tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62244002903514339472024-03-05T07:02:55.162-08:00The Quill and the SwordAs a researcher and historian, I am documenting my travels and Masonic experiences as a educational and expression of a Masonic worldview. Topics will cover a wide range of Masonic issues, and even world and social issues through Masonic eyes.
Some of my research papers will be published here as well.The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-52898589570739687972019-04-18T10:10:00.003-07:002019-04-18T11:34:14.562-07:001779 Rules and Regulations of African Lodge No. 1 Continue to Uncover Details of the Lodge's Start<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">1779 General Regulations of African Lodge</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">In light of the <i>Examination of the White Paper</i>, which offered a response to the paper published and presented to the Conference of Grand Masters (PHA) by the special historical committee of the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Landmarks of our Fathers continues to be solidified in its position of a later initiation and start for African Lodge No. 1 via the records of the Lodge itself.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">This time support come from the 1779 General Regulations of African Lodge No. 1. These General Regulations are dated January 14, 1779. The regulations are affixed with a list of members separated by <i>Masters</i>, <i>Craftes</i> and <i>Intered a Prentices.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Back of the 1779 General Regulations</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">It is our position that the General Regulations were drawn up January 14th, 1779 and were actually submitted to the Grand Lodge of England by Prince Hall after the reception of the Charter. This is concluded by several features of the back of the General Regulations.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">The short note following the list of names, begins:<br /><br />"These are a true list of the loving members of African Lodge AT PRESENT..."<br /><br />According to all narratives, there is no mention of Prince Hall writing to the Grand Lodge of England in the year 1779. This date immediately after the list of General Regulations would represent the date on which the Regulations were drawn up by African Lodge No. 1.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Considering the fact that African Lodge did not begin correspondence with the Grand Lodge of England until after the granting of the Charter. The first letter written directly to the Grand Lodge of England is dated Sept. 22, 1785, from Prince Hall to Henry Frederick, Grand Master of Masons. I would confidently state that the above Regulations were sent to the Grand Lodge of England after Sept. 22, 1785.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Another clue to a later dating of the short note by the hand of Prince Hall is found within the note itself:<br /><br />"These are a true list of the loving members of the African Lodge at present, thou[gh] there is a number absent at this time: We shall collect for the [pound?] of Cherrety the Next Quartly meeting and send it the first opertunity we can get afterwerds</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">after Whishing His Royal Highnes Our Nobel Grand and the Grand Lodge all Happiness Hear and hearafter I humbley Beg leve to subscribe myself your humble servant Br. Prince Hall"</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">The declaration of collecting for Charity provides us insight into the dating. So, it is clear that the General Regulations drawn up by African Lodge No. 1, dated January 14, 1779, were submitted to the Grand Lodge of England after September 22, 1785.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">The reason this must be established first, is to get a date of the members list provided by Prince Hall, because he stated that the list represented the names of the members at PRESENT (at least 1785). The list is as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Cyrus Forbes</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Thomas Sanderson</b> SW</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Brister Slenzer</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Prince Taylor</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Boston Smith</b> JW</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Fortain Howard</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>John Carter</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">John Means</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Cato Underwood St [secretary]</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Jube Hill Tr [treasurer]</span></div>
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William Gorge Gregrey</div>
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Gorge Medelton SD</div>
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Boston Fadey</div>
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John Brown JD</div>
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Pritcherd Pollard Mershel [Marshall]</div>
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Ceser Speer PM</div>
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Prince Spooner</div>
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John Hopte</div>
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<b><u>Craftes</u></b></div>
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Ceser Fleet</div>
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Sipco Dalton clerk</div>
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Cear Cambel</div>
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Pompey Eades Tiler</div>
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<b><u>Intered a Prentices</u></b></div>
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<b>Cuff Bufform</b></div>
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Pommenes Speer</div>
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Phiplep Boston</div>
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Seazer Speer</div>
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Cato Rusel</div>
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Forday Cudmerch</div>
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John Bown</div>
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Sipeo Lard</div>
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Bristol Merrandy</div>
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James Smeeth</div>
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James Hawkins</div>
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Please note the names in bold. These are those who were the first to be initiated March 6, 1778 by John Batt. Including Prince Hall, we find that only 9 of the <i>Immortal 15</i> remain members of the Lodge at the date of the writing. The missing 6 names are as follows:<br />
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Cato Speer<br />
Peter Best (deceased)</div>
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Prince Reed (expelled)</div>
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Peter Freeman (deceased)</div>
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Benjamin Tiler</div>
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Richard Tilley</div>
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What is even more interesting is the name CUFF BUFFORM, whom we recognize as one of the Immortal 15, but is listed as an Intered Aprentice [Entered Apprentice]. If we can conclude that the dating of Prince Hall's short note was after Sept. 22, 1785, and that Prince Hall stated that the list was the listing of the members AT PRESENT, it would mean that Cuff Bufform was still an Intered Apprentice in 1785.</div>
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According to the traditional narrative all of the Immortal 15 were raised as MMs together on March 6, 1775. We at least know that they couldn't have been raised as MMs on March 6, 1775, because at least ONE of the Immortal 15 was still an Entered Apprentice in 1785.</div>
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Lastly, the 1779 General Regulations supports a March 6, 1778 initiation of the Immortal 15 because they fit into the timeline perfectly.</div>
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March 6, 1778 John Batt initiates the first 15 members of African Lodge No. 1<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxokkCMPb0U/XLioNYVMO7I/AAAAAAAAaRE/lhPToa-YV1873aF7xdfKDMQP8RAUHglRgCLcBGAs/s1600/March%2B6%2B1778%2Binitiation%2Breceipt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxokkCMPb0U/XLioNYVMO7I/AAAAAAAAaRE/lhPToa-YV1873aF7xdfKDMQP8RAUHglRgCLcBGAs/s400/March%2B6%2B1778%2Binitiation%2Breceipt.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Listing of Immortal 15, dating March 6, 177(8?)</span><br />
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Here is another document from the African Lodge archive with the definitive date of March 6, 1778.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPcMHZjhYz_SfrpN8YTYA1AwjOAwozR6Bbz-DRUEDQh4zIWT8ek1sdirMYGjw1GvNjEvLKQ9SmjTeia1OIpONzv35IG6_5sQXi9z2cqEd8YB6IF50oDjTBpQFUU7FlaQUZAG5o_6vpMb9/s1600/March+6%252C+1778+Registry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPcMHZjhYz_SfrpN8YTYA1AwjOAwozR6Bbz-DRUEDQh4zIWT8ek1sdirMYGjw1GvNjEvLKQ9SmjTeia1OIpONzv35IG6_5sQXi9z2cqEd8YB6IF50oDjTBpQFUU7FlaQUZAG5o_6vpMb9/s400/March+6%252C+1778+Registry.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Registry dated March 6, 1778</span></td></tr>
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John Batt is listed as Grand Master [Worshipful Master]. It is my position that on March 6, 1778, John Batt also raised Prince Hall and Thomas Sanderson as Master Masons. This would explain why there is no month and day by their raising date, because the top of the document would be their Month and Day. John Batt, Prince Hall and Thomas Sanderson would be 3 Master Masons, which is the number needed to open a Lodge for "business".</div>
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John Batt deserts the Continental Army June 10, 1778.</div>
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Prince Hall takes over as Grand Master [Worshipful Master], and we find the first documented work of Prince Hall, December 29, 1778, when he initiates Lancaster Hill [his close associate] as an Entered Apprentice.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">December 29, 1778 Prince Hall initiates Lancaster Hill</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">And then we find the drawing up of the General Regulations January 14, 1779, sixteen days later.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">It would seem plausible to expect that if the Lodge had been functioning since 1776, and that they were raised in a Military Lodge, that African Lodge would have in their possession, in 1785, a copy of their records of any kind with a date of March 6, 1775 or 1776, which would provide some proof of a Lodge or membership of Masons in 1775 and 1776. The oldest by laws for African Lodge are dated after 1778, fitting in the timeline that would support the date on the Registry which is March 6, 1778.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">For a copy of Landmarks of our Father:</span><br /><a href="https://app.thebookpatch.com/BookStore/landmarks-of-our-fathers-a-critical-analysis-of-the-start-and-origin-of-african-lodge-no-1/a103f60f-9aa7-4f68-8af2-7bf8e8788b50?isbn=9780692683965" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">Click here to order</a></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">For a copy of Examination of the White Paper:<br /><a href="https://app.thebookpatch.com/BookStore/examination-of-the-white-paper-politics-in-masonic-research/eb68def4-b80a-4a32-bcbc-37d0cbf1cc55?isbn=9780692683965" target="_blank">Click Here to Order</a></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Visit the Landmarks of our Fathers Website:<br /><a href="http://landmarksofourfathers.com/" target="_blank">http://landmarksofourfathers.com/</a></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Visit our Official The Quill and The Sword Facebook Page:<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheQuillAndTheSword/?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/TheQuillAndTheSword/?ref=bookmarks</a></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Visit the Landmarks of our Fathers Facebook Page:<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/landmarks1778/?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/landmarks1778/?ref=bookmarks</a><br /><br /><br />Join the Landmarks of our Fathers Facebook Discussion Group:<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531601767147195/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531601767147195/</a></span></h3>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-48351720812494152192018-04-07T17:16:00.000-07:002018-04-07T19:04:06.909-07:00Clearing Up More Belcherism: United Grand Lodge of New York and their status with the National Grand Lodge<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Background</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Having recently engaged in a discussion that I was tagged in, by Mr. Belcher, I have decided to go into detail regarding my position on the United Grand Lodge of New York. Mr. Belcher is the "grand proponent" of the doctine of "continued existence". This doctrine is rooted and founded on the belief that the Prince Hall Origin group (or as he has deemed it, the OTHER PRINCE HALL MASONS) are a direct descendant and continued lineage of the original National Grand Lodge. The preponderance of evidence and available documentation would not support a "continued existence" theory promoted by PHO hardliners and sympathizers. This writer is in the process of writing a full examination and rebuttal to the "continued existence" theory in the very near future. For now, I would like to layout a prime example of how the main voice of this theory has the inability to present an accurate interpretation of documentation, as well as his propensity to empower his revisionist tactics with bad data.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><u>Primary vs Seconday sources</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">In the course of the discussion with Mr. Belcher, he posted the following document, as a source to support his position that the United Grand Lodge of New York was a member Grand Lodge to the National Compact:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Posted by Mr. Belcher 4/4/2018 "The Other Prince Hall masons FB Group</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Transcription of the article:<br /><br />"Notice To All Whom It May Concern.--The United Grand Lodge of the State of New York, has this day resigned all connection with the so-called National Grand Lodge, now holding its session in Philadelphia, of Free and Accepted Colored Masons.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">In behalf of the United Grand Lodge of the State of New York, </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Jacob R. Gibbs, R.W.D.G.M."<br /><br />The above document was published in 1849. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">As a supporting document, Mr. Belcher posted the following:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>posted by Mr. Belcher 4/4/2018 (Other Prince Hall masons FB group)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">The above article, published in 1848, shows that the United Grand Lodge of the State of New York participated in a parade with other Masons of the National Grand Lodge, which was hosted by the United Grand Lodge of New York.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">On its face, I could understand how one could erroneously believe that the documents prove undoubtedly, that the United Grand Lodge of New York was part of the National Grand Lodge. We have an article that says that they RESIGN ALL CONNECTION, and an article with a parade, led by the United Grand Lodge of New York, in New York. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">What Mr. Belcher failed to comprehend, with his presentation of the documentation, is that he failed to present the primary source, which would have definitively provided the answer to the question.<br /><br />What is a Primary Source?</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /><span style="color: red;"><b>Primary Sources</b></span></span></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>are immediate, first-hand accounts of a topic, from people who had a direct connection with it.</b> Primary sources can include:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Texts of laws and other original documents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Newspaper reports, by reporters who witnessed an event or who quote people who did.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Speeches, diaries, letters and interviews - what the people involved said or wrote.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Original research.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Datasets, survey data, such as census or economic statistics.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Photographs, video, or audio that capture an event.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mr. Belcher seemed to be suffering from "selective reasoning" during the disucussion. He stated that a document issued by the United Grand Lodge of New York, in 1849, which was published in the 1855 publication, <i>Lux Et Veritas</i>, was not a primary document. The publication, Lux Et, Veritas, staring on page 8, published a circular, issued by the United Grand Lodge of New York.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will post the circular in whole hereafter:</span></div>
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The above page gives us who issued this particular circular, none other that the United Grand Lodge for the State of New York. It was issued to the Grand Lodges (colored) who remained Independent. So, we have a primary document, based on the fact that it was indeed issued by the United Grand Lodge of New York itself. This was not an interpretation of a document from the United Grand Lodge of New York, but rather, the publishing of the actual document by Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware, as it was sent to them from the issuing body.</div>
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Page 9 provides the reasoning behind the decision of the United Grand Lodge of New York to resign any connection to the National Grand Lodge. We will get into the timeline a little later. It is the last paragraph that will begin to bring light to the question of their status with the National Grand Lodge. They stated that on June 26, 1849, that the National Grand Lodge ATTEMPTED to expel them.</div>
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On this page it states that the United Grand Lodge of New York intended to DEFINE [their] POSITIONS.</div>
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On this page, we find the United Grand Lodge was "formed in a LEGAL and CONSTITUTIONAL MANNER, and HOLDS THE SOLE AND UNINTERRUPTED JURISDICTION" in the State of New York. This is important, because they are declaring that they were never subordinate to masonic body, including the National Grand Lodge. The last paragraph begins the events that led to the formation of the National Grabnd Lodge.</div>
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The United Grand Lodge on this page begin to lay out the events of the formation of the National Grand Lodge. Boyer Lodge, one of the founding Lodges of the united Grand Lodge of New York, did send a delegation to the formation of the NGL. What MUST be noted is that according to events, the only parties to the signing of the Articles of Union (1847), were Grand Lodges. Thus, Boyer Lodge was not privy to the signing, because they were not a Grand Lodge. The first National Compact, which the Articles of Union represent was between the three Grand Lodges that then existed in 1847:<br /><br />Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts<br />First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania<br />Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania<br /><br />Boyer Lodge was NOT a part of the Compact at all. They did not meet the basic quaification of being a Grand Lodge.</div>
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Pg. 23 National Masonic Union, Woodlin (1855)</div>
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Now, this page tells us why we see United Grand Lodge still dealing with the Grand Lodges that comprised the National Grand Lodge, although they, themselves were not members. They stated that because of the situations in New York, they overlooked some of the issues that they had with the formation of the National Grand Lodge, and wanted to see where the Union went.</div>
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The United Grand Lodge of New York declred that there was some indignities perpetrated against them by the National Grand Lodge. The NGL, being led by John T. Hilton, as National Grand Master, having a long standing beef with Boyer Lodge, sheds light on the veracity of their claim. John T. Hilton was directly involved with all of the issues between African Lodge No. 459 and Boyer Lodge, when attempting to issue the former a charter that was rejected by Boyer. In 1845, we find Hilton stating to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, when questioned regarding their relationship to Boyer Lodge, that they had no dealings with Boyer. The fact, that after the formation of the Grand Lodge in New York, they did not immediately take a warrant from the National Grand Lodge could also be a source of the indignities. In the page above, the United Grand Lodge of New York stated that they held their decision to join the Compact in ABEYANCE (or they tabled their decision until the next Annual Communication). They were not a member of the National Compact in 1848, this by their own words.</div>
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And we find that the report/circular was reported to the Grand Lodge on July 26, 1849, and adopted by the Grand Lodge, at a Special Communication July 30, 1849. With this primary document, being the words of the United Grand Lodge of New York itself, being a statement to the Grand Lodges, we can conclude definitively, that the United Grand Lodge of New York was NOT party to the National Compact. Boyer Lodge was not party to the National Compact as well.</div>
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<u>Timeline</u></div>
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Now we can put the timeline in place with all the documentation being viewed:<br /><br />1826 Boyer Lodge, already being a Lodge, petitioned African Lodge No. 459 for an INDEPENDENT WARRANT, which would make them independent of the jurisdiction of any Grand Lodge or Lodge in the world.<br /><br />Charter was denied initially, because it was a facsimile of the charter issued to African Lodge No. 459 by the Grand Lodge of England. Boyer demands an Independent chrter.<br /><br />1827 African Lodge No. 459 declares independence from the 1784 Charter, and assumes the power of a Grand Lodge.<br /><br />They then attempted to reissue an independent Charter to Boyer Lodge.<br /><br />1846 John T. Hilton sends out the invitation to all the existing Masonic bodies (colored) to go into Convention.<br /><br />1847 Masonic Convention, attended by African Grand Lodge of Mass, First Independent African Grand Lodge of Penn., Hiram Grand Lodge of Penn., and Boyer Lodge (Boyer not a Grand Lodge, and not subordinate to any of the Grand Lodges present). Boyer not included in the Articles of Union.<br /><br />1848 Boyer and three other Lodges in New York for United Grand Lodge for the State of New York.<br /><br />Note: According to the Articles of Union, a Grand Lodge had to make application to the National Grand Lodge for a warrant, and receive that warrant to become a party to the National Compact. The United Grand Lodge of New York does not make application to the National Grand Lodge after formation, but held their decision in suspension until the 1849 Annual Communication.<br /><br />United Grand Lodge of New York hosts the parade with the NGL in 1848, in New York, presenting themselves as a new Grand Lodge. There was no reception or application for warrant at this time.<br /><br />1849 Report from the Committee on Correspondence delivered to the Grand Lodge. United Grand Lodge of New York holds Special Communication to decide on membership in the NGL. Grand Lodge adopts the report from July 26, 1849, resigning to have any connection to the National Grand Lodge.</div>
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With the inability of Mr. Belcher to provide any document that would show the application, warranting, or even the installation of Grand Lodge officers by the National Grand Lodge; as well as the report/circular published to all independent Grand Lodges (colored), in which, they declared to have never been a part of the Compact, we have a conclusive timeline and evidence that we must again, clear up the Blecherism that is being promoted regardin the staus of the United Grabnd Lodge of New York with the NGL.</div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-85464972441386480242016-09-14T09:05:00.001-07:002016-09-14T09:06:23.899-07:00Re-Print of READING OF THE MINUTES: REEVALUATING THE FORMATION OF FIRST INDEPENDENT AFRICAN LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am reposting this article that was published in the last issue of the Phylaxis Magazine. Many may not have access to the Magazine, but I wanted to give them the opportunity to get the information. This article can also be found on the Phylaxis website:<br /><a href="http://thephylaxissociety.com/index.php/our-magazine/published-manuscripts/111-the-reading-of-the-minutes-masterpiece">http://thephylaxissociety.com/index.php/our-magazine/published-manuscripts/111-the-reading-of-the-minutes-masterpiece</a><br /><br />I am embedding the pdf directly from the website.<br /><br />Visit the Quill and The Sword Facebook page:<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheQuillAndTheSword/?ref=bookmarks">https://www.facebook.com/TheQuillAndTheSword/?ref=bookmarks</a><br /><br />Visit the Landmarks of our Fathers website:<br /><a href="http://landmarksofourfathers.com/">http://landmarksofourfathers.com/</a><br /><br />Join the Discussion:<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531601767147195/?ref=bookmarks">https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531601767147195/?ref=bookmarks</a><br /><br />Like the Page:<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/landmarks1778/">https://www.facebook.com/landmarks1778/</a><br /><br />Buy the Book:<br /><a href="http://landmarksofourfathers.com/Order">http://landmarksofourfathers.com/Order</a><br /><br />Click the square with the arrow to view full screen:</span><br />
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<iframe height="480" src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwkxQhdYcooEU3drX1RCaDBYOU0/preview" width="640"></iframe>The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-87579152789700303912016-09-01T18:10:00.001-07:002016-09-01T18:56:02.001-07:00Beware of Scheming Allegede Masons Peddling a Government Grant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you been receiving solicitations to apply for a federal grant from certain Facebook profiles of alleged members of the Masonic family?<br /><br />Is the name of the new program, The Federal Government Empowerment program?<br /><br />After receiving three solicitations from three profiles that appeared to be Master Masons, I decided to do some investigating. Being a certified Grant Writer and Consultant and operating a Nonprofit Services company, I had never heard of the program or the grant.<br /><br />Whenever the Federal Government decides to allocate funds via grants, there will be an RFP or Request for Proposal sent out to various State agencies for listing or they will list them on their own website, <a href="http://grants.gov/">grants.gov</a>. Never will the Federal Government do third party solicitations for any of their RFPs.<br /><br />I found out that the group is working through a website:<br /><a href="http://governmentgrant.com/">http://governmentgrant.com/</a><br /><br />The issue arises when one visits the website and find this as a disclaimer:</span><br /><br />"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.3px; text-align: justify;">Please note that GOVERNMENTGRANT.COM a <b>private website</b> and <b>is not associated with the U.S. government or any agency or department thereof. U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information</b>. GOVERNMENTGRANT.COM is a private advertising portal for third parties who advertise financial and grant related information. We may receive a commission or other remuneration from these third parties. <b>Government grants may be obtained directly from the United States government and departments thereof, for free, without professional assistance at </b></span><a href="http://www.grants.gov/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 14.3px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>www.grants.gov</b></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.3px; text-align: justify;"><b>, </b>however qualification and other eligibility requirements may be required. This site is for general information purposes only and you should consult with a professional advisor or government official prior to applying for any financial assistance or government grants of any kind."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.3px; text-align: justify;">Source: </span><span style="line-height: 14.3px;"><a href="http://governmentgrant.com/">http://governmentgrant.com/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 14.3px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 14.3px;">The "agents" doing the solicitations actually state that they are connected to the <i>Community of Federal Domestic Assistance</i>, which is another mistake, because that agency has a website:</span><br /><span style="line-height: 14.3px;"><a href="https://www.cfda.gov/">https://www.cfda.gov/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The website has a disclaimer regarding "Unsolicited Contact". Their policy states:</span><br /><br />"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15.4351px;"><b>What should I do if I receive unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be a CFDA representative?</b></span></span></div>
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<dd style="background-color: white; margin-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><div style="line-height: 15.4351px; margin-bottom: 1.25em;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) program does not use social media or contact individuals by phone to solicit, review, or make awards.</b> Additionally, no government staff will call or message you requesting money in order to be eligible for an award. Please report any information and documentation that you have related to this incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) (<a href="http://www.ic3.gov/">www.ic3.gov</a>) and your local law enforcement authorities."<br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the solicitation used by one profile:</span></span></div>
<ul class="uiList _2ne _4kg" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.08px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="context:mid.1465529784447:e907940509df34f168" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">It is, thanks for asking...Same extended...</span></span></div>
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<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Where do you hail from?</span></span></div>
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<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012456456935" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="Grady Cherry" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/13434791_108639129561302_1512567352392409146_n.jpg?oh=a1209dddacf3621e51a288d3bdc0d315&oe=5849B50C" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1465529983.036" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="June 9">6/9, 8:39pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100012456456935&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012456456935" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">Grady Cherry</span></a></strong><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Good I've try to reach you but couldn't get through you. I have something to share with you</span></span></div>
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<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="John Hairston" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/11178319_479653992191201_7758191115855413838_n.jpg?oh=8c1c689cec4224d62e9f6b9d24143de1&oe=588340E7" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
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<div class="rfloat _ohf" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1465530013.213" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="June 9">6/9, 8:40pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Sure...</span></span></div>
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<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012456456935" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="Grady Cherry" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/13434791_108639129561302_1512567352392409146_n.jpg?oh=a1209dddacf3621e51a288d3bdc0d315&oe=5849B50C" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="rfloat _ohf" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1465530038.312" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="June 9">6/9, 8:40pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100012456456935&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012456456935" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">Grady Cherry</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">I was just wondering if you heard anything about CFDA (COMMUNITY FINANCIAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE)grants</span></span></div>
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<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="John Hairston" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/11178319_479653992191201_7758191115855413838_n.jpg?oh=8c1c689cec4224d62e9f6b9d24143de1&oe=588340E7" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1465530059.217" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="June 9">6/9, 8:40pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">No...</span></span></div>
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<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012456456935" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="Grady Cherry" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/13434791_108639129561302_1512567352392409146_n.jpg?oh=a1209dddacf3621e51a288d3bdc0d315&oe=5849B50C" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1465530112.626" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="June 9">6/9, 8:41pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100012456456935&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012456456935" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">Grady Cherry</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">It's a new program from federal government to encourage the empowerment of human right and poverty reduction. They help and support people who are interested in receiving fund for their business and personal use. Are you sure you have not hear about this yet?</span></span></div>
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<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="context:mid.1465530141455:20a71c990bb8a35807" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="John Hairston" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/11178319_479653992191201_7758191115855413838_n.jpg?oh=8c1c689cec4224d62e9f6b9d24143de1&oe=588340E7" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="rfloat _ohf" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1465530141.618" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="June 9">6/9, 8:42pm</abbr></span><br />
<div class="_3a" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">No, but I will do some research on it...</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
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<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq" style="font-family: inherit;">
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</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="context:mid.1465530433665:dff83586edd3fe7c49" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012456456935" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="Grady Cherry" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/13434791_108639129561302_1512567352392409146_n.jpg?oh=a1209dddacf3621e51a288d3bdc0d315&oe=5849B50C" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="rfloat _ohf" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1465530433.671" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="June 9">6/9, 8:47pm</abbr></span><br />
<div class="_3a" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100012456456935&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012456456935" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">Grady Cherry</span></a></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="_53" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Four people that i know got a grant and there tax refund from the federal government,and I also personally got it too,I am so happy I got $70,000,00USD in cash from the federal government</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
</div>
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</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After explaining who I was and what I knew, the profile blocked me from being able to further expose the scheme. The same with this profile:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.08px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1472133374221:021bb77a6c83d9f484" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<img alt="Frank Alston" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14055190_104206170034168_8723669246662843613_n.jpg?oh=d1e7b4deba33f6fe76fa71642ec0aee8&oe=583A1D89" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="rfloat _ohf" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="js_28" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472133374.322" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 6:56am</abbr></span><br />
<div class="_3a" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Frank Alston</span></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="_53" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Hi, how are you doing today ?</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq" style="font-family: inherit;">
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</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1472135687981:2fe6f986446bb5d908" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="John Hairston" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/11178319_479653992191201_7758191115855413838_n.jpg?oh=8c1c689cec4224d62e9f6b9d24143de1&oe=588340E7" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="rfloat _ohf" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472135688.02" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:34am</abbr></span><br />
<div class="_3a" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="_53" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">I am good, You?</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq" style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1472136609799:0ef4b3b396e0c9d276" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<img alt="Frank Alston" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14055190_104206170034168_8723669246662843613_n.jpg?oh=d1e7b4deba33f6fe76fa71642ec0aee8&oe=583A1D89" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="rfloat _ohf" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472136609.811" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:50am</abbr></span><br />
<div class="_3a" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Frank Alston</span></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="_53" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">I'm doing pretty good, hope you are good over there?</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq" style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1472136619764:e1ae0d0ec9384d1712" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="John Hairston" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/11178319_479653992191201_7758191115855413838_n.jpg?oh=8c1c689cec4224d62e9f6b9d24143de1&oe=588340E7" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="rfloat _ohf" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472136619.785" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:50am</abbr></span><br />
<div class="_3a" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="_53" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">No doubt...</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq" style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1472136641681:8fbf5d87d9c9c5cc51" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_2w7 _8o _8t lfloat _ohe" style="float: left; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 1px;">
<img alt="Frank Alston" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14055190_104206170034168_8723669246662843613_n.jpg?oh=d1e7b4deba33f6fe76fa71642ec0aee8&oe=583A1D89" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
<div class="clearfix _42ef" style="font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<div class="rfloat _ohf" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472136641.691" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:50am</abbr></span><br />
<div class="_3a" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: right;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Frank Alston</span></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="_53" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">That's good to hear , how is your family been ?</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_sq" style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="webMessengerMessageGroup clearfix" id="wm:mid.1472136666242:b58d2ebbe054780a80" style="border-width: 1px 0px 0px; padding: 8px 20px 7px; position: relative; zoom: 1;"><div class="clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="js_29" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472136666.266" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:51am</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Been good...Yours?</span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<img alt="Frank Alston" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14055190_104206170034168_8723669246662843613_n.jpg?oh=d1e7b4deba33f6fe76fa71642ec0aee8&oe=583A1D89" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="js_26" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472136754.132" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:52am</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Frank Alston</span></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">I'm good and very happy did i tell you that i won money from new federal government empowerment program?</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
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<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="John Hairston" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/11178319_479653992191201_7758191115855413838_n.jpg?oh=8c1c689cec4224d62e9f6b9d24143de1&oe=588340E7" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472136867.461" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:54am</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">I have already had the program presented to me by two other Brothers.</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<img alt="Frank Alston" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14055190_104206170034168_8723669246662843613_n.jpg?oh=d1e7b4deba33f6fe76fa71642ec0aee8&oe=583A1D89" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472136970.026" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:56am</abbr></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Frank Alston</span></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Really ?</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Tell me more about it then</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<ul aria-atomic="false" aria-live="polite" aria-relevant="additions" class="uiList _2ne _4kg" id="webMessengerRecentMessages" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.08px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="John Hairston" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/11178319_479653992191201_7758191115855413838_n.jpg?oh=8c1c689cec4224d62e9f6b9d24143de1&oe=588340E7" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="js_2e" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472137036.438" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:57am</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="_53" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">CFDA (COMMUNITY FINANCIAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE)grants</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">It's a new program from federal government to encourage the empowerment of human right and poverty reduction. They help and support people who are interested in receiving fund for their business and personal use.</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Trust me, I have been presented with the program...</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<img alt="Frank Alston" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14055190_104206170034168_8723669246662843613_n.jpg?oh=d1e7b4deba33f6fe76fa71642ec0aee8&oe=583A1D89" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472137135.705" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 7:58am</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Frank Alston</span></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="_53" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Wow! so have you gotten your prize from them</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">?</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="_sq" style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">No, I haven't applied.
I am a certified Grant Writer and Consultant...The program is not everything that they say it is...Trust me...</span></span></div>
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For example...If there was a grant for that type of program, Grants.gov would have it listed on their site. As a Grant Writer and Consultant, I have access to RFPs that the common citizen has no clue of...I am registered with Puget Sound Grant Writer's Association....</div>
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Now, give me the link to the program you are talking about...</div>
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="_553k" href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.grants.gov%2Fweb%2Fgrants%2Flearn-grants%2Fgrant-fraud%2Fgrant-scam-fraud-alerts.html&h=pAQGLCs4r" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grant-fraud/grant-scam-fraud-alerts.html</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472137440.994" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 8:04am</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">I was already aware that the program was a scam. I am too involved in Grant business to not have heard of the program...So when I investigated it, the facts came out that the government isn't offering the Grant, and I can bet you can't tell me which Federal Department awarded you the grant, and show me the award letter...</span></span></div>
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<img alt="Frank Alston" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14055190_104206170034168_8723669246662843613_n.jpg?oh=d1e7b4deba33f6fe76fa71642ec0aee8&oe=583A1D89" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Frank Alston</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="_553k" href="http://www.governmentgrant.com/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">www.governmentgrant.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="js_2g" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472137618.816" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="August 25">8/25, 8:06am</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">They actually tell you this on the site:</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Please note that GOVERNMENTGRANT.COM a private website and is not associated with the U.S. government or any agency or department thereof. U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information.</div>
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">So how can it be connected to the Federal Government?</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After this conversation, I was blocked from the profile. Then today this profile attempted to try and present the scheme from a totally different angle:</span></span></div>
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Gordon Keith Flowers</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">I'm doing just fine thanks,good to hear that from you i have something to share with you</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from Mobile" href="https://www.facebook.com/mobile/" id="js_2m" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9j" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -192px -504px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 8px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472772774.144" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="Today">4:32pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Not the Grant money presentation is it?</span></span></div>
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<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<img alt="Gordon Keith Flowers" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14046153_123165528134546_5572983249903602717_n.jpg?oh=933e9d8de2da72ff214c604689f56ea7&oe=584AC30D" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472772799.999" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="Today">4:33pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Gordon Keith Flowers</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">no what that all about ?</span></span></div>
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<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="John Hairston" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/11178319_479653992191201_7758191115855413838_n.jpg?oh=8c1c689cec4224d62e9f6b9d24143de1&oe=588340E7" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from Mobile" href="https://www.facebook.com/mobile/" id="js_2c" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9j" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -192px -504px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 8px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472772839.41" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="Today">4:33pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Therr has been some PHA brothers trying to get brothers and sisters tied into a grant scheme...</span></span></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">what you got for me?</span></span></div>
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<img alt="Gordon Keith Flowers" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14046153_123165528134546_5572983249903602717_n.jpg?oh=933e9d8de2da72ff214c604689f56ea7&oe=584AC30D" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472772880.318" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="Today">4:34pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Gordon Keith Flowers</span></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">i was also told that did you apply</span></span></div>
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<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">?</span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<a data-reactroot="" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;"><img alt="John Hairston" class="_50dv img" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/11178319_479653992191201_7758191115855413838_n.jpg?oh=8c1c689cec4224d62e9f6b9d24143de1&oe=588340E7" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from Mobile" href="https://www.facebook.com/mobile/" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9j" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -192px -504px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 8px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472772897.438" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="Today">4:34pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
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<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">It is a scheme</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<img alt="Gordon Keith Flowers" class="_50dv img" data-reactroot="" height="32" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p32x32/14046153_123165528134546_5572983249903602717_n.jpg?oh=933e9d8de2da72ff214c604689f56ea7&oe=584AC30D" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="32" /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472772942.715" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="Today">4:35pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Gordon Keith Flowers</span></strong><br />
<div class="_37" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<div class="_53" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">yes</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="_3hi clearfix" style="font-family: inherit; zoom: 1;">
<div class="_38 direction_ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; margin-right: 50px;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-top: 10px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">i am going to apply for grant</span></span></div>
<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="_1yr" style="float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 4px;">
<span class="_2oy" style="float: right; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from Mobile" href="https://www.facebook.com/mobile/" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9j" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -192px -504px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 8px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472773120.509" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="Today">4:38pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100004398131836&extragetparams=%7B%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.hairston.589" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">John Hairston</span></a></strong><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">Good luck, I am a certified Grant Writer and Consultant. I have a membership with the Puget Sound Grant Writers Association and Grants.gov...I can assure you it is a fraudulent presentation</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><a class="mrs _9k" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Sent from chat" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" role="button" style="cursor: default; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="img _9h" height="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/rsrc.php/v3/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yv/r/s_ONVOzC9iD.png"); background-position: -153px -550px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 13px; vertical-align: middle; width: 9px;" width="1" /></a><abbr class="_35 timestamp" data-utime="1472773170.999" style="border-bottom: none; display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;" title="Today">4:39pm</abbr></span><br />
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<strong class="_36" style="display: block; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="color: red;">Gordon Keith Flowers</span></strong><br />
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<span class="null" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">so you mean i cant apply ?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Right before I could post the website for the fraud alert, this profile blocked me as well.
