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Regarding PHA members

bupton52

Moderator
Premium Member
This was a question posed on facebook just the other day with a similar tone to some of the posts here concerning EAs:

"Brothers, why is it that EA & FC socializing with brothers as if we are equals! There's no humility like it was when I came in.... what's going on? What say you?"

If you are on facebook, search for Prince Hall Masons of America, join the group and see what is said. Respect is not jurisdictional. Many brothers forget that they were given the same name as those EAs once were. Has the MWPHGLoTN or the MWPHGLoPA specifically outlined in either the GL constitution or your respective local lodge bylaws that an EA can not speak with other EAs that he has not seen in his lodge? Not being argumentative, but this opens the door to another topic: those unwritten rules that many continue to follow.
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
I AGREE WITH BROTHER UPTON AND BROTHER TLDUBB.......And for the Brothers above who speak on being guarded when speaking with EA's and/or FC's, you are right to do so. There is one thing to remember though------EA's and FC's are indeed MASONS, although they have not been RAISED TO THE SUBLIME DEGREE OF A MASTER MASON. TRUE INDEED, BROTHERS, we all acknowledge that they cant attend a tiled Communication opened in a Degree higher than their own, and they don't possess the power of the VOTE; but, for the purposes of this PUBLIC FORUM, they should always be treated with respect.

HOWEVER----On the OTHER side of this coin, you EA's and FC's on this Forum should be well advised to REFRAIN FROM ENGAGEMENT in any discussion regarding MASONRY, WITH BRETHREN OUTSIDE OF YOUR LODGE, WHILE GOING THROUGH YOUR DEGREE WORK. On this public Forum, we should not be discussing any Passwords, Grips, or material contained in our Rituals ANYWAY, HOWEVER, as newly INITATED AND/OR PASSED ENTERED APPRENTICE AND FELLOW CRAFT MASONS, it's exciting to log on and fellowship with others nationwide. I understand that sentiment------YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO FELLOWSHIP UPON COMPLETION OF YOUR DEGREE WORK.......Any free time you have should be spent studying your Ritual, OR studying with Elder, More Well Educated Brethren in your HOME LODGE ABOUT MASONRY. It may not be against your Const/By Laws to log on here, but it is not PRUDENT AT THIS STAGE IN YOUR MASONIC JOURNEY.

I preach this to EA's/FC's alL of the time when I observe their frequent and/or numerous posts on this Forum. They have almost always sent me PM's later thanking me for the advice about backing away from this Forum for now, because they realize how much they DIDNT KNOW when they were RAISED TO THE SUBLIME DEGREE OF A MASTER MASON. And, to answer the ORIGINAL question from the Brother Anthony Pomilia in Michigan about whether we as Prince Hall Affiliated Masons possess Modes of Recognition, Grips, and Passwords----my response to YOU is simple and as respectful as can be-----we possess 238 years of FREE AND ACCEPTED Masonic Legacy, Brother. We have the only ORIGINAL CHARTER still in existence issued by the Premier Grand Lodge of England on THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, locked away in a Bank Vault in Boston, Mass. We received this Charter in Sept of 1784, NINE YEARS AFTER THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED. And, Brother Prince Hall and 14 others were RAISED on March 6, 1775, 15 MONTHS BEFORE THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED. We sutdy and follow the same information now as they did then.


So, please, Brother, dont allow ONE INTERACTION WITH A MAN WHO MAY NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN A PRINCE HALL MASON CAUSE YOU TO QUESTION THE LEGITIMACY OF OUR MASONIC BUSINESS. Im sure there are PHA Brothers near your Hometown who would love to sit with you and Fellowship, and answer ANY additional questions you may have about our time honored insitution. If you are unable to locate any, feel free to contact ME anytime via Private Message...........I AM THE BOOK; I WALK IT AND I LIVE IT............Im always happy to share and spread LIGHT to those seeking it..............


