
        NOTES, QUERIES & INFORMATION - June 1991

        By THE PHYLAXIS SOCIETY
              P.O. Box 3151
        Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas 66027


        THE TEMPLE AND THE LODGE: by Michael Baigent and
Richard Leigh. This is another work detailing the evolution of
Freemasonry from the Knight Templars. It is interesting
reading, and well written by two non-Masons. I would
recommend it to those who are interested in the subject.
I purchased my copy from Waldenbook Store. Cost $11.95.

        CAUCASIAN GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC: From its l2Oth
Annual Communication: "The All Canada Conference, as has
become the norm, was a very worthwhile conference dealing
with Canadian @@eemasonry. The Grand Lodge of Quebec
lead a discussion of Canadian Prince Hall Masonry. The obj-
ective of entering this item on the agenda was to try to secure
a Canadian consensus as to recognition of Canadian Prince
Hall Masonry. A Canadian concensus was reached whereby all
Canadian Grand Lodges will undertake to enter into dialogue with
their Prince Hall Masons in their home jurisdiction with a view
to making a Canadian decision at the All Canada Conference of
1992." (p.52)

        Under the guidance of M.W. Bro. D B. Geffken and
continued by M.W. Bro. N. E. Auclair, the Grand Lodge of Quebec
has been in dialogue with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge since the
fall of 1988. On November 11, 1989 M.W. Bro. N. E. Auclair and
the Grand Secretary were invited and accepted to be present at
the banquet following the institution of a new Prince Hall
Masonic Lodge named King David Lodge. The full name of the
Prince Hall Grand Lodge is the Grand Lodge of Ontario and
Jurisdictions - Prince Hall Affiliation. The dialogue has been
open and forthright including as participants the Grand Master
of Prince @Iall Masons in Quebec and Ontario, J. Dan Bancroft,
the Deputy Grand Master, Benjamin Layne and a Past Grand Master
Welsford Daniels. Representing the Grand Lodge of Quebec were
M.W. Bro's D. B. Geffken and N. E. Auclair, R. W. Bro. L. A
Phillips and the Grand Secretary. The forthrightneaa of the
dialogue quickly identified that the Prince Hall Masonry has the
same claim to regularity as do most Grand Lodges in North
America which trace their roots to the Grand Lodge of England.
it was a surprise to learn that the Prince Hall Affiliation has
its own Royal Arch Chapters, Scottish Rite, Shrine and Eastern
Star Chapter. Clearly the Prince Hal] Masons cannot be referred
to as irregular or clandestine. For the time being we must
simply refer to them as unrecognized which,of course, means that
for the time being we cannot enjoy intervisitations within tiled
meetings. Beyond that constraint there is no reason why we
cannot enjoy social intercourse. "

	"The Grand Master informed the Board that the Grand
Lodge of Quebec had entered into dialogue with the
representatives of Prince Hall Masonry. Certain of the Grand
Lodges in the United States have moved to recognize Prince
Hall Masonry and the present djscussions are exploring the
avenues that may be open to reaching some accommodation with this
body whose claim to legitimacy would seem to be as valid as that
of many of the Grand Lodges in the United States or Canada."(p80)

        CAUCASIAN G@AND LODGE OF LOUISIANA Minutes of -
Jan 28-29,1991 annual session. W:Brother Roy B.Tuck Jr., P.M.,
Chairman,Masonic Law and Jurisprudence Committee, referred
to the Grand Master's Address, which dealt with the -
State of the Order and more particulary with the Edict that
severed relations with the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. The
recommendation contained in the Grand Master's Address is that
the Edict withdrawing recognition of the Grand Lodge of
Connecticut be revoked at this Grand Lodge Session, and, further
recommended, that a "Grand Master's Statement of Position," in
reference to clandestine masonry be forwarded to
all Grand Jurisdictions that have recognized clandestine
Masonry, or shall choose to do so any date thereafter. The
recommendation further suggests that fraternal relations be
immediately reestablished with the Grand Lodge of Connecticut
Brother Tuck stated that this does not seek to amend existing
law. It can be adopted by majority vote. Brother Tuck moved for
the adoption of the recommendation. Recommendation was approved
by a near unanimous standing vote. The Grand Masters stated that
fraternal relations will be reestablished with the Grand Lodge
of Connecticut.

	In the Grand Master's Message (Roy McDuffie Grand
Master) as published in the Louisiana Freemason, Spring 1991:
"In October 1989 the Grand Lodge of Connecticut recognized and
established fraternal relations with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge
of Connecticut. The Grand Lodge of Louisiana does not recognize
Prince Hall Masonry as legitimate and considers them
clandestine. Therefore, on December 1, 1989, the Grand Master of
Louisiana issued an edict severing ALL Masonic relations and/or
communication with the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, A.F.& A.M.,
and the voting delegates at the 1990 session of Grand Lodge, in
Baton Rouge approved the Grand Master's Edict.

        The delegates at the 1991 session voted to restore
fraternal relations with the Grand Lodge of Connecticut;
however, a questian has arisen as to whether the procedure
was proper. Relations have not yet been restored with
Connecticut; therefore, the issue will be addressed through
resolution in the 1992 session.

        Since February 1990 the Grand Lodges in Nebraska,
Waahington, Wisconsin and Colarado have recognized Prince Hall
Masonry in their respective states. You are advised that you may
visit Lodges in these states and/or sit in tiled Masonic
meetings. It is, however, your responsibility to ascertain if
there are clandestinely-made masons present. If so, you are to
immediately remove yourself from that Lodge or meeting.
Remember, it is unlawful for us to hold Masonic communication
with a clandestinely-made Mason. Brethren take due notice in
this matter and govern yourselves accordingly.

        CAUCASIAN GRAND LODGE OF KANSAS: In its Intender Handbook
published by its Committee on Masonic Education 1990 covered up
the section on page 36 which read ". . .there are several
predominantly Negro masonic organizations who are considered
clandestine. The three largest of these are the Prince

                                 June 1991 - THE PHYLAXIS - Page 15

 Notes & Quotes Cont.

Hal] Grand Lodges, Affiliates of the National Compact Grand
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Color for the USA, and the
John G. Jones Affiliation." It now reads: "Clandestine
Freemasonry is that which is not recognized as 'Regular' or
'proper' by a majority of existng Grand Lodges. Most clandestine
Masonry has improper teachings and may even be unethical or
immoral. Clandestine is not necessarily connected with race,
color, national origin or politics. In much of the U.S.A.
Freemasonry, as we know it, is white (Caucasian). With the few
exceptions there are no Black masons in our 'regular' Lodges.
Blacks have their own 'Prince Hall' Freemasonry. Prince Hall is
seen today by most Scholars as being legitimate and regular and
some Grand Jurisdictions now have legitimate visiting between
Prince Hall and 'regular' Masonry within their jurisdictions. "

        Your Grand Lodge, at each session, votes on
granting 'recognition' which means we accept another Grand
Lodge as being 'regular.' We make that determination not
on color of skin or national origin, but on the 'teachings' of
the Grand Lodge under question."

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Phylaxis Society Lapel Membership Pin (shown at left) (12/16"
actual size), cast in "sterling silver". All members should
proudly wear one. Cost $25.00 plus $5.00 postage. Make checks
out to the Corporation of the First Presidency and send to:

        Hon. Tommy Rigmaiden FPS Phylaxis Society Curator

        808 LaFitte Drive   Alexandria, LA 71302

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                               June 1991 - THE PHYLAXIS - Page 16
