Negro Masonry in the United States


Book Description

This is a new release of the original 1945 edition.




All Men Free and Brethren


Book Description

The first in-depth account of an African American institution that spans the history of the American Republic.




Black Freemasonry


Book Description

The history of black Freemasonry from Boston and Philadelphia in the late 1700s through the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement • Examines the letters of Prince Hall, legendary founder of the first black lodge • Reveals how many of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century were also Masons, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Nat King Cole • Explores the origins of the Civil Rights Movement within black Freemasonry and the roles played by Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois When the first Masonic lodges opened in Paris in the early 18th century their membership included traders, merchants, musketeers, clergymen, and women--both white and black. This was not the case in the United States where black Freemasons were not eligible for membership in existing lodges. For this reason the first official charter for an exclusively black lodge--the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts--was granted by the Grand Lodge of England rather than any American chapter. Through privileged access to archives kept by Grand Lodges, Masonic libraries, and museums in both the United States and Europe, respected Freemasonry historian Cécile Révauger traces the history of black Freemasonry from Boston and Philadelphia in the late 1700s through the Abolition Movement and the Civil War to the genesis of the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1900s up through the 1960s. She opens with a look at Prince Hall, legendary founder and the chosen namesake when black American lodges changed from “African Lodges” to “Prince Hall Lodges” in the early 1800s. She reveals how the Masonic principles of mutual aid and charity were more heavily emphasized in the black lodges and especially during the reconstruction period following the Civil War. She explores the origins of the Civil Rights Movement within black Freemasonry and the roles played by Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois, founder of the NAACP, among others. Looking at the deep connections between jazz and Freemasonry, the author reveals how many of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century were also Masons, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Eubie Blake, Cab Calloway, and Paul Robeson. Unveiling the deeply social role at the heart of black Freemasonry, Révauger shows how the black lodges were instrumental in helping American blacks transcend the horrors of slavery and prejudice, achieve higher social status, and create their own solid spiritually based social structure, which in some cities arose prior to the establishment of black churches.




Freemasons For Dummies


Book Description

Unravel the mysteries of the Masons All the myths and rumors about Masonic organizations probably have you wondering "what do Masons really do?" Questions like this one are a natural by-product of being the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This book is an ideal starting place to find answers to your questions about the secret and not-so-secret things about Freemasonry. Now in its third edition, this international best-seller peeks behind the door of your local Masonic lodge and explains the meanings behind the rituals, rites, and symbols of the organization. Along the way the book covers nearly 3,000 years of Masonic history, introduces you to some famous Freemasons you already know from history books, and explains the relationship with related groups like Knights Templar, Scottish Rite, Order of Eastern Star, and the beloved fez-wearing Shriners. Look inside the book to learn: What it takes to become a member of the Freemasons, and what you can expect when you join How Lodges are organized and what really goes on during Masonic ceremonies The basic beliefs and philosophies of Freemasonry, including how Masons contribute to charity, and society in general The origins behind some of the wild myths and conspiracy theories surrounding Freemasonry and how to debunk (most of) them Written by a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and the Public Relations and Marketing Director for the Grand Lodge F&AM of Indiana, Freemasons For Dummies is a must-read guide for anyone interested in this ancient fraternal order, whether you're looking to join or are just curious about some of the more mysterious aspects of Freemasonry.




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry


Book Description

In The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry, an expert author reveals the truths and dispels the myths that have surrounded the Freemasons for hundreds of years- Were the first masons 14th-century stone masons and cathedral builders, or can Freemasonry really be traced back as far as Egypt, Babylon, and Palestine? The Masonic insistence on the belief in a Supreme Being The Masons and the Knights Templar True or false- the Masons coordinated the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution. How are Masons initiated, and exactly what goes on in a Masonic lodge? What s the difference between the York Rite and the Scottish Rite, and are there women and African American Freemasons? The Masons in the streets of Washington, DC- a tour




African Origins of Freemasonry


Book Description

"Fantasies That Run In My Head" is the authors collection of original Web inspired poems. Almost everything said and done between people in this Net-based environment is pure fantasy and wishful thinking. Here you can be whoever you want to be and say almost anything you want to say. The poem "In Realtime Too", is a synopsis of web life. It is often hard to separate the "fantasy" from the reality and the merging of desires with time and distance, often make revelations of the heart and mind possible. So while you read, see if you can decipher the real from the unreal, the actual acts from the make-believe desires. See if you agreed that: "Making all our cyber plans Courting all those cyber fans. Doing what we must do The same as if in real time too."




