“The Apron and the Gloves: Identity Before Action

 Brethren,

Tonight, we turn our attention to two familiar yet profoundly instructive emblems of our Craft: the Apron and the Gloves. Though they are often worn together, they are not equal in authority, function, or meaning. One defines the Mason; the other reflects the Mason’s conduct. In Prince Hall Masonry, this distinction is intentional and deeply rooted.

I. The Apron — The Badge of a Mason

Brethren, the apron is the first gift of Masonry. It is rightly called the badge of a Mason, because it speaks before a word is uttered. Fashioned of lambskin, it symbolizes innocence, purity of life, and moral accountability.

Without the apron, no Lodge can lawfully labor. With it, a Mason stands recognized—regardless of title, station, or circumstance. The apron teaches us a foundational truth of our Order: Masonry begins with who you are, not merely with what you do.

II. The Gloves — The Measure of Conduct

The gloves, white and clean, remind us that our actions must be as pure as our intentions. They symbolize restraint, dignity, and upright conduct in the world. Gloves are honorable and meaningful; however, they are customary rather than essential.

A Mason may work without gloves, but he may never work without his apron. This distinction reinforces an important lesson: right action flows from right character.

III. The Degrees — Identity Formed, Conduct Expressed

In the Entered Apprentice Degree, the apron covers the lower nature. The lesson is one of formation and preparation. The Mason is not yet judged by performance, but by willingness to be shaped. Identity precedes action.

In the Fellow Craft Degree, knowledge increases and labor becomes intelligent. Here, the symbolic idea of the glove emerges—clean hands guided by understanding.

In the Master Mason Degree, we are confronted with mortality. In that solemn moment, the apron remains, while the gloves represent labor completed and laid aside. Character endures beyond the work of the hands.

IV. The Biblical Foundation — Garments Before Works

Sacred Scripture teaches that God clothes before He commands. Garments signify righteousness bestowed; hands signify obedience demonstrated.

The apron aligns with the garments of righteousness, while the gloves align with clean hands and faithful works. One establishes standing before God; the other bears witness to sincerity of life.

V. Funeral Symbolism — The Final Testimony

In our funeral rites, the apron occupies a central place, while gloves are often absent. This is no oversight. At the close of life’s labor, the question is not how busy our hands were, but what manner of man we became.

The apron stands as a silent testimony when all earthly voices are stilled.

VI. The Prince Hall Emphasis

Brethren, Prince Hall Masonry places particular weight upon the apron. Our forefathers were often denied buildings, titles, and public recognition—but never the badge of Masonry. The apron became the undeniable proof of legitimacy, integrity, and worth.

It reminds us that our standing is grounded in character, not in permission, position, or applause.

Closing Charge

Brethren, let us always remember:

The apron governs who we are.

The gloves reflect how we act.

Wear your apron with humility and reverence, mindful of your identity before God and the Craft. Put on your gloves as a pledge that your actions will honor that identity in the world. And when the labor of life is complete, may your apron testify faithfully on your behalf.

So mote it be.

The Marshal’s Baton — The Inner Mystery

Brethren,

At its deepest level, the Marshal’s Baton is not an object.
It is a principle.

It is the law that governs motion, the line that disciplines chaos, and the silent intelligence that establishes order before Light is ever revealed.

I. The Baton as Primordial Law (Before Light)

In the sacred sciences, Law precedes Light.

Before creation is illuminated, it is first ordered.
Before revelation is given, a path is prepared.

The Marshal’s Baton symbolizes this pre-creative law:

• Direction before illumination

• Boundary before form

• Discipline before understanding

This is why the Marshal moves before instruction and before action. He prepares the space in which Light may safely descend.

II. The Baton as the Line of Will

In esoteric geometry:

• The Point is consciousness.

• The Line is will in motion.

• The Square is a manifestation.

The Baton is the Line.

It represents will that is:

• Disciplined, not impulsive

• Directed, not aggressive

• Restrained, not diminished

Thus, the Marshal does not command by force—he aligns by presence.

Power that must announce itself has already lost its balance.

III. The Baton and the Inner Candidate

When the candidate is escorted, the Baton operates invisibly upon the soul.

The candidate:

• Cannot see the way

• Must trust the guide

• Obeys before understanding

This reflects the initiatic truth that awakening begins in obedience to order, not in the accumulation of knowledge.

The Baton represents:

• Providence before comprehension

• Discipline before wisdom

• Law before liberty

IV. The Baton and the Middle Path

The Marshal walks neither East nor West, but between.

This is the Path of Equilibrium:

• Between excess and deficiency

• Between authority and humility

• Between chaos and stagnation

The Baton maintains harmony without force. It teaches that true mastery is balance, not domination.

V. Silence as Supreme Authority

Unlike the gavel or the sword, the Baton speaks no word.

Its silence teaches that:

• Silence governs sound

• Law governs force

• Stillness governs motion

The Marshal’s authority is recognized, not announced.
The highest truths do not shout—they resonate.

VI. Prince Hall Inner Meaning

Within Prince Hall Masonry, the Baton carries ancestral resonance.

It symbolizes:

• Order preserved when recognition was denied

• Discipline maintained under exclusion.

• Law upheld without permission.

It stands as a staff of sovereignty, affirming that dignity is intrinsic and order is not granted—it is lived.

VII. The Baton as the Inner Axis

At its most mystical level, the Baton corresponds to the upright spine of the Mason.

As the Baton is straight, so must be:

• Conduct

• Conviction

• Conscience

A crooked spine distorts movement.
A crooked character distorts judgment.

The Baton, therefore, asks each Mason:

Is your inner axis aligned?

VIII. The Hidden Teaching

The Lodge requires a Marshal only because the work of self-governance is still underway.

When a Mason has mastered:

• His passions

• His impulses

• His ego

He becomes his own Marshal.

Final Inner Charge

Brethren, the Marshal’s Baton reveals a truth rarely spoken:

Before you may lead, you must align.
Before you may speak, you must be silent.
Before you may govern others, you must first govern yourself.

May we each learn to carry this Baton within—
walking uprightly, moving deliberately, and preserving harmony wherever we stand.

So mote it be.

 THE OMEGA-LEVEL CHRISTIAN MASONIC MYSTERY:

“The Inner Ascension: The Enochian Ladder, the Logos Pattern, and the Black Soul’s Return to the Throne Room of God”

I. THE PRE-EXISTENT CHRIST AS THE “DIVINE PATTERN” OF ALL MASONIC LIGHT

In the Gospel of John, Christ is not introduced as a man —
But as Logos, the divine blueprint.

In the oldest African Christian teachings
(especially Ethiopian Orthodox mysticism),
Logos is described as:

• The Pattern of Light

• The Architecture of Creation

• The Inner Temple of God

• The Ladder connecting Earth and Heaven.

Masonry echoes this:

• The Square = the ordering principle

• The Compasses = the creative boundary

• The Letter G = the Divine Mind

• The East = the Source of Light

In the deepest Christian interpretation:

Every working tool is a symbolic representation of how the Logos shapes the human soul.

Not physically.
Not magically.
But morally, spiritually, and mentally.

II. ENOCH — THE ARCHETYPE OF SPIRITUAL ASCENSION (Symbolically Interpreted)

The Book of Enoch is embraced symbolically within Ethiopian tradition.
It describes Enoch’s ascent through multiple “heavens” —
not as a literal travelogue,
But as a map of inner spiritual awareness.

Symbolically:

• The First Heaven = bodily awareness

• The Second Heaven = emotional awakening

• The Third Heaven = intellectual clarity

• The Fourth Heaven = conscience

• The Fifth Heaven = purpose

• The Sixth Heaven = wisdom

• The Seventh Heaven = divine union

These seven symbolic heavens mirror:

• 7 steps of the Winding Stair

• 7 liberal arts

• 7 parts of the human psyche in ancient African thought

The Fellowcraft degree is the Enochian ascent of the mind toward divine clarity.

III. THE BLACK PRESENCE AS ARCHETYPE OF SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE

This is a symbolic — not a biological or historical claim.

In esoteric Christian reading:

• “Egypt” symbolizes refuge and divine protection.

• “Ethiopia” symbolizes mystery and depth.

• “Cush” symbolizes endurance and power

Thus:

• Christ fleeing to Egypt = Light preserved in dark times.

• The Ethiopian eunuch = the soul receiving understanding

• The Queen of Sheba = wisdom seeking wisdom

This is not about bloodlines —
It is about spiritual symbolism.

Prince Hall tradition echoes this symbolism:

**Out of oppression, Light emerges.

Out of darkness, enlightenment comes.
Out of suffering, spiritual resilience is forged. **

This is why the hoodwink is removed in the East —
symbolizing the rising of inner dignity and spiritual worth.

IV. CHRIST AS THE MASTER MASON — SYMBOLIC UNION OF TEMPLE AND RESURRECTION

A safe esoteric reading views Christ’s ministry as an allegorical map:

• His Baptism → EA purification

• His Transfiguration → FC illumination

• His Death & Resurrection → MM transformation

Not a substitution.
Not a replacement.
A parallel symbolic pattern that Christians can meditate on.

In this symbolic interpretation:

The raising of the Master Mason echoes the idea of inner renewal and moral resurrection.

Not physically.
Not historically.
Not magically.

Symbolically.

V. THE LOST WORD — A SYMBOL OF INNER CLARITY, NOT SECRET KNOWLEDGE

• The Word is not a magical syllable.

• It is not forbidden knowledge.

• It is not hidden information.

The “Lost Word” symbolizes:

• moral clarity

• spiritual direction

• inner peace

• awareness of one’s purpose

• alignment between conscience and action

In Christian language, this aligns with the idea of:

“Let this mind be in you…” (Philippians 2:5)

The Lost Word is not something to say.
It is something to become:

A person whose actions speak truth.

VI. THE RAISING — NOT MAGIC, BUT AN INNER SPIRITUAL SHIFT

Being “raised” as a Master Mason symbolizes:

• overcoming inner despair

• breaking cycles of self-defeat

• Reclaiming moral courage

• discovering spiritual identity

• rising from past traumas

• Becoming a “new man” in attitude and conduct

The Lion’s Paw symbolizes:

Strength drawn from moral conviction and spiritual courage.

It is not supernatural.

It is symbolic empowerment.

VII. THE FINAL MYSTERY — THE TEMPLE IS YOUR INNER LIFE

  The Outer Court = your daily actions

• The Holy Place = your thoughts

• The Holy of Holies = your conscience

When Scripture says:

“Ye are the temple of God,”

It does not mean literal indwelling of deity in a physical sense.
It means:

**Your character is sacred.

Your choices matter.
Your inner life is holy ground. **

The true “sanctum sanctorum” is:

• Where you wrestle with conscience

• Where you choose right over wrong

• Where you forge integrity

• Where do you build moral strength?

• Where you cultivate spiritual peace

CONCLUSION — THE DEEPEST SAFE ESOTERIC MESSAGE

At the highest symbolic level:

• Christ symbolizes the ideal man.

• Enoch symbolizes the awakened mind.

• Solomon symbolizes disciplined wisdom.

• The Temple symbolizes your character.

• The Lost Word symbolizes living truthfully.

