Letter of Complaint about West Virginia DeMolay

Greetings Brethren!



My name is Raymond Sean Walters, a member of Internet Lodge No. 9659 in Manchester, United Kingdom, part of the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire and warranted under The United Grand Lodge of England.

I currently reside in West Virginia, a GL territory that is openly hostile to Africans, African-Americans and other non-Caucasian ethnicities, even when these persons hold Masonic membership in regular, recognized lodges and grand lodges that Grand Lodge of West Virginia is in amity and fraternal recognition with.

I myself have been and am still denied ability to visit (and have been for 10 years). While Masonic visit is a privilege, not a right; denying visit for un-masonic reasons, then being vocally belligerent about it while trying to start a fight with the potential visitor is equally abhorrent in my personal opinion.

It was such an event that caused me to file a formal complaint with Grand Lodge of West Virignia in 2005, which is what caused MWBro. Frank Haas to become involved as the sitting Grand Master of Grand Lodge of West Virignia at that time.

West Virginia is the Grand Lodge that expelled a Past Grand Master without Masonic trial or charges of any kind filed, and other GL's have sat back and allowed this to happen. In fact, PGM Frank Haas was just denied his third appeal for restoration of his Masonic rights and privileges despite it being 8+ years since he was improperly expelled, and 5 years since winning a judgement against GL of WV in a civil court that ruled GL of WV had violated it own regulations regarding expulsion of PGM Haas.

The purpose of my post today is to inform you all that this foolishness surrounding this Grand Lodge of West Virignia has been and continues to affect and impact young children - boys who have interest in joining the DeMolay program in West Virginia.

These boys were first directed to the Knights of Pythagoras program, a program which is sponsored by Prince Hall Grand Lodges, but the last functioning chapter of KOP in Weirton, West Virginia no longer exists due to the members having "aged out". With the demise of that program, DeMolay is a parallel program these parents and boys were encouraged to look into.



Just today, I filed a formal letter of complaint with the Executive Director of DeMolay International, a Mr. Michael Russell at the Kansas office.

Though I have no children of eligible age to be part of DeMolay, I refuse to stand by and watch young boys be denied an opportunity based on nothing more than physical appearance.

My parents raised and taught me better than that. As a MAN I have enough sense to stand for myself, and for those who can't stand or defend themselves. As a Freemason, my obligations dictate that I take action and stand on basic moral principles of fairness and equality.



I AM including the body of the letter I sent today
*****************************************

Raymond Sean Walters

Post Office Box 635

Weirton, West Virginia 26062-0635

Mr. Michael Russell, Executive Director

DeMolay International

10200 NW Ambassador Drive

Kansas City, MO 64153

Dear Mr. Russell,

I hope that all finds you well with the writing of this letter. 

I first attempted to call your office with questions and seeking guidance, and the young woman I spoke with gave me a couple of options to communicate my question and complaint to your attention as Executive Director of DeMolay International.

My first question was the requirements for membership for young men who may be interested in seeking membership.

Here in West Virginia, it has been brought to my attention on multiple occasions that young boys of African American or other non-Caucasian ethnicities are being denied consideration for membership in DeMolay International in West Virginia. 

This move oddly parallels the Grand Lodge of West Virginia's official "un-official" mandate that NO men of African descent or other non-Caucasian ethnicity be permitted to petition, affiliate with, or even visit any subordinate lodge under the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. These violations are being committed against members of regular lodges under grand lodges that Grand Lodge of West Viriginia is in amity and fraternal recognition with.

While I understand that the Grand Lodge of West Virginia does not control DeMolay, the advisors most typically are members of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, a grand lodge where an atmosphere of coercion and intimidation to employ racist, discriminatory tactics is at hand and used on a regular basis within that grand lodge. These negative attitudes subsequently spill over onto other concordant, appendant or sponsored youth groups operating within this grand lodge territory.

My point I truly wish to make is that discrimination against adults is one matter that adults can address in a manner they deem fit for such circumstance; but open discrimination against innocent children is a completely different scenario that is and should be unacceptable, and just may be considered so by a majority of Masonic members worldwide, beyond my own personal opinion.

