Prince Hall was the Malcolm X of his time. He was the one of the individuals directly responsible for the birth of Liberia, the first Civil Rights leader in the United States, a charismatic spiritual teacher and master craftsman, a land owner, a Revolutionary War veteran, and a legal scholar.
Most notably, Prince Hall is the founder of the Black Freemasonry. Generally Freemasonry (or Masonry) is one of the world’s oldest and largest secular fraternal organizations, whose members are concerned with moral and spiritual values. The Fraternity has always claimed to unite men of differing beliefs into a harmonious and productive community through the application of Masonic moral values and the practice of benevolence, intellectual development, and mutual respect.
The necessary prerequisite for acceptance into the Masonic fraternity is the belief in a Supreme Being and membership is open to men of all races and religions who profess belief in deity and are of good repute.
While Freemasonry today represent every race, during the 18th Century, the Fraternity was just as segregated as every other western institution. It wasnt until Prince Hall organized the African Lodge that Black men were able to access the same privileges as other Masons.
Who Is Prince Hall
Prince Hall was born a slave in Massachusetts in 1735, about one month after Crispus Attucks was killed in the Boston Massacre that started the American Revolution.
His master freed him early in life, and Prince Hall went on to become a charismatic Methodist minister. His close ties to the Methodists introduced him to Masonry.
Portrait of Prince Hall, Founder of Black Freemasonry
Back then, Black men who wanted the same advantages granted by a fraternal Masonic organization were denied entry into white Masonic halls, and white Masons did not freely accept their Black counterparts, despite their claims to liberty, fraternity, and love of God.
On September 29, 1784, Prince Hall petitioned for the formation of an independent Black Lodge to the The Grand Lodge of England, the premier Grand Lodge of the World. His charisma and honesty led to the issue of a charter to the African Lodge, making it a regular lodge with all the rights and privileges of any regular lodge in the world.
The Prince Hall African Lodge was so popular that the Grand Lodge of England made him a Provincial Grand Master on January 27, 1791. He was given the job of reporting on the condition of the Lodges in the Boston area – both white and Black. Eight years later, on March 22, 1979 Prince Hall organized a lodge in Philadelphia, called African Lodge #459, which was then given permission to work under Prince Hall’s Charter. Thus, the first Black Freemasonry Temple was born. Prince Hall would serve as its Grandmaster until his death.
Prince Hall And Pan-Africanism
Prince Hall was a Pan-African who supported the “Back to Africa movement, and an abolitionist who fought for equal access to education for Black children and the right to serve in America’s military. In fact, Prince Hall went to Capital Hill to push legislation that would guarantee civil rights 200 years before the actual Civil Rights movement!
As Many As One In Seven Of The Revolutionary War Continental Soldiers Were Men Of Color. – Source
Following the end of the Revolutionary War, Black men who had served thought their service would guarantee them equal rights. They were wrong.
After realizing they were now trapped in the white values system that is America, Prince Hall and 12 other Black lodge members petitioned the government to organize a back-to-Africa movement in January 4, 1787. Even though the petition died in state committees, Prince Hall might be the inspiration that later led to the birth of Liberia.
In a speech to the African Lodge at West Cambridge, Prince Hall discussed the revolt in Haiti led by Toussaint L’Overture and used it as an example of what Blacks should be doing in America:
“…have faith in God and to bear your burdens quietly, but to be ready for the day of deliverance. Now, my brethren, nothing is stable; all things are changeable. Let us seek those things which are sure and steadfast, and let us pray God that, while we remain here, He would give us the grace and patience and strength to bear up under all our troubles, which, at this day, God knows, we have our share of… My Brethren, let us not be cast down under these and many other abuses we at present are laboring under, for the darkest hour is just before the break of day. My brethren, let us remember what a dark day it was with our African brethren, six years ago, in the French West Indies (Haiti). Nothing but the snap of the whip was heard, from morning to evening. Hanging, breaking on the wheel, burning, and all manner of tortures were inflicted upon those unhappy people. But, blessed be God, the scene is changed [and Haiti is free]!” – Prince Hall
Despite encouraging the support of white abolitionists, Prince Hall believed in the strength and power of Black Americans doing for themselves. In 1800, when the state of Massachusetts refused to grant him a building for an all-Black school, Hall opened the school in his own home with his own funds. Two Harvard College students served as teachers until 1806, when increased enrollment forced Hall to move to a larger facility provided by the African Society House on Belknap Street.
