of the religion. I found the Moors confused and Emulating Freemasonry not even knowing the language. After so many years I think that the Noble: Drew Ali who himself was a Shriner would be heart broken by the dissention remembering he was betrayed by his own.

My brother you touched on a touchy subject. I have no room for faith or belief, only facts and Islam as practiced by most is faith blindness standing in the light blinded by it. My heart has always been in Nubia that is Egypt and so is every true Freemason and Shriner. I see where I can be more affective for the upliftment of humanity in the Shrine where my eccentric mind and intense research can’t be called a cult or sect or militant or the likes.

”I had to sit back and think , where did all of this come from? When I thought of him saying that he found Muslims to be blindly following undercover Euro-Arabs Terrorists , it took some wind out of me.

He generalized all Muslims to be terrorist in that statement and I totally disagreed. He also stated that he found the Moors confused, and Emulating Freemasonry not even knowing the language; it told me to be cautious and evaluate his data and information.

Dr. Malachi York is now part of a new group called the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors. Not to be confused with the Moorish Science Temple that Noble Drew Ali (Aka Timothy Drew) started in the early 1900’s or the Circle of Mothers & Sons, or The Great Seal of the Moorish Science.

Dr. Malachi York in many of his writings and web sites express that he is from another galaxy. A galaxy known to him as Illyuwn. He claims that there are 19 galaxies and that Illyuwm is the 19th. He states in some of his writings that Illiyuwm means “On High” and that this galaxies has 3 suns, UTU, SHAMASH, and APSU; with 38 Moons and 19 planets.

To get to know Dr. York a little more of what he represents today, I sent him another E-mail on June 5th, 2001 to see if he would respond and explain a few of my curiosities:

Ezekiel Wrote: Brother Dr. York, at least that is who I believe you are since you did not sign the E-mail of your post. I appreciated you responding to my enquiry about a few curious thoughts of mine. You see I to am a Moor and a Mason. I do not recall you ever calling yourself a Mason but that is neither here nor there. The fact is that you consider yourself one now. As far as the Shriners you give a good description and definition of the Fez in which I am very familiar.

My question to you is when did you first see yourself as a Moor? Since in the 70's you considered yourself a Muslim and not a Moslem in the circle of the Moorish Science Temple?

I can relate to your intolerance to faith as this in not the age of belief but the age of "I Know". I am a Masonic writer as well and I have written many articles for many Masonic publications. So I do understand your mission in reaching the blind and teaching them how to see correctly.

I have seen most of your sites and I see you have many names. Is there a reason for this? I too have evolved to have many names as well but what is your reason? The reason I ask these question is not to doubt your intentions but to get a clear picture to who I once new you as, and what you are today.

In trying to relate to his concept one must realize that this man has studies intensively the doctrines of the world. This is why one must speak the language he understands but letting him know that your reason might be totally different then his. So my position was to learn how he sees his own view and not what he wants me to sees by his form of casting illusions:

Dr. York’s Reply:(6/6/01) “I have one name Issa Al Haadi Al Mahdi and many titles according to which school of thought I’m mastering and teaching. Anyone who has read my books who is a Freemason would recognize Masonic language through out the books. As far as Moor is concerned I have in my possession a card issued at age 28 in 1973 Brother M. York-EL home office 48 inches St. Mt. Clemens, Michigan, 48043. The card has a Crescent and star to the left under which is the word Islam next to that there’s a clasped hand, above it is the word unity, to the right is the symbol of circle 7, beneath it the word Allah. I've always carried this card on my person and never denied being a Moor. I was initiated in 1970 at Masonic, King Solomon Lodge No.4 1215 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn New York. Then I was pasted at Enoch Grand Lodge on Putnam and Nostrand Ave. in Brooklyn and raised at the same under Worshipful Master Charles Tensely 33rd degree. I was crossed at Mecca II Desert Georgia, oasis Macon by Noble T.W. Smith Jr. 33rd/95 degrees. My family on my Mothers side were all Shriners and Daughters of Isis out of Richmond Virginia Zen Court No.98 Newport News Virginia and Zen temple No.122. I hope this information helps you to understand my involvement. While in Morocco studying at Fez University I visited the shrine there, Maghrib Temple as well as the Grand Temple in Khartoum where I was given documents, which will be on the web page chartering and linking us to the International Supreme Council Of Worldwide Shrinedom. Concerning the Fez, Moors don’t wear Fez's and the word is faas in Arabic as appose to the tarbah, which was mis-pronounced by the Turks as Tarboosh. Many errors appear in Moorish American doctrine but that's neither here nor their. The fact that we elders of the true purpose have survived, and I hope that you spend your life as I do waking up our people. Your brother I.S.L.A.M.”

Here Dr. York states that his affiliation was with a King Solomon Lodge and Enoch Grand Lodge in Brooklyn in 1970. He claims to have been created a Shriner in Macon, Georgia by someone named Noble T.W. Smith Jr. who was a 33rd over 95°’s. Both Grand Lodges are known today as Bogus and Irregular Grand Lodges.

So far we see a Man who is a Muslim, Moslem, Moor, from galaxy 19 of the 19th planet called Illiyuwm, who became a Shriner in Macon ,Georgia. He was given what I know as a Nationality Card, which I am very well familiar as this is only given in the Moorish Science Temple of from a authorized Sheik of the same.

After receiving this information from Dr. York, I was compelled to respond as I felt there was more he would tell. So on June 6th, 2001 I replied:

Ezekiel Wrote:(6/07/01) Islam Brother Issa Al Haadi Al Mahdi, I am well aware of the Nationality Card issued by the Moors as I myself carry one on my person at all times. What is most interesting is your affiliation with King Solomon Lodge and Enoch Grand Lodge. Are you aware of legality in Grand Lodges? These Grand Lodges operate illegally when it comes to Masonic Authority. Enoch was a break off from Hiram Grand Lodge, which was set up by John G. Jones who was a suspended Mason from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge. He was the original founder of the Shriners among people of dark complexion here in the States.

Speculative Masonic bodies must find the origin to the British Isles. That is if you are practicing speculative Masonry. Operatives are recognized as Stone Masons as were the Ancient Egyptians in their mystery schools of thought.

Those Lodges you mentioned are speculative and considered spurious Lodges or what we know as irregular. I understand that this was back in 1970 well over 30 years ago.

One of my biggest concerns is the talk of you being from another galaxy. Is there some truth to this? And what about the extraterrestrial beings I have heard that exist on earth? I would like to know about this.

Here is where the Gold is tested by the fire to see if it’s pure. Dr. York’s response is not a direct one and avoids certain inquiries I made concerning the topic of extraterrestrial beings as some of his followers claim they were taught by Dr. York. This is explained by a student of Dr. York on her web site. He mentions Prince Hall in his reply but really does not explain who the man was as you will see later what he thinks he knows of Prince Hall, the father of our Fraternity here in America.

Dr. York’s Reply: (6/8/01) “First of all when you speak of freemasonry and then jump into the subject of extraterrestrial you can become confused. I answered your question as to my affiliation with lodges in New York. Close observations I mention lodges and shrines in Virginia. If you are familiar with my family history as I hope you are, you will know of the family affiliation with Boston and Prince Hall. I like many accepted what you are calling European Freemasonry from Britain however, after entering Lodges in Egypt and Morocco, and the Grand Temple in Saudi Arabia I found that most if not all Freemasons in America haven't a clue of what real Shrinedom is. And where it originated they don’t know who Hiram really was let alone the repeated mistakes stemming from a lack of fluency in the Arabic language. Things like Arabic Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Arabic speaking countries. At the shrine it translate Arab Nobles of the Mystic Shrine the passwords are wrong as a result of Europeans receiving them in manuscripts from individuals who themselves were not Arabs. Rizk Allah Hassaan Effendee was a Turk and did not speak fluent Arabic. Louis Marracci did not speak fluent Arabic and never translated the Arabic Quran. He was Italian and translated from Castilian Spanish of Spain to Latin. Shaykh Alnasafi was a Persian; his native language was Farsi Albert L. Lawson an American, was not fluent in Arabic. Bro. Jones claimed to have received on June 1893 sanctioned from Noble Ali Rifest Pasha who name Pasha alone reveals that he was not an Arab but rather a Turk. All of the above were not sanctioned by the (As Spayed) the blood line of the family we have and used in our temple translations from the Arabic which was brought back from the Egyptian temples and Shrines who got them from well preserved tents in the gold casket of As Spayed Al Hussein father of As Spayed Yacub , son of As Sayyid Ali, and Fatima daughter of as Sayyid Muhammad, and Nabi (P.B.U.H.). The Masonic Lodge does not have its origin in Britian but in Babylon with Nimrod. Many people have been misled by a group of men called the Alberts. Peace!”

Notice that he never gives any reference to his information but at times places himself in an area of the world to have witness it with his own eyes. For the third time I asked the question of extraterrestrials.

It is mind boggling to have learned in one of the website were the media reports that the Rev. Jesse Jackson attended one of there public functions and gives Dr. York and his followers credit for what they are doing in the communities. This is the deception and the views other Masons are blind to when one does not know the truth themselves. The illusions of doing for the communities are shadowed by the hypocrisies and lies of what looks good. We fail to pick up on falsehood when we dare not test the Gold with fire. The many sites that Dr. York has are somewhat ironic and shows an unstable mind controlling even weaker minds by the process of brainwash. Later you will see how misinformation can fool even the best of Men if we are not watchful.

Ezekiel Wrote:(6/9/01) Then Brother Mahdi Please explain what you see as extraterrestrials? And how you come from another galaxy or rather the 19th galaxy that you say. This indeed is an interesting subject as I have heard of many who say that they are from other worlds.

Dr. York is uncertain to whom he is talking to. He is unsure if he is talking to a human or some other being in what could be the enemy. He uses NASA as a sort of reference to answer my questions, but nothing that he will openly say that it is coming from his person:

Dr. York’s Reply:(6/10/01) “I have written several books on this subject that are still available. One thing is for sure to date; the government has confirmed finding right outside of third solar system a tri- solar system. The same sheriff that hated legends. On which Caucasians, which include is deputy and friend admit of seeing craft hovering over the black pyramid in Tama. Anything that I would try to explain to you would sound like science fiction. The war in heaven still goes on and I never know exactly who or what I’m still talking to. Is there a Rizq? NASA thinks so. Is there an Illiyuwm? NASA found it. Are there such things as unidentified crafts? NASA has confirmed it. Are there people walking amongst you whose bodies are vessels for higher intelligence from other dimensions? It has been confirmed. Besides those things there is nothing more I can say.”

I make one last attempt to see if he might explain his views on outer beings and try to direct the conversation back to Masonry and what his intentions are as it relate to his International Shrine Order in Macon Georgia and abroad:

Ezekiel Wrote:(6/10/01) I do understand what you are saying Brother Mahdi. My question is, are you of that galaxy and did you come from that Galaxy? We all know that we have come from somewhere. I am asking did you come from this galaxy?

I am not interested in what NASA thinks. I am interested in what you think and the people who follow you. I myself know that there are other entities and other life form within our World. What I am asking is your explanation on how you see things. So, how do you explain extraterrestrial beings?

Back to Freemasonry, how do you relate the Shrine to Freemasonry? What is your concept in regularity in Freemasonry? And what do you think of Prince Hall Freemasonry? Prince Hall Freemasonry has been around longer than any other Black Fraternity in this country. What do you know of Prince Hall Freemasonry?

Dr. York’s Reply:(6/12/01) “Subjects that I've discussed and made plain in books I leave at that, except for those who stand close enough to me to bring trust with how I feel about things. Prince hall had a white father and a half white mother. I did say if I’m correct my family was out of Boston. By that I thought I was making myself clear. Prince Hall Clandestine Modern Freemasonry is all confused. Reading the same books giving to them by Euro Freemasons. Prince Hall cannot establish an African Lodge when neither his mother nor father was African. Scottish Rites and the likes are Caucasian, being no Negro or Scottish. We have the in-depth history of the real teachings that was given to the Geeks, who gave it to the Romans, who gave to the Europeans, who the Negroes begged for charters from them for years. So we move and work on a much higher levels than the sects that the original doctrine has divided into by self-rightous leaders. Something that must be done away with. After they finish there 32nd degree or there 12th degree to the Knights Templar they become Muslims anyway, so this is the civilizing of the Greeks and doesn’t really apply to us the true seed of the Quraish tribe. The Black Arabs.”

Again Dr. York ignores my question and now says he only discusses those thing with those that he trust and close to him. He places Prince Hall in a circle of a White Father and a half White Mother. He removes the Afrocentricity away from Prince Hall and calls him “beggars of Charters.” What Dr. York is practicing is a mystery to me, but it sure does not sound like any Freemasonry I know nor any Shrinedom I have ever heard of.

The names he goes by are as mentioned, “Issa Al Haadi Al Mahdi, Dr. York, Chief Black Eagle, Dr. Malachi Z. York EL, Nayya Malchizodok EL, Al Mahdi, Dwight York, Rabboni Y’shua Bar El Haady and many others. I think this is the most far fetch controversial person I have ever known of. I have no idea how Freemasonry falls into any of his concepts. He has taken Islam, a pure religion of the East, and took his own twisted ideas, threw some Shrine twist into it, went to deep space nine, well in his case the 19th galaxy, took a trip to Egypt and became a Pharaoh, created his own Moorish group, and believes he is from a tribe of Indians called the Yamassee Native Americans. Now how can anyone follow him is beyond me. I get exhausted just dialoguing with him via E-mail. This Man is literally running his own Grand Lodge in Georgia, his own Shrine Temple called AL Mahdi Shrine Temple Ancient Egiptian Order & Arabic Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.E.O. & A.N.O.M.S). I guess he got tired of me asking questions, that he asked me to identify myself or the conversations with him will cease. I needed to know where did he get a Charter to operate or where did he receive his authority to practice Freemasonry. Well here is how it went.

Ezekiel Wrote: (6/11/01) Where did you receive your Charter to give you authority to practice Masonry? That is if you are one who feels you need a charter. Why do you emphasize Shrinedom? Do you feel Shrinedom and Freemasonry are the same?

Dr. York’s Reply: (6/12/01) “If you truly read my books then you know my history as a Mahdi, and if you've read the web page you would have seen the blood link to the Prophet Muhammad and Ali. Need I say more? Again I repeat identify yourself, Lodge, Temple, Desert, Oasis, Potentate, or our conversation about Masonry and Shrinery has reached its end.”www.egiptianmysteries.com

Part 2
The Art of Illusions Cast Upon Sleeping Minds

In the conclusion of “The Fire & The Gold”, Mr. Dr. York asked me to identify myself. I furnished him with my full name, my Grand Lodge name, jurisdiction, Lodge name and number, and the seat I held within my Lodge. I believe that due to the types of questions I had asked him he was beginning to feel… Well, lets just say uncomfortable with me as I began to become nonsense to him.

I said to myself let me search and seek how his members feel about their leader. As I sought for web sites on the World Wide Web for different sites on the Nation of the Nuwaubian Moors, I came across several of them. But none was more outrageous as the one I am about to explain.

I had first thought in the discussion with Mr. York that he was just a Master Con- Artist, with a touch of smooth talk and eloquent delivery in presenting what he himself contradicts in many of his teachings. Mr. York, or Malachi, or Issa Al Haadi, or Chief Black Eagle, or Nayya Malchezodok El, or what ever he is using these days is none of the above, he is a Master Illusionist. What I am about to present to you will sound far fetched and out right ridiculous but you will be amazed that many believe all of this.

One of Dr. York’s followers or Students displayed a web site on the Internet explaining extraterrestrial beings that are on planet earth today. Now some may say what is so strange about that? Aren’t meteorites extraterrestrial matter with organisms in the rock itself that scientist have found for hundreds of years? Well hold on to your seats as I take you on a ride of the Master Illusionist/ Imperial Bogus Mason’s follower, Nanya Sayf El.

Nanya Sayf El or Dr. Shawn Pereira who claims to be a student of Mr. York explains the different type of extraterrestrial in our Solar System and on Earth. The first “Monster” Mr. Nanya Sayf El describes is the DEROS, a cave dweller who at one time was called “Sumuwnean” which means “The Obese Ones”. Sometime called the “Saamiym”. The word “DEROS according to Mr. Nanya Sayf El is a combination of the word “Detrimental” and “Robot”. Mr. Nanya Sayf El describes this being as having one stomach, has a digestive system of a cow, they have no fingernails, toenails, no nipples, no navel, nor a rectum. They have silver gray eyes, which glow in the dark with blonde eyebrows and pinkish grey colored skin. Mr. Nanya says that the skin is like the corpse of a Caucasian.

Mr. Nanya, describes more but I will go on to the next Extraterrestrial being he speaks about.

The next is one, which is called “The TEROS”; these beings are a subsurface race that supposedly keeps the “DEROS” in check. The TEROS were the original tribe of the LUNARIANS who came to planet earth to live beneath the earth. Their chief is LAMSA who came from planet JOMON in a star constellation “ARCTURUS”.

They are referred to as “SUNAYNANS” which means “the yearly ones”. They are different then humans and if they mix with humans they cause “Down Syndrome”. These beings had bored further into the earth and were able to keep their sanity because of cross breeding with humans. They then took on a different form and started to look like humans. The TEROS can surface the earth without being noticed because some look like humans.

Lets move to the next being because I think I was one of these in my past life. (*Laughing*)

These are called “ANUNNAQI ELOHEEM” and are those beings that were sent down to the planet QI (Earth) known to us as Angles. Mr. Nanya Sayf El states that the meaning on “ANUNNAQI” means “THOSE WHO ARE ANU” of sent from heaven to earth. He then brings the Egyptian into this by saying that they are the same, which the Egyptians call NETERU meaning “Guardians”.

These beings came to Earth in find of gold and other resources to take back to their planet which is the 8th planet (RIZQ) of the 19 Galaxy called ILLYUWN meaning “On High” This planet was almost in destruction because of its three suns, “UTU, APSU, and SHAMASH.

The ANNUNNAQI was suppose to take this processed gold to the spaceships that would be stored on the dark side of the moon called (Kingu or Sheshqu) Nibiru which is a ship the size of our planet has passenger crafts called “Shams”. The Mother Ship Nibiru travels at the speed of light at 186, 272 feet per second and manned 144, 000 crew who are members of the 24 elite beings called “YAHWEHANS”, which are 12 agreeable and 12 disagreeable.

I personally do not know how anyone in his or her right mind can believe any of this Star Wars or Deep Space Nine nonsense. This was all written by one of Mr. York’s Students. If this is what this Nation of Nuwaubian Moors is all about then we do not need any more drugs in the world to travel to other galaxies. Personally, I think I am crazier then Mr. York and Mr. Nanya Sayf El to even waste my time writing about this. But I must warn all about these bogus entities, which consider themselves Masonic in origin.

What I must make clear is that although these persons have the attribute “MOOR” in their names, they are not of the same studies as the “MOORISH SCIENCE TEMPLE of AMERICA”, which was founded by Noble Drew Ali. Nor are they of the “GREAT SEAL of the MOORS”.

I will keep seeking and searching to find what it is our people see in this Man called “Dr Malachi York.

For those who wish to read what Mr. Nanya Sayf El wrote on his site in its entirety please go to http://users.netropolis.net/moorish/page12.htm

Also, for those who are interested in seeing the type of mind set some of Mr. York’s followers have, you can read some of their conversation on a group they have on Yahoo Club found at http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/nuwauburightknowledge

To my Brothers and Sisters who read this article, many may find it funny, many find it upsetting but I ask you, if this happened to you, how would you find it ? The following article is a story that happened to me....As a child I always wanted to be a Mason! All my male members of my family are Masons . My oldest brother is a Prince Hall Mason from Florida. I remember when I was 16 years old . I went into a known Masonic bookstore called, Drew Sales .Today it is called " JZ Enterprise " located in Chicago. I went in there and told them I wanted to be a Mason! An older brother there asked me my age .When I told him my age, he explained to me that I was too young ,but he wrote me a recommendation to go to some lodge on 42nd and Cottage Grove. I never did go. As I got older I had my share of trouble with the law. I knew at some point I wanted to change my life . I inquired to my uncle, how I could get into Masonry . He stated that he would talk to his Worshipful Master. My uncle came back with a reply that they were not accepting anyone at this time.

I would ask anyone on the streets of Chicago that I saw wearing a Masonic ring! And sad to say that nobody would call me. One day I saw a brother wearing a jacket with the Square and Compass and gave him my info. He never called until I ran into him 3 more times. The last time I was persistent.

This Brother’s name was Bro. S. I. He was the Worshipful Master of Micah Lodge No. 212 which was neutralized by the Grand Lodge because the only active Brother Worshipful Master S.I. had was me. S.I. told me my application fee would be $300 and before he could say would that be any problem I pulled out the money and paid him. I never heard from him again until I received a phone call a few days later stating to be at 540 N. Cicero at 6:00p.m. I almost thought I had been scammed!

S.I. told me to report to " Most Worshipful St. Paul Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Modern Masons. " I received their version of the First Degree . Several months later I received of what they called, half of the Third Degree. I didn't receive my other half until a month or two later. At this point I never received a dues card until I left Bro. S.I.’s Lodge and went to Sawyer Lodge No. 3. The Worshipful Master there (whose Lodge was named after him) taught me a lot that I thought was pure Masonry. I received a dues card that I begged for so long to get ! On the card, it had the Grand Master’s and Grand Secretary’s signature on it , however it never stated the dues(monetary information) on the back. When I inquired about that, they told me that, “ it was a old card “and that “they are going to print up the new cards that will have the dues structure on the back.” I accepted this because I didn't know any better.

This Lodge used the ritual, Lester's Look to the East. I studied this book hard because I was so excited that I became a Mason. I started memorizing everything quickly . The Grand Secretary Bro. C. W. took the ritual from me and told me the stuff that I'm quoting is useless if I can't show him any of it in the Bible. Bro. C.W. stated that I was a book Mason. Another Brother, Bro. . C. C. told me, “I'll fit right in with Prince Hall organization because of my memorizing the ritual!”

My $300 application fee only covered just my entry fee. No dues, no apron, no ritual! All the Worshipful Masters and elected and appointed officers had aprons. The rest of the Craft did not. They stated that they did not have any for us and had to reorder them. When they did reorder , it was $65.00 each. Our dues was $30.00 per month, plus $360.00 a year for taxation fees. Another $350.00 was due every December for their annual convention. (Funny but no other lodges or Grand Lodges would be there except St. Paul).We have to buy a Grand Lodge jacket that cost $170.00. They give us a minimum of 10 raffle tickets each and were told if we do not sell them all , we would have to pay out of our pockets for the tickets that were left. All that including the application fee was like close to $2,000.00 the first year!! Including dues!

I paid the total cost and was very excited that I was a Mason! Nothing else in the world cared. I called my Brother(P.H.A.) up in Mississippi, and told him everything . He basically went off! My brother explained to me that there is no such thing of two halves to a Third Degree and I should of went Prince Hall Affiliated. I ignored my brother because " I was excited to be a Mason"! They taught us things about Prince Hall. For example:
1) Prince Hall could only be a Mason if he dropped one letter and be a three letter.
2) He was only allowed to be a Mason while he was on shore.
3) The moment he stepped on land, he wasn't a Mason, so all these Prince Hall Lodges out there are clandestine because they are on land.
4) Prince Hall’s cargo on his ship were black slaves.
5) He was a slave driver.6) Prince Hall Lodge's are scamming people out of money.
7) They make you pay for everything !
8) It is at least $1,000.00 dollars for each degree that you get in Prince Hall.
9) When you go up to the higher degrees, you start practicing devil worshipping and sacrificing goats.
‍
These are just " some " of the things they told us about Prince Hall Freemasonry. I took it upon myself to research all of this and found out it was a down right lie. I would ask myself, why are they lying to me ? Why don't we attend the conventions with other Lodges? Is it something they don't want us to find out there ? Why do they tell us don't associate with Prince Hall Brethren? I thought all Mason's were our Brother's ? What happened to those hundreds of Brothers and Sisters that use to be apart of this Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter? Why is the total membership of Brothers are less than 300 ? All these questions erased from my mind when they appointed me Senior Deacon! You thought I was excited then! I had some power! All of the officer’s positions are permanent position's, until someone dies.

Our Grand Master is C.W. He is an old man that has had many heart problems. Grand Master C.W. drove a nice Cadillac and had no job. It was said that he had been a Prince Hall Mason and has received every degree He told us that his name is in the book of older brothers at the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois.

In St. Paul Grand Lodge we only go as far as three degrees. All the officer's including the Worshipful Master has only three degrees, including the Grand Master. I asked them, why do we not confer the other degrees? Why do we only have three degrees?

They told me that is all I needed.. They taught us that there is no such thing as " 3, 5, 7 " and that it is, " 4, 6, 8 " because you have to count the " Tyler "! The Tyler is important too!. They taught us that the story of Hiram Abiff was a myth and don’t let anybody call you " Bro. Hiram " on the streets because Hiram is a dead man and you are not dead. They also taught us that " King Solomon " was not a Mason and he never had possession of the Master's word because if he did have it, he would not be looking for the substitute word. They were hard stating, do not let any Mason call you Solomon because its disrespecting you by calling you a name of a man that was not a Mason.

We couldn't wear our jackets unless we could " Walk the Circle ". The circle is St. Paul Grand Lodge emblem that has the letter “G” , with the Square and Compass, but it also has the nine emblems that is in the 3rd. Degree. Well there are 10 emblems and we have to explain what they mean to us in order to wear the jacket that we bought. They told me that I wasn't a Master Mason unless I was dead because the only Master Mason is Jesus Christ.

I joined the Order of Eastern Star and became a member of Dorcas Grand Chapter. They also meet in St. Paul Grand Lodge. I never received the white book(ritual), no studying, no classes, but Symbol for the Order of the Eastern Star was on my jacket.

They use to irritate me about bringing a candidate. They needed more candidates to join the lodge. They wanted me to hit the streets to find people to join the lodge like I was trying to get someone to convert to a religion or something.

On Saturday November 3, 2001, I was healed into Charity Lodge No.108 of Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois and its Jurisdictions, F&AM., Prince Hall Affiliation. I can tell you this, I didn't have to pay for no dues card, no ritual, gloves, apron , etc. All that was included with my dues card and application fee. Only $100.00 a year compared to $30 a month in dues is beautiful ! My subordinate Lodge’s meetings are attended by 30 and more Brothers. Grand Lodge Meetings have Hundred's maybe thousand's of Brothers that are Prince Hall.

When I was in St. Paul Grand Lodge F.A.M.M., subordinate lodges had about 8 or less Brethren and their Grand Lodge meetings had less than 30 Brothers attending. Prince Hall has thousands attending their Convention's, while St. Paul has not even 50. I'm no longer excited and gullible like I use to be, but I'm happy now that I found a warm home in a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of Masons.

I wrote this article so that people that are involved in the lodges such as the one I was in can wake up ! I ask that some Brothers and Sisters to stop being excited and gullible and use your common sense. To my understanding there are two Grand Lodges recognized in the state of Illinois. One is the my Grand Lodge and the other is the Mainstream Grand Lodge.I didn't know that when I was very young , the Junior Crafts that the brother referred me to join when I was young visiting the bookstore is the Grand Lodge on 42nd and Cottage Grove. This is the same Prince Hall Lodge that I am active in now! And you know what?? I still have that old recommendation.