Here is what Grants.Gov has to say about the alleged CFDA agents and third-party solicitors:
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">June 3, 2015 - The Federal Service Desk (FSD) has recently been receiving claims from the public that CFDA agents have contacted them claiming that in order for the recipient to claim federal grant money they must first send the CFDA agent personal information or money.<br /><br />Although the CFDA agent claims to be with the Community for Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) or a similarly named organization, and not the federally-run Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA), they do represent themselves as agents of CFDA.<br /><br />CFDA does not use social media or direct phone contact to solicit, review, or make awards.<br /><br />If you hear of anyone being contacted in this way, please advise them to pass all information to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) (<a href="http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.ic3.gov</a>) and their local law enforcement authorities.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, if you are being contacted about this grant, it is a scam and fraudulent. It is my sincere hope that the profiles used were hacked, and that those Brothers were not involved in attempting to lure unsuspecting Masons and Eastern Stars into a fraudulent scheme utilizing the Federal Government as a cover.</span><br /></span></span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-13721836531770336242016-04-19T18:55:00.000-07:002018-03-23T05:28:32.781-07:00A Review and Rebuttal of Joshua Woodlin's Masonic National Union Part 1 by Bro. John L. Hairston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Due to attempts by Prince Hall Origin supporters to make Joshua Woodlin's, <i>Masonic National Union</i>, the most definitive and trusted source on the formation and early years of the National Compact, I deemed it necessary to do a review and rebuttal of Woodlin's work; to place its claims in the scales of documented facts and clear up many of its inconsistencies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">An example of this deference for Woodlin's, <i>Masonic National Union</i>, can be found in Chapter 1 of Bro. Alton Roundtree's book, <i>The Untold Story, </i>which argues the "continued existence" of the current Prince Hall Origin-National Compact group. Bro. Roundtree states:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"The only known source that details the formation of the National Grand Lodge and the history of the National Grand Lodge from 1847 to 1855 is Joshua Woodlin...Woodlin was close enough to events as they happened that <i>he is the primary source that should be viewed as accurate</i> unless documented information is provided to the contrary."</span><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[1]</b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">[emphasis mine]</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In my course of research, I have found statements like these to be exaggerated and sensationalized by pro-Compact writers. Contemporary writings like <i>Lux Et Veritas</i>, published by the Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware in 1855, as well as CCFC reports and proceedings of the various Grand Lodges (Independent and Compact), provide a more comprehensive view of the formation and history of the National Grand Lodge for the same period. But these works are largely omitted and disregarded by pro-Compact writers, at the expense of a balanced and accurate view of events surrounding this hotly debated topic.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">According to the Woodlin Lodge #30, F. & A. M. (NJ) website:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: , , "droid sans" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 15.04150390625px; line-height: 24.06640625px;">Joshua Woodlin was born February 15, 1813 in Attleborough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Embracing Christianity in 1832, ordained a Deacon in 1853 and ordained an Elder in 1858. Reverend Joshua Woodlin from whom Woodlin No. 30 commemorates its name, was one of the most influential men in forming “The Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons for the State of New Jersey and Jurisdiction.” At their Called meeting on June 12, 1848, held in Burlington, N.J., he was elected Recording Grand Secretary. Most Worshipful Woodlin was termed a powerful minister and an earnest Christian. He labored long in the interest of Masonry and his Grand Lodge, culminating, 1850 in his being elected Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge in New Jersey, One of his outstanding contributions to Prince Hall Masonry was a forty-seven page pamphlet, The Masonic National Union, published in 1855.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>[2]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Woodlin is also credited as being a member of both the First Independent African Grand Lodge and Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania </span><b>[3]</b><span style="font-size: large;">; as well as the National Senior Grand Warden for the National Compact. Even with this extensive masonic resume' it is still important to note that Joshua Woodlin was not a delegate at the formation of the National Compact. Neither does <i>Masonic National Union</i> provide information for the most controversial years of the National Compact, which ultimately led to its demise, officially, December 31, 1879. And, of the period in which it attempts to deal with, Woodlin's own words gives evidence that pro-Compact writers and sympathizers may be placing too much stock in Woodlin's account. Woodlin says of his own work:<br /><br />"The writer has long believed that such a work would be of incalculable benefit to the craft, and has anxiously awaited its appearance from some abler hand, but, disappointed in this hope, he has himself, WHILE FULLY CONSCIOUS OF MANY IMPERFECTIONS, attempted to perform what he believes a necessary work."</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">[4]</span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">[emphasis mine]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;"><span style="font-size: large;">While we commend Bro. Joshua Woodlin for his noble intention of filling a void of the day in which he walked, we must still hold his work up to the light of facts and weigh his version of accounts on the scales of truth. This is not done to cast a bad light on a good brother's attempt to provide his perspective; but to place the work in its proper status among sources regarding the National Grand Lodge and the objectives laid out in its introduction:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">"The object of this small treatise is to remove the scales and mist of ignorance that has been for a long time cast over the minds of the craft, and has caused many dissensions and rebellions among them, and in yet circulating an influence calculated to destroy the peace and harmony of the craft, for the want of correct information of their origin, to support their dignity as Masons."</span><b>[5]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;">It is our hope that we further enlarge upon this objective and provide an accurate critique and clarification of the information provided by our dear Bro. Woodlin in <i>Masonic National Union</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;"><b>Title</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;">The full title of the work is, <i>The Masonic National Union, A History of the Origin of Freemasonry among the Coloured Citizens of the United States of America</i>. The reference of the Masonic National Union is clearly a reference to the National Compact that gave life to the National Grand Lodge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;">The portion referencing it as a guide for the craft regarding the history of Freemasonry is a bit misleading. That history beginning in Chapter 2 does not deal with the initiation of Prince Hall and the 14 other brothers by John Batt in 1778, the subsequent start of African Lodge No. 1, and only lightly deals with 3 specific dates: 1782, 1784 and 1797. It touches the application of the Charter, the issuing of the Charter by the Grand Lodge of England, and the establishment of the first Lodge in Philadelphia in 1797. Woodlin does attempt to speak on a few of the first Worshipful Masters by name, but in all, Chapter 2 can hardly be a true history of the origin of Freemasonry among men of color in America. He provides one sentence to cover Freemasonry's origin in New York and Providence; and a sentence to take us into 1847. The full and illustrious origins of Freemasonry among African Americans in America is stuffed into four paragraphs, that creates more questions than answers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;">After this, <i>Masonic National Union</i> deals heavily with the schism in Philadelphia, which birthed two Grand Lodges in that State; all of this leads into what he deemed the basis of the Boston Convention in 1847, that produced the National Compact. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;">In subsequent chapters (12 in all), Woodlin only attempts to refute the claims and choice withdraw of the Compact Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania, in 1850; becoming the third Independent Grand Lodge, after the Boston Convention in 1847, to denounce the National Grand Lodge. Woodlin also attempts to address the "expulsion" of both Jacob Jenkins' Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania and the United Grand Lodge of New York. The booklet proves that it is not truly a history of the origins of Freemasonry among African Americans in this country, but rather an attempt to provide the pro-Compact view of events leading up to the first Grand Lodges leaving the <i>Masonic National Union</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;">As stated in the title of this article, I intend it to be both a review and rebuttal of the <i>Masonic National Union</i>, and with the vast amount of inconsistencies in the work, due to biases of an obvious pro-Compact writer, we will take the work and deal with each chapter; pointing out the errors and need for clarifications. I will post the work section by section.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;"><b>Chapter 1 General Remarks</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;"><b>Chapter 1, pg. 1 Masonic National Union</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;">Chapter One opens with grandiose exaltation of itself as a source of facts, but truly served as Compact propaganda and rhetoric of the day. With accusations levied against Independent Grand Lodges for having "caused many dissensions and rebellions among them", Woodlin proves to be a staunch Compact Mason, but not a reliable source for an unbiased view of all the facts surrounding the National Grand Lodge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;">It is important to lay out the masonic landscape of 1855, so that the reader may understand the environment in which Woodlin published his work. It is then we can truly recognize the real intention of the booklet.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.06640625px;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 1855, the National Compact and the National Grand Lodge had only existed for close to eight years. They were without a definitive Constitution, besides the Articles of Union, and were already in danger of dissolution. According to extant records, there were 9 Compact Grand Lodges, but in five of the States that held Compact Grand Lodges, there were five Independent Grand Lodges; 3 had never went under the National Grand Lodge.</span><b>[6]</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large; line-height: 24.06640625px;">Out of the 9 Compact Grand Lodges, 4 were replacement Grand Lodges formed by former members of Grand Lodges that were either Independent or had decided to withdraw from the National Compact.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 24.06640625px;">What this tells us is that there was no harmony in the formation of the National Grand Lodge from its very inception. Pro-Compact writers and adherents will have us to believe that the National Grand Lodge was embraced with open arms, and all parties involved were most satisfied with its existence, this is just not the case.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 24.06640625px;">The fact is simple, in 1848 at the first meeting of the National Grand Lodge in New York of 1848, the Grand Lodges of African American Masons were split; despite what has been written by Bro. Alton Roundtree in <i>the Untold Story, </i>and other pro-Compact writers. The Grand Lodges that existed at the time of that meeting were: The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania FAAYM, The United Grand Lodge for the State of New York, The Union Grand Lodge of Maryland, Union Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, and Union Grand Lodge of New Jersey.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 24.06640625px;"><span style="font-size: large;">New York, Maryland (Independent), and the Lodges in Delaware were not party to the National Compact. Bro. Roundtree erroneously places a Compact Grand Lodge in New York in 1848</span><b>[7]<span style="font-size: large;">, </span></b></span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 24.06640625px;">this is an error. </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 24.06640625px;">The United Grand Lodge for the State of New York never accepted a warrant from the National Grand Lodge, despite the National Grand Lodge's attempt to "expel" the Grand Lodge in 1849. I extend the same challenge to Bro. Roundtree as extended to Mr. Christopher Belcher, when I addressed the issue of the alleged Compact Grand Lodge in New York in 1848. I want to repost an excerpt from the article, <i><a href="http://quillandsword357.blogspot.com/2015/05/memo-to-christopher-l-belcher-your_4.html" target="_blank">Memo to Christopher Belcher</a>:</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 24.06640625px;"><i>"</i></span><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Mr. Belcher, in his first question, attempts to place the United Grand Lodge of New York as part of the National Compact. The New York Grand Lodge claims that they have never been subordinate to the National Grand Lodge at any time in its history. According to Blue-Lite Research Group founder and Grand Historian of the MWPHGL of NY, RW Ezekiel M. Bey:</b><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>"In 1848, a majority of the members of Boyer Lodge repudiated the signatures of its three representatives (Alexander Elston, William C. Clark and Lewis Hayden) to the proposal that was made at the meeting in 1847. On March of 1848, Boyer Lodge #1 along with Celestial #2, Rising Sun #3, and Hiram #4 came together and organized under the name United Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of the State of New York."[8]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>According to Articles 5 and 7 of the <i>Articles of Union</i>, resolved by the Convention of 1847, State Grand Lodges were to send in, to the National Grand Lodge, annual returns and the National Grand Lodge was to issue charters to all State Grand Lodges THAT WOULD APPLY to them for one.[9]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>My challenge to Mr. Belcher would be to produce an annual return to the National Grand Lodge from the United Grand Lodge of New York, and to provide an application to the National Grand Lodge petitioning a warrant for the United Grand Lodge of New York. This is a valid challenge, because the signers to the Convention Articles of 1847 were members of a LODGE, they were not a Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge did not form until 1848, which means their formation, if they were indeed a Compact Grand Lodge should have been sanctioned by warrant from the National Grand Lodge in 1848, for the Articles had been signed in 1847. And, if New York in 1848 was a Compact Grand Lodge, where is the annual returns they made to the National Grand Lodge. Woodlin's account must be taken with a grain of salt; although New York was added to a Grand Lodge listing in the Proceedings of the National Grand Lodge that Woodlin published in National Masonic Union [10], we find no names from the New York Grand Lodge as delegates to the Meeting in New York, June 24th-25th, 1848. Without this documentation, the only source would be Woodlin's work, and there is ample proof to show that National Masonic Union has many errors, and even a revised letter attributed to Prince Hall. Let's get to the first question:</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">If the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge expelled the United Grand Lodge of New York 4 days before it scheduled to have a special meeting, and the New York acknowledged the actions of the National Grand Lodge in its report, can it be concluded that the United Grand Lodge was a member of the National Grand Lodge and the committee’s report a ploy to distance themselves?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The error here is that Mr. Belcher attempts to affirm that the United Grand Lodge of New York was a Compact Grand Lodge because they "acknowledged the actions of the National Grand Lodge in its report." I want to place the paragraph of the Committee report that Belcher uses to claim that New York was a member of the Compact:<br /><br />"They did, however, in the plentitude of their power, on the 26th day of June, A. L. 5849, (a day we shall ever hold sacred to their memory) attempted to expel the "United Grand Lodge of the State of New York"..."[11]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>This is no way indicates that New York was a member of the National Compact. With the absence of annual returns, the application for a Compact Warrant, the existence of a Compact charter for New York and this statement in the very same report:</b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;">WE DID NOT DEEM IT WISE, OR PRUDENT, TO HAVE IT APPEAR THAT THE UNION HAD BEEN EFFECTED, ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THE FINAL CONSUMMATION...WE HELD THE MATTER AT ABEYANCE UNTIL THE CONGREGATED WISDOM OF THE BRETHREN IN A CALMER MOMENT..."[12]</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>The word here, as R. W. Ezekiel M. Bey states in, <i>The Hour Glass</i>, is ABEYANCE, which means:<br /><br />"A Temporary state of disuse or suspension."[13]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>The report states that they considered the coming into the National Compact, but held the matter SUSPENDED, until the next time they congregated, which subsequently cause a division in their Grand Lodge in 1849. This gave birth to the Union Grand Lodge (Compact). The United Grand Lodge was at odds as to join or not join. The United Grand Lodge chose to remain independent, and "[f]our of the Lodges of the newly formed United Grand Lodge of New York, and parts of two other lodges of the United Grand Lodge, formed the core of the Union Grand Lodge."[14]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>So, the conclusion that United Grand Lodge of New York was subordinate to the National Grand Lodge falters for the lack of evidence."</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">So, we see that to place a Compact Grand Lodge in New York in 1848 is erroneous. The Independent Grand Lodge of Maryland never took a warrant from the National Grand Lodge either. I would like to present an article from the <i>New York Age</i>, dated Saturday, August 1, 1936, written by Hon. Harry Williamson:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>New York Age, August 1, 1936, Masonic Notes Column, Bro. Harry Williamson</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We find in this article the fact there was in Maryland an Independent Grand Lodge of Maryland. Whether that Grand Lodge was formed in 1845 or not is the subject of debate. What we do know for a certainty is that in 1848, there were two Grand Lodges in Maryland. We also find in this article that Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware was also an Independent Grand Lodge, which had aligned itself with the Eastern Alliance, that formerly sent such statement against the National Grand Lodge in 1865:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While this document is dated 1865, it represents a sentiment among Grand Lodges who did not accept the irregular authority of the National Grand Lodge. So, for Joshua Woodlin to deem these Grand Lodges rebellious is propaganda and typical pro-Compact rhetoric of the day. The truth of the matter is, not all Grand Lodges agreed with the formation of the National Grand Lodge from the beginning, and publicly went on record stating such.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ancient York Masons?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Page six continues with Woodlin asserting that the National Grand Lodge was victim to rebellion, rather than pointing out clearly the issues that Independent Grand Lodges, and subsequent Compact Grand Lodges who joined their ranks, had with the irregular body. In the midst of this sensationalist exposition is a designation given to the National Grand Lodge that is interesting to examine and address as well; the claim that the National Grand Lodge was in the lineage of Ancient York Masonry.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There was a question raised not too long ago concerning the claim of PHO-National Compact to being Ancient York Masons. Before we can accurately examine this claim, we must put several things in perspective.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. Prince Hall never used the style, "Ancient York Masons" for the members of African Lodge #1, #459, or #370.<br /><br />2. There is no reference to the designation of Ancient York Masons in the records of either African Lodge Boston or Philadelphia.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. Prince Hall received Anderson's Constitution when he received the charter from the Grand Lodge of England in 1787. The Grand Lodge of England was not using the term for themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">4. African Lodge #1 received their alleged permit from John Batt, who was a Mason under the Grand Lodge of Ireland. They were not referring to themselves as Ancient York Masons.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">5. African Lodge #1 also received a permit from St. John's Grand Lodge in Boston, under Provincial Grand Master John Rowe. They were of the lineage of the Grand Lodge of England, and were not referring to themselves as Ancient York Masons.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">6. The National Compact moved away from Anderson's Constitution and began using the Ahiman Rezon of the Antients in 1847. The Antients at one time were using the designation, <i>Ancient York Masons, </i>but had no actual lineage to the old York Lodge. So, why did the National Compact begin to identify themselves with this designation?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">According to the <i>Handbook of Freemasonry</i>, published by the PHO-National Compact group, the title is derived:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Colored York Rite: The word "York" used in connection with Colored Masonry frequently raises a question in the mind of some and challenged by others. Ancient York Masonry is the oldest and the Mother of all Masonry. Its origin dates back 4,000 years before Christ, to the time of Noah and the flood. York Masonry was the mother of National Grand Lodges. If the Grand Lodge of England could organize a Constitutional body, then the organization of a National Grand Lodge, under Grand Master, John T. Hilton, was no new innovation nor did it violate any of the Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>[15]</b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">To this, the National Grand Senior Warden, Cedric Lewis, in the York Rite Bulletin, dated April 2010</span><b>, </b><span style="font-size: large;">added:</span></span></div>
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When we call ourselves Ancient York Rite, we are in essence stating that we acknowledge the
original workings of the degrees; Blue, Royal Arch, Knights Templar. Part of this was our forefathers
thumbing their noses at the Grand Lodge of England for not acknowledging them for the many years that
African Lodge attempted to communicate with the Grand Lodge of England. The Ancient’s thumbed their
noses at the Grand Lodge of England in a similar fashion when they reorganized themselves into Grand
Lodges styled Ancient Free & Accepted Masons...The existing Prince Hall Grand Lodges (PHA) has all affixed F&AM to their titles. This did not take
place with them until after the year 1944. Prior to that year the PHA Grand Lodges had a host of titles
affixed to their Grand Lodge titles, including F&AAYM. Because African Lodge #459 was a lodge chartered
by the Modern Grand Lodge of England (F&AM), part of this is accurate. However, the ritual that most PHA
and PHO Grand Lodges use is derived from an Ancient practice of the work. Prince Hall masons (National
Compact included) are legal/regular by the charter issued by the Modern Grand Lodge of England, but we
overwhelming practice the use of an Ancient Grand Lodge ritual.<b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[16]</b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is so much wrong and inaccurate with the above quotes issued by the PHO-National Compact group. Firstly, the above explanations prove a lack of understanding the history of Freemasonry. This is plainly seen when one takes LEGEND to be the historical origins of Freemasonry. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All scholars agree that the true origins of Freemasonry is obscured in time immemorial. There is no true definitive dating. To call Ancient York Masonry, the oldest and mother of all Masonry is absurdity, when Masonry was operative in Scotland, Ireland and other parts of England before we find the first documentations for the York Assembly of 926 AD. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The <i>Handbook</i> of the PHO-National Compact group claims that York Masonry was the mother of National Grand Lodges. This too is inaccurate and unverified. It is a known fact that the Old York Lodge was in existence at the time when Prince Hall received the charter from the Grand Lodge of England. In fact, it was operating under the name of the Grand Lodge of All England. This body disappeared from Freemasonry in 1792. There was no Grand Lodge or Lodge in American that can claim any lineage to this Grand Lodge, directly or indirectly. The Antient Grand Lodge of England (1751) is the closest, as they were indeed calling themselves, <i>Ancient York Masons</i>, even though they had no direct lineage to the Grand Lodge of York. Noted author and scholar, Ray Baker Harris, in his paper for the Masonic Service Association (1957) wrote:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"When the "Ancient" Grand Lodge of England organized Provincial Grand Lodges in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and South Carolina, the lodges working under those obediences were known as "Ancient York Lodges". Subsequently the Grand Lodges of these jurisdictions used the term "Ancient York Masons" until, after the union of the "Ancient" and "Modern" Grand Lodges in 1813, the designation was dropped for "Ancient Free and Accepted Masons", or "Free and Accepted Masons", South Carolina today uses the designation "Ancient Free Masons". Since there was no organizational connection with York, the use of the name appears to have been a figurative designation of antiquity."</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>[17]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We see the designation of Ancient York Masons was not sent to America by the authentic and original York Masons, but by a Grand Lodge (Antient) younger than the Grand Lodge of England (Modern), using the name as a matter of defiance of the oldest Grand Lodge in the World. Cedric Lewis' explanation seems a bit more exaggerated, as he attempts to connected it to a Rite that was actually formulated in America. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The so-called "York Rite" or "American Rite" was not worked in England by either the Modern, Antients or York Masons. According to Ray Baker Harris:<br /><br />"Freemasonry thrived in the British Isles prior to 1717. This earlier Masonry was of MANY FORMS AND VARIETIES. There was no central authority, and no organization. Operative and Speculative were not then clearly defined."</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>[18]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cedric Lewis erroneously states that many of the Prince Hall Affiliated and Prince Hall Origin Grand Lodges work the Antient ritual, which is a another gross inaccuracy on the part of the PHO-National Compact group to try to connect itself to something authentic. I have before me the PHO-National Compact ritual, revised 2005, and I can assure you that the ritual is not a Ancient York Ritual nor an Antient ritual, as found in Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The PHO ritual is a variation of the <i>Ecce Oriente,</i> published by Anthony Nizzardini, used by many Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The earliest documentation we can find connecting the Ancient York Mason designation and African American Masonry is </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">an advertisement in the Gazette of the United States (Pennsylvania) for the parade and St. John's Day celebration of African Lodge #459 Philadelphia on </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">June 22, 1797.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many will believe this to be a different Lodge than the one chartered by African Lodge #459 of Boston. We know that the numbering is a misprint, but the officers are the same, except for one, the R. W. Grand Master, P.M. Nixon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We have in our possession, a handwritten record of a meeting of African Lodge #459 of Philadelphia, dated, Dec. 27th, 1797 (6 months after the above advertisement):</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is no mention of a P. M. Nixon or anyone of that last name or the use of <i>Ancient York Masons</i> in African Lodge of Philadelphia's name. The missing name of P.M. Nixon is a topic of a another paper and discussion.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What is being established is that this is the earliest reference to African American masons being called Ancient York Masons. We know that this is not what this Lodge (African Lodge of PA) designated themselves, but because the white Lodges in Pennsylvania were going by this designation, the publisher designated them the same.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">PHO-National Compact's explanation of the connection to York Masonry is flawed, as was the National Grand Lodge of 1847. In their attempt to assert their authority and right to form a National Grand Lodge, they (NGL /1847) claimed an origin in York Masonry. The source of their use of the designation is the Antient Grand Lodge, and they (Antient GL) were much younger than the premier Grand Lodge of England. Furthermore, The Antient Grand Lodge had no direct relation to any of the Prince Hall Grand Lodges existing at the time, as they had, in 1813, been absorbed in the Union of 1813 which birthed the United Grand Lodge of England. How can they (NGL of 1847 or PHO) possibly claim lineage to York or the Antients?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"><b>Woodlin's Theory on the Purpose of the National Grand Lodge</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">I find it amusing when pro-Compact hardliners boast on the fact that the Grand Lodges surrendered their sovereignty to the National Grand Lodge. They attempt to use this point to drive home the concept that the Grand Lodges were no longer sovereign, or were forever subject to the National Compact. There has been dispute as to the true purpose of the Convention in Boston in 1847. As we shall see, the domination and subjugation of sovereign Grand Lodges was not the initial and intended purpose of the National Grand Lodge when it was formed. Here is Woodlin giving us his perspective of the purpose of the National Compact:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">The above except from Masonic National Union tells us that the initial purpose of the National Compact was not to make Grand Lodges hostages to the National Compact, but to produce a uniformity in rules, ritual and direction. It was to be the court of appeals when the Grand Lodges found themselves in controversies. They were trying to avoid what had happened in Pennsylvania (First Independent African Grand Lodge and Hiram Grand Lodge) as well as New York.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">We can find early disputation by Grand Lodges, that the Convention invitation did not stipulate that they were creating a National Grand Lodge. This is not the point we need to make here. Whether the National Grand Lodge was met with unanimous applause is not the ground to fight on; the National Grand Lodge was eventually formed despite who did or did not join it initially. The question we need to answer is whether it stayed the course for which it was set.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Because there is no trace of the letter written by PGM John T. Hilton, inviting the Grand Lodges to the Boston Convention in 1847, and there being no definitive documentation on the initial purpose of the National Grand Lodge and Compact, we must rely on those who were actually there, and take their word for the purpose and what was in the letter of invitation.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">We go first to the Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware and their publication, <i>Lux Et Veritas</i>, 1856. They reprinted in this publication a statement from the United Grand Lodge of New York, who actually sent delegates from Boyer Lodge. This Grand Lodge was there during the formative years of the National Grand Lodge.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">According to New York, the call was to form a permanent relation and Union among the Grand Lodges as a means of quelling the controversies that kept the African American masonic world divided. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Another significant voice is that of PGM, Lewis Hayden of New York. Lewis Hayden was a member of African Lodge in Boston, and was a delegate to the Boston Convention in 1847. March 8, 1867, Hayden wrote a letter to Grand Master John Jones (Ohio) where he laid out the purpose of the Convention and the National Compact.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">This is very important because we get a credible eyewitness to the events of the Boston Convention and the formation of the National Grand Lodge in 1847. Woodlin would not be a more authentic and credible witness than Hayden, Woodlin was not there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Hayden agrees with Woodlin that the purpose of the National Grand Lodge was to cement, into a harmonious unity, the divided masons of this nation. He even stated that he was speaking from PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE. He implies that the invitation to the Convention was not attached to a call to form a National Grand Lodge. He implies that this was conceived AT THE CONVENTION:<br /><br />"Again it was conceived BY THE MEMBERS OF THAT CONVENTION that such an organization could be masonically formed, PRESERVING ALL THE RIGHTS AND PREROGATIVES NATURALLY BELONGING TO THE STATE GRAND LODGES..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">This is in alignment with Boyer Lodge's testimony in the delegation report issued in 1849 (so-called "Elston's Report). This is also in alignment with the Proclamation issued by the National Convention itself:<br /><br />"The Grand Lodge of Boston, First African Grand Lodge of North America and Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, met in the city of Boston, State of Massachusetts, AND AFTER MATURE DELIBERATION the said Representatives, (the requisite or required masonical number of Grand Lodges being present,) adopted a resolution unanimously, in GOOD HARMONY, to organize and open a National Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons, for the United States of America..."</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>[19]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Pro-Compct writers can attempt any point they would like, but the documentation presents the establishment of a National Grand Lodge that was not subjecting the Grand Lodges to become subordinate to the established body. We have the words of those who were party to the Convention and were eyewitnesses to the events of the day. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">While Woodlin is correct in his assessment of the purpose of the National Compact, he has done damage to his credibility by omitting the fact that those "rebellious" Grand Lodges who were speaking against and withdrawing from the Compact, were doing so because the National Grand Lodge had overstepped its jurisdiction and its leadership had become more divisive that they had ever been prior to the formation of it. This clearly shows that the purpose of the National Grand Lodge had been distorted and there was valid reason to abandon the National Compact.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 24.06640625px;">This chapter opens with speculation, several errors and fabrications on Woodlin's part. Woodlin claims that in 1782 Prince Hall made an application to the Grand Lodge in Massachusetts, and after being denied, they wrote to England. He claims that the warrant empowered African Lodge #459 to open a Grand Lodge, and goes so far as to alter and doctor a letter written by Prince Hall to state that they were a Grand Lodge in 1787.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 24.06640625px;">The very first error is to state that the brethren in Massachusetts under St. John's Provincial Grand Lodge were "Ancient York Masons". This is misleading and inaccurate. The Provincial Grand Lodge of St. John's of Boston was chartered by the Grand Lodge of England (Modern). They were not designating themselves as Ancient York masons. The warrant from the Grand Lodge of England would not have given African Lodge #459 the power to make "Ancient York Masons", because none were made under any warrants issued by the Grand Lodge of England. In fact, here is the actual wording of the Charter for African Lodge #459:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">To All and Every:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Our Right Worshipful and Loving Brethren: Thomas Howard, Earl of Effington, Lord Howard, etc., Acting Grand Master, under the authority of his royal Highness, Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, etc., Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, send greeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Know ye that we, at the humble petition of our Right Trusty and well beloved brethren, Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson, and several other brethren residing in Boston, New England, North America, <b>do hereby constitute the said brethren into a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons</b>, under the title or denomination of the African Lodge, to be opened in Boston, aforesaid, and do further, at their said petition and of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of the said above-named brethren, hereby appoint the Prince Hall to be Master; Boston Smith, Senior Warden and Thomas Sanderson, Junior Warden, for the opening of the said Lodge, and for such further time only as shall be thought by the brethren thereof, it being our will that this our appointment of the above said officers, shall in affect any further election said Lodge, but that such election shall be regulated agreeable to such By-Laws of the said Lodge as shall be consistent with the Grand Law of the society contained in the Book of Constitutions: and we hereby will, and require of you the said Prince Hall, to take special care that all and every the said brethren are to have been regularly made Masons, and that they do observe, perform, and keep all the rules and orders contained in <b>the Book of Constitutions</b>; and, further, that you do from time to time cause to be entered, in a book kept for that purpose, an account of your proceedings in the Lodge, together with all such Rules, orders and Regulations as shall be made for the good government of same, that in no wise you omit once in every year to send us, or our Successors, Grand Masters, or Rowland Holt, Esq., our Deputy Grand Master, for the time being, and account of your proceedings, and copies of all such Rules, Orders and Regulations as shall be made aforesaid together with the list of the members of the Lodge, and reasonably be expected toward the Grand Charity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Moreover, we will, and require of you, the said Prince Hall, as soon as conveniently may be, to send an account in writing of what may be done by virtue of these presents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">(SEAL )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Given at London, under our hand and seal of Masonry, 29th day of September, A.L. 5784, A.D. 1784, by the Grand Master's command R. Holt, Deputy Grand Master.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;">Attest: William White, Grand Secretary.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 21.5999984741211px;"><span style="font-size: large;">What can be readily seen, is the fact that African Lodge was not a lodge of Ancient York Masons, but a "regular [lodge] of FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS." And, we also see that the Constitution that governed the Lodge was not an Antient nor York Constitution, but Anderson's Constitution.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 21.5999984741211px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The third highlighted portion has Woodlin making the gross error of claiming that by virtue of the Charter of African Lodge #459, they could form a Grand Lodge:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 21.5999984741211px;">"According to this commission, the Right Worshipful Prince Hall opened a Grand Lodge in the city of Boston, State of Massachusetts in ample form, under the title of "African Grand Lodge, of Boston, state of Massachusetts..."</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 21.5999984741211px;"><b>[20]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 21.5999984741211px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then, to attempt a support for this fabricated assertion, Woodlin reprints a letter written by Prince Hall to Draper and Folsom, where Prince Hall is correcting a report of the Lodge. Woodlin states:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Woodlin's corrupted version of the Prince Hall letter to Draper and Folsom</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Woodlin, to support his claim that the Charter formed a Grand Lodge, adds the words, AFRICAN GRAND LODGE. This we can prove without a shadow of a doubt, because we are in possession of a copy of the actual letter written by the hands of Prince Hall himself:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Letter written by Prince Hall between 1787-1789</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The portion we need to focus on is this one:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Begin at the third line and you will see the words, "our tittel is not S Blacks Lodge..." </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After that, we find NO AFRICAN GRAND LODGE!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Woodlin's copy</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Woodlin either added it to the letter or was copying from a corrupted copy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now go to the bottom part, the next to the last line, you read, "Servant Prince Hall Master of the African Lodge No. 1 dedicated to S. Johns"</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Go back up to Woodlin's copy. you will find NOTHING after Prince Hall's name.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is a prime example as to why Masonic National Union cannot be relied upon as the most authentic and unbiased documentation concerning the formation and early years of the National Grand Lodge. We have a clear error on the part of Woodlin, and the attempt to prop it up by doctoring a letter written by Prince Hall.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 3<br />Commencement of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">The above is the entirety of Chapter 3. And, even as brief the chapter is, we find more errors. Woodlin give 7 names he believed to be involved with the letter of Peter Mantore to Prince Hall, dated March 2, 1797. Out of the seven names only two are correct. The others are either NOT mentioned in the actual letter, or are misprinted. The actual letter is reprinted in the <i>A</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>rs Quatuor Coronatorum</i> Vol. 13, in PGM William H. Upton's paper on <i>Prince Hall's Letter book:</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I chose this portion of the letter to show the names involved with the Philadelphia petition to African Lodge #459. Woodlin gets only Absalom Jones and Q. Butler correct, the others are either not mentioned (C. Bryson) and the others are misprints. See for yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 4<br />Commencement of the rebellion of two lodges....</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chapter 4 begins the story of the two Lodges who left First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and began operating under the alleged warrant from a Lodge from mainstream Ohio Grand Lodge.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This yet another very short "chapter", but we can accept all in this "chapter" to be accurate. These two Lodges ended up forming the Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which takes us into Chapter 5.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 5<br />Formation of another Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania...</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This chapter is a bit more lengthy and we will deal with the particular section of note. We want to accept for the record, Woodlin's account of the formation of Hiram GL of Penn., which we agree with.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For the record, this writer accepts the fact that Union Lodge #4 and Harmony Lodge #5 were clandestine in their working under an alleged warrant and later forming a Grand Lodge. The formation of that Grand Lodge was indeed clandestine. Many pro-Compact writers and researchers will attempt to get Prince Hall Affiliated historians and writers to argue the legality of Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. We need not argue this point; we can fully accept that Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was clandestine, because in 1847, they were invited to the Boston Convention and eventually made party to the National Compact. They then merged (NOT HEALED) with First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which birthed the Compact Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Whatever illegality the Compact can bring up about Hiram Grand Lodge prior to the Convention, they must concede that Hiram Grand Lodge was legitimized by their participation, allegiance to and eventual membership in the National Compact. They cannot draw any controversy, because that Grand Lodge merged with FIAGL and formed the Compact GL in Pennsylvania.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This last sentence is misleading, because one would come to the conclusion that it was African Grand Lodge of Boston that Hiram was in opposition to, it wasn't. Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was in competition and direct opposition to First Independent AFRICAN GRAND LODGE. This needs to be clarified.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 6<br />The African Grand Lodge publishes that the Hiram Grand Lodge as Clandestine and Illegal, etc.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chapter six provides correspondences that were published by First Independent African Grand Lodge (Pennsylvania), denouncing the actions and existence of Hiram Grand Lodge. Woodlin also publishes correspondence from the Grand Lodge of Ohio (mainstream) denying that the said Lodge that Hiram Grand Lodge subordinates claimed to have received a charter from was forgery. Whether this warrant was forgery or not is not important, because the actions resulted in the Grand Lodge (Hiram) being clandestine. But the pro-Compact writers cannot pitch their tents here, because these actions were not a restriction from this Grand Lodge becoming part of the National Compact. This is necessary for us to grasp. Hiram Grand Lodge did not get healed, nor were they absorbed by their rival in Pennsylvania (First Independent Grand Lodge). Hiram was admitted into the National Compact as a Masonic equal.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Question to pro-Compact historians and writer:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Does the acceptance of Hiram Grand Lodge into the Compact make the National Grand Lodge clandestine?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Is there any documentation from the day that would imply that Hiram was FIRST healed and then accepted?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Did the countenance of the existence of Hiram Grand Lodge by its contemporary Grand Lodges constitute it being a LEGAL and EQUAL party to the initial National Compact?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chapter 7<br />Union among all Colored Masons in the United </b><b>States</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Chapter seven opens with Woodlin providing the rationale behind PGM John T. Hilton's call for the Grand Masonic Convention of 1847, Boston, Massachusetts. Woodlin records that Hilton initially made it known that the Convention was for the establishment of the National Grand Lodge. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This account does not line up with other documentation and a majority of the writers contemporary to the formation of the National Grand Lodge. From, Lux Et Veritas to Lewis Hayden's statements, to the "Elston report", we find that the decision to establish a National Grand Body was made AT the Convention. With the majority of contemporaries standing on that fact, and Woodlin presenting many errors in his pamphlet, we must go with the majority of writers and published documentation until the actual Call to the Convention surfaces.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is the end of part 1 of this review. Part 2 of the review will resume next month (May).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Endnotes:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. Roundtree, Alton. The National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth (2010). Chapter 1 Formation of and Arguments against the National Grand Lodge. pg.9</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. Woodlin Lodge #30 F. & A. M. of the MWPHGL of NJ website: http://woodlin30.org/about/</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. Cox, Joseph. Great Black Men of Freemasonry (2002). pg. 353</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. Woodlin, Joshua. The Masonic National Union: A History of Origin of Freemasonry Among Coloured Citizens of America (1855) Joshua Woodlin. Preface.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5. Ibid., Chapter 1 General Remarks, pg. 1</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">6. Those Grand Lodges are the United Grand Lodge for the State of New York (1848); Hiram Grand Lodge for the State of Delaware (1849) and the First Colored Grand Lodge of Maryland (1848).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7. Roundtree, Alton. The National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth (2010). Appendix 1, pg. 389.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">8. Bey, Ezekiel M. 2012. The Hour Glass: African American Freemasonry in the State of New York. Blue-Lite Publishing. pg.54</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">9. Report of the 1847 National Masonic Convention. See the Articles of Union between the Three Grand Lodges of Freemasons of Colour, in America, June 24th, 1847.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">10. Woodlin, Joshua. 1855. The National Masonic Union. Burlington, NJ. pg. 30</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">11. Committee on Correspondence report. New York, July 26th, A. L. 5849. Adopted at a Special Meeting of the United Grand Lodge of the State of New York, July 30th A.D. 1849, and of Masonry 5849. This report is also called, The Elston Report.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">12. Ibid.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">13. Refer to any dictionary.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">14. Roundtree, Alton. 2010. The National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth, KLR Publishing, LLC, pg.111.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">15. Handbook of Freemasonry, by the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Ancient York Rite Masons, National Compact USA (1985).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">16. York Rite Bulletin, Issue 2 April 2010, Cedric Lewis, "What's in a Name?" </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">http://www.mwnationalgrandlodge.org/yrbulletin2.pdf</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">17. Baker Harris, Ray. The York Problem, Masonic Service Associaction, Sept. 16, 1957.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">18. Ibid.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">19. Declaration of the Great National Convention, held at the City of Boston, Mass., June 23, 1847, A.L. 5847.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">20. Woodlin, Joshua. The Masonic National Union: A History of Origin of Freemasonry Among Coloured Citizens of America (1855) Joshua Woodlin. Chapter 2 Origin of Freemasonry Among Colored Citizens, pg.10</span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-64229619190547882662016-03-25T09:08:00.001-07:002016-04-07T20:45:41.729-07:00The Charles Wesley Conundrum: A Challenge to the Critics by Brother John L. Hairston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Charles H. Wesley (1891-1987)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Due to the recent "opinions" of a few Brothers who may find disagreement with a book that I will be publishing, starting May of this year, I have chose to place a problem of sorts before the opposition to contemplate. Hopefully before May, we will have some answers from the critics and a resolution to the Charles Wesley Conundrum.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is not a researcher or historian in the Prince Hall constellation that doesn't know the name, Charles H. Wesley. Any Freemason who has done any background reading on Prince Hall has either read or are in possession of his critically acclaimed work, <i>Prince Hall Life and Legacy. </i>I will not go into any biography of the Prince Hall icon, Charles Wesley, there are too many great biographies that have already been written on him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ask any of the many researchers and historians which are the best books on Prince Hall, and they will add <i>Prince Hall Life and Legacy</i> in the top 3, and many as the best book on Prince Hall (maybe even all time).</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Prince Hall Life and Legacy</i> was written in 1976 and published in 1977. The book covered the life of Prince Hall and cleared up what was deemed the gross errors of William Grimshaw's work of 1901. The book was touted as the official voice on the life of Prince Hall, and taken on by the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, PHA for preservation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A Second Edition was published in 1983, four years before Wesley's death.</span></div>
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Publisher page to the 1983 Second Edition of Prince Hall Life and Legacy</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Between both editions (1977 and 1983), there was only ONE change in the entirety of the ten chapters and 237 pages of the second edition. It was one digit to a date on page 34.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Pg. 34 of the 1977 First Edition of Life and Legacy</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the 1977 First Edition of Prince Hall Life and Legacy, Charles Wesley stated:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"On March 6, 1775, Prince Hall and fourteen other free blacks were initiated in Masonry through John Batt, a representative of the Irish Military Lodge, No. 441, working under the Grand Lodge of Ireland."</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the 1983 Second Edition, Wesley made a most subtle, but dramatic switch, imperceptible to most eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Pg. 34 of the 1983 Second Edition of Life and Legacy</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Wesley change the last digit of March 6, 1775, to read March 6, 1778!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And with the change to one digit, the conundrum begins. Charles Wesley was in possession of the same records held by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (MS), the MWPHGL of Massachusetts, John Sherman, Harold B. Voorhis, and this writer as well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What is the conundrum, you ask?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Well, I wonder who will declare that Charles H. Wesley's Second Edition is wrong, and provide the evidence that will cause enough protest to have the Second Edition rescinded?</span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-8297841716561242412016-03-01T22:41:00.000-08:002016-03-02T00:06:13.472-08:00Independent Means Independent: A Fresh Look at the Formation of the National Grand Lodge<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Source: Record of African Grand Lodge: The Rolls (microfilm)</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yes, it has been a while since I last posted and having gotten a few things off my plate, we're back at it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Don't panic! there is no shifting paradigms here. We are just as staunch on the dissolution of the National Compact in 1879 as ever; upcoming submissions will provide my arguments and evidence regarding my position.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Intrigued by a discussion in the Social media constellation regarding African Lodge No. 459 and lodges that originated from her, inspired me to get back to combing through the microfilm of African Lodge No. 459 records and answer a few questions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Upon a days pull from the records I came across a most impacting and inspiring record dated January 12, 1846, which provided a starting point for this post. I will like to post those minutes here now:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Transcription:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Boston Jan 12th 1846</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">African Grand Lodge No. 459 met and opened on the first degree of masonry for the dispatch of business.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">[listing of members present]</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the old Code of bye Laws which had been lost was produced and read by the Master. the committee chosen to wright a new code presented the lodge with their doings</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">motions [unintelligble] Batter that the new code be received and laid on the table for further consideration. Motion by Br A Gaul that the Lodge be governed by the old code at present</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">an article was read from the <b>FreeMasons Monthly Magazine Vol 5th No 2 edited by C W Moore Dec 1st 1845</b> stating that the African Grand Lodge was not a Legal Lodge. <b>a history of the whole transaction was given by </b>the Master to the satisfaction of the Lodge</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the Master gave notice that the Lodge must find a room as the one now in use must be disposed of</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">motion by Br Gaul secd by Br Batter that a committee of three be appoint by the chair procure a lodge room </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">appointed as committee Br Aaron Gaul Br George Gaul Br Joseph Russell</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Motioned by Br G Gaul that the fee of membership be one dollar noted in motion the the assessment be for each member be 12 1/2 cents</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lodge closed in due form</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">this last motion is not according to the bylaws___</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Source:<br />Records of African Lodge Roll (microfilm)</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While the recovery of the Code book is a matter for another post, I have <b>emboldened</b> the portion of the minutes that is the topic of this post:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"an article was read from the </span><b style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">FreeMasons Monthly Magazine Vol 5th No 2 edited by C W Moore Dec 1st 1845</b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> stating that the African Grand Lodge was not a Legal Lodge. </span><b style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">a history of the whole transaction was given by </b><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the Master to the satisfaction of the Lodge"</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I will now post the actual article from C.W. Moore cited by the minutes as it appears in the Freemasons Monthly Magazine for that date:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The portion I want to focus on in this article is the meeting between C. W. Moore, then Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and Grand Master John T. Hilton; Moore gives the accounts as thus:<br /><br />"We have called the reputed Master of the Lodge, and asked permission to examine its Charter. He refused to grant the permission, and gave us distinctly to understand that he and his Brethren did not wish to have any communication with the white Masons:-that they were an INDEPENDENT BODY, deriving their power FROM THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY."</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">GM John T. Hilton refused to allow RW C. W. Moore to view the Charter and that begs the question of why?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Could it have been because the charter was now void by the declaration of independence by African Lodge No. 459 and assuming the powers of a Grand Lodge in 1827?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Could it have been to preserve and protect the charter for fear that if seen and located that it may be a target of theft or vandalism?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Could the answer lie in the monumental declaration of June 1827?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Source: Daily Advertiser (Boston) June 28, 1827</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">African Grand Lodge was a creation of necessity and a statement to the masonic world that African Americans were worthy of our place in masonic affairs. <i>Independent</i> as the chosen adjective wasn't just a clarity on status, but a subliminal message to a slavery-infested society that FREEDOM is the RIGHT and PROPERTY OF ALL PEOPLE.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Both African Grand Lodge (Boston) and First Independent African Grand Lodge (Philadelphia) had been in operation for 20 and 29 years respectively. They did so, chartering lodges and expanding Freemasonry among African Americans without a single bit of assistance or support from "white Masons". No Grand Lodge had handed them any olive branches or extensions of amity. This we know, because this was not the first time white Grand Lodges had dealt with the issue of "Negro Masonry". After 20 years of active service among the people that they had failed to recognize and embrace as human beings, they now were at the doors of African Grand Lodge asking them to submit to an examination for "approval"?</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We understood that we were legal, we had the charter. Why would we have to submit to a test and examination for legitimacy? what would be the result? recognition? approval? We needed none of those, because none of them equated to what had already been established and pronounced in the possession of the Charter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With all of this being stated and contemplated, I began to take a fresh look at the reasoning behind the formation of the National Grand Lodge-National Compact.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I can now see an underlying intent in the formation of the National Compact. It wasn't just to create uniformity in Freemasonry or to unify rival factions, but rather to create a fortification for African American Freemasons and the jurisdictions they were affiliated with. It was a move to preserve the Order among us while we lived in a society (at that time) that failed to live up to the principles espoused in their masonic rhetoric.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Something amusing and enlightening then emerged from the January 16th 1846 minutes. After the reading of the article, GM John T. Hilton then laid out the whole encounter, the Lodge agreed and they moved right on with the next order of business. MESSAGE!<br /><br />When I say INDEPENDENT, I MEAN INDEPENDENT!</span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-72286492340153196942015-08-20T09:21:00.000-07:002015-08-20T09:21:28.625-07:00Addressing Mr. Hawkins and the John G. Jones Epidemic by Bro. John L. Hairston, Editor<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Please take time to watch the video by Mr. Hawkins, a clandestine member of the John G. Jones group out of California.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />This video represents the new angle in which the African American clandestine groups attempt to debate the issue of their illegal Grand Lodges nation-wide.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Hawkins has also written a history of John G. Jones which is filled with misinformation and errors concerning John G. Jones and the many groups that have spun off from his Masonic crime.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first issue raised by Mr. Hawkins is the Phylaxis Society's list of Bogus groups being all African American oriented. This is the new tactic used by African American clandestine groups-use race as a means of convicting Prince Hall Masons of discrimination or reversed racism.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yes, the majority of groups listed are African American groups. The Phylaxis Society, Commission on Bogus Masonry is focused on exposing bogus masonry wherever it is found, but more specifically the African American community, because it directly affects Prince Hall Grand Lodges. I would direct any reader or researcher to the "<i><a href="http://www.thephylaxis.org/walkes/bogus.php" target="_blank">Walkes Site</a></i>", and to read the works of the founder, Hon. Joseph A. Walkes. His work would provide an accurate view of the philosophy and work of the Phylaxis. What Mr. Hawkins is viewing is the Phylaxis addressing an epidemic in the African American community. Because Prince Hall Lodges and Grand Lodges receive the vast majority of their membership from our own communities, it becomes imperative to make sure that these prospective candidates have all of the necessary information to identify what is regular and what is clandestine in their community. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What we do not hear in the video, made by Hawkins, is evidence that his group, the John G. Jones Grand Lodge of California, doesn't deserve to be listed with the other groups. He attempts to use race as a reason that African American groups shouldn't be listed. He doesn't refute the fact that his group is clandestine, but would rather point to the fact that they are all African American. In other words, he knows that his group is clandestine, but complains that the Phylaxis Society is guilty of reversed racism.<br /><br />He states that we would not dare put a "white" Grand Lodge on the list, that is addressing African American clandestine groups.<br /><br />I challenge Mr. Hawkins to provide evidence that his group or ANY John G. Jones group do not deserve to be listed.<br /><br />Prove that John G. Jones was a legitimate source of lineage for any group.<br /><br />His issue should be that white Lodges are not listed, but rather, HIS IS LISTED.<br /><br />I challenge him to produce a video providing the history of his group, and provide credible and authentic sources that his group is a legitimate group. I think Mr. Hawkins should be more focused on putting his group in the position to be able to sit at the table with Prince Hall masons. The race card will not change the status and present condition of his Bogus group. Even is the Phylaxis was to add every white bogus group, it would not make his group legal or lawful; the John G. Jones Grand Lodge of California would still be Bogus.<br /><br />Mr. Hawkins, please provide us with the proof that your own group doesn't deserve to be on the listing.</span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-23648125539150455722015-08-02T12:31:00.000-07:002017-05-25T18:22:40.902-07:00Debunking Mis-Story: Reevaluating the "Article 7 Myth" by Brother John L. Hairston, Editor<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On April 14, 2015 a post was made to the Prince Hall Origin blog entitled, <a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/article-7-the-prince-hall-myth/" target="_blank"><i>Article 7: The Prince Hall Myth</i></a>, which stated as its introduction:</span><br />
