Many Thanks to "Southern Mason"

jpeffer2007 · 08-20-2008, 01:06 PM

Sunday night I received an email from a gentleman, from Alabama, who was interested in joining Vulcan Lodge. His email stated that his family has a long Masonic history and he desired to continue that tradition. The interesting thing is what lead him to Vulcan Lodge.

He had done alot of research on Free-Masonry. (In fact I was very surprised at his level of Masonic knowledge) After the death of his father he very much wanted to join the Fraternity but hesitated due to the Fraternity's outdated stances on many issues, most especially Prince Hall Masons. He said he felt like it was ill conceived to talk about the Brotherhood of Mankind and exclude out Black Brothers.

Sunday he was reading what he classified as 'a rant' on some website by a Mason identifying himself as "Southern Mason." This Brother was attacking Vulcan Lodge for supporting Masonic education in the esoteric, discussing a possible connection with the Templars, and our split with the Grand Lodge of Alabama.

The gentleman stated that after reading this he searched for Vulcan Lodge and found our blog (www.vulcanmasoniclodge.blogspot.com). He read all of the information on our site. He said he was impressed that we promoted diversity, studied the esoteric arts, and embraced the idea of lodges independent from Grand Lodge politics. This lead him to this website where he found my email address and emailed me.

The gentleman, now a candidate, will meet with us on 8/26 to discuss joining our Lodge. When I told him, warned him, about non-recognition, and other obstacles he will face in being a member of Vulcan Lodge, he said he didn't care. He has studied Masonry. He realizes that Masonry practiced today is NOT what it originally was. He desired to help us achieve our goal of building a real Masonic Lodge in Birmingham, AL and building a real Brotherhood.

Thanks again Southern Mason! Please keep pointing out the differences in our systems!

Jamie Peffer
Venerable Master
Vulcan Lodge

D. W. Brown · 08-21-2008, 12:44 AM

Brother Peffer,

I stop short of lumping all Antient lodges into the same realm with Alabama and the other states who don't recognize our black Brothers. There are Antient lodges out there that are GREAT and many more Brothers that don't feel the same as the few in these states do.

I do know you personally and can rest easy knowing that this new candidate will have a wonderful experience with your lodge. By the way, one of the things I found extremely interesting about Vulcan is one of it's meeting locations. Do I remember correctly that at one point it met in an old cave that used to be used as a bar during the prohibition era? I remember one of the most interesting MM raising's I attended was in an old Civil War Fort on Dauphin Island.

jpeffer2007 · 08-21-2008, 01:31 PM

Bro. Dale,

Thanks! And yes, we do use a very large cave for some of our activities. We don't have a "set" place (other than the lodge room/conference room) to perform degree work. We normally discuss a couple of different venues to keep things interesting. BTW....I left you a voicemail!

Jamie