A local lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of Kentucky, known as Freemasons, will welcome a new leader.
Rick Searcy will become the first black master of a Freemason lodge in Kentucky and, possibly, in the Southeast, he said. He will be installed Saturday at Ensor Lodge No. 729. Seating will begin at 1 p.m., and the ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. The lodge, with 140 registered members, is at Kentucky 142 and Kentucky 144. The ceremony and dinner are free and open to the public.
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I think the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kentucky might question the veracity of that statement.
ReplyDeleteVictor Marshall, was Worshipful Master of Gate City Lodge No. 2 from December 2012 until December 2013. Many of you will remember the lawsuit which was filed against the Grand Lodge of Georgia in 2009 whereby his removal, as well as the surrender of the Lodge Charter, was sought by, not just ill-informed Brethren, but some "higher ups" as well. He is the first Black F& AM Worshipful Master in Georgia - and probably the Southeast.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brother Pettys; I was one of Worshipful Marshall's advocates during that time back in 2009 and he has rendered good service as a Mason since. But of this post, I am becoming concerned that we are making too big a thing out of this matter. Whether it is in Georgia or Kentucky, we as Masons should recognize a brother regardless of his color; that is why Gate City Lodge has been ennobled in its actions. As Masons, we should not concern ourselves with the color of that Master's skin, but instead acknowledge that a brother, through his own good labors, has been elevated by his brethren to the office of Worshipful Master (and oh yeah, he happens to be black). We as Masons should stand up to any injustice we know to be within our gentle Craft but we should also be modest in our regular practices, so let us not dwell too much on what we know to be proper practices lest we take away from its good works. I congratulate each of our brethren who have been elevated by their Lodge to serve as Worshipful Master (to include our brother in Kentucky) for the ensuing year and I wish each of us well. My humble opinion of course...
ReplyDeleteWhile I entirely agree with your comments, we must also realize that this is of some importance. Race is still an issue within the walls of the fraternity, and when the day comes that it can be something in the past, long forgotten as the errors of past ways, then I believe this type of headline will be obsolete.
DeleteWell I'm sorry my oath and obligation that I have taken and held close to my heart will not let me sit with my brothers in lodge. I will be resign from the lodge. I do not take the oath and obligation that I took more than 30 yrs.ago lightly. We all know the penalty that I swore on the bible and in front of God so I will resign. I have met some of the best people and friends over the years but like I said I do not take it lightly
DeleteHooray for Kentucky!
ReplyDeleteI agree with both sides. It shouldn't be a big deal, but it is. As, I am the first black in my lodge since the 1920's. Either way you look at it, it's special.
ReplyDelete