There are some good Brothers in St. Paul that just joined. I am trying to get them to come into the Prince Hall Grand Lodge. Those who are still members of St. Paul Grand Lodge, I know you are reading this and I hope this may give you something to think about and wake up. Just like I did.

Fraternally
Bro. Marcus Cartlidge
Charity Lodge No. 108
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois

Chicken and Beer, this is what I was told being a mason was about. This was told to me and others who left Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge by a Worshipful Master of our bogus lodge. He told us being a mason was about going to BW3 “back in the day” (a now defunct sports bar in Atlanta) and eating chicken wings and drinking beer and meeting all of the other bogus groups. Doing community services was okay but BW3 was were it was at. Everyone would get together and talk about “being masons” and the sisters loved them. This brother talked about how he would get numbers from all of the sisters just by going to eat chicken and drink beer. This is what the lodge needed to do more of, we needed to get to know each other and after months of that we could talk about community service, fund raisers, ritual work, and the initiation of candidates. Some candidates had been kept waiting for a year or more until we “got tight” with each other. Who decided when we were tight? Why would you stop community service? Fund raisers and ritual work stopped, for what?

Well, as all of you would have done this got me to thinking about this situation. I had never heard so much nonsense in my life. I tried to speak to two of the past masters in the lodge about the situation and they told me that we just need to keep doing what we do. One of the P.M.s was still disgruntled because he was voted out of office and made it his duty to critique every action of the brothers whom he felt voted him out. The other P.M. made it his duty to hold a church service whenever he showed up to a meeting. I have seen this brother catch the Holy Ghost on many occasions. When the W.M. gave a lecture it was in the form of homework questions which were taken out of a catch-e-kism book. The W.M. and the P.M.s were unable to answer many of my questions about ritual work. They would give me made up answers and then try to change their responses when I showed them proof in the ritual. I was told that I was getting my information from those Prince Hall boys and that it was wrong. But, were we not Prince Hall also? Didn’t the O in PHO stand for origin? Prince Hall was a Compact Mason was he not? No he was not! Someone please pass the chicken and pour me a beer.

I decided to join the FAAYM e-group started by my lodge brother Bernard Bethea. Brother Bethea was under attack by PHA masons on the list and to my surprise by SAGL’s web team. Why would the grand lodge be attacking Brother Bethea? I thought they should be supporting him to the very end. They did not support him because they knew the truth would be revealed on a national level. I tried to argue with brothers on the list about the compact and how we too were legit. They sent me documented proof that we were not. I could never get a straight answer from my lodge, SAGL, or from NGL officers. I asked for the history of SAGL and was told that they were working on it and would get it to me as soon as possible. I looked on the SAGL website to find the history and what I found in the guestbook was a history from Brother Joe Snow from Eureka Lodge #1 PHA. Now, I had argued with Brother Snow on the e-group and was familiar with his views. I e-mailed Bro. Snow and asked him how he could know more about SAGL’s history than them. Bro. Snow informed me that he had the written minutes from his lodge and his grand lodge from when African-American Masonry was started in this state. Bro. Snow let the members of SAGL know that their history was wrong and the web team, which consisted of the thieving Grand Treasurer only, would post messages stating that Bro. Snow was crazy and that PHA is the bogus group. Would you like fries or celery and blue cheese with those wings?

This past Holiday Season, the brothers of my lodge collected toys to give to needed families. As we were in the parking lot of the G.L. I was holding a basketball which was to be a gift for a young boy. Another brother asked to see the ball and as he commented on how it would make someone happy another brother grabbed the ball out of his hands and began to dribble the ball on the wet pavement. Being that this was a gift I had picked out for a needy child, I informed him that it was a gift. The “brother” kept dribbling the ball until he heard me a second time. At this point this “brother” called me a nigger and told me to shut up. All of us were in shock that this “brother” would act in this fashion. I told him that he was out of line by referring to me by anything other than Brother Robinson, and in anger he hurled the ball at my head. Now, I was disgusted as well as many of the brothers that witnessed this event. Two Past Masters and the current W.M. witnessed this event yet took no action against this “brother”. The W.M. felt that since this was his cable-tow it was acceptable for him to behave in any fashion he so desired.

We were told in open lodge by the W.M. that we (the brothers who left the compact) were trying to bring in candidates for initiation for the sole purpose of voting the W.M. out of office. This statement here shows the mindset of many of the compact masons. They are in it for the titles and the “prestige” that comes with holding any office on the lodge, grand lodge, or national level. I have heard national officers state that they should not have to pay any dues in any house because they are N.G.L. officers. These same brothers would show up for lodge meetings when they wanted to disrupt the peace and harmony of the lodge. Well, let me take that back, there never was peace and harmony in that lodge. Just chicken and beer!

For any irregular, bogus, or clandestine mason out there, I beg you to seriously think about what you are doing. Would you go to a doctor who could not practice medicine legally in your state? Then why would you practice masonry in a body that does not have a legal charter to work. Masonry is so much more than the chicken and beer that my past bogus W.M. thinks it is. Do your own research about the legitimacy of your organization and find out what you need to do to be healed. The brothers of Exodus Lodge UD have shown you that it can be done; now it is up to you to make a change.

It’s been a long time coming. That is the answer that I give people when they ask me why I decided to be healed into the Prince Hall Affiliation. I was Entered, Passed, Raised, Arched, and Knighted in the National Compact Affiliation. When I decided that I wanted to seek membership in Freemasonry, I did my fair share of research. I found that as an African American man, I needed to seek membership in Prince Hall Masonry, so right away I ruled out Modern Free, International, Federated, and Scottish Rite. All of them I recognized as bogus right away. What I did not know was that there were two groups of African American Masons calling themselves Prince Hall.

I had several friends as well as family members that were made Masons in Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge of Georgia National Compact Prince Hall Origin. All of them were not active, and none of them knew what the differences between the two “Prince Hall” Grand Lodges were. Just when I thought that that Grand Lodge might not be the best place for me, I met a brother whose lodge was under Smooth Ashlar. This was a good brother by the name of Al Price. He took me and two other brothers that were interested out, and just talked about masonry with us. He answered every question that we had to the best of his ability. When it came to the questions I had about the PHA lodges, he told us that there was no difference. He said that PHA was not recognized by any other Masons and that Masons under Smooth Ashlar were recognized all over the world. It was later that I found out that he was just reciting what was taught to him by older brothers in his lodge which was Burkshire #664.When my petition was accepted, my investigation consisted of me and five other brothers taking the Senior Warden to dinner and drinking, while he asked us questions. This was a really charismatic brother who talked a good game. He told us about how we had made the right decision by coming to Smooth Ashlar. He told us he knew many PHA brothers and witnessed them being beaten during initiations in the middle of the night in graveyards. He told us how he was admitted into Mainstream meetings, while PHA Masons were turned away. He told us of how Smooth Ashlar has a charter to work and PHA Masons don’t. He told us that PHA Masons can only be Masons in the state that they live in, and if they leave the state they are not Masons. We were told that PHA Masons have to be forty five or older to hold any office. Upon hearing all of this, we were happy that we decided to become Masons in Burkshire Lodge under Smooth Ashlar.

We six brothers received our EA degree, along with the lecture for that degree. That was all we learned for a year. The lodge did pretty much nothing but argues about money, and listen to the Past Masters preach in the lodge and occasionally some would catch the Holy Spirit during the meeting. Three of the other EA’s left during this time, but three of us refused to give up. During that year a few more EA’s joined our class. One guy who joined with us had been an EA for more than two years. It was not that we were not proficient, but rather they could not get together enough to run the lodge. Six of us were passed and raised in one night, in a poor excuse for degree work. There was a lot of stumbling and book reading. We were told that we were lucky it was not a PHA lodge because we would not learn any ritual, but would only be given a Catch question book.

Upon being raised we were given positions right away. We were not elected, but rather we sat in seats for the brothers who had stopped coming to meetings. It was around this time that I started asking questions about the historical background of the National Compact and Smooth Ashlar. All of my questions were dodged, or some answer was made up with no references to back it up. I asked why PHA Masons say they are the only legitimate Black Masons, and why they say they have a Charter from the United Grand Lodge of England to prove it. I was told that PHA was lying, and that the charter was no longer valid. I searched the internet for any history of the National Compact, but there was nothing to be found. I was also given a copy of the official history of the National Compact written by Brock. It told of how the Compact came about, how a split came about in 1877 which created State Rite Masons (PHA). It also says that the only legitimate black Masons are FAAY Masons. I was filled with joy to have some printed material to back me up when other Masons called me bogus, not real, irregular, and unrecognized. This happened quit often.

It was around this time that I decided to create an internet e-group on yahoo.com for people who wanted to talk about the National Compact, PHA, and mainstream Masonic relations. The group grew rapidly, and I found that there were many that were seeking the same information. I was first praised by many in the Compact for building websites and starting the e-group. It was one of the first times that the Compact got recognized in public. All of the praise went silent when the topic of history, legitimacy, and recognition came up in the group. PHA Masons such as Brothers Ralph McNeal, Ezekiel M. Bey, Joe Snow, and David Gray started posting the true history of the National Compact along with references to back what they posted. I went head to head with many of those brothers. Some of the debates got quit heated. I defending the National Grand Lodge’s history many times alone, but later I was joined by Brother Cedric Lewis of Mississippi. My good act of trying to defend the National Compact against what I thought at the time were unjust attacks, was met with a stiff reprimand from Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge. I was completely confused, and asked what I did wrong. I never received and answer. I later received many emails from the “special deputy” of the Grand Master threatening to suspend me if I did not censor or shut down the e-group. I asked for help from some of the grand officers in my lodge, but all agreed with the Grand Lodge. I was told that some how I had shamed my lodge. I informed the “Special Deputy” of the Grand Master that I could not control what brothers posted on the group nor could I shut it down. The truth was that I was learning too much, and I did not want to be thrown back into darkness. I telephoned Brother Cedric Lewis in Mississippi and informed him of my situation. I requested that he take over the group. He was in another state and out of the jurisdiction of Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge.

After my run in with the Grand Lodge and my near suspension, I decided to lay low for awhile and secretly gather information on my own. I received an email from Brother Ralph McNeal who I thought was my enemy at the time who to my surprise informed me that many mainstream Masonic Libraries had information on the Compact. He told me that all I needed to do was call or write them and request information. Upon calling the Iowa Masonic Library, I received copies of nearly everything that they had on the Compact in the mail. I had everything that I need to show that the National Compact was an irregular body from the beginning as well as information the lead me to believe that the body that calls itself the National Compact today is not the same body that was formed in 1847.

Even with the information that I had in my possession, I still remained a member of Smooth Ashlar Grand lodge. I felt that I had gone too far. I was Senior Warden of Burkshire Lodge #664, I was worthy patron of Charity Chapter #134, I was a member of King Solomon Royal Arch chapter, and Yorkshire #8 Knights Templar Commandry. I was comfortable. That is until I started to see the things going on in Smooth Ashlar behind the scenes. The first was the missing money in the Grand Lodge. Our lodge would pay taxes to the Grand Lodge and the money would disappear. We would go a whole year without traveling cards, new members never receive certificates. Every event that the Grand Lodge had was an undercover fund raiser. Collection plates were passed around like a church service. Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge sessions were like street riots, with brothers asking where all the money was. The checks that Smooth Ashlar wrote for the hotels for the session bounced two years in a row. In 2002 the Grand Master expelled the Grand Treasurer for “single handedly” cleaning the entire treasurer out. The total was something close to $100,000. The other Grand officers wanted us to believe that there was no one else involved. I didn’t buy that for a second.

I witnessed many things in Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge that made me ashamed to be a member of it. I have seen countless occasions of degree selling. For the right price you can achieve any degree that you want. For the low price of $85.00, thirty five Master Masons were given the Mark Master Mason through the to the Knight Templar degrees in a one night class. There was a huge uproar at the following Grand Lodge session about the incident, but it was not about the fact that it was wrong. The problem was that some of the Grand officers did not get their cut of the money. At that time the Shrine of Smooth Ashlar also decided that they would double their price and make any of those brothers Shriners under the table. There was never any control over who was getting degrees and if they were qualified for them. I know for a fact that one of the brothers in the one day York Rite class got all the degrees, the Consistory degrees, and then the Shrine and no one knew where he came from. It later turned out that he was an Nwabian follower of Malachi York. He took all that Smooth Ashlar had to offer and delivered it to Dr. York. I later witnessed this same brother being allowed to pay the overseer of the Grand Lodge hall to hold his own clandestine meetings in the hall. They knew very well that he was an Nwabian clandestine Mason, yet they took his money and gave him full access to the hall. This should not have really surprised me, because I witnessed many brothers from bogus lodges allowed access to meetings in Burkshire and other Lodges under Smooth Ashlar. Any man with grips and passwords was allowed entrance. When any of us would object, we were told that “a Mason is a Mason.

”I have to also touch on the subject of Smooth Ashlar’s much hyped military lodge. The lodge was introduced at the grand Lodge session of 2002, with no explanation of where they came from. They were marching around like a military unit wearing black military jumpsuits. The strange part was that during the session they accompanied Grand Master Campfield everywhere. I later found out that they were assigned to be his personal body guards at the session. The Grand Tyler also wore the military jumpsuit and carried a drawn sword. He no longer guarded the door, but now was never to leave the Grandmaster’s side. The Grandmaster now had his own military outfit, complete with general’s stars on the collar. In the Smooth Ashlar Master Mason and OES workshop this year, during the Grand Masters opening address to a room full of Masons of various degrees and Eastern Stars, GM Campfield stopped talking and threw up the Grand haling signs of distress of a certain degree in plain view of everyone. The doors of the auditorium were thrown open and the military lodge ran in from different directions and surrounded Campfield. What was the reason for this display? He once again wanted to show off "Georgia’s first military lodge," as he called it. I have no idea where they get this claim, but I would guess that they did what they do best, they made it up. I never remember a charter being granted at any Grand session. The members of this “military lodge” are not even in the military. They say that the term “military lodge” comes from their requirement that the members be connected to the military. It does not matter what that connection is. You could have been in the military at one time, high school ROTC, or even just work on a military base. I met one brother who gained membership because his wife was once in the Army. This lodge is a joke, but fits in very well with the rest of Smooth Ashlar.

With all of this craziness going on in SAGL, I decided that I had enough. I wanted to be in an environment that allowed me to practice Masonry the right way. I wanted to be a member of a lodge that was allowed to do things right, and not do things because that was how they used to do it. I wanted to be a part of a Grand Lodge that had a real history and followed the landmarks of Freemasonry. SAGL made up fictional versions of both. I contacted Brother Ralph McNeal and inquired how I might be healed in Georgia. He put me in contact with Brother Joe Snow who is Grand historian for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand lodge of Georgia. Brother Snow told me what I needed to do to be healed and he got me stared on my way. I went back to several members of Burkshire Lodge and told them of my intentions. I was surprised to find out that most of them wanted to be healed also. In all there were fifteen of the twenty four brothers that wanted to be healed. Upon us all talking, we worried that an existing lodge might be over whelmed by so many brothers being healed at once. We then came up with the idea of being healed as a lodge. That is where we stand today. An entire lodge healed into The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia PHA, by the Honorable Willie Williams Grand Master. We changed the name of the Lodge to Exodus Lodge, because we all felt that we had escaped a state of bondage by the grace of God.

I say to any brother that is a member of a bogus or irregular lodge. Don’t let anyone stop you from seeking the truth about that affiliation. If someone advises you to stop looking, that should make you look all the harder. If you know that illegal and un-Masonic practices are going on in your lodge or grand lodge don’t ignore it, get away from it. Don’t get comfortable there like many of us did. Don’t stay there because your father or grandfather was a member as many of us did. Every adult man must walk his own path, and your father and grandfather would surely understand that. What you are practicing in that clandestine atmosphere is not Masonry. It is a sad attempt at copying true Masonry. Many say that if all African American Masons could unite we would be a mighty force, and I agree. I pray that all worthy brothers will find their way to true Masonry. This is found in the Prince Hall affiliation. I finally feel that my eyes are open and I am at home.
‍
Fraternally,
Brother Bernard Bethea
Exodus Lodge UD PHA

This paper is written to tell of an experience of being a member of an irregular jurisdiction. I am in no way trying to bring about a “witch hunt” on irregular bodies. I would just like to express my experience and to challenge those that are with irregular bodies to question their authority.

I’ve titled this piece Forgotten Treasure because sometimes the sisters are forgotten about. Some feel that it’s not important for us to know, it’s not our business to know and to those I question, why?

Life is forever changing, like the weather – cold, hot, warm, rainy, rarely again to be the exact temperature it was the day before. Change comes whether we want it to or not. We get so fixed in our little world until nothing else matters. Change also means to undergo transformation – to transition. I resisted this change I am about to talk about but eventually I relaxed and took the truth in its purest form and question why was I holding back. I couldn’t see clearly and I began to blame and punish myself. After my initial feelings of anger, betrayal, hurt I knew it was something that had to be done. Instead of resisting change I had to take charge…My grandmother exposed me to the Order at an early age. I would go to many functions with her and was always amazed at the grace the ladies portrayed and how intelligent and nice they were. I would always find ways to emulate my grandmother and would ask her questions about the Order and how to become a member. She was always eager to show me her precious mementos. Sometimes I would find it strange that she would always ask me to go places with her. She would always be at every function and performance I participated in through school and other organizations. We would spend countless hours with one another and she would always tell me that she was preparing me for a lifelong experience. She stated that no matter what happens and what people say, she wanted me to pursue becoming a member of the Order of Eastern Star. I never did question her after that and through high school and college I just kind of put it in the back of my mind. In my eyes to become a member of the Order was much further down the road because what was more impressionable at the time were the college sororities.

I became friends with a lady and we’ll just call her “Sister Friend”. We went through school together and both of our families are from Louisiana so we became close from the beginning. After high school she went to college in another state and after college came back home. She would always talk about the sisters and all the different functions, meetings, etc. I never really questioned her much because I knew she was still active with her college sorority so I figured that’s what it was all about. One day I remember her asking me if I had something white she could borrow and I told her yes. As she was getting dressed I noticed that she was putting on a pin and I immediately recognized it and asked her was she a member of the Eastern Stars. She answered yes and asked me how did I know that symbol. I told her that my grandmother was a member but is inactive now. We got into a conversation as to why haven’t I became a member and she felt bad because after all this time she thought I knew she was a member. I told her that I just never pursued it and it didn’t interest me at the time and it’s for old ladies. Seems I struck a nerve with her and she told me that she would be by after her meeting to talk to me.

Sister Friend asked me for weeks to attend a tea that her chapter was hosting. I initially declined but at the last minute accepted. This was something important to her and after all this time she has been there for me and supported me on all of my endeavors so I felt that I should support her as well. I was quite impressed and shocked. The Order wasn’t full of little old ladies and I had a very good time. I’ve never had a problem socializing with others so I just fell right in. Not knowing but I became the center of attention. They begin asking me questions regarding my life, my family, my future and other subjects of the liking. On our drive home Sister Friend just smiled and commented that they liked me. I shrugged my shoulders and didn’t think anything else about it. As time went on Sister Friend would invite me out more with her “sisters”. It became quite a routine and I enjoyed talking with the ladies. She would spend time with me talking about the order and all that she does and what it has done for her. She would always comment and say that it keeps her grounded. I begin to question her more and there were times that she couldn’t answer. I would get a little upset because I felt that we had been friends all this time and there was nothing that we didn’t or couldn’t share with one another. She told me if I really wanted to know – join. I always declined because I felt I didn’t have the time for all of the meetings. Sister Friend teased me and stated that I find the time to come to their social functions then I could find the time for a meeting an hour or two each month. And most importantly I should become a member because my husband was a Mason. I then begin to make all kinds of excuses regarding the secrecy and rumors I’ve heard that they are devil worshippers and they sacrifice goats. Sister Friend and my husband would always uphold the Order and Masonry and how proud they were to be members and they would always add, PHA members at that. But I didn’t make it easy for them. Finally she asked me if I thought my grandmother and husband were devil worshippers? I really didn’t know what to say. Ignorance had me tongue tied. But I would still debate the issues with them and finally we came to a truce because our friendship begin to suffer from it and decided that we just wouldn’t talk about the order. My husband told her that I wasn’t just ready and when the time comes I will see the light.

As time passed Sister Friend became less active with the order because she had to spend more time at home with her child and my husband became inactive due to work travel. But it seems something was still pulling me into that direction and my husband wanted to get back active. My husband befriended a new guy at work and found out that he was a Mason. (We’ll just call him Bro. Misguided) Bro. Misguided informed my husband that the Grand Master comes through there all the time and he would like for him to meet him and possibly join their lodge. Bro. Misguided would talk so highly of the GM and how the lodge is in search of brothers especially brothers who were Masons before to help them build up the lodge. My husband agreed to meet the GM and was impressed with the outcome of the meeting. We were invited to their Annual Banquet to meet some of the members. The banquet was nice and we were the guest of the GM and his wife who held the office of Worthy Grand Matron and also Worthy Matron. The GM was very outspoken and talked about Masonry with such zeal. To say the least we were impressed and after the banquet my husband was asked if he made a decision to join. Before answering the GM told him that he wanted to get him in so that he could assist him in teaching the other brothers and after that he would let my husband run his own lodge. The GM then commented on how prestigious his Grand Lodge was and that it will be one of the largest. His comments then went on to express the legality of his grand lodge – that it was recognized worldwide. He receives more recognition than Prince Hall and that Prince Hall was bogus and had no true facts on their legality. The selling point came about when my husband was told that in order to receive all of the degrees in Masonry that he would have had to become a member of a 4 letter (AF&AM) lodge anyway so why not join now. He had to say no more and then proceeded to ask if I was going to join the Eastern Stars. My husband answered that if he joins that I would join. He told me this was my opportunity to actually find out about the order and to not argue about it because it’s a good thing. I didn’t resist and agreed to join. We were given the cost of what it would be to join, which was $130.00 for us both, and I was told that the Worthy Matron and Secretary would contact me. We politely paid the joining fees and went about our way.

I was contacted about a week later notifying me of the time, date, place and attire for my initiation. I immediately called my mother and grandmother and they were both excited. My grandmother asked me if I knew the name of the chapter and the affiliation and if I had been investigated because she didn’t receive a phone call. My answer - no. She begin to give me all kinds of instructions and what to wear and that she would come to the house to prepare me. The day of my initiation I was filled with reservations. I still wasn’t sure if this was the right thing for me but I wanted to make my husband and grandmother happy so I pushed those thoughts aside and prepared myself. As I was getting dressed she made sure that all was in place and that all was white and pure. She gave me one of those talks as to what to do and what not to do and presented me with a small gift box and not to open it until I passed through the five gates. (The gift was her Eastern Star pin.)So I begin my journey (1997)…I was a little early so during that time the GM told me the different things the chapter does and how excited he was for me to join and then bluntly asked if I paid my joining fees. I told him yes and showed the receipt. He walked me to his office and told me of the Grand Lodge and Chapter and how it works and the different higher houses that I can become a member of. He also stated to me of the different books that I need to buy and regalia. But I didn’t have to purchase all of it right then except the ritual books and bylaws and I could put my regalia on layaway. I kindly shook my head and proceeded to meet the sisters as they walked in. I was told to stay seated as they open the meeting and someone would be down to get me shortly. During that time the GM told me that I would be blindfolded but to not worry it was part of the process. He then goes into telling me of stories of how Prince Hall Chapters initiates and that he doesn’t allow all of that foolishness in his lodge. Shortly a gentle and kind lady calls me by my name and states that she will be guide and to trust her. She asked me a few preliminary questions and proceeded to walk me upstairs. At this point I really don’t know what to expect but I kept thoughts of my grandmother in my head and that she wouldn’t lead me down an unrighteous path. The process was seemingly long and all I could think about was take this blindfold off so I could see what was really going on. As I was brought into the light things seemed normal other than this large signet on the floor. I became a little nervous until I took the “walk of the labyrinth” and said to myself that I know all of these stories. This was beginning to be quite interesting as they went into details regarding the heroines and also proper protocol in the chapter. I was quite relieved. The WM introduced me to the sisters once again in their respective stations and they were each told to teach me the grip and password and tell me something about the order.

After the initiation process the WM went right into the remainder of the meeting and announced that it was time to elect officers. I sat back and begin to just take notice of the members. They begin to talk amongst each other and already I could sense that there were clicks. I did have a little previous experience with parliamentary procedures and it seems this “election of officers” turned into a who’s my friend election. That seemed to go right pass me and I just sat back. Before the closing the WM stated that she will begin to give assignments out and since I was the only one initiated and the first of the year that I would have the first assignment and present it at the next meeting. My assignment was to study with the sister that was appointed to the “blue point of the star” and the heroine she represented. I was excited and met with “Sister Blue” after the meeting. We exchanged numbers and she informed me she was a college student. I told her that I would call her and possibly come out her way so it would be no extra expense to her. Before I parted, a sister approached me and she told me to study all I can because I will be charged up and she went her way with a cunning smile. Charged up? What is that? I asked the GM about what is to be charged up and he said that he doesn’t teach things like that at his lodge. He stated that they’re like test questions to make sure that you are a member of the order. That’s a Prince Hall thing and its unnecessary and you shouldn’t discuss anything pertaining to the order to anyone. Knowing that I had a whole month I still went home and immediately started reading my ritual. I called Sister Blue the next week and left a message. No return call –so it became a ritual of mine to call her every few days. Still no return call and time is winding down. I’m getting nervous because I’m not for sure what I am suppose to studying and if there was any additional material I needed and I had questions! So I turn to my grandmother and she assisted me and pointed me in the direction to take my studies to another level. By this time I’m nervous because Sister Blue still hasn’t returned my phone call and the meeting is Saturday. She eventually calls me the day of and states that she will not be at the meeting. She told me if I had questions, to ask them at the meeting. Now, I’m angry but I know what I have to do. I go to the meeting and as the Secretary is doing roll call she calls out Sister Blue name and no one says anything. She asks has anyone heard from her and I raise my hand and stated what was told to me. After roll call, the WM asks that I sit at that station and if I was ready for my presentation. To say the least my presentation went over well and I was even asked a few questions and so eagerly answered them all. The WM was quite impressed and made a comment that I should study with each star point to make sure they get the same information. Throughout the meeting I asked questions and made comments on the information presented. From that point I was pretty much on my own. We were given a phone list of all the members in the chapter and I made it a point to call each one of them and introduce myself again and ask questions because weeks had passed and I haven’t heard from anyone. Months pass and I seem to talk to the WM more than any of the other sisters. I continue to study on my own and bring forth new items to the chapter. Not necessarily new but items that I haven’t heard discussed yet. Finally the Secretary befriends me and states that she enjoys the information I bring and if I don’t mind studying with her. I accepted and shortly we all begin to study at my house occasionally and they begin to give me the details of the chapter and lodge. I begin to take notice that the membership at the meetings is declining. I was informed that the majority of the ladies were college students and during finals they study and school breaks they go home. Well seems like there were more finals and breaks as normal so I begin to sit back and take notice as to what was going on. Well there seems to be complaints that the GM is not doing things correctly, all he’s worried about is money and he’s taking charge of too much and no one is learning anything. At this time I am sitting at a different station each month because someone didn’t come to the meeting. I’m frustrated because it’s a lot to take in and where are these sisters? They did all this talk about sisterhood and how to make the chapter upstanding and all but no one is taking action. At that time I made it a point to learn all that I could and to take some of the weight off of the WM because it seems that these young ladies are not doing their job.