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"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>All Grand Lodges with lineage to the Old African Lodge No. 459, MUST trace their lineage through the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons Prince Hall Origin – National Compact USA</b>. This position has been the premise of debate amongst many African American Masonic scholars in print and social media. The opponents of this position have “revised” history to justify the opposite of this position. This post is a brief examination of the “myth” perpetuated by modern PHA Scholars as an attempt to distance themselves from their Prince Hall Origin “roots”.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>[1: emphasis mine]</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">It is the object of this article to evaluate and examine the position of this article in light of factual history and the correct interpretation of the documentation. We will point out the errors, present the refutation supported by the historical documentation; it is our hopes that the author of the article will either present more valid support or make the necessary corrections to the article.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><u>ERROR #1</u></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">All Grand Lodges with lineage to the Old African Lodge No. 459, MUST trace their lineage through the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons Prince Hall Origin – National Compact USA</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is truly an erroneous statement by the author. We do know for a fact that during the time of the formation of the National Grand Lodge and Compact, at least two Grand Lodges do not have to trace its existence through the National Grand Lodge: United Grand Lodge of the State of New York and The First Colored Grand Lodge of Maryland.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I know that the author will attempt to state that the subordinate Lodges of these Grand Lodges came under the National Grand Lodge, so their roots are in the National Grand Lodge. But let's actually look at this proposition and see if it can be forwarded as substantial evidence to stand on.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Boyer Lodge No. 1 of New York received its charter directly from African Grand Lodge of Boston in June of 1827:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Source: Minutes of Grand African Lodge, June 27, 1827</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other three subordinate lodges-Celestial Lodge, Rising Sun Lodge, and Hiram Lodge-were all Chartered before the establishment of the National Compact. These 4 Lodges established the United Grand Lodge for the State of New York:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">"On March of 1848, Boyer Lodge #1 along with Celestial #2, Rising Sun #3 and Hiram #4 came together and organized under the name United Grand Lodge F. and A.M., of the State of New York..."</span></span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">[2]</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There is no record that the United Grand Lodge of New York ever came under the National Compact. There is no record of the reception of a charter from the National Compact for United Grand Lodge of New York. Despite the so-called "expulsion" of New York by the National Grand Lodge in 1849, there is no evidence that the National Grand Lodge ever gave a charter to the Grand Lodge in New York. I address that issue of the PHO-National Compact attempting to claim that New York was a part of the Compact in 1848 in another article:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>"Mr. Belcher, in his first question, attempts to place the United Grand Lodge of New York as part of the National Compact. The New York Grand Lodge claims that they have never been subordinate to the National Grand Lodge at any time in its history. According to Blue-Lite Research Group founder and Grand Historian of the MWPHGL of NY, RW Ezekiel M. Bey:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>"In 1848, a majority of the members of Boyer Lodge repudiated the signatures of its three representatives (Alexander Elston, William C. Clark and Lewis Hayden) to the proposal that was made at the meeting in 1847. On March of 1848, Boyer Lodge #1 along with Celestial #2, Rising Sun #3, and Hiram #4 came together and organized under the name United Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of the State of New York."</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>According to Articles 5 and 7 of the <i>Articles of Union</i>, resolved by the Convention of 1847, State Grand Lodges were to send in, to the National Grand Lodge, annual returns and the National Grand Lodge was to issue charters to all State Grand Lodges THAT WOULD APPLY to them for one.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>My challenge to Mr. Belcher would be to produce an annual return to the National Grand Lodge from the United Grand Lodge of New York, and to provide an application to the National Grand Lodge petitioning a warrant for the United Grand Lodge of New York. This is a valid challenge, because the signers to the Convention Articles of 1847 were members of a LODGE, they were not a Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge did not form until 1848, which means their formation, if they were indeed a Compact Grand Lodge should have been sanctioned by warrant from the National Grand Lodge in 1848, for the Articles had been signed in 1847. And, if New York in 1848 was a Compact Grand Lodge, where is the annual returns they made to the National Grand Lodge. Woodlin's account must be taken with a grain of salt; although New York was added to a Grand Lodge listing in the Proceedings of the National Grand Lodge that Woodlin published in National Masonic Union [6], we find no names from the New York Grand Lodge as delegates to the Meeting in New York, June 24th-25th, 1848. Without this documentation, the only source would be Woodlin's work, and there is ample proof to show that National Masonic Union has many errors, and even a revised letter attributed to Prince Hall. Let's get to the first question:</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 20px;">If the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge expelled the United Grand Lodge of New York 4 days before it scheduled to have a special meeting, and the New York acknowledged the actions of the National Grand Lodge in its report, can it be concluded that the United Grand Lodge was a member of the National Grand Lodge and the committee’s report a ploy to distance themselves?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The error here is that Mr. Belcher attempts to affirm that the United Grand Lodge of New York was a Compact Grand Lodge because they "acknowledged the actions of the National Grand Lodge in its report." I want to place the paragraph of the Committee report that Belcher uses to claim that New York was a member of the Compact:<br /><br />"They did, however, in the plentitude of their power, on the 26th day of June, A. L. 5849, (a day we shall ever hold sacred to their memory) attempted to expel the "United Grand Lodge of the State of New York"..."</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">This is no way indicates that New York was a member of the National Compact. With the absence of annual returns, the application for a Compact Warrant, the existence of a Compact charter for New York and this statement in the very same report:</b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;">WE DID NOT DEEM IT WISE, OR PRUDENT, TO HAVE IT APPEAR THAT THE UNION HAD BEEN EFFECTED, ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THE FINAL CONSUMMATION...WE HELD THE MATTER AT ABEYANCE UNTIL THE CONGREGATED WISDOM OF THE BRETHREN IN A CALMER MOMENT..."</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>The word here, as R. W. Ezekiel M. Bey states in, <i>The Hour Glass</i>, is ABEYANCE, which means:<br /><br />"A Temporary state of disuse or suspension."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>The report states that they considered the coming into the National Compact, but held the matter SUSPENDED, until the next time they congregated, which subsequently cause a division in their Grand Lodge in 1849. This gave birth to the Union Grand Lodge (Compact). The United Grand Lodge was at odds as to join or not join. The United Grand Lodge chose to remain independent, and "[f]our of the Lodges of the newly formed United Grand Lodge of New York, and parts of two other lodges of the United Grand Lodge, formed the core of the Union Grand Lodge."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;"><b><span style="font-size: 13px;">So, the conclusion that United Grand Lodge of New York was subordinate to the National Grand Lodge falters for the lack of evidence. As far as the Committee report being a ploy to distance themselves from the National Grand Lodge is based on the initial faulty premise that they were a subordinate. You can be no more distant than NOT A PART."</span>[3]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The First Colored Grand Lodge of Maryland did not form under the National Compact either. According to documentation, that will not be refuted by the Pro-Compact writers, the Lodges that formed the First Colored Grand Lodge of Maryland, were chartered by the First Independent African Grand Lodge of North America (Pennsylvania). All of the Lodges were chartered by this Grand Body before the formation of the National Grand Lodge. There is no documentation that the Independent Grand Lodge of Maryland ever became party to the National Compact. According to the MW Prince Hall GL of Maryland's website:</span></span></div>
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<span class="size9 Helvetica9" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 15px; min-height: 15px;">The First African Independent Grand Lodge of North America No. 1 of the State of Pennsylvania, whose own authority came directly from Prince Hall, warranted the first lodge of black Masons constituted in the state of Maryland on February 2, 1825. This lodge was styled as African Friendship Lodge of Baltimore No. 6. Thereafter the same authority warranted Saint James Lodge and Enterprise Lodge. In 1845, again with the able assistance of Pennsylvania, these three (3) subordinate lodges formed the First Colored Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M. of the state of Maryland, with Rev. James A. Handy as Grand Master.</span></div>
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<span class="size9 Helvetica9" style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 1847, following the establishment of the National Grand Lodge, another grand lodge was organized in Maryland pursuant to its authority and styled as Union Grand Lodge.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>[4]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">The debate that will be engaged is whether the First Colored Grand Lodge of Maryland was formed in 1845 or 1848. It does not matter what side of the debate you will choose to take, one thing is for certain, that Grand Lodge never took a National Compact warrant, and was never part of the National Compact.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">So, we have found error in the the proposition that ALL Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges must trace their history through the National Compact.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"><u>ERROR #2</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">The writer continues his provision of misconception:</span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">What is the Article 7 “Myth”???</span></div>
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The “Myth” is a rhetorical strategy to align Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges that were established by the MW National Grand Lodge with “lofty” modern United Grand Lodge of England standards that state Grand Lodges must be established by three independent Lodges. PHA scholars cite that these Grand Lodges were “allowed”, by the National Grand Lodge Constitution, to form Grand Lodges independent of the National Grand Lodge then those Grand Lodges applied for a National Grand Lodge Warrant later. They cite the Article of Union of the Grand Lodges that were at the meeting which established the National Grand Lodge. It reads as follows:</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Art. 7. The National Grand Lodge shall grant warrants to all State Grand Lodges applying, if worthy which said Lodge shall be constituted agreeably to ancient rules and regulations.” [1]</em></span></div>
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The PHA scholars must paint the above as part of the National Grand Lodge Constitution. Those supportive of the “Article 7 Myth” must use this myth to also paint the fantasy portrait that PHA Grand Lodges were “sovereign” Grand Lodges before being NGL subordinates. This gives the illusion that when those Grand Lodges left the National Grand Lodge in the early to mid 1870s, they were simply <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">“re-claiming”</span></em> their sovereignty when they were never established as such.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The writer is writing from the position that the modern version of the National Compact is the same as the National Grand Lodge of 1847, and so THEY are the root of African American Freemasonry. This position creates flaws in his theories and therefore produces a faulty premise upon which the post is built.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Firstly, The National Grand Lodge of 1847 is not the root of African American Freemasonry, African Lodge #459 is. Secondly, there were Grand Lodges in existence before the formation of the National Compact, which means it did not charter all the Grand Lodges in our lineage. Last, but not least, the PHO-National Compact is not the same as the National Grand Lodge of 1847 (please refer to my article, <i><a href="http://quillandsword357.blogspot.com/2015/07/more-belcherismthe-clock-tolls-for.html" target="_blank">More Belcherism</a></i>)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After 1878, many of the Compact Grand Lodge merged or were absorbed by Independent Grand Lodges in their respective states. By 1880, there was only a faction attempting to continue the National Grand Lodge. By 1881, we find the National Grand Master, George W. Levere in the merger of the Compact Grand Lodge of Tennessee and the Independent Grand Lodge of the same. There were no Triennials, just a fractured body of groups operating in a couple States. The National Compact had lost all of its original Grand Lodges that formed it, and was a dysfunctional organization using both desperate and illegal methods to continue.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So, the writer is wrong to assume that his propaganda holds any truth. All Grand Lodges under the National Grand Lodge were started without aid of the National Grand Lodge, and they petitioned the National Grand Lodge to enter the Compact.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"><u>ERROR #3</u></span><br />
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They cite the Article of Union of the Grand Lodges that were at the meeting which established the National Grand Lodge. It reads as follows:</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Art. 7. The National Grand Lodge shall grant warrants to all State Grand Lodges applying, if worthy which said Lodge shall be constituted agreeably to ancient rules and regulations.” [1]</em></span></div>
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The PHA scholars must paint the above as part of the National Grand Lodge Constitution. </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">The above article comes from the Article of Union that were formed at the Convention of 1847, this we agree. The question now has to be answered by the writer is:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">WHAT WERE THESE ARTICLES OF UNION GOVERNING, if not the National Grand Lodge?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">The Articles of Union served as the Constitution of the National Grand Lodge. The writer states:</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The PHA scholars must paint the above as part of the National Grand Lodge Constitution.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then adds more exposure of his deliberate propaganda:</span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600;">Constitution?? What Constitution???</span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Allow me to actually post the first page of the 1856 National Grand Lodge Proceedings:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdxGByGYTLWXcw5x0dQpdZ8n3RAhCrNJawusZ4aHVA4pEf_jlQDEasM-UXbLp9PF6BBzYYD-umCxUXcvBW4pxfpuhqjO9Y-VlwV5Lyhsz8XEAZtl76B9eKbvAsn_Xld7tUEEB2mVeSidx/s1600/1856+National+Grand+Lodge+Proceedings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdxGByGYTLWXcw5x0dQpdZ8n3RAhCrNJawusZ4aHVA4pEf_jlQDEasM-UXbLp9PF6BBzYYD-umCxUXcvBW4pxfpuhqjO9Y-VlwV5Lyhsz8XEAZtl76B9eKbvAsn_Xld7tUEEB2mVeSidx/s640/1856+National+Grand+Lodge+Proceedings.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The above is pages 6-7 of the 1856 Proceedings of the National Grand Lodge Triennial. What you read on page 7 is CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL GRAND LODGE, adopted in the city of Boston, dated June 24, 1847.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The writer asked, "WHAT CONSTITUTION??"</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Well, now he has an answer to his question. And, allow me to present Article VII of this very Constitution, that he denies existed:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VzmqU4E-J0/Vb5dwBl-5YI/AAAAAAAARSA/ZPU3WinVBGE/s1600/Article%2BVII%2B1847%2BNGL%2BConstitution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VzmqU4E-J0/Vb5dwBl-5YI/AAAAAAAARSA/ZPU3WinVBGE/s640/Article%2BVII%2B1847%2BNGL%2BConstitution.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I added the upper portion of the page to show that it is a continuation from page 7, which began the CONSTITUTION of the National Grand Lodge adopted 1847; please read Article VII of this Constitution:</span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 20px;"><br /></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px;">I actually reprinted Mr. Belcher's version of Article VII, so that you can see that they are the same. So, Article VII is part of the National Grand Lodge Constitution of 1847. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px;">So, we find the Mr. Belcher again, presenting error and propaganda for facts, but when placed in the light of the documentation, it just doesn't stand up.</span></span></div>
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According to the printing of the Declaration of Sentiments of the National Grand Lodge in the Proceedings of 1856, the Constitution of the NGL was the Ahiman Rezon [2]</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">And he provides the following as documentation to support his claim:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">What Mr. Belcher failed to put together was that if there was a CONSTITUTION for the National Grand Lodge in 1847, which we can stand on from their own documentation, then the above statement must have been forwarded as a UNIFORMED CONSTITUTION for the SEVERAL GRAND LODGES.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The Ahiman's Rezon was not for the government of the National Grand Lodge, but for the Grand Lodges under the National Grand Lodge. The Committee was presenting a recommendation to make the government of the Grand Lodges UNIFORMED. Wasn't this a primary reason for the formation of the National Compact?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At least this what their primary source of information stated, Joshua Woodlin, in his pamphlet, <i>Masonic National Union</i>. The Ahiman's Rezon was for the uniformed government of the Craft, not the National Grand Lodge. The National Grand Lodge formed a constitution to govern itself, and it provided the Ahiman's Rezon as a Constitution for the Grand Lodges under it. There is NOTHING in the Ahiman's Rezon that would apply to the National Grand Lodge and its structure and relationship to the Grand Lodges in the Compact. It was a Constitution for a GRAND LODGE not a NATIONAL GRAND LODGE. </span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Could the Original Three Grand Lodges of the National Grand Lodge “re-claim” Sovereignty???</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">NO! Abso</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">lutely not!!! The three Grand Lodges which f</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">ormed the National Grand Lodge were re-organized and the original Grand Lodges ceased to exist after the establishment of the National Grand Lodge. After </span>John T. Hilton<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> was elected the first National Grand Master and the Grand Lodges which were part of the Convention were designated to be restructured by National Grand Master Hilton. The African Grand Lodge was restructured and renamed the Right Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts by virtue of warrant from the National Grand Lodge.[3] The First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania merged and formed the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. [4]</span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Grand Lodges, by virtue of their very existence, are sovereign and independent. Pro-Compact writers believe that once Grand Lodges received a warrant from the National Grand Lodge, that there is no reclamation of sovereignty if that Grand Lodge decided to leave the Compact. We have already shown that Grand Lodges were formed then petitioned the National Grand Lodge for admission into the Compact. It was a part of their Constitution, despite the propaganda of Mr. Belcher.<br /><br />This means that Grand Lodges were created independent of the National Grand Lodge, and were not considered a part of the National Compact until a petition for a Compact warrant was received. This has been the case in 95% of the Grand Lodge formations prior to 1879. This is undeniable.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">If a Grand Lodge did not petition the National Grand Lodge, then they were just not party to the National Compact, but it had no bearing on their status as a Grand Lodge. If they were formed by Convention and Constitution in the acceptable usage and custom, they were sovereign Grand Lodges. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">When Grand Lodges chose to become part of the Compact, ONLY THEN would they have given up that Sovereignty. The point I would like to clarify as well is the falsity of "reorganization". There was no reorganization of the Grand Lodge in 1847, and neither was their in the reception of a Compact Warrant.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">None of the Grand Lodges reorganized, because no major changes were made to their structure of leadership, they just accepted the National Grand Lodge as the superior body, that is all. I would challenge any pro-Compact writer to justify their "reorganization" theory by showing what major changes did any of the first Grand Lodges went through.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Both Grand Lodges in Pennsylvania remained two separate Grand Lodges with the Grand Line in tact at the formation of the National Grand Lodge. There were no changes but the fact that they countenance the National Grand Body as a governing body. No changes were made in the Grand Masters or officers or structure. It wasn't until a year later that the two Grand Lodges in Pennsylvania decided to merge, that changes were made and the "reorganization" can be justified.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">All Grand Lodges that were formed elected their officers and adopted their constitution, and then petitioned the National Grand Lodge, who made no changes in what they had established, they just issued a warrant to the Grand Lodge. So Mr. Belcher's attempt to use Pennsylvania fails. I will challenge him to show me what major "reorganization" that took place for any Grand Lodge at the reception of a National Compact warrant.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here we have Lewis Hayden, who was a delegate to the Boston Convention of 1847 explaining how a State Grand Lodge would become part of the National Grand Lodge. An important portion of the letter stated:<br /><br />"Again, it was conceived by the members of that convention that such an organization could be masonically formed, preserving ALL the RIGHTS and PREROGATIVES <b>NATURALLY BELONGING</b> TO THE STATE GRAND LODGES"</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to point out the phrase, "Naturally Belonging".</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Naturally belonging alludes to what is inherent in that entity. One of the INHERENT RIGHTS and PREROGATIVES NATURALLY BELONGING to a Grand Lodge is its sovereignty.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;">All Masonic writers of all times agree that a Grand Lodge is INHERENTLY SOVEREIGN. They don't need permission to be sovereign, they are so by the virtue of their formation and constitution. I challenge Mr. Belcher to produce any documentation of 1847-1880 (outside of the irregular NGL) that will declare that no Grand Lodge is inherently sovereign.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we can see that the alleged Article 7 "myth" has been established as documented fact and the only myths that have been exposed are the ones proposed in the article of Mr. Belcher.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">1. Christopher Belcher, Article 7: The Prince Hall Myth, PHO-National Compact Blog</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/article-7-the-prince-hall-myth/">http://www.princehallorigin.com/article-7-the-prince-hall-myth/</a></span></div>
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2. MWPHGL of New York website: <a href="http://princehallny.org/aboutus.html">http://princehallny.org/aboutus.html</a></div>
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3. Bro. John L. Hairston, The Quill and the Sword, More Belcherism article:<br />
<a href="http://quillandsword357.blogspot.com/2015/07/more-belcherismthe-clock-tolls-for.html">http://quillandsword357.blogspot.com/2015/07/more-belcherismthe-clock-tolls-for.html</a></div>
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4. MWPHGL of Maryland website: <a href="http://www.mwphglmd.com/Grand-Lodge-History.html">http://www.mwphglmd.com/Grand-Lodge-History.html</a></div>
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*All other documents sources are listed on the document entries in the article.</div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-17889091494026317182015-07-20T20:38:00.001-07:002015-12-02T10:39:50.822-08:00More Belcherism...The Clock Tolls for Myths and Misconceptions by Bro. John L. Hairston, Editor<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Again we find ourselves confronted by more Belcherism, in the form of an attempted response to my article, challenging Bro. Alton Roundtree's views of my position on the "continuous existence" theory of the National Grand Lodge, that has long clouded the truth on this topic.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is becoming quite clear that the PHO-National Compact historian is in a hurry to regain credibility in this realm of debate, having multiple articles on his blog refuted by this writer. It is important to note that the article, which can be found <a href="http://quillandsword357.blogspot.com/2015/07/response-to-bro-alton-roundtrees.html" target="_blank">here</a>, has largely been avoided by the Best-Selling masonic author, Bro. Alton Roundtree himself. So not allowing the article to impact the equation without some form of resistance, we find Mr. Belcher once again trying to establish pro-Compact rhetoric and historical revisionism as factual evidence. Mr. Belcher in the initial opening of his response states:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Building a Straw House Upon a Court Case Thirty Years Later?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />“ The current Prince Hall Origin group is the REORGANIZATION and ASSUMPTION of the name of the National Grand Lodge in 1889.” – John Hairston</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />John Hairston’s source: Common Pleas Court of Franklin County (Ohio) dated July 19, 1921</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hairston brings attention to the following quote from those court proceedings in which he cites “Upon the question as to whether or not in the year 1877 or 1878 the National Grand Lodge CEASED TO EXIST or ADJOURNED SINE DIE, there is a divergence in the evidence. However this may be, IT CLEARLY APPEARS FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE that there was a HIATUS OF ELEVEN OR TWELVE YEARS IN THE OPERATION AND FUNCTIONING OF SAID NATIONAL GRAND LODGE”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Before going into Mr. Belcher's "observations", let's establish a ground point. Yes, Mr. Belcher, a Court Case from thirty years ago can establish a precedent and give insight to the structure, operation and philosophy of an organization. This being, that both parties to the case must provide sufficient evidence, such as documentation, to establish their case in question. It is in the best interest for pro-Compact hardliner to disregard any attempt to discredit the July 19, 1921 case in the Common Pleas Court of Franklin Co. Ohio; they understand that the findings of the courts damages significantly the "continued existence" theory. What Mr. Belcher failed to also add, was that this is not the only documentation utilize to establish my point that the National Grand Lodge was dissolved in 1878, officially 1879. He fails to even address the whole point that the so-called National Grand Grand Master from 1877-1886 was a member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee, during the years of 1881-1883, and he is listed on the Past Master's listing in 1885. He attempted to choose the parts that he could twist and explain without sounding as if he is contradicting himself, so he deliberately chose to omit any "response" to the fact that George W. Levere was a member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee, when he suppose to be the National Grand Master. But we will get to that point a bit later. Mr. Belcher stated:</span><br /><br />"Hairston clearly disregarded that the judge clearly states that there was a “divergence” in the evidence. Divergence is defined as differences, varying or contrastive."<br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">No sir Mr. Belcher, I didn't disregard that statement, because I didn't take it out of context as you did. Let's look at the statement in question by the Judge in the case and see what he truly stated:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Upon the question as to whether or not in the year 1877 or 1878 the National Grand Lodge CEASED TO EXIST or ADJOURNED SINE DIE, there is a divergence in the evidence. However this may be, IT CLEARLY APPEARS FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE that there was a HIATUS OF ELEVEN OR TWELVE YEARS IN THE OPERATION AND FUNCTIONING OF SAID NATIONAL GRAND LODGE."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This portion that Mr. Belcher attempts to use as support, contradicts him:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Upon the question as to whether or not in the year 1877 or 1878 the National Grand Lodge CEASED TO EXIST or ADJOURNED SINE DIE, there is a divergence in the evidence."<br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">The Judge, in his statement was acknowledging an ongoing debate, that is still being waged to the very present. He was acknowledging that both sides were presenting their evidence as to what happened at the Convention of Wilmington Delaware in 1878. The above statement is isolated and exclusively addressing the date that was given as the dissolution date of the National Grand Lodge. Another point to make sure that the statement makes clear is that the Compact masons at this hearing could not have had minutes of the meetings or proceedings of Triennials for the 11 or 12 years that were found to be years of dormancy of the National Grand Lodge. Look at his following statement:</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />"However this may be, IT CLEARLY APPEARS FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE that there was a HIATUS OF ELEVEN OR TWELVE YEARS IN THE OPERATION AND FUNCTIONING OF SAID NATIONAL GRAND LODGE."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">The Judges says in essence, 'while there may be a debate about the day that the National Grand Lodge shut down, IT CLEARLY APPEARS' that there was a cease in operation or functioning of the NGL.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">It is funny that while Mr. Belcher found it necessary to define divergence, he failed to clarify what it meant when the Judge stated, "IT CLEARLY APPEARS". If the Compact Masons would have had minutes or proceedings of the Triennial present, then there would have been CLEAR and APPARENT evidence that the National Grand Lodge was in operation during the "hiatus" that was clearly apparent to the Courts. And, since Mr. Belcher was so kind to offer the dictionary as a source of definition, I can do the same in defining what a HIATUS is:</span></span><span class="sn" style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;"><br />a</span><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><strong style="color: #223645; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">:</strong><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> an <b>interruption</b> in time or <b>continuity</b> </span><strong style="color: #223645; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">:</strong><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><a class="sx-link sc" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break" style="color: #10529b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px !important; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">break</a><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">; </span><em style="color: #223645; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">especially</em><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><strong style="color: #223645; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">:</strong><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> a <b>period when something</b> (as a program or activity) <b>is suspended or interrupted</b> </span><span class="vi" style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><after a 5-year <em>hiatus</em> from writing></span><br />
<span class="vi" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">[definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary]</span></span><br />
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<span class="vi"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Continued Existence and operation needs that there be NO INTERRUPTION or SUSPENSION in activity or operation. If the Courts could find CLEAR and APPARENT evidence as to the DISCONTINUITY and SUSPENSION of operation of the National Grand Lodge for 11 to 12 years, then I can support my position with the Courts findings...Mr. Belcher continued:</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 20px;">"The judge did make his interpretation and concluded that the NGL was on “hiatus”."</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="vi"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">I expect more from an educator and journalist. Mr. Belcher attempts to place the term hiatus in quotations as if by doing so, it modifies the meaning to mean that it was in operation or functioning. Hiatus means that there was NO OPERATION or ACTIVITY from the National Grand Lodge. No quotation marks will modify his statement. It was clear and apparent to the Courts that the National Grand Lodge was not in operation nor functioning from 1878 to 1889; this means they were not holding regular Triennial Sessions. The evidence is that there were no proceedings nor minutes for those years in question. Had the Courts been able to see those Proceedings, then they would have seen irrefutable evidence of Triennials held. What about the Newspapers of the day, there were no clippings that could have been admitted into evidence? Mr. Belcher has to understand that he is not attempting to refute my opinion, but the findings of an impartial and unbiased Court. Mr. Belcher continues:</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 20px;">"Court Judges constantly make interpretation based upon evidence presented but omitted evidence will never factor because it is not part of the presentments. This divergence appeared in a court before the case entered by John Hairston."</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="vi"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Are you reading that? Mr. Belcher just admitted that the ruling that the Courts made was based on the fact that the Compact masons in 1921, could not provide a continued existence or continuity of operation for those 11 to 12 years. They could not show an unbroken chain of Communications of the National Grand Lodge. Not a set of minutes, not a proceeding, not a newspaper clipping or correspondence. This does not strike Mr. Belcher as a reason to conclude that the National Grand Lodge was not functioning in Triennials, but he would rather term it an "omitting of evidence", as if the Compact masons HAD the information, but chose to omit it as evidence. No, the reality is that there were no articles of evidence that could prove that they were holding any Triennials for those years. I want to make sure that we are clear, THERE WASN'T A SHRED OF EVIDENCE THAT THE COMPACT MASON COULD PROVIDE THE COURTS TO PROVE THAT THEY HELD A TRIENNIAL FOR THOSE YEARS? But, he accuses me of building straw men arguments. Let's continue, Mr. Belcher states:</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 20px;">"An appeal of the case between The MW United Grand Lodge of Maryland (now styled MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland) versus William F. Green, Grand Master of the MW Grand Lodge of Maryland F&AAYM and others. In this case the judge hearing the evidence presented ruled in favor of the National Grand Lodge subordinate. What is of interest to this case is William H. Grimshaw testified in the case. Also of interest is a GLARING contradiction in which the appellate Judge noted."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I would like to offer a link to the case in question here so that you can read it for yourself:</span><br /><span style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://casetext.com/case/grand-lodge-f-a-masons-v-green" target="_blank">United Grand Lodge of Maryland vs Green</a></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="vi"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">I challenge Mr. Belcher to point out where in this case does it establish that the National Grand Lodge had a continued existence?<br /><br />I want to point out the testimony of one Rev. J. M. Cornell in the case, because his testimony is quite revealing, it states:</span></span></span><br />
<span class="vi"><span style="background-color: white; color: #171e22; line-height: 33.8400001525879px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="vi"><span style="background-color: white; color: #171e22; line-height: 33.8400001525879px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rev. J.M. Cornell testified that he had been a Mason for thirty years, and for the entire time had "been a very ardent student of the institution." He was a member of the Free and Accepted Ancient York National Compact and he had been Grand Master of Tennessee, which recognized the National Grand Lodge as the superior body.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rev. Cornell stated that he was a member of Tennessee, and had been a mason for 30 years as well as an ardent student of the institution. Cornell states:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #171e22; line-height: 33.8400001525879px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #171e22; line-height: 33.8400001525879px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that the National Grand Lodge has held meetings once every three years, that he attended one in 1898 at Columbus, Ohio</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;">Cornell testifies that he had been a member since 1890, but didn't attend a Triennial until 1898. How is his testimony of substance concerning the dates of 1878-1889, which are the years that the Ohio Courts found to be the years of dormancy? How does this case negate the Ohio Courts findings? A handbook that shows the National Grand Masters, but NO PROCEEDINGS or MINUTES. The "evidence" is the memory of Mr. Cornell, and a handbook that had the Sentiments in it. Mr. Cornell testified that he had received summons from the National Grand Lodge for the past 29 years, meaning beginning in 1891, quite a few years from the hiatus years. Look at the heart of the testimony again Mr. Belcher:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #171e22; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #171e22; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He gave the names of the Grand Masters of the National Compact from the first one to the present time — including Bishop John Wesley Allstalk, who was the incumbent when he testified; that the National Grand Lodge has held meetings once every three years, that he attended one in 1898 at Columbus, Ohio, one at Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1901, and one at Atlanta, Ga., in 1904, that those were all he had attended in person but that he had received a summons from the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge to attend them for a period of twenty-nine years. Robert J. Simmons testified that he was Right Worshipful National Grand Secretary of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons, National Compact — being the National Grand Lodge — that he had attended sessions of the National Grand Lodge in Washington, D.C., in 1909, Orangeburg, S.C., in 1912, Atlanta, Ga., in 1915, and Louisville, Ky., in 1918. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Your use of this case in no way refutes the finding of the Courts in Ohio. They never even touched the years of 1878-1889, which the Ohio Courts found suitable and significant evidence to deem that there had been a stoppage in functions and operations. The Maryland case doesn't provide that there were minutes, proceedings or documentation that would refute the findings in Ohio. They submitted in evidence a handbook (which was unexplained), and the memory of one, Rev. Cornell of Tennessee, who didn't become a mason until 1890, a year after the RESTART of the National Grand Lodge. What you, in fact, did Mr. Belcher was provide even more compelling evidence that the Ohio findings were correct. Mr. Belcher continued:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It could be concluded in the context of the Appellant Judge’s report that because two authors, both of which were for the plaintiffs, could not escape that they published dates different from each other and the National Grand Lodge presented contradictory testimony to the allegation of it shutting down and testified (under oath) that the National Grand Lodge continued, the courts ruled in favor of the National Grand Lodge by denying the state rights Grand Lodge’s appeal. Again this was a year before the Ohio case as presented by Hairston. It is clear evidence that the courts can interpret evidence and come to different conclusions</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Again, it is clear that the Case in Maryland did not show that the Compact had given evidence that would refute the findings in Ohio a year later. The Case in Maryland doesn't even touch the "hiatus" years of the National Grand Lodge. Mr. Belcher attempts to establish a position for the court, but let's allow the Courts to speak for themselves:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #171e22; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #171e22; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;">We have thus at some length referred to the testimony of witnesses on both sides. <b>The evidence on neither side can be regarded as satisfactorily establishing the claim to its right to represent the Masonic Fraternity among colored people, to the exclusion of the other</b>. Like most church, fraternity and family quarrels which get into courts the evidence is unsatisfactory because it is colored by prejudices and partisan views of most things connected with the controversy. Neither </span><span class="page_number" data-page="592" id="p592" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;">*592</span></span></span><span class="page_number_margin" data-page="592" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; left: -30px; line-height: 33.8400001525879px; margin-top: 0px; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">592</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #171e22; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> of these factions is recognized by the white Masons of this country, although both have amongst their numbers ministers of the Gospel and others who would seem to be amongst the most intelligent colored people. <b>But the appellant has the burden of satisfying the court that it is entitled to the claim it makes to the exclusion of the other side. It is sufficient to say that it has not established to our satisfaction the right to have the appellees enjoined from the use of the name Masons or Free Masons, or from having lodges in Baltimore, or doing the other things mentioned in the prayer of the bill.</b> The evidence is not of the certain and authentic kind which a court should require before undertaking to determine such questions between two branches of factions of an order. There is irreconcilable conflict between the witnesses who ought to be the best informed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This provides a prime example of the revisionism committed by Mr. Belcher and other pro-Compact writers. The above is the Judgement of the Court, I challenge Mr. Belcher to find the portion that established that the Compact has a continued existence or that they were indeed operating from 1879-1889, Holding REGULAR TRIENNIALS. He built a strawman position for the Court in an attempt to establish that the Ohio Courts got their findings wrong. Yet, we have the Court of Maryland stating that both sides were insufficient. This shows no establishment of "continued existence". Mr. Belcher continues:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Grand Lodge of Ohio’s (now MWPHGL of Ohio) own proceedings provide evidence of the National Grand Lodge being in continued existence. <br /><br />“DELAWARE- This Grand Lodge (Independent) has failed, for some years to print her proceedings, therefore we are unable to say very much of or for her. Our verteran Bro. Grand Secretary, E. H. Anderson, is still at his post, and has given us what information we have. He informs us that the Grand Lodge is pursuing the even tenor of her way; that by act of Legislature the Grand Lodge has been incorporated; that they are at peace with the Philistines[The nationals]. We would think, that it would be a worthy object for the Masons of Delaware, to labor for a union in their own state, as very nearly all the states have united. We opine for the present that no worthier an object presents itself for the action of our Brethren in this State. Soon we shall begin to tell the Compact Grand Lodges by small numbers: to the best of our knowledge, Penn, Kansas, South Carolina, Delaware and Tennessee, with a few isolated Lodges in other jurisdictions, are about the sum total of the strength of the Compact Grand Lodges and Lodges. If Delaware will but go to work and unify the Masons of her own state, there will be one more hiding place less for the national Grand Lodge. We hope the Grand Lodge of Delaware will buckle on her armour, and go forth to do hostile battle for the freedom of Colored Masons, as of old. First by keeping herself before the Masonic world in her true light, and then by waging war against the National Compact, until every Mason within her borders, shall have been brought to light, in the right.<br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Mr. Belcher again fails to comprehend the obvious, and is in denial of the fact that the National Grand Lodge died an official death Dec. 31, 1879. The Levere-Matthews faction chose to rebel against the will of the Craft and continue to operate under the name of a DEAD ENTITY. So, what the Ohio Lodges were noting wasn't a CONTINUED EXISTENCE, but the rebellious operation of a clandestine group who chose to defy the will of the Craft and operate as a clandestine body.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Let's take for example Mr. Belcher decides to close his business and the stakeholders vote to dissolve it, that business died that day. If one or two people choose to pick up the name and operate under it doesn't establish "continued existence", that is a DIFFERENT GROUP, the ORIGINAL GROUP DIED BY VOTE. So, Ohio documenting the clandestine movements of George W. Levere and W. D. Matthews is no establishment of "continued existence", but rather the exposure of a clandestine faction operating in rebellion. We will prove this point in the section where we will deal with Levere more closely. It is important that we point out that the movement seen isn't a legal and unbroken movement, it is a clandestine faction who deliberately chose to unlawfully restart the group. Mr. Belcher stated:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To add insult to Hairston’s injury, not only did Ohio mention the National Grand Lodge was in operation in 1880, but the Grand Lodge of Missouri (now MWHGL of Missouri) mentioned the National Grand Lodge meeting in 1880. Missouri said: “The eleventh triennial session of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge was convened in the city of Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday, May 12, 1880.”3 The National Grand Lodge Triennial Session of 1880, in addition to it being evident by the Proceedings of two Grand Lodges that were National Grand Lodge “enemies”, was mentioned in the “Early Evening” newspaper of Wilmington Delaware.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 33.8400001525879px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is important that we allow the documentation to speak. Please grasp that we haven't touched Levere as of yet, but we will show that the so-called Triennial in 1880 was a hoax, and that an EYE WITNESS WHO ATTENDED will verify the happenings. I want to also note that the events that are reported in the paper were events that doesn't prove what happened in or who attended the meeting. What Mr. Belcher doesn't inform the reader is the reports are sometimes sent in by the group being reported. They provide the points in the report. Why weren't the proceedings of the meeting provided in the newspaper article? Why weren't the names of the attendees given? Now, let's get an eye witness testimony of what happened in Delaware, at the 1880 so-called National Grand Lodge Triennial:</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">1883 Proceedings of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I want to repost my statements concerning this documentation, and add the questions, because in all of Mr. Belcher's statements and response, he forgot to answer these vital questions:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">S. V. B. Carty was the Grand Secretary of African Harmony Grand Lodge FAAYM for the State of Delaware at the time of the report he made, regarding the event after the Delaware Convention of 1878. According to Carty's report, the year after the Convetion (1879) George Levere (remember this name) made a call for a Convention in the same State (Delaware). This is important to understand, George Levere called a Special Session of the National Grand Lodge on Dec. 1, 1879, one year before the actual Triennial was to be held.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I want to make sure that we are clear that the Delaware Resolutions called for the Resolutions to be ratified by Dec. 31, 1879. But we have documentation that states that George Levere called the "convention" 29 days before the date adopted in the resolutions. This is blatant clandestine work on the part of Levere. I continued:</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">George W. Levere's call was a violation of Article v. of the 1874 </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Constitution of the National Grand Lodge (the Constitution in power at the Call of this clandestine convention) </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">which stated:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br />"The COMMUNICATION of the M. W. N. G. Lodge shall be held TRIENNIALLY on the FIRST TUESDAY of OCTOBER at such places AS MAY BE DESIGNATED BY A VOTE OF ITS MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES<br />SPECIALLY COMMUNICATIONS shall be had upon the CONCURRENT PETITION OF A MAJORITY of the M. W. State Grand Lodges, parties to the NATIONAL COMPACT."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Tenth Triennial of the National Grand Lodge was held in Pittsburgh, Penn. and was recorded in the Pittsburgh Gazette, May 18, 1877. The Eleven</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">th Triennial </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">was to be held in 1880, which would make the Convention held May 1879, by this faction of Compact masons, a Special Communication, according to the NGL Constitution. I challenge bro. Roundtree or any PHO representative to produce the CONCURRENT PETITION BY A MAJORITY of MW State Grand Lodges praying for the Convention that was called by Levere in 1879. If we are to accept either contradicting statement of Bro. Roundtree regarding the number of Compact Grand Lodges in 1878 or 1879, then eight Compact Grand Lodges would have had to made petition in 1878 or six in 1879.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Question:<br /><br />If the Concurrent petition occurred in 1878, what 8 State Grand Lodges made petition? If it occurred in 1879, what 6 State Grand Lodges made petition?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">If there is no documented proof of any kind as to a Concurrent Petition of a majority of State Grand Lodges in 1878 or 1879, then the Convention Call was a violation of the Constitution and all acts under it clandestine.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">According to the above account by Carty, those who complied with the call were but George W. Levere (the last legal NGM), G. W. Daniels (Tennessee), W. D. Matthews (NGSW), and the representative of the Compact Grand Lodge of Delaware (African Harmony Grand Lodge) of which S. V. B. Carty was present. With Levere and Daniels both being from Tennessee, Matthews from Kansas, and Harmony Grand Lodge, there was only 3 Grand Lodge present; hardly a quorum for business by the Constitution. The General Regulations, Article IV. of the 1874 Constitution of the National Grand Lodge state explicitly:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"The Representatives of FIVE GRAND LODGES, CONVENED ON DUE NOTICE, shall be INDISPENSABLY NECESSARY TO OPEN or TRANSACT BUSINESS IN THE NATIONAL GRAND LODGE..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">This is important on two accounts:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">1. The National Grand Lodge called the Delaware Convention of 1878 in which the resolution to shut down the National Grand Lodge was adopted. The National Grand Lodge was in power to invite into its proceedings whomever they so desired. The minutes from that Convention showed that there was a Quorum for the National Grand Lodge to transact business. So, irregardless if the Convention was attended by more than Compact Grand Lodges and representatives, the decisions of the National Grand Lodge leaders and their representatives was legal and binding. And just in case one attempt to argue the presence of the Independent Grand Lodges, Article VI under General Regulations states:<br /><br />"None but the members of the N. G. Lodge , (BROTHERS OF DISTINCTION FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS EXCEPTED) shall be present at the opening of the same..."</span></div>
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<span class="vi" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mr. Belcher's attempt to use 1880 as a means of establishing "continued existence" is hardly evidence in light of eye witness testimony and proof that the "convention" was called before the allotted date. Mr. Belcher gives this newspaper clipping as evidence of "continued existence":</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">MASONIC NEWS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">PORTION OF THE PROCEEDINGS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE M W N G L OF U S OF NORTH AMERICA OF A. A. Y. M., HELD AT WILMINGTON, DEL. MAY 17TH AND 18TH [1880]</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">This is significant in establishing that the National Grand Lodge could not hold a Triennial. It states that this was a SPECIAL SESSION. NO BUSINESS could be conducted in a Special Session. Mr. Belcher will hold this to be true of the Delaware Convention in 1878, citing that a Special Communication as such could not conduct the business of the National Grand Lodge, but we find a SPECIAL SESSION, NOT A TRIENNIAL being held in Wilmington Delaware in 1880, in violation of the National Grand Lodge Constitution and the Delaware Convention resolutions of 1878.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Here is a portion of those proceedings that I call into question, and shows that the newspaper article held contradiction and misprints:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MASONIC ORIGIN, HISTORY, LAW AND JURIS PRUDENCE.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br />Appointed by the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge for the State of Kansas, at the Grand Annual Communication, held at Leavenworth City, <b>on the 6 day of October, A. L. 5870 A. D. 1870</b>, for the purpose of drawing up a memorial <b>to be presented to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America, in the Triennial Session to be</b> held at <b>Wilmington, Delaware, on the 12th day of May, A. L. 5880, A. D. 1880.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">It is obvious that Mr. Belcher copied and pasted the article, that attempts to purport that in 1870 a memorial was to be presented at the 1880 Triennial. This is an obvious error in the "proceedings", could it be that the proceedings of a PAST communication was being used to give business to the SPECIAL SESSION of 1880. Mr. Belcher believes that the article proves continued existence, but it reveals a blatant clandestine operation of a faction using the name of a dead organization. Mr. Belcher thinks that because he sees a NEWSPAPER CLIPPING with forwarded information by the faction in question, that it proves continued existence. Yet, he fails to explain the eye witness of Bro. S. V. B. Carty who was a Compact Mason who attended BOTH the 1879 meeting and 1880 Convention, and gave accounts of what happened; information the newspapers would not have been privy to. I think we can accept Bro. Carty's accounts because he was there in the meetings. Mr. Belcher then states:</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 20px;">He made a point to say that National Grand Master George Washington Levere was an expelled Mason. He also went to great lengths to show that George Washington Levere abandoned his post. There is no documentation in the literature that suggests that the NGL suspended NGM Levere.</span></span><br />
<span class="vi" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />This provides the height of his denial, because he blatantly and most deliberately failed to address the REAL statement. I never stated that George Levere was an EXPELLED MASON, this is fabricated by Mr. Belcher in an attempt to divert from the REAL STATEMENT, that George W. Levere was a suspended mason from his Lodge. Now that Mr. Belcher has entered George Levere back into question, I want to repost the information here so that readers can see that Levere was legally a suspended mason from an Independent Lodge while he allegedly served as the National Grand Master (1877-1886).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">George W. Levere is listed as the seventh National Grand Master, from 1877-1886. According to the Constitution of the National Grand Lodge (1874), under General Regulations, Article I and II:<br /><br />Article 1:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Every officer and member of the N. G. Lodge MUST BE A MEMBER of a SUBORDINATE LODGE WITHIN THE JURISDICTION of THE N.G. LODGE.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Article II:<br />NO BROTHER, resident in the vicinity of a Lodge, and who is not a member of some Lodge, shall be permitted to visit the N. G. Lodge except by special invitation.<br /><br />George W. Levere was in violation of the requirement of being a member of a Lodge under the National Grand Lodge. In the State of Tennessee we find the nail in the coffin.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">George W. Levere was a member of S. P. Pickett's Compact Grand Lodge (Meridian Lodge No. 4). George Daniels was a member of this same Grand Lodge as well. George Levere and George Daniels represented Tennessee in the clandestine convention in 1879.</span></div>