A Brief History of Prince Hall Masonry
It seems that while everyone has heard of Masonry and Freemasonry, but the details are long and complex.
Prince Hall Shriners
One of the few resources online concerning the early history of Prince Hall masonry can be found at www.princehall.org. From them, we get the following history:
On March 6, 1775, Prince Hall and 14 men of color were made masons in Lodge #441 of the Irish Registry attached to the 38th British Foot Infantry at Castle William Island in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. It marked the first time that Black men were made masons in America.
About a year later, since the conflict between England and America had commenced, the British Foot Infantry left Boston, along with its lodge, leaving Prince Hall and his associates without a lodge. Before the lodge left, Worshipful Master Batt, gave them a “permit” to meet as a lodge and bury their dead in manner and form. This permit, however, did not allow them to do any “masonic work” or to take in any new members.
On March 2, 1784, African Lodge #1 petitioned the Grand Lodge of England, the Premier or Mother Grand Lodge of the world, for a warrant (or charter), to organize a regular Black Freemasonry lodge, with all the rights and privileges thereunto prescribed.
The Grand Lodge of England issued a charter on September 29, 1784 to African Lodge #459, the first lodge of Blacks in America.
African Lodge #459 grew and prospered to such a degree that Worshipful Master Prince Hall was appointed a Provincial Grand Master, in 1791, and out of this grew the first Black Provincial Grand Lodge.
In 1797 he organized a lodge in Philadelphia and one in Rhode Island. These lodges were designated to work under the charter of African Lodge #459.
In December 1808, one year after the death of Prince Hall, African Lodge #459 (Boston), African Lodge #459 (Philadelphia) and Hiram Lodge #3 (Providence) met in a general assembly of the craft and organized African Grand Lodge (sometime referred to as African Grand Lodge #I).
In 1847, out of respect for their founding father and first Grand Master, Prince Hall, they changed their name to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, the name it carries today. In 1848 Union Lodge #2, Rising Sons of St. John #3 and Celestial Lodge #4 became the first lodges organized under the name Prince Hall Grand Lodge.
Prince Hall died in 1807[1] and is buried in the Historic Copp’s Hill Burying Ground in Boston along with other notable Bostonians from the colonial era. Also, thousands of African Americans who lived in the “New Guinea” community at the base of Copp’s Hill are buried alongside Snowhill Street in unmarked graves.
A tribute monument was erected in Copp’s Hill on June 24, 1835 in his name next to his grave marker. The inscription reads: “Here lies ye body of Prince Hall, first Grand Master of the colored Grand Lodge in Mass. Died Dec. 7, 1807”
From these beginnings, there now are some 5,000 lodges and 47 grand lodges who trace their lineage to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of Massachusetts.
The Honorable Yves-R. Maignan is currently the 71st Most Worshipful Grand Master, and carries on the tradition started by Brother Prince Hall over 200 years ago.
Prince Hall is an important part of our story as Black men and women, and should be given all the scholarly observation that we give to Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and other important Pan-Africans.
If you are, or know someone who is a Prince Hall Mason, get in touch with us. If you can add to the conversation, fill us in in the comments section!
An approximately 1,500-2,000-year-old Bible found in Turkey has left the Vatican in shock because it allegedly confirms that Jesus Christ wasn’t crucified as has come to be widely believed. The Bible, which was discovered in 2000 and kept in secret in Ankara’s Ethnography Museum, contains the gospel of Jesus’ disciple Barnabas. The gospel claims that Christ was neither crucified nor was he God’s son. Instead, it says he was just a prophet. The book also refers to Apostle Paul as “The Impostor” and further claims that Christ ascended back to heaven alive, with Judas Iscariot being crucified in his place. The now controversial book was recovered during an operation in the Mediterranean-area as authorities went against a gang that smuggles antiquities and illegal explosives, says a report by The National Turk. The old book is currently valued at a whopping 40 million Turkish Liras, approximately $28 million. Experts and religious bodies have examined the book an...
