Published Monthly by The
Phylaxis Society Public Affairs Office
and Masonic Information Center
March 2000
The Museum of Our National Heritage, operated by the Supreme Council A.A.S.R., Northern Masonic Jurisdiction is displaying a photograph of Caesar L. Blake, Past Imperial Potentate of the Prince Hall Shrine. Blake served from 1919-3 1, and guided the Shrine through some rough times. Hon. Robert L. Uzzel FPS, Phylaxis Society Director of Public Communication has been nominated by the Philalethes Society to receive its Certificate of Literature Award for 1999. Bro Uzzel received the Phylaxis Society Certificate of Literature in 1985 for his masterpiece "The Moorish Science Temple: A Religion Influence by Prince Hall Freemasonry. Bro Charles E, Johnson, Jr FPS Stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina was awarded the 1999 Certificate of Literature for his Masterpiece "Warriors of Christ: A Study in Masonic Knighthood." The Phylaxis Society plans to organize a Greek Lettered Fraternity under this knighthood. All those interested in being chartered -members,. please contact the Society. The official commissioned portrait on the 43rd mayor of the city of St. Louis, Missouri, Bro. Freeman R. Bosley, Jr., was unveiled September 29th in the St. Louis City Hall Rotunda It is now on permanent display on the second floor of City Hall as part of an exhibition of portraits of St. Louis Mayors dating to 1823. Bro Bosley is the 43rd Mayor of St. Louis, and the city's first African-American Mayor. April the 8th, at the 2nd Annual Midwest Gala of the Grands, Harmony Grand Chapter O.E.S., Missouri, will be donating copies of the book, Black Square & Compass by Joseph A. Walkes, Jr. FPS to the Public libraries, the Black Archives of Kansas City and The Friends of Arrowhead, in honor of Kansas City's 150th Anniversary. Retired Navy Commander Carlton Philpot, Chairman of the Buffalo Soldier Monument Committee, was made a Mason on Site by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri during the 27th Annual Session of the Phylaxis Society. The Hon Joseph A. Walkes, Jr., President of the Phylaxis Society received the Grand Master's Award from the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kansas A.F. & A.M., and the 1999 Award of Honor and Merit from the Kansas Lodge of Research A.F. &A.M. as members attending the 27th Annual Session of the Phylaxis Society crossed over to Kansas to listen to Bro. Walkes address the Kansas Scottish Rite A.A.S.R., meeting in an informal dinner. Bro. Lamont Dixon FPS, Bro. Robert Campbell FPS and Bro. Edward B. Darnell FPS received the Jno. G. Lewis, Jr. Medal of Excellence at the 27th Annual Session of the. Phylaxis Society. Bro's Joseph A. Walkes, Jr. FPS, Tommy Rigmaiden FPS, Robert Campbell FPS; David Archibald FPS, Oscar Roberts FPS, William D. Green FPS, William H. Gross, Jr. FPS, and Charles Taylor FPS were elected members of the Masonic Brotherhood of the Blue Forget-me-not, presentation was made by Bro Nelson King, President of the Philalethes Society at the 27th Annual Session of the Phylaxis Society. (See story below.) Dignitaries attending the 27th Annual Session were Ill. Samuel Brogdon, Jr. MIPS, United Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., Northern Jurisdiction; Noble Edward B. Darnell FPS (GBMIM) Deputy Imperial Potentate, Prince Hall Shrine; M.W. Andrew F. Cornelius MPS, Grand Master of Colorado; M.W. William 0. Jones MPS, Grand Master of Alabama, M.W. Harold L. Wolder MPS, Grand Master of Arizona, M.W. Benjamin Barksdale, Grand Master of Georgia, M.W. Roy H. Althouse MPS Grand Master of Kansas and M.W. John E. Mowen who brought greetings from the Grand Lodge of Kansas A.F.&A.M., Bro. Michael Segall MPS, Representative of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of France who flew in from Paris, and Bro. Nelson King FPS, President of the Philalethes Society. The Harashim, quarterly Newsletter of the Australian & New Zealand Masonic Research Council of which the Phylaxis Society is an associate member, in its latest issue featured a two page spread "Phylaxis Society Honours Australian Freemason Brother Tony Pope FPS, as its 1999 Man of the Year. Bro. In the February issue of the Phylaxis Notes, Bro. Howard Harvey now FPS was listed as President of the Gateway Chapter in St. Louis. This was in error he is President of the Archway Chapter. The Gateway Chapter is defunct.
The Masonic Brotherhood of the Blue Forget-Me-Not was founded to recognize those Freemasons who have worked primarily in the field of Masonic education. This includes writing and the many other facets that bring light to those who might otherwise be left in darkness, those few selected are teachers who have helped members of the Craft become dedicated Master Masons. Only recipients who are deemed worthy leaders in this field by the membership commission of the Brotherhood are selected for this Award. It cannot be solicited, nor can it be purchased. the blue forget-me-not has been chosen as a symbol of Masonic dedication, courage and fidelity. This symbol was worn in the face of Nazi persecution of Freemasonry under the Hitler regime. Although the dictator ordered thousands of Freemasons murdered, tortured and incarcerated, those who would not renounce the Craft and its teachings continued to practice Freemasonry in secret. So they might know one another, a little flower was selected as their emblem. Against overwhelming odds these men, a scant handful, kept the fight of Freemasonry burning throughout Nazi darkness. We are proud to perpetuate a remembrance of this unselfish dedication. This is not a degree; it is not a political award; there will never be a plea for a greater membership. There are not dues and fees to be paid by anyone. It is in every sense an award for service to Freemasonry and thus to our fellow men. Because of its non-political objective, and because its only members are workers in and for the Craft, many consider it the greatest honor one can receive in Freemasonry. The Board of Director's of The Masonic Brotherhood of the Blue Forget-Me-Not are pleased to announce the following Brethren have been elected to membership: Bro. Joseph A, Walkes, Jr., Bro. Tommy Rigmaiden, Bro. Robert Campbell, Bro. David Archibald, Bro.
Oscar Roberts, Jr., Bro. William D. Gross, Jr., and Bro. Charles A. Taylor
Signed on behalf of the
Board of Directors
Kenneth D. Roberts
Wallace E. McLeod
Nelson King
The Dallas Morning News
Saturday, February 26, 2000 by Nancy Calaway, Arlington Morning News
The Tarrant County district attorney's office, citing a lack of evidence, will not pursue criminal charges from an alleged hazing incident at an Arlington Masonic Lodge, officials said Friday. Eric Mitchel, 32, of Arlington filed a police report in October accusing members of the Thomas H. Routt Lodge No. 639 of binding and blindfolding him and beating him on the legs and buttocks before dropping ice cream down his pants during a ceremonial ritual. The case was forwarded to the district attorney's office, where it was investigated and declined for prosecution late Thursday, said Robert Hester, chief of the intake division. "The issue of consent or the perception of consent can be a defense," Mr. Hester said. "If you consent or if your conduct is such that it could reasonably be perceived as consent, then there are major problems there." After the Sept. 24 initiation, Mr. Mitchell was treated at the hospital for welts and swelling from the metal rod used in the ritual. Four days later, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas suspended 17 members for hazing and revoked the lodge's charter. A civil lawsuit filled on behalf of Mr. Mitchell is still pending. The lawsuit seeks damages of at least $300,000, court costs and medical expenses. It named the Lodge and its overseer, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas, as defendants. Mr. Mitchell could not be reached for comment, but his Dallas attorney, Adrian Crane, said the civil case has merit, even with no criminal prosecution.
