It is posts like this that cause much of the strife as it has partial truths. There is only one (1) legitimate PH Grand Lodge and it is not looking to be under AF&AM jurisdiction. What is this issue of PH Masons accepting the authority of the GLofTx? Why would we need to? The only thing that is being sought is
visitation!!! About your comment regarding African Lodge #1, you only told half the story. You neglected to mention the rest of the story where on March 2, 1784, African Lodge #1 petitioned the Grand Lodge of England, the Premier or Mother Grand Lodge of the world, for a warrant (or charter), to organize a regular masonic lodge, with all the rights and privileges thereunto prescribed. Or that the Grand Lodge of England issued a charter on September 29, 1784 to African Lodge #459, the first lodge of Blacks in America.
You mention that the PHA masons in your building have no restrictions on what communications that they can have with you. There are many things that can be talked about without restriction on either side. Which Landmarks must we guard? Is it
LANDMARK FOURTEENTH - The Right of Every Mason to Visit and Sit in Every Regular Lodge is an unquestionable Landmark of the Order." This is called "the right of visitation." This right of visitation has always been recognized as an inherent right, which inures to every Mason as he travels through the world. And this is because Lodges are justly considered as only divisions for convenience of the universal Masonic family. This right may, of course be impaired or forfeited on special occasions by various circumstances; but when admission is refused to a Mason in good standing, who knocks at the door of a Lodge as a visitor, it is to be expected that some good and sufficient reason shall be furnished for this violation, of what is in general a Masonic right, founded on the Landmarks of the Order. I have a cousin in Minnesota who is a member of both affiliations. He is a Past Master of F&AM and a Past Grand Junior Deacon of AF&AM. That is possible because they buried their issues long ago. Just two weeks ago, the two affiliations had a joint BBQ. My brother in Ohio has the right of visitation between both affiliations. See the pattern? Change is coming and both co-exist in harmony except in the few justifications where people can't let the past be the past.
The one of them that was referred to as clandestine was PHO. PHO is not chartered by the Grand Lodge of England and is a faction that broke away from PHA. MY dream is that at some point we can truly live up to our obligation and we a fraternity of Good Men. Different Affiliations, Same Goal, not one absorbing the others into itself. By the way, for the correct history of PH Masonry, you can go to The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Massachusetts (
http://www.princehall.org/).
This post is my Opinion Only.