By this time announcements are being made about Grand Session. I was told that this is a meeting that is held once a year for all of the lodges and chapters in that jurisdiction and if anyone wanted to elevate into the higher houses they may do so with the approval of the WM and GM. I thought finally I would get a chance to meet some other sisters and brothers. My hopes were diminished because it was the same people I see every month. There were no other chapters. I met a few other brothers but not many. The GM announced that we all we be in this meeting. He doesn’t agree with the separate meetings and that it was a privilege for the sisters to be included in the Grand Session meeting with the brothers. The GM opens the meeting and we’re all told that there will be a $25.00 representation fee for each member and that if you were behind in your dues you had to pay your dues first and if you couldn’t pay the $25.00 fee you would not be able to vote or have a say in the decisions made during the meeting. As brothers and sisters came into the meeting the GM would call them up to the Secretary’s desk and begin questioning them of their financial business in front of everyone. As he is going through the meeting agenda he goes off on a tangent of paying dues and supporting the grand lodge. He made a statement that if you don’t pay your dues – don’t expect any type of assistance from the lodge. Then his next tangent was to explain that this grand lodge was a legal and upstanding grand lodge. The GM went to explain how the charters were obtained and that we were recognized worldwide and had amenity with the GL of Scotland. Before he closes the meeting he asks that all that will be elevated to stay and the others may go. As I was about to leave he told me to stay put because he wanted to make sure I received my high degrees. I questioned what were the high degrees and he told me - Queen of the South, Amaranth, and Heroines of Jericho and Daughters of the Sphinx. He stated that he needed to elevate as many sisters as he could to get those houses active and if I would assist him and the WM in seeing to that. I kindly accepted and he bestowed upon me and the other sisters each obligation from every house. After that he stated how much the dues are and we needed to purchase our rituals for each house and begin to set up meetings. Needless to say my first Grand Session was not a very good one. I came out of there more confused than I went in. Now I’m questioning what’s a charter? Who’s the GL of Scotland? What are these higher houses all about?

At the next meeting I was approached by the GM to become a Board Member at his request because he needed sisters to be on the board. I asked what all did I have to do and he stated that I would need to attend the quarterly meetings and assist with updating the bylaws and constitution. I said okay and he stated that to become a Board Member it would cost $250.00 for a lifetime membership and $10.00 every meeting. He told me that I could pay the $250.00 out in time but he really wanted me to become a member so that I could help him get things moving with the lodge and chapter. I kindly accepted.

During the next two years membership is declining at a fast rate. Sisters and Brothers both are unhappy as to the practices of the lodge and chapter. Brothers are quitting at a fast rate because they feel that everything is being “shortcutted” meaning brothers are coming in off the street receiving their 3 degrees in one day and basically paying their way up the ladder to receive the degrees of the higher houses. Pretty much the requirement was to come to meetings and pay your dues. Sisters were tired of him trying to run the meetings and doing as he pleases. The main complaint was that he was bringing in sisters to become members and no one knew these people and we would find out the day of the meeting. All of his talk was of money. His teachings became sermons of discontent with what we were doing wrong. He would talk about us buying paraphernalia from other places and not supporting the grand lodge was a violation of the bylaws. Flags were raised because along with the Macoy ritual we had to purchase the ritual book for that jurisdiction that was written by the GM. It was basically a shortcut version of the Macoy ritual with slight variations and at times was confusing because he would tell us to use that ritual in conjunction with the Macoy ritual. When we would question those items he would get upset thinking we were trying to ban his ritual. We learned both rituals and made adjustments when necessary due to the arrangement of the chapter room.

Everyone was pretty much getting disgusted because in other Masonic communities we were irregular. I knew nothing of what irregular or bogus was until a PHA sister and brother approached me. I was asked of my affiliation and was immediately told that I was bogus. I asked why and no one could answer me. They would just say oh, you don’t have a charter. I asked the question to the GM and he proudly showed me the “charter” from the state we reside in and the paperwork from Washington. The GM would talk on lengths on how irregular Prince Hall was and that we should not succumb to their ways and let them lie to us. He stated that he has challenged Prince Hall and they couldn’t produce a charter. He went on to talk at great lengths of his Masonic past and being a member of the “Grand United Congress” and how he has the authority to start lodges and chapter anywhere in the world and that I should feel privileged to be a part of an organization that is recognized worldwide unlike Prince Hall. I begin to ask him to tell me of these other jurisdictions and where they came from. He went on to state the history of Prince Hall up to where he became a Mason and said that Prince Hall started creating lodges without a charter. He went on to state that Prince Hall finally received his charter from the Grand Lodge of England but after sometime was dropped and never received the proper authority again to operate. He went on to give accolades to John G. Jones for his work in Masonry and Shrinedom and for “leaving” Prince Hall. I took what he said as being truth because after all he was the GM and a man with 40 years of experience in Masonry. He has to know what he is talking about and I went about my way.

As time goes on the sisters are bonding and we have set a standard as to how we want our chapter to operate. We’re coming along with our studies, participating and creating community and volunteer service projects and making a respectful stand for our chapter. But there is still that lingering problem of the GM wanting to control everything. We decided to have fundraisers so that the chapter could have an active budget. We were told that we couldn’t do that it and would have to put the funds in the Grand Lodge bank account. That raised many flags and the GM was questioned about that but the outcome was still null and void. Whenever there is a situation that is brought to his attention it turns into a “questioning of his authority” and he makes it a point to seat you or remove you. We wanted to intermingle with other chapters and he didn’t approve of it but said it would have to be done on our own time. So by this time its getting tiring because nothing can be done without his approval and there is no one to replace him if voted out. Still then I’m sure he would find some bylaw that would protect him. By this time we’re losing valuable members due to ethics that should be practiced but are not and I begin to open my eyes wider on what is going on with this jurisdiction. I begin to research and visit other chapters and have befriended many good sisters along the way. I begin to question why is it that we don’t attend these conventions? Why are we not in communication with other lodges and chapters? Why does Prince Hall have all of these jurisdictions but are still being called bogus? Is it something I’m not being told here? Yes, there is a lot that I was not told and a lot within this jurisdiction that I cannot correct.

Its very tiresome to know that the work and effort you put into something will go no further than the paper it is written on and that the jurisdiction you belong to will go no further than where it is now. The membership has decreased drastically and it’s the chapter that keeps it running. Its one thing to belong to an irregular organization but its also another thing to belong to one that has no future. So instead of continually being blind I opted to search for light. My reasons for leaving this jurisdiction go deeper than the trivial issues that have been experienced. One thing that I don’t want to do is experience this again and to stop learning. During my search I found truth and have learned to appreciate the efforts of those that are working to preserve the rich history and tenets that this organization was built on. My intentions are to not only search for the truth but to practice the truth in a legal and competent jurisdiction. So the next time you see me, put your sunglasses on because this light may blind you!

“He who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. (John 3:21)FOUND: PRICELESS TREASUREI petitioned and on February 23,2002 I became a member of McCullough - P. Wolridge #12 – Norris Wright Cuney Grand Chapter of Texas – PRINCE HALL AFFILIATED. I must give thanks to Bro. Joe Snow for his efforts and patience on educating me on the rich history of Prince Hall and to understand the difference between regular and irregular Masonic bodies. With his assistance and guidance and encouragement from Bro. Bey, Bro. McNeal and Bro. Stanley, the transition was one of success for myself and other members of my previous chapter.

I begin to have reservations because I was leaving friends and my “comfort zone”. But I had to reflect on how effective I would be now knowing the truth. How can I continue to live a lie? How can I lecture on being a good Eastern Star if I wasn’t being true to myself nor the order? I knew what I had to do and it wasn’t an easy road. I battled the decision to just leave and not say anything or inform the sisters and brothers of what we were dealing with. I felt obligated to at least pass on the information that had been given to me and give them the truth in its purest form as it was given to me. Even at the cost of losing friends and my integrity being questioned, I felt I was doing the right thing. It became a battle of me vs. the jurisdiction. With the assistance from the brothers on the Commission, it was a battle that I gladly suited up for. I presented the information to include references so that they each had the opportunity to research this for themselves. I didn’t want this to be a conversation that only the brothers would have and come back and tell the sisters, “everything is okay” or “this doesn’t concern you.” We all are entitled to the truth to better enable us to make conscience decisions.

I was invited to come to the lodge and meet with the sisters and ask any questions that I had. It was a greeting that will be remain etched in my memory forever. I gave an introduction of myself and was introduced to each sister that was present. They each greeted me with love and it was as if you were seeing an old girlfriend – excited, friendly, warm and caring. They were eager to tell me things about the chapter and how satisfied they are being members of this jurisdiction. Everyone stressed the points that they are constantly learning and the Worthy Matron always test and makes sure that all members are kept abreast on the business of the order. From that short time I knew that I was in the right place. I asked around to other sisters of the order regarding this chapter and was given positive reviews. I begin to feel that my journey has been fulfilled when I received the phone call informing me to come to the next meeting in all white because my time had come to truly “walk in the light”. I immediately called my grandmother and this time I could answer her questions regarding the name of the chapter, affiliation, the Worthy Matron and location. I even told her the things that the sisters shared with me regarding the chapter. She was extremely proud that I have finally found my place in the order. Surprisingly, she expressed to me that she wanted to get back active once I became a member and do things she planned for us to do. That in itself confirmed to me that I was on the right path. All of my reservations and feelings of not being accepted were dispelled.

When the Worthy Matron banged her gavel and announced that I was now a member of McCullough – P. Wolridge #12 – PRINCE HALL AFFILIATED I was overjoyed with happiness and a sense of accomplishment. We’re always told to go after what we want, follow your dreams, etc. But something that stayed etched in my mind when I asked my mother what should I do. Her response was, “Do the right thing. If you can believe a lie, then you can believe the truth.” I have listened to the opinions and lies of others and chose to believe them because I didn’t know the truth. But before I blame others, I had to look at the lies I told myself. I became dependent on a bad situation and used it as a crutch – an excuse for not living up to my potential. So now was the time to re-focus that energy to a more positive situation. My holding pattern had been broken and I am free.

If you don’t care to know the truth, any lie will do. To my brothers and sisters who are members of bogus / irregular bodies…when are you going to get tired of “any old lie”?

Feeling like most men, who as they mature develop a sense of community and the need to contribute to the betterment of our world, I decided to seek the assistance of like minded men, hoping to fulfill the concerns of my own heart and mind. Little did I know that my journey to fulfill that need would be so long and tumultuous, but nevertheless, educational.

Being a veteran of the Navy, I have had the opportunity to travel our terrestrial house quite a bit. And in my travels I have seen many things of beauty that have caused me to reflect upon my own life as a man, a father, a son, and husband. But one of the things of beauty that truly caught my attention was, while still in the Navy and stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, I witnessed the constant display of unity shown by and reverential respect shown to a tightly knit group of sharp men. The thing I noticed most was that they always seemed to be together all the time and enjoyed each others company. Plus, when they announced any type of function they were sponsoring, it created a big buzz around the base, with everyone almost in sheer anticipation on attending or in some why contributing to its success.

After observing these men for some time, I knew I wanted to be a part of them and experience the same joy, respect, and camaraderie that they gave each other when I saw them. After more thought, I finally gained the courage to ask. I noticed one of the groups that usually hung together leaving the chow hall (Dining Facility). I stopped them, introduced myself and told them that I had been checking them out for quite some time and that I wanted to join their “men’s group”. Needless to say, they all echoed Men’s Group! and in good spirit, laughed at me for calling them such.

However, one of them with patience proceeded to inform me that they were not just some type of “men’s group”, but that they were in fact Masons. I said okay, and inquired as to what did I have to do to become a one. The first question he asked me was how long did I have left on station (in Stuttgart)? I informed him that I only had two months left on station and that I was leaving the Navy once I left there. He told me that I didn’t have enough time left on station to complete the required work, but that he would sit down and talk with me anyway and give me potential contacts in the area that I was going once I left Stuttgart.

Well, this is where my Masonic nightmare begins. Upon my arrival in Atlanta, I asked my then barber, who proclaimed to be a mason, about becoming a member of the lodge he was a member of. He informed me that I was right on time, because “they” were starting a new lodge in that area and were gathering petitions. Stupidly, I assumed two things about this Masonic barber. One: Since he was black that he was a Prince Hall Mason and Two: that this new lodge was going to be a properly constituted and chartered lodge within a Prince Hall Grand Lodge jurisdiction. However, as I later found out, both my assumptions only made an “ass” out of me. But, I must continue by saying that at this point, lodge and jurisdictional legitimacy was all scrambled eggs to me and meant nothing. My desire was to be a Mason and to emulate what I saw displayed in Germany amongst those Masons there.

After receiving the petition Bro. Ruffian, the Masonic barber told me to return the petition to him with a $180 dollar money order so they could vote on it and arrange an investigation. He told me to make the money order out to Nehemiah Lodge #033, Sons of St. Joseph Grand Lodge of Georgia, which prompt me to ask him, where do I have to put Prince Hall’s name?

Well Bro. Ruffian went on to explain that we weren’t going to be a part of Prince Hall; since Prince Hall wasn’t really a legitimate body, but that this new lodge and jurisdiction would be under the authority of the United Supreme Council of the World, who’s location was out in California, which was ran by S.G.I.G Dr. J.P. Jeckyll (not real name). He went on to state that our Grand Lodge was going to be Sons of St. Joseph Grand Lodge of Georgia and it’s Grand Master Bro. Billy D. Ceever, 33rd (not real name).He further said that it didn’t matter whose lodge I became a part of because we were all the same, because we all took the same oath and obligation. Well like a true novice, I took Bro. Ruffian’s word for gospel and proceeded to become a Mason. Shortly thereafter, I was investigated and told to keep my calendar open for the next week, because they could call me at any time and tell me where to meet them for initiation. Well, true to form, that’s exactly what happened. One Saturday evening, I received a phone call and the other person on the phone told me to meet Bro. Ruffian and four other candidates at a Ramada Inn Hotel to be initiated that night. The first thing I can remember thinking was, “I thought Masons met in a lodge like the guys in Germany did, but oh well.” I was subsequently, Passed in that same hotel room as well, but Raised, in a church nearby. At my Raising, is where I had the opportunity to meet the man who was self-appointed or selected to be our first Grand Master Bro. Billy D. Ceever, 33rd.Bro. Billy D. Ceever later told us that he had been a member of the Prince Hall family for more than 20 years and was supposedly headed to take a prominent leadership station within the jurisdiction of Delaware. However, due to “other” ill wishing Brothers within that jurisdiction he was “cast” out and black balled, “for some reason.” And that the same Brothers with far reaching hands, informed the Masonic leadership in Atlanta of his whereabouts, so they would know to look out for him and cast him a cold shoulder as well.

Again, I took every word that came out of this knowledgeable man’s mouth as true gospel. Because I knew that there was no way under heaven that such a man would lie to me or to any of us (Yeah Right!!!).

As time went on I became the jurisdictions most ardent student. I read everything I could get my hands on and took on every challenge and challenger that came near me. Those opposed to Masonry I was willing to crush or die trying, all I needed was an excuse for me to attack you and I didn’t care. Little old church going ladies included. Say something anti-Masonic and they would let their Pitbull loose (me), and if my attacking you led to blood shed then so be it, I loved Masonry too much to see it injured by anybody.

I was finally a Mason and proud of it. I had a job to do. I had to assist these Brothers with building a jurisdiction, so I went about my duties with all the zeal my body could muster. I would leave my regular day job and 4:30pm, get home and kiss my wife and baby daughter Hello and Good-bye at the same time, grab me a sandwich, go down to the new Grand Lodge office and work there until 9:30pm or 10:30pm at night. Go to sleep and proceed with the same routine the next day and the day after that. The feeling of being proud of my Fraternity kept me going. However, that feeling of pride also made me stupid and covered me with a thick coat of ignorance.

Nehemiah Lodge #033 began to get noticed. Bro. Ruffian, became the sitting Worshipful Master and I was elected Senior Warden. We participated in charity events for the homeless, provided shelter for abused women and participated in a major Senior Citizens event that was sponsored by the Mayor’s office in Atlanta. From the outside we looked like that tightly knit group of men that I first saw in Germany, however from the inside we began to smell like over run sewage. As we began to receive more coverage for our charity work, Bro. Ruffian’s name would appear in different media outlets and be credited with being the “leader” of our lodge.

Needless to say, our Grand Master Bro. B. D. Ceever, 33rd, became increasingly jealous at the exposure Bro. Ruffian and the lodge were receiving. He (the GM) felt that if anyone should get any exposure at all, it should be him, because he was the one who started the jurisdiction in the first place and the only reason that we were Masons was because “he” had put “his” seal of approval on it. If it weren’t for him none, of us would belong to the Fraternity!… as he later screamed at us. The shock and pain I felt within the inner chambers of my heart were paralyzing, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, but I didn’t have a lot of time to hurt, because there was more to come.

Bro. Billy D. Ceever, 33rd, told us that in order to build a strong jurisdiction, we had to move into other areas and spread our fraternal philosophy to others that might not otherwise receive it, without our help. He recommended that we start in his hometown of Blakley, Georgia, which would be the ideal place to introduce the people there to the greatest philosophy the world has known. And, that since Blakley was such a small town, we would be the first “legitimate” Masonic lodge in that area, because there was no other Masons there. (Liar!!!)So on a rainy Saturday morning and like Black Knights in shiny silver armor. At least fifteen of us packed into ours hoopties and melted the pavement, determined to initiate, pass, and raise (all in one day) those poor souls who had no knowledge of what Masonry was. We were hell bent on giving them the correct version before anyone else got hold of them, especially members of Prince Hall.

The plan was that when we got to town and since he and his family had mega clout there (in Blakley) we would first stop and get breakfast and then proceed down to the town hall and begin our work. After the degree work was completed we would conduct a lodge of instruction, and then the “town” would host a fish fry for us, that had been planned by the new Brothers and his family. Well, that was plan A. And, as far as I can remember, we didn’t have a plan B. In fact we felt that we didn’t need a plan B, because no one was going to dare disturb his plans or interrupt what we had come to Blakley, Georgia, too do.

Well, when we drove into town we decided to stop at a fast food restaurant to get breakfast and relax for a moment. Bro. Ceever, 33rd, said he would continue on into town to make sure that everything was in place and ready to go. As we were sitting there, dressed in traditional Masonic dress, we could hear people beginning to whisper at the sight of the new strangers that were in town. We felt proud, good even, that we were being noticed by the towns people, and plus, our egos even told us we looked good and we were there to introduce Freemasonry to that little ole’ town. However, as we wallowed in the slop of our egos, what initially escaped us was the fact that we weren’t the only men proclaiming to be Masons in that restaurant that morning.

One of the Brothers, whispered out and said, “Hey man! Check out that old man sitting in the corner, look at his hands.” As we turned to look at the old man in the corner, who was eating his breakfast slowly, silently, and with observation, the first thing that caught all of our attention was the beautiful square and compass that engulfed the ring that sat on his right had ring finger. At that point the old man noticed that we were watching him, finished his breakfast and left the restaurant peacefully.

About twenty minutes thereafter, Bro. Billy D. Ceever, 33rd returned to the restaurant looking a bit bewildered. All of us noticed the confused look on his face and immediately asked what was wrong. He began to tell us that there would be some changes to our previous plan. He went on to explain, that there were some Prince Hall Masons that had “recently” moved into town, started a lodge and was now in cohorts with the local Caucasian lodge there to run us out of town. (All this had supposedly happened the same morning)Once again, pure shock! What! Prince Hall Masons! Where? I thought we were the “first” Masons in this town. What do you mean Caucasian Lodge? Since when did they start talking to “us”? He went on to tell us, that we weren’t going to be able to complete our degree work in the town hall meeting room, because “those” other Masons had closed that off to us. And the “town” fish fry? Not!! The guy that owned the restaurant that was going to sponsor the event, suddenly had to close his shop for inventory. Bro. Ceever, 33rd went on to say that he had went by the local recreational facility, in hopes to secure a room there, the guy there said flat out, NO! He later informed us that, the guy was a member of the local Caucasian lodge and didn’t think too highly of outsiders invading their “shared” territory.

Undeterred, he finally found, what I believed to be one sympathizer who let us “rent” his church basement to initiate, pass, and raise our new Brothers for a fee, which we had to reach in our pockets and pay him, right then and there. I couldn’t believe what had happened to us. There was a bright future for us in that town, well at least until we met that quiet old man sitting in the corner of that restaurant minding his business, eating his breakfast and with a watchful eye, closely observing us in our egotistical filth, but as I know now, that wouldn’t be the last Mike Tyson blow to my mug.

At a fundraiser we were sponsoring, there were some Brothers from Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge, Prince Hall (O)riginated that were in attendance. As we were standing around talking with each other, another Brother from their jurisdiction walked up and joined in the conversation. To this day, I don’t know what prompted the Brother to ask, but he did. He looked at our appointed Deputy Grand Master Bro. B. Gullible II, 32nd, and ask, “Exactly, where did you guys receive you charter, and if you got it from the United Supreme Council of The World, just where did they originate and get their authority from?

”At that point, I was self assured that our Deputy Grand Master knew all he needed to know and was going to rip a mud hole in that Brother just for questioning such a thing. Well, after thinking about it a second or two, my Deputy Grand Master, our Deputy Grand Master, shook his head and said, “I don’t know”. Again, pain rushed through my body and literally paralyzed me once again. My mouth dried and I couldn’t talk. I realized that in street language, we had just been “punked out” by someone from another jurisdiction. What’s even more appalling is the fact that I didn’t know either, nor did any other Brother at that fish fry. We were all put to shame, but for the better.

From that moment on, Brothers began to immediately ask questions. Questions, our Grand Master couldn’t answer and didn’t want to answer, so instead of accounting for the obvious he in turn started turning one Brother against the other. Needlessly, stabbing Brothers in the back, circulating bad rumors to wives and loved ones, and emptying bank accounts.

Subsequently, we all left the lodge and jurisdiction all together and the lodges within the jurisdiction eventually folded. Some Brothers, saw the light sooner than others, and made there exit long before Grand Master Billy D. Ceever, started on his path of destruction. And from what I have been told by Bro. Ruffian, who remains a good friend of mine to this day, our former Grand Master, lost his wife, his job, his house and eventually went to jail for some reason or the other, but most of all he lost sincere Brotherly Love.

Thereafter, my wife (she’s active duty Army) received orders to Naples, Italy and while not fully recovered from my shock, disappointment and heart-break, I started to see the image of that group of guys again that I had observed and met in Germany. Most of all, I loved Masonry too much just to sit on my laurels (a$$) and watch others do the work, I knew I was commissioned to contribute too and participate in.

After a period of observation, I once again approached a group of men who identified themselves as being Prince Hall Masons (this time I made damn sure!) and members of the local lodge there in Naples. Immediately, I knew I was HOME!!!In April of 1999, I petitioned and became a member of Mediterranean Lodge #149, Free and Accepted Masons, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of Oklahoma. In 2000 I sat the seat of Worshipful Master. In 2001 I was made a Past Master.

Because of the many blessings that I have received and my appreciation for the Brothers that fight arduously to keep Prince Hall Freemasonry untainted, pure, and true to form, is the reason I had to share my story. In my Masonic travels I have met too many good men who’s ambition and enthusiasm to serve humanity through Prince Hall Freemasonry, have been taken advantage of and met the same fate as my aspirations did early in my so-called Masonic career. I have vowed to rid our honorable Fraternity of such people, men and women both.

Greetings Brethren and those seeking to knock upon the door to Masonry.

I came out of an irregular Grand Lodge named Hiram Grand Lodge of New York. Located in Harlem, New York off of Lenox Avenue and 124th, this Grand Lodge’s origin is detailed in another section of this website so I need not digress into that thread as that information came from me.

I sought Masonry back in the early summer of the year AL 6000, or 2000 A.D. Like most, I searched on the Internet by entering ‘mason’ into a search engine and printed out the first ten that popped up. Later that evening, upon reaching home, I went back online and read each site.

Of course, Prince Hall came up once or twice and I read those a few times over. I studied what I could and decided this was a fraternity in which I should seek membership. For those, like myself, who pledged a college fraternity and thought something is still missing, I found the subject of Freemasonry wholly enlightening and the history that appears to delve into antiquity, beyond interesting. When I discovered that most of the African-American Greek lettered organizations [generally known as BGLO’s, or black Greek letter organizations] were founded by Prince Hall masons and a few of the sororities by members of the Order of Eastern Star [especially my fraternity’s founder and his beau], I thought, at first, all African American men who were masons were Prince Hall. There was nothing to say they weren’t. However, I did not research deep enough because, as I later found out, there was also nothing that said they were, either.

That weekend I opened my yellow pages phone book and looked up fraternities, social organizations and…bingo! I found the MWPHGLNY’s number and, lo and behold, they were located not eight [8] blocks from me. Placing a call to them, I was greeted by an answering machine. I left a message detailing my interest in joining the organization and desire to learn more about what this location’s lodge did in my community.

Three days later, I still had no return call. I called back and left another message. By that week’s end, I still had not heard from them. Frustrated, I drove up there one evening after bringing my son home. There was no one there. The following day I took my wife to Queens to help a friend shop for her wedding dress. While I was driving past Murdock Blvd I remembered my friend’s sister was an Eastern Star who lived right on Murdock and Springfield Blvd! I drove over to their home and, luckily she was home…actually packing up as they were moving! Great timing. I took her aside and told her of my interest about masonry and explained the difficulty I was having contacting the lodge nearest me [as far as I knew the only one since none other were listed]. She gave me the number of a brother in Queens and said he didn’t live far from my mother in Rochdale Village. I hopped back in the car, dialing his number on my cell phone, steering all the while toward my mother’s area of Queens.

He was home, we chatted briefly, and he suggested I come by. Heck, I was already within five blocks of his home! I stopped at my mother’s place, to kill time, and continued over to his house about a half hour later.

After a good conversation with this brother I learned he was the founder of this particular lodge, back in 1974, and the grand lodge was Hiram Grand Lodge based…now get this…back in Harlem! I mentioned that I did some research and didn’t find this GL listed and called another one that was not too far from me off 155th, but no one returned my calls. He just shrugged and said “Well, you’re here now so it worked out.” I filled out the petition, left a deposit and…a few months later I was raised to Master Mason on October 14, 2000. Now the story takes a turn.

November 2001 found me online and subscribing to various freemasonry lists, predominately those of yahoo groups. One in particular started me on another path. I got on the PHA research list group and introduced myself and where I hailed [hele’d] from as was the requirement. After reading a few emails, I can’t recall what was exactly said, but my response elicited a back channel reply from Bro. Harmon Weston, PHA out of the very same Prince Hall Grand Lodge I attempted to contact before. We emailed a few times back and forth and he was kind enough to explain this thing called ‘bloodline’ and ‘irregularity’ and being ‘clandestine’. I was, to say the least, a bit ticked off at first. He suggested I go to the Grand Lodge of New York’s own library and do the research myself as nothing is hidden. I did just that but also arranged to meet with Bro. Weston with another brother who was raised with me. We met at Dean’s Café in Brooklyn and that opened my eyes a little wider.