I AM,

BRO. VINCENT C. JONES, SR., BAYOU CITY LODGE #228, PHA, F&AM
PRINCE HALL AFFILIATION, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONRY, DISTRICT 15-A, HOUSTON, TEXAS
MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF TEXAS, EST. 1878
 

Jamarr/G\

Registered User
You took the words right out of my mind brother:)
Couldn't have said it any better. Towerbuilder7


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tldubb

Premium Member
I AGREE WITH BROTHER UPTON AND BROTHER TLDUBB.......And for the Brothers above who speak on being guarded when speaking with EA's and/or FC's, you are right to do so. There is one thing to remember though------EA's and FC's are indeed MASONS, although they have not been RAISED TO THE SUBLIME DEGREE OF A MASTER MASON. TRUE INDEED, BROTHERS, we all acknowledge that they cant attend a tiled Communication opened in a Degree higher than their own, and they don't possess the power of the VOTE; but, for the purposes of this PUBLIC FORUM, they should always be treated with respect.

HOWEVER----On the OTHER side of this coin, you EA's and FC's on this Forum should be well advised to REFRAIN FROM ENGAGEMENT in any discussion regarding MASONRY, WITH BRETHREN OUTSIDE OF YOUR LODGE, WHILE GOING THROUGH YOUR DEGREE WORK. On this public Forum, we should not be discussing any Passwords, Grips, or material contained in our Rituals ANYWAY, HOWEVER, as newly INITATED AND/OR PASSED ENTERED APPRENTICE AND FELLOW CRAFT MASONS, it's exciting to log on and fellowship with others nationwide. I understand that sentiment------YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO FELLOWSHIP UPON COMPLETION OF YOUR DEGREE WORK.......Any free time you have should be spent studying your Ritual, OR studying with Elder, More Well Educated Brethren in your HOME LODGE ABOUT MASONRY. It may not be against your Const/By Laws to log on here, but it is not PRUDENT AT THIS STAGE IN YOUR MASONIC JOURNEY.

I preach this to EA's/FC's alL of the time when I observe their frequent and/or numerous posts on this Forum. They have almost always sent me PM's later thanking me for the advice about backing away from this Forum for now, because they realize how much they DIDNT KNOW when they were RAISED TO THE SUBLIME DEGREE OF A MASTER MASON. And, to answer the ORIGINAL question from the Brother Anthony Pomilia in Michigan about whether we as Prince Hall Affiliated Masons possess Modes of Recognition, Grips, and Passwords----my response to YOU is simple and as respectful as can be-----we possess 238 years of FREE AND ACCEPTED Masonic Legacy, Brother. We have the only ORIGINAL CHARTER still in existence issued by the Premier Grand Lodge of England on THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, locked away in a Bank Vault in Boston, Mass. We received this Charter in Sept of 1784, NINE YEARS AFTER THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED. And, Brother Prince Hall and 14 others were RAISED on March 6, 1775, 15 MONTHS BEFORE THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED. We sutdy and follow the same information now as they did then.


So, please, Brother, dont allow ONE INTERACTION WITH A MAN WHO MAY NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN A PRINCE HALL MASON CAUSE YOU TO QUESTION THE LEGITIMACY OF OUR MASONIC BUSINESS. Im sure there are PHA Brothers near your Hometown who would love to sit with you and Fellowship, and answer ANY additional questions you may have about our time honored insitution. If you are unable to locate any, feel free to contact ME anytime via Private Message...........I AM THE BOOK; I WALK IT AND I LIVE IT............Im always happy to share and spread LIGHT to those seeking it..............


I AM,

BRO. VINCENT C. JONES, SR., BAYOU CITY LODGE #228, PHA, F&AM
PRINCE HALL AFFILIATION, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONRY, DISTRICT 15-A, HOUSTON, TEXAS
MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF TEXAS, EST. 1878
This is so True what you have memorialized above my Brother! What "Main stream" lodge can say the have their original Charter from the Original Mother Lodge. Not one of them except us PHA Masons. I always say, I love Freemasonry, but I'm in love with Prince Hall Freemasonry! Belief in the Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of GOD!
 

tldubb

Premium Member
See Brothers this is a Prince Hall Thing! Unless you are one, you just don't understand! Don't get me wrong I love all my brethren and will aid and assist within the length of my c-tow. PS to the Brothers who are not PHA, go to the nearest MWPHGL in you respective state/jurisdiction and ask to speak to the Temple historian. Learn, about the man who was the first ever civil rights leader in the New World. A true patriot a true American in every sense of the word. God Bless! Peace be upon all!
 

levonwri

Registered User
A PHA mason does not talk or do masonary with another mason unless that brother is reconize as a prince hall mason.