While I do hold Masonic membership in another Grand Lodge, I AM writing this email out of concern for the message of exclusion that has been and is still being sent by DeMolay advisors who hold Masonic membership in Grand Lodge of West Virginia. 

The current message being sent here in West Virginia strikes me as contrary to DeMolay standards and a gross violation of conduct expected of any Masonic member involved with advising any youth group.

Sincerely,

Raymond Sean Walters

​Post Office Box 635

Weirton, West Virginia 26062-0635​

King Hiram: The Masonic Chief Architect from Crete by Moe Bedard of Gnostic Warrior

This writing takes students places they need to get to, but many of the current schools of esoteric study won’t get them headed in a proper direction or destination.

That system failure I have observed is often due to inadequate instruction, with instructors who are well versed in teaching the Masonic or other esoteric systems in such short supply today that it should be considered a travesty that matters have been permitted to erode and deteriorate the way that they have.

Please remember that there are 7 liberal arts & sciences. We as Freemasons are encouraged to study them all, and in that study it should eventually become apparent to any student of Freemasonry how they inter-connect and interrelate.

Also remember that advancement in Freemasonry, just as in life should be on true merit, not seniority or favoritism. As Freemasons we are to work diligently, learning and perfecting our “craft”, showing ourselves qualified for advancement, that peculiar mark of distinction bestowed upon us by the Craft.

I sincerely hope that you will all enjoy this writing by Bro. Moe Bedard of Gnostic Warrior.

King Hiram: The Masonic Chief Architect from Crete

Copyright(s) All Rights Reserved

© 2008-2015 The Sophia Trust™
© 2008-2015 Raymond Sean Walters™
© 2008-2015 Raymond Sean Walters a/k/a Renaissance Man™
© 2015 Perspectives Of A Master Mason™

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to The Sophia Trust and Raymond Sean Walters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Masonic visit to Lodge Ad Lucem No. 812

On October 26, 2015 A.D./ 6015 A.L. I had the pleasure of accepting invitation to and visiting with WBro. Erastus Allen and the members of Lodge Ad Lucem No. 812 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Lodge Ad Lucem No. 812 works under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and Masonic Jurisdiction Thereunto Belonging.

WBro. Allen and myself are both members of The Philalethes Society which is how we first became acquainted several years ago.

I had a wonderful time visiting and listening to the educational lectures, one of which was from a visiting brother from San Marcos Lodge in San Marcos, Texas. There was also another visiting Brother from California present at this meeting.

After the lodge was closed, we proceeded to a Table Lodge and had a joyous time fellowshipping and enjoying each others company with more stimulating conversation.

I would strongly recommend that if you find yourself in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the 4th Monday of the month, find time to visit with these Brothers. It will be time well spent in my opinion.

Myself with WBro. Eric Cohen, Worshipful Master of Lodge Ad Lucem No. 812

Lodge Ad Lucem No. 812

The Philalethes Society

Hidden Church of the Illuminati: A Review of Esoteric Tradition from Atlantis to the Present Day by Richard, Duc de Palatine

International College of Esoteric Studies Liber 71 

(posted to FB group The Liberian Compass on 8 October 2015 1600 hours)

Title: Hidden Church of the Illuminati: A Review of Esoteric Tradition from Atlantis to the Present Day by Richard, Duc de Palatine

Purpose: This writing expounds on and helps explain some aspects of Freemasonry Craft degrees, especially the degree of Master Mason, including aspects of the Holy Royal Arch Mason degree

Though Liber 71 (and others) can be found online, anyone not a Freemason will NOT see the connections or usefulness of this (and many other lessons) that come from the various esoteric schools/ traditions that Freemasonry has pulled its lessons/ teachings from.

What I have always sought to correct is the overall lack of Masonic teaching, coupled with the fact that there are so few teachers of the Masonic or other Esoteric teachings despite the interest by many who are on a spiritual path seeking Light/ Enlightenment.

It is my sincere hope that those who choose to read/ study this Liber will come to see the connection(s) and gain better understanding of Masonic ritualistic teachings and the important lessons contained therein.