The night Bro. Weston and I met at Dean’s Café my lodge had an instructional meeting. As it was breaking up I asked the past master, whose home we were having the meeting, if I could get some contact information on other lodges in our jurisdiction that I might stop by and meet them. After all, I was a Traveling Man, no? He said he’d get it for me next time as he couldn’t find them just then. I thanked him and left for my meeting with Bro. Weston.

During that week I must have called this past master three times asking him for this information. Finally, I let it drop. I asked my Worshipful Master when are we going to visit some other lodges like the one in my neighborhood. He said he’ll make some arrangements and let me know. I asked where are these other lodges and he named a few locally but very, painfully, few out of the state. I thought that was weird. Weren’t we Masons? “Couldn’t we visit anyone?” I asked. He said that we really couldn’t and he’d explain why another time.

By the time that ‘time’ came around I was already thinking of moving on. I met another brother, a Brother Rashied, in Washington, D.C. at the close of one day’s events during Masonic Week. A brother and I drove down just to meet him and several others and it was there I saw what masonry should be about. The camaraderie, the late night esoteric talks, meeting brethren from far and wide [from Germany to New Mexico, Connecticut to Florida…] and the frank discussions that occurred about 3 A.M. in the lobby of the Hotel Washington concerning bogus Grand Lodges and their ilk. I done had my fill. I started thinking back to my initiation and thereafter. I thought about my being passed and my raising. All that studying I had done and no one ever asked me one question from my catechisms. I was even told to stay away from “…that Internet!” Even more interesting was learning that Bro. Rashied had left the very same Grand Lodge I was then a member of. In fact, he took his entire lodge out of there. Was this the person I’ve heard brothers whisper about? This particular brother later invited me to witness an installation ceremony held in May of 2001 at the Grand Lodge of New York on 23rd Street in Manhattan. There I was able to meet the GM’s from Haiti, Romania, Italy and several other prominently known members of the Craft. All were amenable and easily approachable. I had words with the WM of Abravanel Lodge # 1116 there where, taking me into the hall, he stated that I should continue my search for more light, that I’m on the right road as I’m asking the right questions and I’m meeting the right people. As he said, always ask questions. He said to me that what I’m seeing in that room [referring to the reception taking place after the ceremony] is true masonry, masonry that is continually evolving. Coincidentally, the installation ceremony was held in the same place where I was initiated later that year.

I approached my WM one last time concerning the topic of ‘irregularity’ at his home during a barbecue that was rained out. What he said I will not repeat here for that was his own beliefs and Lord knows he has enough to contend with that lodge as it is. I faded from that scene slowly, seeking Light elsewhere, meeting other brothers from recognized lodges. When next my lodge brothers saw me, a few months later, I helped initiate some candidates into that lodge and couldn’t help but think this was wrong and I was a part of it. Never mind that I was a bit miffed that I didn’t even know who these men were as I never met them, none of them ever called me and we were never sent communications about their progress. As we were preparing one section of the initiation I noticed one of the men had an Omega Psi Phi brand on his arm, the interlocking Omega Greek letter. I said to him “Why would I know about Cooper, Coleman, Love and Just and why is that important to you and I?” He said “You’re a Que Dog!” I said “No, I’m not but remember what I’m saying here and now: always seek light. There is more to this. Study your founders again.

”That was the last time that lodge saw me. Hindsight is 20/20 but mine I think is keener for you, the candidate or curious brother, at 20/10. A few lessons I pass on to you to see if the lodge you’re interested in or are currently a member of is clandestine or irregular:
1. Ask them where they received their charter, which Grand Lodge. If they don’t match up to any of them listed in this site or at http://www.bessel.org then they’re mostly likely clandestine.
2. Go and visit their lodge and Grand Lodge. Ask to see the inside. If it looks run down, shoddy and in disrepair, then you can bet that’s how they keep their books [accounting] and how they carry themselves. It’s like my father used to tell me about women: if their bathroom is dirty, so are they. Move on.
3. If the past Grand Master absconded with funds from the Grand Lodge just remember he couldn’t have done it alone. If you’re at a Grand Council meeting, as I was, and the Grand Treasurer asks why was there only $69.00 in the account when he became elected it’s time to rethink your membership there.
4. If you receive your first lodge roster and notice about 40 or so people missing from your current meeting start asking about these brother’s whereabouts.
5. If one of the Past Masters never says hello or responds to your greetings or acknowledges your presence from day One …there’s more to that lodge than meets the eye
.6. If none of your talents are put to use, even after you offer your services over and over and you think your lodge can do better than a “Bring Your Own Bottle” event. On top of this, if they think a fish fry is the epitome of a fundraiser…move on.
7. If no one in the lodge can recite their obligations verbatim without consistent prompting…even the lodge instructor needs help.
8. If Master Mason signs are given to the WM in the presence of candidates. [Goes to the position of not being aware in Lodge]
9. If you’re in another city or state and you state the name of your Grand Lodge and you get a quizzical, perplexed look from the other brother.
10. If the lodge and Grand Lodge is listed under the “Bogus” section of this site and, after printing it out, you take it to any member of your grand lodge and ask them to refute this claim with documents…and they dodge your calls.
11. If you don’t understand what this whole thing is concerning ‘bloodline’ and ‘regularity’ just think of this if you’re in a BGLO: if you have a dispute with members of your chapter under, say, Kappa Alpha Psi, and you are expelled or just leave to start your own Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and begin issuing charters to start other chapters of your new Kappa Alpha Psi, is that ethical? Not only that, is that really still Kappa Alpha Psi? This, briefly, is what John G. Jones has done.
12. If you have this nagging voice in the back of your head saying “You can do better than this.” …listen to it!!!

From time to time a brother from my former lodge would find me online and send me instant messages. We’d get into a few debates about irregularity and how Hiram, in his opinion, is not clandestine. His argument was always based on Anderson’s Constitutions and the Landmarks. He couldn’t see that those Landmarks mean naught to Hiram if the first problem of being irregular is not addressed; the ‘bloodline’ was broken by John G. Jones and his followers. He says he can enter any tiled lodge. I suggested he try that at any PHA lodge as noted herein as being recognized or at any lodge under the Grand Lodge of New York or any that it recognizes. He said I’d need a demit to leave the lodge to go to any other lodge. He bet me $5,000.00. He doesn’t get it.

I‘m still waiting for my $5,000. Moreover, I guess they’re waiting for me to demit.

Best regards,
Bro. Rhan Ferdinand
All Seeing Eye Lodge # 1181
Grand Lodge of New York
rhanblaze@runbox.com
"It is the triumph of reason to get on with those that have none."-Voltaire

What are we doing about Bogus Masonry?

Why are so many people uninformed about regularity?

Why regular Masons are not concern with Bogus Masonry?
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Regularity is a big question for most. Many have no clue what it really means. In the search for truth, we must investigate all the parameters that make up the substance of that which is to be considered for evaluation. Certain standards must be used for guidelines in which to measure against the intended interest of ones choice, whether it’s an object or viewpoint. Freemasonry has been established centuries ago by Ancient Landmarks, Ancient Charges, Constitutions, and many unwritten laws. Taking basic attributes that make up regularity such as establishing Lodges from a “competent jurisdiction empowering it to work”, or abiding by the ancient charges in which most follow Anderson’s Constitution, you will see that many Lodges or Grand Lodges which erected themselves illegally did not follow these basic rules. Lodges in order to be regular must have been established by a regular Grand Lodge. It must be truly independent and self-governing with undisputed authority over Craft Masonry. Freemasons under its jurisdiction must be Men having no Masonic Intercourse with Lodges, which admit Women. You must believe in a Supreme Being, and take the obligation over a Volume of Sacred Laws. The three great lights must be displayed with the Square and Compasses, and finally to follow the tenets of Freemasonry to name a few.
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Many Brothers are not aware of the importance of their regularity because in some cases it has not affected them in any personal way. Some view this Fraternity as something as a club, common organization or some social society. One of the biggest problems when dealing with regularity is the ignorance of many who choose not to educate themselves, especially concerning their legitimacy or their illegitimacy. Both are crucial in that if the one who is regular understands not the importance and how it affects his communities and the world abroad, he is blind of the imposters who raid his communities with the falsehood disguised as charity. On the other hand many who are irregular or even part of a clandestine body do not know the origin of his Grand Lodge/Lodge, and are hoodwinked with false pretense that he has join a respectful organization whose main objective and cause is for the upliftment of humanity, never noticing fraud or deceit. Many good Men have been sucked into these organizations by way of ignorance.
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Macoy describes Clandestine Lodges as “Lodges which have been formed by avaricious Freemasons, who take money from those people who have no idea of the difference between warranted by any Grand Lodge”.
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It is extremely important that we identify who these spurious groups are and categorize them as such. These groups have from time to time discredited Prince Hall Masons who paved the way for African Americans in the United States. One interesting group is known as the “INTERNATIONAL F. & A.M. & EASTERN STARS”. You will find in their ritual and monitor the introduction which reads, “There has been one body that has existed that dates its existence from shortly after 1865, by which the previous slave holders, in order to perpetuate the evil of slavery, gave their former slaves, permission to practice the rights of Freemasonry on one condition, that they would always maintain it a color segregated institution that would never permit a White Man to join the organization. This organization adopted the name Prince Hall Masons.” This is one of the falsehoods perpetuated by these Bogus Groups to draw their members and scheme on honest gullible African Americans. Most who do not know the history of the origin of African American Freemasonry do not know any better. This particular bogus organization has used many other tactics to discredit Prince Hall Freemasonry. According to their ritual the Entered Apprentice degree explains, “that the requisite number to constitute a Lodge of Masons for the purpose of conferring the first degree is seven Freemasons. This consists of six Entered Apprentices, and only one Master Mason”. The above can be referenced on pages 6 and 7 of the “International Ritual and Monitor of Free Masonry”. On page 5 of their Entered Apprentice Ritual you will see a picture of their founder so called Dr. William V. Banks, 33°, the caption on top of this picture states, “INTERNATIONAL F. & A.M. MASONS, THE WORLD’S LARGEST RELIGIOUS FRATERNAL SOCIETY. This same Mr. Banks proclaims himself the SUPREME PRESIDENT. This Ritual was revised in 1979.
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Brother Ralph McNeal Jr. FPS, Director of the Phylaxis Society’s Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices, presented at the March 2001 Phylaxis Society Conference in Atlanta Ga., some of the recruiting tactics and pyramid schemes this group use to draw members. The Internationals have Recruiting Deputies to bring in members who get paid according to how many members they bring in. I will not go into the exact pyramid plot they use but will make available a package, which will furnish those who are interested with this multi-level marketing scheme, along with other deceitful hustles.
Under this umbrella of Mister Banks group is a so-called subordinated body known as the “Ralph Bunche Grand Lodge”. The so called Grand Master who at the end of his term advices “those who wish to run for Grand Master of Michigan are to send in their resume to the Supreme President, Supreme Grand Master, National Grand Master and to him, to be discussed at one of their Grand Master Elections Meeting”. This clearly shows how this group elect Grand Master and the Ballot is clearly ignored.

Many Brothers of the Craft sympathize with these groups due to lack of information and/or lack of interest. Unfortunately some want to be blind to the intentions of these groups. Ignorance has always been our stumbling block. Some would rather be sucked into the emotional factor of skin complexion or because they so call look like them. A thief is a thief by any pigment and no excuse should ever be made to exempt any bogus groups from this treachery and deceit. True pity should go out to those that are caught-up and/or duped from these profit-for-gain hustles that are used on the profane who do not know any better. This is why we need to educate the masses about these groups. Much effort has been made by many Grand Lodges about these spurious establishments and organizations, as well as the Phylaxis Society’s Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices and the Conference of Grand Masters.
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Brother Emanuel Stanley, MPS, from Maryland, 1st Vice President of the Commission On Bogus Masonic Practices has written on a group called the, “INTERNATIONAL MASONIC ASSOCIATION OF THE WORLD”. A Man of the cloth by the name of Abe Johnson will come to your state for a certain price to confer all the degrees of Freemasonry. As long as you have the right amount of money. Lets not forget that this individual also expects hotel stay and round trip travel at your expense.
This organization is unique in that it negotiates fees and prices on the conferring of degrees once a meeting is set up. Not only does it violate Masonic territories but has no actual set figure by way of any legal Masonic Constitution, therefore giving it room to better swindle the naïve.
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According to this Mister Reverend Abe Johnson, of the INTERNATIONAL MASONIC ASSOCIATION OF THE WORLD, was originally organized in Geneva in 1921, which failed to obtain a legal charter to operate. He then states that in 1970 after a record search, he discovered that the Charters could be obtained. He claims to have applied for the Charter by presenting his Mt. Lebanon Grand Lodge Charter to Washington (Library of Congress) and thereby obtained the Charter for the INTERNATIONAL MASONIC ASSOCIATION. Mr. Abe states, “that the INTERNATIONAL MASONIC ASSOCIATION OF THE WORLD is to legalize all Masonic Fraternities.”
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How can one legalize any Masonic Fraternity and you are using fraud to deceive people, violate The Ancient Landmarks, Masonic Territories, Ancient Charges, and the Tenets of Freemasonry? We must be conscious of the many bogus organizations for the benefit of our communities and the world at large. It is imperative that we educate ourselves about these organizations so that our families, friends, and loved ones do not fall victim to these smooth smiling swindlers. Some of us wonder why we waste our times in the pursuit of exposing these groups? When one goes into depth what these illegal businesses are all about, you will finally realize it should be all of our concern to protect the Fraternity we claim we love.
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Although in the true, sense what I found in a group calling themselves, “UNITED MASONIC BROTHERHOOD INC” was far from funny, I was hysterically laughing on how common sense is not that common to those who are not aware. When I found out how they make money on violations I was truly disgusted in one sense. This group among other ways gains revenues by fining members. Some of the fines are:
Absent with out cause $2.00Late without cause $2.00Fine for being out of dress (After 90 Days) $1.00Talking out of turn $1.00Not addressing the chair $1.00Non-Support of Lodge affairs $ 1.00Gum chewing in meeting 0.50Crossing Legs above Knees 0.50Brother talk about another Brother $5.0010-Coming to meeting under influence $10.00 and expelled from meeting11-Deliberate lying for, to or against Brother or Lodge $10.0012-Entering Holy Place 0.50 cents each occurrence13-Tyler know a Brother under the influence $1.0014-Food, drink or smoking in main body of Lodge $5.0015-Profane Language $2.5016-Filthy dress, meeting or function $2.5017-Reinstatement Fee $25.00
Of course this was in 1975 so I can imagine these fines went up.
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One Man who should be revered is the late Amos T. Hall, “Oklahoma” who was the Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Conference of Grand Masters PHA. In his report on the Study Methods for the Eradication of Illegal Masonry it is stated that; (1) Every Prince Hall Mason be fully informed as to the legality of the origin of Prince Hall Masonry; the continuity of its existence; Its expansion and growth; its influence and power for the good as well as the part it is playing in the building of a better world and the strengthening of our democracy. (2) That the illegal Mason be shown the error of his ways. It should be remembered that a great many good men are misled in joining these clandestine bodies and when they are convinced of their mistake, they welcome the opportunity to come legal Masons. (3) That there be skillfully executed a program of propaganda through which the illegitimacy of the clandestine groups may be pointed out and the legitimacy of Prince Hall Masonry consistently kept before the public.
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PGM Amos T. Hall reported more on this but the main three, which he carefully explained, gives us an idea why we must forever stay focused in our education as Prince Hall Masons.
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The Father of Bogus Masonry is none other than John George Jones, who set up Bogus Lodges throughout the states. Some directly and others by consideration and help from other Bogus perpetrators. Mister Jones who was expelled from Prince Hall Masonry, was initiated a member of John Jones Lodge #7 in Chicago, Illinois, which many feel it was named after him, when in fact this Lodge was named after his uncle who was a Past Grand Master of the jurisdiction of Ohio. Jones being an attorney filed charges against The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, but the Committee on Appeals of Illinois found the charges without base and foundation. Later the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts filed charges on John G. Jones for affiliating and working with suspended, irregular, and clandestine masons in the City of Boston. Jones was found guilty and suspended indefinitely. Most of this information can be found in Illustrious Brother Joseph Walkes book, “The History of The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Louisiana 1842-1979 on pages 357 through 359.
Amazingly in the same book is noted how Hiram Grand Lodge of New York (which was started by Jones), had a disagreement with his associate “Bishop” Jesse B. Thornton, who had a fall out with Jones and both expelled each other from the same Grand Lodge. ???
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Although questionable in the Masonic arenas of today, debates have gone back and forth concerning the National Compact Masons that presently exist. Their legitimacy when compared to those recognized as regular Masons in the United States raise red flags to many Masonic Researchers who have studied the National Grand Lodge (Compact). PGM J.C. Corbin of Arkansas, Grand Secretary (PHA) in the late 1800’s, in a pamphlet titled “The Status of Colored Freemasonry” (that can be found in the Iowa Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids Iowa), made mention of the Nation Grand Compact. PGM J.C Corbin in 1896 states, “The National Compact is not the mother of colored Grand Lodges or of colored Masons. Masonry was introduced among colored men in 1784, sixty-three years before such a thing as the Compact was ever heard of. Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. and African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania soon after were established. No one can show “one verse” to prove that there ever was a “York Lodge” legally established in the United States. As to the Compact, founded in 1847, all the old Masonic veterans –Gleaves, Lawton, Stringer, Martin, Caldwell, they are one and all Free and Accepted Masons, they have abandoned the Compact, and there is left only WM. D. Matthews and Lemuel Googins.”
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PGM J.C. Corbin had also stated, “that the National Grand Compact has no Masonic standing at home or abroad, it has been repudiated by all honest, intelligent Masons, and consists entirely of a few swindlers and the swindled.”
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Their last National Grand Master, Richard H. Gleaves, apparently shut down this body, which operated for almost 31 years, from 1847-1878. The National Compact Masons today deny the fact that Gleaves ever shut down the National Grand Body. The Grand Lodge of Georgia, which was the last to withdraw from the Compact in 1878, Brother J. H. Deveaux was present as a delegate from Georgia, and that at the time the Compact resolved, “Never to meet again as a National Compact, inasmuch as the purposes for which it was organized has been accomplished.
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At a convention held in Wilmington, Delaware, May 8, 1878, Brother Bishop Turner was Chairman of the committee, which, at this National Masonic Convention, offered the resolution, which adopted that, the “National Grand Lodge do wind up its affairs and adjourn sine die”.
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In 1887, twenty-one Grand Lodges were represented by their Grand Masters in person. One Lemuel Googins, of Pittsburgh, Pa., popped up, claiming to be boss of the National Compact, and sent a telegram to the Convention, inviting the body to meet the “National Grand Lodge” in a convention to be held in Wilmington, Delaware.
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By order of the Convention the following resolution was sent to Mr. Googins, “Resolved, that this Convention does not recognized the existence of any such body as the National Grand Lodge; and be it further.
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Resolved, that this Convention does hereby and herein vote its denunciation of the act of all persons who, in any manner whatever, aim to resurrect a body which has been dead these many years, and who, by such act, stigmatize themselves as breeders of discord and dissension, and perverters of the genuine principles of Masonry. And be it further.
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Resolved, that all so-called Masonic bodies claiming to be Grand Lodges under the authority of the so-called National Grand Lodge, together with their subordinate bodies, are hereby declared illegal and not entitled to any fraternal consideration from the sovereign and independent Grand Lodges of the Masonic Fraternity.”
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Bogus Masonry has been around for a very long time, and many Grand Lodges have tried to eradicate them by the healing process and occasional Grand Lodges convening for the purpose of bringing them back to the folds of regularity and the true principles of Freemasonry. Exposing Masonic Law at the very base of the foundation of regularity and legality. Many court cases against these groups have taken place for over a hundred years. One of the most remembered is the case in 1952 against “The Supreme Grand Lodge, Modern Free and Accepted Colored Masons of the World” who tried to appeal on a decision made by the courts that this group was Bogus and had not the rights of regular Freemasonry. This group was headed by a Mr. James B. Baldwin and was one of the strongest of Bogus Groups around. When this group continued to ignore the ruling and violated the injunction pasted by the Supreme Court, the MWPHGL of Georgia brought contempt proceedings against the group in the U.S. District Court for the middle district of Georgia before “Honorable W.A. Bootle”, who in his decision, held James B. Baldwin and the Supreme Grand Lodge of Modern Free and Accepted Masons of the World in contempt for violation of the injunction and fined Baldwin $4,450. This fine had to be paid within thirty day or faced imprisonment until the total amount of the fine paid.
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Many bogus groups came from disgruntled members of the Prince Hall Fraternity such as the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Florida A. F. & A. M., who many often mistake for a regular Prince Hall Grand Lodge. IT IS NOT A PRINCE HALL AFFILIATE GRAND LODGE IN ANY FORM OR FASHION! IT IS ANOTHER BOGUS GRAND LODGE! This Grand Lodge erected herself from the Most Union Grand Lodge of Florida (PHA). This Bogus group established itself in the early 1900’s and presently there is word that it desires to merge back with the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida, (PHA). Details of this unification have not been openly discussed in totality. It is not known if it is a healing or a mutual merger between both Grand Lodges. One thing is known that there has been discussion that one of the reasons is to unite African Americans together. This was mentioned by a Past Grand Master of the MWPHGL of Florida A.F. & A.M (Non-PHA) and not by the respected Most Union Grand Lodge of Florida, PHA. This same Past Grand Master called Prince Hall Freemasonry Bogus and Irregular.
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According to this same Past Grand Master of the MWPHGL of Florida, A. F. & A. M. (Non-PHA) states, “that his Grand Lodge split and a Mister Manigault took with him approximately 100 Blue Lodges. From 1911 until 1936 he says that his jurisdiction met with the General Grand Masonic Congress, A. F. & A. M. of the US and Canada on November 4, 1936 and was chartered to work under that congress. He went on to say that the reason it took so long to be chartered was that the congress didn’t know how to deal with them due to another A. F. & A. M. Grand Lodge in Florida. The Grand Lodge was lead by a Grand Master J.M. Maddox. So as long as that Grand Lodge was a member of the congress they could only be invited as guest, according to This Past Grand Master’s story. Interesting enough he said that Maddox and his Grand Lodge was expelled from the congress and his Grand Lodge accepted and their regularity and legitimacy is owed to John G. Jones and his work. What is mind boggling that through out his expressed interest in merging with a legal and regular Prince Hall Grand Lodge, he has described the Prince Hall Fraternity in this fashion, (“The main reason the White Masonic Organization was so adamant about not recognizing Prince Hall Masons, until December 1994, was because Prince Hall was both Irregular and Bogus.”) When asked why would he want to merge with what he feels it Irregular and Bogus his reply was “for the unification of Black People”. He also expresses that the UGLE voted to extend Masonic recognition to Prince Hall Masons because of their proliferation and not because Prince Hall Freemasonry is regular. I was in awe when this Past Grand Master stated all of this non-sense. So if Prince Hall Freemasonry is not regular in his eyes and his purpose to join her is for the unification of Black Folks, he clearly understands nothing about regularity and Masonic Law.

There is nothing in the Ancient Charges or in Freemasonry, which supports the unification of any two bodies for reasons of a mans complexion. The pigment of a Man’s skin is not a signature of regularity. Ones complexion or melanin does not confirm legality of a said Masonic body or Freemason. I have heard many idiotic discussions and debates in many arenas by several Masons that we should recognize Black bogus groups before we embrace any other regular organization. This is neither the spirit of Freemasonry nor the law of Masonry. Freemasonry is not a color based Fraternity. If we begin to live according to the way we were treated in the past, then we are just as guilty as those we accused of racism, prejudice, and injustice against us. This is not to say we should forget the history of the Black experience in America nor Prince Hall Freemasonry and why she was birthed, and the trials and tribulation that she went through. In no way would I ever imply or suggest committing such an historical error. But those things of the past should teach us how to become better Freemasons today and build a future for Universal Freemasonry for our children and our children’s, children.
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Due to past rumors of negotiations between Both the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. (PHA) and The MWPHGL of Florida, A. F. & A. M. (Non-PHA) I left out the name of this so-called PGM.
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The importance in the education of Bogus Masonic practices, is to teach Prince Hall Masons, Mainstream Masons, our Communities, and Bogus individuals who belong to irregular or clandestine bodies, the true Laws of Masonry in which we must follow, to enlighten all, of the deceit in the origin of these spurious groups, and offer the opportunity to correct their errors from the way they became irregular. Many innocent Men have fallen victim to these Masonic imitation groups as well as their family members. One of the hardest things to face once recognized is the fear of making the transition. This is why it is extremely important that we support those who wish to seek recognition and guide them with Masonic education. Masonic education is the key to the salvation of these individuals who want to practice the tenets of Freemasonry under the covering of regularity. Prince Hall sacrificed his very life for us to be recognized as regular Masons as well as all those pioneers who came after him to the present day.
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"An we who are people created by the laws of
Nature, by what account do we break the law lest
We destroy ourselves…"

‍Ezekiel M. Bey, MPS
1st Vice President
Phylaxis Society
Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices
Special Appreciation For The Support Given
Past Master, Ralph McNeal, FPS
Past Master, Emanuel Stanley, MPS
Past Master, Joseph Walkes Jr., FPS
Worshipful Master, James M. Bradford, MPS
Blue-Lite Masonic Research Discussion Group
http://www.geocities.com/blue_lite2000ReferencesInternational Ritual & Monitor of Free Masonry
The History of The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Louisiana 1842-1979
The Status of Color Freemasonry
Iowa Masonic Library
Pha research Archives
Blue-Lite Masonic Discussion Group Archives
Stan’s Bogus Web Site
Grand Master’s Conference Steering Committee Report By PGM Amos T. Hall
Bogus Masonry Materials (Furnished by Bogus Masons)

Why the study of regularity and bogus Masonry is so important

The title of this article is not to mock the very well respected concordant body of the Knights Templar and its degrees within Freemasonry, but it is to reflect the shameful acts of Clandestine Masons, and how they try to procure and gain degrees unlawfully.
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On February of 2003, I learned about a “Unity Conference” for all types of Mason of various jurisdictions. This alarmed me as to what was all this about. For those who might have read my article titled “Education For a People Unaware”, you will remember that I stated, “There is nothing in the Ancient Charges or in Freemasonry, which supports the unification of any two bodies for reasons of a mans complexion. The pigment of a Man’s skin is not a signature of regularity.” Well, this “Unity Conference of African American Masons for 2004” is sponsored by a bogus and fraudulent individual claiming Masonic heritage, he is Freddie G. Washington, of the bogus outfit “Most Worshipful John A. Bell Grand Lodge”.
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Reading Freddie’s first communication on a web site, I was alarmed when I saw that he stated that, “Historical records indicated that it was not unusual for various jurisdictions to unite and fellowship with each other. In fact, on April 30, 1964 The Most Worshipful Enoch Grand Lodge, A.F. & A. M. and The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A. M of New York held a Fellowship meeting of Masonic Unity, (“Unity, Progress, and Service”), in which the guest speakers were the late Honorable Brother Adam Clayton Powell, and the Honorable Bro. Thurgood Marshall.” Being that I am from the MWPHGL of NY, I began my studies, and could not find any such gathering. What is most important is that what type of gathering was this? Fellowship is a very unique word as it can mean various things. Also keep in mind that in 1964, the Conference of Grand Masters was still fighting clandestine outfits, and so the MW Enoch Grand Lodge was well known for its irregular makeup.
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Well, after this, I contacted Mr. Freddie G. Washington via E-mail, asking him could he provide me with the proof of the above statement? Telling him that I was from New York and would like to see where he got this information.
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Well on February 16, 2003, Mr. Freddie, E-mailed me;
“Bro. Bey,
It is a matter of record in either of the two jurisdictions archives. If you belong to one or the other, it could be found. There've been many groups, who have tried to make things like this happen. This is the only time in our lives, for us to take part on a national level. The African American communities will gain greatly from our venture to succeed. For they have been the ones to lose out on the history of nobility passed down by our fore fathers. The Purpose has not taken place in all the jurisdictions, for the world to know we stand together. When our children go off to war, they give their lives for the country (no questions asked). And how many of them do you think are related? In America, all of them my Brother! If they can stand as one, why can't we? Let go of the past issues and clear the path for our generations to follow undamaged. Thanks for your undivided attention on our views for the 2004 Unity Conference of African American Masons. Do the work!“

Fraternally
F.G.Washington
M.P.S.G.C.

