Strawman houses

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Building Houses with Straw: Response to a Historical Position presented by John Hairston By Christopher Belcher, NGLHRS

Best Selling Masonic Author, Alton Roundtree, in response to a social media post by John Hairston about whether or not the National Grand Lodge was in existence since 1847 stated the following : “Good opinion, thought, or perspective. Sounds good, but where are the sources and documentation that shows that this is more than a perspective? The Prince Hall Conference of Grand Masters would not agree with the statement that the National Grand Lodge is BOGUS. The National Grand Lodge of 2015 is the same NGL as that of 1847. The NGL has had continuous operation and never had fewer than 13 state Grand Lodges [since1865]. The National Grand Lodge has always (from its inception) operated under a Constitution. Like any Grand Lodge, the Constitution defines the authority of the Grand Lodge and the relationship of subordinate organizations. The sentiments at the formation of the NGL clearly state the establishment of a National Grand Lodge and that the state Grand Lodges is not sovereign. The sentiments also show that the National Grand Lodge was operating under a Constitution from the inception of the organization in 1847. The National Grand Lodge was operating under Ahiman Rezon, pending development of a constitution. (The Freemason’s Library and General Ahiman Rezon; containing a delineation of the true principles of Freemasonry, etc.; by Samuel Cole. Baltimore, 1817. 8vo, 332 + 92 pages. There was a second edition in 1826.)” What Compact Agreement? The NGL does not operate under a “Compact Agreement.” The NGL Constitution states the relationship between the NGL and the state Grand Lodges. Grand Lodges under the NGL fully understand that they are subordinate and their position is stated in the NGL Constitution. State Grand Lodges under the NGL has no power beyond what is stated in the NGL Constitution that they helped write, update, and approve at a Triennial Session.”

This response promoted a tirade where John Hairston pontificated to present what he assumes to be the “true” history where he, an unpublished researcher attacked Alton Roundtree. The blog can be viewed at the following link: http://quillandsword357.blogspot.com/ . John Hairston disagrees with Alton Roundtree and the following looks at his retrofitted strawman arguments to build a house thinner than cards. This article will look at his assertions and once again prove that the National Grand Lodge has been in continued existence since 1847. Building a Straw House Upon a Court Case Thirty Years Later? “ The current Prince Hall Origin group is the REORGANIZATION and ASSUMPTION of the name of the National Grand Lodge in 1889.” – John Hairston John Hairston’s source: Common Pleas Court of Franklin County (Ohio) dated July 19, 1921 Hairston brings attention to the following quote from those court proceedings in which he cites “Upon the question as to whether or not in the year 1877 or 1878 the National Grand Lodge CEASED TO EXIST or ADJOURNED SINE DIE, there is a divergence in the evidence. However this may be, IT CLEARLY


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Strawman houses by Leroy Stewart - Issuu