Prince Hall # 9 before covid
A brief history of Prince Hall Lodge # 9
Prince Hall #9
brief Observations
I will attempt to clear the air of misconceptions and some hatred concerning the masonic organization. People who had no voice in society found a voice through masonry. It was one of the hand maidens that led men to an equal footing with other men. This came at a time when men and women had no church and was at the disposal of the oppressor. There may be masonic organizations out there that do the horrible things that some attribute to masonry. I have encountered such that called themselves by other names. A man once said that “The preacher has no choice but accept every person who comes forward at the invitation”. That is not true anymore. The supreme architect of the universe forces no one to follow him or his doctrine. That may have been an excuse to try and fill church pews. This often resulted in people coming forward for the invitation and never being seen again. Most restored Churches of Christ now request a Bible study and prayer with the person coming forward. Masonry has always checked the background of those asking for a petition. The government does not entrust secret or sensitive information to people until they have been cleared to handle such. When one’s eternal destiny is at stake, we owe it to them to ensure that they are making good choices.
Prince Hall Lodge # 9 Began
A humble beginning
Every organization has a history. Some organizations we see as having always existed. Consider the organization in question. PM Edgar Carter had plans for the last years of this life.
He petitioned Grandmaster Duncan to start a new Lodge in Lawton. I did not realize it at the time but that would open many new opportunities for leadership. The charter members, PM Edgar Carter sat at the helm WM: M. Powell, was selected for Senior Warden, and w. Baker came along as Junior Warden. Only three master masons in good standing are needed to petition to start a new lodge: I do not encourage others to seek out such accomplishments. These things are not for the faint hearted.
Discouragement
It is often said that ancient masons met on a hill or in a low dell. There are growing pains. A stable meeting place for a new lodge can be a challenge. However, the work of building a lodge can be rewarding. There are many opportunities for growth and development as men and masons. The parent lodge could have reservations about a group splintering from it. There can be big words of fright. One was the lodge is going to fail and you will be without a lodge home. In such situations a mason would become a mason at large. Carter became progressively sicker, and he encouraged us to ensure the success of the lodge. We cared for him as best we could, and that meant long days at Reynolds Army hospital. Some of those members who were so against his plans visited him during his sickness.
Issues along the way
Much work finds progress.
One brother asked the question where will you hold meetings? We met in a place called Patterson center Initially, we later acquired a vacant house on first street. We initiated 3 new members in that cold drafty place. By the time Bro. Carter died we were a growing lodge. Carter encouraged us to go to the Grand Lodge Sessions, he said that it was a good experience. We participated and started new projects. How true that was. I later served as Grand junior warden for several years. When the lodge was up and running as well as could be expected, I decided to follow my dream and become a classroom teacher. I moved to Oklahoma City for two years as I followed that career. At the end of the school year 2000 I signed on with Fort Worth ISD of Texas where I have been ever since 2000. I Made the Grand communication in 2000 and every year since then our school ended after the June meeting date until this year 2023. About 23 years I was absent from the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma.
The right time
Twenty-three years and I finally get back to the annual communications. One of my long dreams was to record events related to the lodge. I need to do that now as I see the health of those who remain beginning to wane.
The end results can be amazing.
I look out on a strong Blue Lodge as Prince Hall #9 continues to grow today.
Contact Information
Learn about the rich history of Prince Hall Lodge #9.
lodgenine@example.com
123-456-7890