Knowing the terminology use by bogus outfits, especially when they use the term “Fellowship, I replied to him on February 17, 2003, stating, “I clearly understand where you are coming from. My question is merely "If you advertise something" about a certain jurisdiction, then you should simply show the proof that this actually happened. You clearly state the year 1964... I cannot find it in the archives of the MWPHGL of NY that this even took place.

After my inquiry, Mr. Freddie was a bit agitated, I learned later that he knew that I was the 1st Vice President of the Commission on Bogus Practices, for the Phylaxis Society, and so he replied very quickly on the same date aggressively, stating…

“Bey,
Let's get something clear here, you are the only one claiming to be Masonic, right? And you know so much about your own group, why can't you use your smart ways to find out without rambling...If you have a GM that taught you anything, I'm sure they explained, through research you should find what you seek. And remember there were many masons before you had ever been raised. There are a number of institutions out there with the answer. Sir, do the work! Let me know when you've gain wisdom...........earn your Master's Wage (smile) and refer to me as S.G.I.G. (please).

Lost Word,
Ill. F.G.Washington
Most Pussiant Sovereign Grand Commander

After this, I sent him one more E-mail and got no response. I figured I hit a nerve. Knowing that it was going to be held in the State of Nevada, I contacted MWGM Charles W. Searcy of the MWPHGL of Nevada. I informed him of this Conference taking place in his State, and he said he was very well aware of it, and that the MWPHGL of Nevada was not in support of it in any way. I was pleased to here this and continued my research on this group and “so called’ conference. It appears that he has been very busy contacting other bogus, irregular, and spurious groups to support this meeting. One of his tactics is speaking with regular Masons and throwing out big names to impress regular Masons. In one case he E-mailed the Director of the Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices, Ralph McNeal, and knew his Lodge and the state he was from, stating that some of his Brothers are PGM Boykins, PGM Armstead, PP LaMarr, etc. In my case he threw the name of PGM Daniel W. Simmons.
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Mr. Freddie is another illusionist, and a fraud, in which he deceives the Black Communities in thinking that his sponsorship of Black Unity among Black Masons, is for the good of Freemasonry. It is nothing but a scheme.
One new development was that on September 18, 2003, at the Most Worshipful John G. Jones, Hiram of Tyre Grand Lodge, located at 5900 Broadway, city of Los Angeles, California, at 5:00pm Mr. Freddie claims that the Sovereign Grand Encampment of the U.S.A. was open for the purpose of bestowing the Knights Templar Degree on African Americans. What is funny is that the KT Degrees has existed in Prince Hall for over 100 years. Disturbing was the fact that he also claimed that a Past Grand Commander, of the State of Indiana Grand Commandery of Knights Templars, (Mainstream) Past Grand Commander Ronald D. Simpson, was the one who presided over this conferral. According to Mr. Freddie, the order of business was to obligate and initiate the following persons; MEGM, Freddie G. Washington, REGR, Lopez Z. Hill, Sir Knight George A. Morgan, Sir Knight Morshan Ward, Sir Knight Devon W. Gregory, Sir Knight Eric D. Jones, Sir Knight Omar Scaife, Sir Knight James Gardley, and Sir Knight Matthews Smith into the Order of the Red Cross, The order of The Knights of Malta, and The Order of the Knights Templar.
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Freddie makes mention in his October newsletter that, “Historically, this York Rite Degree has never been conferred upon African American Masons by the Grand Encampment of the U.S.A. which is held by Whites in America or since its institution in Europe in 1188 A.D.” If this is true, according to Mr. Freddie, he now claims that he can obligate and confer all the degrees based on lineage.
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Strangely enough Mr. Freddie had a picture of Past Grand Commander, Ronald D. Simpson, and himself in full regalia. After many learning of the claims by Mr. Freddie, a “Press Release” was sent to one of our Brothers, Brother Aubrey Brown, out of Illinois (PHA), and swift changes were made. In the amended newsletter, PGC Ronald D. Simpson’s picture was removed, and anywhere PGC Ronald D. Simpson’s name was mentioned, it was also removed. This seemed very strange. The changes were done within 12 hours of many learning of what was placed in the original newsletter.

Now, this doesn’t end here, part of the newsletter states that the conferral of these degrees would be done again in California. Here is the actual saying of the upcoming event:2004 Unity Conference of African American Masons
5632 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite 251
Van Nuys, CA 91401-4602
(818) 905-5180

TO: All Jurisdictions of Masons
SUBJECT: Classes & Initiations for new and improved Knights Templar Ritual
A three (3) day class will be held in Los Angeles, California on November 13, 14 and 15, 2003. This class will be given by the Sovereign Grand Encampment of the USA with instructions and initiation by a noted Past Eminent Grand Commander.
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This is the second initiation for those that did not have the opportunity to attend. This is a limited opportunity in which a fraternal brother of another body will give the degree and ritual with tactics included. This instruction will help create a uniformity of this degree among our jurisdictions.
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The cost is $65.00 for the three (3) day class per person. The location of the class will be provided later and in due time. If you want to take advantage of this 3-day class, please send your MONEY ORDER or CASHIERS CHECK NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 27, 2003. Please include your name, grand lodge name and telephone number so that we can reach you. Grand Lodges can send one check for all members from their Lodge, if they prefer.
For jurisdictions that want any of their members initiated during this (3) day training session, the cost of the initiation can be discussed and a mutual agreement made between the jurisdiction and the Sovereign Grand Encampment of the USA prior to the class. Any candidates being initiated, a certificate will be issued. Please include the name(s) of any initiates(s) with the payment.
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Please send MONEY ORDERS or CASHIERS CHECKS payable to: “UNITY CONFERENCE” and mail to the address listed above. NO PERSONAL CHECKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call.
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Fraternally,
Freddie G. Washington
Chairman of the Unity Conference of African American Masons (UCAAM)
and
Sovereign Grand Master
Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander
Most Eminent Grand Master

If this is not a scam, then I do not know what is. Notice that he specifies that he wants no personal checks in capital letters. Only Money Orders, and Cashiers Checks payable to the “Unity Conference”. Guess who is Chairman of the Unity Conference? You got it, our good friend “Freddie”. Notice that no mention of where the proceeds will go, nor did he explain where they would go when asked by the Director of the Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices, Ralph McNeal. Not only is Freddie duping Brothers of the human family in November, but he also has scheduled another degree work in April of 2004 at this “Unity Conference”
As far as the PGC Ronald D. Simpson of Indiana conferring the degrees of Knights Templar on Freddie and the Gang, that has not been proven as of yet, and will not interfere with what I think might be an investigation. But do not quote me on this. I will report my findings when available.
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Ezekiel M. Bey
1st Vice President
Phylaxis Society
Commission On Bogus Masonic Practices

I have been interested in this subject for many years, as I realized how damaging these groups operating within the Black community were to Prince Hall Freemasonry. When I began hearing the leadership of our Order calling these groups “Non-Prince Hall Masons” I was greatly insulted, as these various bodies are no more Freemasons than the community Boy Scout Troops. Anyone can place a Masonic apron on a Boy Scout, but that will never make him a Freemason. Realizing the lack of Masonic knowledge among the leaders of our Order, I just shook my head, and marveled at how dumb we are. However, when I began to hear these same leaders proclaim that “we should recognize our Black Brothers before we recognize Whites” I came to the conclusion not only were we dumb, we were plain stupid.

Those who are serious about Masonic research, and especially concerning this subject, I will ask that they read a couple of books, for within these books, one will find a better understanding of what we as Prince Hall Freemasons are actually facing, Black on Black crime, fraud, and out and out criminal activities.

Some time ago, I wrote a paper “John R. Bullock: Most Sovereign Grand Commander (So-called)” . I placed most of the illustrations on transparencies and presented it before the members of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington to warn them of the criminal fraud that was taking place within their jurisdiction. Most thought it was a shame, said they knew the people involved while shrugging it off, and did nothing. It would be many years before the Prince Hall Grand Lodge would do anything, until the outrageous conduct of that fraud became too much for the Prince Hall Freemasons to bear. Today that outfit has been absorbed by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

My paper was eventually published in the 1997 edition of The Transactions of Lux e Tenebris a special Chapter within the Phylaxis Society. I would encourage all to read this fascinating story of Black on Black crime. It is my understanding that copies of the book are available.

I took a quote from Issac Blair Evens book, The Thomson Masonic Fraud to show that Bullock had patterned his organization after Matthew McBlain Thomson whose criminal activities would bring them into Federal Court and to the Leavenworth Federal Prison, right up the street from where I live. Evens had stressed three important points that are particular true for Prince Hall Freemasons. I wrote:

Thomson knew that Mason read very little about their own institution and that, therefore, they were generally misinformed in matters of Masonic history and law. He also was aware that Masons in general entertain acute indifference toward all things clandestine. The chances of being caught in (there) gross falsehood were few because, just as no one knew enough about his institution and regular Masonry to answer him, no one would take the pain to run his lies to earth.

In the introduction of his book, The Thomson Masonic Fraud, Bro. Evans stressed another important fact that is important in understanding the subject of his paper. He wrote: “The man who conceived a fraud scheme, invariably plans to come near enough to the truth to escape prosecution for misrepresentation. He goes to great lengths of build factories, create corporations, and outwardly to simulate scrupulously reputable institution similar to his own.

”Unfortunately the leadership of both Prince Hall Freemasonry and its Caucasian counterparts have little or no knowledge of Masonic common law, and exactly what Freemasonry is all about, and they continue to make dumb and dumber statements on the subject of bogus frauds operating within the Black community, such as calling them “non-Prince Hall Masons”.

Sad also is the attempt by some White Grand Lodges, such as New York, to attempt to exploit the situation of bogus groups within the Black community to divide and to destroy Prince Hall Freemasonry. The plot by the white Masons of New York is before our very eyes, and it is amazing to me that no one seems to understand exactly what is going on. One of the Past Grand Masters of this white Grand Lodge published the fact that his Grand Lodge could not recognize the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York because of the many Black groups in New York who came from Prince Hall Freemasonry, and since they came from Prince Hall, the white Grand Lodge would have to recognize them all. I wrote this individual, to explain that these groups did not come out of Prince Hall Freemasonry, but were self started with out any Masonic authority. This is all a part of the con game that these whites are playing in New York.

Another of these white New York Masons wrote an article “Freemasonry A Doctrine of Separate but Equal?” which I consider to be one of the dumbest articles I have ever read in my life. He thinks his grand lodge should not be called white, because it has a few token Blacks in membership. He proclaims the Doctrine of Exclusive Grand Lodge Jurisdiction which is stupid and what is truly insulting he uses words from the respected Roscoe Pound in an attempt to back up his argument.

When the question of recognition is placed at the doorstep of the Grand Lodge of New York, how do we respond? The answer is quite simple, for it lies within our own actions, which speak much louder then words. As a progressive Grand Lodge and leader in the world of Freemasonry, the Grand Lodge of New York is no stranger to the concept espoused by Brother (Earl) Warren of “one law for all men.” We are an inclusive Grand Lodge, which embraces men of good character from all races, nationalities, and creeds.

It is a misnomer to describe our beloved Grand Lodge as a “White” or Caucasian Grand Lodge, for we are in fact a Global Brotherhood.

”It is difficult to understand how educated grown adults could write such garbage. In so far as his concept of Grand Lodge Jurisdiction Territory, the writer of that article should attempt to take a reality check. The title of Andrew Hacker’s book “Two Nations: Black and White, Separate, Hostile, Unequal”, rather well explains the reality of the situation. In other words no group of white Masons can sit in their ivory towers and declare that they have some sort of jurisdiction over the Black community, only a mad man would thinks something like this. We call it by another word, white supremacy, how dare anyone to even consider that because of who they are, this entitles them to some sort of jurisdiction over the other half of the two nations, black and white, separate, hostile, unequal. The writer from the White Grand Lodge of New York is living in some sort of a make believe world. A reality check is the need for this writer from New York to research the foundation of his own grand lodge, it is not regular, as most of the white grand lodges in America are likewise not regular. But that is another story.

A reality check would be the recent visit of officers of the white Grand Lodge of New York traveling into Harlem to the Temple of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, and being seated and forgotten. They eventually left in a huff, but this only underlies the truth of the matter. They have no jurisdiction within Black America, and their visit to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York in Harlem bears this out. I am not saying that the conduct of our brethren were correct, when you have visitors, you welcome them, but for reasons only they know, they did not. Perhaps the whites learned a lesson, though I doubt it, they have no jurisdiction in Black America.

While the White Grand Lodge of New York wants to put on display their token Black members, they think that Prince Hall Freemasonry have forgotten the insults leveled at us by this group of so called Masons: In its proceedings of 1851 they made clear their feelings:

It is not proper to initiate in our lodges, persons of the (Black) race; and their exclusion is in accordance with Masonic Law and the Ancient Charges, and regulations, because of their depressed social condition; their general lack of intelligence, which unfit them, as a body to work or adorn the craft; … finally, their not being, as a race, persons of “good report” or who can be “well recommended” as subjects for initiation; they very seldom being persons who have any trade, estate, office, occupation, or visible way of acquiring an honest livelihood, and working in the craft, as becomes members of this ancient and honorable fraternity, but likewise something to spare for the works of charity, and for supporting the ancient grandeur and dignity of the Royal Craft; “eating no man’s bread for naught,” and their general positive deficiency of natural endowments.

”It would be interesting to learn how many of the token Black members within this white Grand Lodge has been told this fact. How times change, now this white Grand Lodge is actively seeking Blacks while attempting to destroy Prince Hall Freemasonry in the process, by seeking to recognize all of the Black bogus groups operating in New York City. In my latest book The History of the United Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., Northern Jurisdiction PHA, I totally destroyed this white madness by showing to all the Masonic Black Elite in Philadelphia. A reading of that book is a must also, to show that white Masons don’t usually know what they are talking about, when it comes to Blacks and Prince Hall Freemasonry. They are dumb and dumber.

The white Grand Lodge of North Carolina who recently laughed at recognizing their Prince Hall Counterpart wrote in 1865:…we know that the (Blacks) of the South are wholly incompetent to embrace it (Masonry). They are ignorant, uneducated, immoral, untruthful, and, intellectually they are more impotent than minority or dotage – both of which we exclude. It would be rare if any locality could furnish the requisite number of sufficient capacity to open a lodge.

”Perhaps, like most of the white southern Grand Lodges, they probably called off their meetings, to go lynch some innocent Black men. However, while the white Southern Masons were sprouting off this type of insults, there were in full operation hundreds and thousands of Prince Hall Lodges operating in the South.

There was also hundreds of black bogus groups as well, and this paper is directed towards these frauds. I did a paper on John R. Bullock who called himself Most Sovereign Grand Commander of an outfit he called the Sons of Haiti, which was operated in the state of Washington. In an attempt of build Masonic credibility, in began to write letters to individual officers of the United Grand Lodge of England, then he would take their return letters place them on a photocopier, then doctor the letters, and circulate them throughout the United States in support of his fraud. When these doctored letters reached this writer, I in turn sent them back to the original letter writer in England, who were outraged. One wrote me: “I have not at any time been approached by Mr. Bullock for permission to use my letter in the way he has, to give some spurious cachet of regularity to his organization….” To see just how far the fraud went, I placed it all in the pages of Lux e Tenebris Transactions, 1997 edition, and copies are still available today for those who want to see Black on Black crime in its most outrageous operation. Contact phylaxispa@aol.com for a copy. Its cost is $20. Today, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington has absorbed this once bogus group.

In its annual report in 1963, The Prince Hall Commission on Clandestine Masonry of the Conference of Prince Hall Grand Masters issued the following report to the United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Northern Jurisdiction:

ANNUAL REPORT
As we began the preparation of this report, word was received that the Supreme Court of the State of Washington had affirmed our victory in the Superior Court of King County, granting our injunction against the Most Worshipful Universal Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. and the John A. Bell Grand Lodge of Washington.

We were elated!

Seattle Post-Intelligence
Fri, April 26, 1963

TWO LODGES DENIED TITLE OF ‘MASONS’ OLYMPIA, April 25 – (U.P.I) – The State Supreme Court ruled today that the Universal Grand Lodge and the John A. Bell Grand Lodge – both fraternal organizations exclusively for (African-Americans) could not legally call themselves “Masons.”

The court’s unanimous decision upheld the ruling of King County Superior Court Judge Theodore S. Turner who issued an injunction prohibiting the two lodges from representing themselves as branches of the Masonic order.

THE INJUNCTION had been requested by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and accepted Masons, another (African-American) group.

“An established fraternal organization is entitled to relief when its name or one so similar as to be deceiving is adopted by another organization and used in a manner which is confusing and deceiving to the public,” the high court said.

Turner had ruled that the Prince Hall Lodge, which was founded in 1903, is a legitimate (African-American) Masonic Lodge in the state because it traced its lineage to the original (African-American) Masonic lodge in America.

The John Bell lodge was organized in Washington in 1945 and the Universal Lodge was founded in this state in 1947.The High court said Turner’s decision was “supported by substantial evidence.

”Two more of the bogus groups who would oppose Prince Hall Masons in the practice of the only legitimate Freemasonry for African-Americans have been made to bite the dust!

The opinion of the Supreme Court recites inter alia, the language of the trail court in its degree,“ … permanently enjoining the respective appellants from establishing or conducting lodges of Masons or auxiliaries thereof within this state and from using certain specified words or initials indicative of the Masonic order.

”And that the“…trial court found that respondent Prince Hall Grand Lodge is a legitimate Masonic lodge tracing its Masonic ancestry back to the original colored Masonic lodge in America, African Lodge, No. 459, and that appellants have no legitimate Masonic ancestry.“ Appellants have, since their organization, falsely represented themselves as a legitimate Masonic organization and have sought and gained membership among (African-American) men and women of good moral character who might otherwise have sought affiliation with respondents.

”The Supreme Court further held that the trial court’s conclusions of law “are supported by substantial evidence,” and stated,

“We are of the opinion that an established fraternal organization is entitled to relief when its name or one so similar as to be deceiving is adopted by another organization and used in a manner which is confusing and deceiving to the public and is detrimental to the organization already using the name.

Found in the Joseph A. Walkes, Jr. Library is the following from the Harry A. Williamson collection: One writer says of this individual: John A. Bell, whose Grand Lodge remains very active in Chicago today, was at one time a respected member of North Star Lodge No. 5, at Grand Rapids, Michigan, when that jurisdiction was known as “Union Grand Lodge” but is now known as the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of that state. Back in 1897, North Star Lodge No. 3 (5) had a member who was very ambitious and desired power. He became not only insubordinate, but rebellious and defiant so far as the Grand Lodge was concerned. He resorted to the newspapers to vilify and place Prince Hall Masonry in a bad light before the public. Who was he? He was John A. Bell. What happened to him? He was expelled from Prince Hall Masonry for his tirade in the press against legitimate Masonry. What did he further do? He organized a clandestine Lodge which flourished in Michigan for a while until Judge Sample of Ann Arbor put him and his outfit out of business.

In due course Bell organized what he called the “M. W. John A. Bell Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of the State of Washington. Later he organized another grand body under the denomination of the “John A. Bell Sovereign Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Michigan.

St. John’s Grand Lodge of Oklahoma now known as the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of that state , brought an action against one of the Bell affiliated, which included the following units: St. Joseph’s Grand Lodge, the Mount Olive Grand Chapter of the Easter Star and the Daughters of Sphinx. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge procured an injunction in the District Court of Pittsburgh County at McAllester, Oklahoma, on May 3, 1921. Still another action against the same outfit was case No. 24,930, which was heard in Creek County and decided in favor of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

The “Union Grand Lodge of Michigan” now Prince Hall Grand Lodge, procured a permanent injunction against John A. Bell et al. in the Circuit Court of Washtenaw County on August 8, 1922, which order forbid Bell and his followers too use any word, insignia, etc. belonging to Freemasonry. The case was No. 180, heard before Judge George W. Sample; a complete transcript of the decree can be found in the Williamson Collection in the New York Public Library (Schomburg Center).Following the death of John A. Bell, one Robert Louis Prince became Grand Master of what Bell had left behind. Although Bell had been dead for some seven years, his name was still in use because a communication bearing his name came into the possession of the white Scottish Rite (Southern) Jurisdiction, stating that his Grand Lodge held a session in the City of Cleveland, Ohio, on August 27, 1949. A letter head bearing the date of October 16, 1946, which possesses a rather formidable masthead which reads as follows:

Most Worshipful Sovereign Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. Masons Of the U.S.A. regular Masonic Succession Instituted (June) A.D. 1901

Original and Founder of this Jurisdiction, Ill. John A. Bell, 33rd with Warrants issued to him by the Grand Lodges of Cuba, Haiti, San Domingo, South Africa and the Patent of Power from the Grand Orient of Haiti, 1920, who received their Authority in the 18th Century from the white Masonic Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, this Sovereign Grand Lodge was formed in Richmond, VA, 1905, by Grand Master Miquel Roman and Quintine Bandera and John A. Bell was elected Sovereign Grand Master for the U.S.A., this jurisdiction has full Rite of Authority and Legal Warrants to Op0erate Masonry in the United States of America.

The interesting feature of the letter is, that its writer was very anxious to “Incorporate” a Grand Lodge in New York State. He wrote that all which was necessary was to get ten reliable men, and, as he wrote further, “ and I will make you Grand Master so get Busy and Round up me 10 Reliable men and send me they Names and Address, “ etc. This gentleman desired ten men at $10.00 each and he continued: “Just get the men name and Address no money until I set up the Lodge.

”Referring to the letter received by the Scottish Rite body mentioned previously, it is learned a photostatic document accompanied it which alleged the Grand Orient of Haiti had issued a certificate of some sort to John A. Bell, and the letter brings to light the following rather interesting information:(a) That at the session of the Grand Lodge of Cuba held at Santiago on May 18, 1902 that body granted a charter for Harmony Lodge No. 7, to be situated at Grand Rapids, Michigan.(b) That the Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M. of South Africa at a meeting held at Graham Town, had chartered St. Mary’s Lodge, No. 9, at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Insofar as records as are available, there has never been any body of Masons bearing the title of Grand Lodge of South Africa (at the time), and to make the claim further ridiculous is the fact of the existence of the color question in the Union of South Africa.(c) That the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of San Domingo had issued a Charter for the formation of Keystone Lodge No. 8, at Ypsilanti, Michigan, when the Grand Lodge met at Los Mastas on May 17, 1902.It appears the Bell’s Sovereign Grand Lodge was erected by the above named Lodges. It is rather strange that Bell had to go so far from home to procure warrants for his Lodges especially the one granted so many thousands of miles from the shores of the United States.

The same letter from which the above information was obtained carries the further data that the Grand Orient of Haiti, meeting at Port-au-Prince on March 20, 1920, granted Charters for three additional Lodges in Michigan, namely: Keystone No. 3 at Detroit; Emerald No. 2, at Battle Creek and Climax No. 8, at Jackson.

It is unbelievable that anybody in his right mind will place a reliance in the information just presented. Since that letter was written after the death of Bell, it is very evident his followers must be possessed of a remarkable degree of imagination. It is recorded that John A. Bell completed his earthly career on May 8, 1942, at the age of 87 years.

The John A. Bell Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter announced that it was holding its 93rd Sovereign Session in September 1994 in Tucson, Arizona.

In the years since its inception, the Prince Hall Commission on Clandestine Masonry has enjoyed similar successes in every jurisdiction in which it has moved against these bogus groups.

Alerted to the Evil: In previous years, the evil spread by these pretenders to legitimate Freemasonry has been recognized and, in many instances, efforts have been made to combat these bogus (groups). Masonic leaders, ever alert to the evil existence of these degree peddlers desired to make a concerted effort to rid our country of all bogus groups, and thus the Commission on Clandestine Masonry was organized.

From the very beginning it found favor with Prince Hall Masonry everywhere and since its organization it has worked closely with the various jurisdiction whenever and wherever called upon and the fight has gained momentum with the years as more and more (of) our jurisdiction have become alert to the evil spread by these pretenders to legitimate Masonry.

Prince Hall Masons must remain alert to the problem and just because we have been successful in enjoining various groups in the courts, we must not become complacent and think that they are on the run.

They are not!

They might take cover for a while but you may be sure that when they enjoined in Washington, after a short time to gird themselves, they will rise up in another area. They will not willingly give up such a lucrative field.

Unlike regulations which control the operations of fraternal societies generally, those governing the Masonic Fraternity provide for a system of classification unknown to any other organization. The Masonic institution has as its highest governing body what is designated as the “Grand Lodge” which derives its existence, authority, etc., through the combination of constituents or subordinates and without these no such governing body can exist. In accordance with Masonic procedures, the grand and lower groups fall into the following category: (1) regular; (2) irregular; (3) clandestine and (4) bogus, and this discourse will be confined exclusively to organizations within my racial group that come within the No. 4, classification.

Before proceeding further, it becomes necessary for the reader to have a clear understanding of the word “bogus.” According to the 1937 addition of Webster’s Universal Dictionary as published by the World Syndicate Pub. Co., of New York and Cleveland, that word is defined as: “False, sham, counterfeit.”

With the inception of the Grand Lodge system in 1717, the Masonic Fraternity has from time to time adopted specific regulations to govern the formation of both Grand Lodges and their constituent Lodges in order to determine the legality of their origin. Such regulations, in this objective, have been adopted by all of the properly constituted governing bodies of the Craft though the entire Masonic world, consequently, the official status of all units within the Masonic family are thus determined and any so called Masonic body which is unable to both legally and historically measure up to these fundamental requirements is classified as “bogus.”

During the early portion of the year 1946, Mr. Fred W. Hartman held the station of Grand Master of the (white) Grand Lodge of Oregon and in February of that year he delivered an address before the (white) Conference of the Grand Masters of North America which met in annual session at Washington, D.C. That address had particular reference to matters pertaining to Prince Hall Masonry and during the course of the same he gave expression to the following:

“We know there are true Clandestine (Black) bodies operating, and if we carry Masonic law to the point of tolerance, it might be these Clandestine Bodies would eventually overwhelm Prince Hall Freemasonry – at least the danger will be much greater if we hold strictly to Masonic law.”