• The Resurrection symbolizes inner renewal.

• The East symbolizes clarity and moral direction

And Prince Hall Masonry symbolizes:

**The journey of the soul rising from darkness into dignity,

from confusion into clarity,
from brokenness into purpose. **

Fraternally,

Nelson L. Pierce

Worshipful Master

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Grand Lodge Officers, Worshipful Masters, Past Masters, Wardens, and Brothers of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F.&A.M., of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, Inc.

I am honored to extend a formal invitation to attend the 2026 Annual Elections of Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5, to be held as follows:

Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Repast: 6:00 PM
Gavel: 7:00 PM
Attire: Masonic Dress

Your presence, participation, and support are sincerely appreciated as we work together to advance the unity, stability, and Masonic labor of this Jurisdiction.

Fraternally,

Nelson L. Pierce 32° | Worshipful Master

Pikes Peak Lodge #5 PHA F&AM

513 N. Prospect Street | Colorado Springs, CO 80903

502-424-5241 | tanp302@yahoo.com

Brothers,

From Stone to Spirit

The Historical and Symbolic Distinctions Between the Mason, the Free-Mason, and

the Freemason

Presented before Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 (MWPHGL of Colorado)

By Worshipful Master Nelson L. Pierce

The Ancient Lineage of Builders

Before the word Mason adorned aprons or rituals, it described a sacred brotherhood of builders 

whose art was both scientific and divine. In Ancient Egypt, temple

builders—Sesh-Per-Ankh—aligned pyramids to the stars, seeing geometry as the handwriting of God. In 

Greece, the Tektons—craftsmen under the influence of the Logos—were servants of divine proportion. 

In Rome, the Collegia Fabrorum were guilds bound by secret oaths, governed by masters, and 

dedicated to building in harmony with cosmic order. These schools transmitted the mystery that 

building is an act of imitation of the Creator—each stone a fragment of the Divine Plan. From them 

came the operative guilds of medieval Europe, the parent of modern Freemasonry.

The Stone-Mason – The Operative Foundation

The stone mason was the skilled worker who shaped the sacred architecture of cathedrals. His lodge 

stood beside the worksite—a place of instruction, discipline, and brotherhood. His tools were 

practical, yet they held hidden meaning: The Square measured right angles, but also symbolized moral 

uprightness. The Level ensured balance and equality. The Plumb verified truth and integrity. The 

Stone-Mason builds the visible temple; the Speculative Mason builds the invisible one within his 

soul.

The Rough-Mason – The Unrefined Worker

The Rough-Mason was a coarse laborer, moving and stacking stones without mastery of geometry or 

symbolism. He represents the natural man, uneducated in moral science, yet possessing the raw 

strength needed to begin the Great Work. In Masonic philosophy, the Rough Ashlar stands for this 

unperfected state—human nature before it is squared by virtue and polished by truth.

The Free-Mason – The Freed Craftsman

Appearing in medieval guild records, the Free-Mason (with hyphen) was a master builder of

freestone—a high-quality limestone capable of intricate carving. The prefix free held three

meanings: freedom of movement, freedom of knowledge, and freedom of craft. These

Free-Masons designed cathedrals like Chartres and Canterbury—built to mirror celestial

geometry. Their Lodges preserved both operative secrets and mystical allegories of light,

number, and the Creator’s blueprint.

The Freemason – The Speculative Builder of Souls

By the late 1600s, as cathedral building declined, the guilds of Free-Masons opened their

doors to scholars and philosophers who sought moral and spiritual enlightenment. The

hyphen disappeared; the Freemason was born. No longer an operative craftsman, he was a

builder in the realm of virtue and spirit. His tools became emblems: The Square measured

righteousness; the Compass circumscribed passions; the Trowel spread brotherly love.

Biblical and Mystical Parallels

The Craft’s allegories draw directly from Scripture and ancient mysticism. King Solomon’s

Temple is not merely historical—it is symbolic of the perfected human soul. The Outer Court

corresponds to the physical world, the Holy Place represents intellect and moral law, and the

Holy of Holies symbolizes the Divine within man. Hiram Abiff, the Master Builder, embodies

divine wisdom and integrity. His martyrdom and resurrection prefigure the spiritual rebirth

every Mason must undergo. The Freemason is both builder and temple, priest and

stone—laboring to unite heaven and earth within his own being.

Reflection

The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. We are

those builders. Each time the gavel strikes, ignorance is removed, and another stone is fitted

into the Universal Temple. From the quarry of human experience to the sanctuary of Light, the

Mason’s journey is eternal: from Stone to Spirit.

Worshipful Master Nelson L. Pierce

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 · MWPHGL of Colorado

From Stone to Spirit

Study & Discussion Guide

To accompany the lecture presented before Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 (MWPHGL of Colorado)

By Worshipful Master Nelson L. Pierce

Section I — Historical Foundations

• Describe the significant difference between the ancient builders of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. How did 

their philosophies influence the later development of the Masonic Craft?

• What practical role did the Stone-Mason serve in medieval society, and how did his tools come to 

acquire symbolic meanings in speculative Masonry?

• Explain the distinction between a Rough-Mason and a Stone-Mason. How do these two represent 

stages in the spiritual refinement of man?

• What did the term 'Free' signify in the title 'Free-Mason'? Consider social, intellectual, and 

spiritual dimensions of freedom.

Section II — Transition to Speculative Masonry

• At what point did the Craft begin to shift from operative to speculative practice? Identify the 

historical period and describe what caused this transformation.

• Why is the removal of the hyphen between 'Free-Mason' and 'Freemason' symbolically important? 

What does it represent in the evolution of the Craft?

• Discuss how the working tools of the operative Mason became instruments of moral teaching. Choose 

one tool (Square, Level, Plumb, or Trowel) and explain its deeper meaning.

Section III — Symbolism and Esotericism

• In the Biblical allegory of Solomon’s Temple, what do the three divisions—the Outer Court, Holy 

Place, and Holy of Holies—represent within man?

• What spiritual lesson does the figure of Hiram Abiff teach every Freemason? How does his

death and resurrection mirror the individual Mason’s inner rebirth?

• Reflect on the phrase 'From Stone to Spirit.' What does it mean in terms of a Mason’s

lifelong journey from ignorance to enlightenment?

Worshipful Master Nelson L. Pierce

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 · MWPHGL of Colorado

From Stone to Spirit – The Prince Hall Esoteric Commentary

By Worshipful Master Nelson L. Pierce

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 | Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Colorado

Light I – The Rough Stone and the Quarry of Bondage

“Out of Egypt have I called My son.” — Hosea 11:1

Every Prince Hall Mason begins, like his forefathers, in the quarry of bondage.

The Rough Ashlar represents not only the unshaped soul but also the condition of a people once denied the tools of education, faith, and dignity.

Bro. Prince Hall himself was such a stone—self-taught, unrecognized by the world, yet chosen by the Grand Architect. He sought Light in an age that declared him unworthy to receive it.

From that quarry he was raised, not by man’s permission but by God’s purpose.

Prince Hall wrote: “My brethren, let us cultivate the inward man, for it is there that true Masonry abides.”

Deeper Light:

The Rough Stone of Prince Hall Masonry symbolizes both the individual and the collective soul rising from the dust of oppression toward divine form.

Each blow of the Gavel echoes the cry of a people shaping themselves into a nation of Light.

Light II – The Mason as Rebuilder of Humanity

“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places.” — Isaiah 58:12

The Mason’s labor is the labor of restoration.

Prince Hall Masons were called to rebuild character and community where the world had tried to demolish both.

Their tools—Faith, Education, Charity, and Service—became the pillars of the new temple.

Albert Pike: “The labor of the Mason is to bring order out of moral chaos.”

Prince Hall: “We mean to show the world that we are not stones rejected, but stones elect, fitted for the Master’s use.”

Deeper Light:

Every act of brotherly love, every scholarship, every community effort is an act of temple-building.

The authentic architecture of the Prince Hall tradition is a moral reconstruction after ruin.

Light III – The Free-Mason and the Freedom of the Soul

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” — John 8:36

The word Free-Mason carries sacred resonance in our lineage.

For men once enslaved, freedom was not an abstract philosophy—it was a sacrament.

The Lodge became both sanctuary and school, teaching dignity, literacy, and divine self-worth.

Freedom in the Prince Hall tradition means freedom of conscience, the right to worship, to think, and to rise as God intended.

Deeper Light:

When a Prince Hall Mason enters the Lodge, he steps into a world ordered by divine law, not by man’s prejudice.

Within those walls, all meet upon the Level, and the Light shines without respect of persons.

Light IV – The Freemason as Spiritual Architect of a People

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” — 1 Corinthians 3:16

The Master Mason of Prince Hall heritage labors not only for himself, but also for his people.

Our temple rises wherever we uplift, educate, and heal.

Each brother who learns, teaches; each sister who serves, builds.

“We build not only Lodges of stone but lodges of character.” — Tradition of African Lodge No. 459

Deeper Light:

The Prince Hall Freemason understands that the Great Work is both individual and communal—the transformation of man into Light and of a people into a nation of righteousness.

Light V – The Temple and the Body of the Race

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house.” — 1 Peter 2:5

The Temple symbolizes the body of the Prince Hall fraternity—built through centuries of labor and endurance.

Its pillars stand for Faith, Hope, and Charity, upheld by Education, Leadership, and Service.

Pike: “The Temple is ever building; each generation lays its stone.”

Prince Hall: “Let our conduct be such as to convince the world that we mean good, that we seek wisdom, and that we love one another.”

Deeper Light:

Our collective Temple is still rising.

Every act of brotherhood adds a stone; every division removes one.

Unity is not mere sentiment—it is architecture in motion.

Light VI – The Working Tools of Emancipation

Each tool holds a double meaning: one moral, one historical.

Tool    Masonic Symbolism    Prince Hall Application

Gavel    removes vice    Breaks the chains of ignorance

Gauge    Orders time    Teaches discipline and industry

Plumb    Uprightness    Moral integrity before a hostile world

Level    Equality    Brotherhood beyond race and class

Square    Justice    Righteous dealings in society

Trowel    Love    Unity that binds a dispersed people

Deeper Light:

Our forefathers used these tools to build men, schools, and movements.

The Prince Hall Gavel struck down prejudice; the Level lifted dignity; the Trowel spread unity from Boston to Colorado and beyond.

Light VII – From Oppression to Illumination

“He brought me up also out of a horrible pit.” — Psalm 40:2

The journey from stone to spirit mirrors the journey from bondage to enlightenment.

Just as the operative Mason hews rough rock into beauty, the Prince Hall tradition has refined generations through adversity.

Deeper Light:

Affliction became apprenticeship.

The fire that tried our ancestors did not destroy—it tempered the steel of faith.

Out of pain arose purpose; out of purpose came Light.

Light VIII – The Great Architect and the Divine Order of Freedom

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” — Psalm 37:23

The Grand Architect is not a distant Deity but the God who intervenes in history, shaping nations as surely as He shapes souls.

Prince Hall Masonry sees Providence in progress—God guiding a people from darkness into Light.

Pike: “God geometrizes perpetually.”

Prince Hall: “The hand of Providence is visible in all our advancements.”

