Valdez Lodge No. 4, F. & A.M. of Alaska

            I have enjoyed studying history from about the time I learned how to read. The Enlightenment and the American Revolution fascinated me and often puzzled me. It was a wonder to me how the philosophical ideas of the Enlightenment survived the despotic governments and religious dogma of that time. The American Revolution was fueled by these philosophies. I wondered how these radical ideas were able to take root and proliferate. One can only imagine that had these ideas been developed under the nose of our modern surveillance capabilities, the security agencies of a despotic state and the dogmatic church would have surely extinguished them. Over the course of my studies, I discovered many intersections between Freemasonry with the Enlightenment and the American Revolution. I eventually pursued Masonry as a result of what I learned.

            Today, I have been a Mason for over fourteen years. During this time, I have learned a lot about myself, the world, and have greatly enjoyed the experience. Freemasonry remains a philosophical organization but has deviated into being more of a social club with philanthropic pursuits. It has been a good journey, and I continue to enjoy being a student of history and philosophy. Tuesday evenings at Lodge continue to challenge my brethren and myself with new ideas and perspectives.

            In 2019, I had the distinct honor to serve as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alaska. During my travels and many discussions with Masons around Alaska and the United States, I stated that Alaska is an excellent proving ground for Masonry – restoring old traditions and experimenting with new concepts to elevate the Masonic experience. On more than a few occasions, the topic of unification between the Grand Lodges and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges emerged. I fancied the idea of a unification between the Grand Lodge of Alaska (Blue Lodge Masonry) and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alaska; if any unification could happen, it would happen in Alaska.

            What exactly is a Prince Hall Grand Lodge? Prince Hall Grand Lodges are named after an extraordinary gentleman – Prince Hall. Prince Hall is believed to have been born in Barbados and worked for passage on a ship to Boston. Hall had sought to become a Mason at a colonial lodge in Massachusetts but was turned away because he was a man of color. On March 6, 1775, Prince Hall and fourteen free black men sought admission and were admitted into Freemasonry by Lodge No. 441 of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, an Army lodge attached to one of General Gage’s regiments stationed near Boston. Lodge No. 441 departed the colonies prior to the American Revolution. The fifteen black Masons were left without a lodge and only a permit to meet for Masonic funerals and processions. These Masons were turned away when they tried to affiliate with lodges in the fledgling United States. Prince Hall applied for a warrant from H.R.H. The Duke of Cumberland (Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England) to start a lodge. On September 29, 1784, a charter was issued to African Lodge No. 1 (renamed African Lodge No. 459), and Prince Hall and the fourteen black Masons began making Masons in Boston, Philadelphia, and Providence, as well as establishing new lodges. In December 1808, African Lodge No. 459 (Boston) and the lodges in Philadelphia and Providence formed the African Grand Lodge and elected Prince Hall as the first Grand Master. In 1847, the African Grand Lodge changed its name to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge – the mother Grand Lodge of today’s Prince Hall Grand Lodges.

            Prince Hall was an abolitionist and a leader in Boston’s free black community. He also lobbied for the education of African-American children (he established a school for black children in his own home), as well as equal rights for African-Americans. The Prince Hall lodges that bear his name were instrumental in delivering enslaved black people to freedom via the Underground Railroad, establishing schools for black children, and their substantial support of the Civil Rights movement. Prince Hall is clearly one of the forgotten Founding Fathers of the United States, and his legacy – Prince Hall Masonry, is a national treasure.

            I often think about how the course of history may have been altered had M.W.Bro. Prince Hall and his brethren been accepted into the colonial lodge versus finding their own way. I fear that had Prince Hall and his brethren been admitted into the colonial lodge that their cause of liberty and equality may have been set back. It’s not that white Masons are indifferent to the plight suffered by others; we don’t comprehend how the shadow of slavery and discrimination continues to injure the black community. However, their admission into the colonial lodge may have allowed Prince Hall and his brethren to share in their experiences with slavery and discrimination to their white brethren. Perhaps, civil discourse would have prevailed and the whole of U.S. Freemasonry would have engaged in the cause for the abolition of slavery and civil rights. I see the latter of these two scenarios today in my own Lodge, as well as in Blue and Prince Hall Lodges around the country. Men of all races, ethnicities, origins, and faiths can be found in both the Blue Lodges and Prince Hall Lodges. Experience is shared, and though I will never actualize what my brethren have personally gone through, it helps me to be a better man and Mason. It empowers me to rationally advocate for reform and early intervention.

            I ponder the discussions I have had with Grand Lodge Officers from my Grand Lodge, Alaska’s Prince Hall Grand Lodge, and Grand Lodge Officers from other states regarding unification. I enjoy the shared Masonic brotherhood between my Grand Lodge and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges. Unification is possible, but it is not realistic until we heal as a Nation. The Prince Hall Grand Lodges are significant forces in their communities for their advocacy, service, and leadership; unification at this time may rob communities of these great organizations, their dynamic leaders, proud traditions, and the trust reposed in them. I believe that through the cooperation of the Grand Lodges and joint local efforts between Prince Hall Lodges and Blue Lodges, those Masonic principles that founded our Nation, will be afforded to all citizens and the American dream will prosper.

            Freemasonry in the United States, much like our contemporary United States, is at a crossroads. Though the issues experienced by U.S. Freemasonry may appear to be unrelated to that of the Nation, the history of the Fraternity and the Nation are most certainly related. I am often asked how Masonry is relevant in today’s world. The relevance of Masonry in today’s world is significant, and when Masons take responsibility to lead our Nation again, many of the Nation’s problems will cease to exist. We lead not through politics, but by the example we set, through our ability to create a positive influence locally, by encouraging civility and rational discourse, and being well-informed and active citizens. Continuing to nurture our brotherhood with Prince Hall Masonry is an excellent place to begin.

M⸫W⸫ John D. May, PGM

Worshipful Master

Valdez Lodge No. 4

F. & A.M. of Alaska