For this gentleman to have given expression to such a “probability” indicates very clearly he must have given the subject much study, also, considerable foresight in apparent because he has suggested a condition which has been overlooked completely by most Freemasons.

Fraternal organizations now in operation within the Black community in this country are both numerous and varied in character but in so far as I have knowledge no attempt has ever been made to imitate any of these with the exception of bodies attached to Freemasonry. One may well enquire into the reasons underlying this fact and I doubt anybody can furnish a satisfactory answer.

Perhaps there is a greater amount of mystery (?) surrounding this Fraternity then in the operations of any other. No doubt there is great magnetism in the fact that Freemasonry and its Concordant Orders contain such a collection of degrees, titles, etc., that the non-Mason is deeply impressed with the high standing and general importance of some who belong to them. I have read and heard about both “high” and “big” Masons on numerous occasions dur5ing my 40 odd years as a member; such individuals have been in both racial groups and especially within my own and in my own I have met some who, because of height and rotundity, could fill both classes.

For many years the two racial groups have been pestered with fraudulent organization but those have existed in greater number within my own rather than the other. Students of Masonic history are thoroughly familiar with the Thompson and Cerneau incidents of the last century which caused no end of confusion within the Caucasian group. My own has never had such wide controversies as those but has been and still is bothered with many small movements spread over a wide area.

I have known through facts that within the Caucasian organizations the Police Square Clubs have been of great help in frightening the bogus bodies operating among them out of business by keeping such gentry on the run. Unfortunately, within my Masonic grou0s there are no such organization existing among the few Prince Hall Masons who are police officers in the various large cities and as a result, we have been unable to do similarly when any so-called bogus Masonic bodies begin to function.

I am wondering whether or not we are to blame for such conditions. Many years ago I came to the realization my own grand jurisdiction is now suffering from the lack of foresight and inactivity of its leaders of a quarter of a century and more. It is my understanding that bogus masonry first raised its head in the north-western section of New York State about the year 1903 but met with little headway and as now recall, it came into the open when the late Henry A. Spencer, Grand Master from 1905 to 1914, was called into court as a witness in some action in a small court in a town close to the City of Buffalo; Grand Lodge proceedings issued around that period may carry an account of the incident.

I do recall listening to Brother Spencer discussing the subject of bogus Masonry upon several occasions even after it had gained a slight foot-hold in New York City. I was one of a number of brethren who were too young in the Craft at the time to realize just what the situation could develop into and so followed the advice of our “elder” brethren who, especially Spencer himself, assured us that if given any publicity through action of any character, those elements would thrive but if left alone they would eventually “die of their own weight,” so nothing was done although at the time both Spencer and the Later Major R. Poole, were employed in the state capital with access to many Caucasian who were Freemasonry and no doubt would have, had they been approached, introduced measures which would have prevented the further growth of bogus Masonry in New York State. When it was desired to take action the principle of “laches” became the stumbling block and has been so ever since.

From statistics gather by me which includes letterheads of some of the bogus bodies which have come into my possession, the outstanding fact is, they all make use of the two designations, namely, they are either “Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons” or “Ancient, Free and Accepted York Masons. Perhaps they are of the opinion the word “Ancient” identifies them with something handed down from antiquity and I doubt many of their leaders have the least idea of the origin of the word in Freemasonry.

In my investigation of bogus Masonry within my racial group two facts stand out and these are, that many of the leaders are either “professional” men and alleged clergymen. So far in the letter besides many carrying the prefix “Rev”, to their names, three others have been or are “Bishops,” If the latter are truly brethren of the cloth, their use of the Holy Bible is merely a matter of form and in all probability they have never read the 15th verse of the 7th Chapter of St. Matthew.

In examining Masonic periodicals circulating in various sections of the United States from time, one gains the impression it is now being generally accepted that all those grand bodies consisting of men of color and which can trace a direct and undisputed descent from African Lodge No. 459, of 1784, can be tacitly acknowledge as constituting the only Masonic organizations within our racial group to be accorded the distinction of “regular” Freemasons.

It is the custom of most all the bogus organizations to attempt to profit by the use of the name of Prince Hall upon their stationery. Example of this custom are: “Prince Hall Origin;” “Prince Hall Descent;” or “Prince Hall Affiliation.” The latter is exceedingly misleading to the uninformed because many of the Prince Hall bodies make use of that identical statement on their stationary, consequently, non-Masons are deliberately mislead in their conclusions as to the status of our grand bodies.

Those organizations which claim to be of Compact origin (National Grand Lodge of 1847) are not aware of the fact there is evidence extant which establishes the contention that no such national governing body was ever formed at Boston, Mass, in that year. (See proceedings of Grand Lodge of Ohio, 1871, pages 85/101.) To sustain their contention that they are “regular” in character and descent, these bogus bodies will not have to prove the late National or Compact Grand Lodge was organized in both a legal and regular manner but they will have to prove it was ever organized at all.

Three of the groups in my records claim to be “national” in operations and are probably unaware of the fact that upon the North American Continent there is no such an institution in Ancient Craft Masonry; that each State and Province is governed (Masonically) by a separate and distinct unit of authority.

Several of these bodies are “workshops” and one carries a heading which fills almost one half of the letterhead and goes on to state its “authority” has been obtained from Grand Lodges in Cuba, Haiti, San Domingo and South Africa, also, that through the Grand Orient of Haiti, further authority has come down from the 18th century from the white Masonic Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

I want to thank the late Bro Harry A. Williamson for all of the years of research that he did in gathering information on these bogus groups which continue to operate in the year 2000. Some may wonder why I have not included John G. Jones but in my many books, for instance the History of the Shrine and the History of the United Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., Northern Jurisdiction, I have went into great detail on this individual who we call the father of clandestine Black masonry in the United States.

The purpose of this paper on my web site, is to make not only the members of the Prince Hall Craft understand the Black on Black crime that is taking place within our community with these frauds, and the fact there are some white Grand Lodge out there who, like New York who is attempting to use these groups to destroy Prince Hall Freemasonry.

The Phylaxis Society is the only organization within Prince Hall Freemasonry that is attempting to open the eyes of the blind within our Order, but, in reality this is the role of the Conference of Prince Hall Grand Lodges, but of course here you find the blind leading the blind.

We note in Kent Henderson and Tony Pope’s Freemasonry Universal: a new guide to the Masonic world, they list many of these bogus groups, thus giving them the publicity that they are always seeking. But some where, some how, some one needs to understand exactly what is taking place, Black on Black crime within the Black community, and any one who helps these bogus groups are themselves criminals.

I have used some strong words against the white Grand Lodge of New York, but by their actions, they have shown a total disregard for the feelings of Prince Hall Freemasonry and Black America, and they must be judged accordingly. I will say this again, any one who gives aid or comfort to these Black bogus frauds, are the enemies of Black America.

My brother! Why did you leave the Compact-PHO and travel over to Prince Hall Affiliate? This is a question that has been asked to not only myself, but my lodge brothers who have joined me as well. For my lodge brothers and I it all started on the 3rd Saturday of August 1999. At this time a few of us were initiated into Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge-Free and Accepted Ancient York-Rite Masons, National Compact Jurisdiction of Georgia Prince Hall Origin. If I knew then what I know now I would have to say that receiving my EA degree was one of the poorest pieces of Masonic work I was involved in. It was half done and half explained. We were given a study guide and basically told to learn it for ourselves. As young energized masons in the order we eagerly learned the information verbatim often quizzing each other to make sure we all new the material. We did meet with our Senior Warden at that time Bro. C. Clark. However, he proved to be more talk than action. At this time Bro. B. Bethea, Bro. C. Walker, Bro. M. Parks, and myself Bro. L. Ingram made a pact that we will help each other to learn masonry and make our lodge great.

We would come into the meetings in our black and white and be amazed that all the other brothers wearing street clothes and even at times shorts. After two meetings the only great thing that happen was that the brothers were so impressed with our presentation (attire) they began to reinforce the proper dress for blue lodge meetings. Almost a year later we received both our F.C. and M.M. degrees all in one night. This was very typical of my former Lodge Burkshire #664. Very poor degree work has led to many old and new brothers leaving the Lodge and becoming inactive as far as I know.

When we had discussions about masonry it basically was about what the lodge did in the past and how greatly they were seen in other mason’s eyes. When we asked about Prince Hall masonry period we never received a legitimate response. Our questions would be “tell us about the difference between PHO vs. PHA”? The main answer we received was that there was a split many years ago amongst black masons. For that reason alone some brothers that were once unified under the Compact-Prince Hall Origin umbrella decided that they did not want to adhere to the National body and left. They then were issued a charter from the National Compact to practice masonry in their state. Thus, they are called state-rite masons. Another question asked was “why are they called state-rite masons”? The answer given was that the state-rite masons Prince Hall Affiliate can only practice masonry in their state. For example if they are PHA in Georgia and for whatever purpose decide to enter into another state they have no Masonic rights to travel in other states or abroad like Compact-PHO masons. We basically accepted this answer and continued on under the Compact.

Just like Bro. Bethea has already stated, I too became comfortable with what was given to me never knowing that the history of black masonry and common sense would meet me dead on later down the road. I sat in the secretary station and later in the Senior Deacon’s position, received the Eastern Star Degrees and became Patron of a Chapter that had no active Patron or Assoc. Patron. In addition, I was the Scribe for King Solomon #2 HRAC. Ah!!! The York-Rite side of the latter let me briefly speak about this. I received the Mark Master through the Knight Templar degrees all in one night because many men saw 37 brothers as an opportunity to make money. We thought we were just receiving our Red House degrees, but that was not the intentions. Brothers that we thought we could trust were telling us all night get your degrees while you can. “Don’t worry about what we are doing after you receive the Royal Arch Degree this is how we give the Templar degrees all in succession”. We spent the next year playing catch up and trying to learn and master all these degrees. The sad part about all of this was that aside of the Royal Arch Degrees we had no one to teach us about the Templar. The same men that took our money and brought us into the Black House didn’t stay to teach us. We had to teach ourselves.

My former Lodge was home to two National Grand Lodge officers. One is currently the NGL High Priest of the Royal Arch (E.W. Seay) and the other was the NGL Deputy Commander in Chief for the Consistory (E. McKnight). Bro. McKnight brought us into the Consistory. Five of us completed the 32* degree were I sat as Sublime Prince 2nd Lt. Commander. After listening to many brothers bicker back in forth in the meetings about membership I found that many of us were chosen to off-set other candidates from another Knights-Templar that they didn’t care to much for. With the acting Commander in Chief out due to an illness/work we never learned a thing about the degrees and understanding them. Oh! By the way the acting Commander in Chief of Empire Consistory #1 that I just mentioned above…He’s now a member of Exodus UD-PHA now.

From this point top members in the Shrine were trying to lure us into sliding into the order by way of the back door. Brothers were being asked to come in and not even financial in other houses. Just recently over the summer Empire Consistory #1 initiated Templars for the sole purpose of making them Shriners. I had enough by then and decided that I wouldn’t go back to another meeting.

The Grand department had its scandals as well. The Grand Treasurer found guilty of stealing close to $100,000. The sad part about it all the Grand Department is trying to put the blame solely on him and we all know that one man couldn’t do all that without help or knowledge that he was stealing. However, let them tell it only one person was the suspect.

Our voyage over to PHA was the best thing that has ever happened to us as masons. All of the officers in Burkshire #664 except for the Worshipful Master decided to leave FAAYM and travel to the MWPHGL of GA-PHA to request healing into the PHA family. We were met and embraced with nothing, but love. Leaving the National Compact made more of an impact than we could ever imagine. It was like a shock wave from the East coast to the West Coast. Compact Lodges from all over this nation knew about the move. Our phones were ringing off the hook with brothers contacting us about changing our minds with PHA. However, no one could dispute the historical documentation and legitimacy that PHA has. After being healed we chose the name for our lodge to be Exodus (Biblical Reference Exodus 6:6). A fitting name for a huge step we all took. I remember debating back in forth with Bro. Joe Snow, Bro. Ralph McNeal, and Bro. Ezekiel Bey on the FAAYM e-group. I must stop and say thank you for allowing my lodge brothers and I to understand the real history with factual information of black masonry in America specifically PHO/PHA. You three brothers must be commended for assisting us the brothers of Exodus Lodge UD with the truth, the way, and the light.

Sincerely,
Bro. Dez Ingram
MWPHGL of GA-PHA
Exodus Lodge UD

1. (MCNEAL) Tell us about the brief history and purpose of the Phylaxis Society Commission on Bogus Practices.
Ans
Bro. David, first and foremost let me commend you and your staff on a fine research publication!
Since the conference of Grand Masters (PHA) no longer thought of Bogus Masonry as a threat, the Non-Prince Hall Commission was disbanded. The president of the Phylaxis Society, Bro. Joseph Walkes, Jr., knew the threat still existed and asked his First Vice-president, Bro. Zellus Bailey to run a new directory. This took place in the mid-seventies. Bro. Robert Simmons, the second Vice-president during that time would become the next director of this commission.
Later, Bro. Paul Best, the executive secretary during the 1980s would organize a Phylaxis chapter in Des Moines, Iowa called the A.G. Clark Chapter after one of our Masonic trailblazers. This new chapter took over the commission and undertook the task of learning Names, and Addresses of all the Bogus African-American groups across the country. Using the name of “Mr. Phil Laxis”, the commission began to collect their newspapers, rituals and other materials!
In 1993, Bro. Steven Hill was appointed the directorship. Bro. Hill came out with a quarterly newsletter that was sent out to many of our Grand Lodges and her leaders. The same thing that happened in the seventies and eighties, his hard work researching this information fell on deaf ears.
Bro. Hill resigned from this position last year. In January of this year, I was asked to take the reins of this commission. A recommendation came from one of our Mainstream brethren that we should change our name. The new name was the “Unrecognized Commission.” After going back and forth with the brothers that I wanted to surround myself with, we decided that the term “Unrecognized” was too soft of a term dealing with this problem. We want to expose this type of mason, so we came up with the name, “The Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices.”
Bro. Emanuel Stanley is my First Vice-President. He hails from Roscoe C. Cartwright Lodge Number 129 under the M.W.P.H.G.L. of Maryland. His expertise is to surf the net for all groups claiming to be Masonic. Bro. Stanley’s findings have exposed some of these organizations that have mislead the public for years.
Bro. Ezekiel Bey is my second Vice-President. He hails from Cornerstone Lodge Number 37 under the M.W.P.H.G.L. of New York. Bro. Bey at one time was a member of a Bogus Lodge. The experience of what happened to him has left an unforgettable mark and eventually convinced him to come over to Prince Hall Freemasonry. He was also a member of various “urban created” religious organizations. Such as the Nation of Islam, The Nation of Gods and Earths (Five Percenters). He is also aware of the teachings of Mr. Dwight (Malachi) York. His invaluable experiences from being a follower and studying these groups brings many of this African-American Cult type of Freemasonry to light.
The final member of our commission is Bro. Joe Snow from Eureka Lodge No. 1 under the umbrella of the M.W.P.H.G.L. of Georgia. His access to many unfounded historical documents and his proximity to Florida and South Carolina has unsurfaced information from the past that is priceless.
The purpose of the commission in this century is no different from what the late Harry A. Williamson tried to impart. His research has been made known since the 1950s on these groups. Our purpose is to inform our Prince Hall Brethren (Leaders included), the mainstream Freemason, and the innocent Bogus Mason of the origins of these so-called Grand Lodges.

2. (MCNEAL) who ultimately benefits from your work?
Ans:
(Laughs out loud) Who should benefit from our research are our Prince Hall Brothers and Sisters. Unfortunately, many do not have access to the Internet. We have had many hits on our web page. With the recognition wagon hitting so many jurisdictions, some of the Bogus Masons are reaping the benefits of those who have labored hard in the quarries.
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3. (OPEN) How deadly of a threat is Bogus Black Freemasonry to Prince Hall Freemasonry?
Ans:
As long as our leaders are unaware of what is in their own backyards, it will continue to be a deadly threat to Prince Hall freemasonry. The sad part is that in some jurisdictions, the Bogus Grand Lodges are taking their Masonry out of their Lodge Halls. They are working within their respective communities, taking our future members. Some of these organizations are no more than a Friday night Fish-fry social club, yet they are visible all year, including the festive seasons.
We as Prince Hall Masons need to stop relaying on our past laurels. There are enough accurate historical books on our fraternity. Put some of these books in the schools, and libraries. With our history in these institutions, maybe the public at large will ask the Bogus Mason from whence he came.(Snow) Very Deadly because the Bogus Groups are starting to meet together to establish mutual recognition and by trying to gain strength in numbers with these meetings make a move to squeeze Prince Hall Masonry out of business state by state.
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4. (OPEN) What do you say to those Prince Hall Masons who just want all Black Masons to get along? Or that Prince Hall Mason who thinks a Bogus Black Mason is his Masonic Equal?
Ans:
I would say to ask why do your Masonic colleges; universities and quarterly seminars not teach you Masonic Law? Ask that a section devoted to the Ancient charges be taught. Show them the ways of the Bogus Mason.
To the Prince Hall Mason who thinks that the Bogus Mason is his equal? We say visit our web page (www.freemasonry.org/phylaxis), and then render us an opinion.
The Bogus mason will play on your emotions when you challenge his history. He will say, “Can’t we all get along?” If the Prince Hall mason listens to it, it gives that Bogus Mason CREDIBILITY! This is what they are seeking. But sadly many of our brethren and leaders give that sympathetic ear.
Let’s get back to the comment of “being equals.” I tell many of my Prince Hall brethren to think of a brother getting expelled for Unmasonic conduct. He starts his own Grand Lodge. Would you recognize him then? As I have stated, it boils down to Masonic Law. Tracing your lineage to African Lodge Number 459 or the United Grand Lodge of England. Many of our brethren (leaders included) are unaware of the blood, sweat and tears that are woven into that charter that sits in that bank vault in Massachusetts. For the longest, many brethren were under the impression that fifty to one hundred years ago, the charter was under lock and key from the mainstream Mason. The Bogus mason just as well would have destroyed our legal document too!

5. (OPEN) How are Prince Hall Grand Lodges currently attacking this issue in 2001 and what have they done over the past 50 years?
Ans:
The Prince Hall Grand Lodges are not doing enough to combat this issue. Many of our brethren are unaware of the actual court cases and battles that were fought. Some have even stated that taking these groups to court was a waste of time and money. Try telling those astute brethren who were icons of their respective communities. The late P.G.M. Amos T. Hall took his battle to a neutral ground. His staff had the foresight to set the cornerstone with these court cases. Only, to have our organization drop the ball in this day and age. Some have stated that we should not funnel our energy into this, but fifty years ago we had this battle along with desegregating the school system, the workplace and civil rights. So our mission forty to fifty years ago was twice the workload than we have today.

6. (OPEN) Are Bogus Eastern Stars any threat to Prince Hall Eastern Stars?
Ans:
Yes they are! Most of our jurisdictions forget our Eastern Stars. With the adoption law, it has strengthened some. But the adoption law should be made known to some of these Bogus chapters. It can do nothing but to swell our ranks. The other day we had some ladies that were interested in seeking a new home after viewing our web page. To our delight the questions were coming. Our Chapters are hurting for members. The same scenario of taking in the brothers should be set up for the stars.

7.(OPEN) Generally speaking - How do these group get going and operating and spread?
Ans:
These groups are started in many ways. Some are expelled Prince Hall Masons. Some are men of the cloth who feel the need to have a tighter rein on their flock as well as make additional money for themselves and their churches.
Bro. Stanley and I were offered Lodges and grand Lodges in our name for a fee. You have some such as the Bank’s organization (International Free and Accepted Modern Masons) that is nothing more than a multi level marketing group. Getting paid to bring in warm bodies! Imagine that!
Then you have some that preach reverse racism and talk about the right to be Masons. Tracing that inherent right to the Grand Lodge of Luxor in Egypt.

8. (OPEN) How do these groups presence on the internet increase their danger to us?
Ans:
The Information Age has brought Freemasonry into homes around the globe in a way, which could never have been imagined. The initiated and the curious alike have but to type the word freemasonry and a plethora of data on the Fraternity is made available. Recognizing the need to appear as legitimate as any other Masonic body on the world wide web, these groups develop there own web pages. A standard MO (modus operandi) for bogus Masons is to have a links page, which intermingles bogus web sites with those of mainstream Masonry. Thus giving the illusion of regularity. Another common practice is to mix ones spurious origins with that of regular freemasons, again casting the illusion of being a legitimate organization with a legitimate history. You will find that many African-American Grand Lodges include the history of Prince Hall on their web pages as well.

9. (SNOW) Of all these Black Irregular Groups - Which has to be the most ridiculous in their practices? |editors note: I'm thinking of those masons made behind the bleachers of the football field|
Ans:
There is a so-called body of Masons working in the City of Savannah Georgia by the Name of Henry Allen Lodge. We as PHA masons call them football field mason because they make masons behind the bleachers at Savannah State College where they operate. They set up at different members apartments by taking the furniture from the front room and set up an alter and have what they call a Masonic meeting. When the apartment is occupied and cannot be used, they go down to one of the local restaurants and hold meetings. The members are never given a dues card or patent for membership

10. (BEY) Who is Dr. York?

Now that is an interesting question. Many may feel that this question can be answered in one interview due to the appearance of such a simple inquiry. Well let me attempt to define this individual who comes under so many names and faces. First Mr. York was known in New York City, Brooklyn as “AS SAYYID AL IMAAM ISA AL HAADI AL MAHDI” founder of what was called the “THE NUBIAN ISLAAMIC HEBREWS” and “The ANSAARU ALLAH COMMUNITY” in the 70’s. This individual today calls himself Chief Black Eagle, Dr. Malachi Z. York EL, Nayya Malchizodok EL, Al Mahdi, Dwight York, Rabboni Y’shua Bar El Haady just to name a few. Mr. York to put it blank is a Master Con and brain washer. The reason he attracts so many is because he caters to the needs or desires of gullible people who think he is giving them what can help their condition. This man has literally written books on extraterrestrial beings that he has seen and some who are living on the Planet Earth. This man has plagiarized writings from other authors and has claimed them as his own.
In 1993 FBI report has surfaced calling the group a ''front for a wide range of criminal activity, including arson, welfare fraud and extortion.'' They have even taken on the name “Moor” (United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors) to attract even those who were followers of the Moorish Science Temple whose founder was Noble Drew Ali in 1913. He has taken teachings from many organizations and religious sects and formulated a pot of mixed doctrines to confuse further those who are already confused enough in their world of dependent thinking. This man has literally admitted in using tactics in drawing weak minded people explain in one of his web pages saying “I diligently treaded the streets of New York and the surrounding areas as I propagated Sufi Islam. I was blessed with the "gift of gab" and combined with a sense of humor and charisma that draws people of all walks of life to me.”
Ans:
Mr. York with his mixed doctrine has now established his own Nuwaupian Grand Lodge AF&AM International and his own Shrine Temple Al Mahdi No. 19, and has attracted hundreds of poor Black Souls in making them think that they have some superior Freemasonry that was handed down to him by Noble beings in Egypt. Mr. York on top of that has his own music studio for Nuwaubian Nation of Moors to rap and chant about his teachings.
So you ask, “Who is Dr. York”? He is everything to many people and he can become what you want him to be. The greatest danger and downfall of many is that once one discovers that it is all an illusion he has cast over the eyes and minds of the weak, the void returns with a programmed mentality that needs now twice as much consciousness to de-program.
Mr. York is a thief of souls.

11. (EVANS or SNOW) What is the MWPHGL of GA doing to neutralize York's organization?(The statement below is from the M.W. Grand Master The Honorable Bro. Willie L. Williams)“We are in the developmental phase of deciding what actions to take. I have made contact with the mainstream grand lodge to begin talk of recognition. As you know, I hope to launch a publicity campaign to educate the state about bogus vs. legitimate Masonic bodies. I also plan to have this on the agenda at the next Grand Master's Conference.”

12. (BEY) What is the MWPHGL of NY doing to neutralize its many start up Black Bogus Masonic Groups? |Editors note: include the total estimated number of your bogus GL's
Ans:
I cannot speak for the MWPHGL of NY, or for my Grand Master and his cabinet. I personally am not aware of any committee set in place for the eradication of Bogus groups. So I cannot answer this question. If I could it would be out of respect for my jurisdiction to consult with my Grand Master on this subject before sharing any jurisdictional information that has not been made public.
As for the estimated amount of Bogus Grand Lodges in the state of New York, the Phylaxis Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices in which I am the 2nd Vice President, we estimate approximately Twenty one. The list we have provided on our web site shows nineteen. All the Grand Lodges on this list are in North America. Two are still under investigation.
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13. (STANLEY) What can be done by all Prince Hall Grand Lodges to minimize the impact of these groups?
Ans:
Unfortunately, a panacea for the pariah we call Bogus Masonry is not easily developed. However, I am certain that the current policy of ignoring them in hopes they will disappear has been and is continuing to fail. If I were to advise the Grand Lodges of what should be done to minimize the impact, I would say one word EDUCATION. Far too many Masons falling under the banner of Prince Hall are unfamiliar with Masonic Law and Masonic History.
Somehow we must begin to indoctrinate the members of Prince Hall on OUR unique and turbulent past as it relates not only to our struggle to be deemed regular by mainstream but also our struggle against splinter groups within our own communities. Many in our ranks would recognize these men simply because they look like us. If the average Prince Hall Mason would read Prince Hall Life & Legacy by Bro. Dr. Charles H. Wesley, they would understand that Bro. Prince Hall would not approve of these so-called Masons. The Commission is helping to enlighten everyone on the spurious practices of groups claiming to be Masonic in nature. Once we have educated Freemasons we must then educate the public at-large. This can be accomplished by being more visible in the communities in which we hold lodge meetings. Prince Hall Masons have for the most part disappeared from the neighborhoods and are less involved in community affairs than we were some 30/40 years ago. Bogus groups have learned what we seem to have forgotten? Community Service! Bogus Masons can be seen donating time and monies to local efforts; this helps to increase their marketability and credibility. Prince Hall Masons have to take the lessons we learn in the lodge and put them into practice. The public sees these groups and believes them to be REAL because they are 1) visible & 2) they are doing something positive. Never mind the fact that many of these groups are pyramid schemes.
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14. (OPEN) Does Mainstream Freemasonry face the same dilemma with Bogus Freemasonry as Prince Hall?
Ans:
Mainstream has the same problem. However it is not a threat to them as it is to Prince Hall freemasonry. The sad part is that many of the Bogus masons have entered into a Masonic dialogue due to the mainstream mason not knowing the difference. Many are still confused about P.H.A. versus P.H.O. We have Prince Hall Masons who do not know the difference. I know a P.H.O. Mason who stated to me that he did in fact visit a P.H.A. lodge. He was asked for his dues card and still got in! Then we have some who think that the father of Bogus masonry, the late John G. Jones (an expelled Prince Hall freemason) are regular due to his organization following the Ancient Charges.

