The Masonic Voice

… the Instructive Tongue of Masonic Thoughts

Published by the Dr. Charles H. Wesley Masonic Research Society at Wilberforce, Ohio (USA)

The Masonic Voice is the official publication of the Dr. Charles H. Wesley Masonic Research Society.  Any article appearing in this publication expresses only the opinion of the writer, and does not reflect the official position of the Dr. Charles H. Wesley Masonic Research Society.  The Dr. Charles H. Wesley Masonic Research Society does not speak for Freemasonry, or any Masonic Order or Body. Membership into the Dr. Charles H. Wesley Masonic Research Society is by Invitation Only.  Classes of Membership are Research Member and Associate Research Member.

 

 

All rights reserved.  No part or parts of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission from the editor.

 

The President’s Thoughts

 

Greetings,

 

After the publishing of our first issue, we received a tremendous response from the Craft. We knew the Brethren would be interested in this subject matter, and the reaction has been great.  I would personally like to thank the members of the C.H.W.M.R.S. for their hard work and dedication.  Good Masonic education is our goal, and with continued diligence, we will achieve it.  Brethren are beginning to work on research projects for the betterment of the Craft.  We are also looking into creating Masonic leadership and educational courses.  The first annual Masonic Think Tank is also being planned.  In order to fully realize the society’s goals, we must continue to work in the name of Masonic education.  I feel confident that we will reach our objectives and grow.

 

While reading H.L. Haywood’s Newly-Made Mason (for the thousandth time), I came across my favorite quote: “For in the very moment of becoming a Mason he becomes the friend of thousands of men in his own community or state and of millions of men in the world who already are sworn to be in friendship with him; he has never met them, he is not acquainted with them, he does not even know their names, but he has millions of acquaintances whom he has never seen, and whenever he meets a Mason and introduces himself as a Mason he will find himself in a land of amicable fellowship which was already there before he came-for it to be there is one of the things that is meant by being a Mason.”

 

That is the power of Freemasonry, an ancient art that can bring strangers together, and make them Brethren.  A system that can give meaning and purpose to one’s life.  And, an educational system that has no limitations.

 

TEACH MASONRY!

 

I remain,

 

Fraternally Yours

Antonio O. Caffey

Antonio O. Caffey,

President -

Dr. Charles H. Wesley Masonic Research Society
The Masonic Voice

CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

23

 

24

 

24

 

25, 32-34

 

 

 

30

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

27

 

 

28

 

 

35-36

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

29

 

 

31

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

37-38

 

 

REGULAR:

 

The President’s Thoughts

 

The Editor’s Desk

 

The Mouth to Ear

 

The Wesley Room

“Why Bother with Overseas Recognition?”

- by Tony Pope

 

Social Lodge No. 73

“ The Color of Freemasonry? ”

 

Queries, Morsels and Cyber News

 

 

EDUCATION:

 

All Glory To The Most High

- by Nelson King

 

The Fez

- by Charles C. Riddle & Ezekiel Bey

 

Those Prince Hall Origin Masons … a historical recap

- by David L. Gray

 

 

THOUGHTS:

 

On Equilibrium

- by David L. Gray

 

No Man is an Island

 - by Charles V. Williams III

 

What I Came Here to Do

- by Richard Num

 

The Two Pillars

- by  H. Jordan Rosoce

 

 

FEATURE ARTICLE:

 

Teach Masonry!

- by Antonio O. Caffey

 

 

The Editor’s Desk

 

We are astounded by the early success that The Masonic Voice is having, especially here in Ohio.  We knew that it would do well outside the state and in the Mainstream Masonic Circles, but it’s great to know that Prince Hall Masons in Ohio are interested about Prince Hall Freemasonry in Ohio.

 

The types of articles, issues and writing styles you’ll find in this second issue of The Masonic Voice will be fairly typical of the types of articles and subjects you’ll find being presented in future issues.

 

We’ve been informed by Brother Richard Num, a member of our Board of Directors, that some years ago the Australian Brethren responsible for the conduct of fraternal relations between Grand Lodges wrote to various of the Prince Hall Grand Lodges seeking to establish dialogue, with a view to establishing fraternal relations. He was told that they felt slighted to receive no replies from the majority of Grand Lodges approached.  They did receive some positive replies, and a few negative replies.  Apparently now, at senior levels, there is a general feeling that Prince Hall Grand Lodges are not interested in establishing fraternal relations and exchanging representatives.   We have dedicated this Quarter’s Wesley Room, which is reserved for news relevant to this Society and matters vital to Prince Hall Freemasonry, to this subject.  Hopefully through education about the Australian and New Zealand Masonic Jurisdictions, more Prince Hall Grand Lodges will met the Australians & New Zealanders extended hand, and allow Prince Hall Freemasons to enjoy Masonic Benefits in these Jurisdictions.

 

Enjoy!

David L. Gray, Editor

 

The Mouth To Ear

 

On March 3, 2001 – at the Annual Session of the Phylaxis Society in Atlanta, Georgia – Five Prince Hall Grand Masters, representing the Jurisdictions of Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Colorado and it’s Jurisdictions (Wyoming & Utah) joined with representatives from the M.W. National Grand Lodge – Free & Accepted Ancient York Rite Masons - Prince Hall Origin, National Compact, U.S.A. to adopt a “DRAFT” of a Resolution which will function to Recognize the “EXISTENCE” of each other.  The President of the Prince Hall Grand Masters Conference, Deary Vaughn (Oklahoma) said he would present this draft resolution at the Prince Hall Grand Masters Conference from May 8th to 12th in Winston Salem, North Carolina.  We have published an article in this issue to highlight the history of the National Grand Lodge/Compact.  This article is ONLY a historical recap, and does not speak for any position that the Dr. Charles H. Wesley Masonic Research Society may hold about the said Resolution or the Regularity of the modern day National Grand Lodge.

* * * * * * *

On March 16th, 2001 - the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the District of Columbia voted overwhelmingly to recognize the Prince Hall Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the District of Columbia.  Previously, in 1999 the two Grand Lodges entered into mutual recognition, and in 2000 the two Grand Chapters of Royal Arch Masons in Washington D.C. entered into mutual recognition.

 

* * * * * * *

The Dr. Charles H. Wesley Masonic Research Society is excited to announce that Bro. Ralph L. McNeal Jr., who is a member of our Board of Directors, was honored by the Phylaxis Society at their 2001 Session, by receiving their prestigious John J. Lewis Jr. Medal of Excellence.  This award is granted annually by the Phylaxis Society to the most Outstanding Master Mason(s) in Prince Hall Freemasonry.   In 1986 Bro. McNeal petitioned San Vito Military Lodge No. 37, under the jurisdiction of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Delaware.   He demitted in 1991 to Lincoln Lodge No. 62 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he served as Worshipful Master from 1997 to 1999 and is presently a member of Martin Luther King Lodge No. 29 (Chandler, AZ).  Bro. McNeal was coronated a Honorary 33rd Mason (SJ) in Washington, D.C. in 1997.  He is a member of “1996 Who is Who in Freemasonry ”, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Scottish Rite Institute, P.H.A (Charter Member of the same), and is the Southwest correspondent for the Masonic Globe Magazine.  He is also a member of the Phylaxis Societies “100+ Most Influential Prince Hall Masons”.