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tldubb

Premium Member
A list of recognized Grand lodges can be given by your GL. PHA is recognized by almost all "MS" except for some of the 4 or 5 southern states. For obvious reasons nothing having to do with brotherly love. But recognition done through GL. Some GL do have blanket recognition others have limitations.
 

newkid18

Registered User
Solomon, no disrespect your not a master mason yet. Your a fellow craft, that explains every thing.


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I am an EA but were are the same in the fraternity as they taught us from the lowest apprentice to the greatest master we are all equal

If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." —Benjamin Franklin, American writer, humorist, ambassador, inventor and Freemason
 

bupton52

Moderator
Premium Member
A PHA mason does not talk or do masonary with another mason unless that brother is reconize as a prince hall mason.

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This is the most incorrect thing I have heard in quite some time.

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Jamarr/G\

Registered User
This is the most incorrect thing I have heard in quite some time.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Freemasonry mobile app

Yeah I disagree as well and I'm a PHA.MM
The only man I will not communicate with about the secrets of freemasonry is a man that is considered" bogus or clandestine".
A good standing brother that is a" main stream" mason is still a worthy brother!


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Last edited:

dew_time

Registered User
First off, i see only MM of PHA speaking masonicly in a public forum... not E.A. or F.C.
Next, In my lodge we all meet as brothers. In public I greet strangers as I would friends... why, when I become a MM, would I treat a brother as a lesser man?! That's ridiculous! !
Last, why the pissing contest to prove who we are? As I said before... public forum. If I'm ever in your area and I knock on your lodges door.. test me then. But until then, We're all just brothers chit chatting.

Doug Jewell
Entered Apprentice
Reynoldsburg #340
Ohio Grand Lodge of The F&AM
 

levonwri

Registered User
As a Prince Hall Affillated Mason we all have to follow the Constitution and bylaws in our jurisdiction. With that being said as PHA masons we can show brotherley love to other non -prince hall mason but cannot discuss PHA masons business. Any EA or FC shouldnt be challenging any MM. The brother had been initiate and pass and have not received more light in masonary. That brother should become a Master Mason first then seek more light in masonry.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Freemasonry mobile app
 

dew_time

Registered User
As a Prince Hall Affillated Mason we all have to follow the Constitution and bylaws in our jurisdiction. With that being said as PHA masons we can show brotherley love to other non -prince hall mason but cannot discuss PHA masons business. Any EA or FC shouldnt be challenging any MM. The brother had been initiate and pass and have not received more light in masonary. That brother should become a Master Mason first then seek more light in masonry.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Freemasonry mobile app

No one has done so brother...

Doug Jewell
Entered Apprentice
Reynoldsburg #340
Ohio Grand Lodge of The F&AM
 

perryel

Registered User
We are witnessing one of the many interesting debates within our great institution play out in this thread. I recall talking to the archivist about this very question during my visit to the House of the Temple in Washington DC. the library there is amazing. One of the many treasures it holds is a collection of small statues. Each statue depicts a POTUS who was also a Freemason. LBJ, who never progressed beyond the E.A. degree was not included in the set.

Our brotherhood is universal and its ideals are timeless precisely because the lessons of Freemasonry transcend the many variances we will encounter as we travel.

Ernest Perry
E.A., F.C., M.M. (PHA)




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perryel

Registered User
We are witnessing one of the many interesting debates within our great institution play out in this thread. I recall talking to the archivist about this very question during my visit to the House of the Temple in Washington DC. the library there is amazing. One of the many treasures it holds is a collection of small statues. Each statue depicts a POTUS who was also a Freemason. LBJ, who never progressed beyond the E.A. degree was not included in the set.

Our brotherhood is universal and its ideals are timeless precisely because the lessons of Freemasonry transcend the many variances we will encounter as we travel.

Ernest Perry
E.A., F.C., M.M. (PHA)




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Should read LBJ "was" included...

LYNDON B. JOHNSON


Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President, was born on August 27, 1908, on a farm near Stonewall, Texas. He was sworn in as the Chief Executive on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. A year later, running against the Republican nominee, Senator and Brother Barry Goldwater of Arizona, he won a landslide victory, to serve as President for the four-year term, January, 1965; January ,1969. He declined to run for re-election in 1968.