Fraternally,

Raymond Walters

link:

ICES Liber 71 Hidden Church of the Illuminati: A Review of Esoteric Tradition from Atlantis to the Present Day by Richard, Duc de Palatine

Knight’s Templar, Scotland and Mysticism with Hugh Gilbert

The 7 Chakra points are discussed and how the magnetic flows of the earth line up with those points and what planet lines up with that geographical point on the earth.

The names of the town/country of each point is named starting at 09:50 through 11:15; 11:15 through 12:40 he discusses the 8th point at a mountain called Schiehallion, and Adepts would have instinctively known to go there after completion of their studies in the previous seven points.

8- Schiehallion is sometimes described as the centre of Scotland. The justification is that the line of latitude midway between the most northerly and southerly points on the Scottish mainland, and the line of longitude midway between the most easterly and westerly points, intersect very near the summit of Schiehallion.

7- Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland; Saturn
6- Amien, France; Jupiter
5- Notre Dame, France; Mars
4- Chartres, France; Sun
3- Orleans, France; Venus
2- Toulouse, France; Mercury
1- Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Moon

It is documented that the Knights Templar had cathedrals and training centers built at all these locations, and used them for training new Knights, each Knight spending one year of training at each location.

Geocentric medieval scheme of the seven planets: In the centre "Terra" the earth. 

In the following circles (from centre to periphery) 1) Luna (Moon), 2) Stella Mercuri (Mercury) 3) Venis stella (Venus) 4) Sol (Sun) 5) Martis stella (Mars) 6) Jovis stella (Jupiter) 7) Saturni stella (Saturn) [1162 AD]

https://youtu.be/eC0vGFMem9w

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schiehallion

http://www.renneslechateau.nl/2007/12/22/chateau-de-blanchefort/

Resources for Aspiring Writers

Joseph Walkes on Masonic Writing

Lecturing on Masonic Writing

Reproduced here with the kind permission of WBro. John Hairston of The Phylaxis Society

Presentation by Yoshio Washizu, PGM, Japan

Lectures on Critical Reading of Masonic Literature

          Reproduced here with the kind permission of Albert McClelland of WEOFM

Resources for Writing Better

From the website of Cornerstone Book Publishers

Rules for Writers with 2009 MLA and 2010 APA Updates

by Diana Hacker

Defining Critical Thinking

From the Foundation for Critical Thinking

Mystery of the Apron by Bro. Dennis Reel

The Mystery of the Apron is a story originally shared by Bro. Dennis Reel of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and a story written by Jackie Bridges of The Shelby Star in Shelby, North Carolina.

I AM sharing the story on my blog as I found it to be very interesting. I hope you all agree.

By Jackie Bridges / jbridges@shelbystar.com

Published: Monday, March 18, 2013 at 11:05 AM.

A Mason’s ceremonial lamb skin apron is a record of achievement – the badge of a Mason. The majority of Masons are buried with the apron around them or it is passed down to the family.

“A Mason knows where the apron is at all times and the family knows where it is to be able to use it at the funeral,” said Dennis C. Reel.

When an apron dated 1919 was found in a shoebox recently by the Masons at Cleveland Lodge No. 202 in Shelby, they called Reel to come and take a look.

The name written on the apron was H.C. Johnson and his lodge was Orient Lodge No. 395 in Wilmington.

“I’m a life member at the Lodge in Wilmington,” said Reel, who moved to Cleveland County in 2005. “I can visit any lodge in the world. They know I’m from Wilmington and that I visit a lot of lodges.”

Reel and the others are wondering how the apron ended up in Shelby and would like to return it to Johnson’s relatives. Returning the apron is important, because of the values of Masonry, he said.

“Free Masonry is not a religion, but we are religious in nature,” he said. “We believe in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. We teach friendship, morality and brotherly love. It is my duty to see that this apron is returned to the family.”

If Reel can’t find any living relatives, he will deliver the apron to the Orient Lodge and it will be displayed there.

On the inside of the apron is recorded when Johnson received his First, Second and Third degrees. To receive each degree, a mason must recite the catechism.

“The catechism is not written down, it is passed down orally,” Reel said. “For this man to have gone through all three degrees in 50 days is unheard of.”

With the information he had, Reel contacted the Grand Lodge and found out the following.

Horace Clifton (H.C.) Johnson was born in Fayetteville in 1895 and died March 25, 1956. He was married to Esther Dew Johnson, who died July 3, 1996.