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<span class="vi" style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">These proceedings create a great dilemma for Compact hopefuls as they prove that the National Grand Lodge was without a National Grand Master for at least 3 years. Keep in mind, according to the Prince Hall Origin website, and Bro. Roundtree's book, Appendix 41, page 785, George W. Levere was supposedly the National Grand Master for the years of 1877-1886.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is quite clear from the above Proceedings of the Convention of merger for the Independent and Compact Grand Lodges, that this was a convention to merge the two Grand Lodges. George Levere was a member of the Compact Grand Lodge. This is irrefutable, Mr. Belcher could never deny this, because we can provide evidence that Levere served on the Committee of merger for the Compact Grand Lodge:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now, I challenge Mr. Belcher to refute the evidence that is presented. Was George Levere, whom Mr. Belcher will claim was the National Grand Master from 1877-1886, a part of the merger that took place in Tennessee in 1882, that merge the Compact Grand Lodge with the Independent Grand Lodge, which formed a new Independent Grand Lodge that was NOT A PART OF THE COMPACT?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">George W. Levere SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE FOR UNION!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Question for Mr. Belcher:<br /><br />Why would the National Grand Master of an ACTIVE and OPERATIVE National Grand Lodge be doing on the Committee for the merger of his Compact Grand Lodge in Tennessee?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">What a blow to the position of the Continuous Existence theory. The alleged National Grand Master was actually serving on the Committee of Masonic Union, which means that he was a member of the Grand Lodge of S. P. Pickett and a member of Meridian Lodge No. 4 in Knoxville. Even though he was elected the NGM in 1877, he was still subject to his membership in the Grand Lodge in Knoxville per the 1874 National Grand Lodge Constitution, General Regulations, Article I. The Union of the Independent and Compact Grand Lodges dissolved the Compact Lodge and formed the new Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee. There was no longer ANY Compact Grand Lodge in Tennessee, and the National Grand Master, by his own vote and participation was now a member of a Grand Lodge that was both Independent and NOT under the Jurisdiction of the National Grand Lodge. With the dissolving of the Compact Grand Lodge in the merger, came also the dissolving of both Levere's membership in the Compact and his position as National Grand Master.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Now to further damage the position of Mr. Belcher, we find him on the rolls as the Treasurer of his Lodge Meridian No. 8, under the new Independent Grand Lodge:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Questions for Mr. Belcher:<br /><br />Why would you create a fictional point to hide the fact that George Levere was a member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee?<br /><br />If you deny or attempt to minimize this documentation, can you provide documentation for a COMPACT Lodge that Levere was a member of in 1882-1883?<br /><br />Was it legal AT ANY TIME in the history of the National Grand Lodge, for a National Grand Master to be a member of an Independent Grand Lodge and hold the seat of the National Grand Master? was this constitutional? PLEASE PROVIDE PRECEDENCE AND DOCUMENTATION...If you cannot provide information to refute this, then it HAS to be accepted that George Levere was a member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee and subject to the Constitution of that Grand Lodge. That means any action by the Lodge or Grand Lodge is binding on Levere, because he was a member of that Grand Lodge and Meridian Lodge No. 8. Now, let's see the action of his Lodge and Grand Lodge:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">SUSPENDED for unmasonic conduct. Right here in black and white Mr. Belcher. George W. Levere was a SUSPENDED MASON from the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee. To show the sheer and utter ignorance and deliberate misguiding that Mr. Belcher is known for, here is his attempt at explaining the above documentation:</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">He made a point to say that National Grand Master George Washington Levere was an expelled Mason. He also went to great lengths to show that George Washington Levere abandoned his post. There is no documentation in the literature that suggests that the NGL suspended NGM Levere.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Now, can you see Mr. Belcher's attempt to mislead and divert the reader from the facts? It is obvious that George Levere was suspended, but Mr. Belcher wanted to make it seem that his seat was only negated if the National Grand Lodge suspended him. Of course there is no documentation in the literature of the National Grand Lodge at that time, because they weren't in operation at that time. George Levere was a member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee, there was no Compact Grand Lodge in Tennessee at this time. And Belcher must provide the Lodge that Levere was a member of in the Compact. If he cannot legitimately provide that information, then he is merely giving an opinion in the face of documented facts. Mr. Belcher even went so far as to state:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hairston tried to lean on the jurisprudence of the National Grand Lodge Constitution of 1874 in which he quoted:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“General Regulations, Article I and II: Article 1:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every officer and member of the N. G. Lodge MUST BE A MEMBER of a SUBORDINATE LODGE WITHIN THE JURISDICTION of THE N.G. LODGE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Article II: NO BROTHER, resident in the vicinity of a Lodge, and who is not a member of some Lodge, shall be permitted to visit the N. G. Lodge except by special invitation.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This logic is part of yet another straw man argument. To lose a Grand Master (if the NGL ever did) is covered in probably every Grand Lodge in the known world. Hairston in his passion simply made an omission in the NGL Constitution or he simply chose to mislead his readers and fans. He conveniently chose to leave out Article XIV “Of Succession” which clearly should let readers know whether the National Grand Master completes his term, or not, the National Grand Lodge does not cease to exist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">The above Constitutional articles I utilized to establish that Levere HAD TO BE A MEMBER OF A COMPACT LODGE and GRAND LODGE to be eligible for a seat as National Grand Master. It is right there in black and white. The pro-Compact adherents will state that Levere was National Grand Master from 1877-1886, but can't provide documentation of what Compact Lodge or Grand Lodge he belonged too for the years 1881-1883. Yet, I have provided documentation that he was an ACTIVE member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee until he was suspended, which proves that George Levere was a suspended Mason. Mr. Belcher make the point:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">To lose a Grand Master (if the NGL ever did) is covered in probably every Grand Lodge in the known world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">I just wanted to make sure that I highlighted this statement made by him. Why would he have to provide a constitutional argument for the loss of a National Grand Master, if Levere was the National Grand Master continuously from 1877-1886? he went on...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">He conveniently chose to leave out Article XIV “Of Succession” which clearly should let readers know whether the National Grand Master completes his term, or not, the National Grand Lodge does not cease to exist.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Mr. Belcher is again creating a straw man argument. My position is not that the National Grand Lodge was shut down because Levere was a SUSPENDED MASON sitting as the head of the clandestine group or that he was a member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee. My position is based on the fact that the National Grand Lodge called a Convention in 1878 in Delaware and voted to shut it down. The fact that the sitting National Grand Master became a member of and was eventually suspended from the Independent Grand L0dge just further gives light to how the National Grand Lodge was not holding Triennials. THERE WAS NO NATIONAL GRAND MASTER, and there is no documentation that can be provided that would prove that the Deputy National Grand Master or any other National Grand Lodge officer was acting in his stead. I challenge Mr. Belcher to make better use of the National Grand Lodge Constitution and show me documentation of that in application, because documentation proves that for 3 years Levere sat as an Independent Mason. If the National Grand Lodge was holding a Triennial in 1880 and over 600 people were there represented by 7 or more State Grand Lodges, then why would he be allowing his Grand Lodge in his HOME STATE be participants in a Merger to become INDEPENDENT? That is TREASON from a Compact point of view, and when he was suspended, he didn't take anyone with him. Mr. Belcher continues:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">John Hairston still stands firm to his argument that the 1878 Delaware Convention was a National Grand Lodge Session and that the 1878 Convention the power to shutdown the National Grand Lodge. Again if John Hairston would simply consult his own “PHA” Proceedings, he would draw different conclusions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">I want you to really get the sense of Belcherism here. Mr. Belcher attempts to direct me to Prince Hall proceedings, as if his position will be supported by the Proceedings. I took the challenge and went to the Proceedings in question. Mr. Belcher quotes, first:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">1877 – The Independent Grand Lodge of Kentucky (now MWPHGL of KY) correctly stated that a convention that included independent Grand Lodges could not shutdown the National Grand Lodge.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">It is the opinion of this Grand Lodge that the N.G. L. can only be abolished by a convention of the grand lodges which formed her, and those since, and adhering to her authority; as it is not customary for an institution of such universality and magnitude to make provisions for its own dissolution, but rather for its perpetuation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">He cites the Proceedings of the Independent Grand Lodge of Kentucky 1877 as the source of the above statement. Mr. Belcher, in his haste to give criticism, neglected to cite the correct source. I initially thought it a misquote and error in his citing because how could the 1877 Proceedings comment on a Convention that was to be held in 1878? So I sought the 1878 Proceedings of Kentucky and well....I will allow Kentucky to speak for themselves:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;"><b>1878 proceedings of the Independent Grand Lodge of Kentucky</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What you are reading is that Kentucky stated that the Compact was dead, and then ratified the Resolutions of Wilmington Delaware to further provide their opinion of the National Grand Lodge. They even provided a statement from Levere regarding the Convention:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully in Mr. Belcher's response to this, where he will address the entirety of the article, he will provide that quote from the 1877 Proceedings. His second quote came from Arkansas, and J. C. Corbin:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">J. C. Corbin, one of the staunchest opponents of the National Grand Lodge said the following: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Some Masonic writers hold that the Wilmington Convention served the purpose of this declaration. We dissent, holding that it was not in the power of that convention to dissolve the National Grand Lodge, although such might have been contemplated by that august body.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">He cited the 1886 Proceedings of the Independent Grand Lodge of Arkansas, pg. 76, which is incorrect again. I would like to post page 76 of that Proceeding to show the negligence in the writing and research of Mr. Belcher:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">1886 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, pg. 76</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we can see there is a habitual tendency for Mr. Belcher, to revise or just plain get it wrong. The statements issued here are from Richard Howell Gleaves (the Past National Grand Master that Levere succeeded in 1877) and W. E. Terry, there is no quote from Corbin. So, again I sought the Proceeding to see if I could help Mr. Belcher out. We now challenge Mr. Belcher to produce from the 1886 Arkansas Proceedings the statement that he claims that Corbin made. Here is the real statements of Corbin in the 1886 Arkansas Proceedings:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZVFi8_rw7U/Va2z3nX74EI/AAAAAAAAQr8/y5j2Pj_xElo/s1600/1886%2BArk%2BGL%2B035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZVFi8_rw7U/Va2z3nX74EI/AAAAAAAAQr8/y5j2Pj_xElo/s640/1886%2BArk%2BGL%2B035.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1886 Proceedings of Arkansas pg. 66</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> We find that Bro. J. C. Corbin, top left hand corner paragraph, support the actions of Delaware and believed that the resolutions killed the Compact legally. Here is another excerpt from the same Proceedings:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> Even J. C. Corbin, on page 71 top right hand paragraph, acknowledged the legality of the Delaware Convention, and declares that the group that was presently moving was a completely independent body from the original. Here is a statement from the Grand Master of Arkansas in the same Proceeding:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">It is this writer's opinion that Mr. Belcher is completely oblivious of the fact that there exists a network of Prince Hall historians who have a plethora of Proceedings, and we are in possession of the Proceedings, how can you make such a novice mistake? How can you just misquote entire passages and publish it as a reprimand? Please take the time to check your work. Mr. Belcher adds:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In conversation with Alton Roundtree, he said the following regarding John Hairston’s most recent Blog post: “He is operating with limited resources.” I must say that I disagree with Brother Roundtree on this assessment. If Hairston was committed to the Facts regarding the National Grand Lodge and its continued existence, he would have plenty resources. However because he is committed and vested in his position, he chooses to ignore facts in plain view that contradicts. His position of the supposed “hiatus” of the National Grand Lodge in the 1880s would have been killed if he would have simply consulted his Georgia Boys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">I had to laugh a bit, hoping that Bro. Alton Roundtree would do a better job at controlling Mr. Belcher and how he presents their private conversations concerning me. It is a known fact that Bro. Roundtree has a good working knowledge of what I have in my possession, because I have provided information concerning his book, that he failed to make known to the public in his book, the Untold Truth. I think also, the very large group of people who have access to my Google Drive, will also laugh along with me, as Bro. Roundtree, neither Belcher have any real idea of what I am in possession of. See, this is a tactic that Belcher uses to expose Bro. Roundtree to criticism, by exposing the fact that Bro. Roundtree is having private conversations about my work. I AM ABSOLUTELY honored that the Best Selling masonic author, finds the time to discuss my work. I can't accept the alleged statement from Mr. Belcher, because Bro. Roundtree has never made those statements to me, and negative feedback or not, he has never attempted to responded to my article. Mr. Belcher should have taken a cue from Bro. Roundtree. Mr. Belcher then states:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is important to note that the 1883 Triennial Session of the National Grand Lodge was documented by the Independent Grand Lodge of Connecticut (now MWPHGL of Connecticut).8 It may be asked, “What does Connecticut have to do with the Georgia Boys?”. The Georgia Boys should have, as good Masons, whispered wise counsel to John Hairston before writing his Roundtree attack blog. If they would have, John Hairston would have received a very healthy education. The following was written to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia (the GL which the Georgia Boys claim) in 1885 and serves as even further proof the National Grand Lodge was alive and functioning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">HARTFORD, CONN., September 3, 1885</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Brother W. E. Terry:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dear Sir and Brother.–Some time ago your Grand Lodge exchanged representatives, our Grand Master supposing at the time that he was in communication with the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Georgia. But since that time he has been informed different, having received a letter from the Grand Lodge of the State. And not wishing to recognize the National Compact he has requested me to ask for the return of the commission to the representative in the State of Georgia for the State of Connecticut, as I return to you for him the commission of Brother Rose as your representative near the Grand East of Connecticut. Trusting that before a great while there will be only one Grand Lodge in your State so that we can work in harmony and peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yours fraternally,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">W. H. MITCHELL</span></div>
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<span class="vi"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What Mr. Belcher continues to confuse himself with is my position. I will state here clearly, so that he can stop trying to push Correspondences for Triennials, from a clandestine group that restarted the a masonic group under the name of the National Compact. This is what the proceedings of the day state. The National Grand Lodge ended Dec. 31, 1879, officially, period. What moves that Levere and Matthews made after that date is illegal and clandestine. It cannot be used for his continued existence theory. He continues to build strawmen arguements in hopes of finding an angle, but he just proves that he is desperate to spout more pro-Compact rhetoric. The Georgia proceedings proves that there was a clandestine Body that was not the original Compact. The original Compact was voted out of existence by its own leaders and Grand Lodges. Even Levere stated that he had hoped for its success, and joined the Independent Grand Lodge. So, why is he trying to show me this "other" Compact group as if I believe they are the same?<br /><br />The rest of the article written by Mr. Belcher was just more Belcherism, trying to provide some writing tips that he doesn't apply at all.<br /><br />I want to make sure to list my questions here that he failed to answer, just to make sure that he takes the time to address them:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Question:<br /><br />If the Concurrent petition occurred in 1878, what 8 State Grand Lodges made petition? If it occurred in 1879, what 6 State Grand Lodges made petition?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If there is no documented proof of any kind as to a Concurrent Petition of a majority of State Grand Lodges in 1878 or 1879, then the Convention Call was a violation of the Constitution and all acts under it clandestine.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Can you explain why you listed George Levere as the National Grand Master for the years of 1877-1886, when it is clear and evident that he, by virtue of the merger of his Grand Lodge and Lodge, was no longer the National Grand Master?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Was it legal for the National Grand Master to be a member of a Lodge or Grand Lodge that was not under the jurisdiction of the National Grand Lodge?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Why would the National Grand Master of an ACTIVE and OPERATIVE National Grand Lodge be doing on the Committee for the merger of his Compact Grand Lodge in Tennessee?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Why would you create a fictional point to hide the fact that George Levere was a member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee?</span></span><br />
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</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Was it legal AT ANY TIME in the history of the National Grand Lodge, for a National Grand Master to be a member of an Independent Grand Lodge and hold the seat of the National Grand Master? was this constitutional? PLEASE PROVIDE PRECEDENCE AND DOCUMENTATION</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 25.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">We do hope that Mr. Belcher will take the time to actually respond to what I have written and answer the questions, rather than using his skills as a writer to attack the character of Brothers and just produce more rhetoric and confusion.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 25.2000007629395px;">Now, we can see that all you need is a few misquotes, made up citings, strawmen arguments, personal attacks and bit of arrogance, and you have yourself a nice batch of Belcherism.</span></span></span><br />
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-36038110040080777362015-07-10T19:26:00.001-07:002019-06-05T05:09:06.804-07:00Response to Bro. Alton Roundtree's alleged "slamming" by Bro. John L. Hairston<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This post was originally published in the PHA Historian Facebook group, as a means of addressing Bro. Roundtree's disagreement with what I had posted concerning the fundamental understanding of the nature of the National Compact and the Grand Lodges that gave allegiance to it. I will post my statement in whole to give a start to this article:<br /><br />Published July 7, 2015 in the Facebook group, <i>Historical Debate-The PHO and NGC</i>, Bro. John L. Hairston, editor of the Quill and the Sword:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I believe the foundation of the issue regarding the National Compact is understanding the National Grand Lodge and its authority was vested in the "National Compact".</span><br />
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We hear the name National Grand Lodge so much that we dismiss that its life stemmed from a Compact (Agreement) between Grand Lodges.<br />
Without the Compact, you have no National Grand Lodge. And it doesn't matter what is placed in the Preamble of a Constitution, the National Grand Lodge had jurisdiction over Grand <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Lodges that agreed to countenance its existence and authority. A Grand Lodge had to petition for a Warrant. Three Lodges had to FIRST organize and constitute a Grand Lodge before they became a part of the Compact.<br />This is important. A Grand Lodge exercised their right to exist without any instrument originating from the National Grand Lodge.<br />If a Grand Lodge had the power to form without the National Grand Lodge, and had to petition them for recognition among that Compact of Grand Lodges, by what authority did the NGL have to suspend, expel or declare clandestine, any Grand Lodge exercising the same power to exist WITHOUT the NGL?</span></div>
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This is where PHO member get mixes up, they misplace the power of the National Grand Lodge. Is it born from within itself or is it vested in the AGREEMENT OF THE GRAND LODGES THAT GIVE ALLEGIANCE TO IT?</div>
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What is a National Grand Lodge with no Grand Lodges?</div>
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Even the leadership are members of the Grand Lodges in Compact, if the Grand Lodge decides that they no longer will give allegiance to the NGL, then those members who remain operative within that entity without are in direct violation of the Grand Lodge Constitution, and will be without a Grand Lodge.<br />
Individual masons were not members of the National Grand Lodge, it was the Grand Lodges who were members of the NGL. The individuals were REPRESENTATIVES of the Grand Lodges.</div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">When this concept of the Compact (Agreement) is placed in its proper relation to the NGL, then PHO members will understand why their group is an aberration of true masonic principles of jurisprudence....more on this later, just wanted to express this thought.</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The above posting was taken to Bro. Alton Roundtree, who then made this comment, that was later posted on the PHO Blog, maintained by one Christopher Belcher (I am posting the comment in whole):</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Good opinion, thought, or perspective. Sounds good, but where are the sources and documentation that shows that this is more than a perspective?</span></div>
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The Prince Hall Conference of Grand Masters would not agree with the statement that the National Grand Lodge is BOGUS.</div>
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The National Grand Lodge of 2015 is the same NGL as that of 1847. The NGL has had continuous operation and never had fewer than 13 state Grand Lodges [since1865]. The National Grand Lodge has always (from its inception) operated under a Constitution. Like any Grand Lodge, the Constitution defines the authority of the Grand Lodge and the relationship of subordinate organizations. The sentiments at the formation of the NGL clearly state the establishment of a National Grand Lodge and that the state Grand Lodges is not sovereign. The sentiments also show that the National Grand Lodge was operating under a Constitution from the inception of the organization in 1847. The National Grand Lodge was operating under Ahiman Rezon, pending development of a constitution. (The Freemason’s Library and General Ahiman Rezon; containing a delineation of the true principles of Freemasonry, etc.; by Samuel Cole. Baltimore, 1817. 8vo, 332 + 92 pages. There was a second edition in 1826.)</div>
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What Compact Agreement? The NGL does not operate under a “Compact Agreement.” The NGL Constitution states the relationship between the NGL and the state Grand Lodges. Grand Lodges under the NGL fully understand that they are subordinate and their position is stated in the NGL Constitution. State Grand Lodges under the NGL has no power beyond what is stated in the NGL Constitution that they helped write, update, and approve at a Triennial Session.</div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Alton Roundtree</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is my intent to review Bro. Roundtree's statement to<br />answer and address the entirety of his concerns.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While, Bro. Roundtree is the author of the book, <i>The National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth</i>, it should be pointed out that, by admission in his book, Bro. Roundtree's work was to give the readers "sufficient information to DRAW THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS regarding the National Grand Lodge..." (refer to Introduction of the book).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This implies that the work he compiled was NOT conclusive. If the book served to give the "Untold Truth", then there would be no space for the reader to "draw their own conclusions". With the words of Bro. Roundtree clearly defined, despite the PHO group's attempt to make his work definitive and conclusive, we can accept the work of Bro. Roundtree as a foundation and "basis for FURTHER research".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On page 7 of the <i>Untold Truth</i>, in the section entitled, <i>References</i>, Bro. Roundtree states:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Unlike the abundance of writings and records regarding the mainstream Lodges and Grand Lodges of America, records pertaining to the Prince Hall Lodges and Grand Lodges are of EXTREMELY LIMITED SUPPLY...For the most part, due to an emotional and antagonistic posture, Prince Hall writer ARE NOT CREDIBLE on the subject of the National Grand Lodge..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He goes on to state:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"The National Grand Lodge LOST MANY OF ITS RECORDS (1847 to 1874)..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yet, he still believes that, "the untold Truth reflects the true, documented story of the National Grand Lodge..."<br /><br />After the publishing of his book in 2010, there has been valuable information and documentation that has emerged, that was not published in his book, that would have been very important to understanding the position of many authors and researchers on the subject of the National Grand Lodge. It has also been revealed publicly that there was much information provided to Bro. Roundtree before the publishing of his book, that would have been valuable to the reader to "draw their own conclusion". Could it be that Bro. Roundtree ignored and dismissed information deliberately to maintain the agenda of selling the controversial position he presents in <i>the Untold Truth</i>?<br /><br />Nevertheless, it has been admitted by Bro. Roundtree that he wrote with regards to what he had available and in his possession; this is in response to questions of why certain information wasn't published in the book. This fact lends to the position of this writer that <i>the Untold Truth</i> is not the "true, documented story of the National Grand Lodge", but rather, the opinion and interpretation of the documentation of Bro. Roundtree, which would lead us to the conclusion that his book is a "GOOD OPINION, thought or perspective".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In Bro. Roundtree's opinion of my post, he stated:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Good opinion, thought, or perspective. Sounds good, but where are the sources and documentation that shows that this is more than a perspective?</span><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What Bro. Roundtree does not reveal in his opinion is that a great deal of documentation has been posted to a multiplicity of discussion groups that he has yet to address; even citing at one point, that he was not going to debate his book. What researcher or historian would publish a work and then refuse to address NEW information that may call for corrections to certain views and positions in his book? But, by the end of this article we will have presented the documentation that proves that my position is more than just a perspective. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bro. Roundtree stated:</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">The Prince Hall Conference of Grand Masters would not agree with the statement that the National Grand Lodge is BOGUS.</span><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I don't believe that I have met any researcher or historian, whose findings met the agreement of all parties, not even Bro. Roundtree. I do believe that he should, more thoroughly, review my comment to see that I never used the word "BOGUS" to describe the National Grand Lodge. The National Grand Lodge is the Body formed by the Compact of the Grand Lodges existing in 1847. That entity has a legitimate lineage to African Lodge #459. The current Prince Hall Origin group is the REORGANIZATION and ASSUMPTION of the name of the National Grand Lodge in 1889. I now present a document of a case brought before the Common Pleas Court of Franklin County (Ohio) dated July 19, 1921-The National Grand Lodge vs the Grand Lodge of Ohio (Prince Hall). The National Grand Lodge took the MW Grand Lodge of Ohio (Prince Hall) to court in an attempt to enjoin them from using the name, "masons" and having lodges in the State of Ohio. Here is the full judgement:</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The most important potion of these documents is found on the second page, last paragraph (446):</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Upon the question as to whether or not in the year 1877 or 1878 the National Grand Lodge CEASED TO EXIST or ADJOURNED SINE DIE, there is a divergence in the evidence. However this may be, IT CLEARLY APPEARS FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">EVIDENCE that there was a HIATUS OF ELEVEN OR TWELVE YEARS IN THE OPERATION AND FUNCTIONING OF SAID NATIONAL GRAND LODGE."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Common Pleas Court of Franklin County and their findings can be taken as credible and impartial. They had no vested benefit in either group, neither were they motivated by any of characteristics that Bro. Alton Roundtree attempted to discredit Prince Hall writers with. The above documents are not published in the Untold Truth and not even referenced. So what we have is an unbiased and impartial finding of a Court of law regarding the "continued existence" of the National Grand Lodge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">What we also discover </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">in the Court's finding is a consistency with the documentation of the proceedings of the days after the National Grand Lodge, and the support of the position Prince Hall writers-that the National Grand Lodge ceased to exist in 1878, at the Wilmington Convention. The Court stated that:<br /><br />" It clearly appears that in 1889 there was a REORGANIZATION OF OR A RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITIES ON THE PART OF SAID NATIONAL GRAND LODGE..." (refer to pg.446 of above documents).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is vital information on two accounts:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. The eleven years from 1889 would be 1878. The year of the Wilmington Convention where it was voted upon by all parties (Compact Grand Lodges included) but five, that the National Grand Lodge was to be shut down. Here we have impartial and unbiased documentation that supports the position that the National Grand Lodge ceased operations in 1878.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. the year 1889 is a year after the Matthews manifesto, where W. D. Matthews threatened to suspend all Grand Lodge that did not return their allegiance to the National Grand Lodge. The vital point of his "manifesto" of 1888, was that if the Grand Lodges did not return their allegiance, then he would establish NEW GRAND LODGES (replacements) in the States where the Compact Grand Lodges has merged and severed ties with the National Compact.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">My position is not based on who accepts it, but rather what can be documented and supported. I highly doubt that Bro. Roundtree wrote his book to support whatever the Conference of Grand Master's perspective of the National Grand Lodge was at the time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bro. Roundtree continued:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">The National Grand Lodge of 2015 is the same NGL as that of 1847. The NGL has had continuous operation and never had fewer than 13 state Grand Lodges [since1865].</span><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This an inaccurate and misleading comment. The first part concerning the Prince Hall Origin being the same group as the National Grand Lodge of 1847 has been addressed by the documentation above. The Common Pleas Court of Franklin County found that the National Grand Lodge discontinued operation in 1878, and either REORGANIZED OR RESUMED ACTIVITY in 1889. This would dispel the notion that the two are one and the same. Matthews manifesto also lends strength to the argument that the National Grand Lodge REORGANIZED, because they had to REPLACE the Grand Lodges that LEFT THE COMPACT during the years of 1878 and 1889. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The second part of Bro. Roundtree's statement, that the National Grand Lodge (since 1865) held no fewer than 13 Grand Lodges under her is also false. </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">On page 395 of the <i>Untold Truth</i>, Bro. Roundtree lists the Compact Grand Lodges of 1879 as only 11, 1880 as only 12, 1881 as only 11 (see page 396). So, he contradicts his statement by his own research and published listing. But even more, both his statement in response to my comment, as well as the listing for 1878 and 1879 Compact Grand Lodges is incorrect and based on his own personal opinion; and as we shall present very shortly, a lack of documentation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What Bro. Roundtree doesn't give account for is the fact that although there may have been Compact Grand Lodges </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">in a few of the States, they in no way were in allegiance to a National Grand Lodge; they were merely negotiating terms for merger with Independent Grand Lodges, and in some cases, like Tennessee, operating independently of both the State Rights Grand Lodges and the National Grand Lodge (refer to 1880 Proceedings of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee). </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I would like to present another document that failed to make it into Bro. Roundtree's book that would very much bring to light the demise and condition of the faction of National Grand Lodge supporters after the Delaware Convention of 1878.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">1883 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Texas (Prince Hall)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">S. V. B. Carty was the Grand Secretary of African Harmony Grand Lodge FAAYM for the State of Delaware at the time of the report he made, regarding the event after the Delaware Convention of 1878. According to Carty's report, the year after the Convetion (1879) George Levere (remember this name) made a call for a Convention in the same State (Delaware). This is important to understand, George Levere called a Special Session of the National Grand Lodge in 1879, one year before the actual Triennial was to be held.<br /><br />George W. Levere's call was a violation of Article v. of the 1874 </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Constitution of the National Grand Lodge (the Constitution in power at the Call of this clandestine convention) </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">which stated:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />"The COMMUNICATION of the M. W. N. G. Lodge shall be held TRIENNIALLY on the FIRST TUESDAY of OCTOBER at such places AS MAY BE DESIGNATED BY A VOTE OF ITS MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES<br />SPECIALLY COMMUNICATIONS shall be had upon the CONCURRENT PETITION OF A MAJORITY of the M. W. State Grand Lodges, parties to the NATIONAL COMPACT."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Tenth Triennial of the National Grand Lodge was held in Pittsburgh, Penn. and was recorded in the Pittsburgh Gazette, May 18, 1877. The Eleven</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">th Triennial </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">was to be held in 1880, which would make the Convention held May 1879, by this faction of Compact masons, a Special Communication, according to the NGL Constitution. I challenge bro. Roundtree or any PHO representative to produce the CONCURRENT PETITION BY A MAJORITY of MW State Grand Lodges praying for the Convention that was called by Levere in 1879. If we are to accept either contradicting statement of Bro. Roundtree regarding the number of Compact Grand Lodges in 1878 or 1879, then eight Compact Grand Lodges would have had to made petition in 1878 or six in 1879.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Question:<br /><br />If the Concurrent petition occurred in 1878, what 8 State Grand Lodges made petition? If it occurred in 1879, what 6 State Grand Lodges made petition?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If there is no documented proof of any kind as to a Concurrent Petition of a majority of State Grand Lodges in 1878 or 1879, then the Convention Call was a violation of the Constitution and all acts under it clandestine.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">According to the above account by Carty, those who complied with the call were but George W. Levere (the last legal NGM), G. W. Daniels (Tennessee), W. D. Matthews (NGSW), and the representative of the Compact Grand Lodge of Delaware (African Harmony Grand Lodge) of which S. V. B. Carty was present. With Levere and Daniels both being from Tennessee, Matthews from Kansas, and Harmony Grand Lodge, there was only 3 Grand Lodge present; hardly a quorum for business by the Constitution. The General Regulations, Article IV. of the 1874 Constitution of the National Grand Lodge state explicitly:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"The Representatives of FIVE GRAND LODGES, CONVENED ON DUE NOTICE, shall be INDISPENSABLY NECESSARY TO OPEN or TRANSACT BUSINESS IN THE NATIONAL GRAND LODGE..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is important on two accounts:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. The National Grand Lodge called the Delaware Convention of 1878 in which the resolution to shut down the National Grand Lodge was adopted. The National Grand Lodge was in power to invite into its proceedings whomever they so desired. The minutes from that Convention showed that there was a Quorum for the National Grand Lodge to transact business. So, irregardless if the Convention was attended by more than Compact Grand Lodges and representatives, the decisions of the National Grand Lodge leaders and their representatives was legal and binding. And just in case one attempt to argue the presence of the Independent Grand Lodges, Article VI under General Regulations states:<br /><br />"None but the members of the N. G. Lodge , (BROTHERS OF DISTINCTION FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS EXCEPTED) shall be present at the opening of the same..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I believe that we can conclude that if the National Grand Lodge invited the Independent Grand Lodges to the Convention they called, then they can be deemed "brothers of distinction from other jurisdictions".</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khY4KaK_2yQ/VaA1NZ7WO3I/AAAAAAAAQn0/mPBmSZThd-M/s1600/Call%2Bto%2BWilimington%2BConvention%2B1878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khY4KaK_2yQ/VaA1NZ7WO3I/AAAAAAAAQn0/mPBmSZThd-M/s640/Call%2Bto%2BWilimington%2BConvention%2B1878.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Call to 1878 </span><span style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Masonic Convention (source: 1877 Proceedings of Pennsylvania)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The above documentation from the Pennsylvania 1877 Proceedings, along with the National Grand Lodge Constitution of 1874, we can conclude that the Delaware Convention was a legal and sanctioned Communication for the business of the National Grand Lodge to be conducted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. With only three Grand Loges represented, we find a direct violation of the May 1879 Convention. Whatever business conducted in it is clandestine by the provisions of the National Grand Lodge Constitution. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The attendees of the clandestine convention recognized their dilemma, they didn't have enough to conduct any business of the National Grand Lodge. There is ample evidence to support my position that there wan't enough representatives to hold a quorum. Not only do we have the resolutions of Delaware and the actions of the Compact Grand Lodges after the Convention, we also have the eye witness testimony of a Compact Grand Lodge Mason.<br /><br />Carty's Report also stated that he was not authorized (according to the Constitution) to act in the National Grand Lodge, but in absence of a Secretary, they illegally elected him to the seat of National Grand Secretary. Nevertheless, we find his report to be credible as he was eye witness and a supporter of the Compact up until the clandestine meeting of 1880.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">The next piece of evidence that we do not find in Bro. Roundtree's book is the records of Tennessee (Independent) which shows George W. Levere as an active member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee until he was suspended for unmasonic conduct in 1883. George W. Levere is listed as the National Grand Master for the years 1877-1886 on the Prince Hall Origin website</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><a href="http://www.mwnationalgrandlodge.org/Past_NGMs.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Past National Grand Masters</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">George W. Levere is listed as the seventh National Grand Master, from 1877-1886. According to the Constitution of the National Grand Lodge (1874), under General Regulations, Article I and II:<br /><br />Article 1:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Every officer and member of the N. G. Lodge MUST BE A MEMBER of a SUBORDINATE LODGE WITHIN THE JURISDICTION of THE N.G. LODGE.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Article II:<br />NO BROTHER, resident in the vicinity of a Lodge, and who is not a member of some Lodge, shall be permitted to visit the N. G. Lodge except by special invitation.<br /><br />George W. Levere was in violation of the requirement of being a member of a Lodge under the National Grand Lodge. In the State of Tennessee we find the nail in the coffin:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">1880 Proceedings of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought it important to present the above, because it gives insight to the state and condition of the Craft in Tennessee in 1880. According to the Grand Master's address, there were three bodies operating in Tennessee. One being the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee, another being the Compact Grand Lodge under S. P. Pickett (remember the name), and the group under John Boyd, which was said to have been a split from the S. P. Pickett group that had his warrant revoked at the clandestine Triennial at Wilmington, DE in 1880. Before the PHO enthusiast become excited and state that they now have proof that the National Grand Lodge was continued after the Convention; it is important to grasp the fact that it continued ILLEGALLY. The question isn't whether we can find activity, but whether that activity was legal. Legally, the National Grand Lodge was shut down in 1878, by the majority of both Compact and Independent Grand Lodges. Remember the report by S. V. B. Carty? There was an illegal Convention in Wilmington the next year, where the Triennial was voted to meet in Missouri, which they could find no welcome, and moved it to Wilmington, DE in 1880. Reread again about the Triennial:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">1883 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Texas (Prince Hall)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">George W. Levere was a member of S. P. Pickett's Compact Grand Lodge (Meridian Lodge No. 4). George Daniels was a member of this same Grand Lodge as well. George Levere and George Daniels represented Tennessee in the clandestine convention in 1879:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, Lets move to the Tennessee Convention Proceedings of 1882 and put an end to the debate:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">These proceedings create a great dilemma for Compact hopefuls as they prove that the National Grand Lodge was without a National Grand Master for at least 3 years. Keep in mind, according to the Prince Hall Origin website, and Bro. Roundtree's book, Appendix 41, page 785, George W. Levere was supposedly the National Grand Master for the years of 1877-1886.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On June 12, 1882, the two Grand Lodges of Independent and Compact convened for the purpose of forming a MERGER. An important portion of this page of the proceedings is this:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"We your Committee, WHO WERE APPOINTED AT THE LAST ANNUAL COMMUNICATION OF the Most Worshipful GRAND LODGES-respectively at KNOXVILLE and CHATTANOOGA-in July, 1881, as "A Conference Committee on MASONIC UNION", have UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that the TWO GRAND LODGES now existing in the State can be UNITED..."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There was no dissent to the merger, and both Grand Lodges would be full participants. The problem for PHO proponents is simple:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1882 Proceedings of the Masonic Convention for Union (Tenn.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">George W. Levere SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE FOR UNION!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a blow to the position of the Continuous Existence theory. The alleged National Grand Master was actually serving on the Committee of Masonic Union, which means that he was a member of the Grand Lodge of S. P. Pickett and a member of Meridian Lodge No. 4 in Knoxville. Even though he was elected the NGM in 1877, he was still subject to his membership in the Grand Lodge in Knoxville per the 1874 National Grand Lodge Constitution, General Regulations, Article I. The Union of the Independent and Compact Grand Lodges dissolved the Compact Lodge and formed the new Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee. There was no longer ANY Compact Grand Lodge in Tennessee, and the National Grand Master, by his own vote and participation was now a member of a Grand Lodge that was both Independent and NOT under the Jurisdiction of the National Grand Lodge. With the dissolving of the Compact Grand Lodge in the merger, came also the dissolving of both Levere's membership in the Compact and his position as National Grand Master.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Questions to Bro. Roundtree:<br /><br />1. Why was this information not published in your book?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Can you explain why you listed George Levere as the National Grand Master for the years of 1877-1886, when it is clear and evident that he, by virtue of the merger of his Grand Lodge and Lodge, was no longer the National Grand Master?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Was it legal for the National Grand Master to be a member of a Lodge or Grand Lodge that was not under the jurisdiction of the National Grand Lodge?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">First Annual Communication Proceedings of the MW GL of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Mason for the State of Tennessee (1883)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, that the Compact Grand Lodge was dissolved by merger in 1882, and Levere's Lodge #8 on the rolls of the new independent Grand Lodge, he was under the Constitution of the new Grand Lodge of Tennessee. He was no longer recognized as the National Grand Master and the constitution of the National Grand Lodge no longer applied to him. This is important to understand, because we also find in these proceedings:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">First Annual Communication Proceedings of the MW GL of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Mason for the State of Tennessee (1883)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Legally, George W. Levere was a SUSPENDED MASON!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This means that the alleged National Grand Master, listed on the PHO website and Bro. Roundtree's book, for the years 1877-1886, was actually a SUSPENDED MASON. There is no way for Bro. Roundtree or any PHO proponent to justify or explain away. Their so-called National Grand Master was a clear and blatant suspended Mason. It is also interesting to find listed among the Past Master members of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee in 1885 is George Levere:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">1885 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee (Independent)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">George Levere illegally called the convention in 1879 in violation of the Constitution of the NGL. He then continued the National Grand Lodge in violation of the Wilmington Resolutions of 1878. One Year later after the "Triennial of 1880", he serves on the committee to merge the Grand Lodge he was a member of in 1881. In 1882, he became a member of the Independent Grand Lodge of Tennessee, thereby forfeiting his membership in the Compact and his position as National Grand Master. He was suspended in 1883 from his lodge for unmasonic conduct, thereby making himself a clandestine mason for continuing to operate masonically without reinstatement in his Lodge and Grand Lodge. The National Grand Lodge after 1878 was a clandestine group based on their action and proceedings thereafter. The Prince Hall Origin according to all documentation I have presented has no connection to the original National Grand Lodge of 1847 or the clandestine activities of George W. Levere and W.D. Matthew from 1879 to 1887. What they are truly connected to is the reorganization of the clandestine National Grand Lodge under W. D. Matthews in 1889, two years after his election in 1887. Matthews' threat to REPLACE Grand Lodges, was truly an indication that there was a need to reorganize in order to jump start the dead organization.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bro. Alton Roundtree continued:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">The National Grand Lodge has always (from its inception) operated under a Constitution. Like any Grand Lodge, the Constitution defines the authority of the Grand Lodge and the relationship of subordinate organizations. The sentiments at the formation of the NGL clearly state the establishment of a National Grand Lodge and that the state Grand Lodges is not sovereign. The sentiments also show that the National Grand Lodge was operating under a Constitution from the inception of the organization in 1847. The National Grand Lodge was operating under Ahiman Rezon, pending development of a constitution. (The Freemason’s Library and General Ahiman Rezon; containing a delineation of the true principles of Freemasonry, etc.; by Samuel Cole. Baltimore, 1817. 8vo, 332 + 92 pages. There was a second edition in 1826.)</span><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bro. Roundtree is creating a straw man here. There isn't an argument of whether the National Grand Lodge operated under a constitution and whether it defined the relationship between the subordinate Grand Lodges and the National Grand Lodge. The question is whether the Constitution ever provided a voice of authority for the subordinate Grand Lodges. Let's allow the 1874 Constitution to speak for itself:</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">" Article I:<br />This body shall be known as the M.W.N.G. Lodge of F.A.Y.M's of North America, and it is hereby declared that the respective State Grand Lodges represented in this Grand Lodge, TO BE THE HIGHEST AND ONLY LEGITIMATE SOURCE OF MASONIC AUTHORITY OVER THE THREE SYMBOLIC DEGREES OF FREEMASONRY (colored) in the United States of North America."<br /><br />It was in this Triennial when the National Grand Lodge saw fit to return the authority in the States to the State Grand Lodges for their (NGL) own survival. Bro. Roundtree made the statement to set up his next statement:</span><br /><br />"</span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">What Compact Agreement? The NGL does not operate under a “Compact Agreement.” The NGL Constitution states the relationship between the NGL and the state Grand Lodges. Grand Lodges under the NGL fully understand that they are subordinate and their position is stated in the NGL Constitution. State Grand Lodges under the NGL has no power beyond what is stated in the NGL Constitution that they helped write, update, and approve at a Triennial Session.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Alton Roundtree</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bro. Roundtree asks, WHAT COMPACT?<br />I indeed had to chuckle, because he wrote the book on the National Compact but then questions what the Compact was in regards to the National Grand Lodge, I found it a bit amusing. Nevertheless, let's answer Bro. Roundtree's question:</span></span></div>
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Definition of <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">COMPACT</span></h2>
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<span class="ssens"><strong>:</strong> an agreement or covenant between two or more parties</span></div>
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Origin of <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">COMPACT</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Latin </span><em style="color: #223645; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">compactum,</em><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> from neuter of </span><em style="color: #223645; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">compactus,</em><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> past participle of </span><em style="color: #223645; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">compacisci</em><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> to make an agreement, from </span><em style="color: #223645; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">com-</em><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> + </span><em style="color: #223645; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">pacisci</em><span style="color: #223645; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> to contract — more at </span><a class="ma-link sc" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pact" style="color: #10529b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px !important; font-variant: small-caps; text-decoration: none;">pact</a><br />
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First Known Use: 1591</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Source of definition is the Merriam Webster's Dictionary</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This tells us that a Compact is an AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO OR MORE PARTIES. Can we find a Compact in the 1847 Sentiments of the Assembly of Grand Lodges in Boston?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"...we mutually PLEDGE OURSELVES TO EACH OTHER IN THE SOLEMN TIES OF BROTHERHOOD..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are words of Covenant and Agreement. On June 26th, 1847, a COMPACT was forged between those Grand Lodges, and despite whatever controversy may surround its formation, it birthed the National Grand Lodge. Hence my comment:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">We hear the name National Grand Lodge so much that we dismiss that its life stemmed from a Compact (Agreement) between Grand Lodges.</span></div>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Without the Compact, you have no National Grand Lodge. And it doesn't matter what is placed in the Preamble of a Constitution, the National Grand Lodge had jurisdiction over Grand</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Lodges that agreed to countenance its existence and authority.</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The 1874 National Grand Lodge Constitution, Article V., which can actually be found in Bro. Roundtree's book, <i>The Untold Truth</i>, Appendix 29, page 686, declares:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Special Communications shall be had upon the concurrent petition of a majority of the M. W. State Grand Lodges, PARTIES TO THE NATIONAL COMPACT."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Question to Bro. Roundtree:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What is the National Compact spoken of here in this Article of the National Grand Lodge Constitution of 1874 (the last NGL Constitution in force)?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is obvious to me as well as the National Grand Lodge of 1874, that there was a National Compact. <span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Without the Compact, you have no National Grand Lodge. And it doesn't matter what is placed in the Preamble of a Constitution, the National Grand Lodge had jurisdiction over Grand </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Lodges that agreed to countenance its existence and authority. A Grand Lodge had to petition for a Warrant. Three Lodges had to FIRST organize and constitute a Grand Lodge before they became a part of the Compact.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is important. A Grand Lodge exercised their right to exist without any instrument originating from the National Grand Lodge.<br />If a Grand Lodge had the power to form without the National Grand Lodge, and had to petition them for recognition among that Compact of Grand Lodges, by what authority did the NGL have to suspend, expel or declare clandestine, any Grand Lodge exercising the same power to exist WITHOUT the NGL?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is where PHO member get mixes up, they misplace the power of the National Grand Lodge. Is it born from within itself or is it vested in the AGREEMENT OF THE GRAND LODGES THAT GIVE ALLEGIANCE TO IT?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is a National Grand Lodge with no Grand Lodges?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even the leadership are members of the Grand Lodges in Compact, if the Grand Lodge decides that they no longer will give allegiance to the NGL, then those members who remain operative within that entity without are in direct violation of the Grand Lodge Constitution, and will be without a Grand Lodge.<br />Individual masons were not members of the Grand Lodges, it was the Grand Lodges who were members of the NGL. The individuals were REPRESENTATIVES of the Grand Lodges.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I believe that the above comment truly represents what the Compact was and how it was to be empowered, whether that was the case with the National Grand Lodge is of no consequence when we find the concept in its founding document and subsequent Constitution.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do look forward to a healthy dialog on these issues that I have addressed, and the documentation that I have presented that is not published, nor referenced in your book. This would constitute new emerging documentation, unless you are saying that you were in possession of it at the writing of <i>the Untold Truth</i>. Nevertheless, I leave the response to your concerns and the floor now open to you my dear Brother.</span></span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-29852800134828981302015-05-14T22:56:00.001-07:002015-05-14T23:19:19.175-07:00The Red Dynasty: The Reemergence of Royal Arch in Freemasonry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;"><b>Written by Excellent Companion Rev. John L. Hairston, <br />Grand Historian-MEPHGC-HRAM-WA</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">"<b><i>And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. And thou shalt put therein the ark of testimony and cover the ark with a veil</i></b>."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Exodus 40:1</b> (KJV)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">The Excellent High Priest looks to his Captain of the Host and asks:<br /><br />"Where were you made a Royal Arch Mason?"<br /><br />The Companion returns his answer and provides a prophetic jewel in the midst of this exchange. He informs the Convocation that they were assembled in a place REPRESENTING the TABERNACLE built by the ancient brethren. But more importantly, he informs them of the location of this NEW TABERNACLE; he states that they built on territory NEAR THE RUINS OF KING SOLOMON'S TEMPLE.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><u>Behind the Veil</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">The word "REPRESENTING" implies that there is symbolism involved, that we should be looking beyond what is presently stated, and travelling into the dimension of implementation. The symbolism serves a veil that awaits the drawing away by those who recognize the light illuminating from behind the curtain.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><u>The Tabernacle</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">The Tabernacle was a mobile Temple. It was built specifically with MOVEMENT in mind. The Children of Israel were in route to Canaan, through the wilderness, and they were instructed to build an edifice where the Most High God could come and abide among the people. They were instructed to build this movable Temple, this TENT of CONGREGATION (Assembly) and as we see in Exodus 40:34, "...a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">The most important thing to grasp, is that this Tabernacle was the place to meet and interact with the glory of God, and it was built for MOVEMENT.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><u>King Solomon's Temple</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">In Freemasonry, King Solomon's Temple is a representation of the Blue Lodge: The ground floor, middle chamber and the UNFINISHED Holy of Holies. All of the assemblies of the Blue Lodge were here. The Temple of Solomon was magnificent, it was luxurious and steeped in opulence. It was the center of the Jewish Nation and the object of envy of other nations with Temples, but nothing like Solomon's Temple.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">But, because of disobedience, rebellion and deviation from the Law and Landmarks, that Temple found itself in RUINS. The Babylonians came and ransacked the Temple and raided it of its opulence and wealth, and left it abandoned, desolate and impoverished. It remained in this condition until Nehemiah approached Cyrus with the proposal to rebuild the Temple.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><u><b>The New Tabernacle</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Acknowledge how the ritual now deviates from the narrative in the Scriptures; rather than calling the new edifice a Temple, the ritual calls it a TABERNACLE, giving indication that there was a return to the ORIGINAL PATTERN. A return to the MOBILE and MOVING Temple. This New tabernacle wasn't built OVER the ruins of the OLD RUINED PATTERN, but NEAR it, so as to CONTRAST the conditions of them both. We can see the message being voiced through the ruins of KST, "Here I am desolate because I deviated from what the creator intended, let me become a lesson that you preserve this NEW TABERNACLE with."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><u>The Red Dynasty</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I am a ROYAL ARCH Mason to my heart. I believe that it was divine timing that placed it rightfully in the fold of ancient craft masonry in 1813. I believe that Royal Arch masonry is building and emerging near the decline in Craft Masonry. I believe that Royal Arch masons are the vanguard of the Sacred Word (Manifest glory). I believe that Royal Arch Masonry is the resurrection of ancient Craft Masonry in the respective Jurisdictions. If Craft Masonry is making good men better, then it is those better men that compose a Chapter of Holy Royal Arch masons.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Royal Arch Masonry preserves the ancient landmarks (Tabernacle) that many of the members of the Lodges are seeking to be returned to the Craft. They are seeking Movement. The Movement is embedded in the very nature of Royal Arch Freemasonry. The Word isn't dormant or immobile, it is vibrant, creative and moving. The Word seeks and demands manifestation, it moves to become LIFE, REAL, TANGIBLE...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold';">"</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold';">The value of Royal Arch Masonry will be justly appreciated by all who are Exalted to that Most Sublime Degree, particularly by those who are seeking ·to complete their Masonic education. It reveals the full light of Ancient Craft masonry, presents it as a complete system in accordance with the original plan and confers at last the rights and light of a Master Mason in fact as well as in name."</span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-60247832106329891712015-05-05T02:50:00.001-07:002015-05-05T07:56:19.241-07:00A Lesson in Belcherism: Another Failed Rebuttal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Written by Brother John L. Hairston<br />The Quill and The Sword</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is officially documented that Mr. Christopher Belcher was in full receipt of my response to his challenge, and from the looks of it, my dear friend didn't take it well. The "alleged analysis" was very brief, which means that he failed to address the entirety of the response I made and he chose to deal with ONE-SINGLE-SOLITARY-AND ONLY POINT that he felt he could have some kind of response. Please go to his blog post <a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/" target="_blank">here</a>. I warn you first of the emotionalism and unbridled passions that fill the short and brief "analysis" of the entirety of my initial response (which can be read <a href="http://quillandsword357.blogspot.com/2015/05/memo-to-christopher-l-belcher-your_4.html" target="_blank">here</a>)-Mr. Belcher could find much to attack, but he just had to say something.</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's begin.</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mr. Belcher began his "analysis" with a Historical Background for Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania chartered Union Lodge No. 4 and Harmony Lodge No. 5. Union Lodge No. 4 was established January 16, 1816 and Harmony Lodge was established November 25, 1817.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">[1]</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> One year after the establishment of Harmony Lodge, Union Lodge along with Harmony Lodge were expelled by First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for rebellion against the Grand Lodge.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">[2]</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> These two Lodges, claimed to have made petition to the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio for a warrant. Through authority vested in this alleged warrant, Union and Harmony Lodges established The Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1833. It can be easily stated that the actions of Union and Harmony Lodges and their actions which formed Hiram Grand Lodge can be viewed as the first spurious body of African-American Freemasons. During this time frame an arms race of establishing Lodges in various states in the Union was engaged. First Independent African Grand Lodge had established Lodges in New Jersey, New York, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Hiram Grand Lodge followed suit.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">[3]</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> In some of these jurisdictions, there were Lodges under the jurisdictions of both of these bodies.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">[4]</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> The Star of the East Lodge No. 12 was established by this body.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The interesting part of the above statement was his admission that "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">During this time frame an arms race of establishing Lodges in various states in the Union was engaged. First Independent African Grand Lodge had established Lodges in New Jersey, New York, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Hiram Grand Lodge followed suit.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">[3]</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> In some of these jurisdictions, there were Lodges under the jurisdictions of both of these bodies."</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Because earlier in the day, after reading the response he asked me to clarify how Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania had gain more popularity that the First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and here he is with a piece that gives him a clear understanding of how.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">After his background on Hiram Grand Lodge of PA, he then asks the same questions he asked in the first part of his first post:</span></span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">The Essential Questions Presented Again (The Only Questions John Hairston attempted to answer)</span></div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary, according to the report of the committee, were made a Mason in Union Lodge in 1826 [under Union Lodge No. 4]. Considering the cited comments above, it is reasonable to conclude that Jenkins, Leary and others were made to an illegal Grand Lodge (Hiram GL). Is there any way possible to consider these Masons as legitimate?</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Star of the East Lodge No. 12 of Wilmington, Delaware was formed under the jurisdiction of Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware. Hiram Grand Lodge was formed by those who claimed a Warrant from the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio. If the warrant received from the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio was “counterfeit”, as reported by the report of the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio, how can Star of the East Lodge No. 12 be a “legally” constituted Lodge?</li>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the heading, Mr. Belcher accuses me of attempting to answer only these two questions. This is absolute lunacy as it would only take someone to go to my first response to see that I took every "essential question" and answered them individually. But, when you're under pressure, you're sure to miss some things. Mr. Belcher, please go back to the original response and read it ALL...After the questions were stated, Mr. Belcher chose 2 excerpts from the entire answer to Part One to address, and does a poor job at that. Please look at how he handles the "cherry picked" portions of my full response:</span></span></div>