Deeper Light:

Our geometry is moral: Faith = the vertical line, Works = the horizontal, and Love = the center point.

Together they form the cross-square upon which all true freedom is built.

Light IX – The Wages of the Prince Hall Builder

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

The wages of the Prince Hall Mason are not worldly honors but the elevation of humanity.

Each generation inherits Light from the last and is charged to increase it.

Deeper Light:

The true pay for our labor is continuity of purpose—that the sons and daughters who follow us may find the work advanced and the stones still true.

Light X – The Eternal Brotherhood

“We are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses.” — Hebrews 12:1

In the Celestial Lodge above stand our elder Craftsmen—Prince Hall, James Varick, Samuel Hunter, and the countless builders who labored unseen.

Their tools now rest, but their work endures in us.

Deeper Light:

To be a Prince Hall Mason is to stand in that unbroken chain of Light that stretches from Africa’s quarries to Heaven’s gate.

The stone once rejected has become the cornerstone.

Master’s Closing Charge

“Brethren, remember—our labor is holy.

The tools are ancient, but the work is now.

Build men. Build community. Build Light.

From stone to spirit, from bondage to brotherhood,

The Prince Hall Masons’ journey is the very blueprint of redemption.”

Worshipful Master Nelson L. Pierce

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 · MWPHGL of Colorado

Brethren, please be advised that the Stated Communication scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, is cancelled.

Instead, Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 will be engaging in Community Service by participating in the All Abilities Carnival & Resource Fair, hosted by Autism Vision of Colorado.

📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
🕣 Setup & Teardown: Beginning at 8:30 AM
🕙 Event Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs
4405 N. Chestnut St., Colorado Springs, CO 80907

🎪 Activities will include a bounce house, games, face painting, and more as we support families and raise autism awareness in our community.

All Brothers are encouraged to attend in proper attire and assist with setup, support during the event, and teardown as we proudly serve our community.

Fraternally,
Nelson L. Pierce, 32°
Worshipful Master
Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5, F.&A.M.

SUBJECT: Proclamation 2025/26-001 – Prince Hall Americanism Day 

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 will lead and host the commemorative service at 513 N. Prospect Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado, beginning promptly at 11:00 AM on Sunday, September 28, 2025. All attendees are kindly asked to arrive by 10:30 AM to allow for proper organization and assembly.

Mountain Post Military Lodge No. 26 will graciously provide refreshments for attendees. These will include an assortment of sandwiches, chips, beverages, and a sheet cake adorned with the Masonic emblem. We respectfully request the Lodge’s approval to cover the cost of these items, ensuring refreshments are suitably prepared and enjoyed by all present.

Dress Code: All Brothers are requested to appear in proper Masonic dress with apron and collar. Officers are further directed to wear the jewels of their respective offices.

In the words of our beloved Founder, Prince Hall (1797): “We are men, free-born men, and brothers, and we are resolved to live and die together in the bonds of brotherly love.” May this observance serve as a reminder of his vision of unity, dignity, and service that continues to inspire our labor today.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to support this observance and to ensure it is both meaningful and successful. Should any questions or additional details be required, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to a well-attended and memorable commemoration of Prince Hall Americanism Day.

WM Nelson L. Pierce

📬 September 2025 Newsletter

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 – MWPHGLCO
“Spreading Light Through Fellowship, Unity & Service”

🇺🇸 Labor Day – A Salute to the Working Spirit

📅 Monday, September 1, 2025
We honor the dignity of labor and the Masonic principle that “all honest labor is honorable.”
Whether building temples of stone or spirit, may we continue to labor with purpose, rest with pride, and rise with renewed strength.

“Let us remember that the workman is worthy of his hire, and that in building up our communities, we also build up ourselves.”
Happy Labor Day from Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5!

🏛️ September Stated Communication

📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025
🕒 Time: TBD
📍 513 N. Prospect St, Colorado Springs, CO
Agenda includes:

• Proficiency returns from three newly raised Master Masons

• Welding the Chain Ceremony in honor of PM Rev. JB Williams

🎪 Community Outreach: All Abilities Carnival & Fair

📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Colorado Early Colleges, 4405 N. Chestnut St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Join us in supporting this inclusive event for families of all abilities. Wear Lodge apparel proudly.

“Out of many steps, one united cause.”

🏅 Honors & Recognition

• WM Nelson L. Pierce – Grand Lodge Youth Director & Grand Sentinel (Columbine Grand Chapter OES)

• PM Robert Jackson – Now Honorary Worshipful Past Grand Master

• WM Nelson L. Pierce & PM Michael L. Cousar – Awards for GM Testimonial Leadership

• PM Joe Straws – Became Grand Lodge Life Member

• PM Demetrius G. Lamb – Presented with the Exemplary Award

🎓 149th Annual Grand Lodge Session Recap

📅 August 9–12, 2025
📍 Red Lion Hotel, Cheyenne, WY

• WM Nelson L. Pierce – Worshipful Master of the Year

• SW Brandon L. James – Master Mason of the Year

• Demarcus Leggett – Awarded Grand Lodge Scholarship
  (Son of Bro. Marcus Leggett, Nephew of PM Cousar)

🎉 Life Birthdays – September 2025

• Nathan Cox – September 2

• Timmy C. Muntford – September 17

• Jeffrey A. Nesby – September 29

🕯️ Masonic Birthdays – September 2025

• Derrick Porcher – September 11

• Thomas D. Valerio Jr. – September 13

• Edward D. Speller Jr. – September 13

• Jason Kirtley – September 16

• Edward L. Smith – September 16

• Kaleel P. Pernsley – September 17

• Peter J. Anderson – September 18

• Arturo V. De Los Reyes – September 18

• Dr. Daniel O. Harrison – September 18

• Aaron McGee – September 18

• Jeffrey A. Nesby – September 18

• Wayne Wasson – September 18

• 💖 Spouses’ Birthdays – September 2025

  • Betton K. Guerrier (Spouse of Carlo G. Guerrier) – September 5

🙏 Special Prayer

We lift up Gigi Pierce, spouse of WM Nelson L. Pierce, in the loss of her brother, Alex Ruelas.
May her heart be comforted and her spirit strengthened. May Alex rest in peace, and may cherished memories bring healing.
So mote it be.

🙏 Prayer for the Sick & Distressed

We remember all who are sick, shut-in, grieving, or silently suffering.
May the Supreme Architect grant healing, hope, and Light.
So mote it be.

🧠 Words of Wisdom from the East

Worshipful Master Nelson L. Pierce

“Our Masonic journey is not defined by the titles we hold, but by the transformation we undergo.
We do not measure a man by the apron he wears, but by the light he reflects in service, humility, and love.
Each Brother is a living stone in this spiritual temple—not for display, but for duty.”

“Let us labor not for recognition, but for righteousness. Let us lead not with authority, but with compassion.
Our Brotherhood is proven not in ritual alone, but in how we show up for one another—in our darkest nights and brightest days.”

🜏 The Four Cardinal Virtues in the Temple of Prince Hall Masons

🜏 A Lecture for the Initiate Who Has Ears to Hear

Brethren,

Before any emblem is worn, before any word is spoken, and before any recognition is bestowed, the faithful Prince Hall Mason must pass through four invisible gates—not constructed by men but by law. These gates are veiled under the names: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice.

These are not lessons to be memorized.

They are not virtues to be displayed.

They are forces to be embodied, silently and fully.

They are not merely the pillars of the Lodge—they are the invisible architecture of the awakened soul, the inner foundation upon which the legacy of Prince Hall Masonry stands, having endured centuries of adversity, resistance, and sacred resolve.

🜄 Temperance — The Mastery of Containment

Temperance is the first gate. It is not the suppression of desire—it is the containment of sacred energy, the discipline of internal force.

For the Prince Hall Mason, this principle is not philosophical—it is historical, spiritual, and lived:

•    In the face of injustice, the Mason remained composed.

•    In the face of provocation, the Mason chose stillness.

•    Amid the fires of oppression, the Mason held his peace.

Temperance is not weakness—it is silent dominion over the self.

This is the unseen force that sustained early Lodges, long before external recognition was granted. It is the vessel in which dignity, clarity, and sacred focus are preserved.

The Prince Hall Mason understands that mastery of the self is greater than control of the world. He is the calm eye within the storm—governed only by Light.

🜂 Fortitude — The Fire That Preserves the Work

Fortitude is the second gate. It is not outward strength—it is endurance of purpose, the refusal to abandon the Work despite resistance, rejection, or silence.

This is the virtue that kept the Craft alive when:

•    Legitimacy was denied,

•    Lineage was questioned,

•    The world turned its back.

Fortitude is not declared. It is proven—in fire, in darkness, and in time.

The Prince Hall Mason has never been sustained by approval, but by inner covenant. Fortitude is the flame that forges the spiritual metal of the Mason. It does not flicker with the winds of the world—it is a fixed fire, rooted in devotion.

In every Lodge built with invisible labor, every Brother raised against odds, and every act of principled silence—Fortitude has left its mark.

🜁 Prudence — The Compass Aligned to the East

Prudence is the third gate. It is not caution. It is not a strategy. It is clair seeing—a faculty that perceives what lies beneath appearance, beyond illusion, and before consequence.

For centuries, Prince Hall Masons navigated a world that did not acknowledge their Light. Yet, the Craft endured.

Because we did not orient by outer recognition.

We aligned by the inner East—by the Light that rises within.

We were not invited into the Temple. We became the Temple.

Prudence empowers the Prince Hall Mason to discern his path in a world of shifting shadows. He does not respond—he understands. He does not seek direction—he is the direction.

This virtue is the sacred compass that allows the Mason to move forward in balance, even when the world attempts to disorient him.

🜃 Justice — The Square That Cannot Be Removed

Justice is the fourth gate. It is not institutional. It is not legislative. It is the Law of Return—the cosmic balance that brings all things into equilibrium.

The Prince Hall Mason knows that Justice is not something given. It is something carried.

•    We carried it in silence.

•    We carried it through denial.

•    We carried it through ritual, through excellence, through example.

Justice is not something we await—it is something we embody.

It is not imposed. It is revealed in how we live, how we lead, and how we align. The Square is not merely a symbol on the Altar—it is etched into the body of the Prince Hall Mason.

He walks upright—not because the world demands it, but because the soul requires it.

🜨 The Fifth Point — The Light That Is Lived

When the Four Virtues are realized—not as ideas but as states of being—there appears a Fifth Point.

It has no name.

It cannot be taught.

It emerges in silence, in integrity, in mastery.

This Point is the Flame at the center of the Square and Compasses—it is the living spirit of the Master Builder, the unshakable center of the Prince Hall Mason’s being.

You become the Lodge. You become the Work. You become the Word.

This is the hidden Light of Prince Hall himself—not only the man, but the current he opened, the presence he left, the threshold he crossed and held open for all who would follow in Truth.

✴ Final Charge

Temperance — Govern the vessel of your soul.

Fortitude — Remain upright in fire.

Prudence — Align with the East within.

Justice — Be the Square in motion.

Then build.

Then shine.

Then speak when silence is no longer sufficient.

For you will not merely carry the legacy—

You will become it.

So mote it be.

