You correspond with Brothers for years. You get to know them really well. Or perhaps you go through a particularly trying time just once with a Brother long distance. That’s enough for a strong bond. But still there is something lacking, the joy of a face to face relationship.
Such was the case for me with the Brothers from Gate City Lodge No 2, Atlanta, Georgia.
That is until I finally made it to Atlanta.
In town for the 2013 Phylaxis Convention, I got together with Brothers Beaux Pettys, WM Victor Marshall, PM Mike Bjelajac and Carlos Peon all from the Mainstream Grand Lodge of Georgia.
Perhaps you remember the story of African American Brother Victor Marshall who the Grand Lodge of Georgia tried to expel because of the color of his skin. And then after that battle was won when they refused to admit him to the Scottish Rite.
In case those stories got by you here are the original articles:
Georgia: Not Such A Peachy Masonic State
My brother’s keeper. Open Racism in Georgia Freemasonry.
Georgia Black Mainstream Mason Is Black Balled Again
For The Second Time In His Masonic Journey
Mike Bjelajac was Master of the Lodge at the time and it is upon his shoulders that much of the heat was applied. Just a few minutes of conversation with Mike and you could tell why he handled it so well. He is a mild mannered, kind Brother, the non excitable type.
The Gate City Lodge Brothers decided to dine with me at the Phylaxis Society host hotel. This made for a good deal of interaction between Brothers from different Grand Lodges. You would never know that Georgia does not recognize Prince Hall by the way and manner in which brotherly love and affection was demonstrated this night.
Another chapter in life has been experienced and I am back home in Texas, now. But the joy of a time when we could break bread together, laugh and hug each other and get to know something of the inner man will live with me for many years hence. Truly there is no substitute for fraternity and fellowship in person.
I was asking how can i be a member but am in east africa tanzania and my financial status is not good enough and my age is abit small am 23 years
nice to see masonic fellowship dont seem to be as much as there were or maybe im just old. grin—surprisingly even expelled i have lots of fellowship with masons.you even get a better picture of how disgusted masons of arkansas are with there great so called grand lodge.as far as i can tell most lodges have just sort of hide out to there selfs or are as bad as grand lodge.i do know this.the grand lodge of arkansas is one sick pup. and yep they need a worming
WE MAY BE FAR FROM ONE ANOTHER BUT WHAT WE SHARE WILL BRING US TOGETHER THROUGH THE OMNIPOTENCE OF THE MOST HIGH GOD.WHEN YOU DONT BELIEVE WHAT I SAY JUST LOOK INSIDE YOU THERE YOU WILL FIND ME.I AM ALWAYS THERE SPIRITUALLY,JUST BELIEVE IN WHAT I SAY AND OUR FRATERNITY WILL FOREVER MULTIPLY,I AM WORTH IT.STAY BLESSED MY BROTHERS…..WITH LOVE
today i get to go to a great masons birthday.one of the best things that ever happened in arkansas masonry that i know of—-i have had fellowship with this man for years—things like —travling to differant lodges–long conversations while driving long hrs—he taught me lacturing–funeral services–the list is never ending—i may be expelled—-but brothers i could never be bitter of being a mason–only talked to him once about the war he was in==world war 2===wow====god has seen fit to give him 102 years of life—to know him is to love him—on this no one in arkansas will dissagree .his name SEARL WATSON–still very strong
Stopped and seen my old Masonic friend yesterday.104 years young,unbelievable. I feel he won’t see 105 but who knows God only.