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Masonic Secrecy and that the greatest of these is Charity.

One of the most frequently misunderstood percep• The Mysteries of , Its Symbols and MASONRY tions regarding Freemasonry is that it is a secret a allegory organization. Freemasonry would not have existed The mysteries of masonry are drawn from a myriad so long and enjoyed a worldwide support by so of ancient codes and credos, leaving aside their er• many distinguished people of all stations in life and rors and clinging to what is good. It employs the use supported by so many renowned institutions of of allegory and symbols merely as a graphical Church, State, Education and Civic Organizations if means of conveying thoughts and information from it were in the least harmful to society. All organiza• one to another. These symbols are equally effective tions and institutions have private information that is whether learned or unlearned, literate or illiterate. known only to those within its ranks who are prop• Symbols and picture writing or hieroglyphics, which erly qualified and duly authorized to receive it. The are still present today in ancient structures found Masonic organization is no exception in this regard throughout Egypt, India, Arabia and other parts of and can make no apologies for this requirement. the world have preserved much of the worlds litera• Freemasonry makes no attempt to conceal its pur• ture and history. In the Bible allegories are spoken of poses, aims or principles from the general public. as Parables, need we be reminded of their use by Anyone who wishes to can obtain Masonic li era ure t t one Jesus of Nazareth, the Greatest Teacher of all in almost any book store and in the public l braries i time? whenever they would choose to do so. A Way of Life Freemasonry and Religion A Way o Li e i i , i f Freemasonry s kindness n the home honesty, n f Masonry and religion may be similar in some re• business, courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity spects having been derived from similar roots. How• and concern for the unfortunate, resistance toward ever masonry is not a religion. Masonry seeks to evil, help for the weak, and forgiveness for the peni• teach codes of behavior and upholds certain ideals tent, love for one another, and above all, reverence and standards of personal conduct. Evidence of faith and love of . Fre emasonry ism any things, but and belief are essential to both religion and ma• most of all: Freemasonry isa way of life. If you feel sonry. It has usually been found that men who are that Freemasonry might interest you or someone of accepting of one are also dutiful to the other. When• your acquaintance or if you would simply liket o ever there is some contention regarding the two, it learn more please visit the web site: can usually be charged to either misunderstanding or misinformation.

The Teachings of Freemasonry (excerpts)

Inculcated within the teachings of Freemasonry are many principles which are drawn from centuries old concepts which have been tried and tested and found to be just as true today as they were then; that the conflict between the material and the spiritual is Published by t he mans principle concern; that mans duty is to God, M ost Wor shipfu l Prince H all Grand Lod ge himself and community; that truth, freedom releases www.princehall-pa.org Of Free and Acc ept ed M asons human potential that success or-fa ilure in life is a Of and product of the mind; that confidence, courage and 4301 N. Broad St. Phila, Pa 1914 0 M asonic Jurisdictions thereunt o belonging. moral rectitude can overcome great obstacles in life, that Faith, Hope and Charity are the pillars of life Feel free to share this brochur e with others. Wh i F eem as a lodge o masons under prov sional dispen• at s r asonr y? f i Methodist Episcopal Church, (Richard Allen), later sation. This lodge under dispensation was duly kn n a "M h r B h l and St. Th m E i copal The Fraternit y of Freemasonry is the oldest, ow s ot e et e " o as p s designated as African Lodge Number One. Prince Chu ch, ( bsal m Jones). largest and most widely recognized fraternal r A o Hall was installed as the Worshipful Master. organization in the world. But to many people it still remains a mystery. Prince Hall Masonry Prince Hall made several attempts to secure a regular warrant from the Grand Lodges of . A Way of Lif e In general we may say that Freemasonry is When this failed, he applied for and obtained a an institution which teaches the basic princi• Regular warrant from the of England ples of good ethical conduct among men of all in 17 84, eight years after the establishing of African races, religions and national origins. Lodge Number One. This warrant conferred upon The Masonic Organization his lodge and its members all of the rights and privi• The Hist ory of Freemasonr y leges appertaining to a regularly constituted lodge The Masonic consists of many symbolic " . Freemasonry is a descendant of the ancient of Free and Accepted Masons" This warranted lodges which are located throughout each state. The mystery schools of instruction which existed in Lodge was designated as African Lodge Number ruling body in all state jurisdictions is known as the

Egypt, India and Persia. It s beginnings have 459. "Grand Lodge". The Grand Lodge is presided over

also been linked to early religious and philoso• by a who is elected by the body at phical sects inhabiting the regions of Ancient From these humble beginnings Freemasonry regular conventions. The heads of symbolic lodges Palestine and . among or Prince Hall Masonry are known as Worshipful Masters and are also

i i elected by their constituents at regular meetings an• Noted historians have traced freemasonry as t s now designated, having been renamed for nually. Anyone seeking membership into the order of from ancient Palestine and Jerusalem to the its founder and first Grandmaster, has happily spread across the en i e Uni ed S ates wi h a Freemasons must present a petition to a symbolic middle ages in Europe. There it flourished t r t t t lodge. Petitions are not accepted at the grand lodge among the of Stone Masons, who trav• Grand Lodge in almost every state and throughout however one can obtain the necessary information eled freely throughout Euro pe during the ca• the world, in , and the Islands of the regarding the proper procedures. thedral building era. West Indies and beyond. The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Every effort will be made to respond to all inquiries In 17 17 , four lodges of Freemasons meet• Free and Accepted Masons of the Jurisdiction of ing in England formed the Grand Pennsylvania For more informatio n: Lodge on the European continent.

In 18 15 a charter for a Grand Lodg wa granted Webadd ss: w .p ehalla by Prince Hall to the Freemasons of , re wwrinc -p.org Freemasonr y among Afr icans in America Pennsylvania. Absalom Jones was installed as the p i The r vileges of freemasonry were first First Grand Master of masons in Pennsylvania. MasonicMem bership sought by Free Africans who traveled between . the continents of Europe, the middle passages M d i h d m o m e e any ist nguis e en f asonry w re ssen• Membership is limited to adult males above the ages of the Island of the West Indies and America. tial to the development of masonry in Pennsylvania. of 21. There are several female organizations affili• Most notable among them were Richard Allen, ated with Freemasons, any inquiries concerning them On March 6, 177 5 a group of fif teen ( 15 ) James Forten, Absalom Jones and Prince Hall. will be promptly referred to their office. Membership Free African men led by one Prince Hall, peti• into masonry is strictly voluntary and anyone seeking tioned the master of a military lodge, Lodge It is worthy of note that they were all Ministers of admission must do so of their own freewill and ac• #441, Irish Constitution, attached to the 38th the Gospel and members of the Methodist Church cord. They must be men of good moral character, be Regiment of Foot, British Army, inhabiting the which was then the single largest church denomi• mentally and physically competent and profess a be• city of Boston for Masonic degrees. There they nation among African Americans. Two of them lief in a supreme being. received the degrees of master masons and were also distinguished as being the founders of the authority to meet and conduct themselves the First African congregation of the African