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John Hairston replied:</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Yes, we can consider and be assured that Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary were both legitimate and regular masons. It is true that Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was formed by rebellion of Union Lodge No. 4 and Harmony No. 5, which eventually led to the formation of the rival Grand Lodge in the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. Now, let’s move forward to what happened after the formation of Hiram Grand Lodge (PA).</em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania became more influential than its rival, First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. This caused major division in Pennsylvania and threatened to destroy the fabric of Freemasonry among African Americans, because where there is no unity, there is the open field for clandestine groups to form and further put at risk the good name of Freemasonry.”</em></div>
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<u style="box-sizing: border-box;">Further Comment</u>: This logic is so far from the maxims by which the “modern” PHA Scholars model. When Hairston and others arm themselves with the swords to battle what they consider the “plague” of African American Freemasonry, they portray PHA as “PURE” regular Freemasonry. Lodges and Grand Lodges established by a fabricated warrants and justified? The Quill is not only “Un-mighty”, the ink could fertilize any lawn.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can you please point out the rebuttal here?<br />Mr. Belcher in his own initial post admits that Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary were Masons who were raised in Union Lodge No. 4. He also admits that Union Lodge No. 4 was under the jurisdiction of Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which was then a faction in rebellion against First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He also admits that in 1846 Hiram Grand Lodge, NO MATTER HOW REBELLIOUS OR ILLEGAL the Grand Body, was invited to the Masonic National Convention in Boston, which eventually formed the National Compact.</span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mr. Belcher then goes on to erroneously accuse me of justifying the formation of Hiram Grand Lodge of Pannsylvania:</span></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Lodges and Grand Lodges established by a fabricated warrants and justified?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He proves that he is not a thoroughly reading through the article, which indicates a flaw in his research methods. If he would have read objectively, he would have found my direct statement concerning Hiram Grand Lodge of PA:</span></div>
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<b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px;">It is true that Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was formed by rebellion of Union Lodge No. 4 and Harmony No. 5, which eventually led to the formation of the rival Grand Lodge in the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Please show me a justification in the above statement. I unequivocally admit the spurious formation of Hiram Grand Lodge as well as the rebellion of Union Lodge No. 4 and Harmony Lodge No. 5. There is no excuse for this type of "analysis", no substantial rebuttal, just rhetoric and loads of emotionalism. He continued with my statement:</span></span></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“In 1846, John T. Hilton, then Grand Master of Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, wrote a letter to all of the Grand Lodges of color to assemble for a National Grand Convention; this included an invitation to Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, of which Union Lodge No. 4 was a subordinate lodge to. This convention, despite the debate surrounding the events occurring at, produced the National Compact of which Hiram Grand Lodge (which represented all of its subordinate lodges) were signers and party to. Even masonic author, Bro. Alton Roundtree agrees that “whether, Hiram Grand Lodge was adopted or healed at the Boston Convention, it was made regular.”</em></div>
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<u style="box-sizing: border-box;">Further Comments</u>: Hairston could not make himself write that the ONLY way that Hiram Grand Lodge became “legitimate” was it becoming a member of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons. </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you even reading the same article that I wrote, Mr. Belcher? I clearly stated:</span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">This convention, despite the debate surrounding the events occurring at, produced the National Compact of which Hiram Grand Lodge (which represented all of its subordinate lodges) were signers and party to. Even masonic author, Bro. Alton </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Roundtree</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> agrees that "whether, Hiram Grand Lodge was adopted or healed at the Boston Convention, it was made regular".</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">The above statement presents a definitive stance that the Masonic Convention that produced the National Compact made Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania regular. There is no proof that Hiram was "healed" from their prior status, just that they were one of the three Grand Lodges that formed the National Compact, and later merged with First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which formed the Compact Grand Lodge of which Jacob Jenkins was duly elected Deputy Grand Master.<br /><br />Now, Mr. Belcher, At this point would you agree that Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary were legitimate Masons? he then purports:</span></span></div>
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He will never admit that Hiram Grand Lodge was a “illegitimate” Grand Lodge until 1847. John T. Hilton legitimized Hiram Grand Lodge to promote UNITY.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At this point, I am very disappointed that Mr. Belcher is in the public making himself look like this in an attempted rebuttal/"analysis". The prior statement that I provide from my first article proves that his allegations are fraudulent and further distances him from the realm of real masonic scholarship. He goes on to write:</span></div>
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What followed in the year of 1848, is yet another fact of History John Hairston will not let his “un-mighty” Quill write.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">Union in Pennsylvania = The Death of Hiram Grand Lodge</u></span></div>
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First Independent African Grand Lodge and Hiram Grand Lodge, following the mandates set forth by the Articles of Union of the National Grand Lodge, by committee drafted a document of Union. The document was drafted December 10<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.5px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> 1847. The following month, January 19, 1848, the two bodies formed the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons. What is important to the Union is that both bodies declared the warrants of both Grand Lodges to be void and the warrant for the new Grand Lodge was issued by the M. W. National Grand Lodge.<a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; text-decoration: none;">[5]</a> This Union had far reaching implications (this also brought legitimacy to Star of the East Lodge in Delaware) </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a pure contradiction and further proof that Mr. Belcher has no idea of what he is actually saying. He is beginning to reveal his lack of true research and understanding of the facts surrounding the events. He states:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">What is important to the Union is that both bodies declared the warrants of both Grand Lodges to be void and the warrant for the new Grand Lodge was issued by the M. W. National Grand Lodge.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Firstly, neither First Independent African Grand Lodge nor Hiram Grand Lodge were formed by warrants, so what warrants were surrender in 1848?<br />First Independent African Grand Lodge was constituted in 1815.<br />Hiram Grand Lodge was constituted in 1837.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What Mr. Belcher failed to understand is that his understanding is tainted by the irregular protocol of his own faction; he knew that there was no documentation of any Grand Lodges participating in the Masonic Convention of 1847 surrendering any warrant. But, he read in Lux Et Veritas that there were warrants surrendered in the merger of First Independent African Grand Lodge and Hiram (PA) (refer to Lux Et Veritas, pg. 16) and believed them to be the warrants that formed them. He is egregiously mistaken.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><b>First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to present the formation minutes of First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for the sole purpose of providing a photocopy of the handwritten minutes of the Constitution of that Grand Lodge, and I challenge Mr. Belcher to find the issuing of a warrant to that Grand Body of 1815 and provide who granted the warrant in 1815.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The meeting of the Past Masters was held in the city of Philadelphia on Dec. 28, 1815, where they, by CONVENTION and CONSTITUTION constituted themselves into African Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for and in the Jurisdiction of North America. We find no mention of receiving a warrant...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We find the election of Absalom Jones as Grand Master, Peter Richmond as Deputy Grand Master, Alexander Logan as Senior Grand Warden, Matthew Black as Junior Grand Warden, William Coleman as Grand Secretary and Anthony Cane as Grand Treasurer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And here we see the signers of the Constitutional Instrument that recorded the formation of First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. We still have seen no sign of a warrant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Challenge to Mr. Belcher:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#1 Who issued the Charter to the Body that formed in the above hand written minutes straight out of the African Lodge records?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#2 If you concede that no warrant was issue to this Body at this time, can you tell us what year they received a warrant? and who issued it?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#3 If you concede that this Body received no warrant until they received one from the National Grand Lodge, what year did the National Grand Lodge issue a warrant to this Body? 1847 or 1848?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#4 If you choose 1848, then can you explain where the charter they surrendered came from?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u><b>Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To provide clarity on the formation of Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, I will utilize Mr. Belcher's own source, Joshua Woodlin's <i>National Masonic Union</i> publication (1855).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The above is pages 13-14 of the National masonic Union pamphlet published by Joshua Woodlin. Here Bro. Woodlin is giving us the events that leads up to 1837 formation of the Grand Lodge. Notice the last paragraph that states:<br /><br />"the Independent HARMONY LODGE having obtained an independent warrant or charter from under the authority of the Grand Lodge of the state of Ohio, town of Chillicothe, to James Miller, W.M., J. Matthews, S.W., George W. Hilton, J.W., with proper delegated authority to hold a convention and grant dispensations unto a number of lodges, sufficient to form a regular Grand Lodge, it is said that the Independent Harmony Lodge granted dispensations to three lodges, and met in Convention on the 17th of July, 1837, and Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, held in South Seventh Street Philadelphia. This Lodge proceeded to establish lodges, wherever they could in opposition to the African Grand Lodge."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We can see from the above that there was a convention and the formation of the Hiram Grand Lodge, but no warrant was issued to constitute the Grand Lodge. The alleged warrant was allegedly issued to Harmony Lodge, which they took and gave dispensations to three other lodges and THEN formed a Grand Lodge out of those three lodges under dispensation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Challenge to Mr. Belcher:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#1 Can you show me where a warrant was issued to Hiram Grand Lodge to constitute itself?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#2 If you concede that there was no warrant used to constitute this Body in 1837, Can you provide the year and granter of a charter issued to this Body?<br /><br />#3 If you choose 1848, Can you explain where the Charter they surrendered came from and who issued it?<br /><br />Note:<br />Please provided sources and documentation for answers provided.<br /><br />Mr. Belcher, continued:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It must be noted that this Union would be repeated in various due to the fact that both former Grand Lodges had subordinate Lodges in several states. The beauty of the Union is that other Grand Lodges were established via the mandates of the Union in Pennsylvania.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;">[6]</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The 1847 establishment of the National Grand Lodge along with the Union of Pennsylvania led to harmony and celebration the following year in the New York convention.</span></div>
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<u style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Comments</u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">: With the Warrants of First Independent Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania as well as the Warrants of Hiram being declared “void”, the newly formed Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was the legitimate Grand Lodge in the state. Hiram Grand Lodge ceased to exist. Dead in the rubbish pile. Hairston would never report this because it strays from the confusion that must be maintain to promote the PHA maxim of pure “legitimacy”.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mr. Belcher attempts to indoctrinate us with the fact that two Grand Lodges were dead, so that he can set up the rebirth of Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which was reconstituted by Jacob Jenkins. What he fails to realize is that whether he chooses to stated that both Grand Lodges were dead, they were both EQUALS in the merger, which means that from 1847 to 1848, Hiram Grand Lodge regardless of the prior rebellion, regardless of the alleged counterfeit warrant of Harmony Lodge No. 5, despite all of the issues he could possibly raise, he must still concede that Hiram Grand Lodge was regular. He must concede that Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary were legitimate masons.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Lux Et Veritas 1855</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The above excerpt shows Jacob Jenkins as the duly elected Deputy Grand Master of the newly organized Grand Lodge for the State of Pennsylvania AYM. And according to the agreement, he was the next in line for the seat of Grand Master to represent the Hiram part of the merger. I have a few questions to Mr. Belcher:<br /><br /><u>Questions to Mr. Belcher</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#1 Was the Body formed in the above document regular and legitimate?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#2 If you say yes, did that make Jacob Jenkins a legitimate mason at this point?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#3 If Samuel Leary was a member of Union Lodge No. 4 which now would be under this same Body, would that make him legitimate as well, at this point?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, going further, I present the disposition of Star in the East Lodge No. 12 in Delaware.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Lux Et Veritas 1855</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Star in the East Lodge came under the newly formed Compact Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania, as well as Rising Sun and Meridian Sun. Mr. Belcher would not dare consider these three Delaware subordinates illegal or not duly constituted, because they came under the Compact Grand Lodge. The question I have for him is this:<br /><br /><u>Question:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If the three Lodges that formed Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware were regular and legal, when they formed their Grand Lodge did this not make the Grand Lodge legal and regular?<br /><br />If these regular and duly constituted Lodges decided to form a Grand Lodge and NOT participate in the National Compact, wouldn't they still be legitimate since the warrants that were issued to them would be surrendered in the organization of the Grand Lodge, and new warrants issued from the new Grand Lodge?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, even if Pennsylvania was to revoke the charters after the formation of the Grand Lodge, it wouldn't matter because those charters would be voided in the formation and reissuing of new warrants. And, because Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware never received a warrant from the National Grand Lodge, they could never expel Delaware. Delaware would be a Independent and legally constituted Grand Lodge WITHOUT the National Grand Lodge or entering the National Compact. I discern a great paradigm shift coming in how we view the National Compact and its relationship to Grand Lodges in and out of their jurisdiction. Belcher then goes on:</span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">Hiram Raised From The Dead</u></span></div>
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Jacob Jenkins, who served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1849, along with others objected to being subordinate to the National Grand Lodge. In November of 1849, Jenkins along with 7 Lodges of the former Hiram Grand Lodge withdrew from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which was under the jurisdiction of the National Grand Lodge.<a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; text-decoration: none;">[7]</a> </div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, Belcher is admitting that Jacob Jenkins was a legitimate mason, because there is no way the Compact Grand Lodge would seat a clandestine mason as Grand Master. Now, here is where Mr. Belcher and other National Compact proponents must make adjustments in their understanding of the jurisdiction of the National Grand Lodge.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The National Grand Lodge had only jurisdiction over those who voluntarily came into the National Compact. The National Compact was an agreement between the Grand Lodges of the States to be governed by a national entity called the National Grand Lodge. The National Grand Lodge had no authority over any Grand Lodge that chose to fore go joining the National Compact.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Article 1 of the National Compact, which was ratified in June 24th, 1847 states:<br /><br />"The State Grand Lodges shall invariably acknowledge the National Grand Lodge."<br /><br />When these Articles were ratified, who were the State Grand Lodges that this Article was addressing?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Answer: ONLY those who were under the National Compact, which was African Grand Lodge of Boston, African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania; they were the only Grand Lodges under the Compact or existing among African American masons. The National Grand Lodge could exact no commitment from any of the other State Grand Lodges in Pennsylvania or Boston.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Article</span> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7 states:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The National Grand Lodge shall grant warrants TO ALL STATE GRAND LODGES APPLYING, if worthy, which said Lodge shall be constituted agreeable to the rules and regulations."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Question:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What if subordinate lodges decide to form a Grand Lodge, and then decide to not apply for a warrant from the National Grand Lodge, how can they be expelled or considered clandestine by the National Grand Lodge?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The answer to this question provides the grounds for understanding the jurisdiction of the National Grand Lodge. Freemasonry, at its heart is a VOLUNTARY organization, that forces no person to be a part. If one decides to walk back through the door whence they were received, there is no penalty or punishment for their choice to resign their membership.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The term <i>Compact</i> within itself demands no irreversible obligation, it is:<br /><br />"an agreement or covenant between two or more parties."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Bible says, "How can two walk together unless they AGREE."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If one party decided to no longer be a party to the Covenant or Agreement (Compact), by what authority can the other party expel them from the practice of covenant and agreement with anyone else? That is vanity.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jacob Jenkins was the Grand Master of the State of Pennsylvania, and in his executive capacity, he decided that for the good of the Craft they no longer wanted to be under the Compact. And so, he and those who remained loyal to their Grand Master left the Compact. That was their choice as a Grand Lodge.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's stop here and review Article 7 again:<br /><br />"</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The National Grand Lodge shall grant warrants TO ALL STATE GRAND LODGES APPLYING, if worthy, which said Lodge shall be constituted agreeable to the rules and regulations."<br /><br /><u>Question:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Who is to apply for a warrant from the National Grand Lodge according to the above article?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">STATE GRAND LODGES that have already been formed by constitution and convention. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did they need the warrant to form themselves into a Grand Lodge?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No. They needed only a constitutional number of masons or regular and duly constituted lodges, a convention, </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a constitution and they had the legal and masonic right to exist and work.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, lets see how Jacob Jenkins and the jurisdiction chose to leave the Compact, via the Lux Et Veritas:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Lux Et Veritas 1855</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWrszTVtkkga7xmeDAUitpcUWVPuddIo-tJDTXP86OIWWytpFEgWPkxNbmrONDnF0OPZXPV50VnBwyR2gqWr0VCaTgbwZ1yWKBGmsc2uX3dEKGoVFmTWMdiUQzquvVKI0oUojmjzZfKau/s1600/Jacob+Jenkins+1848+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWrszTVtkkga7xmeDAUitpcUWVPuddIo-tJDTXP86OIWWytpFEgWPkxNbmrONDnF0OPZXPV50VnBwyR2gqWr0VCaTgbwZ1yWKBGmsc2uX3dEKGoVFmTWMdiUQzquvVKI0oUojmjzZfKau/s640/Jacob+Jenkins+1848+3.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The above is an account of the dissolution of ties with the National Compact by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania headed by Jacob Jenkins. It seems, that by power vested in the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge, there was a meeting called and resolutions voted for and adopted. According to the dated meeting of October 15th, 1849, there was a 22 to 5 vote on all resolutions, which included the severing of ties and leaving the National Compact. There was no rebellion, or expulsion, there was a majority vote of the Craft.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Question:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mr. Belcher, is there an expulsion of Jacob Jenkins or any member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at this time?<br /><br />Was Jacob Jenkins the lawful and duly seated Grand Master of the Jurisdiction?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Under the above circumstances did this Grand Lodge have the right to make this vote?<br /><br />Can you show me in the Articles, </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which served as a constitution of the National Grand Lodge, besides the Ahiman Rezon, that made provisions for any Grand Lodge that desired to leave the Compact?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If your answer is that you cannot, can you agree that if there is no explicit rule or regulation that lays out clearly the procedure for any Grand Lodge to leave the Compact, can the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania's action in the above documentation be recognized as legal?<br /><br />Now, keep in mind, that Samuel Van Bracken's first letter acknowledging the action of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, was dated November 10, 1849, almost a month after the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has adopted all resolutions to sever ties with the National Compact. It wasn't until November 13th, 1849 that the expulsion came.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Question:</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What was the National Grand Lodge expelling? The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was already gone.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Important point to go back and grasp, is the fact that the Grand Lodge needed no warrant to exist in the first place, so if the National Grand Lodge was revoking the warrants, that was symbolic, because the warrant didn't give existence to the Grand Lodge to begin with. The warrant from the National Grand Lodge was only a receipt of membership in the National Compact and NOTHING ELSE. A State had to be already formed before they could receive the warrant. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mr. Belcher, has invested his entire masonic worldview in a faulty premise that the National Grand Lodge had more jurisdiction than they really had. Now, listen to his continuation of the story:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Upon notice of the actions of Jenkins and his cohorts, the National Grand Lodge took action. National District Deputy Grand Master Samuel Van Brakle declared Jacob Jenkins’ seat as Grand Master vacant until the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was proper assembled to address the issues of dissention.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/quill-un-mighty-sword-dull-an-analysis-of-the-rhetorical-responses-of-john-l-hairston-to-the-review-of-lux-et-veritas/#_edn8" name="_ednref8" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;">[8]</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons working under the jurisdiction of the National Grand Lodge, on November 15, 1849 expelled Jenkins and the Lodges affiliated with him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What?!<br />How could the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania expel Jacob Jenkins, when the Grand Lodge had left a month ago?<br />If we interpret this correctly, we can see that in order to replace the Grand Lodge that had left, the National Grand Lodge made a Grand Lodge out of what was left.<br />This also destroys the notion that Pennsylvania of the Compact has had a continuous existence...The above documentation refutes that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mr. Belcher states that the National Grand Lodge declared Jacob Jenkins' seat as Grand Master vacant. This is absurd and a regurgitation of information; he sounds a bit indoctrinated. How do you vacate a seat that is no longer there?<br />Jacob Jenkins was the duly elected Grand Master. The Grand Lodge met and voted to take the Grand Lodge with them, there was no seat to vacate, they were gone. All of the actions of the National Grand Lodge were merely symbolic and really had no distinct significance. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, watch his tone here:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The Jenkins Grand Lodge (A.K.A. the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, A.K.A. The Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and A.K.A the Seventh Streeters), continued to work under no apparent Masonic authority. There was a severe chasm caused by the actions of the revived Hiram Grand Lodge. Those newly formed Grand Lodges in other states where Lodges were established by Hiram Grand Lodge before the National Grand Lodge, re-joined allegiance to the Hiram faction. In 1850, Hiram Grand Lodge along with those pledging allegiance from the states formed what was known as the Eastern Alliance. The purpose of this Alliance was to encourage state rights and to help to destroy the body known as the National Grand Lodge.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mr. Belcher is in full denial at this point, offering us just baseless rhetoric to cover his obvious inability to make a case here. Jacob Jenkins according to all recorded documentation was the sitting elected Grand Master. He, by ordained and vested power called his Grand Lodge into meeting where the matter of their allegiance to the Compact was placed before the Jurisdiction, and they voted to leave.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They needed no warrant to exist and operate in the State. They need no membership in the National Compact to be legitimate. There was no Constitutional violation, because there was no article that explicitly laid out the rules for leaving. At the point of leaving the warrants no longer held any authority.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Belcher then admits that Jacob Jenkins' Grand Lodge had other lodges to leave the Compact and return to Hiram Grand Lodge (the name taken after the Compact erected a replacement Grand Lodge of the same name) then joined Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware (who never joined the Compact) and other Grand Lodges and formed their own Compact between each other. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now we find him in desperation. He then posts a clipping of a Proceeding from the MW Grand Lodge of Colorado (mainstream) dated 1869 as means of trying to establish that Jacob Jenkins was of bad character, here is that excerpt:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">MW Grand Lodge of Colorado 1869</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He then goes on to make a challenge in regards to this weak attempt at documentation:</span></div>
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<u style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Comments</u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">: The above clipping presents all the motivation as to the character of Jacob Jenkins. I would be interested in seeing a source that proves the Grand Lodge of Colorado to be incorrect. These actions are of the same nature that PHA Masons accuse their former Brother John G. Jones. It amazes me how Jacob Jenkins is celebrated and John G. Jones is cursed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Belcher states that the above clipping provides "all the motivation" as to Jacob Jenkins character. And states that he would like to see it refuted. I will do just that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I present Article 3 of the Articles of the Masonic National Convention of 1847:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The election of officers for the National Grand Lodge shall take place every THREE YEARS, FOREVER..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These article were ratified on June 24th, 1847. According to the Article it would be three years from the ratification of the Articles before there would be another election of National Grand Lodge officers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1847-1848 is one year.<br />1848-1849 is two years.<br />1849-1850 is the next election year for the National Grand Lodge.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jacob Jenkins left the National Compact on October 15th, 1849, even Mr. Belcher stated earlier in his "analysis" that </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">the National Grand Lodge, on November 15, 1849 expelled Jenkins and the Lodges affiliated with him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, if Jacob Jenkins was gone in 1849, then how could he have been up for the seat of National Grand Master at the 1850 Triennial?<br /><br />The above excerpt from the MW Grand Lodge of Colorado fails in itself as it doesn't line up with the facts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mr. Belcher after his desperation move, turns his attention to New York:</span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;">United Grand Lodges of New York: The Issues</u></span></div>
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Hairston failed miserably to answer the New York questions. This is understandable because of the problems it poses to the PHA “maxim” of deception. With regards to New York, <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">the United Grand Lodge of New York was a member of the National Grand Lodge.</span> This debate was part of the e-list debates with esteem scholars and authors including Ezekiel Bey and Ludwick Hall. It was part of the debates when it was proven that the Boyer Grand Lodge, created by William Grimshaw did not exist. United Grand Lodge was listed as part of the 1848 National Grand Lodge parade lineup. Lux et Veritas printed Woodlin, word for word, what Woodlin presented regarding the expulsion of United Grand Lodge. Hairston cannot deny this. In the debates with the New York PHA Historians, I asked for documentation to prove myself incorrect. This was four years ago, no response has been made. John Hairston is about four years late to that party.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am going to re-post my answer to all of his New York questions, in hopes that he will actually take the time to address them, and addresses all challenges that I have posed to him:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>Mr. Belcher, in his first question, attempts to place the United Grand Lodge of New York as part of the National Compact. The New York Grand Lodge claims that they have never been subordinate to the National Grand Lodge at any time in its history. According to Blue-Lite Research Group founder and Grand Historian of the MWPHGL of NY, RW Ezekiel M. Bey:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>"In 1848, a majority of the members of Boyer Lodge repudiated the signatures of its three representatives (Alexander Elston, William C. Clark and Lewis Hayden) to the proposal that was made at the meeting in 1847. On March of 1848, Boyer Lodge #1 along with Celestial #2, Rising Sun #3, and Hiram #4 came together and organized under the name United Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of the State of New York."[4]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>According to Articles 5 and 7 of the <i>Articles of Union</i>, resolved by the Convention of 1847, State Grand Lodges were to send in, to the National Grand Lodge, annual returns and the National Grand Lodge was to issue charters to all State Grand Lodges THAT WOULD APPLY to them for one.[5]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>My challenge to Mr. Belcher would be to produce an annual return to the National Grand Lodge from the United Grand Lodge of New York, and to provide an application to the National Grand Lodge petitioning a warrant for the United Grand Lodge of New York. This is a valid challenge, because the signers to the Convention Articles of 1847 were members of a LODGE, they were not a Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge did not form until 1848, which means their formation, if they were indeed a Compact Grand Lodge should have been sanctioned by warrant from the National Grand Lodge in 1848, for the Articles had been signed in 1847. And, if New York in 1848 was a Compact Grand Lodge, where is the annual returns they made to the National Grand Lodge. Woodlin's account must be taken with a grain of salt; although New York was added to a Grand Lodge listing in the Proceedings of the National Grand Lodge that Woodlin published in National Masonic Union [6], we find no names from the New York Grand Lodge as delegates to the Meeting in New York, June 24th-25th, 1848. Without this documentation, the only source would be Woodlin's work, and there is ample proof to show that National Masonic Union has many errors, and even a revised letter attributed to Prince Hall. Let's get to the first question:</b></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 20px;">If the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge expelled the United Grand Lodge of New York 4 days before it scheduled to have a special meeting, and the New York acknowledged the actions of the National Grand Lodge in its report, can it be concluded that the United Grand Lodge was a member of the National Grand Lodge and the committee’s report a ploy to distance themselves?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The error here is that Mr. Belcher attempts to affirm that the United Grand Lodge of New York was a Compact Grand Lodge because they "acknowledged the actions of the National Grand Lodge in its report." I want to place the paragraph of the Committee report that Belcher uses to claim that New York was a member of the Compact:<br /><br />"They did, however, in the plentitude of their power, on the 26th day of June, A. L. 5849, (a day we shall ever hold sacred to their memory) attempted to expel the "United Grand Lodge of the State of New York"..."[7]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>This is no way indicates that New York was a member of the National Compact. With the absence of annual returns, the application for a Compact Warrant, the existence of a Compact charter for New York and this statement in the very same report:</b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">WE DID NOT DEEM IT WISE, OR PRUDENT, TO HAVE IT APPEAR THAT THE UNION HAD BEEN EFFECTED, ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THE FINAL CONSUMMATION...WE HELD THE MATTER AT ABEYANCE UNTIL THE CONGREGATED WISDOM OF THE BRETHREN IN A CALMER MOMENT..."[8]</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>The word here, as R. W. Ezekiel M. Bey states in, <i>The Hour Glass</i>, is ABEYANCE, which means:<br /><br />"A Temporary state of disuse or suspension."[9]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>The report states that they considered the coming into the National Compact, but held the matter SUSPENDED, until the next time they congregated, which subsequently cause a division in their Grand Lodge in 1849. This gave birth to the Union Grand Lodge (Compact). The United Grand Lodge was at odds as to join or not join. The United Grand Lodge chose to remain independent, and "[f]our of the Lodges of the newly formed United Grand Lodge of New York, and parts of two other lodges of the United Grand Lodge, formed the core of the Union Grand Lodge."[10]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>So, the conclusion that United Grand Lodge of New York was subordinate to the National Grand Lodge falters for the lack of evidence. As far as the Committee report being a ploy to distance themselves from the National Grand Lodge is based on the initial faulty premise that they were a subordinate. You can be no more distant than NOT A PART. The second question being:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">According to the Woodlin report, Alexander Elston was a delegate to the 1847 Boston Convention which established the National Grand Lodge.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">[9]</a><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> There was no mention of irregularities from 1847 to 1849. Would not New York Committee member Alexander Elston been more credible in his assertions if they were reported prior to the July 30, 1849 “special” meeting of the United Grand Lodge?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Mr. Belcher attempts to state that there was no mention of irregularities between 1847-1849, but this is an assumption. If New York did not join the Compact, and the report was compiled and presented, and there was a division in the Grand Lodge concerning the National Compact, then we can conclude that within the walls of their Grand Lodge and among the members there were concerns that existed regarding the National Compact. The report itself proves that there were concerns and the report was adopted by the Grand Lodge. </b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mr. Belcher attempts to make the Report of the Committee an "Elston assertion", when in fact there were two other members of the Committee, and two other delegates that attended the Convention representing Boyer Lodge. The G</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">RAND BODY adopted the report, which means that Elston cannot be the one attributed the content of the report. Whether they reported the incidents before or after the expulsion of the United Grand Lodge of New York doesn't negate the credibility of the report. Keep in mind, New York was in the midst of organizing a Grand Lodge; those affairs, as well as the admitted reason of actually considering the option of joining, may have kept them from making any public statement against the National Grand Lodge. We know from the report and the subsequent actions of those that formed Union Grand Lodge of New York, that the issue was a dividing point within the infancy of the Grand Lodge. When United Grand Lodge refused to join, the National Grand Lodge issued their expulsion letter (for a Grand Lodge that had not yet joined), and New York went public with the what they knew of the Convention and the National Compact. A very reasonable explanation in light of the supporting documentation. The next question was:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Would the committee’s report be more credible if Alexander Elston was NOT a part of the Committee?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>No, any statement issued against the National Grand Lodge would have Compact proponents in denial as to the content, regardless of who was on the Committee. That may have even been a point of contention-that no member of the delegation was on the Committee. I am convinced that placing him on the Committee gave credence to the Report, because he was an eye witness. The next question:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Has any documentation of Alexander Elston position prior to the July 30, 1849 “special” meeting been enter into the literature to support the position?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>To ask for prior documentation of Alexander Elston's position and account doesn't make sense. The Grand Lodge adopted the report of the Committee (of three, not one), and there is enough documentation to conclude that the issue was discussed and a point of contention in the State since their return from the Convention in 1847. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Mr. Belcher states:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Lux et Veritas printed Woodlin, word for word, what Woodlin presented regarding the expulsion of United Grand Lodge.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">His source for trying to place New York in the Compact is the <i>National Masonic Union</i>, by Joshua Woodlin. I will provide a review of the National Masonic Union in the very near future, but I will provide a preview of what is to come and show that Woodlin's work is not a reliable source of information.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">National Masonic Union Joshua Woodlin 1855</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The above excerpt we will expose can be found on the bottom of page 10 and continue to the end of the first paragraph on page 11.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">What you are reading is a letter written by Prince Hall to Draper and Folsom of Boston, correcting and error they printed in a Boston Newspaper concerning the St. John's Festival that was celebrated by African Lodge No. 459, this was written betwee</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">n 1787-1789. the portion where we find the error is here:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take note of the line:<br /><br />"I therefore take the liberty to inform you that out title is not Saint Black, but AFRICAN GRAND LODGE..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a blatant doctored letter, and it has been altered and revised so that Woodlin could make African Lodge a Grand Lodge and Prince Hall a Provincial Grand Master at the writing of the letter. I now present a photocopy of the original handwritten letter by the hand of Prince Hall himself:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">The portion that needs to be focused on is this part:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Begin at the third line and you will see the words, "our tittel is not S Blacks Lodge..." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After that, we find NO AFRICAN GRAND LODGE!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Woodlin either added it to the letter or was copying from a corrupted copy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now go to the bottom part, the next to the last line, you read, "Servant Prince Hall master of the African Lodge No. 1 dedicated to S. Johns"<br /><br />Go back up to Woodlin's copy. you will find NOTHING after Prince Hall's name.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, for Belcher to use Woodlin's work as his source for New York being a part of the National Compact...I would advise him to make sure he checks thoroughly behind Woodlin's accounts...<br /><br />Let me say that I was thoroughly disappointed at the lack of work that Mr. Belcher put into his "analysis". If you are a member of the Compact, I would advise you to read through these responses and see how much rhetoric and puff is placed in his retorts, how little actual documentation and scholarship are.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The Full review of Woodlin's work coming soon...</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 20px;">Go by and like our Facebook page as well:</span><br /><span style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheQuillAndTheSword" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/TheQuillAndTheSword</a></span></span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-50658330679175671282015-05-04T01:12:00.000-07:002015-07-22T20:25:23.704-07:00Memo to Christopher L. Belcher: Your Essential questions have been addressed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Written by <br />Brother John L. Hairston</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>On April 16th of this year, Christopher L. Belcher a member of the Prince Hall National Compact group, posted a review of the Lux Et Veritas publication from the Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware (1855). Mr. Belcher stated that he posted the review as a "challenge" to Brother Ralph McNeal to respond and went as far as to provide "Essential Questions" for any to answer. After reading the review (which can be found <a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/" target="_blank">here</a>) I decided to answer those seven questions for further "lively discussion and debate".</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The review was broken down into five parts, but questions </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">appear in only the first three. In order to follow the answers to the questions, I will include Mr. </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Belcher's</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> comments that preceded the questions in this post. Please read Mr. </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Belcher's</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> "<a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/" target="_blank">Part One</a>", then return here for his comments and questions: </span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 20px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;">Comments:</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> It must be noted that Union Lodge No. 4 was established by First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It must also be noted that Union Lodge No. 4 was expelled by First Independent African Grand Lodge in 1818.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">[7]</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Union Lodge No. 4 along with Harmony Lodge No. 5 which was expelled by First Independent African Grand Lodge in 1828,</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">[8]</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">formed the Grand Lodge to which the committee mentioned which was the Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The authority to which Hiram Grand Lodge claim a regular lineage, is aligned with a warrant to which they claim was given by the “mainstream” Grand Lodge of Ohio </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">(white)</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">. On July 18, 1845 African Grand Lodge of Massachusetts published a letter from a member of the Grand Lodge of Ohio as well as Mayor of the town of which the members of Union Lodge and Harmony Lodge claimed to have received the warrant denying have issued such warrant. The African Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was of the view that Hiram Grand Lodge was not a regular established Grand Lodge.</span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;">Essential Questions:</span></span></div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary, according to the report of the committee, were made a Mason in Union Lodge in 1826. Considering the cited comments above, it is reasonable to conclude that Jenkins, Leary and others were made to an illegal Grand Lodge (Hiram GL). Is there any way possible to consider these Masons as legitimate?</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Star of the East Lodge No. 12 of Wilmington, Delaware was formed under the jurisdiction of Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware. Hiram Grand Lodge was formed by those who claimed a Warrant from the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio. If the warrant received from the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio was “counterfeit”, as reported by the report of the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio, how can Star of the East Lodge No. 12 be a “legally” constituted Lodge?</li>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b>Mr. Belcher assumes that the Lux Et Veritas document is a refutation to Joshua Woodlin's, <i>The National Masonic Union, </i>and attempts to discredit the information provided by Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware to bolster the credibility of Woodlin as a source of the events surrounding the formation and dealings of the National Compact, of which he is a current member.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b>In the opening of his first comment he states:</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">There is very important information not included regarding the information provided in the details as presented by the Committee in their presentation. The committee fails to present the disposition of Grand Lodge in relations to the information provided above.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This he also does in providing his opinion, because he understands that if he was to continue to present the story, the above two questions would have been answered. Let's deal with the first question:</b></span></span></div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary, according to the report of the committee, were made a Mason in Union Lodge in 1826. Considering the cited comments above, it is reasonable to conclude that Jenkins, Leary and others were made to an illegal Grand Lodge (Hiram GL). Is there any way possible to consider these Masons as legitimate?</li>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Yes, we can consider and be assured that Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary were both legitimate and regular masons. It is true that Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was formed by rebellion of Union Lodge No. 4 and Harmony No. 5, which eventually led to the formation of the rival Grand Lodge in the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. Now, let's move forward to what happened after the formation of Hiram Grand Lodge (PA).</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania became more influential than its rival, First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. This caused major division in Pennsylvania and threatened to destroy the fabric of Freemasonry among African Americans, because where there is no unity, there is the open field for clandestine groups to form and further put at risk the good name of Freemasonry.</b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 1846, John T. Hilton, then Grand Master of Prince Hall </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, wrote a letter to all of the Grand Lodges of color to assemble for a National Grand Convention; this included an invitation to Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, of which Union Lodge No. 4 was a subordinate lodge to. This convention, despite the debate surrounding the events occurring at, produced the National Compact of which Hiram Grand Lodge (which represented all of its subordinate lodges) were signers and party to. Even masonic author, Bro. Alton </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Roundtree</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> agrees that "whether, Hiram Grand Lodge was adopted or healed at the Boston Convention, it was made regular".[1]</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">It is also documented that from the alleged date of June 24th, 1847 (alleged date of the formation of the National Compact) to January 19th, 1848, Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and all of its subordinate lodges existed and worked along side of First Independent African Grand Lodge within the state of Pennsylvania as a regular and recognized Grand Lodge, until their eventual merger in 1848. [2] </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary were both included in the merger as well. So, "considering the cited comments above" we can consider Jacob Jenkins and Samuel Leary legitimate. Jacob Jenkins was duly elected the Deputy Grand Master (ensuing GM representing Hiram Grand Lodge)[3] of the Grand Body that came out of the merger between the two Grand Lodges. He couldn't have been any more legitimate. Now for question 2:</span></b></div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Star of the East Lodge No. 12 of Wilmington, Delaware was formed under the jurisdiction of Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware. Hiram Grand Lodge was formed by those who claimed a Warrant from the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio. If the warrant received from the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio was “counterfeit”, as reported by the report of the “white” Grand Lodge of Ohio, how can Star of the East Lodge No. 12 be a “legally” constituted Lodge?</li>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>For the status of Hiram Grand Lodge, please refer to the above answer. This being the case, we can conclude that Star of the East Lodge No. 12 received the same status as it's Grand Lodge. The question becomes futile in light of the facts. On to Part Two, Comment and Essential Questions (refer to <a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/" target="_blank">Part Two</a> of Belcher's work):</b></span></span></div>