WM Nelson L. Pierce 

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5

Free and Accepted Masons – Prince Hall Affiliation

“Spreading Light Through Fellowship, Unity & Service”

August 2025 Monthly Newsletter

⚠️ Notice: August Stated Communication Canceled

Please be advised that the regularly scheduled Stated Communication for Saturday, August 16, 2025, has been canceled.

We encourage all Brethren to remain engaged and visible in the jurisdiction during this active month of Grand Lodge affairs and travel.

🏛️ 149th Annual Grand Lodge Session – MWPHGL of Colorado

The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Colorado and Its Jurisdiction will convene its:

📅 149th Annual Grand Lodge Session
🗓️ Saturday, August 9 – Tuesday, August 12, 2025
📍 Red Lion Hotel Cheyenne
204 West Fox Farm Road, Cheyenne, WY 82007

Let us represent Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 with excellence and unity as we come together to conduct the business of the Craft and celebrate our collective progress.

“Where true Brotherhood governs, Light prevails.”

🧱 Raising to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason

On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 had the honor of raising three worthy Fellow Crafts to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason:

• Brother Johnta Johnson

• Brother Nathan Cox

• Brother Kelvin Brooks Jr.

We commend these Brothers for their commitment and growth within the Craft. May they continue to walk uprightly and seek Light. Special thanks to the officers and Degree Team for their precision, presence, and performance.

🎖️ Testimonial Weekend – Honoring the Grand Master

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 was proud to host the 69th Most Worshipful Grand Master, Gary B. Thomas Sr., for his Testimonial Celebration Weekend, held July 25–26, 2025.

From Friday evening’s hospitality to Saturday’s elegant banquet, the event was a reflection of excellence in planning, presentation, and fraternal hospitality. Thank you to all who contributed to making this a momentous and dignified occasion.

“Leadership is best honored through service, not ceremony alone.”

🎉 August Birthdays

🎂 Life Birthdays

• Everett Carter – August 1

• Wayne J. Wasson – August 2

• Jerry D. Bowen – August 21

• Jeffery Sebastian Bryant – August 22

💖 Spouses & Family Birthdays

• Aurora Nesby – August 25 (Spouse of Bro. Jeffrey Nesby)

• Latoya Pierce – August 25 (Sister of WM Nelson L. Pierce)

🕯️ Masonic Birthdays

• PM Darryl L. Newkirk – August 9

• Bro. Octavius Walton – August 9

• Bro. Robert Jackson – August 10

• SD Kris D. McGourty – August 10

• Bro. Nathaniel Granger Jr. – August 12

Happy Birthday to all celebrating this month. May you be blessed with good health, clear Light, and fraternal joy.

🙏 Prayer Corner

“The prayers of the righteous availeth much.” – James 5:16

Please continue to lift the following Brothers in your prayers:

Past Master Edward Speller – mourning the loss of a beloved family member.
Brother Marcus Mitchell – also experiencing the recent passing of a loved one.

May the Supreme Architect grant them strength, healing, and peace during this time of grief.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.”
So mote it be.

📣 Lodge Notices & Reminders

• Grand Lodge Session – August 9–12 in Cheyenne, WY. Support and attend if able.

• Mentorship Opportunity – Contact SW Brandon L. James to assist our newly raised Master Masons.

• Stay Involved – Your active participation is vital to the health and future of the Lodge.

• Community Service – Thank you for supporting the Walk with Autism and upholding our mission of service.

🧠 Word of Wisdom

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
— Mahatma Gandhi

🏅 Brotherly Spotlight

🎖️ Master Mason of the Quarter

SD Kris Daniel McGourty
We proudly recognize Brother McGourty for his exceptional service, leadership, and positive example in and beyond the Lodge. Your consistency and humility uplift us all. Congratulations!

🌟 Honoring Past Master Michael L. Cousar

A heartfelt thank you to PM Michael L. Cousar for his enduring dedication to Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5. From behind-the-scenes support to ritual excellence and mentorship, your contributions continue to shape the success of our Lodge.

“Titles fade—but impact endures.”

💙 Community Thanks – Walk with Autism

Our sincerest thanks to the Brethren and families who participated in the Walk with Autism on June 21, 2025. Your support continues to shine a Light on awareness, compassion, and community unity.

“Out of many steps, one united cause.”

Fraternally and respectfully submitted,
Worshipful Master Nelson L. Pierce
Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 – F&AM, Prince Hall Affiliation

🜃 The Mystic Mason in Everyday Life

A Lecture in the Spirit of the Hidden Light
Presented for Contemplation Among Master Masons

Worshipful Master, Wardens, and Brethren:

In speculative Freemasonry, we are taught that the Temple is within—a place not built by hands, eternal in the heavens. Yet we are not called to dwell in that Temple alone. We are summoned to labor within the world and above it, to navigate the seen and unseen with the same set of working tools.

So we return to a sacred question:

"How should a mystic conduct oneself in everyday life?"

🜏 I. The Mystic: An Initiated Soul in a Profane World

A mystic has not only sought Light but has entered into it. He does not merely possess knowledge; the Mystery possesses him. To be a mystic is not to escape the world, but to transfigure it, to live fully immersed in human experience while tethered to the Divine.

The mystic Mason is thus a living link between the terrestrial and celestial. He is not perfect, but he is aware, awake, and willing to be worked upon by the hand of the Master Builder.

🜁 II. Family, Labor, Spirit – The Three Pillars of the Inner Temple

We are taught to build our spiritual temple upon Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty. But these must manifest in everyday life. The mystic Mason embraces a threefold responsibility:

• In the home, he governs by Wisdom, expressing unconditional love, patience, and protection.
• In the world, he labors with Strength, acting with integrity and mastery in his profession or calling.
• In the sanctuary of the soul, he cultivates Beauty through prayer, silence, ritual, and the interior work.

This is the triple gate of the Temple—Family, Labor, and Spirit. To neglect one is to unbalance the Lodge within.

🜂 III. Mental Purification – The True Inner Work

A mystic does not dwell in negativity, not because he is blind to evil, but because he understands its root. He does not condemn quickly, because he sees that every soul is unfolding according to the Divine Plan—even in darkness.

To judge is easy. To understand is divine.

As we are taught: “Let he who is without flaw cast the first stone.”

The mystic Mason does not silence his conscience—he refines it. He examines his thoughts as an apprentice examines his tools. He casts out envy, pride, and vengeance—not as moralistic gestures, but as acts of inner alchemy.

He turns lead into gold—not in the crucible, but in the heart.

🜄 IV. Tolerance: The Brotherhood of the Unseen

The mystic does not seek to make others into his image. He recognizes that each soul is a unique blueprint, drawn by the Grand Architect with infinite variation.

Just as no two stones are the same, no two men are at the same point upon the winding stair. Yet each is being polished for a place in the Celestial Temple.

Tolerance, for the mystic Mason, is not political—it is sacred. It is the recognition of God in disguise.

The Word is hidden in every man, and it speaks in many tongues.

🝊 V. Compassion: The Work of the Sacred Heart

The mystic does not separate love from truth. For him, compassion is not weakness—it is the force that binds the cosmos.

He comforts without condescension. He uplifts without ego. He becomes a living vessel of Grace, not only within the Lodge, but wherever pain and confusion dwell.

As Masons, we are taught to be ready to aid a Brother in distress. The mystic extends this readiness to all sentient life because he sees the same divine fire in all creatures.

To offer peace is not just charity—it is initiation in motion.

🜎 VI. Trials: The Fire of Transformation

A mystic Mason is not immune to suffering—he is not shattered by it. When life strikes, he listens for the lesson. When the chisel falls, he blesses the Sculptor.

Pain is not an interruption of the path. It is the path itself—the burning away of illusion, the purification of the Stone.

The mystic Mason receives trials as gifts wrapped in fire. He may grieve, but never with bitterness. He may stumble, but never without learning.

“We are not exempt from lessons—we simply find it easier to learn them.”

🜚 VII. The Mystic Walk: Upright, Level, and Square

To walk as a mystic Mason is to live daily in alignment with the eternal triad:

• Uprightness in thought and action
• Equality in brotherhood and humanity
• Justice in dealings, tempered with mercy

Each day becomes a Lodge opened in the heart. Every interaction is a chance to square conduct, to level the ego, and to raise the Ashlar one inch closer to the Divine Pattern.

📜 Conclusion: Let the Temple Breathe

Brethren, the mystic Mason is not a figure of fantasy. He is the quiet Brother sitting beside you. He is the man who labors in silence, serves without fanfare, and weeps in secret prayer.

He is not above the Craft—he is the embodiment of it.

Let us therefore labor not only in ritual, but in revelation. Let us meet not only in stated communications, but in inner communion. Let our temples be not confined to buildings of stone, but expanded to embrace all of creation.

There is no more urgent task than the building of the self, no more sacred duty than the uplifting of others, and no greater Light than that which is kindled in the soul of a man who seeks the Divine with humility and love.

So let us be that man.

So mote it be.

 WM Nelson L. Pierce      

Topic: Pike Peak Lodge No. 5 Third Degree

Time: Jul 11, 2025 07:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83673353995

Meeting ID: 836 7335 3995

Please review the assigned parts below and let me know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend the degree work on July 29th. 

Zoom Meeting: 7/11/2025 7 pm

Table Read: 7/15/2025 6 pm Lodge

Walk Through: TBA with JW James

Full Partice: 7/24/2025 Lodge

Set up/ Walk through: 7/28/2025

Degree Work : 7/29/2025

Part One 

WM: Nelson Pierce

SW: Brandon James

JW: James Lamb

SD: Kris McGourty

JD: Deandre Barksdale

SS: Kaleel Pernsley

JS: Brandon Bryant

Working Tool: Kris McGourty

Apron: Kris McGourty

Part Two

Jubela:James Lamb

Jubelo:Demetrius Lamb

Jubelum:Brandon James

Captain/Wayfaringman:Aller Delarosa

King Solomon:Michael Cousar

Grand Senior Warden:Connell Levy

Craftsman 1:Roland Raye

Craftsman 2:Brandon Bryant

Craftsman 3:Jonathan Handy

Charge:Roland Raye

The Beheading of John the Baptist: An Esoteric and Mystical Exploration

Introduction

The beheading of John the Baptist is one of the most profound and symbolically rich events in sacred history. Far more than a political execution, it is a mystical drama—an archetypal severance between the material and the divine. It embodies the suppression of spiritual truth by worldly power, the transition between prophetic revelation and higher gnosis, and the soul’s involuntary initiation into deeper consciousness.

This exploration will examine:

• The Political and Historical Context – The struggle between spiritual truth and imperial power.

• The Mystical Meaning of Beheading – Why decapitation recurs in initiation traditions.

• The Archetypes of Herod, Herodias, and Salome – Their esoteric functions.

• John the Baptist as a Forerunner of Christ and Gnosis – His role in spiritual evolution.

• The Suppression of Divine Wisdom – A recurring pattern in cosmic history.

I. The Political and Historical Context of John’s Execution

1. The Conflict Between Empire and Prophetic Voice

John the Baptist was no mere ascetic—he was a prophetic force, a voice crying in the wilderness, challenging a corrupt establishment. Herod Antipas ruled as a client king under Rome, his authority tenuous and hollow.