He received his First Degree July 7, 1919; his Second Degree, July 18, 1919; and his third degree Aug. 27, 1919. He lived at 3919 Sweetbriar Road, Wilmington, and paid his dues for 37 years. His daughter, Georgia Symmes, died July 6, 1993. She had two sons, Michael D. Symmes and Patrick Symmes .

If anyone has information about Johnson or his family, contact Reel at 704-937-0639 or email deno4reel@aol.com.

Shelby Star Article link - Mystery of the apron

2nd Shelby Star Article- Mason's apron still a mystery

******************************************************************************
3-15-2015 Addendum by Bro. Dennis Reel for this blog page:  FOLLOW-UP

The apron belonging to Bro. Horace Johnson has been returned and a link from the news source in Wilmington, NC is provided.

Apron returned to its owner after more than 50 years

There will be a follow up on my blog about this and other Masonic stories of interest and historical significance.

Until then, do the best you can with what you have got!

Fraternally,

Raymond Sean Walters a/k/a Renaissance Man

Twice Raised Freemason

My Ideal Masonic Lodge - Part 2 - Service & Leadership

Greetings!

In a previous paper I shared my thoughts in an essay of what I would consider the Ideal Masonic Lodge. The idea for the title came from W. Bro. Chad Simpson, WM of the Ohio Lodge of Research, a body I presently hold associate membership in.

Previously, I covered what could be taken as some basics of membership along with what many of us may feel are reasonable basics that should be met regarding ourselves and potential new members we accept into membership of our Craft Lodges.

In this writing I wish to address what I see as a key element to Masonic membership that can become corn-holed inadvertently due to distraction. That missing element is Leadership, and oft times poor leadership can be traced to poor service. 

A person unwilling to SERVE at all times after being placed in a leadership position indicates a serious matter for the lodge (or other organization) that places such a person in a leadership role.

To be fair, it isn't always the fault of the poor leader; said leader could have not been taught properly which will expose another flaw of the Craft Lodge system. The premise is that no Master will take on more Apprentices or Fellows than he can adequately instruct or has work to assign them. On the surface this just seems like long-winded ritualistic baggage that may have outlived its usefulness in our technologically advanced age we are now in... I hope to show why it is still relevant, and can help create the ideal lodge if applied properly.

As it is the responsibility of the Master to set his Trestle Board and make adequate plans so that he can set the Craft to work and give them proper instruction for their labors, the Master plays an important role in this entire equation I AM discussing in this writing.

We are all aware of membership declines that have steadily increased in the last four decades of the 20th century and are still taking place at this time in American Freemasonry. There have been many articles, papers or other research used in attempt to determine what has caused this steady decline and this writing is no different in that I AM offering but another opinion arrived at after 25 years of Masonic membership.

Though I AM chronologically young in age under commonly accepted Masonic standards, at my current age of 46 I have had the privilege of holding Masonic membership for 25 years. For that reason I consider myself a dinosaur, a part of the "has been" crew. In spite of this humorous opinion of myself, I have great respect for our Masonic regulations and traditions, and would not consider altering them in any way without serious thought being given before doing so.

One of those commonly accepted traditions is taking a new member and appointing him to what could be considered an entry level position in the lodge. Depending on the lodge and its needs, that entry level position in a majority of cases may be one of the Steward positions. 

For me, it may be advantageous to any lodge that is in proper working order to start any new member in a Steward position for one key reason; that reason being that ALL must learn to SERVE before any can expect to LEAD. I have seen nowhere else where SERVICE is more important in a fraternal organization than this of Freemasonry. 

I AM in no way advocating that true merit and talent should be stifled, stepped on, or excluded in any way. [That decision would seem to be an internal lodge matter on deciding how or when to advance a member as election or appointment of officers is by vote of the lodge or its Master]

The additional aspect of serving in the various stations and places of the lodge is that the young member learns the workings of the lodge, an important process to become competent at one's craft, whatever that craft may be, and the young member learns what it is to serve the others by serving the lodge. This would follow our Masonic tradition of "having done as all brothers and fellows before me".