15. (OPEN) It is the opinion of this EDITOR that the target of our information about Black Bogus Groups must be in the hands of that man who is interested in becoming a Freemason, because all he wants is to be a Freemason and his naivety is what these organizations feeds on. How do we get in the ear of each of these men and tell them that 'YES, there is a Difference in Freemasons' without breaking his spirit?
Ans:
Bro. David, We have to clean up our OWN house before we worry about the profane. We have to put the info into the hands of our leaders and the average Prince Hall freemason. We have to take our Masonry out side of our lodge halls. We all have to be on one accord as far as our history. Our craft is in confusion. One group states that Prince Hall was born in 1748. The brothers that have poured over historical documents state 1735-1738. Educate the Prince Hall family on one accord, then let them take their masonry out of their lodge halls and chapters. If we do that and become visible within our communities, then we would not face this threat of losing future members for this prestigious fraternity.

ADDITONAL QUESTION: Are all PH Jurisdictions performing the 'Healing' process and is there any incongruency in that practice?

Hmmmm……… We cannot speak on what our Prince Hall brethren are doing within their respective jurisdictions. We know that some do offer a “bone” to some of these Bogus Grand Lodges and their officers, however we do not agree with the term, “To Heal.” Our reasoning is that to heal means that you totally agree with the way that these bogus masons received their degrees. Was there a charter or dispensation from a competent jurisdiction empowering it to work? No! The only legitimate charter that these Bogus Grand Lodges have is from the state capital. A charter stating that they have registered as a business.

How do you know what was involved in their initiations? Just because he is financial and can parrot the ritual does not make him a mason. If we show our kids the ritual and let them memorize it, will that make them a mason? Some were only obligated instead of going through the ceremony of Initiation(degrees). So it is incumbent that we do away with the “reward” of giving titles of Past Grand Master and many other titles. That we do away with “healing” and let them come in the same way and manner. We are doing nothing more than making those who have fought for us turn in their graves…

Article one of a number in a series to set the record straight for once and for all about the true history of Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge F.A.A.Y.M. (Compact) Georgia.

I suggest to members of this body that they take the information back to their leadership and demand answers as to why they have been lied to and mislead for so long.

Knowledge and the true history of the respective Prince Hall Grand Lodges as well as the reporting of the inaccurate history by the Irregular Grand Lodges will be the ultimate tool to break the Nasty Strong hold that the National Compact or Grand Lodge still has on the ef­forts to heal the wounds and bring Prince Hall Freemasonry back to what it should have been all along Joe H. Snow Grand Historian PHGLofGA
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia

There has been and continues to be a great debate between the members of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia and Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge of Georgia F.A.A.Y.M. (Compact) about who owns the history that is given below. Many attempts have been made to set the record straight even volunteering to assist SAGL in the attempt to find their own and real history, but after many years of discussion and their desire to still claim what is not theirs nor to correct the Lies that have been told, we have made it to this point. It is my desires as the Grand Historian for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia to put forth the information for the Masonic world to see.

In the words of the later Dr. H.R. Butler PGM for the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia. “Let me beg of the men of Geor­gia to look around themselves before mak­ing an effort to come in possession of the secrets of masonry. Do not take them be­cause they are cheap, for in the end they will be more costly to you.

”Below is the history recorded by Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodges in a Centennial book celebrating the Anniversary of the said Grand Lodges and its 100 year existence from 1865 to 1965. This history coincides with what Brock a PGM for the NGL lodge wrote in his book titled “The History of the National Grand Lodge.

”I will now address the matter piece by piece, present the true facts to put to death for once and for all the “Smooth Lie”

OUR HERITAGE: Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge, Georgia Jurisdiction

Smooth Lie: In 1865, Grand Master, R. H. Gleaves, National Deputy of the Ohio jurisdiction under the National Grand Lodge, warranted three lodges in Georgia of York rite Masons and established the same.

Fact: a dispensation was granted by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on February 4 A.D. 1866, A.L. 5866. Eureka No. 11, A.F. & A. M., was now a working Craft Lodge. The officers of this first “colored” Lodge in Georgia were Anthony L. Stanford, W.M.; James M. Simms, S.W.; Barcus S. Davidson, J.W.; King S. Thomas, Secretary and Stephen Johnson, Treasurer.

Bro. A. L. Stanford, who served as the first Worshipful Master, was made a Mason in Philadelphia. Bro. J. M. Simms, the first Senior Warden, was made a Mason in Boston. Bro. K. S. Thomas, the first Junior Warden, was made a Mason in New York. Bro B. S. Davison who was the first Senior Deacon was made a Mason in New York. Bro. James Jackson who was the first Senior Steward was made a Mason in Philadelphia. Bro Miller Mac was Junior Steward and he was connected with the white jurisdiction of Georgia.

Bro. Miller Max, Clinton Lodge No. 54 of the White Grand Lodge in Georgia was informed that the “colored” brethren needed one more person to start the Lodge, so being of a liberal mind, he offered his assistance. Soon after its inception, the lodge grew to such a large number that some of the brethren were given demits to form new Lodges. In September of 1866, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts granted dispensation to John T. Hilton Lodge No.13 in Savannah.

Bro. James Jackson continued to work for organization of Eureka Lodge and acted as the Senior Steward. However, during the same month and year he also helped to organize Banneker Lodge No. 38 in Augusta, Georgia, and became the first Worshipful Master. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania granted this dispensation.

Smooth Lie: Those established Lodges under the National Grand Lodge multiplied rapidly, and on January 21, 1870 a convention of the Lodges constituted assembled in Masonic Hall, Atlanta, for the purpose of organizing a Grand Lodge of York rite Masons in Georgia. The convention elected a Grand Master and other Grand Officers. This Grand Lodge of York rite Masons had many subordinate Lodges working under its Warrant of Authority.

Fact: In following the customs and landmarks of Freemasonry and practice of the Craft in the United States, District Deputy Grand Master Simms called these three Lodges together to meet in Savannah to form a Grand Lodge for Georgia. The initial meetings were held on June 7th and 29th 1870 at which time representatives from the Three Lodges Eureka No.11, Hilton No. 13 and Bannaker No. 38 all Past Master voted on the Principal officer for the Grand Lodge.

Proceedings of our Grand Lodge at it’s first Communication
Savannah August 22nd 1870

Past Masters and representatives from Eureka, Hilton and Bannaker Lodges met in convention for the purpose of organizing a State Grand Lodge,

Present Past Masters.
R. H. Gleaves M.W. National Grand Master
King S. Thomas P.M. Eureka Lodge
James M. Simms P.M. Hilton Lodge
Louis B. Toomer P.M. Hilton Lodge
Albert Jackson P.M. Hilton Lodge
WM H. Bearfield P.M Bannaker Lodge

Representatives from Eureka Lodge
Alexander Harris S.W.
Richard F. Jackson J.W.

Representatives from Hilton Lodge
Henry S. Giles W.M.
Caesar Brimson S.W.
John H. Deveaux J.W.

Representatives for Bannaker Lodge
Duncan S. Scott} Proxie
David Grandy} Proxie

The convention was called to order at 11 ½ o’clock a.m.

Bro. R. H. Gleaves M. W. National Grand Master took the chair and delivered an eloquent and instructive address on the Cardinal Virtues; after which at 2 ½ o’clock P. M. the convention was called off.

At 4 ½ o’clock the convention was called on. At the request of the N.G. M. the minutes of the convention held June 4th and 29th were read. The Grand Secretary elect read the Warrant of Constitution granted the Grand Lodge for the State of Georgia by the M.W. National Grand Lodge.

The officers elected by the convention June 4th and the new elective officers appointed by the Grand Master elect were then installed by the M. W. National Grand Master as follows to wit:

"Bro. James M. Simms M. W. G. M.“
” Louis B. Tommer R. W. D. G. M.“
” King S. Thomas R. W. G. S. W.“
” Albert Jackson R. W. Grand Secretary“
” John H. Deveaux Grand Senior Deacon“
” Henry S. Giles Grand Junior Deacon“
” Alexander Harris Grand Pursuivant“
” Caesar Brimson Grand Senior Stewart“
” Sundry Moore Grand Junior Stewart“
” Samuel G. Preutilf Grand Tyler"

Smooth Lie: In 1863 when a disgruntled group of Colored Masons walked out of the National Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania, they went into various States organizing lodges. They set up a few lodges in Georgia and June 23, 1874 organized the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

Fact: Formation of a second Grand Lodge in the state.

A call of Masonic Convention was published in the Advertiser-Republican in Savannah Georgia on the 16th Day of June, 1874, stating:

“We the undersigned Worshipful Masters of Excelsior Lodge No. 16, Mount Moriah Lodge No. 56 and St. Augustine Lodge No. 16 (colored lodges), working under legal warrants from the colored Grand Lodges for the States of New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware, respectively, by and with the consent of our several Lodge, do now call a convention to be held at our Masonic Hall, in McIntyre’s building, on St. Julian street, near Jefferson, on Tuesday Next, 23rd June Instant for the purpose of organizing such Grand Lodge , to which convention all Master Masons of Good Standing in regular Lodges, adhering to the principles that, in Masonry, each State or Territory is sovereign, and has a right to govern itself, are respectfully invited.”

Charles Vanterpool, W. M.
Barcus Davidson, W. M.
Ceasar Brinson, W. M.

At the formation of the supposed “regular” or at least “independent” Grand Lodge, a preliminary meeting was held starting at 10:30 am, June 23rd A. L. 5874. It was called to order by the Rev. J. Robert Love, District Deputy Grand Master and Grand Lecturer for the State of Georgia. On a motion, M.W. Bro. Richard L. Jones, Grand Master for the State of Florida, was elected president pro tem, Bro. John H.H. Sengstacke was elected Secretary of the meeting. Bro. C. Brinson, moved that a committee on Charters and Credentials with instruction to report at once. He named for that committee Bros. Robert P. Young, Charles Vanterpool, John H. H. Sengstacke, Caesar Brinson, Raymond Jackson and W. G. Clarke.

Bro. Love called the meeting to order again at 2:30 p.m. June 23, 1874. On a motion, the M.W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge for the State of Delaware (Bro. Robert H. Lewis), being present, was elected to preside over the convention.

Smooth Lie: For some time prior to 1870 there were two Grand Lodges in the State of Georgia. On June 26, 1870, Brother W. S. Terry, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of York Masons working under the National Grand Lodge and National Compact, exercised the power possessed in bringing together and harmonizing the dual Grand Lodges.

In order to perfect the Union it was agreed, through a conference committee, to consolidate on amicable terms. Grand Master W. S. Terry, of the National Grand Lodge faction, and Grand Master, John D. Campbell, of the "State Rite" faction, signed the agreement and occupied seats of honor in the convention, which was called to order by Grand Master W. S. Terry and Past Master John H. Deveaux, "State Riter", was made chairman of the convention. The articles of Agreement were read and approved. Ninety seven Lodges were represented and One Hundred and Thirty Past Masters.

Fact: As you can see from the above proceedings there was not two Grand Lodges for African Americans in Georgia in 1870. There was one started in 1870 with James Simms as Grand Master and one started in 1874 with Love as Grand Master. These two Grand Lodges met in 1888 to form a Union.

Savannah, Ga. June 23, 1885

To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia, to convene in Atlanta 24th Instant:

Dear Brethren- We, Your Committee, to whom was referred, at the last annual meeting of the Grand Lodge, a communication for the so-called Grand Lodge of Masons for this State, beg leave to report that in consequence of the interruption among the so-called Grand Lodge we were unable to make very much progress in the matter for caused as stated above. We could not meet with them as true Masons working in one common brotherhood, and we therefore submit this our report to the Grand Lodge for further instructions.
Fraternally yours,
C.H. Ebbs
C. L DeLamotta
A. K. Desverney
W.E. Terry
Lemuel Wade
Committee,

The foregoing report was adopted, with the instructions that the committee be authorized to hold such meetings at such times and at such places, as they may deem best. With approval to work, the Special Committee on Masonic Harmony sent out a letter, which stated:

Savannah, December 15, 1885We the committee appointed at the last annual communication of this Grand Lodge for the purpose of harmonizing the differences existing among the fraternity in this State, do recommend that the following resolutions be passed at this Session:

Be it resolved: 1. That a committee of conference be appointed to meet a committee that may be appointed from what is known as another body of Masons now existing in this State.

Resolved, 2. For the purpose of producing such articles of agreement as may be necessary to bring harmony and peace.
Resolved 3. That a copy of the above report and resolutions, with the names of the committees that may be appointed by this Grand Lodge, be forwarded to the Grand Lodge of which Mr. A.S. Gordon is Grand Master.
C.L. DeLamotta,
W. E. Terry,
A.K. Desverney,
C.H. Ebbs,
Lemuel Wade
Committee,

On a motion by Bro. Toomer, this report was adopted and the committee authorized to continue their work. Bros. A. Hamilton and E. P. Holmes were added to the committee.

With this resolution, efforts where being made to heal the wounds caused by the National Grand Lodge and establish one single Grand Lodge in the State of Georgia for colored Masons.

The following correspondence was sent to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. Masons Savannah, Georgia, which read:

Savannah, Ga, December 15, 1885
Dear Brethren- We, the above committee, appointed, with others herein named, at the annual communication or our Grand Lodge, held on the above date, respectfully and fraternally beg for the good of the craft in our state, and the discontinuance of the existing difference pending between the two grand bodies, and our desire for “brotherly love among whom no contention should exist, but that noble contention or rather emulation of who best can work and best agree,” call your attention to the appended resolutions as passed by our Grand Lodge on the above date, in regular session in this city, to-wit:

Be it resolved, That a committee of conference be appointed for what is known as another body of Masons now existing in this State.

For the purpose of producing such articles of agreement as may be necessary to bring about harmony and peace.

That a copy of the above resolutions, with the names of the committees that may be appointed by the Grand Lodge, be forwarded to the Grand Lodge, of which Hon. A. S. Gordon is G.M.

The above is fraternally submitted by the committee,
Bro. C. L. DeLamotta
“ W.E. Terry,“
A. K Desverney,
“ C. H. Ebbs,“
Lemuel Wade,
“ Alexander Hamilton,“
G. B. Lewis
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A. F. And A. Masons of Savannah, Ga. responded by saying that, “ The above proposition was unanimously received and the following resolution was then offered:

Resolved, That a committee on conference be appointed to confer with the committee for the Grand Lodge, of which Rev. A. Harris is Grand Master Adopted.

With this report being returned, a meeting was scheduled for the 21 of September 1886 and the following report was given.

Savannah, Ga. September 21, 1886
A Joint meeting of the special committee as appointed by the two (colored) Grand Lodges, now existing in this State, for the purpose of making such recommendations as will be conducive of perfecting a union and harmonizing the difference now existing in between the two Grand bodies, met on the above date at the “Delmonico Hall,” 3:30 p. m. Present-Brethren C. L. Delamotta, C. H. Ebbs, W. E Terry, Lemuel Wade, Rev. E. P. Holmes and W. H. Spencer, representing the Grand Lodge of F. and A. M. of which Rev. Alex Harris is G. M. and brethren Rev. C. F. Vanderpool, F. H. Willliams, Dennis Burton, B. C. Cashin and G. L. Bowens, representing the Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. M. of which Bro. A. S. Gordon is G.M.

The meeting was opened by the election of Bro. DeLamotta, as chairman, and Bro. Ebbs, Secretary, after which a prayer was offered by Rev. Bro. Vanderpool. Bro. Lemuel Wade, by request, acted as door-keeper. The meeting being properly organized, the following resolutions were then submitted, to wit:

Whereas, There are now existing in the State of Georgia two Masonic bodies, each claiming to be the Grand Lodge of Georgia; and

Whereas, The above state of affairs is unmasonic, inasmuch as there cannot exist but one Grand Lodge in the same territory (white excepted): therefore be it

Resolved, That we, the undersigned committee, appointed by the above bodies to meet in joint session for the purpose of producing such articles of agreement as will remove the deplorable state of affairs, do recommend the following:

That the two above Masonic bodies do meet on a common level, on ______, for the purpose of then and there forming one Sovereign Grand Lodge, without reference to the past, letting by-gones be, and looking only to the future welfare of the craft.

And immediately after forming the above Grand Lodge, the following Grand Officers shall be elected, to wit: M. W. Grand Master, R. W. S. and J. Grand Wardens, R. W. Grand Secretary, R. W. Grand Treasurer.

And the following Grand Officers shall be appointed by the proper authorities, to-wit: R. W. S. and J. Grand Deacons, R. W. S. and J. Grand Stewarts, R. W. Grand Sword Bearer, R. W. Grand Lecturer, R. W. Grand Chaplain, R. W. Grand Pursuant, R. W. Grand Tyler, R. W. Grand Marshal

We further recommend that the annual meetings be held during the month of June or July, and at such place as may be selected by majority of the members present at each annual meeting. Should there be semi-annual meetings, the Most W. Grand Master shall be invested with the power to select time and place for said meeting.

We further recommend that on forming the above Grand Lodge, on _______, the officers elected there and then shall be chosen to serve six (6) months only, after which all officers shall be elected annually.

The above resolutions were, upon motion of Bro. F. H. Williams, unanimously adopted, after which Bro. F. H. Williams motioned that a copy of the above resolutions be furnished each Grand Lodge. The same was adopted. By request neither Bro. Delamotta nor Rev. Vanderpool voted upon said last motion.

Bro. W. E. Terry moved that, provided the recommendation as made be accepted by the two Grand bodies, the blank spaces in resolutions relative to the time for forming of the union be authorized filled by the Grand Masters for each side, who will meet and consult for the purpose. Adopted

Upon motion of Bro. F. H. Williams, the chairman, as appointed by each Grand Lodge, was requested to meet as early as possible to consider the resolutions as submitted.

The above proceedings of the committee were read and unanimously confirmed. The meeting then adjourned, subject to call by the chairman.

L. DeLamotta, Chairman.
Attested: C. H. Ebbs, Secretary

At the next Grand Lodge Session for the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A. F. and A. M. for the State of Georgia in Darien, Georgia, the following resolution was adopted:

Be it resolved, that it is the sense of this M.W. Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. M., that the interest of the craft in the State will be best subserved by the holding of a convention by the two (2) Masonic Factions, to be held at such time and at such place as the Grand Masters of the two (2) Grand Lodges may agree upon, not later than June 24th, A. L. 5888, A.D. 1888.Resolved, That the Grand Master and Grand Secretary be appointed a committee to notify the Grand Lodge, of which Bro. A. K. Desverney is G. M., of the action taken by this Grand Lodge relative to a union of the craft upon terms honorable to the bodies interested.

Resolved, That we do accept all Masons in good and regular standing and in possession of the true principles of ancient Masonry as our brethren and members of on common family.

Resolved, That a the holding of the said convention for the purpose of effecting the said union, that the lodges under the two (2) Masonic Grand Lodges each entitled to two (2) representatives.

Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be sent to Bro. John H. Deveaux, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of which Bro. Desverney is Grand Master. Adopted

On the 17th of May, 1888, a meeting was held between A. K. Desverney, M.W. Grand Master of F. and A. Masons, and John D. Campbell, M. W. Grand Master of A. F. and A. M. The following written statement was offered.

To whom these presents may concern:

We, A. K. Desverney, M. W. Grand Master of F. and A. Masons, and John D. Campbell, M.W. Grand Master of A. F. and A. Masons of the state of Georgia.

Article of agreement on Unions made this 17th day of May, A. L. 5888, and A. D. 1888, in the city of Savannah, State of Georgia.

By the power vested in us by the (2) Masonic Grand bodies now existing in the State of Georgia to appoint a place and time of holding a Convention to perfect a Union between the (2) Masonic Fraternities.

We therefore agree that this Convention shall be held in the city of Savannah.

And on the 26th day of June, A. L. 5888, A. D. 1888, convening at 2 o’clock p.m.

And not in either Masonic Lodge room.

And said Convention to be held in Turner’s Hall.

This agreement, where of we have hereunto affixed our hand and seal this day, year and time as above stated.

Signed A. K. Desverney, M. W. G. Master,
“ J. H. Deveaux, R. W. G. Secretary,“
J. D. Campbell, M. W. G. Master,
“ F. H. Crumbly, R. W. G. Secretary,

Smooth Lie: The convention consummated the Union and organized one Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons (Colored) for the State of Georgia, known as Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge and received a Warrant from the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge. Brother W. S. Terry was again elected Grand Master of the consolidated Grand Lodges. He served as Grand Master from 1865 to 1888.Fact: The Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Georgia

Turner Hall Savannah, Ga. June 26, 1888Pursuant to the adoption of articles of union, entered into by the Grand Lodge, of which brother A. K Desverney was M. W. Grand Master of F. and A. Masons, and of which J. D. Campbell was M.W. Grand Master of A. F. and A. Masons, both claiming the same territorial jurisdiction, being that of the State of Georgia, promptly at 2 o’clock p. m. the grand officers and representatives assembled in Turner’s Hall, on Broughton Street, and was called to order by M. W. brother A. K. Desverney, who in a clear and brief manner stated the object of the Convention, and called on Rev. brother C. M. Manning to lead in prayer, asking the blessings of the Supreme Architect, God our Father, to watch over our deliberations while here assembled on the most important occasion known in the history of Negro Masons in the State of Georgia.

Rev. Bro. Manning then invoked God’s blessing on the Convention.

Bro. Desverney then pronounced the Convention open and ready for organization; whereupon Bro. C. M. Manning motioned that Bro. W.E. Terry be elected temporary chairman.

Motion carried that Bro. F. H. Crumbly and Bro. C. H. Ebbs stand nominated for temporary Secretary.

Bro. Ebbs received 40 votes.

Bro. Crumbly received 44 votes.

Bro. Crumbly having received 4 votes over Bro. Ebbs, was pronounced temporary secretary.

On a motion, a committee of seven was appointed on credentials, consisting of Brothers R. B. Hodgers, A. Hamilton, H. R. Stewart, C. M. Manning, Thos. Walker, L. B. Toomer and J.W. Cummings.

The committee, through its secretary, Bro. H. R. Stewart, submitted its report, showing the following named brethren as members of the Convention, entitled to voice and vote as such, to-wit:

Savannah, Ga. June 26, 1888
Mr. Chairman and Brethren of the Committee:

We, your committee on credentials, beg leave to report the following names as legal delegates to the convention, to-wit:

Lodge Representatives
Blackshear
Bro. L. B. Toomer Corbin
Bro. C. M. Manning
ordon C. T. Roberts,
J. Coffee<
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Chattahoochee
A. K. Desverney,
J.E. Hamilton
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Widow Son
L. W. Coats,
H. C. Voss
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Mt. Moriah
R. Wright,
C. Brinson
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Excelsior
T. Walker,
J. D. Campbell
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Bradwell
W. H. Spencer,
W.E. Terry
Lilly N. Mcrea,
G. C. Clark
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Mt. Moriah
L. C. Lane,
J. Bryant
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Excelsior
T. Walker,
J.D. Campbell
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Bradwell
W. H. Spencer,
W.E. Terry
Lilly N. McRea,
G. C. Clark
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Mt. Moriah
L. C. Lane,
J. Bryant
Tillman W. A. Brown
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King Solomon
R. B. Hodgers
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Prince Hall
W. T. Davis
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St. James
A. Hamilton,
E. S. Jones
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Golden Rule
J. J. Morningstar,
S. Rogers<
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St. Augustine
J.C. Habersham,
L. J. Pettigrew
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St. Johns
C. F. Vanterpool,
J. Glover Spencer
Mc D. Spencer,
W. Lucas
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Eureka
L. Wade,
C.H. Ebbs
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Aurora
J. R. Robinson

Report of the Committee was adopted.

By Motion of Rev. Bro. C. M. Manning, the temporary organization was made the permanent organization of the Convention.
By Bro. Alex Hamilton:
Whereas, There have for fifteen years existed in the State of Georgia two grand bodies claiming the same territory; and
Whereas, Articles of agreement have been adopted by each Grand Lodge: therefore be it

Resolved, that we now proceed to the election of officers for the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Georgia.
By Bro. F.H. Crumbly as substitute for the above:
That the two Grand Masters be requested to ascend the rostrum, and by the power in them vested as Grand Masters, proclaim their respective grand bodies dissolved and a united Grand Lodge organized.
Adopted amid applause.
Grand Lodges Dissolved
Whereas M.W. John D. Campbell followed by M.W. A. K. Desverney, ascended the rostrum and proclaimed as follows, to-wit:
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Grand Officers and Representatives here assembled:
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By the power in me vested as M.W. Grand Master, and in obedience to the articles of union by us unanimously adopted, I do hereby declare this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge dissolved for the purpose of organizing on Sovereign Grand Lodge for the State of Georgia.
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Expressions of great joy seemed to illume the countenances of every one present, and in one voice as caught up by every mind at tone and the same time the craft rose to their feet and sang:
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We have reached the land of corn and wine,
And all its riches freely mine;
There shines undimmed one blissful day for
All my life has passed away.

Chorus:

Sweet Beulah land, sweet Beulah Land etc.
R. W. Bro. W.E. Terry, presiding, then stated the next in order was the election of a Grand Master, Grand Senior and Grand Junior Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, and appointed Brothers Lane, Jones and Spencer as tellers.

Nominations

Bros. A. Hamilton, J. D. Campbell, A.K. Desverney and W.E. Terry were nominated for the office of M.W. Grand Master, Bro. A. Hamilton declining.

Upon the call of the roll the brethren voted and the tellers announced the following ballot:
A. K. Desverney 38
J. D. Campbell 34
W. E. Terry 15
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A. Hamilton 4The hour of adjournment for the evening having arrived, the convention was closed for refreshment until 9 o’clock a. m. June 27th, 1888.The Grand Lodge session was resumed on June 27, 1888 at 9 o’clock promptly. P.G.M. A. Harris presided and called the convention to order. Prayer was offered by Rev. L. W. Coates. Roll was called and a quorum was present and the minutes of the evening session of June 26 was read and approved.

The Rev. C. M. Manning, in a short address stated: “…looking only to the best interest of the craft of the State, forgetting the errors of the past, and with nothing in view save the better establishment of freemasonry in Georgia, I withdrew the name of P.G. M. John D. Campbell from the contestants for the office of Grand Master.” Then Brother L.B. Toomer withdrew the name of P. G. M. A. K. Desverney, and in a short but strong address moved that our well-beloved Brother W.E. Terry be elected by acclamation. Bro. F.H. Crumbly seconded the motion. Bro. Harris who was chairman took the vote, which resulted in a unanimous vote electing R. W. W. E. Terry of Bradwell Lodge, Columbus, Ga., for the office of Grand Master.

It was resolved that the two Past Grand Masters appoint a committee of three whose duty it shall be to collect and report all Grand Lodge property to the M.W. Grand Master W. E. Terry. It also was resolved that the Grand Master and Grand Secretary be appointed a committee to herald the news of the United Grand Lodge to the Masonic World. The R.W. Grand Secretary was ordered to compile and prints 1,000 copies of the proceedings of the convention and that the Grand body shall be know as the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia. A final major union resolution approved was for $30 to be appropriated for refreshment for the craft after installations. A recess was called for two hours to convene again at the hall at 3 O’clock sharp on the corner of Bay and Lincoln streets.

At 3 o’clock p. m. P.G. M. Alexander Harris call the Grand Lodge from refreshment to labor with all Grand Lodge officers being present. The Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge was duly opened in the third degree. P.G. Masters A.K. Desverney and John D. Campbell, assisted by P.G.M. Louis B. Toomer, installed all officers of the M.W.U.Grand Lodge.