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Much of the focus of the second part of the book was concerning a report presented by a committee of the United Grand Lodge of New York. The committee consisted of the following: Ransom F. Wake, Jacob Francis and Alexander Elston. The report was accepted at a “special” Meeting of the United Grand Lodge on July 30,<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.5px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span>1849. The report directly challenged the authority of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge. The Committee claimed that the National Grand Lodge was “self constituted”. It was also reported that the National Grand Lodge made an attempt to expel the United Grand Lodge of New York which occurred on June 26, 1849, four days prior to the committee’s report to the “special” Session of the United Grand Lodge of New York. The New York Committee report gives the impression as if United Grand Lodge was independently organized and was not a member of the National Grand Lodge. The New York committee claimed that a delegation of Philadelphia engaged in meetings in the interim between the 1847 meeting and the 1848 meeting. The New York Committee report claim these meetings to be illegal. The Committee did not cite the proceedings of the said meeting. The New York Committee took a very controversial position to challenge the authority of the African Grand Lodge as being a self constituted Grand Lodge.</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">If the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge expelled the United Grand Lodge of New York 4 days before it scheduled to have a special meeting, and the New York acknowledged the actions of the National Grand Lodge in its report, can it be concluded that the United Grand Lodge was a member of the National Grand Lodge and the committee’s report a ploy to distance themselves?</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">According to the Woodlin report, Alexander Elston was a delegate to the 1847 Boston Convention which established the National Grand Lodge.<a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; text-decoration: none;">[9]</a> There was no mention of irregularities from 1847 to 1849. Would not New York Committee member Alexander Elston been more credible in his assertions if they were reported prior to the July 30, 1849 “special” meeting of the United Grand Lodge?</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Would the committee’s report be more credible if Alexander Elston was NOT a part of the Committee?</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Has any documentation of Alexander Elston position prior to the July 30, 1849 “special” meeting been enter into the literature to support the position?</li>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>Mr. Belcher, in his first question, attempts to place the United Grand Lodge of New York as part of the National Compact. The New York Grand Lodge claims that they have never been subordinate to the National Grand Lodge at any time in its history. According to Blue-Lite Research Group founder and Grand Historian of the MWPHGL of NY, RW Ezekiel M. Bey:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>"In 1848, a majority of the members of Boyer Lodge repudiated the signatures of its three representatives (Alexander Elston, William C. Clark and Lewis Hayden) to the proposal that was made at the meeting in 1847. On March of 1848, Boyer Lodge #1 along with Celestial #2, Rising Sun #3, and Hiram #4 came together and organized under the name United Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of the State of New York."[4]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>According to Articles 5 and 7 of the <i>Articles of Union</i>, resolved by the Convention of 1847, State Grand Lodges were to send in, to the National Grand Lodge, annual returns and the National Grand Lodge was to issue charters to all State Grand Lodges THAT WOULD APPLY to them for one.[5]</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>My challenge to Mr. Belcher would be to produce an annual return to the National Grand Lodge from the United Grand Lodge of New York, and to provide an application to the National Grand Lodge petitioning a warrant for the United Grand Lodge of New York. This is a valid challenge, because the signers to the Convention Articles of 1847 were members of a LODGE, they were not a Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge did not form until 1848, which means their formation, if they were indeed a Compact Grand Lodge should have been sanctioned by warrant from the National Grand Lodge in 1848, for the Articles had been signed in 1847. And, if New York in 1848 was a Compact Grand Lodge, where is the annual returns they made to the National Grand Lodge. Woodlin's account must be taken with a grain of salt; although New York was added to a Grand Lodge listing in the Proceedings of the National Grand Lodge that Woodlin published in National Masonic Union [6], we find no names from the New York Grand Lodge as delegates to the Meeting in New York, June 24th-25th, 1848. Without this documentation, the only source would be Woodlin's work, and there is ample proof to show that National Masonic Union has many errors, and even a revised letter attributed to Prince Hall. Let's get to the first question:</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">If the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge expelled the United Grand Lodge of New York 4 days before it scheduled to have a special meeting, and the New York acknowledged the actions of the National Grand Lodge in its report, can it be concluded that the United Grand Lodge was a member of the National Grand Lodge and the committee’s report a ploy to distance themselves?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The error here is that Mr. Belcher attempts to affirm that the United Grand Lodge of New York was a Compact Grand Lodge because they "acknowledged the actions of the National Grand Lodge in its report." I want to place the paragraph of the Committee report that Belcher uses to claim that New York was a member of the Compact:<br /><br />"They did, however, in the plentitude of their power, on the 26th day of June, A. L. 5849, (a day we shall ever hold sacred to their memory) attempted to expel the "United Grand Lodge of the State of New York"..."[7]</b></span></span></div>
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This is no way indicates that New York was a member of the National Compact. With the absence of annual returns, the application for a Compact Warrant, the existence of a Compact charter for New York and this statement in the very same report:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">WE DID NOT DEEM IT WISE, OR PRUDENT, TO HAVE IT APPEAR THAT THE UNION HAD BEEN EFFECTED, ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THE FINAL CONSUMMATION...WE HELD THE MATTER AT ABEYANCE UNTIL THE CONGREGATED WISDOM OF THE BRETHREN IN A CALMER MOMENT..."[8]</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>The word here, as R. W. Ezekiel M. Bey states in, <i>The Hour Glass</i>, is ABEYANCE, which means:<br /><br />"A Temporary state of disuse or suspension."[9]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>The report states that they considered the coming into the National Compact, but held the matter SUSPENDED, until the next time they congregated, which subsequently cause a division in their Grand Lodge in 1849. This gave birth to the Union Grand Lodge (Compact). The United Grand Lodge was at odds as to join or not join. The United Grand Lodge chose to remain independent, and "[f]our of the Lodges of the newly formed United Grand Lodge of New York, and parts of two other lodges of the United Grand Lodge, formed the core of the Union Grand Lodge."[10]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>So, the conclusion that United Grand Lodge of New York was subordinate to the National Grand Lodge falters for the lack of evidence. As far as the Committee report being a ploy to distance themselves from the National Grand Lodge is based on the initial faulty premise that they were a subordinate. You can be no more distant than NOT A PART. The second question being:</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">According to the Woodlin report, Alexander Elston was a delegate to the 1847 Boston Convention which established the National Grand Lodge.</span><a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">[9]</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> There was no mention of irregularities from 1847 to 1849. Would not New York Committee member Alexander Elston been more credible in his assertions if they were reported prior to the July 30, 1849 “special” meeting of the United Grand Lodge?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mr. Belcher attempts to state that there was no mention of irregularities between 1847-1849, but this is an assumption. If New York did not join the Compact, and the report was compiled and presented, and there was a division in the Grand Lodge concerning the National Compact, then we can conclude that within the walls of their Grand Lodge and among the members there were concerns that existed regarding the National Compact. The report itself proves that there were concerns and the report was adopted by the Grand Lodge. </b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mr. Belcher attempts to make the Report of the Committee an "Elston assertion", when in fact there were two other members of the Committee, and two other delegates that attended the Convention representing Boyer Lodge. The G</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">RAND BODY adopted the report, which means that Elston cannot be the one attributed the content of the report. Whether they reported the incidents before or after the expulsion of the United Grand Lodge of New York doesn't negate the credibility of the report. Keep in mind, New York was in the midst of organizing a Grand Lodge; those affairs, as well as the admitted reason of actually considering the option of joining, may have kept them from making any public statement against the National Grand Lodge. We know from the report and the subsequent actions of those that formed Union Grand Lodge of New York, that the issue was a dividing point within the infancy of the Grand Lodge. When United Grand Lodge refused to join, the National Grand Lodge issued their expulsion letter (for a Grand Lodge that had not yet joined), and New York went public with the what they knew of the Convention and the National Compact. A very reasonable explanation in light of the supporting documentation. The next question was:</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Would the committee’s report be more credible if Alexander Elston was NOT a part of the Committee?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>No, any statement issued against the National Grand Lodge would have Compact proponents in denial as to the content, regardless of who was on the Committee. That may have even been a point of contention-that no member of the delegation was on the Committee. I am convinced that placing him on the Committee gave credence to the Report, because he was an eye witness. The next question:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Has any documentation of Alexander Elston position prior to the July 30, 1849 “special” meeting been enter into the literature to support the position?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>To ask for prior documentation of Alexander Elston's position and account doesn't make sense. The Grand Lodge adopted the report of the Committee (of three, not one), and there is enough documentation to conclude that the issue was discussed and a point of contention in the State since their return from the Convention in 1847. On to <a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/" target="_blank">Part Three</a>:</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;">PART THREE:</span></span></div>
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Part three discusses the formation of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania F&AAYM. The committee replicated the same information Woodlin present regarding the establishment of the Grand Lodge. The Committee reported that Star of the East Lodge of Wilmington was warranted under the newly formed Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania F&AAYM. The committee reported that the Lodge received their charter bearing the number 21 and “worked accordingly”. The committee also reported that members of Star of the East Lodge petitioned the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania F&AAYM to organize another Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania F&AAYM accepted the petition and in November 1848 Rising Sun Lodge No. 28 was established under its jurisdiction. The committee also reported that in the same year a warrant was granted and Meridian Sun Lodge No. 29 was established under jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The committee reported that those three Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania met in convention and formed the Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware June 9, 1849.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;">Essential Question</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;">:</span></div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box;">If all three of the Lodges which formed the Hiram Grand Lodge were under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania F&AAYM, can it be concluded that the Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware was formed with Compact Lodges?</li>
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On page 21 of the report there was another interesting statement made. It reads as such:</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Therefore we stand a free and independent State Grand Lodge and acknowledge no other authority superior to a State Grand Lodge. Also we here state the formation of the Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, by a convention.</em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Names of Lodges:</em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">New Jerusalem Lodge No. 1</em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Harmony Lodge, No. 5</em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Union Lodge No. 4”<a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; text-decoration: none;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">[10]</span></a></em></div>
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The committee continued the presentation with information regarding the formation of the National Grand Lodge with replications of information contained within the Woodlin presentation. It was also mentioned by the committee that there was an annual election which elected Jacob Jenkins and subordinate officers. One thing of interest is that there was not mention of the delegates to that “annual” meeting. It should be noted that according to Woodlin, the majority of those in that cabinet were expelled by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania F&AAYM six months later.<a href="http://www.princehallorigin.com/memo-to-ralph-mcneal-jr-lux-et-veritas-was-reviewed/#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #428bca; text-decoration: none;">[11</a>]</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /><b>First, </b></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>it is necessary to correct Mr. Belcher's interpretation of the formation of Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware. The Star of the East Lodge No. 12 (which became #1) was duly constituted in 1845, BEFORE the newly formed Grand Lodge FAAYM of Pennsylvania (which was organized by merger in 1848). The Lodge received its warrant from Hiram Grand Lodge.[11] The Lodge came into affiliation with the Compact GL after the merger.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Rising Sun and Meridian Sun could be considered true Compact Lodges, because they were chartered by the Compact Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1848.[12] This is of no significance, because in 1849, September 20th, when Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware was formed, they did so with no charter from the National Grand Lodge, and never joined the National Compact. So, whether they were all Compact Lodges or just two, Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware never made a return to the National Grand Lodge, and never petitioned them for a warrant, and were a part of the Eastern Alliance Grand Lodges.[13] I challenge Mr. Belcher to produce a record that would prove the membership of Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware in the National Compact at any time. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>I want to address one last point in conclusion:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It was also mentioned by the committee that there was an annual election which elected Jacob Jenkins and subordinate officers. One thing of interest is that there was not mention of the delegates to that “annual” meeting. It should be noted that according to Woodlin, the majority of those in that cabinet were expelled by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania F&AAYM six months later.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mr. </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Belcher<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> fails to recognize the irony of his own words. Jacob Jenkins was the duly elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of </span>AYM</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> of Pennsylvania. He and those Lodges with him left the Compact. It is imperative that we understand that the National Compact was an agreement between Grand Lodges. The jurisdiction of the National Grand Lodge extended to those who voluntarily went under it, so said by Article 7, which was the prevailing rule for that day. If a Grand Lodge petitioned the National Grand Lodge for a Warrant, they could come into the National Compact. If a Grand Lodge chose to leave or not join, the National Grand Lodge had no power to expel them from practicing Freemasonry, because the National Compact wasn't irreversible if a Grand Lodge had a change of heart. That Grand Lodge could exist as a Grand Lodge independent of the National Grand Lodge, because the usages and customs did not make it necessary or mandatory for a Grand Lodge to be a participant or receive a warrant from a "National" anything.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This is was a major point of contention with the National Compact. The National Grand Lodge believed that they had the authority to expel a Grand Lodge from Freemasonry, when they only had the power to expel a Grand Lodge from the National Compact. If a Grand Lodge chose to part ways with the National Grand Lodge (as with the case of Jacob Jenkins and the Eastern Alliance of Grand Lodges), then any expulsion of that Grand Lodge from the rights and privileges of freemasonry was merely an exercise in futility. No Grand Lodge could lose it's right to exist by not being a member of the Compact.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Lewis Hayden, Past Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, delegate to the 1847 Boston National Masonic Convention, and primary source of the <i>Letters of Vindication of the National Grand Lodge, </i>wrote:<br /><br />"...believing that you will agree with me that it is our duty not to allow the National Grand Lodge to rule us. The State Grand Lodge created the National Grand Lodge to SERVE them, instead of being created by the National Grand Lodge to serve it. That is the creature to serve the creator, and not the creator to serve the creature."[14]</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Having, in my opinion, an assurance that all questions have been taken and dispensed with, utilizing documentation from a multiplicity of sources; explained and reasoned with impartiality and grace, I return the discussion from when it came and await any further discussion.<br /><br />Memo to Mr. Belcher, Your questions and challenge have been met.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Endnotes:</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Roundtree, Alton. 2010. The National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth, KLR Publishing, LLC, pg. 29 <i>Hiram Grand Lodge.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Woodlin, Joshua. 1855.<i> The National Masonic Union</i>. Burlington, NJ. ppg. 24-28 </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Ibid., pg. 27. Hiram Grand Lodge would have provided the next Grand Master for the Grand Lodge and Jacob Jenkins being elected Deputy Grand Master was most likely to be Hiram's choice for Grand Master the ensuing year after the merger.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Bey, Ezekiel M. 2012. The Hour Glass: African American Freemasonry in the State of New York. Blue-Lite Publishing. pg.54</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Report of the 1847 National Masonic Convention. See the Articles of Union between the Three Grand Lodges of Freemasons of Colour, in America, June 24th, 1847.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Woodlin, Joshua. 1855.</span><i style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> The National Masonic Union</i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">. Burlington, NJ. pg. 30</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">7. Committee on Correspondence report. New York, July 26th, A. L. 5849. Adopted at a Special Meeting of the United Grand Lodge of the State of New York, July 30th A.D. 1849, and of Masonry 5849. This report is also called, The Elston Report.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">8. Ibid.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">9. Refer to any dictionary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">10. </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Roundtree, Alton. 2010. The National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth, KLR Publishing, LLC, pg.111.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">11. Lux Et Veritas. Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware. 1855. ppg. 5-6; also refer to the MWPHGL of Delaware website for their page on <a href="http://www.mwphglde.org/History.aspx" target="_blank">History</a>. Review the Legacy tab.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">12. Ibid., ppg. 17-18</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">13. Ibid., ppg. 19-21</span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-61288113436326457792014-05-23T16:25:00.000-07:002014-05-23T21:06:51.100-07:00The Three Ruffians: A Prophetic View of the Grand Master’s Annual Address of 1924<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E9DHQQT5FuE/U3_YK02INVI/AAAAAAAAMa4/uRlhdc09cUQ/s1600/Ruffians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E9DHQQT5FuE/U3_YK02INVI/AAAAAAAAMa4/uRlhdc09cUQ/s1600/Ruffians.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Written by Rev. John L. Hairston, Editor<br />The Quill and The Sword</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What is “Prophetic”?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The term, “Prophetic”,
commonly alludes to the FORE-TELLING of future events; there is an added dimension
of the interpretation of the past to provide solutions for the present
circumstances. The Great Light of the Volume of Sacred Law provides the
framework to explain this “gift” of interpreting history to expose the ailments
of the present circumstances, and place the present in its real context that
will initiate the process of healing. According to 1 Corinthians 12:8, this
prophetic gift is called the Word of Wisdom and Knowledge and differs from the
gift of prophecy in that it doesn’t entail the foretelling of the future, but
rather, interpreting the past and present to derive healing and CHANGE. As a
Commissioned and Ordained Minister, a prophetic vessel for the Great Architect
of the Universe, a historian and a disciple of the Philosophy of Freemasonry, I
offer a Prophetic view of an excerpt from The Grand Master’s Annual Address of
1924; in hopes that those who have eyes to see will see, and those who have
ears to hear will hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grand Master’s Annual
Address 1924 (M.W. C. W. Davis, GM)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“…But it is not given
to every man to be eloquent in speech or rhetorical in rendition, and with full
knowledge of my own shortcomings, I shall confine myself to at least two of
those liberal arts: Grammar, because I intend to speak correctly and logicly,
because that is a direct inquiry into Truth. I shall make no allusions to the
mistakes of the head as being contrary to the intentions of the heart. I
appreciate too well the God-given attribute which I possess, in common with all
mankind, to express myself according to the dictates of my own conscience<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Should I fail to make
mention of all the working tools of our profession, I shall endeavor to apply
them. I shall not make use of the Tyler’s implement however, only as a symbol
of Truth, which cuts like a two-edged sword. I bring you the truth and the
“truth shall make you free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“One year ago I was
elected as your Grand Master, under circumstances rather peculiar, in a Grand
Lodge of Masons. Had I aspired for the honor of that great and dignified
office, and the brethren seemed willing to accord me that honor in return for
long and meritorious service, I would have been happy in the thought that our
Masonry was responsive to its sublime teachings in that everything must come by
merit. But in this instance I had done the Grand Lodge little or no service,
and I had no aspiration for office. I was selected to serve because a dire
emergency existed. As one brother expressed it, I was used to “let the bars
down.” How this inelegant figure of speech found its way into Masonry, I cannot
say, but its application seems plain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“These so-called “bars”
represent the sum total of achievement of this Grand Lodge from the time when
its founders allowed themselves to be tempted by the lure of ambition for power
and place. These Masons of an earlier day, inspired by all the lofty ideals of
which masonry boasts, and being desirous of propagating our Art on the Pacific
Coast, and, like Prince Hall, “chaffing under the fetters” of distant Sovereign
Grand Lodges, which placed certain limitations upon their endeavors, made a
determined stride for freedom and sovereign rights by organizing and perfecting
their own vineyard, whereby they might sow the seeds of masonry and reap the
harvest of their Masonic labor unhindered by any restriction save that imposed
by the Constitutions and Landmarks of the Fraternity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“All went well until
the question of leadership came up for consideration. It was there that the
first ruffian “Ambition”, appeared to block the way of honest endeavor,
followed closely by a second “Competition”, and by the union of these two, one
more deadly and dangerous than the rest was born, “Politics”, and then and
there a blow was struck at our embryo organization from which it has never
recovered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 130.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Torn and divided by
this evil thing which had crept among them, it was five years before there was
any hope of union. In the meantime this lusty child Politics had assumed
enormous proportions, guided and controlled by ambitious men who had acquired
considerable skill in its manipulations. It was not long before a machine was
built up for the purpose of holding and maintaining power and place and
control; and Masonry was divided into two classes: a ruling class and a
suffering class; and Aristocracy and a Democracy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thus were the “Bars”
raised up against every moral progress, and we find ourselves after 20 years of
existence, and at the close of 6 years of successive elections to office, made
possible only by the power of this political machine, on the brink of
disruption, the Craft divided, hate taking the place of love; confusion and
disorder; the very traditional tragedy of the Temple being enacted in our
midst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The crucial time had
arrived, the long-suffering masses had at last awakened to the fact that
Masonry knows no rulers; that Masonry is ruled by Law alone. It is recorded
that Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, he did not drive them out.
The ruler keeps his subjects in ignorance lest they discover their freedom. He demands
loyalty, a thing which can only be bought with love. The stupid devotion of a
few followers is his only dependence for safety. Masonry has no time for such
wasted devotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Our bounden duty lies
only in one direction, and that is fidelity to the Order and its sublime
principles and not to any man’s personal ambitions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“In sailing in the
Corrupt Sea of Politics, the shoals, reefs, and storms which are ever prevalent
in these dangerous waters, has left its tell-tale marks on the ship of Masonry
of this jurisdiction.”<b><sup><o:p></o:p></sup></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Prophetic
Perspective<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Traditionally, the “three
ruffians” have alluded to intolerance, ignorance and tyranny, but Grand Master
C. W. Davis alluded them to Ambition, Competition and Politics. There is
nothing wrong with Ambition, Competition or Politics if they are applied in
their MORAL and PROPER context; when these harmless principles fall into the
hearts and minds of those who have not been truly reformed by the sublime
principles of Freemasonry, we find them used as weapons of disharmony and
discord; a cancer to any Order or organization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As previously defined
in the opening paragraph of this article, the Prophetic is the gift or ability
to divine from the past and present Wisdom and Knowledge vital to the healing
and change of something or someone. As we have witnessed time again in the
annals of history and scripture that when a God-ordained entity falls from the
purpose for which it was intended, signs and words of prophetic warning comes
as a landmark by which we may return to the path and course of destiny. There
is no matter the level of justification of the culprits of the disharmony, no
matter in whether the general audience approves or believes the message
provided; the message is placed in the hearing of the people and the word is
full of purpose that will not be denied or hindered. There is only acceptance
and change/reform, or disregard and consequence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The three “ruffians” of
Ambition, Competition and Politics have never truly been apprehended in the
Jurisdictions, they have only been cloaked in the hearts for a time until they
deem it most profitable for their reappearance. They hide in the hearts of
so-called masons who carry the burning embers of past feuds and old “customs”
that have never truly been extinguished in them; they then ignite the same in
other Brethren, and whisper the wind of corruption that the flames may catch
fire and spread in hopes of accomplishing their personal agendas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How can we identify the
“three ruffians” of Ambition, Competition and Politics? By guide of the Volume
of Sacred Law, the book of Proverbs, chapter 6, verses 16-19:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“These six things doth
the LORD HATE: yea, seven are an ABOMINATION unto him: A PROUD LOOK, A LYING
TONGUE, AND HANDS THAT SHED THE BLOOD OF THE INNOCENT, A HEART THAT DEVISETH
WICKED IMAGINATIONS, FEET THAT BE SWIFT IN RUNNING TO MISCHIEF, A FALSE WITNESS
THAT SPEAKETH LIES, AND HE THAT SOWETH DISCORD AMONG BRETHREN.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 130.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The three ruffians of
Ambition, Competition and Politics operate and function most effectively in the
environment created by the 7 abominations. These 7 abominations are the
instruments that murder and maim the conduct and character of brothers in
pursuit of vain ambitions, fueled by competition and politics. These ruffians
attempt to find rest in the hearing and hearts of the unsuspecting, cloaked as
whispered “words of counsel” and “wisdom of instruction”; they desire dark
corners, inner circles and any means of communication to work their witchcraft;
the sources of this discord never seeks direct confrontation with the object of
their works, but choose to operate in the darkness, out of sight of those who
carry the light of good judgment; if the substance of their actions are placed
in the scale of the Master’s charge and other obligations of Freemasonry, such
as, “reminding their brother of his faults in friendliest of manner” or “to
defend his character”, we will find a blatant violation of these instructions;
which when questioned as to the gross violation and disregard for our tenet
principles for more suitable Masonic conduct, you then become the object of
their works as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the Legend, the
three culprits are apprehended at the command of the representation of DIVINE
WISDOM. It is divine wisdom that comes from the Supreme Architect of the
Universe, who has stated that we operate in decency and IN ORDER. Where we find
the flagrant operation of the three ruffians, we can find an organization that
has become disconnected from its DIVINE SOURCE, abandoning its true purpose to
become more infested with the cancer of vain AMBITIONS, trivial COMPETITIONS,
and dirty POLITICS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we make way into
another Annual Grand Communication, let us reassess whether we operate in the
spirit of the three ruffians of vain ambitions, trivial competitions and dirty
politics, or are we moving in the godly course of Brotherly love, Relief and
TRUTH. We are accountable for decisions and conduct, even if the consequence is
not immediate; think not that the arm of the Supreme Judge of all Souls has
weakened. The futile whispers of Ambition, Competition and Politics cannot
hinder or obstruct the course of Prophetic destiny, those whispers and
subsequent operations serve only to fall upon the heads of the sources of such
works. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-21956201507002284492014-05-18T09:40:00.000-07:002014-05-18T09:45:09.188-07:00Response to Fahim A. El-The Conclusion <span style="color: red;">In the name of Masonic Education, I continue this discussion with Brother Fahim A. Knight El.<br />My response will be in red.<br /><br />Bro. Fahim's response to mine can be found here:<br /><a href="http://fahimknightsworld.blogspot.com/2014/04/john-g-jones-regular-versus-irregular.html" target="_blank">Bro Fahim's Response</a><br /><br />Brother Fahim began his response:</span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Peace: Brother Hairston, you finally admitted openly that no one gave the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) a charter to function and operate as an independent and sovereign body of Masons; thus, they like all other self-determining people in history declared themselves the right to invest in the ancient and modern forms of Freemasonry by implementing and establishing their own Masonic edit and therefore laying the foundation for others to follow.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Now, Bro. Fahim, I know that the audience who follows my blog, those who know me in Masonic research circles and even those from clandestine groups whom I debate regularly will find the opening of your response amusing. You stated that I had FINALLY OPENLY ADMITTED that no one gave England a Charter. I never denied that fact at any time, in fact I have publicly stated that to clandestine groups who believe that Grand Lodges receive charters to operate, because that is a practice that is the norm among illegal masonic bodies.<br />Again, you show signs of one who is among the Regular lodges but your heart is clandestine. The established norm since the founding of the Grand Lodge of 1717, the merger of the rival Grand Lodges in 1813 was that no Grand Lodge would need a charter to operate. This is Freemasonry 101.<br />Your contention that it is perfectly legal to go out and establish a Grand Lodge at anytime is a detriment to Freemasonry and further proves that your rationale may need a bit of fine tuning.<br />The origins of those "grand lodges" whom you so deem them within their right to form a Grand Lodge because they just can, is spurious and they have no legitimate origin.<br />John G. Jones in particular started a Grand Lodge with no lodges. He just went out, one week after being expelled and incorporated a Grand Lodge. I think you are quite aware of the expulsion of John G. Jones and may be you may NOT know that he started a Grand Lodge a week AFTER the trial and had NO LODGES to start a Grand Lodge. So what gave him the right to start a Grand Lodge?<br />What gave IFAAM or Modern Free?<br />These bogus grand lodges were illegally started and have no authority whatsoever to exist, because they were either formed by illegal lodges, with illegal charters, or they were founded by expelled masons or those who had no authority to just start a Grand Lodge.<br />Can you name a grand lodge, that would be considered clandestine that would have the Masonic right to just form?<br /><br />Secondly, can you give me the masonic precedent that would allow any group of people to form a Grand Lodge after the established custom was established on how Grand Lodges were to form? Please provide documentation and NOT OPINION. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />Perhaps since no and/or 'competent Masonic Jurisdiction' issued them a Masonic Warrant, Charter or Dispensation to function in a legal Masonic capacity, then any charters and warrants that followed (meaning those issued by the UGLE) would be considered irregular.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim, I think it may be time to end these discussion if you can't begin to formulate better conclusions than these, because we are beginning to go in circles. There was no precedent on how Grand Lodges were to form prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. This means the precedent was set by there actions. They didn't need to have a Competent Masonic Jurisdiction, because they became the FIRST GRAND LODGE. Prior to that formation, lodges were private lodges and operate autonomous from each other, there was NO CENTRAL AUTHORITY. Any group of masons could assemble and confer the degrees and form Lodges. Although a Grand Master was existent he had no Chartering authority, as there was no CENTRAL BODY in existence to issue such charter or dispensation.<br />In 1717, one of the primary reasons for the formation of a Grand Lodge was to provide a CENTRAL AUTHORITY that would regulate the the formation of private lodges and how the degrees were conferred. This Body was to give structure to a chaotic system. I think rather than join Freemasonry to be nosy, it would be wise to actually research the history and get an understanding of the environment that led up to the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. It would provide an insight to the rationale of a Central Body.<br />Now, not all lodges were with the new Grand Lodge and Chartering authority, but the Grand Lodge of England wasn't built to control all of Masonry, just regulate how Freemasonry would operate between the four lodges and other lodges that would be formed under them, they exerted no control over the lodges outside the four.<br />Later, other lodges that were existing in the UK saw the benefits of a CENTRAL BODY and came under the structure of the Grand Lodge of England. there were rivals to the Grand Lodge of England up until 1813, and therefore all contentions became uniformity and harmony in the Masonic world.<br /><br />So, your logic that all charters emanating from the Grand Lodge of England could be deemed irregular is weak and unsubstantial. There was no Chartering Authority or Central Body to claim them antagonistic to. They were the FIRST CENTRAL BODY and Chartering Authority that was purely Speculative, which was a distinction from the private lodges that were predominately OPERATIVE. You have to actually do the homework Brother. You are just making statements for the sake of argument and trying to keep the debate going. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />Now, I think that you are smart enough to read between the lines. But I also know that our acceptance of this illegal duplicity is rooted in a much deeper psychosis, which is mis-eduction and self-hatred--this always allows us to give Europeans and their culture a free pass.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim, you sound disgruntled. I don't believe that the acceptance of the standards of regularity is based on mis-education and self-hatred, it is based on acceptance of the system of freemasonry as it was established. You are the type who will paint a white lie black and then call it truth. What was done during the time of slavery is not forgotten nor is it just swept under the rug. There are reparation movements, civil and national rights movements that are fighting on those fronts. There are many grass roots organizations that are out in the community voicing these issues. The thing you can't seem to grasp is that Freemasonry isn't a CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, IT ISN'T POLITICAL. Freemasonry isn't the forum nor platform to deal with those issues. You are asking Freemasonry to become other than what it was formed to be. We will not allow Masonic crimes to be accepted just because they were committed by Black people. Black Nationalism isn't a philosophy that asked for the acceptance of criminal and subversive conduct in the name of a "black agenda".<br />You are trying to paint all white masons as racist and a danger to black masons, and this is just ridiculous and shows that you you're self are a racist hiding in the ranks of Freemasonry. You want Prince Hall mason to provide a pass to John G. Jones, his masonic crimes, and the after effects of those crimes based solely that he and those who follow him are black?! That is a racist perspective. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />So No other Masonic entity had the right to do exactly what the United Grand Lodge of England did, if you understand what deductive reasoning is either you would objectively conclude that England had every right to establish itself as a 'competent Masonic' jurisdiction or what they set-up by mere reasoning is illegal or legal in which affords others this same Masonic right and privilege.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim, who said that no other masonic entity couldn't do what the Grand Lodge of England did?<br />Where are you coming up with these conclusions?<br />Scotland, France, Ireland, India, and the various Grand Lodges of America did so. Here is the MAJOR DIFFERENCE, they did so by legitimate means and with the framework of the established usages and customs of the day. The clandestine lodges, either have no legally chartered lodges, expelled masons, charters for Grand Lodges, grand lodges formed by "Supreme Councils", etc.<br />Grand Lodges can form in the same manner as the Grand Lodge of England, just NOT OUTSIDE THE ESTABLISHED USAGES AND CUSTOMS.<br />The deduction of why those four old lodges decided to form a Central Body and put structure into the system is more than logical, it saved Freemasonry. If Freemasonry was practiced the way that led up to the formation of the first Grand Lodge, you would not even recognize it today; it would be a chaotic stew of every man is his own Grand Master, no harmony, no uniformity, no regulation. But I guess that flawed concepts of life flourish in chaos, because it would appear normal. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />But not only this, the UGLE would eventually impose their Masonic will the world over.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Do you even understand what you're saying here?<br />You are distorting the truth for the sake of trying to breathe life into a conceptual corpse.<br />ALL Grand Lodges are SOVEREIGN and INDEPENDENT.<br />Let me give you an example that will utterly dispel the above statement.<br /><br />If the UGLE exerts control over the Masonic world, then why are their still Grand Lodges in America that don't recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges?<br /><br />If the UGLE controls the Masonic world, how is it that all Grand Lodges in America have OES auxiliaries?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The UGLE doesn't control any Grand Lodges or Jurisdictions. The Grand Lodges have the option to accept the standards of regularity and apply them as they deem conducive to their jurisdiction. It is a willful and lawful acceptance of the UGLE standards. ALL GRAND LODGES ARE SOVEREIGN. You just have to accept that. You are creating a straw man argument. you continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />No, speak for yourself, I do not practice nor follow the tenets of the UGLE or any other European Masonic body; my good brother, once I accepted the knowledge of self, it was clear that what so-called African American Masons were following was distorted and a perverted version of Masonry and I truly desired to look to the East and at least investigate the Ancient schools of thought that evolved in Ancient Kemet that predated learning and initiation long before the Caucasian exited the Hills and Caves sides of Europe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim, are you a Mason in good standing with your lodge in North Carolina? If you are then by that virtue, what you have stated above is refuted by your own actions to make sure your dues are paid so that you can remain in good standing with that UGLE styled Masonry that you're covered by. You continued:</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />You are literally following a baby on the planet who has only been in existing a little over 6,000 years and in your response you desire to downplay the citadel of all knowledge which is Kemet. This much has been thoroughly verified by Chelkh Anta Diop and Yosef Ben Jochannan and many of our revolutionary scholars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim, I am not following anything but the Volume of Sacred Law, The Constitution of the United States, and the Code and Constitution of my Grand Lodge. I think you are exhibiting selective reading and you are reading what you want into my statements. I am well aware of all the contributions that black people have made to World Civilization. I am well aware of the abilities of Black people. I just refuse to paint all white people devil, when I learned that a devil is ANY MAN MADE WEAK AND WICKED. And there are times when one is made weak by his own delusions and flawed concepts of life.<br />You have no clue as to what I see through these eyes. I know how to judge what is and what is not. I see good in ALL good people, regardless of their race. I will not live life acting as if white people are the cause of every issue in my life. I refuse to paint all white people are racist. You are wasting your masonic experience harboring ideological distortions and historical revisionist theories.<br />So, your above statement really has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL POINT, and I dismiss it because it doesn't negate the fact that Freemasonry as you joined was formed by English lodges. You still haven't provided a citation for a Grand Lodge in Egypt prior to 1717.<br />Don't read something that is not there in the statement. I know there were Mystery Schools and Initiatic Schools all over Africa, but they were not the system you practice in your lodge. Nor did you have the Grand Lodge system that is practiced. I believe that there are surviving mysteries from Egypt, I just don't believe that they were communicate and practiced as we do in Freemasonry.<br />I believe that Freemasonry is a door that will lead you into other paths, because the paths of all converge within its halls of learning. You continued:</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />I do give you credit we are making some baby steps the in fact that you did acknowledge and admit that no one gave the Europeans their charter in 1717 (this is huge and this admittance deflates the premise and foundation that your argument rest).</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;"><br /><br />Fahim, I think that you're bit over confident with absolutely no evident reason to be. You continue to believe that England had a Charter in 1717. You see, your attempt to be sarcastic becomes the stage the public is allowed to see just how inconsistent and lacking your understanding of Freemasonry is. Please allow me to reiterate for the third time, THERE WAS NO CHARTER FOR THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND in 1717. This is how I know that you may not be attending your meetings regularly, especially not study halls. You said, no one gave Europeans their Charter and this is erroneous. England did not possess a CHARTER and they never have possessed a Charter, because Grand Lodges DO NOT OPERATE BY CHARTERS. they operate by Code and Constitution and the allegiance of the Subordinate lodges that IT CHARTERS. The Grand Lodge of England ISSUED CHARTERS, they did not HAVE ONE THEMSELVES, because Grand Lodges don't need charters.<br />This is a tell tell sign that a Grand Lodge is bogus, if the Grand Lodge has a Charter from some body to operate. This is a clandestine practice. Again, SUBORDINATE LODGES NEED CHARTERS TO OPERATE, NOT GRAND LODGES. So, the very fact that you continue to believe that it takes a charter to form a Grand Lodge, then your above statement backfires and become the shot in your foot. You continued:</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />This in my opinion, is much bigger than John G. Jones and his lodges, it really sets a legal precedents for other non-Prince Hall Masons to use their own sovereign authority and power to establish and create their own Masonic reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Fahim, you are so far from the true concept of Freemasonry. There is no black Masonic reality to attain, there is only ONE MASONIC REALITY, and it is inclusive of ALL RACES UNDER ONE UMBRELLA. As it stands today, Prince Hall Masons operate sovereign and Independent Grand Lodges. So the above statement is the presentation of one who has a very narrow view of Freemasonry. You are trying to see a great concept through "black lenses" and it is distorting your view of truth. You continued:</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />Let me set the record straight because I know the mindset of zealots; it would be a total a distortion and misnomer for anyone to suggest that Brother Knight-El, a Prince Hall Mason supports clandestine Masonry (no I am given you and others a lesson in critical thinking) and it is an outright lie for anyone to leave this conversation with that assertion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Fahim, you are making the above statement seem like a phony disclaimer. You are definitely a support of clandestine practices as it continues to leak out of your statements. I will leave the readers to decide. You continued:</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />I do advocate Black Masonic unity above all else and I also believe in talk diplomacy with other non-Prince Hall jurisdictions and perhaps we could find some common ground. I think it is very much immature to tell a Masonic organization such as Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry (John G. Jones this group is over 100 years old) the only option is to come before the PHA alter and be "Healed" for some they might find this to be a reasonable option and even I might in some instances a agree with this stringent mandate, but what about those who are comfortable with being an upright man in the space which now they presently occupy. I have a lot more to say.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /><span style="color: red;"><br />Fahim, the space that all JGJ groups occupy now is illegal, and just because they may feel comfortable in that space doesn't mean that we call it legal. It is not immaturity to ask someone to follow the protocol that has been established for some time now. But that is neither here nor there. I am glad that YOU THINK, because that holds no weight in the Masonic world, you have make the OPINION justified by real masonic precedent and substantial masonic documentation.<br />I love black people and desire their unity, but I will not compromise the stability and structure of the system just to provide a space for a "unity" that isn't based on anything stable. You have to understand, that asking them to abandon their clandestine practice is the best option and at this point their ONLY option to enjoy MASONIC UNITY.<br />The unity of black people doesn't need Freemasonry. But Masonic Unity does, and you can post a thousand times, but it will change nothing, and the you are not presenting a good case to those of the Prince Hall Craft while you use these types of conclusions and operate under this type of delusion. For the cause that you have not legitimately presented a good cause masonically, and that you continue to post in a circle, without any real verification or substantial reasoning. I bid you peace in your hopeless quest. We have went back and forth, and you have only continue to prove that you have no clear understanding of Freemasonry, and that you choose to deviate from the root practices of Freemasonry to maintain a flawed ideology.<br /><br />I AM<br />WB John L. Hairston, Editor<br />The Quill and The Sword</span><br /><br /></span></span>The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-5529729781325409522014-05-17T05:10:00.003-07:002014-05-17T05:10:54.727-07:00Response to Fahim A. Knight-El Part 4<span style="color: red;">Well, we finally received another response from Bro. Fahim El.<br /><br />My response will be in red.<br /><br />You can read his response here:<br /><a href="http://fahimknightsworld.blogspot.com/2014/04/john-g-jones-regular-versus-irregular.html" target="_blank">Bro. Fahim's Response</a><br /><br />Bro. Fahim began his response:<br /></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Peace: Brother Hairston: This is the fundamental question that Brother Hairston keeps avoiding. Who gave the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) their charter? (please answer this question for my audience)<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim El, the more you respond and the deeper the conversation goes, the more it is revealed that you have not thought through the questions you pose.<br />Firstly, there was no Charter given to the Grand Lodge of England to form a Grand Lodge. There are too many Antiquarians, Historian, and Scholars who have written on the subject to list as references, but any book on the history of Freemasonry, will render the same answer. No one gave the Grand Lodge of England a Charter to form a Grand Lodge.<br />Grand Lodges do not receive Charters to exist, only subordinate lodges. The Grand Lodge that you are member of does not exist by virtue of a Charter, but a Convention and Regular Constitution. Grand Lodes are vested by the authority of a Convention and their Constitution, not a Charter.<br />With that being stated, there is no evidence of a Speculative Grand Lodge prior to 1717. Let's refer to some Texts:<br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">THE RIGHT OF EVERY MASON TO BE REPRESENTED</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">in all general meetings of the craft, and to instruct</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">his representatives, is a twelfth Landmark.f Formerly,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">these general meetings, which were usually</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-size: 14px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">held once a year, were called ' General Assemblies,' and all the fraternity, even to the youngest Entered</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Apprentice, were permitted to be present. Now</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">they are called " Grand Lodges/</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">7 and only the Masters</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">and Wardens of the Subordinate Lodges are</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">summoned. But this is simply as the representatives</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">of their members. Originally, each Mason</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">represented himself ; now he is represented by his</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">officers. This was a concession granted by the fraternity</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">about 1717, and of course does not affect the</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">integrity of the Landmark, for the principle of</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">representation is still preserved. The concession</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">was only made for purposes of convenience.*<br />[A Textbook of Masonic Jurisprudence-Albert Mackey (1869)]<br /><br />The above is the 12th Landmark explained by Albert Mackey, who explains that prior to 1717, there were the General Assemblies which met. In 1717, 4 Old Lodges in London formed a GRAND LODGE, and this was the first GRAND LODGE of Speculative Freemasonry.<br />I know that you will go to the Grand Lodge of Luxor, and state that it predates 1717, but I will then challenge you to produce a document from Luxor at that time that would prove that they were an organized Grand Lodge of Speculative Freemasonry.<br />There is ample documentation that will show the existence of a Grand Assembly presided by a Grand Master, and the development of said assembly of Masons into the Speculative Grand Lodge system you practice today.<br />So, by virtue of the law of FIRST and BEING ORIGINAL in this case, the authority to create a CONSTITUTION and ORGANIZE a Grand Lodge was well within their Masonic right. Now, after said Constitution was created, Lodges then existing had a choice to go under said organization, and they all did, except a few, and later ALL DID. So, the forms and customs practiced in America, whether practiced by white or black masons derive their origins from the 1717 system that was formed.<br />Now, if you don't believe or question the authority of Grand Lodge of 1717, which is the system you practice as a Prince Hall member, then why remain in the ranks of a subordinate lodge that derived its authority from a Grand Lodge, that is established according to the rules and traditions derived from the Grand Lodge of England and its modes of regularity?<br />If you created an organization from the ground up, and created a set of rules that governed the daily operations and set the criteria for persons or entities to be affiliated with you, wouldn't you expect those who WILLFULLY CHOSE to be affiliated with you, and practice what you practiced, to comply with the regulations and traditions you set from the very beginning? Bro. Fahim continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And what standards are you using to determine who should be considered ‘regular’ or ‘irregular’ Masons?<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">I am using the standards of Freemasonry. The standards of Regularity were set by the root of Freemasonry and the Speculative system that you practice as we speak. The system of regularity practiced by ALL MASONS who have willfully chosen to be a part of the Craft. Now, if you have those who desire to practice masonry outside the established rules of Freemasonry, then they have to be able to handle the fact that they will be considered clandestine should they choose to claim Freemasonry but practice it totally contrary to the established rules. I mean you stated in your own work:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Yet, I as a Prince Hall Mason do respect PHA efforts to not give recognition to some of these illegitimate Black Masonic Orders that have a questionable charter and their history is suspect. Many of these type clandestine orders operate under the disguise of shadiness and are duping innocent brothers out of hundreds of dollars and in some cases thousands of dollars by engaging in fraudulent and scam practices of Freemasonry (I will never support such un-Masonic conduct).<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">What standards are you using to claim these illegitimate Black Masonic orders as "illegitimate"?<br />See, you can't on the one hand use the standard of regularity to judges those whom, by your own admission, are ILLEGITIMATE; then on the other hand attempt to dispute the same standard that I use to determine who is regular and who is not by application of the same standard. Bro. Fahim continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This is a rhetorical question because I already know the answer; the only standard that you have at your disposal in determining a ‘competent jurisdiction’ is that which those can trace their Masonic charters back to white folk in England (Negroes always need an affirmation from master) and we allow them function and act as supreme authority and determinist over the legality of Masons to be viewed as a ‘regular’ or ‘irregular’ Masonic entity. Here is the contradiction, why weren’t the white Masons charged with un-Masonic conduct unless you consider racism and white supremacy as upstanding and acceptable principles in Masonry?<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Yes, I agree, RHETORIC with NO SUBSTANCE.<br />Brother Fahim, you are a Mason, in a jurisdiction that traces its lineage back to a Charter that came from England. Your lodges Charter didn't come from Egypt or Nubia, it came from a Grand Lodge that traces its lineage to African Lodge #459, whose charter was given to them by ENGLAND.<br />Now, let me correct something for your.<br />England doesn't control what happens in America. All Grand Lodges of Regular origin are SOVEREIGN and INDEPENDENT. The United Grand Lodge of England doesn't not wield any power over any Grand Lodge in America. Keep in mind in 1826, African Grand Lodge declared Independence from the Grand Lodge of England. And after the Revolutionary War, the Lodges and Provincial Grand Lodges in America did the same. So where do you get the fact that England controls anything in America?<br /><br />I think that you displace honor for control. We honor the UGLE for their being the mother of the Grand Lodge system we both practice today, and we respect their understanding and wisdom in Masonic matters, for THEY ARE THE ONES WHO CREATED THE SYSTEM, but ALL Grand Lodges in America are sovereign.<br /><br />Now, the system of Freemasonry and its rules in Constitution were formed in 1721, long before the first lodge of African Americans, am I correct bro Fahim?<br />What this says is that the rules on how lodges are constituted was determined before Prince Hall and the 14 others were initiated. They chose to come under the system ALREADY ESTABLISHED, they did not forma new kind of Freemasonry. Even when African Grand Lodge claimed their Independence they done so by virtue of the right to form a Grand Lodge that was sovereign. They did not deviate from the usages and customs of the day. So, England isn't ALLOWED to function as a supreme authority, their standards of regularity are ACCEPTED AND ADOPTED as a means of determining who is Masonic and who is not.<br />If you look at the Constitutions of these clandestine groups, they are attempting to set up groups that look exactly like Grand Lodges that were formed by the same standards that they will protest against. They will use the books of white masonic authors to prove argue their legitimacy, they will fashion their doing EXACTLY LIKE they see other Grand Lodges who accept the standards of Regularity, their only problem is that they don't want to conform to the legitimate means of becoming Grand Lodges and practices of Masons. You're either PRO-BLACK or you're NOT. It seems that those who try to promote a Pro-Black form of a Europeans created system, will have a hard time trying to preach against a people and a System when they practice the same...Fahim continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Now, for the record within the English language and Lexicon amnesty is a form of forgiveness contrary to your assessment (I thought I would bring this to your attention).<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">I appreciate your reminder there, but must I also remind you of the Constitution that expelled John G. Jones. They must come through the doors of regularity to get amnesty. Fahim continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We as Prince Hall Masons after 200 years of being denied full Masonic rights and privileges we forgave them (let me say White Folk) and thought that it was important to be accepted and recognized by our 400 year old oppressor.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">I think they were striving to practice masonry as it was given to them and they chose to participate in. I don't think they were thinking in the manner in which you attempting to propose. And, although they deemed us clandestine for the sake of not having to deal with the issues of African Americans being on the level with them, THEY WERE IN VIOLATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF FREEMASONRY. African American Lodges operated legitimately and in due form despite the claims. And truth prevailed, WHY? because we obtained a Charter through LEGAL MEANS. When we were placed in the scale of the standards of regularity, we were found to be just and true. Clandestine groups cannot do so, and they can fix their problem all they have to do is abandon their clandestine practices and come into the fold with their brother, you protest against their unity in that form for WHAT REASON? Fahim continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">John Jones did not commit the type of atrocities that you all forgave white Masons for, but when it comes to another Black man and Mason you would like impose a double standard. This represents the epitome of Masonic hypocrisy.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Again, please familiarize yourself with John G. Jones.</span><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The above is a letter dated Feb. 24, 1916 citing multiple violations of John G. Jones against members of AFAM groups. He was expelled from Masonry by Illinois in 1903, and continued to perpetrate violations against groups he either formed or affiliated himself with AFTER his expulsion. He wasn't even true to the groups that claimed him after the expulsion. These are not the words of Prince Hall Masons, but members of lodges that trace themselves to his work. These are the words of those who stood beside him and believed in him AFTER the expulsion, and these are the acts he committed against them.<br />No, I think that John G. Jones committed WORST than the forefathers of White men. He was a BLACK MAN, who tricked, stole and duped his own people, he is worst than the slave master who we know was different in regards to society and complexion. We have one of our own whom we put faith in and trusted to betray and trick his own...Fahim, I tell you that JGJ was a traitor to his race. Fahim continued:<br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black;">You also subtlety questioned whether or not I am a Prince Hall Mason, I am member Doric Lodge # 28 PHA; Durham, NC located within 24th Masonic District (my membership can be verified and I am quite sure it has already been verified by you) and for record I am not hiding or ducking I stand by every word that I have stated.</span><br /><br />I never questioned if you were Prince Hall, but since you stated it, YOU TODAY practice a European form of Freemasonry. So for all the pro-black talk you do, you are a member of a lodge who received their charter from a Grand Lodge, who traces their lineage to a Charter that was received from England, now who is being HYPOCRITICAL? You continued:<br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black;">What is bothering you, perhaps in your mind, is how in the hell a PHA Mason has learned to think for himself (for the record I have been a Free Thinker for a very long time—I do not look for the Grand Lodge to think for me). I think you alluded to notion that I have bitten off more than I can handle (perhaps you do not know me, but this is what I do). </span><br /><br />No, I believe that I can help you with what I am thinking...It is how can a Pro-black advocate be a Mason in a Jurisdiction that traces their existence to an English Charter, and practice a form of masonry that derives its existence from England, then attempt to protest against England and their authority to set standards when they authored the system...I know you pride yourself as a "free-thinker", but thinking is free, it doesn't cost you anything. The question is, does your thinking match what you practice?<br />Let's see, Pro-Black Thinking...