Typically when the Bible is brought up in conversation, what comes to mind is a source of truth that has not been tampered with. However, when this book was originally published it contained 80 books and current editions only have 66, and we have to wonder what exact purpose the removal of 14 books would serve? The Vatican Church or Roman catholic church has been associated with deception for ages. Their atrocities have ranged from genocide many centuries ago against the Cathars to child molestation is more recent years. The Bible was originally translated from Latin into English in 1611. This “original” Bible contained 80 books, including the Apocrypha, which means hidden. These Apocrypha books made up the end of the Old Testament, and included the following books: • 1 Esdras • 2 Esdras • Tobit • Judith • The rest of Esther • The Wisdom of Solomon • Ecclesiasticus • Baruch with the epistle Jeremiah • The Songs of the...
“…The darkest man is here the most highly esteemed and considered better than the others who are not so dark. Let me add that in very truth these people portray and depict their gods and their idols black and their devils white as snow. For they say that God and all the saints are black and the devils are all white. That is why they portray them as I have described.” – Marco Polo,after visiting the Pandyan Kingdom in 1288 More than a thousand years before the foundations of Greece and Rome, proud and industrious Black men and women known as the Dravidian erected a powerful civilization in the Indus Valley. From those origins, African Kings in India drove the region’s commerce, culture, and belief systems. Dr. Clyde Winters, author of Afrocentrism: Myth or Science? writes: “Ethiopians have had very intimate relations with Indians. In fact, in antiquity the Ethiopians ruled much of India. These Ethiopians were called the Naga. It was the Naga who created Sanskrit. ...
It is no secret that Christianity has been used as a tool for world domination and white supremacy. Therefore, in understanding the world around us we must also understand how Christianity was altered and used by Europeans to conquer the world. Christianity as you know it and practice it was not ‘created’ by Christ, but by a Roman Emperor – Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus Augustus. You know him as Constantine. Constantine’s Rise To Power Constantine was a vice-Caesar to Emperor Diocletian in the East. His father, Constantinus, was a Caesar under Emperor Maximinian who had won a number of battles and had earned the loyalty of a large part of the Roman military in the West. When Constantinus died suddenly in 306, the loyalty of the Army would pass to his son Constantine. In 303, Emperor Diocletian had begun one of the worst persecutions of Christians in history. Christians were fed to beasts as entertainment for the Roman masses, their churches were destroyed, their ...
A SPOKESPERSON for the Vatican has officially announced today that the second coming of Jesus, the only son of the God, may not happen now after all , but urged followers to still continue with their faith, regardless of the news. Cardinal Giorgio Salvadore told WWN that this years 1,981st anniversary is to be the Vatican’s last in regards to waiting for the Lord to return to Earth. “We just feel Jesus is not coming back by the looks of it.” he said. “It’s been ages like. He’s probably flat out doing other really good things for people somewhere else.” Nearly two thousand years ago, Jesus promised his disciples that he would come again in chapter John 14:1-3 of the bible: “There are many homes up where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with Me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly” The Vatican defended Jesus’ broken promise, claiming “he ...
Quick Navigation [ hide ] The True Story of Dr. Sebi Dr. Sebi Defeats the Supreme Court The Usha Healing Village Dr. Sebi Treats Michael Jackson Dr. Sebi’s Death and Legacy When we think of Black History, our perception is limited to Martin Luther King, slavery, and civil rights marches. But our history is rich with unsung heroes who have taken our knowledge of science, medicine, and philosophy to new heights. One such hero is Dr. Sebi – the greatest healer the Black race has produced since Imhotep. In his lifetime, Dr. Sebi rose from humble beginnings to become a powerful teacher and naturalist. He changed the way we understand our bodies, our souls, and how we nurture both. His healing village in Honduras brought the rich and the poor together to restore their life forces. Heroes like Dr. Sebi represent real Black history, and every man, woman, and child should honor his memory by learning his story. The True Story of Dr. Sebi The Dr. Sebi biog...