• John threatened this fragile structure with his bold denunciations, particularly of Herod’s unlawful marriage to Herodias.

• His growing following posed the risk of revolt. He stirred the conscience of the people—and the fear of the elite.

• Herodias, cunning and politically astute, saw in John not a prophet, but a threat. She orchestrated his silencing under the veil of courtly ritual.

2. The Banquet as Ritual Sacrifice

Herod's birthday banquet, while political on the surface, bore deep ritualistic undertones.

• In Greco-Roman culture, feasts often accompanied sacrificial rites.

• Here, instead of a lamb, the head of a prophet is offered—wisdom slain to sustain power.

• The silver platter becomes an altar, and John’s severed head, the oblation of truth sacrificed to appease illusion.

II. The Mystical Meaning of Beheading

1. The Head as the Seat of Illumination

In mystical traditions, the head symbolizes divine intellect, the throne of the higher self.

• It's severance marks the annihilation of ego, and paradoxically, the liberation of the soul.

• In mystery schools, decapitation represents the release of the spirit from matter—the final test of initiation.

• John’s head, served to the unworthy, mirrors the tragedy of sacred knowledge profaned.

2. Beheading in Esoteric Traditions

Across ancient cultures, decapitation is not simply death—it is a symbolic transformation.

• In Hinduism, Kali is often depicted holding a severed head, symbolizing the destruction of ignorance.

• In alchemy, decapitation is the separation of the subtle from the gross—a necessary step in the Great Work.

• In Freemasonry, the severed head represents the slaying of the profane ego before entry into the mysteries.

John’s beheading, thus, was not an end, but a passage into eternal archetype.

III. Archetypes in the Beheading Drama

1. Herod Antipas – The Materialist Ruler

Herod is an image of compromised authority—attracted to truth, yet terrified by it.

• He listens to John with interest, even reverence.

• Yet his oath to Salome becomes his noose: the weakness of rulers bound by their pride.

• Herod represents worldly power incapable of spiritual courage.

2. Herodias – The Destroyer of Wisdom

Herodias symbolizes the dark feminine when untethered from the divine—ambition cloaked in beauty, but bent on domination.

• She plays the role of Kali’s wrathful aspect—not to liberate, but to consume.

• Her manipulation of Salome and Herod reflects how truth is suppressed by those seeking control over revelation.

3. Salome – The Illusion of Desire

Salome is the embodiment of Maya, illusion, sensuality, and ego.

• Her dance—the famed “Dance of the Seven Veils”—is a stripping away of veils that does not reveal truth, but tempts toward destruction.

• She echoes the fallen Sophia of Gnostic lore: a divine spark misused, seduced into serving darkness.

• Though often painted as a temptress, she is ultimately a pawn—beauty manipulated to silence truth.

IV. John the Baptist: Forerunner of Christ and Gnosis

1. The Threshold Guardian

John is the gatekeeper between the old aeon of prophecy and the new aeon of gnosis.

• His baptism initiates Jesus, marking the handover of spiritual authority.

• In esoteric terms, he is the Initiator—the one who awakens the soul to the path of higher light.

2. Death as Alchemical Nigredo

John’s beheading is the Nigredo, the black phase in alchemy: the death before rebirth.

• His blood marks the soil of the new covenant.

• As the last prophet, his death consecrates the birth of the Logos—Christ’s public mission.

3. In Gnostic Christianity

Gnostic texts often interpret John’s death as the collapse of the demiurgic order:

• The old god of law and punishment fades.

• Christ, the bearer of divine light and inner knowing, emerges.

• John’s severed voice becomes a whisper in the soul—an eternal invitation to awaken.

V. The Suppression of Divine Knowledge: A Cosmic Pattern

John’s death is not isolated—it is part of a larger archetypal rhythm:

• Socrates was forced to drink hemlock for corrupting youth.

• The Cathars were burned for preserving Gnostic truths.

• The Templars were slain for esoteric knowledge and spiritual autonomy.

Each is an echo of the same cosmic drama: truth confronted by fear, and wisdom sacrificed at the altar of control.

VI. Conclusion: The Mystic Rite of Severance

The beheading of John the Baptist is not merely a tale of political betrayal—it is an initiatory rite cloaked in blood and veils:

• Historically, it signals the death of prophecy and the rise of inner illumination.

• Spiritually, it symbolizes the death of the ego and the soul’s transcendence.

• Mystically, it is the archetypal severance—the sacrifice of the prophet who, through death, becomes eternal.

His voice, though severed, still echoes through the corridors of time, calling all seekers beyond illusion, beyond fear, beyond the veil.
It is the voice that says, “Prepare ye the way.”

July 2025 Monthly Newsletter
Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 – Prince Hall Affiliation
“Spreading Light Through Fellowship, Unity & Service”

⚠️ Stated Communication Canceled

The regularly scheduled Stated Communication for Saturday, July 19, 2025, has been canceled.
Brethren are encouraged to attend the Master Mason Degree conferral on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

🏗️ Raising to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason

📅 Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 513 N. Prospect St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Let us unite in support as our Fellow Crafts are raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.
Master Masons are encouraged to attend in full regalia.

🕯️ In Memoriam – Reverend JB Williams, PM

We honor the life and legacy of Reverend JB Williams, Past Master, who passed on June 2, 2025, at the age of 94.

He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife at:
📍 Fort Logan National Cemetery
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
📌 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80235

May Brother Williams rest in eternal Light.

🏛️ Testimonial Weekend – MWGM Gary B. Thomas Sr.

Let us come together to celebrate the leadership and legacy of our Most Worshipful Grand Master.

Friday, July 25, 2025 – Hospitality Room
🕕 6:00 PM | 📍 Radisson Hotel, Colorado Springs

Saturday, July 26, 2025 – Formal Testimonial Banquet
🕕 6:00 PM | 📍 Radisson Hotel
Attire: Masonic Formal

“Leadership is not position—it is purpose, principle, and presence.”

🎉 July Birthdays

🎂 Life Birthdays

• Moses Guddah – July 11

• Justin Stewart – July 22

• Michael Vetre – July 24

• Charles Kemp – July 30

💖 Spouses' Birthdays

• Shamekia Leggett – July 1 (Spouse of Marcus Leggett)

• Joan Henderson – July 16 (Spouse of James Henderson)

🕯️ Masonic Birthdays

• Nelson L. Pierce – July 1

• Mark Whiteside – July 9

• Justin Stewart – July 12

• Keith Cotton – July 15

• Robert Jennings – July 15

• Ervin Chastain – July 18

• Michael Vetre – July 18

🙏 Prayer for the Sick, Distressed & Departed

Supreme Architect of the Universe,
Bring healing to the sick, comfort to the weary, and rest to the departed.
We remember PM Rev. JB Williams and pray for all who mourn.
So mote it be.

🙏 Prayer for Brother Kelvin Brooks Jr.

Most Gracious and Merciful Architect of the Universe,
We come before You in solemn unity, lifting up our Brother Kelvin Brooks Jr., who is mourning the loss of his beloved grandfather.

Grant him and his family peace in this time of sorrow.
Strengthen their hearts with the comfort of cherished memories and the assurance of eternal love.
Surround them with compassion and remind them that they are not alone.

May the Light of Your presence guide them through grief, and may his grandfather rest in everlasting peace.

So mote it be.

📣 Lodge Notices & Reminders

• Mentorship Needed: Contact SW Brandon L. James to help guide newer Brothers.

• Degree Team: Officers, please prepare for the July 29 MM Degree.

• Community Service: Thank you for supporting the Walk with Autism.

• Traveling Brothers: Wishing all safe journeys and uplifting fellowship.

• Stay Involved: Your presence strengthens the Lodge.

🧠 Word of Wisdom

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
— Mahatma Gandhi

🏅 Brotherly Spotlight

🌟 Honoring Masonic Service in Action
Special recognition to:

• SD Kris McGourty

• JD Deandrea Barksdale

• SS Brandon Bryant

• FC Johnta Johnson

For community service at the U.S. Air Force Academy, raising $938 in Lodge support.

“Masonry is not what we say—it’s what we do.”

📸 [Photo included]

💙 Thank You – Walk with Autism

Thank you to all who supported the Walk with Autism on June 21, 2025. Your presence reflected our Lodge’s values and helped bring awareness and unity to our community.

“Out of many steps, one united cause.”

Happy Father’s Day

Today, we honor not just the title of “Father,” but the heart and soul behind it.

To the Fathers who lead with strength and love,
The Stepfathers who chose to love children not born of them but bonded in spirit,
The Grandfathers, Great-Grandfathers, and beyond, whose wisdom echoes through generations,
And to every man who has stepped up-by choice, by love, by duty—to nurture, protect, and guide a child’s life…

You are seen. You are valued. You are celebrated.

Fatherhood is not just a role. It’s a commitment. A quiet sacrifice. A steady presence.
It’s the late nights, the early mornings, the lessons taught without words,
The hands held during fear, the laughter shared during joy,
And the love that expects nothing in return.

Whether by blood, by bond, or by choice —
If you’ve poured yourself into raising, teaching, and loving a child,
Today is for you.

Thank you for showing up. For standing tall. For being someone to look up to.

Happy Father's Day

🟥⬛🟩 Builders of Freedom: A Juneteenth Reflection

A Prince Hall Masonic Address

📍 Presented in Observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day
🔺 Commemorating Emancipation • Honoring Legacy • Uplifting Justice

🎤 Opening Address

Brethren, Family, and Honored Guests:

As Juneteenth approaches, we gather not only to remember—but to reaffirm.

We remember June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, declaring the last of the enslaved to be free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

🕊️ Juneteenth teaches us:

Freedom delayed is not freedom denied.
But justice must be pursued, not just proclaimed.

🔨 A Masonic Call to Justice

As Prince Hall Masons, we carry the legacy of Brother Prince Hall, who petitioned, protested, and persevered so that men of African descent could live with dignity, education, and spiritual light.

We are charged to build — not just temples of stone, but communities of hope, truth, and justice.

🕯️ We Remember Emmett Till

We also remember Emmett Till, a 14-year-old whose life was taken in 1955 by the hands of hate. Yet from that tragedy, a movement was born. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, refused to be silent — and in doing so, made the world listen.

In Greenwood, Mississippi, a 9-foot bronze statue now stands in his memory — hat in hand, smiling, dignified. Not as a victim, but as a symbol.

This is our reminder:

That we will not forget.
That truth must be visible.
That justice must stand in public, not just in private prayer.

📐 Tools of the Craft — Duties of the Just

As Masons, we are not merely initiates in a lodge. We are laborers in the vineyard of humanity.

• The Square teaches us to act justly.

• The Compass sets the bounds of our moral duty.

• The Gavel reminds us to chip away the ignorance of injustice.

These tools are not symbolic—they are spiritual marching orders.

✊🏽 Juneteenth: Not Just a Day — A Declaration

🟥 Let us build with courage.
⬛ Let us walk uprightly.
🟩 Let us speak boldly, remembering that our labor is not in vain.

Let the world see in us what Prince Hall envisioned:
Men of honor. Men of light. Builders of freedom.

