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Regarding PHA members

Nat Geo 357

Registered User
What I said was that I have text from the 1800s stating that PHA was clandestine, my point was what one may call clandestine today just might be mainstream tomorrow. I know PHA has never been clandestine and never will. The entire gist of the conversation was and is there are many places to gain light and education from. Just because one may think they have the rule book does not make that necessarily true because under vigilant study you will find that others have rule books and some predate the rule book that is considered the authority by thousands of years. I hope his clears up our misunderstanding.


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Nat Geo 357

Registered User
One thing I learned in college many years ago is that at some point people in open debate/ communication have to reach a point where they choose to agree they are at a variance and respect the other persons view point regardless if they follow it or not. I am at that point. I respect your views and our passion it is exactly what is need in Freemasonry today. Travel Light.


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Nat Geo 357

Registered User
How about dealing with some real life issues like. Over 60 % of Master Masons that are raised never visit the lodge again. An alarming number in my opinion. Also membership, dues and petitions are at an all time low in the last 100 plus years. Fraternal organizations across the board are is dire need of help. A lodge may have 50 plus upwards of members on the books but can't get 15% of them to come to lodge meeting or chapter or council for that matter. It is so bad that bodies have relaxed their rules and lowered dues just to entice members. I remember when a brother was raised there was standing room only MM came from all the lodges within 100 miles to witness such a beautiful day. I truly think these are the issues of the day. I ask how can we as MM help change the tone. In most cities OES are out performing the Lodges. I think as a group we need a think tank to address these issues. I visited the Grand Lodge Of NYC and they have it down pat. They are doing something correct because they are full standing room only the same thing with The Grand Lodge of Philadelphia. So if these two lodges have managed to not only survive but sustain growth we need to see what is it that they are doing. I have my ideas and I am in the process of implementing some of their ideas into my local lodge.


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perryel

Registered User
Nat, you've claimed to be a Prince Hall Mason all over this forum, but I've yet to read a post from you that is remotely complimentary of PHA.

I have travelled as a Freemason for many years, in many houses, and across many jurisdictions...Prince Hall and "Mainstream." And, I must say I've never experienced rhetoric like yours...


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Nat Geo 357

Registered User
I am very happy with Prince Hall the man he was way before his time and I am very happy that Africa Lodge# 1 was able to start under the direction of the Grand Lodge Of Ireland. I am also very aware of the good work that PHA does in the community and applaud that also. But I will not sit on the laurels of the past and be happy with the current stagnation. If you feel that I have been hard on PHA by stating the truth and the past then so be it. Complacency is a disease I am very active in my PHA lodge but I am also very critical of issues that stagnate us such as single affiliation rule, and the policy of not dealing with other bodies. And the one item that people fail to see is that I am Mason first last forever. PHA is just a place where I was raised. If you read my comments I was crucial toward some of the inner thinkings of people. Not of the bodies they belong to. If you received that view from my comments you read way to much into it. The one thing that I kept coming back to was and is the universality of Masonry. I think that is the cure for the stagnation that has plagued not only PHA but also F&AM, AF&AM, AFM and so forth. When a group a people start to believe they are better off or more balanced then another based on rhetoric and inner rituals you have a problem. When someone sees my light and say are you a Mason I say with pride yes I am a Mason. It has never stuck me to put what body I attend before that sentence. Because again if you see a brother giving you the Grand Hailing Sign, are you going to ask him what body or Rite does he belong to? I doubt that you or any other worthy brother mason would do that. One word changes it all Worthy. Again Travel Light.


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bupton52

Moderator
Premium Member
if you see a brother giving you the Grand Hailing Sign, are you going to ask him what body or Rite does he belong to? I doubt that you or any other worthy brother mason would do that. One word changes it all Worthy. Again Travel Light.


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That is the clandestine masons most popular statement. What if a female mason gives you that same GHS?


S&F
Bro. Byron Upton
 

bupton52

Moderator
Premium Member
It's a serious question. You'd be surprised what answer I get most of the time.


S&F
Bro. Byron Upton
 

solomon1979

Registered User
Great discussion brothers. Tldubb. You almost came across as trying to force your reasoning and knowledge on another causing discontent by challenging his knowledge of history by by bringing up a topic this discussion wasn't started on. Alas you reconciled with Nat and slayed your ego and that makes us Masons. Everyone including myself needs to bring it back to basic simplicity of the craft and its teachings. Nat is correct about dealing with current situations. What happened centuries ago and what was written doesn't always apply to our day and age. Socrates was not a mason and he has hardly any original surviving texts. It was the Freemasons who were influenced by him and many others to form this great country.


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Nat Geo 357

Registered User
Clandestine statement wow is all I can say. Well I thought we were having an honest debate on views. But I regress Travel Light


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Last edited:

solomon1979

Registered User
QUOTE=AnthonyPomilia357;97792]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[/QUOTE]


This is what the topic was started with. It went from a simple question to questioning a persons knowledge of socrates to calling people clandestine. How embarrassing. I wonder if anyone looks at there S$C and recalls why they began their journey? If this how PHA masons are then I will never grace their lodges with my presence until I am proven different.


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PHA KD#50

Registered User
Don't let the actions of a few you disagree with change or alter you opinion of an entire group of people...


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PHA KD#50

Registered User
I hardly ever reply to threads. I just enjoy reading the different things that are posted and enjoy reading brothers different opinions on various subjects. Everyone is entitled to there own opinions and I respect that but please don't let the actions of a few that you might disagree with shape your opinion of Prince Hall Masons in general. Since when do a few represent an entire organization?

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in UNITY...

FC


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solomon1979

Registered User
I retract my previous words about that. If you read through the thread. You will see how the topic changed. I actually admire Prince Hall. He had cojones to stand up for himself. Setting aside differences. Some people today forget that and don't reflect his ideals for starting his own lodge.


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2B1

Registered User
I am not sure if your original question or concern was addressed, but let me assure you that PHA is no joke. We absolutely have signs, steps, due guard, grips, and all the other rights of passage that accompany Masonry. I so not know where you are from or where you met the brother you met, but take a trip to Washington DC and visit the temple on U street. There are communications on most nights of the week. Sit in with any lodge and I am sure you will put your questions to rest. These are some of GE most polished and informed brothers you can meet.

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tldubb

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


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Nat Geo 357

Registered User
Has anyone ever noticed that the regalia that the Grands and the WM and The High Priest wear, are all very similar to the same regalia that the ancient Egyptian Master Builders wore? The fancy necklace, the apron and the left foot forward? Just asking if anyone else has ever noticed that. Matter of fact take a look at President Washington and Prince Hall in full regalia. You will notice the left foot forward, The necklace and the apron of the master builder from over 5000 years ago.


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Jamarr/G\

Registered User
Sorry but it does not refer to your specific jurisdiction. .
It refers to the # of your lodge.

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