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Prince Hall Grand
Council
Royal and Select Masters (PHA)
State of New Jersey & Jurisdiction
Organized 1987
Grand Council History
On May 17, 1964, the late David F. L. Jones was involved in setting up a
U. D. Council called Adoniram. This Council was set up in Newark, New
Jersey. It became known as Adoniram Council #4. There was also a failed
attempt to establish a council in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
The Most Worshipful Arthur Crawford, Past Grand Master, was responsible
for the Royal and Select Masters to be established in New Jersey. The New
Jersey Grand Council is a "child" of the New York Grand Council. Alton J.
Bennett, Past Thrice Illustrious Grand Master and Grand Historian of the
New York Council and Arthur L. Taylor, Past Thrice Ill. Grand Master of
New York (1986) played a major role in setting up a Grand Council in New
Jersey.
The First New Jersey Grand Council's Annual Assembly of the Prince Hall
Royal and Select Masters was held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
September 15th, 16th and 17th, 1988. The location was the Viscount Hotel,
Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. The first Grand Thrice Illustrious Master's
cabinet was:
Most Ill. Arthur L. Taylor, Grand
Thrice Ill. Master
Rt. Ill. James Fouse, Grand Deputy Master
Rt. Ill. Ernest Pittman, Gr. Prin. Cond. of the Work,
Rt. Ill. Leonard Long, Grand Treasurer
Rt. Ill. James M. Turner, Grand Recorder
Four Councils were established:
Haggai Council #1 (formerly #18)
Thrice Ill. Master, John Westley Ruff |
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Zerubbabel Council #3
Thrice Ill. Master, Lewis Brown |
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Joshua Council #2
Thrice Ill. Master, William R. Revels |
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Joppa Council #4
Thrice Ill. Master, Otis Appling |
Arthur L. Taylor was the Thrice
Illustrious Grand Master of New York in 1986. In 1988 Arthur L. Taylor
became the Grand Thrice Illustrious Master of New Jersey. At this time the
Grand Thrice issued a charter to the Bernal V. Ford Grand Court, Ladies of
the Circle of Perfection (Auxiliary to the Prince Hall Grand Council of
royal and Select Masters of the State of New Jersey). He also, at a
Special Assembly of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters
proclaimed Sunday, April 16, 1989 as Melchizedek Day at the First Refuge
Baptist Church located at Kaighns Avenue and Park in Camden, New Jersey.
The Ladies were invited.
Melchizedek "Just", King of Salem
"Peace"
brought forth bread and wine, and he was
the priest of the Most High God, and he blessed
him, and said, blessed be Abram of the Most
High God, possessor of heaven and earth, And
blessed be the Most High God which hath
delivered thine enemy into thy hand. And he gives
tithes of all. (Gen. 14, 18-20).
It was also established that every Fifth Saturday would be a Grand Cabinet
Meeting.
This momentous beginning set the stage for a series of dedicated and
talented companions to lead the Order:
Arthur L. Taylor
James Fouse
Cliffon Logan
Leonard Long
Jasper Lofton
John Taliaferro
Harrison Adams
Chester A. Cherry
William R. Copeland
Gene Ruff
These leaders continued the tradition of scholarship in freemasonry.
The initiate on entering this Order is motivated to continue learning long
after he earns his degrees.
Fraternally submitted,
Dr. James Clark, Historian
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