Master Fraud & The Conferment of The
“Willie Bo-Bo Degrees”
Why the study of regularity and bogus Masonry is so important
The title of this article is not to mock the very well respected concordant body of the Knights Templar and its degrees within Freemasonry, but it is to reflect the shameful acts of Clandestine Masons, and how they try to procure and gain degrees unlawfully.
On February of 2003, I learned about a “Unity Conference” for all types of Mason of various jurisdictions. This alarmed me as to what was all this about. For those who might have read my article titled “Education For a People Unaware”, you will remember that I stated, “There is nothing in the Ancient Charges or in Freemasonry, which supports the unification of any two bodies for reasons of a mans complexion. The pigment of a Man’s skin is not a signature of regularity.” Well, this “Unity Conference of African American Masons for 2004” is sponsored by a bogus and fraudulent individual claiming Masonic heritage, he is Freddie G. Washington, of the bogus outfit “Most Worshipful John A. Bell Grand Lodge”.
Reading Freddie’s first communication on a web site, I was alarmed when I saw that he stated that, “Historical records indicated that it was not unusual for various jurisdictions to unite and fellowship with each other. In fact, on April 30, 1964 The Most Worshipful Enoch Grand Lodge, A.F. & A. M. and The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A. M of New York held a Fellowship meeting of Masonic Unity, (“Unity, Progress, and Service”), in which the guest speakers were the late Honorable Brother Adam Clayton Powell, and the Honorable Bro. Thurgood Marshall.” Being that I am from the MWPHGL of NY, I began my studies, and could not find any such gathering. What is most important is that what type of gathering was this? Fellowship is a very unique word as it can mean various things. Also keep in mind that in 1964, the Conference of Grand Masters was still fighting clandestine outfits, and so the MW Enoch Grand Lodge was well known for its irregular makeup.
Well, after this, I contacted Mr. Freddie G. Washington via E-mail, asking him could he provide me with the proof of the above statement? Telling him that I was from New York and would like to see where he got this information.
Well on February 16, 2003, Mr. Freddie, E-mailed me;
“Bro. Bey,
It is a matter of record in either of the two jurisdictions archives. If you belong to one or the other, it could be found. There've been many groups, who have tried to make things like this happen. This is the only time in our lives, for us to take part on a national level. The African American communities will gain greatly from our venture to succeed. For they have been the ones to lose out on the history of nobility passed down by our fore fathers. The Purpose has not taken place in all the jurisdictions, for the world to know we stand together. When our children go off to war, they give their lives for the country (no questions asked). And how many of them do you think are related? In America, all of them my Brother! If they can stand as one, why can't we? Let go of the past issues and clear the path for our generations to follow undamaged. Thanks for your undivided attention on our views for the 2004 Unity Conference of African American Masons. Do the work! “
Fraternally
F.G.Washington
M.P.S.G.C.
Knowing the terminology use by bogus outfits, especially when they use the term “Fellowship, I replied to him on February 17, 2003, stating, “I clearly understand where you are coming from. My question is merely "If you advertise something" about a certain jurisdiction, then you should simply show the proof that this actually happened. You clearly state the year 1964... I cannot find it in the archives of the MWPHGL of NY that this even took place.
After my inquiry, Mr. Freddie was a bit agitated, I learned later that he knew that I was the 1st Vice President of the Commission on Bogus Practices, for the Phylaxis Society, and so he replied very quickly on the same date aggressively, stating…
“Bey,
Let's get something clear here, you are the only one claiming to be Masonic, right? And you know so much about your own group, why can't you use your smart ways to find out without rambling...If you have a GM that taught you anything, I'm sure they explained, through research you should find what you seek. And remember there were many masons before you had ever been raised. There are a number of institutions out there with the answer. Sir, do the work! Let me know when you've gain wisdom...........earn your Master's Wage (smile) and refer to me as S.G.I.G. (please).
Lost Word,
Ill. F.G.Washington
Most Pussiant Sovereign Grand Commander
After this, I sent him one more E-mail and got no response. I figured I hit a nerve. Knowing that it was going to be held in the State of Nevada, I contacted MWGM Charles W. Searcy of the MWPHGL of Nevada. I informed him of this Conference taking place in his State, and he said he was very well aware of it, and that the MWPHGL of Nevada was not in support of it in any way. I was pleased to here this and continued my research on this group and “so called’ conference. It appears that he has been very busy contacting other bogus, irregular, and spurious groups to support this meeting. One of his tactics is speaking with regular Masons and throwing out big names to impress regular Masons. In one case he E-mailed the Director of the Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices, Ralph McNeal, and knew his Lodge and the state he was from, stating that some of his Brothers are PGM Boykins, PGM Armstead, PP LaMarr, etc. In my case he threw the name of PGM Daniel W. Simmons.