Freemasonry, Greek Philosophy, the Prince Hall Fraternity and the Egyptian (African) World Connection


Book Description

Freemasonry is a system of learning that has been recognized as?a?product of western civilization, however what is not told is the influences by people of African descent. This book describes the contributions to freemasonry from the ancient African civilizations of Egypt, Nubia and pre Islamic Arabia. It is designed to give the reader a deeper understanding of its origins as well as its connection to world civilizations and world religion, all of which has an African presence. This book will also looks at the universe of African American Masonic organizations from the early 18th century to the 20th century America, which ranged from the origins of prince hall freemasonry to Black Nationalist and esoteric religious sects like the Moorish Science Temple of America, the UNIA and several other offshoots. Contrary to prior accounts, African American Freemasonry was concerned with far more than simply acknowledgement and respectability. The book will demonstrate that Freemasonry played a critical role in, history, politics and African American social life. I discuss such topics as the impact of Greek philosophy on western civilization, the rise of Islam and its impact on the African continent and finally the grandeur and accomplishments of the moors of Spain. African people have been at the very core of this rich foundation. In addition I discuss the comparisons between the ancient Egyptian civilization and modern day freemasonry. I explore its symbolism as well as the esoteric foundations that freemasonry relies so heavily upon. Once freemasonry reach the western hemisphere it became a tool for influencing Europe’s elite. Moreover, my research covers the history of the knight’s of Europe and the origins of?european chivalry and how Arabic poetry played an important role in its establishment. Additional topics include Napoleon Bonaparte, The mystic shrine and the foundations of Orientalism.




Moorish Circle 7


Book Description

This book is based on the theory that the black Muslim movement was created from the knowledge of the Masonic order. In the early decades of the 20th century, noble drew ali established a political and religious organization known today as the Moorish Science Temple of America. It was this organization that exposed black to something other than the normal Christian influences of that day. Ali a high degree freemason, incorporated various Masonic teachings from an auxiliary group. Known as the AEAONMS ancient Egyptian Arabic order of noble of the mystic shrine A pseudo Islamic/Arabic oriental organization that served as a wake up call to a lost knowledge. A knowledge that was taken away from Africans during the slave trades. The theory behind this book is that the majority of the slaves that were taken from the west coast of Africa were practicing Muslims, and these Muslims were forced to convert to Christianity under the strong oppression of slavery. At one time Afro-Americans were the biggest minority in the American society. About 90% of the todays population of blacks are descendants of slaves that were brought to America for working on plantations since the 16th century. At the beginning of the 19th century most of the so-called Negroes lived in the plantation areas of the Southern States. After the Civil War and the abolition of slavery it wasnt until the early 1920s and 30s that blacks were beginning to experiment with other faiths. Of all the faiths Islam became the fastest growing religion and the most popular. This book by far is in no way a research into black history, instead it covers a more deeper aspect of history in which I call the history behind the history. It explores the true Asiatic origins of the ancient religions of Hinduism, Buddhism well as the Islamic faith. Finally It explores the Masonic symbolisms of alis Moorish science dogma digging deeper into the esoteric side of his Aquarian/Masonic teaching explaining their origins and discovering an age old wisdom that had been kept hidden from the human eye. One would think that Africans in the Americas would have rejected the religious tradition of their European oppressors taking into consideration that African religions are far older & they possess more sources of knowledge & spiritual salvation. Yet there are those who have turned away from traditional Christian dominated environments in order to find a greater understanding of themselves and the world in which they live. One alternative has been to seek knowledge in the various religious groups that arose in the 20th century.




Landmarks of Our Fathers


Book Description




Masonic Light from Ancient Africa


Book Description

This book explores the critical thinking that Freemasons of African descent have towards the understanding of the Bible as well as the impact of Christianity in African American culture. To the Mason, the Bible is the guide of faith for it gives us God's holy instructions. It also has within it a secret knowledge that many of our traditional churches refused to tap into. Therefore this knowledge is esoteric in nature and this is what masonry thrives on. This book will examine not only the contributions by ancient Kemet (Egypt) To religion but the entire content of Africa which has a conglomerate of religions all are pointing to one divine creator.