Let our love for justice be as enduring as bronze,
Let our faith in liberty be as unshakable as the stone,
And let our actions reflect what Juneteenth calls us to be:
Free men. Just men. Masons of the Light.

🧱 In Closing

“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
— Amos 5:24

May the Great Architect of the Universe bless our work,
Guide our footsteps,
And shine His eternal light upon our continued labor for justice.

Fraternally.

WM Nelson L. Pierce

🌞 June 2025 Monthly Newsletter

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 – Prince Hall Affiliation
Spreading Light Through Fellowship, Unity & Service

🗓️ Upcoming Events

🔨 Stated Communication & Degree Work

Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: 513 N. Prospect St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Join us for our monthly Stated Communication, which will include Entered Apprentice Proficiency and Fellow Craft Degree Work. Let us show our full support as our brethren advance in Light, and continue the work of the Craft in unity and strength.

👟 Walk with Autism & Resource Fair

Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80910

Pikes Peak Lodge will participate in this meaningful event to promote autism awareness and inclusion. The day includes a 5K walk, family-friendly vendors, music, food trucks, and local resources. Registration is $25.38. Children under 3 participate for free. Let us show up together as Masons and as a community.

✝️ St. John the Baptist Day Celebration

Date: Sunday, June 22, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: 513 N. Prospect St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Join us as we honor one of the patron saints of Freemasonry. All brethren are encouraged to attend in full regalia. Light refreshments and a time of fellowship will follow the celebration. Let us reflect on the virtues of St. John the Baptist and renew our commitment to Masonic service.

✈️ Traveling Light

Worshipful Master Nelson L. Pierce will travel to:

Eastern Star Lodge No. 13
MWPHGL of Virginia
3311 Shell Road, Hampton, VA 23661
Worshipful Master: Sean H. Deveraux

We extend warm fraternal greetings to our Virginia brethren and wish WM Pierce safe travels and fruitful fellowship as he represents Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5.

🎉 June Birthdays

🎂 Life Birthdays

• Gertho Noel – June 1

• Edward Speller Sr. – June 5

• Stephen Henderson – June 7

• Nathaniel Granger Jr. – June 13

• Demetrius G. Lamb – June 18

• Silvestre Arroyo – June 22

• Jonathan Currie – June 24

• Ervin Chastain – June 25

• Jefferson Monts Sr. – June 29

Wishing our brethren a joyful year filled with health, Light, and continued blessings.

🕯️ Masonic Birthdays

• John Bennett – June 12

• Booker Jones – June 18

• Silvestre Arroyo – June 20

• Jonathan Handy – June 20

• James Henderson – June 20

• Garfield Johnson – June 20

• James Lamb – June 20

• Gertho Noel – June 20

• Jonathan Currie – June 21

• Mosses Smith – June 21

• Chester Johnson – June 22

We honor and thank you for your enduring dedication to the Craft.

🙏 Prayer for the Sick, Distressed, and Departed

Supreme Architect of the Universe,

We ask Your blessings upon our brethren who are sick, suffering, or in distress. Grant them healing, peace, and strength. Comfort their families and surround them with love and care.

We also pause in remembrance of those who have been called from labor to eternal rest. May their works live on in our hearts, and may we honor their legacy through our actions and commitment to brotherhood.

So mote it be.

📣 Announcements

🧳 Traveling Brethren

Brothers are encouraged to support our neighboring Lodges whenever possible. Your presence strengthens the bonds of unity across the jurisdiction and demonstrates the Light of our Lodge wherever you go. Please coordinate with the Worshipful Master or Senior Warden if you plan to travel.

📘 Mentorship & Proficiency

The future of our Lodge depends on guiding and uplifting the next generation. We are actively seeking Master Masons to serve as mentors for new brethren. If you are willing to contribute your time and knowledge, contact SW Brandon L. James to join the mentorship team. Let us each do our part to preserve the integrity of our teachings.

Candidates and newer Masons are also reminded to remain diligent in their studies. Continue to meet with your mentors and strive for excellence in all proficiency work.

💙 Community Engagement

Freemasonry is built on service. Stay alert for upcoming charity and outreach opportunities as we continue to be a visible and positive force within our community. Let us uphold our reputation as men of action, principle, and compassion.

🏛️ Participation Matters

The life of our Lodge depends on the participation of every brother. Whether in degrees, business, service, or fellowship, your presence matters. If you haven’t been to Lodge recently, we invite you to return. There is work to be done, and your place among us remains.

🧠 Word of Wisdom

“We must all live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Let us walk uprightly, act justly, and serve humbly—as brothers united in Light.

🏅 Brotherly Spotlight

🌟 Master Mason of the Quarter: Senior Deacon Erik Veloz

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 proudly honors Senior Deacon Erik Veloz as our Master Mason of the Quarter.

Brother Veloz exemplifies quiet strength and unwavering dedication. As Senior Deacon, he has served faithfully and humbly—guiding candidates, assisting in ritual, and supporting the Lodge through consistent presence and service.

His leadership is marked not by words, but by action. Whether opening the Lodge, setting the craft in order, or mentoring others, he has been a true pillar among us.

As Brother Veloz prepares to transfer to his next military duty station at Fort Eustis, Virginia, we express our deepest gratitude and fraternal affection.

Brother Veloz, safe travels and Godspeed. May your path ahead be filled with Light, strength, and new opportunities. Know that you leave behind not only your labor, but your legacy—and that Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 will always be your Masonic home.

Dear Brethren,

I greet you all in the spirit of unity, peace, and brotherly love.

Please find attached the draft meeting minutes from our May 17, 2025, stated communication. For those who were unable to attend, I strongly encourage you to review them in full. The minutes contain key highlights and updates from the meeting, including an important resolution that was read and accepted by the Lodge. This resolution will be formally voted on during our June meeting, and your input and presence are essential.

As we look ahead, please remember that the Grand Lodge Annual Communication is quickly approaching. Register early and secure your hotel accommodations so that Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 is well-represented during this important gathering of Masons from across the jurisdiction.

In addition, our Lodge will proudly host the Testimonial Weekend in honor of our Most Worshipful Grand Master, scheduled for July 25–26, 2025. This is a major undertaking and an opportunity to show our leadership and support. As part of this celebration, Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 is producing the Souvenir Journal, and we will share in the profits. Let’s make this a success!

A special incentive has been added:

The Brother who sells the most ads for the Souvenir Journal will receive a special gift valued at $300. Let’s put our collective energy into making this event memorable and financially successful for our Lodge.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the Craft. Let us continue to build with purpose, serve with humility, and uplift one another in true Masonic spirit.

Fraternally,

RW Demetrius Lamb

Secretary

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5, F.&A.M.

🔗 Welding the Chain

A Sacred Lecture for the Inner Work of the Prince Hall Freemason

 

Fraternally,

Nelson L. Pierce 32° | Worshipful Master

Pikes Peak Lodge #5 F&AM PHA

513 N. Prospect Street | Colorado Springs, CO 80903

502-424-5241 | tanp302@yahoo.com

🌸 May 2025 Monthly Newsletter

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 – Prince Hall Affiliation
Spreading Light Through Fellowship, Unity & Service

🗓️ Upcoming Events & Celebrations

📆 May Events

🏛 Grand Lodge Visitation – Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5
📅 Tuesday, May 6
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 513 N Prospect St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 will host the Most Worshipful Grand Master Gary B. Thomas Sr. and the Grand Lodge Officers for our annual Grand Lodge Visitation.
All brethren are urged to attend in full regalia to receive the Grand Lodge and demonstrate our commitment and unity.
Repast will begin at 6:30 PM. Gavel will sound promptly at 7:30 PM.

🎉 May Birthdays

🎂 Life Birthdays

• Chester Johnson Jr. — May 2

• Derrick Porcher — May 3

• Richard Joseph Monroe — May 4

• Louis Cook — May 5

• Charles Galloway III — May 5

• Lamont L. Davis II — May 9

• Saul Timothy Grosshuesch — May 9

• Kenneth Green — May 15

• John Henry Arku — May 18

• Stefon Atmore — May 20

• Gilberto Geronimo — May 22

• Mitchell Thomas George — May 23

• Kaleel Phurious Pernsley — May 29

• Jason Kirtley — May 30

• Gannon Richard Harris — May 31

👩‍❤️‍👨 Family Birthdays

• Monica L. Cousar (Spouse of Brother Michael LaMon Cousar) — May 16

🕯️ Masonic Birthdays

• Gannon Richard Harris — May 13

• John Henry Arku — May 18

• Derrick H. Murphy — May 18

• Erik Veloz — May 18

🎈 To all of our May celebrants — may your new year be filled with health, happiness, wisdom, and continued Light. The Lodge celebrates you!

📣 Announcements

📌 No 3rd Saturday Meeting (May 17)
Please be advised that there will be no stated communication on the 3rd Saturday this month (May 17).
Enjoy the time with family and remain engaged as we continue our Masonic labors throughout the month.

📌 Traveling Brethren
Represent our Lodge with pride and unity during visitations.

📌 Education & Mentorship
Interested in guiding newer brothers? Contact us to join the mentorship team.

📌 Community Engagement
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to serve and uplift our community.

🧠 Word of Wisdom

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”
— Samuel Johnson

As Masons, we must lead with integrity and compassion — not for recognition, but because it is right.

🏅 Brotherly Spotlight

🎉 Master Mason of the Quarter: Brother Erick Veloz

Congratulations to Brother Erick Veloz, who has been selected as our Master Mason of the Quarter!
Your unwavering dedication, work ethic, and positive example inspire your brethren and strengthen our Lodge.
We salute you, Brother Veloz — well done and well deserved!

🎖️ Special Shout-Out to SW Brandon L. James

We recognize Senior Warden Brandon L. James for his tireless commitment, outstanding leadership, and continuous support of the Lodge.
Your hard work and vision help shape our success and inspire the Craft.
Thank you, SW James, for your service and dedication.

                                                                                                                                                          May 2025

Lecture for Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5                                       

Title: "Tubal-Cain: The Forgotten Master and His Eternal Forge"

Worshipful Master, Wardens, Officers, and Brethren of Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5,

Tonight, I invite you to journey deeper — much deeper — into the symbolism and esoteric significance of one of the most overlooked yet profound figures in Masonic tradition — Tubal-Cain. His name, while often spoken in ritual, conceals mysteries that go far beyond the operative craft.

Tubal-Cain, first mentioned in Genesis 4:22, is described as the instructor of every artificer in brass and iron. At first glance, he appears merely as the father of metalwork, yet to the initiated, his presence speaks volumes beyond the surface.

In Prince Hall Freemasonry, Tubal-Cain resonates uniquely. Let us explore this in five profound layers, unveiling the deeper Light hidden in his story.

1.    The Historical Smith: Master of Elements and the Builder of Civilization Tubal-Cain is the emblem of ingenuity and divine spark. He represents the moment when mankind first harnessed the raw elements of nature. This ability elevated humanity from subsistence to civilization. For Prince Hall Masons, his legacy speaks to our ancestors' labor, both physical and spiritual, in building and reshaping societies amid adversity. He is not only the archetype of the builder but of the Divinely Inspired Craftsman whose work transcends the material.