Representatives present from Sister Grand Lodges were: R.W. J. C. Corbin of Arkansas, PDGM T. James of Connecticut, RW J.T. Frazier of Colorado, M.W. J. H. Lee of the District of Columbia, PGM R. H. Lewis of Delaware, RW S. W. Lewis of Mississippi, RW E.R. Spaulding of New York, RW A. J. Anderson of Ohio, RW A. Fassett of Pennsylvania, RW George H. Simms of Rhode Island, RW S. J. Leonard of Texas, RW W. S. Williams of Tennessee, RW A. B. Campbell of Virginia, and RW J.F. Dixon of West Virginia.

Proceedings of the Convention and Organization of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted (Colored) Masons for the State of Georgia and its Jurisdiction.
27th June 1874
Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia, Atlanta, Ga, June 24th 1885 pg. 5
Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia, Atlanta, Ga, June 24th 1885 pg. 22
Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia June 26th and 27th, 1888 pg. 4-5
Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia June 26th and 27th, 1888 pg. 5
Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia June 26th and 27th, 1888 pg. 5-7
Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia June 26th and 27th, 1888 pg. 7-8
Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia June 26th and 27th, 1888 pg. 3-4
Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia June 26th and 27th, 1888The History of Masonry Among Colored Men in Georgia by Dr. H.R. Butler Grandmaster.

According to the World Health Organization, a pandemic can start when three conditions have been met:

the emergence of a disease new to the population (Bogus White & Bogus Black Masons Working together)the agent infects humans, causing serious illness (Infects Regular Freemasonry, causing serious damage)the agent spreads easily and sustainably among humans (It has spread in the AA Community and is now spreading among mainstream like wild fire)There has been a belief among most Freemasons in the United States & abroad that the issue of spurious Masons is a problem rooted solely in the African American Community. At one time the Grand Masters of Prince Hall Grand Lodge's fought furiously against the wave of seemingly endless bogus grand lodges, supreme councils and Masonic congresses sprouting everywhere in the United States. On February 25, 2005 another spurious Masonic entity was born, only this time, it was not within the inner city of the USA, but rather on the same soil as the "Mother Grand Lodge" – England itself! In a year's time the fledgling organization, which, began as an affront to the policies & practices in the United Grand Lodge of England, has grown into an uncontrollable juggernaut. After years of putting off Prince Hall Grand Lodges and in-spite of Prince Hall's unquestionable lineage to the Grand Lodge of England, the United Grand Lodge of England will not recognize a Prince Hall Grand Lodge until it is in amity with the Grand Lodge it recognizes in the same state. In order for the UGLE to recognize the MWPHGL of Georgia, the MWPHGL of Georgia must first be form a compact of mutual recognition with the Grand Lodge of Georgia. The same is true for the Prince Hall Grand Lodge's in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi & Louisiana. The prolonged recognition of the grand lodge's who are the direct descendants of African Lodge of Boston, has aided and abetted the proliferation and growth of bogus Masonic organizations in the United Stated of America. Their battle cry about regularity could have been silenced eons ago, had the UGLE and other grand lodges around the world done what was right in spite of the fear of reprisal. (writer's note: The Grand Lodges of Australia have voted to recognize ALL Prince Hall Grand Lodge's)Prince Hall Historians, writers and educators all warned the mainstream community that they would rue the decision to deny Prince Hall Freemasons their proper place in the Masonic World.

Somehow the proverbial "I told you this would happen!" or "pointing a finger" just isn't providing the satisfaction that I thought it would. Perhaps it is because we are now in a crises and one for which if the regular grand lodges do not unite to stop, will cause irreparable damage to Freemasons everywhere on the globe. The denial of regular Freemasons and the refusal to denounce racism has lead us to our very own Masonic Pandemic.

The unthinkable, the unimaginable has now occurred! – members of the so-called Regular Grand Lodge of England and its Masonic High Council has spread its tentacles across the Atlantic Ocean and landed smack dab in the heart of the America. They have communicated with and issued a charter to Mr. Carlton Brigham, who styles himself as the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander of the Universal Supreme Council. In addition, he is also the Vice President of the Universal Grand Masonic Congress of Scottish Rite Masons, Incorporated, the Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodge of Maryland, and Senior Grand Officer of the Masonic High Council of the United States of America.

Mr. Brigham is no fool. He is a visionary and he fully understands the significance of a charter from England. Prince Hall Masons have stood firm on our regularity of origin based upon the charter of African Lodge No. 459, from the Grand Lodge of England, which is still in our possession. We have rightfully used it to defend our claim to legitimacy and have thumbed it in the faces of every spurious group that raises it head in our communities. Unfortunately, with the granting of a charter from an organization in England (whether bogus or not) will add to the increasing problem of irregular Freemasonry.

This group of African American Masons will taut the fact that they have a charter from England – and the name itself the "REGULAR Grand Lodge of England" will fool many into believing they have joined or are about to join a true Masonic lodge.

This Masonic High Council is on a mission to establish High Councils in every state in the union, and this is according to their own website.

Over 250 black groups are in existence in the United States, couple this with the growth of bogus white grand lodges and regular Freemasonry is on the verge of being exterminated!

The European Masons of the Regular Grand Lodge of England, have in a year, eliminated the color barrier in Freemasonry, the only problem is that, they are bogus in nature. If bogus groups can do it, what in the Grand Architects creation is preventing regular and legitimate Freemasons from doing the same?

The unthinkable has become reality!

What will the leaders of regular Freemasonry do to stop Masonic racism and to curb the ebbs and flows of the bogus tide?

During the regime of J. B. Baldwin as Supreme Grand Master of the Supreme Grand Lodge he has dealt in the undertaking business, the casket business, and other side enterprises in aid of the burial and insurance features of the Grand Lodge, which inured to the enjoyment and enrichment of the Supreme Grand Master
Judge CONGER (Georgia)
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I will give you the story of the history of Modern Free and Accepted Mason as told by them that can be found at http://www.angelfire.com/il3/ezekiel38/page4.html. This article will shape a picture for the connection between three bogus organizations, namely Modern Free and Accepted Masons, International Free and Accepted and Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons. I will now give you the Modern Free story as well as what the truth really is. I would hope that the members of these bogus group can see the light and stop being duped by these Modern day crooks that or only carrying out what the first crocks started.

The Modern Free Story

Modern Free and Accepted Masons of the World Inc. is a Benevolent Patriotic Society established to promote friendship and brotherly love among its members and to carry on benevolent works for the relief of the needy and helpless in our communities.

Our Masonic order was organized in November 1917, in Opelika, Alabama and initially entitled the Free and Accepted Colored Masons of America.
FACT: Modern Free was organized or came into existence about the year 1917, at or near Opelika, Alabama, when a group of from six to eight persons, said to be Master Masons, met and organized. Baldwin along with the others stated that they were once members of Olive Branch Lodge under the Jurisdiction of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alabama and that there was a splint in the Lodge/Grand Lodge. This is not the case, there is no evidence that I could find to prove where Baldwin was made a Mason but he was not a member of Said lodge.

Between 1917 and 1921, the founding father, Brother Jerry Baxter Baldwin and other members, organized seventeen lodges throughout Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. The first grand Lodge, Lincoln, was established in Phoenix City, Alabama in 1921 with Brother T. M. Phillips. Grand Master Lincoln Lodge is still active and vibrant.

FACT: In 1924 delegates from a few subordinate lodges in two States (Alabama and Georgia) formed a Supreme Grand Lodge, and that J.B. Baldwin was elected the Supreme Grand Master of the Supreme Grand Lodge, which office he has held continuously and at all times since.
The Free and Accepted Colored Masons of America, was incorporated as an independent Masonic order on December 3, 1921 in Jefferson County Alabama.

FACT: Baldwin and 11 other men were granted a charter by a court of competent jurisdiction for the County of Jefferson and State of Alabama on November 17, 1921, and it was named in the application for and the order granting the order 'Free and Accepted Colored Masons of America they were never issued a Masonic charter from and Masonic Grand Lodge.

A dream long held by Brother Jerry B. was becoming a reality. His dream was to organize a group of Black people who would dedicate themselves not only to understanding the principle of Freemasonry but also to apply those principles to improve the social conditions of their race. Brother Baldwin was intensely interested in everything that pertained to the welfare and advancement of Black people. He helped build business owned and operated by Blacks and loaned money to save homes and farms during the great depression.

In 1924, Brother Baldwin was elected the first Supreme Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Colored Masons of America, and under his guidance the organization grew in unity and membership.

By 1927, the Royal Palm Lodge #3-a was chartered in Columbus Georgia. The Past Worshipful Master of this lodge was Brother T. McBride, who joined the Lodge in 1935. In the 1930's the Free and Accepted Colored Masons of America struggled to survive. Those were harsh times for all of America. The Stock Market Crashed in October of 1929, and in the next three years the bottom dropped out of the economy. However, "We should be proud of our fraternity", noted Brother N. A. Nall, Supreme Grand Deputy Master in 1945, "for we survived when few institutions stood the test of those hard times.

The Free and Accepted Colored Masons of America not only survived but grew. The first Eastern Star Chapter Tennie Wilson #174 was organized on Opelika, Alabama in 1936. Additional chapters were organized, including Smithfield Chapter #148, which became by 1940 the largest chapter with over three hundred members. By 1949, the first Grand Chapter, Silver Queen was established under the leadership or Sis. Dr. Esther Poole.

Sis. Poole became an Eastern Star at the age of eighteen and joined the Free and Accepted Color Masons in 1940. Between 1940-1960 she dedicated herself to organizing chapters and lodges and formed the first junior courts. She was committed to improving the quality of life for all people. She was the "organizer" and a "driver' before joining the Free and Accepted Colored Masons. In 1930 she formed the United Women Workers of America. This group was known as "the better half" of the United Mine Workers. Sis. Poole was an embalmer, hairdresser, pianist and a poetess. After many years of outstanding performance as a Star, she became the first Supreme Grand Matron of the Free and Accepted Colored Masons of America. She died in 1971.Other Stars who joined the Free and Accepted Colored Masons in the 1940's include, Sis. Fannie Rushings of Hoyts Pride Chapter #195, our Longest serving Worthy Matron and Sis. Alma Patterson of Tennie Wilson Chapter #174. In February 1945, the Free and Accepted Colored Masons of America authorized their four principle officers: J.B. Baldwin, Supreme Grand Master, N. A. Nall, Supreme Grand Deputy Master, C.S.G. Boom, Supreme Grand Junior 'warden, to amend the certificate of incorporation, changing the organization's name to the Supreme Grand Lodge, Modern Free and Accepted Colored Masons of the World. The word "Modern" reflects the members' belief that while the ritualistic and symbolic aspects of Freemasonry are important, it is more important to practice in daily life, the Eternal Truth and Universal Themes underlying the rituals and symbols.
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Ten years later; on April 4, 1955, the certificate of incorporation was amended. This third amendment changed the name of our order to its' present one, Supreme Grand Lodge, Modern Free and Accepted Masons of the World, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. As the name indicated this amendment established our affiliation with the Scottish Rite.
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FACT: This affiliation with Scottish Rite was due to that fact that Mr. Baldwin then GM of Modern Free had created a monster by trying to call out John Wesley Dobbs Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia he created a monster and GM Dodd’s set out to do what he stated and that was destroy the Bogus Modern Free Group in the state of Georgia by taking them to court.
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105 F. Supp. 315, *; 1951 U.S. Dist.;
92 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 406
MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE, FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS, OF GEORGIA v. SUPREME GRAND LODGE, MODERN FREE & ACCEPTED COLORED MASONS OF THE WORLD
Civ. A. 362
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT GEORGIA. COLUMBUS DIVISION
105 F. Supp. 315; 1951 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3724; 92 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 406
December 28, 1951

The Judge ruled on the following Judgment.

Whereupon, it is considered, ordered and adjudged, That the defendant, Supreme Grand Lodge, Modern Free and Accepted Colored Masons of the World, be, and it is hereby, enjoined, collectively and individually, including the agents, officers, associates and representatives,

(a) From appropriating and employing the ritual ceremonies of the plaintiff and using any insignia, name, emblem, badge, symbol or paraphernalia of the plaintiff;

(b) From using the words 'Free and Accepted' in its orders, by-laws, initiations, publications, letterheads, or otherwise.

It is further ordered that this decree and judgment shall not take effect instanter, but that the same shall remain and be in abeyance [**18]for a period of one year from this date, so that the defendant may either orderly dissolve and discontinue its business as now carried on or merge with the York Masons or some other legally constituted and legally existing Masonic body.

If during the twelve months period above provided there should be a merger or consolidation of the defendant with some other legally constituted Masonic body, that fact shall be made known to the Court in a competent and evidential manner; but if no such merger takes place within the twelve months period, the full force and effect of this decree shall become binding and effective twelve months from this date.

Because of the heavy court costs and the unequal ability of the parties to pay, I am not assessing the whole cost against the defendant, which would ordinarily be done, but I am assessing the cost two-thirds or 66 2/3 per cent against the plaintiff, and one-third or 33 1/3 per cent against the defendant.

With Modern Free being summonsed to court and facing it’s ultimate demise William V. Banks Supreme Deputy Grand Master for Modern Free who would later go on to found International Modern Free and Accepted Masons started to make his move to establish his Bogus Organization in Detroit Michigan. Baldwin found out what William V. Banks was attempting to do and suspended him from the Bogus Modern Free Order.

This affiliation was set up by the merger of Modern Free with the United Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 33rd and Last Degree, Southern and Western Jurisdiction, United States of America, Grand Orient of Washington District of Columbia.

The merger was executed by brother J. B. Baldwin, Supreme Grand Master and Brother J. M. McMath Supreme Grand Treasurer of Modern Free, along with James A. MacDonald the Sovereign Grand Commander of the United Supreme Council.

The United Supreme Council, first organized in 1895, and reorganized in 1918, had jurisdiction for the United States, its territories and dependencies.
The consolidation with this organization empowered Modern Free to establish Scottish Rite Consistories and to confer degrees from the fourth through the thirty-third and last degree. The merger also meant that Modern Free was a part of those Masonic orders linked to the First Council of the Ancient & and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry organized in Paris, France in 1758.
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FACT: The Chevalier de Bonneville established a chapter of twenty-five degrees of the so called High Degrees in the College of Jesuits of Clermont, in Paris in 1754. The adherents and followers of the House of Stuarts had made the College of Clermont their asylum they being mostly Scotchmen. One of the degrees being the “Scottish Master,” the new body organized in Charleston S.C. in 1801 , gave the name of “Scottish Rite” to these degrees , which name ever since that time has characterized the Rite all over the World of which more anon.
The Illustrious Stephen Mourin, of Paris had been commissioned and empowered to establish the Scottish Rite in the United States and this degree was conferred upon David Leary, a prominent "colored Mason”, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1850.
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FACT: In 1761 Stephen Morin was invested with the power by the Grand Consistory of Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret in Paris on the 27th day of August 1761 to carry the “Rite of Perfection” to America. He received a Patent, as his credential. Signed by Chaillon De Jonville Substitute General.
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David Leary was not initiated by Stephen Mourin but rather by one Count De St. Laurent an Inspector General of the Supreme Council of France that conferred the degree on David Leary and several other colored mason in Philadelphia in 1850. They went on to establish King David Supreme Council in Philadelphia.

Leary was granted, by the Supreme Council of France, a patent of power and authority and directed to establish a Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite among "colored Masons" in the United States. Two Supreme Councils were created; one with its See at the Grand Orient of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the other with its See at the Grand Orient of Washington in the District of Columbia. These were the only two regular and legal Supreme Council of the thirty-third and last degree among "colored Masons" in the United States, that is with the right and authority to confer the several degrees and establish bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

FACT: The first Scottish Rite organization among colored Masons appeared in Philadelphia in 1820 under the title of African Grand Council. It was believe to be derived from the West Indies. King David Supreme Council of Philadelphia was the first body of Prince Hall Masons to assert and proclaim itself a council of the 33°. In 1855 a merger was discussed between the two Supreme Councils, a merger that later took place and African Grand Council came under the Jurisdiction of King David Supreme Council with David Leary as S.G.C. There was a second Supreme Council started in Washington D.C. around 1869 but this is not the Supreme Council that the bogus African American Scottish Rite Grand Lodges can lay claim to. This will be discussed more in my article on the true history of African American Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Grand Lodges in the U.S.

The new authorities and powers secured by the merger helped Modern Free strengthen its effectiveness and increase its membership. Two additional Grand Lodges and additional Grand Chapter were established in 1955 in Georgia; Joppa Temple, the Ill. W. R. Waters, Grand Master, Luxor Temple the Ill. Miles B. Austin, Grand Master, and Electa Grand Chapter, Sis. C. B. Carter, Grand Matron.

The 1960's were the years of change for Modern Free. Growth in national membership continued, the establishment of international lodges and Chapters began, and major changes in Modern Free national leadership occurred. Membership increased when Tennessee was organized in 1962, under the direction of the Ill. Edward Emory and two Grand Chapters were established, Elizabeth Grand Chapter Mississippi, 1962, Sis. Willie Barnes Grand Matron and Morning Star Grand Chapter Florida, 1967, Sis. Florence Jones Grand Matron. Sis. Poole organized the first Junior Courts in 1968: Paal #68, Modernique #67 and Emulators #68. These courts are no longer in service, but at one time Modern Free had 50 Junior Courts in the United States and twelve in the Bahamas.

The government of Fraternal Order, underwent what was in 1967, a drastic change as the first Eastern Stars were placed on the Supreme Grand Council. Sis. Pole and other members had worked diligently to implement this change.

Other significant changes in Modern Free's National leadership occurred in 1967. The Ill. Jerry Baldwin, who had served as Supreme Grand Master, left due to ill health. He died March 23, 1978. In respect of his excellent leadership and service, Modern Free created an expression of appreciation to the member who best exemplifies the spirit and work of Brother Baldwin. The Modern Free Headquarters building in Columbus, Georgia (Baldwin Hall) has also been dedicated in memory to the first Supreme Grand Master.

After Brother Baldwin's Resignation, the Ill. Frank Wooten was elected Supreme Grand Master in June 1967. During his administration a major membership drive was launched with focal points in Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and the Bahamas.

Reaching the Bahamas, fulfilled part of Modern Free's objective to establish members around the world. In 1969, the Mecca Grand Lodge was established in Nassau , Bahamas with the late Brother L.L. Dean as Grand Master. In 1973 the Heroines of Jordan Grand Chapter was organized with Sis. Annabel Dean, wife of Brother Dean, who became Grand Matron.

Brother Frank Wooten resigned and the Ill. Arthur Ray assumed the office of Supreme Grand Master for a short period. In the early 1970's Modern Free requirements for a national leader who could guide the organization to higher levels of success, brought the Ill. Henry H. Williams to the office of Supreme Grand Master. Brother Williams was elected and installed in office in June 1971.Sis. Poole, the first Supreme Grand Matron died in 1971, and in 1971 another very accomplished Star, Sis. Maragret Belcher, became the Second Supreme Grand Matron.

Under the leadership of Brother Williams Modern Free focused on moving to a higher plane of fraternalism, leadership and economics. Brother Williams who was a builder by profession built more than structures of brick and mortar . He worked assiduously with Modern Free members and leaders to build an organization that would 'Serve the Present Age'.

In the 1970's our motto, "We Serve The Present Age", was fulfilled in the establishment of five additional Grand Lodges and four additional Grand Chapters:
Markham Grand Lodge, Mississippi, 1971
Ill. Hosea Tyler, Grand Master.

B'Natural Grand Lodge, South Carolina, 1976,
Rev. Levan Johnson, Grand Master.
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Progressive Grand Lodge, Illinois, 1977,
Ill. Freddy B. Jones, Grand Master.
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Tombs of Solomon Grand Lodge, Florida, 1973,
Rev. Thomas C. Jones, Grand Master.
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Cornerstone Grand Lodge, New York.
Ruth Grand Chapter, South Carolina, 1976
Sis. Ruth Boyd Grand Matron.
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Crown and Scepter Grand Chapter, North Carolina, 1977
Sis. Josephine Davis, Grand Matron.
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Elizabeth Grand Chapter, Illinois, 1977,
Sis. Shirley Williams, Grand Matron.
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Esther Grand Chapter, New York.

In the 1980's international expansion increased and between 1983 and 1985 two Lodges and three Eastern Star Chapters were organized in Toronto and Ontario, Canada. In addition to Canada, Modern Free international has extended to Germany, West and North Africa, and as far East as Korea.

The current Supreme Grand Master Sov/ILL Gregory McClain 33° was elected June 28, 2003. The other elected officers are: Supreme Deputy Grand Master, Sov/ILL Melvin Cooper, 33°; Supreme Grand Senior Warden, Gr ILL Victor Sanders, 33°; Supreme Grand Junior Warden, Gr ILL. Gene Linton 33°, Supreme Grand Secretary, ILL. Billy Gaddis; Supreme Grand Treasurer, Sov/ILL. Larry Dixon, 33°. Grand Master Sov/ILL Gregory McClain 33° now leads the entire organization World Wide and has major plans for Modem Free going into the next millennium.

Our Mission Statement:

1) Modern Free Masons Inc. shall increase its members and territories.

2) We shall set the order on a stronger economic base providing more benefits for our membership and their offspring.

3) We shall expand the present headquarters into a multi-complex including major convention facilities, meeting rooms and other amenities for our youth and senior citizens.

4) Recognition and respect for Modern Free Inc. by all Masonic bodies and our communities throughout the various countries.

5) We shall establish major educational programs, provide

FACT: As you can see from their history and this article this outfit is as bogus as they come. It was determined by the Courts that they were bogus, had not received a charter to operate as a Grand Lodge from any Grand Lodge in the world and that this said Grand Lodge was nothing more than a Business venture for Baldwin his wife and is immediate cronies.

Just some of the findings of the Court as they relate to Modern Free and Accepted Masons and One J.Baldwin.

I find that the defendant was organized or came into existence about the year 1917, at or near Opelika, Alabama, when a group of from six to eight persons, said to be Master Masons, [**10]met and organized.

I find that the defendant, or its legal predecessor, was granted a charter by a court of competent jurisdiction for the County of Jefferson and State of Alabama on November 17, 1921, and it was named in the application for and the order granting the order 'Free and Accepted Colored Masons of America.'
I find that by an amendment to the charter of the defendant on February 27, 1945, the name of the defendant was changed to 'Supreme Grand Lodge, Modern Free and Accepted Colored Masons of the World'.

I find as a matter of fact, and it was introduced in evidence, an insurance certificate showing that the defendant had been doing business in the State of Georgia since 1924; that they were authorized officially to do business in the State of Georgia by the Secretary of State on October 18, 1950.

I find that in 1924 delegates from a few subordinate lodges in two States (Alabama and Georgia) formed a Supreme Grand Lodge, and that J.B. Baldwin was elected the Supreme Grand Master of the Supreme Grand Lodge, which office he has held continuously and at all times since.

I find that the defendant uses the same ceremonies, rituals, insignia, symbols, [**11]emblems, signs and paraphernalia as use by the plaintiff and the York Masons.

I find that as a matter of practice the defendant recognized the plaintiff as being legally constituted and lawfully existing, and its individual members as being legitimate Masons. It also recognizes the legality of the organization and the existence of the York Masons, and recognizes its members as being legal Masons.

I find that neither the plaintiff nor the York Masons recognized the defendant as being legally organized and constituted, because it has no writ, warrant or charter from a superior legally existing body.

I find that the plaintiff is very antagonistic towards the defendant and evidences an uncompromising attitude, but, on the other hand, I find that the York Masons are friendly towards the defendant, and that conferences between the high officials have been had and negotiations commenced looking towards the consolidation of the two or the taking over of the defendant by the 'York' Masonic group.

I find that the defendant has since about the year 1918 been almost if not completely dominated and controlled by J. B. Baldwin, its Supreme Grand Master of its Supreme [**12]Grand Lodge.

I find that the Supreme Grand Master appoints the Deputy Supreme Grand Masters, and that they are under his direct control and supervision.

I find that the interest of the defendant is pretty largely that of insurance or burial aid; that ninety-eight per cent of its members carry one or the other; that the Supreme Grand Officials receive their compensation, which is quite remunerative, [*320]from that feature of the organization, and that they have recently increased the amount of insurance permissible up to $500, effective September 1, 1951.

I find that during the regime of J. B. Baldwin as Supreme Grand Master of the Supreme Grand Lodge he has dealt in the undertaking business, the casket business, and other side enterprises in aid of the burial and insurance features of the defendant, which inured to the enjoyment and enrichment of the Supreme Grand Master.

I find that according to the evidence of the defendant it has approximately 2,200 members in Georgia and approximately 10,000 in other States, and that ninety-eight per cent of the members carry either burial benefits up to $100 or endowment benefits up to $300. They only have on hand [**13]the sum of approximately $7,000 in cash, equity in buildings worth $6,000 or $7,000, and mortgages and security deeds of approximately $8,000, some not signed, others improperly executed, and in all of which J. B. Baldwin is the grantee.

I find that the defendant does not have or carry any bank account or any bank deposit, but that the treasurer handles the funds in cash and keeps them in currency in a box about the house, or elsewhere.

I find that the treasurer and all the officers handling money, except the Supreme Grand Master, are under bond with the Maryland Casualty Company, but the funds of the defendant have been lost on two or three occasions, and some of its records have likewise been lost or misplaced.

I find that when a member of the defendant dies, entitled either to endowment insurance or burial benefits, the beneficiary or party entitled thereto is immediately paid by check drawn on the personal account of J. B. Baldwin, and he is subsequently reimbursed in cash by the Supreme Grand Treasurer.

I find that the defendant's use of the words 'Free and Accepted' is an infringement on the real name or trade name of the plaintiff and is such a colorable [**14]imitation thereof that the general public, in the exercise of ordinary care, might think or be led to believe that it is the name of the plaintiff, who had the first and prior right to the use of the name.

I find as a matter of fact that the use of the words 'Free and Accepted' by the defendant is a fraud against the plaintiff, who is entitled to the use of those words, and that the dominant, controlling master mind of the defendant, J. B. Baldwin, intended to create the impression in the minds of the public that he and his group were the ancient and original 'Free and Accepted' Masons, which they are not.

I find that the adoption by the defendant of the words 'Free and Accepted', which are the distinctive features of the plaintiff, was done by the defendant with the intent to deceive and defraud the public and reap the benefits of plaintiff's good will, to the injury and damage of the plaintiff, and to the confusion of the public.

I find, according to Masonic jurisprudence, that the defendant was not regularly and lawfully organized, since it never had any charter, writ, or warrant of authority from any superior body.

I find that because of the manner of its organization, [**15]the manner of its existence, the fact that it is largely a one-man institution, the fact that it is apparently more interested in the insurance feature than in the fraternal and benevolent features, because they were to give a candidate three degrees in one night, that the defendant is not authentic, that it is from a purely Masonic point of view spurious and illegitimate, and that it has no right to use the words 'Free and Accepted' in its Masonic name.

The history of the Symbolism of Freemasonry the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and the Royal order of Scotland by William R. Singleton volume 7.The Scottish Rite in the Prince Hall Fraternity by Harry E. Davis published the Masonic Craftsman of November and December 1942.