A Mondern Day Interpretation of the Legend of
Hiriam Abiff
by Bro. Antonio Caffey
Prince Hall Freemasonry in all its greatness and glory, can be compared to the legendary story of the
third degree. My Brothers, all of you will now assume the character of Prince Hall Masonry, whose
custom it was each and every year since its inception, to offer to its members and the greater
community, brotherly love, relief and truth. After offering these noble and valuable tenets for many
years, Prince Hall Freemasonry tried to introduce new ideas into the craft to better serve the
membership and the community.
The ruffians in this interpretation are those Brothers who wanted the benefits of Masonry, without
making the commitment to the Order. At the south gate, we have those young Brothers who think
they know it all, and refuse to seek the counsel of their older Brethren. They want to get all of the
glory before they put in the years of commitment that is needed. Prince Hall Masonry responds by
telling us to wait until we are ready for so prominent an appointment, and when we have proven
ourselves, we will undoudly receive it. This does not satisfy this young Brother, so he turns his back
on his Fraternity, robbing it of that young vibrant blood that it needs to survive. Prince Hall Masonry
then tries to make its escape by way of the west gate. Here he is met by the well seasoned Brother
that has been in our organization for a significant amount of years. He demands of Prince Hall
Masonry that he makes no changes. He doesn’t care if the Fraternity is dying or not, if it was
good enough for him when he came in, it should be good enough for the new Brethren. When Prince
Hall Masonry modernizes some of its ideas, this Brother refuses to change and stops coming to
meetings, robbing the Fraternity of that wisdom it needs to survive. Prince Hall Masonry finally tries
to escape by way of the east gate. Here, he is accosted by those Brothers who may at one time had a
disagreement with how the Lodge did things or was mad that he didn’t get selected for a position
in the line.
When Prince Hall Masonry asks this Brother to come to a meeting or to help with a project, the
Brother does not respond. He simple sits by and constantly complains about something that may have
happened 5, 10 or 20 years ago, and points to that as a reason why he doesn’t participate in Lodge
activities. This finally kills the Fraternity.
Fast forward a couple of years, chaos is in the community, morals have declined and the social
structure has fallen. Someone ask “what is the cause of all of this confusion?� Someone
responds, their are no programs in place to benefit our people. No programs to benefit our people?
Where are the
Prince Hall Freemasons? Has anyone seen our ancient and honorable fraternity? Not since they all
started bickering about meaningless things. Has anyone seen our ancient and honorable fraternity? Not
since they stopped being a progressive organization. Has anyone seen our ancient and honorable
fraternity? Not since they stopped practicing what they were taught during their initiation, passing and
raising.
I could go on with this parable, but I think all of you are familiar with the outcome of the story of
Hiriam Abiff. Prince Hall Freemasonry will be found again and until we improve ourselves as Masons,
a substitute will have to be used, until future generations find the true meaning of our order.
Hiriam Abiff
by Bro. Antonio Caffey
Prince Hall Freemasonry in all its greatness and glory, can be compared to the legendary story of the
third degree. My Brothers, all of you will now assume the character of Prince Hall Masonry, whose
custom it was each and every year since its inception, to offer to its members and the greater
community, brotherly love, relief and truth. After offering these noble and valuable tenets for many
years, Prince Hall Freemasonry tried to introduce new ideas into the craft to better serve the
membership and the community.
The ruffians in this interpretation are those Brothers who wanted the benefits of Masonry, without
making the commitment to the Order. At the south gate, we have those young Brothers who think
they know it all, and refuse to seek the counsel of their older Brethren. They want to get all of the
glory before they put in the years of commitment that is needed. Prince Hall Masonry responds by
telling us to wait until we are ready for so prominent an appointment, and when we have proven
ourselves, we will undoudly receive it. This does not satisfy this young Brother, so he turns his back
on his Fraternity, robbing it of that young vibrant blood that it needs to survive. Prince Hall Masonry
then tries to make its escape by way of the west gate. Here he is met by the well seasoned Brother
that has been in our organization for a significant amount of years. He demands of Prince Hall
Masonry that he makes no changes. He doesn’t care if the Fraternity is dying or not, if it was
good enough for him when he came in, it should be good enough for the new Brethren. When Prince
Hall Masonry modernizes some of its ideas, this Brother refuses to change and stops coming to
meetings, robbing the Fraternity of that wisdom it needs to survive. Prince Hall Masonry finally tries
to escape by way of the east gate. Here, he is accosted by those Brothers who may at one time had a
disagreement with how the Lodge did things or was mad that he didn’t get selected for a position
in the line.
When Prince Hall Masonry asks this Brother to come to a meeting or to help with a project, the
Brother does not respond. He simple sits by and constantly complains about something that may have
happened 5, 10 or 20 years ago, and points to that as a reason why he doesn’t participate in Lodge
activities. This finally kills the Fraternity.
Fast forward a couple of years, chaos is in the community, morals have declined and the social
structure has fallen. Someone ask “what is the cause of all of this confusion?� Someone
responds, their are no programs in place to benefit our people. No programs to benefit our people?
Where are the
Prince Hall Freemasons? Has anyone seen our ancient and honorable fraternity? Not since they all
started bickering about meaningless things. Has anyone seen our ancient and honorable fraternity? Not
since they stopped being a progressive organization. Has anyone seen our ancient and honorable
fraternity? Not since they stopped practicing what they were taught during their initiation, passing and
raising.
I could go on with this parable, but I think all of you are familiar with the outcome of the story of
Hiriam Abiff. Prince Hall Freemasonry will be found again and until we improve ourselves as Masons,
a substitute will have to be used, until future generations find the true meaning of our order.