2.    The Password and Protection of Secrets: The Silent Guardian In the Master Mason Degree, Tubal-Cain’s name becomes a sacred password. Passwords are not arbitrary sounds but spiritual tests. They symbolize access to higher realms of wisdom and the guardianship of ancient truths. For us, as Prince Hall Masons, especially here at Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5, this reminds us that our duty is not merely to memorize — but to embody and protect eternal principles of morality, virtue, and divine wisdom entrusted to us through generations.

3.    The Mystical Smith and Self-Transformation: From Rough Ashlar to Perfect Stone The forge, Brethren, is not merely a workshop. It is the sacred place of transformation. Just as Tubal-Cain shaped metal through fire and hammer, so must we shape our characters through trials, self-reflection, and divine guidance. The impurities within us — pride, ignorance, and vice — must be purged. We are called to become living stones, fitted perfectly for the Celestial Lodge above. Tubal-Cain whispers to us, "Refine thyself as iron in the forge."

4.    The Alchemical Connection: Transmutation of the Inner Man For those who dare to look beyond the veil, Tubal-Cain emerges as a figure of alchemy. Brass and iron symbolize base aspects of human nature. His mastery over them mirrors our esoteric mission: transforming selfishness into selflessness, ignorance into illumination, mortality into spiritual immortality. He is the silent teacher urging us to achieve the Philosopher’s Stone within — the perfected self.

5.    The Guardian of the Hidden Fire: Keeper of Eternal Light and Freedom Finally, at the deepest level, Tubal-Cain tends the divine flame — the eternal fire of liberty, spiritual enlightenment, and brotherly love. Especially within Prince Hall Masonry and here at Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5, this is our sacred charge. From bondage to Light, our ancestors became keepers of that flame. Today, we must preserve and pass this torch, ensuring our legacy shines brighter for generations yet unborn.

Brethren, Tubal-Cain is not merely a figure of the past — he is our reflection and our aspiration. He is more than a name — he is a charge. He teaches us to labor tirelessly at the forge of life:

•    As master builders of upright character,

•    As vigilant protectors of sacred teachings,

•    As patient alchemists transmuting the self,

•    And as eternal guardians of the divine flame passed down through Prince Hall’s legacy.

May we all labor worthily and reverently, so that when the Grand Architect calls us from labor to refreshment, we may stand as perfected stones in the eternal Temple not made with hands.

Fraternally,

Nelson L. Pierce 32° | Worshipful Master

Pikes Peak Lodge #5 F&AM PHA

513 N. Prospect Street | Colorado Springs, CO 80903

502-424-5241 | tanp302@yahoo.com

Further Exploration: Jachin, Boaz, and Prince Hall Freemasonry

Introduction: Prince Hall Freemasonry, founded in the late 18th century by Prince Hall, is rooted in principles of moral virtue, brotherhood, spiritual enlightenment, and social justice. This institution has played a crucial role in advancing African American equality and empowerment, incorporating rich biblical symbolism. Among these symbols, the pillars Jachin and Boaz hold a central place in Masonic teachings, representing stability, strength, and moral growth. This exploration delves into their significance within Prince Hall traditions, degree work, and historical contributions.

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Jachin and Boaz in Prince Hall Rituals

Symbolism of the Pillars

The pillars in Prince Hall Freemasonry symbolize:

•    Jachin ("He establishes") – Stability, representing God's covenant and the foundation of faith and moral principles.

•    Boaz ("In Him is strength") – Strength, emphasizing resilience, unity, and reliance on divine power to overcome adversity.

Placement and Design

•    In the Lodge: The two pillars are positioned at the entrance, mirroring their placement in King Solomon’s Temple.

•    Adornments:

o    Globes on top: Represent the celestial and terrestrial spheres, symbolizing Freemasonry’s universality and the interconnectedness of humanity.

o    Pomegranates and lilies: Symbolize abundance, purity, and peace, reflecting harmony and virtue.

Ritual Use in Prince Hall Lodges

•    Initiation in the Entered Apprentice Degree:

o    Candidates symbolically pass between the pillars, signifying their transition into a new life grounded in faith and strength.

o    This ritual marks the beginning of the candidate’s moral and spiritual enlightenment.

•    Moral Lessons:

o    Jachin reminds members to build their lives on stability, truth, and righteousness.

o    Boaz highlights the importance of drawing strength from unity, brotherhood, and divine support.

•    Brotherhood:

o    The duality of the pillars represents the balance between individual strength and collective unity within the lodge.

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The Pillars in Prince Hall Degree Work

Entered Apprentice Degree

•    The pillars are introduced as representations of stability (Jachin) and strength (Boaz).

• Passing between the pillars signifies the initiation of a Mason’s journey and a commitment to moral and spiritual development.

Fellowcraft Degree

•    The symbolic role of the pillars expands in this degree:

The atop the pillars represent the universality of Freemasonry and the dual connection to celestial and terrestrial realms.

o    Pomegranates and lilies reflect the virtues of peace, purity, and abundance.

•    This degree emphasizes intellectual growth and spiritual enlightenment, tying the pillars to the pursuit of knowledge.

Master Mason Degree

•    The themes of the pillars continue, symbolizing resilience, mortality, and immortality.

•    While less prominent in this degree, their symbolism remains foundational, reminding members of their inner strength and stability when facing life’s challenges.

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Historical Significance of Prince Hall Freemasonry

Origins and Founding Principles

•    Prince Hall founded African Lodge No. 459 in 1784, making it the first African American Masonic lodge.

•    Recognizing the power of Freemasonry to uplift African Americans, Hall emphasized education, leadership, and moral development.

Incorporation of the Pillars

•    Jachin and Boaz were integrated into Prince Hall rituals shortly after the lodge’s founding.

o    Jachin symbolized stability through faith and God’s covenant, inspiring members to build their lives on integrity.

o    Boaz represented strength and perseverance, reflecting the unity and resilience of African Americans in the face of systemic inequality.

Social and Cultural Impact

•    Prince Hall Freemasonry became a cornerstone of African American communities, fostering leadership, education, and activism.

•    Lodges served as hubs for civil rights initiatives and social justice efforts.

•    Many prominent African American leaders, including abolitionists and educators, were Prince Hall Masons.

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The Pillars and the Masonic Journey

Jachin: Establishing a Moral Foundation

•    Represents stability and faith as the foundation of a righteous life.

•    Encourages members to uphold the principles of integrity, charity, and trust in divine guidance.

Boaz: Drawing Strength from Brotherhood

•  Symbolizes strength through unity and perseverance.

•  Reflects the importance of collective support within the lodge, empowering members to face challenges with courage and resilience.

________________________________________

Moral Uprightness in Prince Hall Freemasonry

Biblical Teachings and Resilience

•    The pillars’ ability to withstand fire (trials and purification) and flood (overwhelming challenges) serves as a metaphor for moral uprightness and perseverance.

•    Jachin emphasizes the stability of faith, while Boaz underscores the strength gained through divine support and collective unity.

Connection to King Solomon’s Temple

•    Positioned at the entrance of King Solomon’s Temple, the pillars symbolized spiritual preparation and moral responsibility.

•    For Prince Hall Masons, they represent the sacred duty to live a life of righteousness, resilience, and faith.

________________________________________

Prince Hall Freemasonry and Biblical Values

Parallels Between Masonic and Biblical Teachings

•    Faith and Integrity: The pillars reflect the biblical call to righteousness, as seen in Proverbs 10:25:

“When the storm has swept by, the righteous stand firm forever.”

•    Unity in Diversity: Jachin and Boaz highlight the strength found in inclusion and collective purpose.

•    Redemption: The Masonic journey mirrors the biblical theme of redemption, transforming individuals into a unified brotherhood committed to justice and virtue.

________________________________________

Legacy of Prince Hall Freemasonry

Strength and Stability in Action

•    Prince Hall Freemasonry has provided African Americans with opportunities for education, leadership, and moral growth despite systemic challenges.

•    The pillars symbolize the enduring strength of Prince Hall’s vision, guiding members as they navigate personal and communal challenges.

Continuing Influence

•    Today, Prince Hall Freemasonry remains a beacon of empowerment, inspiring individuals and communities to uphold the principles of faith, brotherhood, and perseverance.

________________________________________

Lessons for Masons and Believers

Faith and Action

•    Jachin: Calls for unwavering faith and moral stability.

•    Boaz: Encourages strength, perseverance, and unity in service to others.

Unity and Brotherhood

•    The pillars emphasize the importance of mutual support and collective strength within the lodge and community.

Resilience Through Adversity

•    Jachin and Boaz inspire members to overcome trials with faith, resilience, and integrity, demonstrating that challenges can lead to unity and purpose.

________________________________________

Conclusion

The pillars Jachin and Boaz symbolize stability, strength, and unity, forming a cornerstone of biblical tradition and Prince Hall Freemasonry. Introduced in the Entered Apprentice Degree, their lessons inspire members to build stable foundations, draw strength from their communities, and persevere through life’s challenges. By honoring the legacy of Jachin, Boaz, and Prince Hall, Masons continue to strive for justice, unity, and moral excellence, becoming pillars of strength in their lives and communities.

Fraternally,

Nelson L. Pierce 32° | Worshipful Master

Pikes Peak Lodge #5 F&AM PHA

513 N. Prospect Street | Colorado Springs, CO 80903

502-424-5241 | tanp302@yahoo.com

🌸 April 2025 Monthly Newsletter

Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 – Prince Hall Affiliation
Spreading Light Through Fellowship, Unity & Service

🗓️ Upcoming Events & Celebrations

📆 April Events

🏛 Stated Communication – Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5
📅 Saturday, April 19
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 513 N Prospect St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Join us for our regular stated meeting. Let’s attend to important lodge business and continue to strengthen our bonds through fellowship and shared Light.

🏛 Lodge Visitation – Eureka Lodge No. 2
📅 Wednesday, April 2
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 126 Broadway Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004
Let’s support our Pueblo brethren with a strong showing from Pikes Peak Lodge. Carpooling options available—please reach out if you need assistance.

🏛 Lodge Visitation – Mountain Post Military Lodge No. 26
📅 Saturday, April 12
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 513 N Prospect St, Colorado Springs, CO 80927
Join us in fellowship with our military brethren for a meaningful morning of unity and Light.

🏛 Lodge Visitation – Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Military Lodge No. 27
📅 Thursday, April 17
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 1625 Florence St, Aurora, CO
A great opportunity to build connections and strengthen the fraternal bond with our brothers in Aurora.

🐣 Easter Sunday
📅 Sunday, April 20
Wishing peace, renewal, and joy to all our brothers and their families during this season of hope and Light.

🌱 Earth Day
📅 Monday, April 22
Let’s reflect on our duty as Masons to care for the world around us. Small acts of stewardship make a lasting impact.

🎉 April Birthdays

🎂 Life Birthdays

PM Joseph Alvarez – April 16

PM David Noland – April 16

• James Henderson – April 20

• Eddis Crocket – April 22

🕯️ Masonic Birthdays
• Lamont Davis – April 1

Stephen Henderson – April 5

 • David Serrick – April 5

PM David Noland-April 17

🎈 To each of you celebrating this month — may your journey ahead be filled with wisdom, growth, and continued Light.

