Ancient Free Moorish Rite Online

Freemasonry For Today's Freemason

About The Illustrious Dr. Clifford E. Hazel Bey 33/97°

 
     It seems history has always shown us that
whenever and wherever people are on the verge of peril
and in need of a champion to fight their cause, nature
provides that champion.
 
    History also informs us that when such a person
emerges, it is in the throes of conflict, when, in most
cases, two forces of like ilk clash without compromise.
And the champion brings the two together, unites them,
to represent one direction and one purpose. We
see Hermes the Thrice Wise (Ancient Egypt) witnessing
two serpents fiercely embattled in the sands. Placing
the stem of his staff in the midst of them, each coiled up opposite sides of the staff and reconciled at the summit. Today, the
symbol of that action (caduceus) signifies healing.
 
  We see President Abraham Lincoln calmly but agonizingly observing two brothers engaged in a bitter war over their mutual enslavement of a third brother. Lincoln placed the land, held sacred by the two, in the midst of them and made them know that the destiny of all three were one. And that land, cherished by the two and cultivated by one, was one for all to dwell and prosper. The two brothers recognized the greater over the lesser, set free the third brother, and solved the bitter conflict. Did Lincoln save the union? Yes, and much more; for a greater good prevailed. A young nation's humanity was saved and it's future secured as a result. Time and again, we witness this miracle of the human spirit and marvel at the divine intervention it demonstrates.

    Again, we have have been called to witness. In the early 90's America's urban Freemasonic
demographic comprised, for the most part, elderly men who were well established socially,
economically, fraternally and religiously. This constituency was the veritable backbone of
Freemasonic existence in select communities and represented an immovable and stubborn force
within certain Freemasonic jurisdictions. These incumbents seemed stiffly opposed to change or
new ideas. For them, everything concerning Freemasonry was etched in staid stone. By this time,
however, Freemasonry had fallen on lean times (membership decreased internationally) and its
scintillating reputation as a powerful philanthropic organization, essential to the well being of
society, was badly tarnished. Some lodges took initiatives to implement new forms of recruitment,
and even circulated propaganda to offset a wave of negative propaganda about the institution.
While some people saw  an organization resting entirely on its age-old laurels, most considered
Freemasonry a dinosaur of the past, its heyday bygone, a dying species unable to survive in the
New World. Clearly, Freemasonry struggled for its last breath in the alien atmosphere heralding
the new millennium.

   
    As Freemasonry struggled with its demising presence on the national stage, in urban
communities, however, a new kind of candidate knocked on the lodge doors. The new candidate
realized that society had shut him out on the basis of his social conditions not his character.
Despaired with society's social, religious, racial and economic disparities, he looked to
Freemasonry for hope--and solutions. (He remembered his childhood and how his dad, grandpa,
uncles, barbers and preachers used to whisper about a strange and mysterious society called the
Freemasons. He remembered the rings they wore, and the black suits they used to wear during
the week, not just Sunday. He remembered the pages of a dusty book in the basement he
curiously snuck peeps at when he knew he wouldn't get caught. He remembered that despite its
mysteriousness, there was supposed to be something very good about Freemasonry. Something
inclusive and affluent.)



    The new candidate rejoiced as the doors of Freemasonry opened for him; but he lamented
when he found that not everyone within rejoiced with him. Many of the "Old-timers" blatantly
rejected him; for this new wave of Freemasons were young, excited, energetic urban titans with
revolutionary ideas for Freemasonry. They felt that Freemasonry needed to catch up with modern times; that the older brethren were good men but, set in their ways, were unwilling to
acknowledge and genuinely embrace fresh blood. The "Old-timers" were not necessarily wrong; they just didn't want a "good thing" to turn bad. They resented young bucks coming into their
lodges thinking to fix something that didn't need fixing. But a fixing was wanting. And a healing was inevitable.
   Younger Freemasons turned away from the lodge and were also chased away. Older
Freemasons tightened their grips on the scepters of authority and stood poised to defend
Freemasonry as they saw it. The younger brethren, feeling that older brethren stood in the way of
needed progress and new ideas, yearned for a real "Master," an older brother with  real power
to hear them, see them, embrace them. There was obvious dichotomy and chaos. The very
existence of Freemasonry in inner-city communities was threatened and dangled in the balance of two tenacious forces...and into this divide, stepped Bro.
Clifford E. Hazel Bey (a seasoned Freemason with over 30 years experience
and "real" authority). Conflicts were settled, problems were resolved,
handshakes were exchanged, dialouge flowed peacefully, and from chaos came
order. And ah, yes; the Moorish Rite was established. And whether you know it
or not, Freemasonry in America's inner-cities has never been the same, and it never will be the same. Those days are behind us, and good days pave the roads ahead.


Dr. Clifford E. Hazel Bey 33/97° is the Most  Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander of the
Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern and Western hemisphere, Inc.
He is the inspiration behind the emergence of the Moorish Rite.
Look for an upcoming book by Aalim Bey Al Dey about this remarkable Freemason.