Along the way, that same member is learning to lead in that every station or place carries certain responsibilities with it, and all elected and appointed members diligently carrying out their duties helps the lodge function in a smooth, efficient manner which honors the Master (who took time to plan the work) and pleasures the Craft (who carried out the planned work) so that all may be able to be called from labor to refreshment in due season when labor is completed.

A connection that I have observed gets lost in the flurry of activity when instructing a new member is that Masonic lessons and teachings are life lessons and teachings when one looks at them from another perspective --- operative and speculative are the two words we should stay mindful of, and please take heed to categorize lessons under one of these two headings as they are all relevant to us in our travels.

It is my sincere hope that this writing inspires the reader to seek a new vantage point for an alternate perspective. We all can use a little reminder from time to time.

I have also provided a link to the original paper for those wishing to read it...

My Ideal Masonic Lodge (an essay)

http://raymondswalters.blogspot.com/2014/06/my-ideal-masonic-lodge-essay.html

References:

More Light by H.W. Sanders

Leadership Means More Than Faithful Service by S. Brent Morris

Mackey's Jurisprudence of Freemasonry by Albert G. Mackey

Selected Readings of Morals and Dogma - selected and arranged by Albert Beckman

An Inconvenient Truth about Freemasonry by Nelson King

Experience of Masonry as a Transformational Art by Robert G. Davis

Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss, Ph.D. 

Copyright © 2014 Raymond Sean Walters a/k/a Renaissance Man

Dr. PHIL VALENTINE ~ THE TREE OF LIFE

Raymond Sean Walters : Cowan & Eavesdropper Alert!!!

Raymond Sean Walters : Cowan & Eavesdropper Alert!!!: Apparently, Rick Wells is still at it; perpetrating himself as a legitimate "Regular" Freemason when he is anything but that. ...

A Masonic "Bill of Rights". Is it needed?

I have shared my comment to a thread on MyFreemasonry.com that asks should we have a Masonic "Bill of Rights". I have also provided a link to the original thread for those who may wish to read the other comments on this topic.

http://myfreemasonry.com/threads/a-masonic-bill-of-rights-is-it-needed-is-it-possible.12988/

My response:

I think you raise a valid point here, though I AM still curious as to why those who have become part of this fraternal organization are unable to conform to our rules, and why other members don't privately chastise those members (or leaders) who do not follow our rules.

In 25 years I have seen a lot of what I would term foolishness being exhibited by so-called leaders of our Grand Lodges. I started out in 1988 being subjected to a doctrine of separate & un-equal by being told that I could NOT petition a mainstream lodge, and that I must petition a Prince Hall lodge because my mother was Black... still makes NO sense to me even today.

I spent 10 years as a member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge's of North Carolina, Ohio & South Carolina, often mistreated by other Blacks because my views and life experiences didn't match up with theirs or what they felt mine should be. During that 10 years, I submitted a petition to a Lodge under the Grand Lodge of North Carolina (1995), only to be rejected at the ballot box. The explanation given was that the lodge wasn't ready for a Black member. Really? So once again, my physical appearance was being used to make a decision about my fitness for membership.

I left Prince Hall Grand Lodge of South Carolina in 2000 and petitioned mainstream Grand Lodge of Texas in 2001 (where I was living then), only to be accepted by my lodge members but unwelcome in other subordinate lodges warranted by the Grand Lodge of Texas as a visitor... something that the Masonic Code of the Grand Lodge of Texas specifically forbids. When I (WM and Past Master's of my lodge) complained about the mistreatment, it was swept under the rug and over-looked by Grand Lodge of Texas officers from 2001-2005. I eventually requested a demit and moved on with my life, still holding membership in Grand Lodge of North Carolina where I had held membership as a dual member in the same lodge that denied me membership in 1995.

I leave Texas, return home to West Virginia so that I can be degraded by persons claiming to be Freemasons when attempting to visit a lodge in West Virginia. As my visitation was denied for what I felt were un-Masonic grounds, I lodged a complaint; first with my Grand Lodge, and then with the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. 

