Descriptive Introduction
Thesis: The Father of Black Free Masonry
The prince hall order of the Eastern star organization is a fraternal group where both women and men can belong. The Eastern Star order is an adoptive group of Prince Hall and Freemasonry orders historically had a black membership. The members adhere to a philosophy-based service on biblical teachings and faith, if not religion. Prince Hall is the father of Black Masonry as recognized in the United States (Brown, 2005). Though there is no firm record of date of birth, vague information leads us to believe his birth was in Barbados in 1748, or in the West Indies British. History shows that he was a son to a colored French woman and an Englishman. He also worked in a leather trade in Boston in 1765. He married a wife called Sarah Ritchery, even though she died as a young woman. He later became a property owner thus got eligibility to vote. He also joined the Continental Army after exerting a lot of pressure. He was among the few members of the black soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War of America at Bunker Hill (Alexander, 2010).
During the independence war, black men, Prince Hall inclusive, got an invitation to join in Boston, a Masonic lodge attached to a regiment in the army. Secondary support: Other blacks together with hall got authority to attend meetings at the lodge though with limited Masonic privileges after the regiment left Boston town. It was in 1784 that Prince Hall made a petition to the Grand Lodge in England of Freemasonry for a charter. Example: They got this charter and a warrant to establish a lodge, which they named African Lodge #459. This hall was the first Master Lodge of the fraternity (Engler, 2003).
The Eastern Star order bases its actions and rituals on teachings from the bible without necessarily becoming an active religious organization. Secondary support: The works of this order tends to be charitable and benevolent. Dr. Robert Morris was the founder of this group in Boston with the intention of making it a female only group. Example: However, the gender bias dominating those days took precedence and opposed the whole idea (General Grand Chapter, 2009).
The Eastern Star order members must have a minimum age threshold of 18 years. They also have to be Master Masons who have a good standing, or similarly related females. Secondary support: The relatives in the order can include the immediate widows, sisters, mothers, or wives. The male in each order have two offices while the females have nine. Example: The female position is that of a Worthy Matron, who is the presiding officer, is only if she has Mason who is of good standing in order (MaCoy, 2003).
The heroes and emblem of the Eastern Star Order is a star with five points where the white ray of the star pointing downwards towards the manager. The white ray, which points downwards, points to the West in the Chapter Room. Biblical figures inspire the character-building lessons and stories taught in the order. These include the widow, Ruth. The wife, who was Esther. Martha, Lazarus’s sister, Electa, from II John, the Elect Lady, and Adah, from Judges, the daughter of Jephthah (Voorhis, 1995).The Eastern Stars Order has officers. These officers represent the heroes from the order and sit around the altar located at a central position in the Chapter room, of the meeting room of the eastern star. There order has eighteen main officers who are in a full chapter. These include the Worthy Matron, who is the presiding officer, the Worthy Patron who is a Master mason and provides general supervision. Another officer is the Associate Matron, who assumes the role of the Worthy Matron if the officer is absent, the Associate Patron who assumes the role of the Worthy Patron if that officer is not present. The Treasurer is the one in charge of taking care of the monies belonging to the Chapter. The Secretary of the Chapter cares for all the minutes and correspondence. The Conductress leads initiations and visitors within the Chapter. The Associate Conductress handles the ballot box and assists with introductions. The Chaplain is the one who leads the Chapter during prayers. The Marshal leads in all ceremonies and presents the flag. The Organist provides the meetings with music. The Adah’s duty is to share the lessons from the Duty of Obedience to God’s will. Ruth is the one who shares lessons of justice and honor. Esther is the one who shares lessons of loyalty to friends and family. Martha is the one who shares lessons of trust and faith in everlasting life and God. Electra shares the lessons of hospitality and charity. Wander sits beside the door inside meeting rooms to ensure that only member of the order enter the Chapter Room. The Sentinel sits beside the door outside the meeting room to ensure that only those who wish to gain access to the Chapter Room are only the members of the Order. Conclusive paragraph
References
Alexander, L. (2010). Encyclopedia of African American History, Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO.
Brown, T. (2005). African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision, Lexington, KY: University Press Of Kentucky.
Engler, W. (2003). History Of The Order Of the Eastern Star, Whitefish, Montana: Kessinger Publishing.
General Grand Chapter. (2009). Ritual Of The Order Of the Eastern Star, Sioux Falls, South Dakota: NuVision Publications.
MaCoy, R. (2003). Adoptive Rite Ritual of Chapters Of The Order Of the Eastern Star, Whitefish, Montana: Kessinger Publishing.
Voorhis, H. (1995). Negro Masonry in the United States, Whitefish, Montana: Kessinger Publishing.