<br />English Styled Mason....No I don't believe so...Fahim Continued:<br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black;">Please give me some new information on the John Jones issue other than parroting what others have said (it is almost like you guys are reading from a script and are fearful of deviating from the official version).</span><br /><br />I believe that the above letter I posted will serve to satisfy that point, and I made sure that it was from HIS OWN PEOPLE, so that you could claim bias...Let me know if I need to post more new information on John G. Jones for you. Fahim continued:<br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black;">My position is and will always be rooted in Black Masonic unity and there is nothing you and no one else can do to change my perspective. Let me reiterate my position; I think Black Masonic entities such as the one founded by John G. Jones should be allowed to enter into an acceptable and agreeable covenant with Prince Hall Masonry (our U.S. Commander-in-Chief and even prior Commander-in-Chiefs engaged their foreign enemies in talk diplomacy—USSR, Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, China, North Korea, etc., and diplomatic treaties and accords are/were established).</span><br /><br />Fahim, this is Freemasonry, a whole different set of rules apply, and the only covenant with Prince Hall Lodges that will be experienced by JGJ groups is at the Altars of Prince Hall lodges, correcting the illegalities. To be Accepted they have to go through the same doors YOU DID. Fahim continued:<br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: black;">Your position truly lacks logic and reasoning; we should always exemplify the best in intelligence and use our principles in Masonry to breakdown artificial barriers and not find it conveniently to erect more ideological or philosophical barriers. </span><br /><br />That is your OPINION my dear brother, and again, I believe that your rhetoric is empty. The barriers that keeps JGJ groups outside the Temple was created by their own admission into lodges that were illegally formed. They can corrected that in a process that is quite simple, why deprive them of their right to be a member of a Regular and legitimate lodge, YOU ARE....<br /><br />I AM<br />WB John L. Hairston, Editor<br />The Quill and The Sword</span></span></div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-48493137590135776292014-05-14T18:50:00.001-07:002014-05-14T18:50:36.190-07:00Response to Bro. Fahim A. Knight -EL Part 3<span style="color: red;">The protocol has not changed, my response will be in all red, Bro. Fahim's response can be found here:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://fahimknightsworld.blogspot.com/2014/04/john-g-jones-regular-versus-irregular.html" target="_blank">Bro. Fahim A. Knight El's Response</a><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim began his response:<br /></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Peace: Brother Hairston all of your arguments and contentions in some form or fashion I have dealt with similar arguments within the last ten years. Most of you all echo the same exact argument, which ultimately is the official line of Prince Hall Masonry.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Brother Fahim, you are Prince Hall correct?<br />What you deem as the "official line" is just the basic principles and customs of Freemasonry since time immemorial. There is a method to reconcile an illegitimate group into the Compasses of Regularity. You can have an "out-of-the-box-experience" if you'd like as you're entitled to that by virtue of your own Free Will and Accord, but it has to be based on something substantial; if not it comes off as a Brother who isn't quite adept in Freemasonry trying to fit an ill-shaped concept into the perfected system of the Ancient Craft. It just doesn't fit. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I have always been an outside the box thinker, writer and research. However, I reject your subtle attack on my character relative to my ability to put forth factual information and documentation</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Subtle attack?!<br />I beg to differ my dear Brother, I made an observation that you attempted to provide a view of history without adequate documentation or evidence to support your position masonically. You then admitted that you didn't possess all the information. I don't know you to attack your character, I just pointed out a flaw in your concepts and the ideals you based it on. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">White Freemasonry has not only gone astray, it is in violation of the principled language that defines brotherhood.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">This is another verifiable evidence that you are not aware of the wording that you are using. There is no such think as BLACK or WHITE Freemasonry, there is only ONE Freemasonry. Here is what I will give you. Freemasons of this age are in violation of the principled language of Freemasonry, but predominately White Lodges and Jurisdictions are not the only ones at fault, it is also so-called Prince Hall lodges and jurisdiction who also break their plates at the table of universalism for the sake of what has happened in the past. You think the "denied 9" are ALL being denied recognition by so-called white lodges? My Brother, this is why you have to take off the rose lenses of Black Nationalism and see the Masonic landscape as it is. There are Prince Hall jurisdictions that are holding up the process of recognition in their state. The mainstream Jurisdiction is at the table, it is the Prince Hall jurisdiction that is deny them recognition.<br />Again, it is hypocritical for you to ask Prince Hall masons to forgive JGJ groups and accept them in their clandestine state and not hold the sins of their forefather against them, then in the same breath hold modern, predominately white lodges and masons accountable for the sins of their forefather. It means you truly don't believe in mercy, you just talk it, lip service. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Webster’s Dictionary defines brother as being “One closely united with another or others by religious, political, or family bond”. What happen to the belief in the Cardinal Virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice? Perhaps in the dynamics of race these words have very little meaning to the white Masonic body when it comes to their dark skinned Masonic Brothers.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">You paint with such a broad brush. Not all predominately white jurisdictions hold racist tendencies toward African American masons, you're over-exaggerating. There are "BROTHERS" within the Prince Hall Organizations who don't match with the definition of Brother, what do we say of these?<br />My dear Brother, you must become aware of the Masonic landscape today and how it is functioning now. We are on the cusp of a masonic renaissance occurring.<br />You're passion can be in the unity of all black people, but realistically speaking, Freemasonry asks the unity of ALL People, broaden your horizons bro Fahim. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This argument is not about Prince Hall Masons being classified by Ancient Free and Accepted Masons as “irregular” or “clandestine”, it is convenient to hide behind such accusations, but what truly drives this fraternal division more than anything else is racism.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim, This argument isn't even about racism, that is what you have conveniently diverted it to. My argument is that JGJ groups cannot receive amnesty in the present state and structure they are in, they must abandon clandestinism and join with regular lodges in order to be accepted in the family of Regular masons. MY argument, which hasn't diverted isn't based on racism, it is based on an in depth understanding of the nature of crimes committed against the Craft and the present illegitimacy of their organizational practices. YOUR argument may be about racial division and racism, but that is where you would rather be than to defend the flawed concept of offering amnesty to clandestine groups. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Masons are taught how to communicate with a fellow Mason in darkness and light based on the language of symbolism—a word (the being able to verbalize the passwords), sign (give the due guard), token (being able to give the grip) let me stop right there; IS THERE NO HELP FOR THE POOR WIDOW'S SON?<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Yes there is, but you must put yourself in the PROPER POSITION and in the RIGHT AND LEGAL PLACE to receive it. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">But this social phenomenal and antagonistic contradiction between black Masons and white Masons is steeped in a perhaps much larger historical debate of race in America and the culture that evolved out of Chattel Slavery (1555-1865) impacting the political, economic and social reality of race relations and affected how institutions were originated, as well as the formulation of group dynamics ideology. Dr. Asa Hilliard who authored book titled, “Reawakening of the African Mind” stated, “mental bondage is invisible violence. Formal physical slavery has ended in the United States. Mental slavery continues to this present day.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Anyone reading the course of the debate can see that you have shifted directions. But your above statement is misleading in the FACTUAL REALITY of TODAY'S MASONIC LANDSCAPE. All but 9 States recognize Prince Hall Masons; even in the 9 States, not all deny recognition to Prince Hall Masons; All United Supreme Councils (both Northern and Southern) are in recognition. Many white masonic scholars and writer are in full acceptance of the legitimacy of Prince Hall masons and enjoy fraternal relationship with them in the State. So where is the racial division outside of the sphere of the 9 Southern States? Where does your view of racial division with Freemasonry exist?<br />There is one place that you can look to, it is the fact that there still exists TWO Grand Lodges in the States. And, we can begin another whole topic on that alone.<br />I think you're statement above is filler and an ill fitted rhetoric that is totally outside the scope of the discussion at hand. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Sherrod N. Gresham in his book titled, “Prominent Prince Hall Masons on the Philatelic Materials: Stamps, First Day Covers, and Post Cards” stated, “On March 2, 1784, African Lodge #1 petitioned the Grand Lodge of England, the Premier or Mother Grand Lodge of the world, for a warrant (ort character), to organize a regular Masonic lodge, with all the rights and privileges thereunto prescribed. The Grand Lodge of England issued a character on September 29, 1784, to African Lodge # 459, the first lodge of blacks in America.” Black Masonry, for the most part, has accepted the racist practices of white masons in a passive manner. But black Freemasonry as an institution, will be called upon to be more vocal outwardly in the black community and move away from a tradition of apolitical and a non-engagement stance while the social issues are mounting in the black community and in reality there is no room for silence.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">I think that you are taking his comments out of context, the paper wasn't addressing racial division in Freemasonry, but the struggles of Prince Hall Freemasonry in becoming MORE VISIBLE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. It is truth without doubt that Prince Hall lodges must now REGAIN their voice in their community, and RESTORE themselves as pillars in the communities they live in. It doesn't not take that much research to find where Prince Hall Freemasons were at the forefront in their communities, as many of the strategically positioned community leaders were members of the Fraternity, and the lodges were quite involved in their communities. Then after the 60's and that era, membership declined, which changed the policies of how candidates were investigated and received in the lodges. This began a shift in the focus of the lodges and jurisdictions. These changes are documented in many of the proceedings and other works of notable authors. We are TALKING FREEMASONRY HERE NOT CIVIL RIGHTS. It is a known fact that Freemasonry was well connected to the Church and Social Organizations such as the NAACP. So, while I agree with Bro. Gresham on his statement that we "</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">will be called upon to be more vocal outwardly in the black community and move away from a tradition of apolitical and a non-engagement stance while the social issues are mounting in the black community", I also add that Prince Hall Freemasons were once VERY VOCAL in the community, there was a shift in the paradigm that had everything to do with US and not what WHITE MASONS WERE DOING...They were suffering from the same membership decline. I think that the above excerpt doesn't apply to the context of the argument that you're attempting to make, he placed the responsibility on black people, not white racism...You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The above historical facts should serve as evidence which to dismantle the question of whether or not Prince Hall Freemasonry should be designated and viewed by white Masons as “irregular”<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim, you're speaking in the microcosmic. The vast majority of white Freemasons and predominately white Jurisdictions do not view African American freemasons, who are members of Prince Hall jurisdictions as irregular. I challenge you to find a predominately white jurisdiction, outside the southern States that are not in Fraternal Relations with Prince Hall Grand Lodges, who view Prince Hall lodges as irregular. You're not being factual. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">thus, there is enough historical documentation that suggest that these African-American Masons did received a legitimate and authentic charter from the Grand Lodge of England. Now! I am quite sure this argument has been presented over and over again, to the white Grand Lodges of the United States, but to little or no avail.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">The above is based on a faulty premise, can you show me more Grand Lodges than the southern ones that view Prince Hall lodges as such, provide your documentation. You have to catch up with what is going on in the masonic world today my brother. You continued:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Racism is a mindset that considers black people as a group as being inferior to whites because of physical (‘genotypical’ and ‘phenotypical’) traits. The racist further believes that these physical traits are detriments of social behavior and moral or intellectual qualities, and ultimately presumes that this inferiority is a legitimate basis for inferior social treatment of black people in society.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Can you find me a Grand Lodge, predominately white, that believe this? I don't want you to "interpret" anything, I want you to provide documentation as to the above statement and allegation against white Grand Lodges. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Brother Hairston, now, you sound a bit emotional; let me take you back to my initial premise and what got us on the questing of race relative to Freemasonry and the United States and the question of Brother John G. Jones and Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry. I have said consistently and throughout this debate and have written numerous pieces on my Blog advocating Black Masonic unity.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Again, another diversionary tactic to claim I am emotional, when NO emotion was involved in any of my statements, YOU ARE ASSUMING. I have never left the initial premise, I have always stayed the course. I remained on topic, it was YOU who took the conversation to racism. Black Masonic unity is only possible AMONG MASONS. Those who are members of illegitimate groups must correct the first point which is to abandon clandestine masonic practices and join regular lodges. I have reiterated this as a solution from the beginning, you were not willing to accept the solution. You continued:</span><br /></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">What’s hypocritical is for Prince Hall Masons to embrace the racist and white confederate Masons in the United States of America as their brothers (overlooking their past un-Masonic history and conduct towards Prince Hall Masons and we have found ways to ease the social and political tension), but will not extended an olive branch to another black man who was raised and went through all the Masonic Houses and no doubt was once a Prince Hall Affiliated Mason in good standings.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">I want to you to really evaluate you above statement in light of the facts.<br /><br />1. Prince Hall Masons do not embrace racist masons, even when the racist masons are BLACK.<br /><br />2. Now again, you ask Prince Hall masons to overlook the past history of JGJ, but can't do the same for Good Brothers of the White race who don't hold the same sentiments as their forefathers; this is hypocritical. We don't overlook any part of history, I am a historian. But, I know how to judge a persons character based on their presentation. And the laws of masonry are JUST THAT, LAWS.<br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">3. JGJ was indeed raised in a Prince Hall Lodge and was accepted as long as he was in good standing there, when he was expelled according to the law, that ended his acceptance as a Mason. Which of the JGJ members are members of Prince Hall lodges NOW? You see how your statement falls in on itself?<br /><br />You will readily recognize the legitimacy of Prince Hall lodges and how that JGJ connection to that legitimacy is to be remembered, but shouldn't followers of JGJ do as he did? get raised in a Prince Hall lodge, go through the Houses and be in good standing? wouldn't that be more appropriate, to be as he WAS, and not what he BECAME? I appreciate you for that part there. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The history of Jones is clear and we all know that he was expelled and/or suspended for various conducts that went against our constitution and/or PHA Masonry code book (this much I agree with the argument and this history has been well documented).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">If this is the case, then why ask JGJ members to remain in lodges that are products of all that you yourself have readily admitted, but enjoy the benefits of regularity yourself? I think that is selfish and not very pro black of you. You're telling JGJ members, yeah JGJ violated the law and was expelled, which consequently makes your lodges illegal masonically, but you remain in that clandestine state while I myself enjoy the benefits of Regularity and sit in the ship that once covered your founder...Bro. Fahim, in your attempt to produce "black masonic unity", you are really entombing a whole population of potential masons from being able to share in the same rights, light and benefits you have...Is this really unity? or the rhetoric of a black nationalist that has deliberately narrowed his view of Freemasonry to maintain his beliefs? You continued:</span><br /></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">But if Negroes can forgive their former slave master’s children for committing crimes against humanity (slavery was a crime against humanity) in which there were no other crime in the Americas like the effect of the Transatlantic Slave, Middle Passage and Chattel Slavery, it lasted for 310 years. And we forgave them for these heinous or horrid crimes.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">I think you believe that forgiveness and holding one accountable are the same thing. It is not. While we can forgive JGJ for his acts, there was a masonic sentence pronounced that he willfully chose to disregard to commit further acts. The lodges that descend from his illegal work must come through the proper channels to enjoy membership in the masonic brotherhood. Forgiveness has nothing to do with that, that is just the LAW. It is like one who commits a crime. The victim may forgive him as a person for the crime perpetrated against him, but it doesn't vacate the verdict and sentence pronounced, because he must be held accountable for that crime. JGJ is still to this day under Masonic sentence. members of lodges under his illegal charters must correct this by abandoning the FRUIT of his work, and come under a lawful covering, JUST AS YOU ARE NOW. This is called JUSTICE! You continued:</span><br /></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">No, John G. Jones did kill over 100 million Africans, separated black families, unmerciful raped our women—stripe us of our God (surely the Christianity and the white Jesus that you teach and pray to were given to you by our former slave masters), took our names, culture, tradition, folkways, mores and made us into Negroes. There was nothing Brother John G. Jones did in this dispute that amounts to the crimes that the white American task makers and colonial masters put on people of African decent.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Masonically Speaking, YES!<br />The well documented practices where many African American masons are excluded from the fountain of Regularity and becoming part and partial of the Brotherhood of Freemasonry due to the lies taught by these groups. The money made at the expense of those who truly believe that they are legitimate. The constant dividing these unsuspecting members from their right to be regular and legal is equivalent of a Masonic death, that cries for the right hand of raising under the true legacy and legitimacy of Freemasonry. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Yet, in our Willie Lynch mindset we have forgiving those who committed, perhaps one of the greatest atrocity to found any place in human history. Yes, amnesty and exoneration, and forgiveness should be top priority in assessing and evaluating John G. Jones linage Freemasonry.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">I disagree, forgiveness has happened, the amnesty isn't going to, but the option that is the most suitable and most masonic is available, they can JOIN REGULAR LODGES and enjoy freemasonry the same as you, don't deprive them Brother. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We cannot change the history that has already been written, but could objectively come to the table and reach across the aisle in spirit of brotherly love and resolve this over 100 year dispute and move forward in the spirit of black Masonic unity.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">The dispute can end today, by JGJ groups joining regular Grand Lodges, which is my utmost desire for them all. Nothing else is suitable, because you will still have clandestine lodges. You cannot trace yourself to an expelled mason and then believe that it is masonic to just accept all the illegal work. You actually speak from the position who really has no regard for what is just, just what will support your position. You continued:<br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">No, my premise is the same, I do not have to use diversionary tactics to show and demonstrate who position is flawed and it will lend itself to the real hypocrite having to stand up. I have no respect for the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) who we have sought for over two centuries—working and fighting to obtained recognition from European Masonic entities is a disgrace and a shame in the eyes of our ancestors. We in the 21st century, a so-called free people still seeking approval from white people, it represents a despicable act. I am will take on all the PHA Grand Masters on this issue and I will defeat all of them because my position is rooted in the universal order of good and the universe is using me as its vessel. Also, send me all the PHA scholars my way as well and I will intellectual handcuff them as well.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had to laugh here, because I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself. You have to do a much better job of being able to maintain a topic than this to call out all Masonic Scholars. You would have to be actually versed in Freemasonry.<br />I think you should grab the nearest book on Freemasonry and truly do your homework. What happens when one begins to find the fact that he has no more place to position his feet, he then become arrogant and begins to speak chaotic in hope of inciting the passions of unsuspecting, but the awakened and conscious Freemasons know that you have failed utterly in trying to fit a black nationalist ideal in a universal concept...No, you just calm down my dear brother and contemplate and use wisdom in your speech, because you have in one stroke of the keyboard lost what support you did have in the discussion.<br /><br />I AM</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">WB John L. Hairston, Editor<br />The Quill and The Sword</span></span><br />
The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-38519109524898170172014-05-14T00:26:00.003-07:002014-05-14T00:36:25.862-07:00Response to Fahim El Part 2<span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim A. Knight-El had the opportunity to respond to my post. Again, his words will remain in Black and my response in red. Bro. Fahim A. Knight-El's full response can be read here:</span><br />
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<a href="http://fahimknightsworld.blogspot.com/2014/04/john-g-jones-regular-versus-irregular.html" target="_blank">Bro. Fahim A. Knight El's response</a><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Bro Fahim began:</span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Peace: Brother Hairston, I did read your rebuttal on your Quill and Sword Blog site. I appreciate you giving me a complete response, but your dissecting of my words left a lot to be desired. Let me first bring this much to your attention relative to the role race has played in American Freemasonry. I agree with this much of your commentary Freemasonry was founded on the universal principles of brotherhood regardless of race, color, creed and/or ones religious affiliations. But may be you unintentionally overlooked the fact that Prince Hall, the founder of Black Freemasonry who established Lodge # 459 and African Lodge # 1 was established because white Masons denied him and other Masons of African descent the right to petition and join white American style Scottish Rite Lodges within the United States of America. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">My dear Brother, I am well aware of the role race played in Freemasonry, in fact, I will giving a lecture at a Masonic College here in Washington State on May 22, entitled, <i>Racial Division within Freemasonry in America: Addressing Masonic Segregation</i>. So please understand that I well aware of the role race has played and is playing within Freemasonry. But, what does that have to do with how Freemasonry is SUPPOSE TO BE PRACTICED?<br />It doesn't make a difference how one distorts or misrepresents Freemasonry, the principles of Freemasonry are still the principles of Freemasonry.<br />Now, while America may have used race as a point of distinction, and all the claims that they made concerning African American Masons, how much of the claims of clandestinism was actually TRUE?<br />None.<br /><br />In fact many of the white Masonic scholars and writers came to the defense of Masonry practiced by those lodges that were predominantly black and denied access to the Brotherhood of Freemasonry. But the whole while, the Charter in possession of those members of African Lodge #459 was legitimate and from a Grand Body of Competent Jurisdiction.<br /><br />The difference in the proposal of amnesty with the JGJ groups is that their charter is NOT legitimate and they have no legal line to any regular masonic authority. So, the claims made by regular masons that excludes them from the fold, is based on accurate and verifiable evidence.<br /><br />Allow me to correct a couple things though in the above portion of your response. What Scottish Rite Lodges were African American Masons excluded from?<br /><br />Secondly, what Scottish Rite Lodges did African American Masons petition?<br /><br />I think you may have some information wrong or mixed up. A good research of how the Scottish Rite was established among African American may be in order.<br />I also recommend a review of Prince Hall Affiliated history, as it will reveal that there were 11 black men in Philadelphia Pennsylvania who received their degrees in England and Ireland when they petitioned Prince Hall and African Lodge #459 in 1797 for a warrant.<br />You should also find that Provincial Grand Master Joseph Warren of St. Andrew's Grand Lodge was in the process of issuing a Charter to African Lodge before he died. There is much more to the story, but I believe that your pro-black ideals causes a selective and bias approach to history. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This forced the abolitionist and freedom fighter Hall to establish an all Black Masonic Order that functioned sovereign and independent of their white Masonic counterparts (this represented black pride and stood as a symbol of Black Nationalism).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">Again, we have a deficiency in providing an accurate presentation of the history. From 1775 to 1808 Prince Hall led African Lodge #459 as Worshipful Master, and was always under the Jurisdiction of Ireland and England. It wasn't until 1826, that GM John T. Hilton made the first OFFICIAL ADDRESS OF SOVEREIGNTY and INDEPENDENCE for all domestic and foreign masonic authority. So, your black nationalist theory misses the mark due to a revisionist attempt at an account of the facts. So, hopefully you can do just a bit more research on the REAL history of Prince Hall and African Lodge #459. Let me also add, that up until 1827, African Lodge continually sought recognition from Regular Lodges and Jurisdictions. There is way too much documentation to state otherwise. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It actually could be looked at as one of the earliest Black separatist movement in America prior to Paul Cuffee, Martin Delaney, Marcus Garvey, Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">This statement fails by virtue of being based on a flawed premise. African Lodge #459 sought admission by recognition for many years. There was no separatist movement, the members of African Lodge #459 understood Freemasonry, which led to their continued attempts to be admitted into Fraternal relations with white Jurisdictions. Even after the establishment of the African Grand Lodge, there was always the notion that Freemasonry was universal. This is what I mean when I say that black nationalist ideals can't mix with freemasonry because it clouds the picture and taints the interpretation of the history. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">White racism and white supremacy had little to no respect for the universal tenets and principles in which Freemasonry was supposed to rest upon—morality, friendship and brotherly love.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">I can agree with you to a certain extent. No, then, white lodges did insert racism as a means of dealing with African American masons. What do you say now that the majority f Masonic Jurisdictions actually recognize each other?<br />This doesn't mean it should stop there, because there is another step that should be taken...But because a populace of people chose not to practice the principles doesn't negate the fact that those principles are still the core essence of Freemasonry, and surely doesn't negate the fact that clandestine lodge are just that, clandestine-whether they are white or black lodges. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">There were a number of legal court battles where white Masons sued and took Prince Hall Masons to court for daring to have the audacity to wear Masonic regalia and publically display the Masonic Square and Compass in venues.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">See, as writers we are held to a high standard in the presentation of Truth. Now, I have to hold your feet to the fire. Can you name 4 Masonic court cases that you speak of where White lodges sued black lodges? You stated that there are a number of case, I would like for you to list 4 cases of such. Thank you in advance. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Moreover, Prince Hall's white Masonic brethren said Black Masons had no right to legally display any Masonic symbols because Prince Hall Masons were considered clandestine and irregular Masons and this so-called status compromised their right to exist under the banner of a Freemasonry organization and entity (just take a moment and read the history of the Shriners Jubilee Day) .<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">True, they did indeed state that, but the question is, WAS IT TRUE?<br />Now, the same question is posed to JGJ and other clandestine groups, could they actually defend themselves by documentation against such accusations?<br />No, because they have no legitimate paperwork or charter lineage. Big difference bro. Fahim. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">So it was White Nationalism that drove this divisiveness (Jim Crow was initiated with the 1896 Supreme Court decision of Plessy vs. Ferguson where the high court ruled that it was legal to practice segregation and discrimination and it was not until 1954 with Brown vs. Board of Education decision overturned the Plessy decision and declared separate but equal as being unconstitutional). </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">All of this is true, ut what does it have to do with JGJ groups being clandestine and the fact that they cannot get around it. If all racism was eliminated from the face of the earth, clandestine groups would still have the problem of being clandestine. But it can be fixed, and all it takes is for them to abandon their clandestine practices and petition a regular lodge, simple. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The white Masons ignored the social consciousness of our jurisprudence system as it was litigated in the U.S. Supreme Court and continued for decades to practice institutionalized racism against so-called African American Masons.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br />This is an exaggeration. White masons may have been slow to recognition, but the debate on the legitimacy of PHA jurisdictions had long been settled and accepted as early as 1900, with the writing of MW William H. Upton's book, <i>Light on a Dark Subject: Critical Examination. </i>Not all White Masons accepted the views of racist white masons, hence the changes and progress that has been achieved in America on the masonic front. There is still work to do, but for the most part the barriers are being broken down. I mean, the United Supreme Councils recognized their counterpart in the Southern jurisdiction, amid 9 States under their jurisdiction not recognizing Prince Hall Grand Lodges. I believe that you're exaggerating a bit and embellishing. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">But you are accusing me of injecting race into the Freemasonic equation and you are conveniently overlooking the fact that for over 200 years Black Masons and White Masons could not have interchangeable lodge visitations because white Grand Lodges in the United States did not officially recognize Prince Hall Masonry. Now, this is not to say, that there have not been over the years some integrated Masonic Lodges in the United States of America where black and white Masons co-existed; these instances prior to 20 years ago were more of the exception rather than the rule.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: red;">So, in other words you admit that changes have been made and what was 20 years ago, isn't today. Today, the racism in Freemasonry is in the minority in the masonic climate of the 21st Century. You just have to accept that fact. But this in no way relieves clandestine groups of the responsibility to correct their status, because their reason for being clandestine has NOTHING to do with racism AT ALL, now does it? You continued:</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">For example, in my Masonic Jurisdiction of North Carolina, it was just 6 years ago that after 138 years of racist segregation that North Carolina white Masons finally passed a decree recognizing Prince Hall Masonry as a regular body of Masons. So, my brother race has always played a very high and prominent role in American Freemasonry. I believe that there are still 9 states that still will not allow a black Mason to enter their Blue Lodges, Shrine Temples, consistory, etc. My position on Black Masonic unity has plenty of merit. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /><span style="color: red;">How many white lodges do you visit?</span><br /><span style="color: red;">See, your concepts of black masonic unity has no merit when you expect Regular masonic lodges and masons to accept the illegal nature and practices of these group for the sake of "unity". It doesn't coincide with Freemasonry. Please my brother, do more research on the subject and then let's talk.</span><br /><span style="color: red;">I AM,<br />WB John L. Hairston, Editor<br />The Quill and The Sword</span><br /></span></span>The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-35639179529889845482014-05-12T20:56:00.002-07:002014-05-12T20:56:53.827-07:00Response to Bro. Fahim Knight -El<span style="color: red; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In a blog post entitled, John G. Jones; Regular versus Irregular, Part 2, by Bro. Fahim A. Knight-El, which can be found here, please refer to the comments as well to read my comments:<br /><a href="http://fahimknightsworld.blogspot.com/2014/04/john-g-jones-regular-versus-irregular.html" target="_blank">Bro. Fahim's blog post</a><br />I was named in his post based on my opinion regarding the topic. Due to the inability to respond at length, I have placed my response here. I will leave his post in black and my response in read. Bro. Fahim began his last post:</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Peace: Brother Hairston this is the point that you are losing in this discussion, it's really not about my position on John G. Jones, but I am advocating ways to solidify black Masonic unity. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">Bro. Fahim, I don't think I am missing the point at all. What I do believe is that you're missing the point that Black Unity doesn't need Freemasonry to be achieved. You're not the first sympathizer to cite a need for unity among "black masons". This tells me that you have also missed the point of Freemasonry period. Freemasonry wasn't established to JUST unify black people, but to unify mankind. Your position on JGJ is quite secondary to the first flaw in your concept of unifying "black masons", and that is a faulty concept of Freemasonry itself.<br />There is NO place in Freemasonry for Black nationalism. Black nationalism operates contrary to the universality of Freemasonry.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">I applaud your</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;"> fight for unity among black people, more unity is definitely needed. but to ask Freemasonry to compromise its ancient usages and customs in the name of "black unity" isn't truly unity at all, because it doesn't allow for the unity to be based on the principles of Freemasonry and its established rules and practices.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">Unity among those outside the regularity of Freemasonry and those within is possible and an option that rest with its doors wide open, and that is for those who are members of clandestine groups to petition regular Lodges. This is the proper protocol and method to gain entry into the circle of regularity, without the breakdown of the fabric of the Craft which is vested in the legal charter and lineage. If regularity didn't matter to you, then you would have joined a clandestine group, but instead you made sure you aligned yourself to a true and traceable lineage. Now what is the problem with asking those who have done otherwise to come in through the door you came in?<br />There are other areas of Society and places to express unity among our people without endangering the traditions and customs of the Order. There are the arenas of politics, education, economy, social, etc.<br />Question, why doesn't your UNITY include all people, because this is the true object of Freemasonry?<br />Black nationalism limits the scope of freemasonry and taints its purpose.<br />So, I am well aware of your point, I just don't agree with the platform, nor the proposed method. You continued:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I think you should know that I am fully aware of some of the charges and accusations that were made against Brother John G. Jones and some of them no doubt were inexcusable. But this brother has been deceased for very long time; yet, his Ancient Free and Accepted Masonic Order is still functioning and it appears that they are not going anywhere. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">Yes, I know that you are aware of SOME OF THE CHARGES AND ACCUSATIONS, which was precisely my point. I appreciate you being honest about that. But, you should actually become acquainted with the full picture, and then you will recognize the full damage perpetrated by JGJ. And, if you believe that some of those were inexcusable then you can understand why the work he did after being expelled from Illinois can not be accepted among regular lodges and jurisdictions. I mean you said "INEXCUSABLE".<br />So, if we can agree on the inexcusable nature of his crimes then we should be able to agree on the inexcusable nature of the fruit of the same. John G. Jones is indeed dead, but his clandestine work still exists. That has to be corrected by the proper masonic methods. If you are in tune with the Masonic world today, then you know that clandestine Freemasonry is losing many of their members based on the Truth being dispensed. Those who are awakening to the great error of JGJ, and the error in the practices of their organization are choosing to leave that group and be healed over into regular Freemasonry according to the established usages and customs. There is no complaints on their part. They understand that this is the protocol to be followed, they aren't asking for shortcuts.<br />The fact that JGJ groups do exist is a testimony that they are not aware that true unity is based on truth and right. Alliances for the sake of having a group is pointless, as the alliance is loose and chaotic.<br />I mean does your proposed unity mean that they keep their illegal charters and continue in the erroneous practices that they have been handed?<br />What does the unity look like realistically? We can't just believe that it just takes all black people to wake up and 'abracadabra' we have black unity in Masonry...Your proposal must have reasonable and rational methods of achievement or else it is nothing more than an utopian idea, with no real substance. You continued:</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I am very familiar with the Prince Hall site Commission on Bogus Freemasonry in which Brother Ezekiel Bey and his staff has complied a list of Bogus Grand Lodges. I respect my friend Ralph McNeal, Brother Emanuel Stanley and Brother Ezekiel Bey (and perhaps all of them would disagree with me on this issue, but I consider myself a trailblazer and a fighter for change). </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">I believe an update is needed. There is a new administration in the Phylaxis Commission on Bogus Masonry and Practices. I cannot speak to what any one Brother would agree to or not, but I can assure you that those Brother regard regularity of a high priority. I believe that you do too, hence your choice of organizations. You continued:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And there are others inside of Prince Hall Masonry that has written critiques of John G. Jones and I applaud their essays and commentaries as well. But that does not curtail me from pursuing a course of black Masonic unity—sorry good Brother, I am just very passionate about creating a Black United Front and we should not allow our social or political status to hinder this clarion call for unity in spite of our differences . </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">I believe that you believe that because I honor regularity, that I don't honor unity among African American people. Far from the case. I am not willing to compromise or put at risk the fabric of the Craft just to have a band of loosely allianced Grand Lodges. How is that working out in Houston Texas among AFAM groups?<br />No, a united Black front doesn't need Freemasonry, the united black front needs educated people to commit themselves to that unity with or without title. that means if you have to give up your Grand master title to come amongst, you have to be willing to do that. You continued:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Many of us so-called African Americans truly do not know or understand often our own church history and the internal historical frictions that brought many of these denominations into existences. It is a history of splits, divisions, renegades, betrayal and sometime it has included monetary theft, sexual improprieties, Deacons plotting to get the pastor ousted and host of other conducts that do not reflect what Christianity stands for (yet when the smoke clears and time passes—there becomes a time for forgiveness and we let ‘bygones be bygones’. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">That may be the case, but Church is under a very different structure than Freemasonry, and just as the church has its methods of operation, so does Freemasonry. Freemasonry doesn't ask society to abandon its principles and established structure to appease our existence. Freemasonry operates within the framework of the laws of the land. Black unity among Freemasons and clandestine groups is possible, but it must be done within the context and framework of Freemasonry. There is no such thing as Affirmative action Freemasonry. It works the same across the board. You continued:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Also, many of these renegade pastors were often forced out of the church governing body and associations because of unbecoming conduct—some would receive lifetime expulsions, suspensions, excommunication reprimands and/or other sanctions for violating church codes of conduct. I have personally witness renegade minister take half of the original church parishioners with them in some of these disputes. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">Interesting, sounds like the start of the John G. Jones groups and other clandestine organizations. The means of correcting the error is for the members of these groups to do what JGJ didn't, and that is to go back to the doors of a regular lodge and knock. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Thus, as long as there exist the human factor and element, it will always play out in the realm of human imperfection. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">I agree, and if you were to compromise the customs to appease a loose federation of lodges, you still breed imperfection as well.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">These comments that you are making are shrouded in an Ego driven assessment and lack a true rational approach to how do we resolve this John G. Jones conflict and move forward in a progressive way? The problem as you stated has been well defined, but we are short on meaningful, real and tangible solutions.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: red;">I had to chuckle a bit here, as I have stated a solution to the problem MULTIPLE TIMES, I think you just don't accept the solution, because you're more into the controversy of the argument than truly seeing these brothers join and operate in regular lodges. Again, rather than toss around assumptions, come talk to me, REAL MEN HAVE CONVERSATIONS, then if they find the evidence unsatisfactory choose to debate the topic. I appreciate your zeal, I just disagree with your concepts.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: red;">I AM,<br />WB John L. Hairston, Editor<br />The Quill and The Sword</span></span>The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-68052910463013651882014-03-18T18:53:00.002-07:002016-02-28T02:30:12.001-08:00The Universal Symbol of Freemasonry and the Creation of Man W.B. John L. Hairston, Grand Chaplain (Reprint from the Working Tools Magazine Feb 2014 edition)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4E7a8utFmhc/Uyj2LJjQfvI/AAAAAAAAJ0Y/I8bwZncJpMc/s1600/FreemasonsG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4E7a8utFmhc/Uyj2LJjQfvI/AAAAAAAAJ0Y/I8bwZncJpMc/s1600/FreemasonsG.jpg" width="370" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Ask
any Freemason in any part of the world, from any race or creed, any culture or
language, for the universal symbol of Freemasonry, and a vast majority, if not
all, will proclaim the Square and Compasses as the most visible and commonly
accepted symbol of Freemasonry. Dr. Samuel Hemming’s definition of Freemasonry
is equally accepted among members of the Craft-<i>Freemasonry is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and
illustrated in <b>symbols</b></i><span style="font-size: small;">. And,
when one delves into the symbolism of the Square, Compasses and the letter “G”,
it will be readily concluded that the entire system of Freemasonry is embedded in
this universal symbol of Freemasonry. Yet, what do they have to do with the
creation and development of Man? Everything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The Compasses<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5nZIR1BNE4/Uyj20PIkY0I/AAAAAAAAJ0g/vAjrTclSNlc/s1600/Compasses.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5nZIR1BNE4/Uyj20PIkY0I/AAAAAAAAJ0g/vAjrTclSNlc/s1600/Compasses.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
Compasses are said to be used by Speculative Freemasons to “circumscribe our
passions” or to keep us in “due bonds”. Operatively, they are used to draw
circles, and can be intimately connected to the symbol of the point within a
circle. The point identifying the resting place of one point of the compasses
around which the other point will rotate around, creating the point within the
circle. This symbol is commonly seen in addition to two parallel lines. The
lines represent the Moral and Spiritual influencing our life cycle; the Circle
itself being a spiritual symbol. This can allow us to conclude that the
compasses symbolize the SPIRITUAL component of Man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The Square</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
Square is said to be an emblem of morality, but further a symbol of the
PHYSICAL world. So, it can very well represent the PHYSICAL component of Man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The Letter “G”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
Letter “G” is said to represent both God and Geometry, which is vitally important to the Universal symbol, opening up
the understanding to the innate purpose of Freemasonry. Geometry is said to be
the Study of the EARTH, or the MEASURING of the EARTH. God being the Supreme
Architect of the Earth, Geometry can denote a science given to Man, by God, to
view His signature in Creation. When man applies Geometry, he discovers the
Wisdom and Design, the Order and Symmetry of the whole of Creation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The Revelation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">According
to any VSL, God created man from the dust of the EARTH. More specifically, in
the Holy Bible (a Great Light), Genesis 2:7 it states:<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">“And God formed Man from the dust
of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man
became a living soul”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Man’s
body being physical is symbolized by the Square. If we lay the square on one
side, it will actually represent the drawing of Humanity out of dust (level
ground/horizontal), into a standing creature (perpendicular).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">This
is the base of the Universal symbol of Freemasonry. It represents the base
foundation of Man’s existence (physical). All of Humanity is born into flesh
and so have the base foundation of a physical life, and a potential for greatness.
But this component alone doesn’t allow him to aspire to more than just being a
GOOD person; he is still profane and closed off from the ability to tap into
the wellspring of glory within him. We know there is more than just the
physical existence, because it stated that Man needed something spiritual, so the
Supreme Architect of the Universe breathed into him the breath of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
Compasses represent the Spiritual part of man; his consciousness and awareness
of himself and his world. Within the compasses is the Will and freedom to
decide and think which makes him the apex of creation and the true focus of the
Grand Architect of the Universe in creation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
Square and Compasses in this regard are the Spiritual and Physical part of man,
and when brought together, they represent the WHOLE of MAN, the entirety of who
he is and his existence in the earth. But there is still something missing…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
Letter “G” in the center of the Square and Compasses represent the divinity or
GOD in Man, unifying in perfect symmetry, the Spiritual and Physical life of
man. When the “G” is present, there is the ever present potential for Ascension
and progression. So, the Universal symbol of Freemasonry is a symbol of God in
Man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Geometry
speaks of man measuring himself, studying himself, knowing his dimensions,
points and space. It is the IMPROVING of himself in Masonry. It begins to make
perfect sense why one must have a belief in a Supreme Being (“G”) to enter the
doors of Freemasonry. That God in him is birth by the Union of the Square and
Compasses; this is why as a Master Mason BOTH POINTS ARE ABOVE THE SQUARE,
because he learns to subdue the passions of the flesh (Square) by application
and activation of the Spiritual portion (Compasses) of himself, his spiritual
part is OVER (controlling and influencing) his Flesh (Square). This is only
done when one can truly tap into the GOD (The Letter “G”) within (the Square
and Compasses).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">So,
embedded within the universal symbol of Freemasonry is the true purpose and
object of Freemasonry, which is to reveal the GOD WITHIN MAN or the recovery of
the LOST WORD (divinity within).</span></div>
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<b>Written by Companion John L. Hairston, The Eternal Chaplain</b></div>
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<b><b>Sacred Pen of the Quill and the Sword</b></b></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-46130234876458865922014-02-10T16:47:00.002-08:002014-02-10T16:49:37.318-08:00Recovering God in Freemasonry written by Brother John L. Hairston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhlVdom6Y3I/UvlzDW5fFgI/AAAAAAAAJpM/-WG2b-UoeCw/s1600/seeeye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhlVdom6Y3I/UvlzDW5fFgI/AAAAAAAAJpM/-WG2b-UoeCw/s1600/seeeye.jpg" height="449" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">It is in the grandest honor
to have the opportunity to be an ambassador for the One, Great and Universal
Architect of the Universe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">As
a Grand Chaplain we are given the further duty of representing the Volume of
Sacred Law in the assembly.<br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" />
The badge presents to the Craft an Open Book, which has historically
represented the Holy Bible. The ritual charging us "to be steadfast in the
faith of our acceptance", freemasonry defines its objective as unifying a
brotherhood on the commonality of belief in the Supreme Being; at the same
time, forbidding all forms of sectarian discussion in the lodges.<br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" />
With the elimination of religious debate, the Craft is left to confront the
greater enemy, SELF. The object of religion is to lead man to God; the
object of Freemasonry is to lead man to the Man God created.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">The
Progressive Science is the science of YOU.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">I
believe the most important part of the degree work is the examination by the
Secretary. The Secretary, in his preliminary address, lays out the design and
work of Freemasonry to the Candidate; his first official encounter with
Freemasonry is being informed that Freemasonry is "far removed from all
that is trivial, selfish and ungodly".<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">The
Gem here is that, while freemasonry forbids sectarian discussion, it doesn't
forbid the presence of God in Freemasonry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">Freemasonry's
structure for human living was an approach to maintaining a delicate balance
between the earthly and spiritual components of our lives. Hence, the further
revelation of the Square and the Compasses as symbols of appropriate
proportions of Life Skills and Resources.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">King
Solomon's Temple was erected to be a House to meet the Supreme Designer
of All Seen and Unseen. It was built for the intent purpose of Housing the
Glory of God, also called the Shekinah. The Temple was to serve as the
source of the Glory of God on earth.<br style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" />
This should serve as a model for our Jurisdictions, a Grand Lodge connected to
an operative concept of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">The
"disconnection" between God and Freemasonry can be traced
legitimately to the publishing of Anderson's Constitution of 1723, but has more
to do with the individual; their personal experience and interpretation of that
experience. Is there an active God in the Craft?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">As
long as the Shekinah rested in the Holy of Holies the prosperity and glory of
Israel was renowned. And we then find the outcome of Israel's fate, the
Shekinah no longer abided in the Temple, as recorded in a prophetic vision of
Ezekiel:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">"<em style="font-weight: inherit;">Then
the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood
over the cheribums.</em>"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">The
next Chapter records the condemnation of Jerusalem. The entire city suffered
from the Shekinah departing the Temple. And so this Organization becomes
dark when we attempt to separate the presence of God from the Craft; when it is
only sectarian discussions that are forbidden in our assemblies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">I
am not being fanatical, I am not suggesting making a lodge a place of worship;
rather, we understand the fact that no matter how tyled our meetings are, we
are no secret to the All Seeing Eye. He takes record of all proceedings, in all
rooms, wherever members may find themselves. We often lose sight of that fact,
and miss the opportunity self improvement because we take pleasure in living
like God doesn't exist in Freemasonry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">Despite
the broad difference of beliefs, and guides for those beliefs, they all point
to a moral life and relationship with the Omniscent. The Supreme Being you give
allegiance to is the God and Father of all, whether we share the same beliefs
or not. Freemasonry does in the lodges what Religious Community can't seem to
achieve; the gathering of HUMANITY under the All Seeing Eye of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">Pillared
by the Church's dogmatic regard for Freemasonry and Freemasonry's desire for
ultra-esoteric meaning to symbolism and philosophy, we find the definition of
the Supreme Being becoming more vague; more human. Freemasonry separated from
the concept of God is paganistic; a system of vice and paperwork deadlines.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-57595665026783576532014-01-07T16:48:00.002-08:002014-01-07T16:49:02.550-08:00A Wrestling for the Mantle: A disturbing perspective in the transfer of Masonic Legacy by WB John L. Hairston, founder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXr-93v-c4Q/UsZUgY7D6UI/AAAAAAAAI2U/kEgDuBY3Jeg/s1600/Legacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXr-93v-c4Q/UsZUgY7D6UI/AAAAAAAAI2U/kEgDuBY3Jeg/s640/Legacy.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">With the incoming year,
we end one cycle and advance into another with fresh hopes and inspirations
forging the way to a new degree in arriving at our destiny. In between these
cycles are periods of transition, as the shifts and transfer of what was once
necessary for the furtherance of our journey is replaced with the vital
provisions for our next season. The continuous success experienced or pursued
from one season to the next is inextricably connected to how well we deal with
the shifts, transitions and transfers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Organizations, as all
things in life, go through cycles and seasons; its continued and recurring
success relies primarily on the effective planning and preparation in handling
its shifts, transitions and transfers. One of the main obstructions to the
success of an organization is the LACK or the POOR exercise of VISION.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">In the Volume of Sacred
Law and Great Light of Masonry, the Holy Bible, Prophet Hosea (4:6) warns that
his people perished for a lack of KNOWLEDGE. The Hebrew word used in that text
was <i>Dha’ath</i>, and the Theological
Workbook of the Old Testament cited the word as such:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
root, occurring a total of 944 times, is used in every stem and expresses a <b>multitude of shades of knowledge</b> gained
by <b>the senses</b>. Its closest synonyms
are </span><i><span style="font-family: "Charis SIL"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">bı̂n</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “to <b>discern</b>” and </span><i><span style="font-family: "Charis SIL"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">nākar</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “<b>to recognize</b>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">Discernment and recognition is VISION and Prophet Hosea is
imparting to the reader that a PEOPLE or an ORGANIZATION perish for a LACK of
VISION.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">An egregious, and sometimes fatal, mistake of leadership or
an organization is to believe that a PLAN is the same as VISION. A plan is,
often, a written down set of goals and objectives that an organization or
person hopes to achieve. How many Businesses or Organizations have been birthed
and operated with extensive plans, but still meet their demise and dissolution?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">Vision is the discernment and recognition of when the plans
need alteration and adjustment; vision allows one to make the necessary shifts,
transitions and transfers to meet the demand of progress and attainment. As
human beings we cannot successfully impact the future except through planning
and vision. We can plan for the future, but can only deal with the immediate
present. Today was yesterday’s future. And although we may not be able to
advance into the future and create it as we plan, there are ways to ensure that
our planning becomes the success of tomorrow; it comes through VISION. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">Let it be known that the future isn’t some undetermined force
that controls the destiny of anything; the future is a series of points in time,
beyond today, that are ushered in by signs and heralds. And, because the future
is ushered in by SIGNS and heralds, one must have vision to SEE the signs and
heralds, INTERPRET them, and PREPARE the people or organization for what is
revealed and interpreted in those signs and heralds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">One of the first tools presented to a brother upon entering
his Masonic life is one that teaches him Time management, and it is stated in
the investing ceremony that he is to divide his time by use of it. Yet, when
reading the use by operative masons, it was used to MEASURE AND LAYOUT their
work. It can be understood as wisdom that its first instruction may be time
management, but as he progresses in degrees he learns that it is also alluding
to his ability to apply TIME MEASUREMENT. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">In a Volume of Sacred Law, the Holy Bible, Apostle Paul
revealed to the Church of Ephesus (Ephesians 1:10) there existed more than one
field of TIME; in fact the term was pluralized, “times”. I know you’re
wondering, ‘what does all of this have to do with shifts, transitions and
transfers, and how they apply to Vision?’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">That Holy Text gives two definitions for time. One is <b><i>Chronos</i></b>,
and it deals with the calculation and measurement of time by movement of the
moon around the earth, and the earth’s orbital and rotational movements;
CIRCUMAMBULATIONS. This time is measured in Years, months, days, hours, minutes
and seconds. The second is <b><i>Kairos</i></b>, and although it may appear
in the course of a human calendar, it isn’t measured by years, months, days, minutes
and seconds; it is recognized by discernment and vision, and measured by
foreordained events and completion of assignments. It is also called “God’s
Time” or Seasons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">Everything created under the supervision of the All-Seeing
Eye of the Great Architect of the Universe is created with a purpose. Our lives
or the life of anything is a set of seasons and assignments in which we work
out our purpose. Organizations may be assignments attached to one’s purpose. I
truly see Freemasonry as an assignment attached to our predecessor’s purpose
that manifested in the season set for it. It took Vision and discernment for
those founders to see the seasons changing and recognize the need to birth this
speculative science. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">An organization’s purpose is set from its creation, and the
legacy of that purpose is passed down like a baton to succeeding generations in
hopes that it will remain until the last human is transitioned into eternity.
