by Christopher Hodapp

On June 9th, 2020, the Grand Lodge of Missouri and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri issued the following joint statement:

The State of Missouri is suffering as are many states in our country. Unfortunately, it is not the first time there has been strife due to the inequitable application of human rights and varying treatments of various groups within our state and country. Those inequities are profoundly contrary to the principles of our Order. 

Our State has experienced social unrest in major cities on multiple occasions over the years and we are saddened that the issues that precipitated the unrest have not yet been fully resolved. Inequitable treatment and racial tensions are not just limited to the urban areas of our State and we must recognize the inequities where they exist and attempt to eliminate them through legal means as quickly as possible. While we recognize that there must be changes made to our legal system, the true path to restoration, equality, and healing starts with individual mindsets and proper actions. 

We all know that the principles of our Masonic Fraternity can go a long way towards assuring equality and fostering the respect that is due every person of the human family when properly applied. Through exercising and practicing the masonic principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth and acknowledging that we are all created by God and therefore equal in his eyes, we cannot waiver from these principles and be considered true Freemasons. 

Freemasonry unites men of every race, country, sect, and opinion and conciliates true friendship among those who might have otherwise remained at a perpetual distance. It is our duty as a fraternity to influence those within our ranks to make decisions that help contribute to the repairing of the various broken systems that plague our communities. 

Our respective Grand Lodges have a long and rich history in the State of Missouri which we need to share with each other and the world. Nearly 20 years ago, our Grand Lodges acknowledged, by resolution, that we are both respected and valid Grand Lodges inhabiting the same geographical area and we have worked diligently on expanding our joint activities and relationships. Our members and our respective Grand Lodges are so much more enriched because of our love and the respect we share for one another. 

The death of George Floyd is a tragedy. Our members are free to make their own decisions as to what should be considered justice in this situation and while we acknowledge that we live in an imperfect world, we stand united in our strong belief that the foundations of our moral system can and must bridge the chasm that divides our state and country right now. Each member of our order is free to vote and express himself without interference from our Grand Lodge and we pray that how you choose to express yourself will be tempered with compassion and understanding for the entire human race. 

We call upon all peoples of our state to not fall victim to racism, hatred or contribute to destructive expressions for the lack of progress. And to our members, be ever mindful that we are one Brotherhood and we should always be our brother’s keeper. United we will stand. Now, henceforth, and forever. 

It is our ardent desire that we bond together as brothers to make our world a more just and honorable place. 

May the God of Love and Peace delight to dwell with and bless you. 

MWB Stanton T. Brown, II Grand Master, AF&AM of Missouri
MWB Malcolm D. Morris Grand Master, F&AM PHA/Missouri

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by Christopher Hodapp

The Masonic temple of Wright Lodge No. 483 in Wright City, Oklahoma was destroyed Thursday night by fire.

According to a message from the Grand Secretary of Oklahoma, Bobby L. Laws, PGM, a “fire source” was thrown through the front window of the building. The arson attack reportedly happened at about midnight. The message states that the area Fire Marshall is looking into the incident. Photos of the damage have been circulated on Facebook today.

 Wright Lodge 483 is chartered by the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Oklahoma.

Be sure your lodge’s security system, fire alarm, surveillance cameras are up to date and in working order. And invest in a fire safe for your most irreplaceable records. An extremely disturbing graphic image appeared earlier this week on the QAnon far-right conspiracy message boards and circulated on Reddit and elsewhere. It shows the fronts of several Masonic halls with squares and compasses, with the message, “You’re burning down the wrong buildings.” It is likely that anarchists, home-grown terrorists, vehement anti-Masons, bored teenagers and other bad actors may be motivated to act on their baser instincts as protests, riots and violence around the country get nonstop media coverage. 

As reported earlier this week, a bomb was placed outside of a Masonic lodge in Cornwall, England. As Freemasons, we need to stay aware and vigilant that there are still plenty of people in the world who would do us harm. 

The tiny town of Wright City with about 700 residents is located in the southeastern tip of Oklahoma, near the borders with Texas and Arkansas. It is about 60 miles northwest of Texarkana. As Grand Secretary Law says in his message, “If it can happen there it could also happen elsewhere.”


UPDATE 
Friday, 5:50PM, June 5, 2020:

Brother James Durbin in Tulsa, Oklahoma has started a Facebook online fundraiser to benefit Wright Lodge. Visit it HERE.

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Authorities guarding the area around Boston’s Masonic Temple

Entrance to Paul Revere Restaurant in Boston’s Masonic temple

Washington’s House of the Temple Vandalized

Arturo De Hoyos reports that the Scottish Rite – SJ headquarters, the House of the Temple on 16th Street in Washington, D.C. was vandalized during the demonstrations on Tuesday evening. The large, iconic sphinxes out front were reportedly doused with paint, and the building was defaced with graffiti. Prior to Tuesday night, it had escaped any vandalism or damage during the recent demonstrations.

