March  10,   1990


THE TRAVELLING MASON

Prince Hail Masonry, What is Happening?

by R.W. Bro.  Norm Senn, PDDGM


On March 3rd, 1990, I had the good fortune to be at a Board of
Trustees meeting of the International Order of Job's Daughters in
Omaha, Nebraska.  On that occasion the cornerstone of the newly
purchased International Center for that Order was laid by the
Grand Master of Nebraska and his officers.

There were four things of note about the meeting of Grand Lodge. 
First, all of the Grand Lodge Officers attended at the
cornerstone laying.  These officers came from homes all across
the state and were to be congratulated on the support of their
Grand Master.  Second, Grand Lodge was opened in Ample Form in
Papillion Lodge Hall in the presence of the wives, guests and
Job's Daughters in attendance for the ceremony.  Third, the Grand
Master left the East to address those assembled and spoke from
the area of the altar with eye contact to all.  He introduced his
officers, with anecdotes about each, and then gave a short, broad
ranging address which was most enjoyable.  Fourth, his address
included a comment on the recognition of Prince Hall Masonry by
the Grand Lodge of Nebraska.

This latter point was of considerable interest to me as I have
recently placed a question in the Grand Lodge Bulletin and had
been assembling material for an answer.  I have read the letter
from the Grand Secretary of Quebec informing other Grand
Secretaries of the meetings currently occurring in that Province
with representatives of Prince Hall Masonry.  I have read the
reasoned arguments of the Philalethes International Society in a
paper entitled "A Problem for the 90s; Prince Hall Masonry and
the Question of Regularity" by Wallace McLeod.  This paper was
given at the Conference held in Toronto on September 23, 1989. 
The name of the conference was appropriately called "Vision
20/100: Bridging the Negatives".  I had heard of the recognition
of Prince Hall Masonry by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut and the
almost immediate withdrawal of recognition by one of the Southern
U.S. jurisdictions.  Now here was another jurisdiction braving
the storm.

I approached the Grand Master after the ceremonies were over and
the almost 500 visitors had dispersed and was lucky enough to
talk with M.W. Bro. John McHenry for more than a half hour.  He
explained that with little dissent but much discussion, the Grand
Lodge of Nebraska had fully recognized Prince Hall Masonry.  This
allowed full visitation rights between the two Masonic bodies and
freedom to apply for the affiliation across the two bodies.  I
asked about any problems they had encountered and he said that by
doing all their homework prior to the meeting, the spurious
arguments brought up by opponents were quickly laid to rest.  He
stated that Prince Hall Masonry seems to be as regular as many
U.S. Grand Lodges and in fact more regular than some.  He said
the major argument was based on the artificial and man-made rule
that no two jurisdictions can overlap in jurisdiction.  In the
case of Prince Hall Masonry of course, social and Masonic
pressures have not allowed them to establish a separate
jurisdiction and there is no space at the present for this to
occur.  He suggested that man-made rules can be changed to meet
special circumstances.

M.W. Bro. McHenry suggested that it is the responsibility of
Masons to practice what they preach.  When this is related to the
brotherhood of Man all artificial barriers must be removed.  He
further pointed out that he was happy that the Masons of Nebraska
have done what they thought was right in the light of Masonry. 
He concluded with the point that it is interesting to really
listen to what those who are opposed to the recognition of Prince
Hall Masonry are truly saying.

I have been promised more material on this topic from the Grand
Master and will report again when it is available.

A Question from Lochearn Lodge No. 151

Question:

How can members be discouraged from using profanity in the
ante-room or at the supper table?

Answer:

Restrictions on the use of profanity are generally included in
the by-laws of each lodge.  The wording may read to the effect
that: No member or visitor shall presume in open lodge, either at
labour or refreshment, to make use of any profane, irreverent or
improper expressions ... underthe penalty etc..

On becoming a member, each initiate or affiliate is asked to sign
the by-laws as a declaration of submission thereto.

Since it is more likely that profanity would occur while at
refreshment, the Junior Warden could tactfully include a comment
on this, in his initial announcements at the first meeting of the
new year.

Service and professional organizations sometimes use various
techniques to control profanity; such as assessing members a
nominal monetary penalty for each violation.  This should not be
necessary, however, in the Masonic fraternity where conduct is
under the watchful eye of the Worshipful Master, who is at
liberty to reprimand in accordance with the by-laws of the lodge.


An interesting article on the subject of profanity, entitied,
"How Can I Resist the Urge to Curse," appeared in the September
8, 1989 issue of "Awake." The article contains numerous biblical
references on the subject of profanity and advises as follows:
"Out of fear of losing a friend, some might be inclined to pass
off what was said as something small.  However, real friends look
out for one another, even if it means 'wounding' a friend's
feelings by telling the truth.  A kindly reminder-not a
lecture-may be all that is necessary to correct maners."


Tom Hargreaves,
Fiat Lux No. 1980



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