Mr. Freddie is another illusionist, and a fraud, in which he deceives the Black Communities in thinking that his sponsorship of Black Unity among Black Masons, is for the good of Freemasonry. It is nothing but a scheme.
One new development was that on September 18, 2003, at the Most Worshipful John G. Jones, Hiram of Tyre Grand Lodge, located at 5900 Broadway, city of Los Angeles, California, at 5:00pm Mr. Freddie claims that the Sovereign Grand Encampment of the U.S.A. was open for the purpose of bestowing the Knights Templar Degree on African Americans. What is funny is that the KT Degrees has existed in Prince Hall for over 100 years. Disturbing was the fact that he also claimed that a Past Grand Commander, of the State of Indiana Grand Commandery of Knights Templars, (Mainstream) Past Grand Commander Ronald D. Simpson, was the one who presided over this conferral. According to Mr. Freddie, the order of business was to obligate and initiate the following persons; MEGM, Freddie G. Washington, REGR, Lopez Z. Hill, Sir Knight George A. Morgan, Sir Knight Morshan Ward, Sir Knight Devon W. Gregory, Sir Knight Eric D. Jones, Sir Knight Omar Scaife, Sir Knight James Gardley, and Sir Knight Matthews Smith into the Order of the Red Cross, The order of The Knights of Malta, and The Order of the Knights Templar.
Freddie makes mention in his October newsletter that, “Historically, this York Rite Degree has never been conferred upon African American Masons by the Grand Encampment of the U.S.A. which is held by Whites in America or since its institution in Europe in 1188 A.D.” If this is true, according to Mr. Freddie, he now claims that he can obligate and confer all the degrees based on lineage.
Strangely enough Mr. Freddie had a picture of Past Grand Commander, Ronald D. Simpson, and himself in full regalia. After many learning of the claims by Mr. Freddie, a “Press Release” was sent to one of our Brothers, Brother Aubrey Brown, out of Illinois (PHA), and swift changes were made. In the amended newsletter, PGC Ronald D. Simpson’s picture was removed, and anywhere PGC Ronald D. Simpson’s name was mentioned, it was also removed. This seemed very strange. The changes were done within 12 hours of many learning of what was placed in the original newsletter.
Now, this doesn’t end here, part of the newsletter states that the conferral of these degrees would be done again in California. Here is the actual saying of the upcoming event:
2004 Unity Conference of African American Masons
5632 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite 251
Van Nuys, CA 91401-4602
(818) 905-5180
TO:All Jurisdictions of Masons
SUBJECT:Classes & Initiations for new and improved Knights Templar Ritual
A three (3) day class will be held in Los Angeles, California on November 13, 14 and 15, 2003. This class will be given by the Sovereign Grand Encampment of the USA with instructions and initiation by a noted Past Eminent Grand Commander.
This is the second initiation for those that did not have the opportunity to attend. This is a limited opportunity in which a fraternal brother of another body will give the degree and ritual with tactics included. This instruction will help create a uniformity of this degree among our jurisdictions.
The cost is $65.00 for the three (3) day class per person. The location of the class will be provided later and in due time. If you want to take advantage of this 3-day class, please send your MONEY ORDER or CASHIERS CHECK NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 27, 2003. Please include your name, grand lodge name and telephone number so that we can reach you. Grand Lodges can send one check for all members from their Lodge, if they prefer.
For jurisdictions that want any of their members initiated during this (3) day training session, the cost of the initiation can be discussed and a mutual agreement made between the jurisdiction and the Sovereign Grand Encampment of the USA prior to the class. Any candidates being initiated, a certificate will be issued. Please include the name(s) of any initiates(s) with the payment.
Please send MONEY ORDERS or CASHIERS CHECKS payable to: “UNITY CONFERENCE” and mail to the address listed above. NO PERSONAL CHECKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call.
Fraternally,
Freddie G. Washington
Chairman of the Unity Conference of African American Masons (UCAAM)
and
Sovereign Grand Master
Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander
Most Eminent Grand Master
If this is not a scam, then I do not know what is. Notice that he specifies that he wants no personal checks in capital letters. Only Money Orders, and Cashiers Checks payable to the “Unity Conference”. Guess who is Chairman of the Unity Conference? You got it, our good friend “Freddie”. Notice that no mention of where the proceeds will go, nor did he explain where they would go when asked by the Director of the Commission on Bogus Masonic Practices, Ralph McNeal. Not only is Freddie duping Brothers of the human family in November, but he also has scheduled another degree work in April of 2004 at this “Unity Conference”
As far as the PGC Ronald D. Simpson of Indiana conferring the degrees of Knights Templar on Freddie and the Gang, that has not been proven as of yet, and will not interfere with what I think might be an investigation. But do not quote me on this. I will report my findings when available.
Ezekiel M. Bey
1st Vice President
Phylaxis Society
Commission On Bogus Masonic Practices