Brethren,

Born in Massachusetts in 1748, the son of an English army officer and an African- American woman freed from slavery, Prince Hall grew up to become a Methodist minister in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1775, he was made a member of a British military lodge, the first African-American to become a Mason. Despite this, Prince Hall supported the struggle for independence against the British. In 1791, the first Grand Lodge of African-Americans was formed, with Prince Hall as Grand Master. After his death in 1807, the African-American lodges assumed his name. After the civil rights movement in the 1960's, several mainstream white lodges established visiting relations with Prince Hall lodges. The Grand Lodge of Maryland has worked hard to establish relations with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland. In the spirit of brotherly love which transcends the racial and color barriers of yesteryear, we will be visiting Prince Hall Lodge #38 on Friday, September 19, 2008 at 7:30 P.M.

Dispensation has been obtained to omit the September 2, 2008 meeting. In its' place we will hold a Special meeting beginning at 7 P.M. on September 9, 2008. The brothers passing proficiency in the Entered Apprentice degree will be passed to the degree of Fellowcraft. Patterned from an 18th century ceremony, each brother will symbolically climb a winding staircase into the middle chamber of King Solomon's temple. During the course of the lecture, the orders of architecture are explained, as derived from the teachings of the Roman architect, Vitruvius. This degree, more than any other, is linked to a former historical time period when formal education did not exist. The passage is symbolic of our passage into adulthood, where we learn and have new experiences daily.

The headquarters of the National Sojourners is located at the Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism, just north of Mt. Vernon, Virginia. With roots dating back to the North Dakota Regiment, stationed in the Philippines in 1900, the Sojourners have provided a "home" away from home for Masons serving their country in the armed forces. Within this organization is a group of men calling themselves "The Heroes of '76'". This organization traces its' origins to the writings of Caleb Atwater, ordained minister, lawyer and Ohio legislator, and Edward Beach Jones, former Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the state of Kentucky and the Centennial celebration of the events of 1776. The Bennington Flag, with 13 stripes and 13 stars, eleven of which form an inverted "U"over the number, "76", is the official flag of the order. Legend dates this flag back to the August 16, 1777 Battle of Bennington (Vermont) during the Revolutionary War. On September 16, 2008, we are privileged to have our own John English along with several fellow members of "The Heroes of '76'" give us a flag building presentation along with a short slide show. Come and joins us for this unusual performance. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:30 P.M.

Fraternally,

Dennis R. Hamlet
Worshipful Master

Dates to Remember (excerpted from A New Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry compiled by Arthur Edward Waite):

1779 - The Lodge called American Union celebrated the festival of St. John on December 27, at Morris Town, New Jersey, George Washington being one of the guests.

1783 - A Grand Lodge was founded at Maryland, U.S.A., on July 31.

27 Sep 2008 - Bob Schott and Ned Featherston with the help of John Schneider begin their pancake breakfast after a summer break. Time is from 7:30 A.M 'til 10 A.M. Cost is $3. All Masons of the Month for July, August and September are guests of Mt. Moriah Lodge.