This from "Freemasonry for Dummies" Blog
GL of North Carolina AF&AM Recognizes Prince Hall Counterpart
The 221st meeting of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina AF&AM convened yesterday in Winston-Salem.
The Resolution for Mutual Recognition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Its Jurisdictions, Inc., and the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina officially passed on September 19, 2008. The vote was 642 Yeas and 328 Nays.
Bravo, brethren. Bravo.
The following US mainstream Grand Lodges remain that do not recognize Prince Hall Freemasonry:
Alabama*
Arkansas*
Florida*
Georgia*
Kentucky
Louisiana*
Mississippi*
South Carolina*
Tennessee*
West Virginia
(* Former Confederate states)
This from the "Widows Son" Blog
Yesterday the Grand Lodge of North Carolina officially passed by a vote of 642 yeas to 328 nays the Resolution for Mutual Recognition of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Its Jurisdictions, Inc., according to an article posted on Bro. Chris Hodapp's blog on Friday.
"Bravo, brethren. Bravo," he wrote.
Brother blogger Palmetto Bug, a Mason working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, writing in the comments section to the announcement, responded to the news by saying, "The train wreck continues," evidently refering to the past decade's trend towards recognition between maintream Masonry and Prince Hall Masonry.
The Grand Lodge of South Carolina, along with those of nine other states — all in the South — still remains steadfastly against mutual recognition between mainstream and Prince Hall Masonry, much to my continued embarrassment. I am a member of a Georgia lodge working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Georgia.
Besides South Carolina and Georgia, the mainstream grand lodges of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia do not recognize Prince Hall Masons as "true and lawful brothers" or as even being Masons.
Within moments of my being raised a Master Mason in a Georgia lodge several years ago, I was official told, while the ceremony was still being conducted, that I was not to hold "Masonic discussion with clandestine Masons, and the only clandestine Masons that we know of are the black Masons."
I join with Bro. Chris and open-minded Masons throughout the world in saying "Bravo!"to the North Carolina Masons who have joined the 21st century by finally accepting brother as brother, based not on the color of his skin but the content of his heart.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Letter in the East
The Letter in the East
The significance of the letter "G" is addressed in the second degree. When the brother arrives in the East after gaining admission through the partially opened but strongly guarded doors, he is received under the letter "G" and given the lecture that explains it. The most important significance of the letter "G" is the one given last--that it is the Initial of God-- The Great Artificer of the Universe--The One Living and True God in whom we professed to put our trust in the first degree. He is told that before him every good freemason from the newest entered apprentice who stands in the northeast corner of the lodge to the worshipful master who presides in the east should with reverence most humbly bow. Thus the second degree ends where the first degree starts. In the first degree he is asked in whom he put his trust. The candidate cannot be prompted in the answer. If he does not answer that he puts his trust in God, his degree goes no further. At the end of the second degree, he is led to the initial of God which we find in the center of our symbol of brotherhood. The brother is reminded that we must bow before God in reverence and walk humbly giving Him due reverence as our Creator, Sustainer, and Guide. This most important meaning of the letter "G" is emphasized by giving it last in the lecture--saving the best for last.
The other meaning of the letter "G" is that it is the initial of "geometry". The G-lecture proceeds to give the moral advantages of it. If a brother merely thinks of geometry as the subject that he took in high school, he misses the true meaning of the lecture. Geometry in masonry means more than a mathematical discipline. It refers to the character and activity of God--The Great Architect of the Universe. If you stop to think about it, our God was the first Builder. He created the heavens and the earth and without Him was nothing made that was made. He set our universe and world in motion according to an order where the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night. He created all things and beings according to a plan and a purpose. What we measure by geometry is our understanding of God's plan and purpose as He would allow us to know it and to grow in His will. We as freemasons are to honor our God by being builders also. We are to build brotherly love and live by truth. We show brotherly love by relieving the distresses of every human being for whom we are able do so. We are to be so devoted to our God that we build to Him lives that glorify Him and please Him. We see and understand God in three ways. First we see Him in His workmanship--in the order and care with which He created our world, the universe, and all people, creatures, and things therein. Second. we know and understand Him through His revelations to us. That is why the Holy Book is in the center of our altar in the center of our lodge--at the heart of all. Third, we know Him by experiencing Him in our lives. This is what we do when we humbly bow before Him to walk before Him and walk with Him. This is where we are left in the second degree before receiving the charge to continue our walk with and our relationship with The Supreme Architect of the Universe. We are encouraged, in our study and development, to seek Him. We are to be builders for The One Living and True God in whom you professed to put your trust.
