Evening journal., 1914-12-22
COLORED MASONS
Choose OFFICERS
Past Grand Master Cornell of
Tennessee Tells of Growth
of the Fraternity

Pursuant to a call Of the NJ W.
Grand Master of tho NJ. W. African
Harmony Grand Lodge. of Il. & A. A.
Y. Masons for the State of Delaware |
aud jurisdiction. the Grand Lodge |
convened in fifty-ninth annual ses-
sion. John W. Hollis, Grand Master, /
was in the East, and all other grand |
Officers were present.
Tho session lasted from Thursday /
TO Saturday, inclusive, in the Masonic |
Hall. on Walnut street, near Ninth /
street The attendance was good, I
every lodge in the State being repre-
scented, and reporting their craft as
prosperous and growing.
Routine business was entered into !
including the appointment of Commit |
tees. and such other matters of import
anco as came before the Grand Lodge |
Of the United States and the prov
inces; and from tho corresponding
secretaries. throughout the national
compact of Masonry among colored
men.
The presence OF the NJ. W. N. Grand
Master Bishop j. w. Alstork. A. NJ, ID.
d., of Montgomery. Ala, was expected,
but, owing to his conferences in ses-
rlUuf liz NUuiu MOi niAAHOs n ANNANA
from him was read. showing great in
crease throughout the national juris-
diction. numerically. morally and IL
nancially. and stating that the craft
was never In better harmony or en-
Toying more solid prosperity than
now. The presence of DR. A. r. Rob
/ inson. ~ u. Grand Master. OF Ph ladel-
/ phia. was inspiring to the Masons OF
~ Il. - LOO
G.. Master Of Tennessee. who delivered
an address TO tile Grand Lodge Among
/ the things he said we're following:
ITO be good Masons We must be
! good citizens. r. is not any moro a
question with men who read and know
! anything Of the history of the institu-
ton OF Masonry among negroes. as to
who have a legitimate right TO exist as
true followers Of Prince Hall. for tho
intelligent and fsir-mind. this is set
tied"
He related the history Of the first
three negro Masons. aud their breth-
rem. initiated. passed and raised in the
British Lodge, while General Gage was
stationed at Boston. Mass. 1775. and
how In 1884. Prince Hall received a
warrant to congregate his brethren.
dHu TeleIltu 10 the tSidDiichutHl OF
lodges in New York. Pennsylvania and
Rhode island, and afterwards formed
the first Grand Lodge in this country.
He dealt with the confused condl-
tions of the craft. and the condition to
which II was drifting. when John
II. Hilton. who was then Grand Master
of Massachusetts. called all the col
ored Masons In a grand convention
where they all met aud formed the ma
iional compact Of Masonry, plcdging
themselves 10 forever hold allegiance
10 and forever 10 recognize this body
as the parent body from which all
I warrants Of authority should emanate
4 He showed when aud where some Of
: these same men seeded and were
promptly expelled for their behavior
He closed by referring with pride Il
the loyal and true Craftmen who had
never let true Masonry trail in IN.
dust many Of whom have gone from
labor 10 reward. while others Of noble
character lead the thousands who
strive TO honor the institution and
. bless humanity.
He urged that the Colored Masons
Of Delaware be true. stand firm 10 the