Membership

[Michael Hatley]

Brethren, maybe you can assist me. My lodge is a member of the GL of TX. I am interested in learning more, and in doing my small part to build bridges. To that end, I am interested in joining, if I am eligible and if it does not get me into hot water with my own Grand Lodge.

I'm reading about on the website, specifically here:

The Phylaxis Society

What I find leads me to believe that membership may be open to folks recognized by PHA GL, but I'm not sure.

Next, can a worthy Brother verify that, since this is not a Masonic organization, that Texas GL would permit my membership? I value my good standing very much and want to dot my i's and cross my t's. I also value my PHA Brethren and like I say, I'm into bridges.

I suppose I can mail my GL directly as well as the Phylaxis Society, but I thought perhaps someone here might have helpful information. I'm interested in visiting the local Houston chapter.

S&F,
Michael

 

[Bro.BruceBenjamin]

Greetings Michael,

I want to first of all thank you for your interest in the Phylaxis Society. The Society accepts MM who are in good standing with their lodges and their Grand Lodge must be PHA or recognized by UGLE. The society is not Masonic, but is made up of masons. In regards to getting in trouble with your lodge or Grand Lodge I don’t see how you can just by being a member and or contributing. The Society has numerous mainstream brothers among its membership. I hope this helps.

Bruce M. Benjamin Jr ,MPS
South Carolina Representative of Phylaxis Society

 

[Michael Hatley]

Thanks, Brother.

 

[Raymond Walters]

Br. Hatley,

May I ask what your final decision was regarding the Phylaxis Society?

 

[Bill Lins]

Bro. Michael,

As the Phylaxis Society predicates its membership upon being a Master Mason, it falls under the purview of the following Law:

Art. 225a. Other Organizations, predicating membership on Masonic membership, recognized.
In addition to those organizations recognized in Art. 225, next above, as being entitled to use Lodgerooms and Anterooms of Subordinate Lodges, the
Grand Lodge of Texas may recognize and authorize other organizations which predicate membership on Masonic membership. Recognition and authorization must take place by approval of the Grand Lodge in Grand Communication.

After an organization has been recognized and authorized by the Grand Lodge of Texas in Grand Communication, pursuant to this Art. 225a, Texas Masons may participate in, and be a part of, such organizations.

Organizations recognized and authorized by Article 225a are not to use the Lodgeroom and/or Anteroom of a Subordinate Lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge. The organizations recognized and authorized pursuant to this Art. 225a will be published in the annual proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Texas and a listing will be maintained in the office of the Grand Secretary for reference thereto.

This Grand Lodge has always had and retained the right to withdraw, at its pleasure, approval of any organization heretofore approved by it, and this Grand Lodge continues to reserve that right. (New 2005)

In other words, in order for a Texas Mason to join the Phylaxis Society, it must be on the list of recognized organizations. If you have access to your Lodge's copies of the Proceedings of the GLoT (published annually), you can check to see if it is on the list. Otherwise, you could contact the Grand Secretary's office & they should be able to tell you.

 

[Raymond Walters]

In response to your post I will thank you for reminding me once again of what I felt was over-regulation by the Grand Lodge of Texas when I held membership there.

The Phylaxis Society offers one additional option for the those that would like to receive the magazine and/or newsletters only. It is called SUBSCRIBER.

This should prevent one from being in violation of their GL's rules since you only receive a magazine subscription, and subscriptions are open to everyone, including the general public which eliminates anyone attempting to say that you were accepted due to being a Master Mason.

Just a thought if you would like to receive the magazine...



CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

Your Masonic titles and honors have no bearing whatsoever on the Society. The only titles that will be recognized by the Society are the following initials places after the individual member's name. They are M.P.S. (Member of the Phylaxis Society) and F.P.S. (Fellow of the Phylaxis Society). Affiliation with the Society is classified as follows:

1. Regular Member: Regular Master Mason in good standing.

2. Fellow's: Regular members and subscribers who have been honored by the Society for their outstanding service to the Society and to Prince Hall Masonry and who have done original research. The PHYLAXIS Society has numbered among its Fellows some of the most outstanding students and thinkers within Freemasonry.

3. Subscribers: Persons or organizations who are otherwise ineligible to become members, but who desire to receive the material published by the Society.



http://www.thephylaxis.org/phylaxis/membership.php

 

[towerbuilder7]

Bro. Walters, I will try my best to come your way soon, in regard to Applicaiton to the Phylaxis Society. There are at least two Brothers in my Lodge who are members of the Houston Chapter. And, Brother Hatley, I was going to suggest you contact the GLoTx Grand Sec to determine your eligibilty according to GLoTx Law. If by chance you are NOT permitted to join, Bro. Walter's suggestion to SUBSCRIBE is an excellent idea. It is a good way for you to read published works from some of the most prolific writers in Masonry. And, Bro. Walters, I'm sure, won't mind helping a couple of "rookies" like you and me along the road to further LIGHT. He is one one of the reasons I plan to join! BRO. JONES

 

[Brother JC]

I, too, am interested in membership. And while I don't believe affiliation will be a problem (NM's Grand Lodges are in full recognition with each other), I noticed a sponsor is required. Hopefully I will meet a member in my travels, perhaps even at our annual Grand Lodge Communication on the 15th.

 

[Michael Hatley]

I sent an email to the Grand Secretary here in Texas about this a good while back and never got a response. Now I've got so many Masonic irons in the fire that this fell off my radar. Will have to send out another note, I reckon.

 

[mrpierce17]

How dose one go about joining

 

[Bill Lins]

In response to your post I will thank you for reminding me once again of what I felt was over-regulation by the Grand Lodge of Texas when I held membership there.

Bro. Walters, you should know that just about every legitimate Grand Lodge, at least in this country, reserves to itself the same privilege.

 

[Raymond Walters]

Bro. Walters, you should know that just about every legitimate Grand Lodge, at least in this country, reserves to itself the same privilege.

Grand Lodges are free to regulate, over-regulate, or whatever they choose from what my travels have shown me personally... my particular experience while a member of the Grand Lodge of Texas was one of seeing hypocrisy firsthand in how regulations were selectively enforced by the Grand Lodge of Texas itself.

What good is a book of rules over 2 inches thick that can be ignored when convenient??? That is my only point!

 

[Bro. Staton]

Grand Lodges are free to regulate, over-regulate, or whatever they choose from what my travels have shown me personally... my particular experience while a member of the Grand Lodge of Texas was one of seeing hypocrisy firsthand in how regulations were selectively enforced by the Grand Lodge of Texas itself.

What good is a book of rules over 2 inches thick that can be ignored when convenient??? That is my only point!

Bro Walters who can sponsor a person???