Recognition Amongst
Grand Lodges
What Recognition Means
Recognition is a word used in many acknowledgements in life, and is defined to recognize or accept its existence. The root word of recognition is “recognize”. Most often times the word Recognition is used in the Masonic world to acknowledge the authenticity of a regular constituted Lodge recognized by some Grand Body of a Regular status in origin.
Recognition between Grand Lodges has been a struggle on both sides for centuries because the different aspect of what one sees as “regular”. The lineage of Lodges which ties regularity to a Grand Lodge is the issuance of charters by it legal Masonic authority. The Grand Lodge of England of 1717, issued charters to many European Lodges and many American Lodges across the world. It was/is consider the premier Grand Lodge to many Grand Lodges and Lodges alike that was birth by it.
One charter in particular that was issued by the Grand Lodge of England on September 20, 1784 was to a Lodge numbered 459. This Lodge which is the lineage of all Prince Hall affiliated Grand Lodges have through out the last past 222, and 231 years if we count the initiation of Prince Hall, has been placed under scrutiny of its regularity when all proof of its regular status is available to anyone of interest.
So what is truly recognition of Grand Lodges? Should I recognize you if you do not recognize me? The prejudice of one can caused the prejudice of the other in defense of its denied origin and regularity. This is the feud of recognition between Prince Hall and some “so-called” mainstream Grand Lodges. I prefer to say “Predominately White Grand Lodges”. It is all about lineage and what connects you to your beginning.
Today many Mainstream Grand Lodges have recognized Prince Hall’s regularity and have shared in “MUTUAL” recognition and visitations. You will have some “IGNORANT” people who feel that the Prince Hall Grand Lodges have in some way begged others for recognition. Nothing is further then the truth. Predominately white Grand Lodges and Prince Hall Grand Lodges have sat down and discussed the many issues that affect us, and the detriment and injustice we do to this fraternity.
This concern has been aggressively addresses by both Grand Bodies. It is a progress, which we in many jurisdictions have fought for and continue to struggle until all regular bodies see each other as we see ourselves, “REGULAR”. This endeavor will prove the true spirit of Freemasonry and will allow us to lay down the Tyler’s sword against our counterparts and we will be able to live the universal part of Freemasonry. However, we must be forever careful of bogus entities that try the wolf in sheep’s clothing maneuver. Many think because they claim the same passwords, grips, signs and even words makes them a Mason. This is not the facts and until we separate ourselves from this concept the more truthful we will be to the Ancient Land Marks.
Regular bodies must remember the past, and correct it in order to have a prosperous future with all mankind, especially our Brethren. Let us not commit the errors of our forefathers but rather pardon them by correcting them today. We must stop crucifying the moral teachings of Freemasonry and begin NOW, to live according to it divine teachings.
In the case of “so-called Mainstream” and Prince Hall most of the past mistakes have been on both sides because of the era and time we lived in. It is a new day now and we must break the change of ignorance. We have concentrated for many years of our differences that we neglected how much alike we are.
I pray that this paper is understood in the good intentions of my heart and not interpreted as placing blame. If we don’t change today, we are making it harder for tomorrow. Today is us, Tomorrow is our Sons. Let us make it better for their fraternal sake.
God Bless this great Fraternity of ours.
Written By
Ezekiel M. Bey