At that time (2005-06), MW Br. Frank Haas was Grand Master and he acted on my complaint. PGM Haas sought to make positive, progressive changes in his grand lodges code, which he did accomplish. Every change voted on was over-turned by his successor, and there is now an informal agreement that if one wishes to serve as a Grand Lodge of West Virginia officer, one will not permit any Blacks in lodges regardless of what jurisdiction they are from that Grand Lodge of West Virginia may be in amity with.

To this day I AM unwelcome as a visitor of subordinate lodges warranted under the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, am unable to visit lodges in eastern Ohio that border West Virginia or visit lodges in western Pennsylvania for the same reason I AM denied visitation in West Virginia. I have been back in the area I was raised in since 2005, it is now 2014... that is 9 years of being excluded & ostracized for no legitimate reason. I have NOT been suspended or expelled, but then when you want to create difficulty for an individual, you will find a way to do it.

My present lodge and Grand Lodge are uncertain what to make of all of this negativity we tend to deal with in American Freemasonry. I was outdone with it all a long time ago. 

What came out of the PGM Frank Haas lawsuit against the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, (which coincided with my presence here) was that our current regulations form a contract with our membership, and that the contract must be honored by our Grand Lodges and its officers. I was denied visitation for an un-Masonic reason which violated my masonic rights and privileges, so I had legitimate reason to complain. Had I simply been told that today wasn't a good day to visit, I could have accepted that better than being told that "wasn't no niggers coming into this lodge"!

I adamantly feel that whatever needs done should be done to guarantee or protect an individual Freemasons rights under Masonic regulations because I have seen too many good men (myself included) mistreated for NO real reason.

This foolishness has to stop, and Freemasons need to stand for what is right, even when it isn't popular. Ego and vanity have taken over so that many of us are more concerned with obtaining a position or a title than in standing for what is morally correct, something we freely obligated ourselves to do at all times, not just when it is convenient.

Fraternally,

In from the cold... Righteously!

For those of you who follow me & my blog, I finally landed on my feet several months ago after several years of adversity (in West Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas) that can only be described as just foolishness.

In my last post on this topic in January 2014, I had mentioned petitioning to affiliate with a subordinate lodge of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, a Grand Lodge with leadership that has made it un-equivocally clear that Black men will NOT be accepted as members (even though I have heard scuttlebutt that there is at least one Black member in this territory, there has been no verification provided). I simultaneously had submitted petition to affiliate with another West Virginia lodge, a lodge in Pennsylvania, and the United Grand Lodge of England.

The second West Virginia petition was never turned over to the lodge secretary by the Brother that was entrusted to deliver it to said Secretary at their next stated meeting... we later found out that that Brother is questionable, and he is now kept at considerable length. What this aspiring Grand Lodge of West Virginia ass-kisser did NOT know is that I AM personally acquainted with a number of members of that lodge he now belongs to who were expecting the petition for affiliation I sought to submit. What he also did/ does NOT know is that I have previously been examined and sat in that particular lodge in West Virginia long before he ever became a member of it... go ahead and chuckle, I did!!!

I had also attempted to petition to affiliate with a subordinate lodge of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and was given some malarkey about needing a waiver of jurisdiction from Grand Lodge of West Virginia (a rule that only applies to a petitioner, not someone who is already a Master Mason). This information was provided by someone claiming to be a DDGM for the 29th Masonic District in PA who clearly doesn't know as much Masonic Law as he purports to know. Had he checked, his own Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania had already cleared me to be able to petition for affiliation in their territory. This is why I always question so-called experts, who clearly need to be up on their facts or they wouldn't mind being asked an honest question.

I have previously held membership in the Grand Lodge of North Carolina & the Grand Lodge of Texas, having left both for nothing that amounts to more than Masonic politics that I chose to have NO part of.

My current Grand Lodge that I hold membership in is the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England.

As to be expected, this move comes with controversy from both Prince Hall Affiliated & Mainstream members here in the United States of America. This is the first time I have come under criticism by members of both bodies simultaneously. All I can do is shake my head... clearly, ignorance knows no bounds and ignorant describes a large number of persons (not all) that seek and are rewarded with positions in Grand Lodge officer lines.

While I have been no stranger to controversy in the past, the fact that anyone has an opinion or seeks to dictate where I should hold membership is the piece of this puzzle that never makes any sense for me on a personal level.