There is a lot more to geometry as masonry uses it than what a brother learned in high school geometry class . We cannot make masonry more than what it tells you that it is. Masonry is moral teaching--not religion, but it directs us to our own religion for the eternal answers we seek and for our true relationship with God. Masonry tells us to do our duty to God, our neighbor, and ourselves and our families. It sends us to do them in that order, placing itself fourth. By a proper ordering of our time, most of us have time to do service both our place of worship and our lodge. The lodge teaches us to find time for what is most important to the lodge--to worship and serve God. Our duty to God is the first care of Freemasons. Geometry is doing that duty.
Rev. Roy L. Gilkey 32 Dg, KYCH
The significance of the letter "G" is addressed in the second degree. When the brother arrives in the East after gaining admission through the partially opened but strongly guarded doors, he is received under the letter "G" and given the lecture that explains it. The most important significance of the letter "G" is the one given last--that it is the Initial of God-- The Great Artificer of the Universe--The One Living and True God in whom we professed to put our trust in the first degree. He is told that before him every good freemason from the newest entered apprentice who stands in the northeast corner of the lodge to the worshipful master who presides in the east should with reverence most humbly bow. Thus the second degree ends where the first degree starts. In the first degree he is asked in whom he put his trust. The candidate cannot be prompted in the answer. If he does not answer that he puts his trust in God, his degree goes no further. At the end of the second degree, he is led to the initial of God which we find in the center of our symbol of brotherhood. The brother is reminded that we must bow before God in reverence and walk humbly giving Him due reverence as our Creator, Sustainer, and Guide. This most important meaning of the letter "G" is emphasized by giving it last in the lecture--saving the best for last.
The other meaning of the letter "G" is that it is the initial of "geometry". The G-lecture proceeds to give the moral advantages of it. If a brother merely thinks of geometry as the subject that he took in high school, he misses the true meaning of the lecture. Geometry in masonry means more than a mathematical discipline. It refers to the character and activity of God--The Great Architect of the Universe. If you stop to think about it, our God was the first Builder. He created the heavens and the earth and without Him was nothing made that was made. He set our universe and world in motion according to an order where the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night. He created all things and beings according to a plan and a purpose. What we measure by geometry is our understanding of God's plan and purpose as He would allow us to know it and to grow in His will. We as freemasons are to honor our God by being builders also. We are to build brotherly love and live by truth. We show brotherly love by relieving the distresses of every human being for whom we are able do so. We are to be so devoted to our God that we build to Him lives that glorify Him and please Him. We see and understand God in three ways. First we see Him in His workmanship--in the order and care with which He created our world, the universe, and all people, creatures, and things therein. Second. we know and understand Him through His revelations to us. That is why the Holy Book is in the center of our altar in the center of our lodge--at the heart of all. Third, we know Him by experiencing Him in our lives. This is what we do when we humbly bow before Him to walk before Him and walk with Him. This is where we are left in the second degree before receiving the charge to continue our walk with and our relationship with The Supreme Architect of the Universe. We are encouraged, in our study and development, to seek Him. We are to be builders for The One Living and True God in whom you professed to put your trust.
There is a lot more to geometry as masonry uses it than what a brother learned in high school geometry class . We cannot make masonry more than what it tells you that it is. Masonry is moral teaching--not religion, but it directs us to our own religion for the eternal answers we seek and for our true relationship with God. Masonry tells us to do our duty to God, our neighbor, and ourselves and our families. It sends us to do them in that order, placing itself fourth. By a proper ordering of our time, most of us have time to do service both our place of worship and our lodge. The lodge teaches us to find time for what is most important to the lodge--to worship and serve God. Our duty to God is the first care of Freemasons. Geometry is doing that duty.