A short video clip on Twitter showed one of the protesters spray painting on the wall.

Damage to Raleigh, NC Prince Hall Lodge 

The 1906 Prince Hall Masonic temple owned by Excelsior Lodge 21 and Widow Son Lodge 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina had its windows shattered by protestors on Saturday night. The shops and Chapter Room on the first floor were damaged.

According to lodge Trustee Steven Melton on Facebook,

“We have 4 black businesses that rent from us they were vandalized, we are one of the few black owned buildings downtown but it didn’t matter to those looking to do damage… We still rent the 1st floor to local businesses, the 2nd floor for social events,community programs and Excelsior Lodge #21, Widow’s Son Lodge #4 and Mentor Lodge #55 still meet on the 3rd floor every month. The area surrounding the lodge has been renamed The Prince Hall District and the [building] has been declared a historic building.

Prince Hall Lodge Burns in Asheville, South Carolina 

In the Shiloh community of Asheville, South Carolina, fire gutted the Masonic Hall at Caribou Road and Booker Streets. 

According to a report on 13WLOS-TV, it had been home to Venus Lodge 62, the first African-American Masonic lodge in Asheville. Built by the lodge in the 1970s, the building had been empty for the last few years, pending renovation. 

Originating on Eagle Street in downtown Asheville, Venus Lodge No. 62 was the city’s first black Masonic Lodge group.
Where blackened rubble stands on Booker Street, Ronald Scott pictures years of events, from cookouts to scholarship fundraisers, that brought folks together.

“Very disheartened and sad. Unbelievable,” said Scott, who’s the lodge master.

He hoped to renovate the structure, which had been unused for some seven years since another fire caused extensive damage. 

Fire officials are still investigating the cause. The surrounding neighborhood in Shiloh had no demonstration or protest activity, so this may be completely unrelated.

While not in this location, the lodge continues to meet. Venus Lodge 62 is chartered by the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

Grand Master of Pennsylvania Issues Statement After Franklin and Washington Statues Were Vandalized Saturday

As reported previously, after the bronze sculptures of Brothers Benjamin Franklin and George Washington outside of Philadelphia’s Masonic Temple were sprayed with graffiti Saturday night, Masons quickly arrived and cleaned them off again. Grand Master Thomas Gamon, IV gratefully acknowledged their speedy work in a formal announcement:

Thanks to Brother Ryan Steele for identifying the members of the crew.

LtoR: Paul Roth/University Lodge No. 51, John Mosco/51, 

Jason Fugarino/ Richmond-Solomon Lodge No. 3, 

Daniel Rivers/Athelstan-Lamberton Lodge No. 482, 

Ed Clifford, PM/51; 

not pictured/taking the picture ha – Mike Comfort, PM/Melita Lodge No. 295

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by Christopher Hodapp

The Penryn Masonic Hall is home to The Lodge of the Three Grand Principles No. 967, St. Gluvias Lodge 7936, and St. Budoc’s Lodge 8445, all holden under the United Grand lodge of England.

According to the CornwallLive website, “Police are treating the discovery as arson with intent to endanger life. Incident ongoing.”

(Photos from the BBC)

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by Christopher Hodapp

There have been unprecedented protests and violence in the nation’s capitol and throughout the country over the last week in connection with the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. To address the issue locally, a joint statement has been issued today by the grand masters of the Grand Lodge FAAM of the District of Columbia and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia (click the image to enlarge):

• All Masons believe in the existence of God as the Grand Architect of the Universe and in the existence of an immortal spirit that is His gift to every person.
• All Masons meet as equals. As the children of one great Father, we are all traveling to that predestined place where only genuine virtue merits respect, rather than wealth or status.

The leaders signing this statement affirm these beliefs. The ugly history of slavery and segregation in our country had estranged our two Grand Lodges in Washington, D.C. for too many years. But we have since outgrown those divisions and forged between us the ties of Brotherhood that unite us as Freemasons. Freemasonry is strong and vibrant in Washington DC, and we have a role to play in the healing that our city requires.

Each Brother will make his own decision about how to mourn the death of George Floyd, and how to call out for justice. But Freemasons will not succumb to the blind hatred of racial tension, nor contribute to inflaming those destructive passions. We are united as a sacred Brotherhood.We humbly request the aid and blessing of Almighty God on our City and Nation and ask for His pro- tection of our loved ones. Finally, we ask that all Freemasons redouble their efforts to heal the divisions tearing at our society, and we look forward to the time when we can meet together again.

(Signed)

Michael D. Nicholas, Sr. 
Grand Master
The Grand Lodge, FAAM Washington, D.C.

Quincy G. Grant
Most Worshipful Grand Master
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge
Jurisdiction of the District of Columbia

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