I will part for now so that I can get back to my genealogical research that relates to formation of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of West Virginia, formed by lodges originally chartered and warranted by the MW National Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons National Compact (a fact that MWPHGL of WV openly denies, which proves they don't even know their own history) and other work on the Grand Lodge of West Virginia.

Fraternally,

Raymond Sean Walters a/k/a Renaissance Man

Islamic Art and Culture in the Renaissance—The True Moor of Venice

The Lesser Mysteries We Forgot: Freemasonry, Masculinity, And Initiation

The Lesser Mysteries We Forgot: Freemasonry, Masculinity, And Initiation

Angel Millar is an author, blogger, and the editor of People of Shambhala.

The Modern Cowan by Floren L. Quick (From Wandering Master Group)

THE MODERN COWAN

In Scotland, the operative Mason knew cowans to be ignorant builders who put stones together without mortar. They piled rough fieldstones into a wall without hewing them true, or squaring them. They masqueraded as Masters, but they did not have the Word.

Now and again, today - fortunately not too often - we find a modern equivalent of the operative imposter. One such is the Mason who manages a place in an officer's line with little or no effect of his own to deserve it. With only that exertion that is necessary to maintain his place, he continues to advance in line until he receives the jewels and honours that he prizes so highly. But he does not know the Constitution, and he does not understand the traditions and dignity of the Craft. As a presiding officer, his vocal ability is more noteworthy than his executive ability; and when his term is ended, he is seldom seen until another honour or prize appears to be within his grasp.

He is a contemporary builder who works without the benefit of the mortar of real enthusiasm or accomplishments. His structure is liken unto the rough stone wall, having little beauty of value. He is the cowans of modern speculative Masonry.

He is to be pitied, for he is a Masonic failure. His honours are shallow. Bringing no interest to his position, he received little of the satisfaction and respect that belong to the real Master.

Masonry has failed to reach him with a clear understanding of those marks of true devotion which she has to offer. He never knows the opportunities that the Craft makes available to those who diligently seek them. He misses the opportunities that the Craft makes available to strive for a just and worthy cause. He misses the opportunity for continuing fellowship and friendship. He misses the opportunity for loyalty and devotion. He misses the opportunity for development of his executive, intellectual and oratorical abilities. And most of all, he misses the opportunity for service - to God - to his community - and to his fellow man.

These are the jewels that Masonry has to offer, but in his quest for position and honours, the modern cowan misses them. Like the operative cowan, he does not have the Word.

Brotherhood, Equality & Freemasonry: The Case for Reparations (A Case Study of Freemasonry)

"To celebrate freedom and democracy while forgetting America’s origins in a slavery economy is patriotism à la carte." ~ quote from article

Brotherhood, Equality and Freemasonry

 I will open this writing by first commenting on definitions of the words brotherhood, equality and Freemasonry. Those definitions are as follows;

1)      broth·er·hood = feelings of friendship, support, and understanding between people

2)      equal·i·ty = the quality or state of being equal : the quality or state of having the same rights, social status, etc.

3)      free·ma·son·ry = capitalized :  the principles, institutions, or practices of Freemasons —called also Masonry

It is my hope that the sharing of these experiences will cause those who hear or read my words to truly reflect --- on their views, beliefs, obligations and their humanity.

I have held Masonic membership for 24 years, in a fraternal organization that teaches brotherhood and equality. Those two words carry significant impact, and can mean different things to many different people. The meaning one views these words from is partially determined from the teachings and instruction we receive from our parents, extended family, neighbors and even friends.

I will ask that you view our social circle as our tribal affiliation (of sorts). A tribe has typically been collectively responsible for teaching many lessons that are based upon the survival of the tribe and its members.

If a tribe taught that certain foreigners who were not tribal members were to be shunned for whatever reason, then that is the belief that any tribal member would come to hold based upon teaching. An issue will soon arise after any given member of the tribe questions why such belief is held, and what is that belief based on.

Some of you may be able to connect the dots from the article in relation to the attitudes of a number of Freemasons today that refuse to see men (and women) of color as their equals.


Freemasonry is about Brotherhood & Equality... two aspects that do not work well independently of each other.

http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/05/the-case-for-reparations/361631/