The Universe is out there, waiting for you to discover it. On the night of March 9/10, 2020, the first [+] KASABUBU OF PIXABAY / PUBLIC DOMAIN The full Moon is always a spectacular sight: the night sky’s brightest object by far. On June 18, 2007, the planet Venus passed behind [+] GETTY At 100% illumination, it’s ~2000 times brighter than the next brightest object, Venus. When the Moon is close to its nearest point to [+] REX BOGGS / FLICKR On Monday night, March 9, Earth will experience the full Worm Moon, the first of two consecutive supermoons. The Moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle, but an [+] BRIAN KOBERLEIN Just 13 hours later, the Moon will reach perigee: the closest point in its elliptical orbit to Earth. Compared to an apogee (most distant) Moon, a [+] TOMRUEN / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS The full Moon aligning with perigee is what makes this astronomical event a supermoon. Compared to an average full Moon, supermoons are 7% larger and 1...
Akanfo (ah-kahn'-foh) in the Twi language of the Akan means Akan people. Akanfo originated in ancient Khanit , also called Keneset (Ancient Nubia), at the beginning of human existence upon Asaase (Earth). This is the region of contemporary Sudan and South Sudan in the Eastern region of Afuraka/Afuraitkait (Africa) . We eventually migrated around the world. Some Akanfo migrated north of Khanit and settled ancient Kamit (ancient Egypt), while others remained in Khanit. Over the millennia, Akanfo migrated to West Afuraka/Afuraitkait (West Africa) establishing the ancient civilization of Akana (Khanat - Ghana). Some Akanfo were also a component of the Kanem empire (pre-Bornu), the original/authentic Black Berber empire (Abibiri-fo) and the Kong empire (Kan) before ultimately migrating to and settling in the areas of contemporary Ghana (Akana) and Ivory Coast. Akanfo presently comprise approximately 45.3 percent of the population of Ghana (11,000,000) and approximately 42...
The Virgo Super Full Moon on March 9th will shine a light on an area of our lives that has been hidden or ignored for too long. We may discover new realizations or find ourselves feeling the need to purge and release the past so we can move forward. No matter what arises for us under this powerful Super Moon, we are being guided to accept ourselves, our lives, and the circumstances we find ourselves in. It is only through acceptance that we can begin to heal and move forward. There are strong healing and intuitive vibes connected with this Full Moon too. In this ritual, you will be guided to activate and open to these abilities so you can receive guidance, wisdom, and closure. This ritual is best done between March 7-17, 2020 Virgo Super Full Moon Ritual You will need: Old T-shirt or similar item of clothing you no longer want (you can also use a large sheet of butcher’s/wrapping paper) Candle Rice or any other grain of you choosing (uncooked) Flower pet...
Amen-RA Ra is symbol for SUN Awu- RA -de The society of the Akan people is matrilineal. Hence among the Akan women are the dominant force. They believe, that the ` Mogya` (blood) is transferred exclusively through the female (mother) line . The Ohemaa, the female King or Queenmother as she is called by Europeans is the owner of the state, the Ohene (male King) is appointed by the Ohemaa to rule the state. In the olden days, there were no male Kings. It was much later, when the female leaders appointed a male member of their respective family to rule on their behalf. In these days, the female King was the sole owner of wealth and power . Indeed, a state, township or clan could not be founded without an Ohemaa, although many states were founded without a King. Since the succession was and still is in the female line, it was essential for a woman of royal blood to give brith to the state. This is why we until today say ` A King may rule a state, but the Queenmother owns it...
From these beginnings, there now are some 5,000 lodges and 47 grand lodges who trace their lineage to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of Massachusetts.
The Honorable Yves-R. Maignan is currently the 71st Most Worshipful Grand Master, and carries on the tradition started by Brother Prince Hall over 200 years ago.
Prince Hall is an important part of our story as Black men and women, and should be given all the scholarly observation that we give to Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and other important Pan-Africans.
If you are, or know someone who is a Prince Hall Mason, get in touch with us. If you can add to the conversation, fill us in in the comments section!
'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20xlink%3Ahref='data%3Aimage/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wAARCAAGAAkDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMG/8QAHRAAAgIDAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMAAgQFERRRU//EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEC/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AMpr9ovGU1b8WrhehAPeGp9yHkK+ZiJVD//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Comments
Post a Comment