Rev. Roy L. Gilkey 32 Dg, KYCH
Monday, September 1, 2008
Montgomery#426 and Cherokee#146 Combine forces to raise 3 new Master Masons!
On Saturday night August 30th, the 2 Lodges joined together for a very special Master Mason's Degree. Brothers Mark Laney, Danny Carder, and Jim Haskett Jr. were all raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. The Lodge Hall was nearly full and a great BBQ dinner was enjoyed by all present. Derek Cheek WM#426 conferred the first section, and Reggie Pendley PM of Cherokee#146 was King Solomon in the second section. Henry Hiss PM of Montgomery #426 represented Hiram King of Tyre. David Sumpter PM of Cherokee#146 presented the charge, and Henry Hiss presented the Holy Bibles. Olen Murphy PM of Montgomery#426 presented the Lecture in fine fashion. And, finally 41st Masonic District DDGM Mike Hooper PM of Sonoma Lodge closed the Lodge in due form.
From L-R: Brothers Mark Laney, Danny Carder, and Jim Haskett Jr.
L-R: Ron Ledford WM Cherokee#146, Mark Laney, Danny Carder, Jim Haskett Jr., and Derek Cheek WM Montgomery#426.
WM Derek Cheek and DDGM Mike Hooper of the 40th Masonic District.
From L-R: Brothers Mark Laney, Danny Carder, and Jim Haskett Jr.
L-R: Ron Ledford WM Cherokee#146, Mark Laney, Danny Carder, Jim Haskett Jr., and Derek Cheek WM Montgomery#426.
WM Derek Cheek and DDGM Mike Hooper of the 40th Masonic District.
2nd Annual Montgomery Lodge Butt Smoking was a GREAT Success!
The 2nd annual butt smoking/plate sale was a great success! This joint effort between Montgomery, Marble Springs, Clay, Cherokee, and Andrews Lodges is always such a great show of Brotherhood and cooperation between the Lodges! Over 220 Boston Butts were smoked from thursday morning(8-28) thru late, LATE friday(8-29)night. Martha Chapter #146 Eastern Star also joined in with Montgomery in having a BBQ plate sale.
I'd like to thank ALL the Brothers who assisted. And, i'd like to thank DDGM Jim Hyde for helping me take a few pictures. I can't wait til next year!
Tom O'Day, Joe Poteete, and Olen Murphy un-boxing the butts.
Mitch Arrowood PM of Marble Springs Lodge joins in to help.
Loading 1 of 3 smokers on hand for the job!
Mitch gets up close and personal with the smoker belonging to Sweetgum Lodge #542 of Mineral Bluff, Ga.....loaned to Montgomery for this fundraiser.
Mitch getting ready to shut in the smoke!
Mitch takes a peek inside Montgomery's new smoker!
Montgomery's smoker getting the job done!
Montgomery's own Past Masters Cecil Allen and John Dyer pokin' the fire a lil!
PIG PULLIN' HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd like to thank ALL the Brothers who assisted. And, i'd like to thank DDGM Jim Hyde for helping me take a few pictures. I can't wait til next year!
Tom O'Day, Joe Poteete, and Olen Murphy un-boxing the butts.
Mitch Arrowood PM of Marble Springs Lodge joins in to help.
Loading 1 of 3 smokers on hand for the job!
Mitch gets up close and personal with the smoker belonging to Sweetgum Lodge #542 of Mineral Bluff, Ga.....loaned to Montgomery for this fundraiser.
Mitch getting ready to shut in the smoke!
Mitch takes a peek inside Montgomery's new smoker!
Montgomery's smoker getting the job done!
Montgomery's own Past Masters Cecil Allen and John Dyer pokin' the fire a lil!
PIG PULLIN' HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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