![]() It may infuriate you, or make you question your membership within the Masonic community. What you’re about to read will surprise you. Prince Hall died in 1807, and the three African Lodges got together to form a Grand Lodge, which they renamed Prince Hall Grand Lodge, in his honor.ĭedication of the Prince Hall Masons Monument at Cambridge Massachusetts, September 13, 2008 If only they knew how long it would take. A few Grand Masters were sympathetic, but knew it would be a long time before recognition (that could hopefully lead to integration) would occur. Despite their popularity and growth, the majority of Masons refused to recognize members of the African Lodges, even though they had received a charter from UGLE, and therefore were entitled to all Masonic rights, such as visitation to other Lodges. In March of 1797, another African Lodge was formed in Philadelphia, and in June of that same year, another in Rhode Island. The African Lodges grew quickly in the area, so much so that Prince Hall had been named Provincial Grand Master for the African Lodges. This was the first, officially recognized, all black Lodge in America. By some miracle, they granted it, and African Lodge No. They were, however, unable to create a charter, so they contacted UGLE for one. ![]() When the soldiers moved on, the black men decided to form their own Lodge, called African Lodge No.1, and Prince Hall was named the Grand Master. In 1782, the Lodge became attached to a military unit made up of British soldiers stationed in Boston. Just so you have an idea of when this was happening, Parliament had declared Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion that February, and the beginnings of the Revolutionary War took place that April. The fifteen men were approved to join, and received their degree on March 6, 1775. They persevered however, and turned to Lodge #441, which was a member of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. John’s Lodge in Boston, Massachusetts along with fourteen other men, seeking admittance to the order. Sometime before the beginning of the Revolutionary War, a black, freeborn man named Prince Hall approached St. John’s day, and give funeral rites, they could not preform degrees, or any other essential functions of a Lodge. What’s more, while black Masons could meet as a Lodge, join the processions on St. However, if they had to go to a segregated jurisdiction, they would often not be recognized. When I have to accept Negroes as brothers or leave Masonry, I shall leave it.” There were some black Masons at this time, usually from non-segregated jurisdictions. I took my obligations to white men, not to Negroes. To give you an idea what it was like at that time, Albert Pike was quoted stating, “”I am not inclined to mettle in the matter. Now, that last requirement is really not such a big deal now days, where the point is kind of glossed over and assumed but you bet it was a big deal in the 1740’s when Lodges were popping up all over the colonies. However, the ritual also states that they must be a man, of lawful age, and freeborn, meaning no one who is a slave or was once a slave can become a Mason. Now, who can be made a Mason? Ritual states that an idiot, a madman, or a fool cannot be made a Mason, for fairly obvious reasons. So, as you can imagine, the people forming Lodges in the American colonies were all white landowners, many of whom owned slaved and all of whom lit their house by candle. The US was not its own country at this point, as the Revolutionary War didn’t occur until 1775, slavery wasn’t abolished until 1865, and electricity didn’t enter homes until 1882. ![]() UGLE was formed in 1717, and freemasonry began in the United States around 1740. ![]() Have you ever noticed this yourself? Do you know why this is the case? The reason may astound you, especially in this day and age. What gives?” Knowing that this would take a bit of an explanation, I told them I would have to explain on the ride home. He seemed to enjoy himself, but at one point in time, he kind of paused, glanced around the room, and leaned in to whisper to me, “Everyone in this room is white. I recently attended a large public Masonic event with a friend who is not in the Masonic community at all.
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