On October 30, 1937, he was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Johnson City, Texas. He never advanced. A week after his initiation he won an election for Representative in Congress and began a very busy political career in Washington which lasted until his retirement from the Presidency in January of 1969.

The opinion among Masons is divided as to whether he should be regarded as a Masonic President, since he never achieved the status of Master Mason. Masonic law in Texas declares that "Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts are Masons," although denied certain rights and privileges, Lyndon B. Johnson was accepted and initiated in a Masonic Lodge, and at that time was addressed as "Brother."



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dfreybur

Premium Member
A list of recognized Grand lodges can be given by your GL. PHA is recognized by almost all "MS" except for some of the 4 or 5 southern states. For obvious reasons nothing having to do with brotherly love. But recognition done through GL. Some GL do have blanket recognition others have limitations.

The big dog in the recognition discussion are states that don't have recognition yet. As I'm not a member of any of them what I can do is pray that Masonry prevails in the hearts of the representatives in that state any time it comes up for a vote.

There two smaller dogs ready for discussion among the rest of us.

1) Some jurisdictions that have recognition don't have a complete set. I'm an Illinois Mason - Illinois has blanket recognition. I'm a California Mason - The list from California is missing Delaware and Rhode Island. I'm checking on how to ask them to complete the set.

Recognition also has to go both ways. The fact that Illinois (plus DC and several other jurisdictions) has blanket recognition does not mean it is returned. When I read the California list it was actually two lists. One listed was all the PHA jurisdictions that had responded with mutual recognition (Texas is in that list). The other listed all of the PHA jurisdictions that have been invited by California who haven't responded yet.

To any of us who are members in a jurisdiction without blanket recognition there is something we can and I say should do - Ask our GLs to compete the set of recognition. Start with your secretary and find out what process you need to go through. some states have committees on recognition other states need legislation paperwork.

2) The second smaller dog is other details of recognition. Here in Texas where I live now the agreement does not allow visitation. Back in California where I'm a PM the agreement does not allow affiliation. These topics are mazes of bureaucratic red tape to me. I want them resolved and I know they will take time.

I have three action items - Ask California to complete the set by recognizing PHA Delaware and PHA Rhode Island. Ask California to remove the bureaucratic red tape restriction against dual affiliation - Let any other jurisdiction that has single affiliation rules handle that. and as I am an Illinois Mason in addition to a California Mason figure out if Illinois has any bureaucratic red tape issue like that.

Big dog the recognition map - http://bessel.org/masrec/phamap.htm

Blanket recognition, if your jurisdiction does not have it you probably need to vote to complete the set - http://bessel.org/masrec/phablanket.htm

Chart of gaps in recognition, this chart is not up to date so it shows more gaps than still exist - http://bessel.org/masrec/phachart.htm

The chart that gives gaps in recognition my not be up to date but it allows listed red tape issues like lake of visitation. I had to read the California table to find its problem with affiliation.
 

tldubb

Premium Member
A PHA mason does not talk or do masonary with another mason unless that brother is reconize as a prince hall mason.

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What does learning about history have to do with Masonic intercourse?


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always_square

Premium Member
I've recently met a Prince Hall Mason and he had no idea of any password, word for a grip, signs, or due guards. However, I was sure that he was definitely legit. But anyways, I know that the teachings of PHA are slightly different, and what I am wondering is if Prince Hall Masons have such signs and due guards. Anybody know?

Fellowcraft from Metamora/Hadley Lodge No. 210 of the GL of MI

How would you know he was "definitely" legit, if he was not i possession of the aforementioned?
 

perryel

Registered User
See Brothers this is a Prince Hall Thing! Unless you are one, you just don't understand! Don't get me wrong I love all my brethren and will aid and assist within the length of my c-tow. PS to the Brothers who are not PHA, go to the nearest MWPHGL in you respective state/jurisdiction and ask to speak to the Temple historian. Learn, about the man who was the first ever civil rights leader in the New World. A true patriot a true American in every sense of the word. God Bless! Peace be upon all!

The history of Prince Hall Freemasonry is the History of Black America. RWM Absalom Jones is the first African American Priest in the World Wide Anglican Communion, establishing St Thomas African Episcopal Church (my church) as the first free Black congregation in the U.S. in Phila., PA, 1792.

I love my Potentate...I love my Blue Lodge more...I'm in love with Prince Hall Freemasonry...


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