The work that has already been done is called Legacy and it is the wealth of an
organization. Organizations, as I have stated before, have seasons and in the
midst of its members working their assignments, there must be a reliable and
steady application of vision and discernment to understand when the seasons are
changing, when a milestone is reached, an assignment completed, when transition
must be adhered to, shifts and transfers of leadership roles and power must be
applied. If the present leadership decides that they will ignore the changing
of seasons, disregard the need for shifts, and rebel against the transfer of
leadership roles and power, that organization faces inevitable decline or
death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">Our elders must understand their roles as custodians and
gatekeepers. They must realize that the legacy and purpose of the organization
cannot die with them, that they must exercise a PROPER transfer of leadership
to emerging leaders. Why? The life of an organization is based on the vision to
understand that certain seasons call for certain people, certain skill sets,
certain expertise, certain zeal and strength. Our elders must understand that a
changing of the season isn’t a time of death for them or a discontinuance of
their contribution to the organization, but as a time of rest where they can
sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Their assignment is completed
and they must turn the trestle board over to those whose expertise is attached
to this season.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">The problem is that you have leaders and elders who are not
in tune or negligent of discerning the season, for whatever reason, and rather
than blessing the emerging personnel, they take them as rivals and engage in a
wrestling for the mantle. This disrupts the flow and ebb of the organization’s
purpose and renders the organization disconnected from its assigned movement
and progression. The organization finds itself suffering from generation gaps
and stagnations, falling years behind its purposed destination. Rather than looking ahead at the future, they
are looking back on those coming forward, and rather than seeing fresh legs
bearing gifts of rest and honor, they see those emerging leaders as their “replacements”
or “removals”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: red;">One thing is for certain, DESTINY is a force that rolls over
those who attempt to tamper with it; you may be able to delay it for a moment,
but inevitably it will burst through the portals of time and establish itself
with impact that will crumble all who oppose her. This year is the year when
full manifestation of purpose will be established and the direction of our
great and honorable society will be reaffirmed. Look around and see with vision
the changing of the seasons, recognize that shift has been made; the transition
for proper transfer has been established and the noble and glorious purpose of
this Grand institution awaits to be revealed.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-28598287405148587722013-09-23T22:07:00.000-07:002013-09-23T22:07:33.647-07:00The Spirit of Freemasonry: Recapturing the Masonic Experience by WB John L. Hairston, reprint from Working Tools Magazine, 9/2013 Issue<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Philosophically
speaking, the spirit of anything is the essence or core existence of a thing;
it is the hidden power that makes something LIVING. The spirit of a thing,
which is living or moving, makes it able to be engaged. It is a tangible force
actively present beneath the surface of our immediate surroundings, eluding our
human sensitivities. This active force is constantly progressing, propelling,
pushing, and evolving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">The spirit of
Freemasonry is an active force that renders the Speculative art a progressive
science. It is this power that has been sought after in the lodge rooms since
the dawn of the Speculative Grand Lodge system. Masonic scholars and
philosophers have spoken regarding its existence and imperative necessity to
attain its embodiment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">When we became Entered
Apprentices, we were asked about our reasons for knocking on the door of
Freemasonry, and one of the reasons cited is to IMPROVE OURSELVES IN MASONRY. The
author of the Masonic Lecture, whether he intended to or not, gave hint to the
initiates need to tap into a PROGRESSIVE SCIENCE embedded in the system of
Freemasonry. Progressive Science is a term that encapsulates the function of
the spirit of Freemasonry, which is the harnessing of the spirit of Freemasonry
and its effectual operation in our human progress.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">The Second degree,
introduces the candidate to the 5 vital parts composing his connection to the
world around him (Senses), which also brings him into contact and interaction
with the spirit of Freemasonry. As a Master Mason we are charged to preserve
the oneness and brotherhood which is the vehicle for the force and power that
permeates the Craft.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">The spirit of
Freemasonry is universal, meaning that the due, and suitable, confines to encounter
the spirit of Freemasonry is a lodge room; but this doesn’t mean that the
spirit of Freemasonry is confined or restricted to lodge meetings. On the
contrary, even in the allusion of the three lesser lights we can see that they
represent the light gained IN THE LODGE out into the world; and so, we carry
with us what we attain in the Lodge room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">The 3 tools needed to
invoke the spirit of Freemasonry is the oneness of the Brethren, Proficiency in
the Ritual, accurate and harmonious symmetry of movement in the ceremonies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">The
Oneness<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<h3 style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">Despite the difference in religious creeds,
doctrinal and philosophical features, spiritual or worldview, oneness of all
things is a central and integral component of all modes of thought (i.e.,
religious, philosophical, metaphysical, etc.). In an article entitled, <i>Immortality-The Circle</i>, in the June 1915 issue of the Builder magazine, S.W.
Williams G.H.P. (Tennessee) wrote:</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">“</span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;">There is an ONENESS in
all things. Nothing is complete in itself-- but everything bears some relation
to all else in Creation, without which kinship nothing would be complete and
all things would be destroyed.</span></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">”</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">This
is the basic premise of all human attempts to define a codified set of
religious, philosophical, metaphysical, theosophical, and social beliefs
despite the variation and array of vehicles in which this idea was carried.
Oneness or brotherhood is the ground floor of attaining the spirit of
Freemasonry. It is the most important component.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red;">The Ritual and its
Proficiency<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">There
are many who believe that the ritual and ceremony is what connects us to the
antiquity of Masonry, leading back to times immemorial, it isn’t. It is the
spirit of Freemasonry that lies beneath the written words of the ritual ready
to be released in the Proficiency and Symmetry of the Brotherhood in it
working.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">The
written ritual can be memorized and quoted, but the candidate can still miss
the power permeating the instruction. The ritual is the key to unlock the
portals to the spirit and energy within the degree work. If we are proficient
in the ritual, and all movements are executed in symmetry and harmony, there is
an energy that is released that gives all present access to the depth of objects
of the ritual, which is to IMPRESS upon the mind of the receiver the richness
of the Masonic principles and truths.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red;">The Symmetry and
Execution of Lodge movement<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">This
describes the actual movements, circumambulations, and rotations of the lodge during
the work. Just as the movements of celestial and terrestrial bodies emit an
energy, magnetism, and force, so the proper and accurate execution of the lodge
movements produce an atmosphere and environment that elevates the participants
into a mindset or frame of thought that makes accessible, the deep and ancient
knowledge of Freemasonry. The ritual can achieve its object in this climate,
which is the impartation of ancient wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">The
neglect on our part of any of these key and vital necessities will result in
robbing the members of the fullness of the Masonic experience, and cause the
meetings to be dull, uneventful and dead. Many members do not take the proper
portion of their gauges to set aside time to become proficient in the ritual
and learn the movements, and actually practice it. Lodges suffer, because
brothers will have sat in lodge meetings for 20 years and will have never
experienced the spirit of Freemasonry. It is robbery to neglect the importance
of studying the ritual and instruction, perfecting the symmetry of movements
and truly operating in a cemented composite of Brotherhood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<br />
<h3 style="background: white; text-indent: 103.5pt;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">All
of the geometry we learn isn’t just to have an intellectual understanding of a
field of mathematics, but that we can apply that geometry to the perfection of
the signs and ceremonies, in an assembly of like minds, which will release a
dynamic in meetings that will birth a whole new perspective in the members and
subsequently progress the members past the mundane repetition of mere
recitation and routine. There is so much more to our meetings, ritual and
proficiency, but we are missing a beautiful demonstration of the Craft; an
absolute manifestation of the pulchritude of Freemasonry.</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;">Don't forget to like us on our Official Facebook page:</span></span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6224400290351433947.post-65748925540089487412013-09-19T23:20:00.000-07:002013-09-19T23:40:28.214-07:00Ohio Players Revisited: Dismantling Fiction By Hon. John L. Hairston, The Quill and the Sword [Reprint from the Blue Lite Website]<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;">The title of this
article is in reference to an article that appeared in the Winter/Spring Issue
of the </span><i style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;">Compact</i><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;"> magazine, published by
the National Grand Lodge Historical and Research Society, authored by
Christopher Belcher (Chairman), entitled, </span><i style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;">The
Ohio Players</i><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;">. Said writer, in this article, attempts to map his “research”
on the role of the Grand Lodge of Ohio in shaping African American Freemasonry;
but in reality, presents unfounded speculations with no true substance or
evidence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;"> It is important to
revisit the issue of the National Grand Lodge based on propagated
misconceptions by the present PHO-National Compact adherents concerning its
origins, structure, operation and eventual demise in 1878.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> The National Grand
Lodge was a sincere endeavor by the members of African American Grand Lodges
and Lodges to bring about union in the Craft and secure their survival in a
society that had excluded them as men and Masons. According to Massachusetts
Prince Hall Grand Lodge:<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“The
National Grand Lodge, IN ITS DAY, did its part, to the best of its
ability…outside of Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts, Masonry was at a
standstill among us; and it was not until after the formation of the National
Grand Lodge, in 1847, that an impetus was given to the system of Masonry among
us as colored men. When slavery was at its zenith, every effort was then being
put forth by its adherents for its perpetuation, even to the extent of
banishing all of our people who were free from the limits of the then Slave
States…Our fathers, witnessing the spirit of the age, sought for, and obtained,
what they supposed would be to them a COMMON PLATFORM, upon which they could
better resist the spirit of oppression…”<sup>1<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">And so, The Grand
Lodges located in Pennsylvania, the Grand Lodge in Massachusetts, and the lodge
in New York harkened unto the call for Convention to establish a unity among
Negro masons. Despite what side of the debate one sits, whether the National
Grand Lodge was formed without the consent of the Grand Lodges, and that the
delegates had no authority to act on behalf of the Grand Lodges, the National
Grand Lodge was formed in June of 1847. The original intent of the framers of
the National Grand Lodge was to create a National body of an advisory nature,
not to make the Grand Lodge subjugated to their authority; yet; the National
Grand Lodge began to act outside the compasses of Masonry and oppress the Grand
Lodges it was created to protect and nurture. A tyranny was ensued, and Grand
Lodges began to sever ties and withdraw its acknowledgment of the National
Grand Lodge. This hemorrhaging of subordinate and Grand Lodges from the ranks of
the National Grand Lodge led to the eventual demise of the creation in 1878 at
Wilmington, Delaware. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> It is true that a
faction of hardliners continued to hold up the banner of the National Grand
Lodge, they had lost the majority of their leadership to mergers with
Independent Grand Lodges, and even those who were in leadership were left
without subordinate Lodges to affiliate with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> Today, the “Prince Hall
Origin” National Compact claim to be the direct descendants of the National
Grand Lodge, citing that the National Grand Lodge, legally and
constitutionally, continued its existence up to this day. They have created a
National Historical and Research Society which attempts to preserve and
propagate their “continued existence” theory, as well as lay charges to those
Independent Grand Lodges, who withdrew from the Compact, that they rebelled
against the authority of the National Grand Lodge, and formed an alliance to
make victim the National Grand Lodge with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio
at the helm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> The Proceedings and
pamphlets that were circulated in that day present another story, one that the
National Grand Lodge present constituents fail to acknowledge or accept. The
members of the Compact were loyal and wanted the endeavor to succeed, it was
for our survival. But, once the leadership of the National Grand Lodge, namely
Richard Howell Gleaves, William D. Matthews, and George Levere began to create
tyranny, oppressing the Grand Lodges, interfering in their affairs and
elections, establishing Lodges in territories already occupied by Grand lodges,
burdening the lodges with heavy taxation, it became necessary to declare
independence and return to the sovereignty from when they came. This article
serves to refute one such testimony of a National Grand Lodge official and
chairman of their Historical Society, who attempts to forge an account of an
Independent Grand Lodge of Ohio as a conspirator against the National Grand
Lodge initiative. But, as we will soon discover, his version (or should I say
revision) of accounts are attempts to paint the National Grand Lodge as a
victim and discredit a Grand Lodge history that bears such greatness and
substantial impact on Prince Hall Freemasonry in America.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> Mr. Belcher, in a
social media discussion, called his style of writing, “rhetorical”, which in this
case, is historical revisionism and weak insinuations veiled as rhetorical
questions-he believes that this style relieves him of having to produce any
real evidence to his “conclusions”. Let’s look at this paper and view the
errors and bring light to many of the “rhetorical” questions posed throughout
the “work”.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> Mr. Belcher purports: <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“<b>Grand Lodges were established by Lodges in various states that were
established under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. It could be
easily ASSUMED that this expansion via the Grand Lodge of Ohio made their
jurisdiction powerful under the National Grand Lodge.</b>”<b><sup>2</sup></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Mr. Belcher attempts to
establish credence to his presumption of the Grand Lodge of Ohio’s campaign
against the National Grand Lodge-in subsequent years AFTER its establishment-being
warranted by their leverage for power in the National Grand Lodge; as he
further asks:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“Did
this perceived power of the Grand Lodge [of Ohio] promote leverage?”<sup>3<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Mr. Belcher’s
statements are attempted inconspicuous allegations against the Grand Lodge of
Ohio, that they exerted leverage against the National Grand Lodge based on
their strength in numbers. This is the “cry-victim” tactic by PHO historians to
paint the National Grand Lodge as victims of “rebellion” and “insidious” plots
of Grand Lodge “conspirators” against the “authority” of the National body.
Yet, TRUE RESEARCH of the Proceedings and correspondences of the Grand Lodge of
Ohio and other Jurisdictions, prior to their withdrawal from the Compact,
presents an entire different account.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> After diligent research
of the years leading up to the departure of the Grand Lodge of Ohio from the
Compact, we find a LOYAL and FERVENT body of Masons in the state of Ohio-for
example, in 1856 there were 5 members from the Jurisdiction of Ohio who held
National Grand Lodge seats:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">William
Darnes as NGM<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">James
B. Berry as NGDM of the Western District<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Milton
Franklin as SNG Marshal<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Madison
Wills as SNG Steward<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">David
G. Harris as Junior NG Lecturer,<sup>4<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">As well, the Grand
Lodge of Ohio made returns to the National Grand Lodge, in the 1856 Triennial
Session for 18 lodges and a membership of 91. It is important to note that
Pennsylvania also made returns for 29 lodges, with a membership of 509; can we
say that because the Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania “mothered” the Grand Lodge of
Ohio, and held status as an ORIGINAL member to the Compact, 509 members strong,
as well as a DIRECT lineage to African Lodge #459-that they held leverage as
well? Even the State of Maryland held 3 powerful seats in the National Grand
Lodge, in the 1856 Triennial Session, of <b>NGSW</b>,
<b>NG Secretary</b> and <b>NG Treasurer</b>, and their Jurisdiction only
reported a return of 7 lodges and 259 members of their Jurisdiction.<b><sup>5<o:p></o:p></sup></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> With these facts in
view, we can see the assumption of leverage based on numbers dwindle, but it
gets more interesting as we go into the Grand Lodge of Ohio’s Proceedings in
subsequent years to the 1856 Triennial Session.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> In 1861, the Grand
Lodge of Ohio had grown 4 Lodges from 18 to 22, and according to their Report
from the Committee on Accounts, at the 1861 Annual Communication, they weren’t
bringing in much revenue from the Subordinate Lodges under their Jurisdiction.<b><sup>6<o:p></o:p></sup></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> In fact, for the year
of 1860, the Grand Lodge received $161.75, and paid out $157.43, and ended with
$12.32 IN CASH, but $101.00 owed to the Grand Lodge from Subordinates and
members.<b><sup>7</sup></b>In the 1861
Annual Communication, the Grand Secretary collected $45.25 in dues from the
lodges and $3.00 back dues from Prince Hall Lodge #10, but reported debt of the
Grand Lodge at $208.20, of which $83.60 was owed to the National Grand Lodge.<b><sup>8 </sup></b>Further, we find this
report given on pg. 16 of said Annual Communication [1861]:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“The
Committee on Accounts reported as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">The
Committee to whom your accounts were referred, beg leave to state they have
CAREFULLY EXAMINED the accounts handed to us for action, and find them as
follows: The account of the NATIONAL GRAND LODGE presented for DUES ON MEMBERS
of the OHIO JURISDICTION, $193.35 7/8…”<sup>9<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">According to this
account, the “PERCEIVED POWER” for the
“alleged” leverage bore the burden of having to pay for members that weren’t
paying Ohio. So, what REAL leverage did Ohio have with all of their members in
the various states, but the lodges and members owing $101.00?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> In 1862, the Grand
Lodge of Ohio didn’t add any Lodges to their rolls, took in $163.10 in revenue,
but was in debt for $179.40, of which $107.76 was owed to the National Grand
Lodge for “the NATIONAL TAX up to 1862”.<b><sup>10<o:p></o:p></sup></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> While Mr. Belcher is
coming from a political angle in his allegation of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, a
thorough research of the records will provide a more valid FINANCIAL REASON for
the departure of the Grand Lodge of Ohio from the Compact.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> One excerpt in Mr.
Belcher’s article posed this “rhetorical” question:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“If
Lodges were established in other States and the National Grand Lodge granted a
warrant to that state, did that end the REVENUE STREAM for the Grand Lodge of
Ohio?”<sup>11<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Mr. Belcher is
insinuating that the Grand Lodge of Ohio left the Compact due to the
Constitutional Amendment in the 1865 Triennial Session, that stated:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“Therefore,
be it Resolved, That it shall not be lawful for any Grand Lodge, or any member
thereof, working under the jurisdiction of this M. W. N. G. Lodge, to OPEN or
CONSTITUTE ANY SUBORDINATE Lodge or Lodges in ANY PLACE whatever out of their
respective districts or jurisdictions, UNLESS BY SPECIAL DIRECTION OF the M. W.
N. G. Master be, and W. N. G. Master. And further, that the M. W. N. G. Master
be and is hereby AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO DELEGATE TO ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE
M. W. N. G. LODGE OFFICERS, to the M. W. G. Master, or other officer or
officers of any Subordinate Grand Lodge, the authority to open and to
constitute new Lodges in ANY DISTRICT or PARTS of the UNITE STATES OF AMERICA,
where there is not a Grand Lodge working under the Jurisdiction of this M. W.
N. G. Lodge.”<sup>12<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">In a Facebook
discussion group, Mr. Belcher purported that the Grand Lodge of Ohio abandoned
the Compact because they didn’t want the National Grand Lodge to short stop
their revenue from the establishment of lodges in other Jurisdictions. This
baseless position is due to a lack of thorough research of an entire
proceeding, and actually utilizing the Proceedings of the State you’re writing
the feature piece for a publication on. Mr. Belcher cited 9 “End Notes”, and
out of the 9, there isn’t <b>ONE SINGLE
SOLITARY REFERENCE to ANY of the Proceedings of Ohio</b>!! His claims are not
substantial because from 1861-1865 [the year of the National Grand Lodge
Constitutional amendment] Ohio added NO ADDITIONAL LODGES TO THEIR ROLLS. Ohio
claimed the following Lodges on their rolls from years 1861-1865:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1861</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Corinthian Lodge #1*, True American Lodge #2*, St. John’s Lodge #3, Richmond
Lodge #4, Union Lodge #5, Mount Moriah Lodge #6*, St. Mark’s Lodge #7*, King
Solomon’s Lodge #8, Canon Lodge #9, Prince Hall Lodge #10*, Stringer Lodge #11,
North Star Lodge #12*, Britton Lodge #13, Eureka Lodge #14*, Darnes Lodge #15,
G. T. Watson Lodge #16, Phillips Lodge #17, Parsons Lodge #18*, Central Lodge
#19, St. Thomas Lodge #20, Wilberforce Lodge #21*, Lone Star Lodge #22*<b><sup>13</sup></b> [<b>Number of Lodges: 22</b>]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Note: the (*)
represents those Lodges that made returns for that year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1862</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Corinthian Lodge #1*, True American Lodge #2*, St. John’s Lodge #3, Richmond
Lodge #4, Union Lodge #5, Mount Moriah Lodge #6*, St. Mark’s Lodge #7*, King
Solomon’s Lodge #8, Canon Lodge #9, Prince Hall Lodge #10*, Stringer Lodge #11,
North Star Lodge #12*, Britton Lodge #13, Eureka Lodge #14*, Darnes Lodge #15,
G. T. Watson Lodge #16*, Phillips Lodge #17, Parsons Lodge #18, Central Lodge
#19*, St. Thomas Lodge #20*, Wilberforce Lodge #21*, Lone Star Lodge #22*<b><sup>14 </sup></b>[<b>Number of Lodges: 22</b>]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1863</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Corinthian Lodge #1*, True American Lodge #2*, St. John’s Lodge #3, Union Lodge
#5, Mount Moriah Lodge #6*, St. Mark’s Lodge #7*, King Solomon’s Lodge #8,
Canon Lodge #9, Prince Hall Lodge #10*, North Star Lodge #12*, Britton Lodge
#13, Eureka Lodge #14*, Darnes Lodge #15, G. T. Watson Lodge #16*, Phillips
Lodge #17, Central Lodge #19*, St. Thomas Lodge #20*, Wilberforce Lodge #21*,
Lone Star Lodge #22*<b><sup>15 </sup></b>[<b>Number of Lodges: 19</b>]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1864</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Corinthian Lodge #1*, True American Lodge #2*, St. John’s Lodge #3*, Ambush
Lodge #4*, Boyd Lodge #5*, Mount Moriah Lodge #6*, St. Mark’s Lodge #7*, McGee
Alexander #8*, Prince Hall Lodge #10*, North Star Lodge #12*, Britton Lodge
#13, Eureka Lodge #14*, Darnes Lodge #15, G. T. Watson Lodge #16*, Phillips
Lodge #17, Central Lodge #19*, St. Thomas Lodge #20*, Wilberforce Lodge #21*,
Lone Star Lodge #22*<b><sup>16 </sup></b>[<b>Number of Lodges: 22</b>]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">[There were 3 UD Lodges
for this year, <b>Ambush</b>, <b>McGee Alexander</b>, <b>Boyd</b>]<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1865</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Corinthian Lodge #1*, True American Lodge #2*, St. John’s Lodge #3*, Ambush
Lodge #4, Boyd Lodge #5, Mount Moriah Lodge #6, St. Mark’s Lodge #7*, McGee
Alexander #8, Fulton Lodge #9 (U.D.), Prince Hall Lodge #10*, Excelsior Lodge
#11 (U.D.), North Star Lodge #12*, Britton Lodge #13, Eureka Lodge #14*, Darnes
Lodge #15, G. T. Watson Lodge #16*, Phillips Lodge #17, Central Lodge #19*, St.
Thomas Lodge #20*, Wilberforce Lodge #21*, Lone Star Lodge #22*<b><sup>17</sup></b> [<b>Number of Lodges: 21</b>]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS35YOKXjixEbVUwMLMmjhkIxjECM_K2inUcLHoHfNulEFV6mmHPOpdMYqbNpImYSOghHdTnVBHqv-0AaO_FPmzKzcxR7H7cpqMHKngYCDyjeFcJ6toJqU4-eQO9YUsrC2VfoY89hdlfH/s1600/Ohio+1863+can+not+send+delegates+to+Triennial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS35YOKXjixEbVUwMLMmjhkIxjECM_K2inUcLHoHfNulEFV6mmHPOpdMYqbNpImYSOghHdTnVBHqv-0AaO_FPmzKzcxR7H7cpqMHKngYCDyjeFcJ6toJqU4-eQO9YUsrC2VfoY89hdlfH/s1600/Ohio+1863+can+not+send+delegates+to+Triennial.jpg" height="400" width="385" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;">The Grand Lodge of Ohio’s financial condition was such a state that they could not send a delegate to the 5</span><sup style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;">th</sup><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px; text-indent: 0px;"> Triennial Session of the National Grand Lodge, to be held in New York, 1862. Below is an excerpt from the correspondence written to the National Grand Lodge, from the Grand Lodge of Ohio, detailing their request of absence:</span><b style="color: red; text-indent: 0px;"><sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">18</span></sup></b></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;">At this point, we have
presented enough documented evidence to dispel the notion that the Grand Lodge of
Ohio left due to a constitutional amendment in the 1865 Triennial Session of
the National Grand Lodge-that prohibited a Subordinate Grand Lodge from Opening
and Constituting lodges outside of their Jurisdiction. The Grand Lodge of Ohio
added NO ADDITIONAL lodges to their roster for the years 1861-1865, and they
were in debt to the National Grand Lodge (as of 1865) $200.00.</span><b style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;"><sup>19</sup></b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 94.5pt;"> The National Grand Lodge
prohibition wasn’t affecting the Grand Lodge of Ohio, but the constitutional
amendment of 1865 begins to point out the greed of the National Grand Lodge.
With this prohibition of Grand Lodges from expanding beyond their geographical
locations, and the new given authority of the National Grand Master to set
apart Lodges in Territories in those Jurisdictions that had no Grand Lodge, the
National Grand Lodge would now be in a position to make revenue directly from
the establishment of Lodges and Grand Lodges in those unchartered territories
of the United States of America.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">According Masonic
author, and Researcher Honorable Alton Roundtree, in the year 1865, the
National Grand Lodge had Subordinate Grand Lodges in 15 States (out of 52):<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,
Delaware, Ontario(Canada), Indiana, Rhode Island, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia,
California”<sup>20<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">With the constitutional
amendment, the National Grand Lodge had the authority to establish lodges and
Grand lodges in 37 States, multiply that by 3 Lodges per State and that would
be 111 lodges paying the National Grand Lodge annual dues at $50.00 for Warrant
or Charter for operation and/or Grand Lodge and an added 6 ¼ cent per capita
tax on all Master Masons in the State<b><sup>21</sup></b>.
Can you say, “AVARICE”? The expansion and growth of the jurisdictions was now
being interfered with, which is a violation of the constitution of the National
Grand Lodge; the amendment wasn’t about Ohio, but about filling the coffers of
the National Grand Lodge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> Sufficient
documentation has effectively uncovered the vast error in Mr. Belcher’s
position that the Grand Lodge of Ohio left due to the amendment of 1865. In
fact, the Grand Lodge of Ohio exhibited considerable loyalty to the National
Grand Lodge, in stark contrast to distorted version of events presented by the
Chairman of the NGLHRS. PHO attempts to paint the Grand Lodge Ohio as
conspirators against the National Grand Lodge, but we have to view the facts
objectively, and without prejudice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> In the year 1863, H. W.
P. Spencer, Grand Master of the State of Ohio, in the Grand Master’s Annual
Address, made a recommendation “that each Subordinate Lodge working under its
jurisdiction be taxed in the sum of ten dollars, for the purpose of settling,
in part, the present (1863) debt due the M. W. National Grand Lodge.”<b><sup>22 </sup></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> In 1864, during the
Annual Communication, one Bro. E. T. Page prayed the Grand Lodge of Ohio to
grant him a demit from Parsons Lodge #18, New Orleans. Parsons Lodge #18 was a
Lodge constituted and chartered by the Grand Lodge of Ohio on June 23<sup>rd</sup>
1857, with <b>Richard H. Gleaves</b> as its
first Master (<b>see 1863 Annual
Communication Eureka GL(La.), GMs Address, GM John Parson</b>). Even with this
close connection and fraternal relations E.T. Page was denied his demit, and
the sitting Grand Master, E.A. Fulton, made this statement:<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“…it
should be in the wisdom of this Grand Lodge, that NO MASON UNDER THE NATIONAL
COMPACT shall under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES visit either of the lodges, namely;
Stringer Lodge, Richmond Lodge, Parsons Lodge, or any other Lodge emanating
from said Lodge of New Orleans, La.”<sup>23<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">In 1863, these three
lodges in Louisiana, all under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ohio,
established the Eureka Grand Lodge in Louisiana, with PGM John Parsons as its
first Grand Master (more on him and Eureka Grand Lodge in a later article).
Eureka Grand Lodge refused the warrant from the National Grand Lodge and
claimed its sovereignty as a Grand Lodge; because the Grand Lodge of Ohio was
under the National Grand Lodge and a loyal proponent of the Compact, they
severed ties with the very lodges they chartered to remain in obedience to the
National Grand Lodge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">In the year 1865, at the Annual Communication
of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Grand Master, E. A. Fulton, in his Annual Grand
Master’s Address, stated that he severed ties with Louisiana for the sake of
the Compact.<b><sup>24</sup></b> In 1866,
the Grand Lodge of Ohio passed the following resolution in regards to the Grand
Lodges in Louisiana and Missouri (Grand Lodges that didn’t recognize the
National Grand Lodge):<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“Resolved,
That no Subordinate Lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge SHALL
ADMIT AS A VISITOR ANY MEMBER OF ANY SUBORDINATE LODGE, THAT HAS WITHDRAWN FROM
UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE M. W. NATIONAL GRAND LODGE…”<sup>25<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">W. T. Boyd, whom the
PHO will declare was the harbinger of the campaign against the National Grand
Lodge, even went further with this resolution:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“Resolution
adopted, WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT, offered by W. T. BOYD, to wit: NOR
SHALL ANY MEMBER OF A SUBORDINATE LODGE WORKING UNDER THE GRAND LODGE FOR THE
STATE OF OHIO, BE ALLOWED TO VISIT ANY SUCH LODGE, UNDER THE PENALTY OF
SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION.”<sup>26<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">This resolution alone disbands
Mr. Belcher’s theory that “Eureka Grand Lodge …could be viewed as the precursor
of events that led to the Ohio split from the National Grand Lodge.”<b><sup>27</sup></b> Here we have the Grand
Lodge of Ohio defending the Constitution of the National Grand Lodge against
the newly formed Eureka Grand Lodge; and the very person that they say was the
chief conspirator (W.T. Boyd), adding the penalty of suspension or expulsion to
the resolution. This leads the thinking man to conclude that Ohio didn’t leave
based on any decision of Louisiana to withdraw from the Compact. Ohio didn’t start
out as an “enemy” of the National Grand Lodge, and W.T. Boyd didn’t initially
begin condemning the National body-something happened to the relationship with
the National Grand Lodge, or the Grand Lodge of Ohio came into an understanding
of Freemasonry and their rights as a Grand body or both.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> Whenever you are receiving
the revisionist theories of the PHO camp concerning the events that led to the
fall of the National Grand Lodge, we never hear about the loyalty of Ohio, or
that they defended the National Grand Lodge Constitution; we only receive the
AFTER YEARS version of the accounts. Rather than allow Masonic conspiracy
theorists to feed the public gross inaccuracies regarding the withdraw of Ohio
from the National Compact; let’s allow Ohio to speak for themselves. Below is
the Committee on the Grand Master’s Report, delivered September 21<sup>st</sup>,
1868, Special Communication<b><sup>28</sup></b>:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahJ0S0H7xKE/UjvkrCDV6QI/AAAAAAAAHk0/K2wo7qcMZjQ/s1600/P3150053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahJ0S0H7xKE/UjvkrCDV6QI/AAAAAAAAHk0/K2wo7qcMZjQ/s1600/P3150053.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">And there we have it,
from the root source, the REAL REASON that Ohio withdrew from the Compact; NO
SPECULATION, NO CONSPIRACY THEORY, but valid and substantiated reasons for why
they would leave. And these issues that the Grand Lodge Ohio cited where the
sentiments of the majority of Grand Lodges that left the National Grand Lodge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Mr. Belcher further
states:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“With
regards to moves versus countermoves, [Richard Howell Gleaves] must be
mentioned as a National player to events occurring in power moves made by the
Grand Lodge of Ohio. At the National Grand Lodge Triennial Session of 1865
(IMPORTANT), the process of RE-DRAFTING the National Grand Lodge Constitution
was in effect.”<sup>28<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> Without truly giving
thought to his assumption, he places R. H. Gleaves at the helm of the movement
to amend the 1856 Constitution. Belcher believes that there was some power
moves taking place in the Grand Lodge of Ohio, but AMPLE evidence has already
reduced that notion to mere speculation on his part. Why would R. H. Gleaves lead
the movement to re-draft the Constitution?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> R. H. Gleaves was the
National Deputy Grand Master in 1865, going into the Triennial Session that
year-next in line to sit in the East. If he could get the Constitution changed
to allow the National Grand Master the authority to set up Lodges and Grand Lodges
in the other 37 States, where there were no Grand Lodges; if they could set up
lodges in the territories where there were lodges ALREADY established by subordinate
Grand Lodges, but NO GRAND LODGE at that location, it spelled MUCHO DINERO for
the National Grand Master. Let’s take another look at the resolution:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> “Therefore,
be it Resolved, That it shall not be lawful for any Grand Lodge, or any member
thereof, working under the jurisdiction of this M. W. N. G. Lodge, to OPEN or
CONSTITUTE ANY SUBORDINATE Lodge or Lodges in ANY PLACE whatever out of their
respective districts or jurisdictions, UNLESS BY SPECIAL DIRECTION OF the M. W.
N. G. Master be, and W. N. G. Master. And further, that the M. W. N. G. Master
be and is hereby AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO DELEGATE TO ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE
M. W. N. G. LODGE OFFICERS, to the M. W. G. Master, or other officer or
officers of any Subordinate Grand Lodge, the authority to open and to
constitute new Lodges in ANY DISTRICT or PARTS of the UNITE STATES OF AMERICA, where
there is not a Grand Lodge working under the Jurisdiction of this M. W. N. G.
Lodge.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">Remember our math
equation, and the possible revenue that could be made from the re-drafting of
the Constitution to give the National Grand Master the power set up subordinate
lodges in territories with no Grand lodges?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> R. H. Gleaves is
elected National Grand Master at the same Triennial that the National Grand
Lodge Historical and Research Society Chairman admits that Gleaves made
“counter moves” to amend the Constitution(1865), but what he failed to disclose
was that Gleaves as the National Grand Master profited off of the amendment.
Gleaves was National Grand Master from 1865-77, and the National Grand Lodge
under the amendment moved into 7 new territories, and established 7 more Grand
Lodges by 1872.<b><sup>29 </sup></b>Mr.
Belcher is right on this point, that Gleaves was a major “player”; the
foresight to amass a movement to amend the Constitution to profit him while he
sat as National Grand Master-evil genius; there is much that can be found
concerning Gleaves and his irregular and sometimes illegal practices. Mr.
Belcher then cites this curious fact:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“…the
majority of the subordinates of the Grand Lodge of Ohio were not from the state
of Ohio”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">And then goes on to
cite the resolution from the 1865 amendment on page 12 of the publication to
imply that Ohio would be harmed by the amendment. Yet, he gives no definitive
connection or point of how this amendment applied to the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
The Grand Lodge of Ohio lost (but replaced) 3 Lodges to the constitution of the
Eureka Grand Lodge of Louisiana in 1863, and two more lodges in Missouri in,
when they were chartered as a Grand Lodge by the National Grand Lodge (under
the NGM, R. H. GLEAVES) in 1866.<b><sup>30<o:p></o:p></sup></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> There was NO MOVE to countermove,
Ohio wasn’t hurt or helped by the amendment-it was the National Grand Lodge and
Richard Howell Gleaves that profited off of the amendment. It wasn’t until
THREE YEARS LATER that Ohio withdrew from the National Compact, IF we were to
accept Mr. Chairman’s theory, he would have to explain why Ohio waited 3 whole
years to withdraw from the National Compact, AFTER THE AMENDMENT OF 1865; Ohio
withdrew from the Compact in 1868.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">And lastly, he states:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“The
Grand Lodge of Ohio can be considered the predecessor of the STATES RIGHTS
MOVEMENT amongst African American Freemasonry.”<sup>31<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">The problem with this
statement is that he gives a definition of the National Grand Lodge perspective
for States Rights:<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“Grand
Lodges constituted and erected by warrant from the MW National Grand Lodge that
DECLARED INDEPENDENCE or WITHDREW FROM THE NATIONAL GRAND LODGE”<sup>32</sup><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">If we apply this
definition to historical accounts, we would find that New York, Delaware,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland were “STATES RIGHTS” 17 years before the
Grand Lodge of Ohio thought about withdrawing from the Compact. We can also
look at those Grand Lodges styled, “the Eastern Alliance”, who called
themselves, STATES RIGHT”. But, this is an example of the ill-prepared and
half-composed research, saturated in bias that we find published in the name of
the National Grand Lodge/PHO. Assertions such as:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">“The
DEFINITIVE ACTION came close to TWENTY YEARS LATER when the Honorable (?)
Captain William D. Matthews…issued orders for all subordinate Grand Lodges TO
RETURN THEIR ALLEGIANCE [to the ] National Grand Lodge. Those that chose not to
RETURN would be EXPELLED by the National Grand Lodge…”<sup>33<o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">YOU CANNOT EXPEL GRAND LODGES WHO HAVE ALREADY LEFT. Mr.
Belcher asserts that the “DEFINITIVE action of the National Grand Lodge came
when W.D. Matthews “expelled” the Independent Grand Lodge that were already
operating as Independents for at least <b>20
years</b>. Makes as about as much sense as firing an employee today when they
quit 20 years ago!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 94.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> I fault this article
published in the Compact organ for not utilizing ALL of the resources
available, namely the Proceedings of the very Jurisdiction that you have
featured the article on; and for making thinly veiled accusations without
thoroughly studying all of the available information. We cannot continue to
allow prejudices and indoctrinations to be passed off as viable and accurate
accounts of historical events and their outcomes. It is our duty as writers, historians,
and researchers to weigh, objectively, all of the facts and render conclusions
unclouded by agendas and misguided zeal.</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: red;">Endnotes:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Proceedings
of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons located at Boston,
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1847, Committee Report, pgs. 12-13</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Compact: Official Publication of The National Grand Lodge Historical &
Research Society, Vol. 1, Issue No. 2, Winter/Spring 2011 Edition. “<i>The Ohio Players: The Role of One State in
the Shaping of African American Freemasonry</i>” By Christopher Belcher,
NGLHRS, pg. 7<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ibid.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3<sup>rd</sup>
Triennial Session Proceedings of the MWNG Lodge, July 7<sup>th</sup> to 21<sup>st</sup>,
1856 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Afternoon Session Saturday July 12<sup>th</sup>,
3 o’ clock, National Grand Lodge Officer roster for the ensuing 3 years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ibid.
<i>Reports of State Grand Lodges under the
Jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Ancient York Masons of the United States of America</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1861
Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for
the State of Ohio. [I actually went through the financial sections and
accounted for the finances coming in and going out, and found the Grand Lodge
of Ohio struggling financially]<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ibid.
pg. 8, <i>Report from Committee on Accounts</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ibid. pg. 16 Afternoon Session,
Monday June 24<sup>th</sup>, 1861 <i>Report
Committee on Accounts<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ibid.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1862 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge
of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Ohio, Morning
Session, Wednesday June 25<sup>th</sup>, pg. 26, <i>Report of the Grand Secretary<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Compact: Official Publication
of The National Grand Lodge Historical & Research Society, Vol. 1, Issue
No. 2, Winter/Spring 2011 Edition. “<i>The
Ohio Players: The Role of One State in the Shaping of African American
Freemasonry</i>” By Christopher Belcher, NGLHRS, pg. 7<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6<sup>th</sup> Triennial Session
Proceedings of the MWNG Lodge, October 16<sup>th</sup>-27<sup>th</sup>, 1865 at
Baltimore, MD, Afternoon Session, Friday Oct. 20<sup>th</sup> 3 O’ clock.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1861
Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for
the State of Ohio, pg. 18 Report of the Committee on Return of Lodges.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">14.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1862
Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for
the State of Ohio, ppg. 37-47, Annual Return of Lodges listing.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1863 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge
of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Ohio, pgg. 39-51,
Annual Return of Lodges listing.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">16.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1864 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge
of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Ohio, pgg. 29-40,
Annual Return of Lodges listing.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">17.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1865 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge
of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Ohio, pgg. 32-48,
Annual Return of Lodges listing.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">18.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Photo is a snapshot of the
Correspondence taken from the 1863 proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Free and
Accepted A.Y. Masons of the State of Ohio, 13<sup>th</sup> Annual
Communication, held at St. Louis, MO, June 17<sup>th</sup>.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">19.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1865 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge
of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Ohio, pg. 8 Report
of the Grand Secretary.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">20.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, Alton G. Roundtree, Appendix 1,
pg 391, published 2010 KLR Publishing LLC.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">21.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Article IX of the 1856 Constitution
of the National Grand Lodge of the United States of America:<br />
“The Revenue of the of the M. W. N. Grand Lodge shall be derived from the
following sources:<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">1<sup>st</sup>. For every warrant or charter for a M. W.
Grand Lodge for a State, $50.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">2<sup>nd</sup>.
For each member in standing, under the M. W. State Grand Lodge, 6<sup>1/4</sup>cents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">22.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1863 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge
of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Ohio, Grand
Master’s Annual Address pg. 27<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">23.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1864 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge
of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Ohio, Morning
Session, Monday, June 20<sup>th</sup>, Committee Report on Admissions, pg. 9<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">24.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1865 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge
of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Ohio, pg. 6-7<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">25.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1866 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge
of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Ohio, pg. 21-22,
Morning Session, Thursday June 21<sup>st</sup>, under the heading of Visitation
of Lodges not Recognizing the N. G. Lodge, Bro. E. R. Williams Reporting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">26.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ibid., pg. 22<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">27.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Compact: Official Publication
of The National Grand Lodge Historical & Research Society, Vol. 1, Issue
No. 2, Winter/Spring 2011 Edition. “<i>The
Ohio Players: The Role of One State in the Shaping of African American
Freemasonry</i>” By Christopher Belcher, NGLHRS, pg. 7<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">28.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1868 Proceedings of the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Ohio,
September 21<sup>st</sup>, 1868, held at Lebanon, Oh, pp. 7-9<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">29.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Compact: Official Publication of The National Grand Lodge Historical &
Research Society, Vol. 1, Issue No. 2, Winter/Spring 2011 Edition. “<i>The Ohio Players: The Role of One State in
the Shaping of African American Freemasonry</i>” By Christopher Belcher,
NGLHRS, pg. 7<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, Alton G. Roundtree, Appendix
1reflects the Growth of the NGL and the Independent by year, pg 391-393,
published 2010 KLR Publishing LLC.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">31.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">History of the Prince Hall Grand
Lodge of Missouri, </span></b><a href="http://glmopha.org/missouri-masons"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://glmopha.org/missouri-masons</span></a><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">32.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Compact: Official Publication of The National Grand Lodge Historical &
Research Society, Vol. 1, Issue No. 2, Winter/Spring 2011 Edition. “<i>The Ohio Players: The Role of One State in
the Shaping of African American Freemasonry</i>” By Christopher Belcher,
NGLHRS, pg. 12<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">33.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ibid., pg. 12 End Notes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">34.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ibid. pg. 12<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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The Quill and The Swordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02700663073157314728noreply@blogger.com0