actually
received before April 29, 1787. The lodge was then duly organized May 6.
From this beginning developed the idea of Masonry among the Negroes of
America. As early as 1792 Hall was formally styled Grand Master, and in
1797 he issued a license to thirteen Negroes to "assemble and work" as
a lodge in Philadelphia; and there was also at this time a lodge in
Providence. Thus developed in 1808 the "African Grand Lodge" of Boston,
afterwards known as "Prince Hall Lodge of Massachusetts"; the second
Grand Lodge, called the "First Independent African Grand Lodge of North
America in and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," organized in 1815;
and the "Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania."

[Footnote 1: William H. Upton: Negro Masonry, Cambridge, 1899, 10.]

Something of the interest of the Masons in their people, and the calm
judgment that characterized their procedure, may be seen from the words
of their leader, Prince Hall.[1] Speaking in 1797, and having in mind
the revolution in Hayti and recent indignities inflicted upon the race
in Boston, he said:

[Footnote 1: "A Charge Delivered to the African Lodge, June 24, 1797, at
Menotomy. By the Right Worshipful Prince Hall." (Boston?) 1797.]

When we hear of the bloody wars which are now in the world, and
thousands of our fellowmen slain; fathers and mothers bewailing the
loss of their sons; wives for the loss of their husbands; towns and
cities burnt and destroyed; what must be the heartfelt sorrow and
distress of these poor and unhappy people! Though we can not help
them, the distance being so great, yet we may sympathize with them
in their troubles, and mingle a tear of sorrow with them, and do as
we are exhorted to--weep with those that weep....

Now, my brethren, as we see and experience that all things here are
frail and changeable and nothing here to be depended upon: Let us
seek those things which are above, which are sure and steadfast,
and unchangeable, and at the same time let us pray to Almighty God,
while we remain in the tabernacle, that he would give us the grace
and patience and strength to bear up under all our troubles, which
at this day God knows we have our share. Patience I say, for were we
not possessed of a great measure of it you could not bear up under
the daily insults you meet with in the streets of Boston; much more
on public days of recreation, how are you shamefully abu