D. W. Brown

The English Idiom "Better Late Than Never" has never been more true than this week as North Carolina A. F. & A. M. Grand Lodge finally recognizes their Prince Hall counterparts as "regular". In a close but positive vote, 642 yeas vs. 328 nays, the Brothers in North Carolina can now enter into the 21st century with their heads held high, shaking off one of the last vestiges of racism in Freemasonry.

Ten other states still harbor the archaic notion that white men are better than black men by still not allowing recognition with their Prince Hall peers including: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Not long ago the Grand Master of Alabama when asked when they would recognize Prince Hall Masons are regular was quoted as saying "When Mississippi Does".

The following section of the 2008 proposed amendments was taking directly from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina's web site.


Resolution of Mutual Recognition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Its Jurisdictions, Inc. by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina

WHEREAS, The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina (hereinafter The Grand Lodge) desires to insure a continuing harmonious relationship between it and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and its Jurisdictions, Inc. (hereinafter The Prince Hall Grand Lodge); to provide for the successful coexistence of both Grand Lodges and to promote Masonry in general among all peoples; AND

WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge, for all the reasons set out in Brother James G. Martin’s statement to The Grand Lodge dated September 29, 2001, believes that it is altogether right and proper and in the best interests of Masonry everywhere and particularly in North Carolina that these two Grand Lodges exercising Masonic jurisdiction in this state mutually recognize each other while each retains its own autonomy and jurisdiction hereafter as heretofore; AND

WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge is satisfied that The Prince Hall Grand Lodge meets all Masonic requirements for recognition; AND

WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge desires to remain autonomous within its jurisdiction and to operate hereafter as heretofore with its own Grand Master and other Grand Lodge Officers, Constitution, By-Laws, Ritual, Rules and Regulations, and to retain its absolute and supreme sovereignty over its own Subordinate Lodges and Membership; AND

WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge is advised that The Prince Hall Grand Lodge entertains the same desires and possesses the same satisfaction with regard to recognition by it of The Grand Lodge and desires that both Grand Lodges mutually recognize each other as duly constituted Masonic Grand Lodges; AND
WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge is advised that The Prince Hall Grand Lodge at its Annual Communication in 2004 passed a resolution extending fraternal recognition to The Grand Lodge in the same manner and on the same terms as the present resolution,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF NORTH CAROLINA THAT:

1. It hereby extends fraternal recognition to The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Its Jurisdictions, Inc., as a duly constituted Masonic Grand Lodge;
2. It will remain autonomous within its jurisdiction and will operate hereafter as heretofore with its own Grand Master and other Grand Lodge Officers, Constitution, ByLaws, Ritual, Rules and Regulations and will retain its absolute and supreme sovereignty over its own Subordinate Lodges and Membership.

D. W. Brown

I think this is a great day in Freemasonry now just a few more states to go.

By the way, we know you will see duplicate post on here from time to time but first check to see if they are being imported from a "Blog". We archive post from many blogs on here for your viewing pleasure but tend to get overlap on big stories as everyone post something about it.

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Dale Brown, 3° (apostatised my 32°)
TBL Staff

Grand Orient de France | Grand Orient of the United States of America
The Burning Taper | Halcyon Lodge | The Philalethes Society
Regulus Lodge | Sirius Lodge | Emeth Lodge | Euclid Lodge

Psi Brr

It IS a great day for Freemasonry. Persistence will pay off in the long run. When the last state acquiesces we may well be able to consider it a new age of enlightenment. I suspect they won't go quietly.

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Bob Hunter
"When elephants fight, the grass suffers.” - African proverb

pickingill

The thing that is frightening is that, in this day and age, there were still 328 nays... That's over a third of the voters.

lonestarjhawk

Query--does this recognition allow for intervisitation?

chgregory

My Brothers,

The "nays" are bound to be there, not from men who see the recognition as a good or bad thing, but because change is difficult to make even if the change is for all the right reasons.

It is truly laudable that the Grand Lodge of North Carolina was able to make a change without an upheaval or outcry. I am certain that if taken as individuals and asked why they voted no, you would find it was things, like this procedure was not followed or that process seemed wrong, not I think the Prince Hall Masons are any less manons than the man being asked.

We have faults in our mist; we have good men who don't see the light at times, and we have men who try to follow strict rules that are not fitting for our society and times. They will always resists change...and later they will likely embrace it.

In a question as clearly cut as this one I will always come down on the side of right, but we all make mistakes, we hope they are less at issue then these 328 votes.

S&F,

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Cliff Gregory, 32

Psi Brr

It was reported in one of the other threads (by Bro. Dale, I believe) most of the 328 marched out en masse.

__________________
Bob Hunter
"When elephants fight, the grass suffers.” - African proverb

chgregory

As an example of "upheavel" we should look at the Espiscopal Church - 1 gay bishop nearly caused the failure of the entire organization. Affect, being a bunch of guys at an annual meeting decided to flap thier wings. I am not defending their action, because I disagree with them in concept. Change is never easy, change is almost always painful and for the mosts part change is good.

S&F

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Cliff Gregory, 32

chgregory

Esse, quam videre - Be rather than to seem. I did not know that was the motto of NC, but it seems to fit.

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Cliff Gregory, 32

Psi Brr

Ooo... I like that motto.

CT's motto is "Qui Transtulit Sustinet," "He who transplanted still sustains"

My family motto is "Cursum Perficio", or "I accomplish the race."

__________________
Bob Hunter
"When elephants fight, the grass suffers.” - African proverb