What is Prince Hall Freemasonry?

Prince Hall (1748 - 1807) was the organizer and founder of Freemasonry among men of color. Hall was initiated as a Mason in 1775 by John Balt of Irish Lodge No. 441. John Rowe, a provisional Grand Master, authorized Hall to form African Lodge No. 1. Later, this Lodge was granted a Charter from the Grand Lodge of England as African Lodge No. 459 and Hall was elected the first Worshipful Master. Thus was the beginning of Prince Hall Masonry.

Freemasonry is the oldest, largest, most widely known and acknowledged fraternity in the world. Its principles are religiously founded, however it is not a religion. It does not prescribe to any one religion for that is the privilege of each individual member and is not infringed upon by the fraternity. Everyone that comes into a lodge must have the belief in a "Supreme Being." Some would say that Masonry is "that beautiful being of morality, veiled in allegory and expressed by symbols." Others might say that since the word "Mason" means to build then Masonry is the practice of building a man spiritually, morally, and ethically. There is no part or portion that ever interferes with ones service to his God, to his country, nor to his Family.

The Lodge Hall is the building where Masons meet. An assemblage of brothers meeting to practice the ancient art of Masonry is authorized by a charter or warrant empowering them to work. Masonry is NOT a secret society in that its meeting places are openly marked, telephone numbers and address locations are published. Articles on the subject as well as events both open and closed to the uninitiated, are published in newspapers; occasionally advertised on television and even on the world wide web. Membership rosters are also listed. Because its structure and teachings have remained a mystery to many, some have sought to unfairly label this organization due to personal misconceptions.

Membership in a Masonic Lodge is on a voluntary basis only. A person seeking membership must first contact one whom he knows to be in good standing. Good standing refers to a Mason that pays his membership dues regularly. The member will allow the candidate to fill out a petition. The petition will be taken to a lodge meeting where a committee will review the character of the petitioner. Only men of good rapport are accepted in this fraternity. Through the strengthening of the individual's character, Masonry seeks to improve the community and to help good men become better through the belief of Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God, and the immortality of the soul.

SOURCE:
This revised excerpt was originally drafted
By: Brothers Howard Woods and CB Robinson of the Arkansas Jurisdiction (PHA).

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