📣 Announcements

📌 Traveling Brethren – Represent the lodge with honor and unity during visitations.
📌 Education & Mentorship – Interested in guiding newer brothers? Reach out to join the mentorship team.
📌 Community Engagement – Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to serve and uplift our local community.

🧠 Word of Wisdom

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”
— Samuel Johnson

As Masons, we are called to lead with integrity, humility, and compassion — not for recognition, but because it is right.

🏅 Brotherly Spotlight

🎉 Congratulations to Brother DeAndre Barksdale
Pikes Peak Lodge No. 5 proudly congratulates Brother DeAndre Barksdale on his selection to attend Warrant Officer School. Your leadership and dedication continue to inspire, and we stand behind you with pride as you pursue this next chapter.

Well done, Brother. Onward and upward! 

🎖️ Special Shout-Out to PM Robert Jackson
We extend heartfelt appreciation to Past Master Robert Jackson for his unwavering leadership, wisdom, and continued support of the lodge. Your example continues to inspire and uplift us all.

Thank you, PM Jackson, for being a true Light in the Craft. 

🌟 March 2025 Monthly Newsletter 🌟

🗓 Upcoming Events & Birthdays 🎉📆 Events This Month🏛 Pikes Peak Lodge #5 Stated Communication and EA Degree Work 📅 March 15, 2025,⏰ 10:00 AM📍 513 N Prospect St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903🔹 Join us for an important stated communication and EA Degree work session.

🎩 Prince Hall Founders Day📅 March 2, 2025📜 A Day to honor the legacy and contributions of Prince Hall and the founding of Prince Hall Freemasonry.

🌉 Edmund Pettus Bridge Crossing📅 March 2-3, 2025📍 Selma, Alabama✊ Join us in commemorating a historic moment in the civil rights movement with the annual bridge crossing in Selma.

🏛 Rocky Mountain Lodge #1 Visitation📅 March 3, 2025,⏰ 7:30 PM📍 4200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220🤝 Join us for a meaningful visit and fellowship with Rocky Mountain Lodge #1!

⏰ Daylight Saving Time Begins📅 March 9, 2025,⏳ Don't forget to spring forward and set your clocks one hour ahead!

🏛 Centennial Lodge #4 Visitation📅 March 10, 2025📍 650 Billings St, Aurora, CO🔹 A night of brotherhood and fellowship at Centennial Lodge #4.

🏛 Mount Evans Lodge #7 Visitation📅 March 13, 2025📍 650 Billings St, Aurora, CO🌟 Strengthening bonds and celebrating unity at Mount Evans Lodge #7.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration📅 March 17, 2025🎶 Wear your green and celebrate with friends and family!

🌍 4 Corners Gathering📅 March 20 - March 23, 2024📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver, 3203 Quebec Street, Denver, CO 80207🎟️ Registration includes: Evening hospitalities on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, plus exciting events on Friday and Saturday nights (details coming soon). Extra banquet tickets are available for $65.00 per event.

🏨 Hotel Accommodations: 📞 (303) 321-3333 and use group code: Prince Hall Four Corners or scan the QR code provided. 💰 Room Rate: $119.00 + tax (King or 2 Queen beds). 📌 Booking Deadline: February 19, 2025⚠️ First night's stay will be charged upon booking. 🛏 Reservations made after this date are subject to availability and standard rates.

📖 Support the Souvenir Journal! 🖊 Purchase an ad to showcase your support and be part of this unforgettable event.

📩 Questions? Contact us: 📞 RWDGM Jeff Alexander - (720) 352-0869📞 GAM Antoinette Dow - (720) 281-5038📧 2025FourCornersColorado@gmail.com

✝️ Easter Celebration📅 March 30, 2025🌸 A time of reflection, renewal, and celebration with loved ones!

🎂 Birthdays This Month 🎉🎈 Lamont Davis – March 1🎂 Nelson L. Pierce – March 4🎊 Loran Smith – March 10🎉 Ralph Simmons – March 12🎂 William Blackwelder – March 21🎈 Marcus Leggett – March 24🎊 Robert Jennings Jr. – March 30

💕 Spouses' Birthdays This Month 🎁💖 Gigi Pierce – March 18

💍 Anniversaries This Month 💐❤️ Charles Aubrey Kemp & Renee Kemp – March 26

📢 Special Announcements ✨🎖 Honoring Brother CW2 Gilberto Geronimo👏 We proudly congratulate Brother CW2 Gilberto Geronimo on his well-earned promotion to CW3! His dedication, leadership, and service are truly commendable. Please join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement.

⛪ Liberty Chapel Service📅 Wednesday, the 5th of March, Two Thousand and Twenty-Five at two o’clock in the afternoon📍 9100 Clarke Ave, Fort Gregg-Adams, VA🙏 Join us for a special gathering at Liberty Chapel as we come together in faith and unity.

🎉 Wishing everyone a fantastic March filled with joy, unity, and celebration! 🎉

WM Nelson L. Pierce

Lecture on Prophet Solomon (Sulayman) in Islam and His Legacy                       March 2025

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Introduction

Prophet Solomon (Sulayman, peace be upon him) is one of the most remarkable figures in Islamic tradition. Revered as both a prophet and a king, he was blessed with unparalleled wisdom, authority, and divine gifts from Allah. As narrated in the Quran, his story offers profound lessons on humility, devotion to Allah, and the ethical use of power. Solomon’s life is a source of inspiration for believers, demonstrating how worldly blessings should be balanced with spiritual responsibilities.

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Key Themes of Prophet Solomon’s Life

1. Solomon’s Prophethood and Unique Blessings

Allah granted Solomon extraordinary abilities that set him apart from other prophets.

•    Wisdom and Judgment

Solomon was known for his remarkable ability to render fair and insightful judgments. One of the most famous examples is the story of two women disputing over a child (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:78-79). His decision revealed his exceptional wisdom and reliance on divine guidance.

•    Control over the Jinn

Solomon was given authority over the jinn, who built magnificent structures and performed tasks at his command (Surah Saba, 34:12-13). This unique gift highlighted the extent of his power under Allah’s will.

•    Communication with Animals

He had the extraordinary ability to understand and communicate with animals.

Example: In Surah An-Naml (27:18-19), Solomon overhears an ant warning its colony of his approaching army. He smiles in gratitude to Allah for this remarkable gift.

•    Command over the Wind

Solomon controlled the wind, swiftly carrying his ships and armies wherever he commanded (Surah Saba, 34:12).

Lesson: These blessings remind us that all power and abilities come from Allah and must be used responsibly and with gratitude.

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2. The Story of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis)

One of the most captivating episodes in Solomon’s life is his interaction with the Queen of Sheba, as detailed in Surah An-Naml (27:22-44).

•    The Invitation to Monotheism

Upon learning that the Queen of Sheba and her people worshipped the sun, Solomon sent her a letter inviting them to worship Allah (27:29-31).

•    The Throne Test

To demonstrate Allah’s power, Solomon had her throne transported to his court instantly, showcasing the divine gifts he was granted (27:38-40).

•    Her Conversion

When Bilqis witnessed Solomon’s wisdom and the miracles granted by Allah, she accepted monotheism and submitted to the one true God (27:44).

Key Lesson: Power and knowledge should be used not for personal gain but to guide others toward truth and submission to Allah.

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3. The Death of Solomon

The Quran narrates a remarkable account of Solomon’s death in Surah Saba (34:14).

•    Solomon passed away while leaning on his staff. Under his command, the jinn continued their labor, unaware of his death. Only when termites gnawed through the staff and his body fell did they realize he had passed away.

Moral:

This story highlights the limits of human and jinn knowledge. Despite their power, the jinn were unaware of Solomon’s death until Allah revealed it. It emphasizes that all knowledge and control ultimately belong to Allah.

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4. Solomon’s Hardship and Downfall: Lessons for Today’s Men

While Prophet Solomon is celebrated for his wisdom and devotion, his life also includes tests and moments of difficulty. These trials offer significant lessons for men today, demonstrating how even the most blessed individuals are vulnerable to hardship and temptation if they stray from Allah’s guidance.

Solomon’s Hardships and Trials

1.    The Test of Wealth and Power

Solomon’s immense power and wealth were tests of his humility and obedience to Allah. His heartfelt dua in Surah Sad (38:35) illustrates his recognition of these blessings as a divine trust:

“My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom that will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”

2.    Attachment to Worldly Pleasures

Solomon experienced a moment of distraction due to his love for fine horses, causing him to momentarily forget the remembrance of Allah (Surah Sad, 38:30-33). Upon realizing this, he repented and returned to Allah, showing the importance of prioritizing spiritual over material pursuits.

3.    The Risk of False Worship

While the Quran does not accuse Solomon of falling into idolatry, some jinn spread falsehoods about him, associating him with magic and idolatry (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:102). This reminds us that even the most righteous individuals can be subjected to trials of slander and misrepresentation.

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Relating Solomon’s Challenges to Modern Life

1.    The Temptation of Wealth and Power

o    In today’s society, wealth and status are often seen as measures of success. This pursuit can lead to arrogance, greed, or neglect of spiritual responsibilities.

o    Solomon’s example reminds us that worldly blessings should be used responsibly, with gratitude to Allah.

2.    The Distraction of Desires

o    Men today are often distracted by career ambitions, entertainment, and material pursuits, leading to neglect of prayer, family, or community obligations.

o    Like Solomon, we must constantly realign our priorities with Allah’s commands.

3.    The Risk of Falling into Sin

o    In a world full of temptations, immoral content, and societal pressure, it is easy to stray. Solomon’s steadfastness in turning back to Allah after distractions reminds us of the importance of repentance and self-discipline.

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How We Can Avoid Downfall

1.    Stay Close to Allah

o    Regular prayer, Quranic study, and remembrance of Allah strengthen faith and shield against temptation.

2.    Practice Gratitude and Humility

o    Recognize that all success comes from Allah, and use blessings to serve others and please Him.

3.    Engage in Self-Reflection and Repentance

o    Continuously assess your actions and seek forgiveness when you falter, as Solomon did.

4.    Seek Knowledge and Surround Yourself with Righteous Companions

o    Learn from the Quran, Sunnah, and examples of righteous leaders like Solomon. Keep company with those who encourage you to remain on the path of Allah.

5.    Balance Worldly and Spiritual Obligations

o    Strive for success in both this life and the Hereafter, ensuring that your actions align with Allah’s guidance.

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5. Lessons from Solomon’s Life

•    Humility in Power

Despite his immense blessings, Solomon remained humble and grateful to Allah.

•    Justice and Wisdom

His judgments inspire fairness and moral responsibility in all matters.

•    Monotheism

Solomon’s efforts to guide others to Allah demonstrate the importance of unwavering belief and devotion.

•    Accountability

All blessings—power, wealth, or knowledge—are a trust from Allah and should be used responsibly.

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Conclusion

Prophet Solomon’s life is a profound example of balancing worldly success with spiritual devotion. His story reminds us of the trials and temptations that come with blessings and the importance of staying steadfast in faith.

As Allah states in the Quran:

"This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account.” (Surah Sad, 38:39)

Reflection Question:

How can we, as modern men, emulate Prophet Solomon’s humility, wisdom, and devotion while navigating the challenges of today’s world?

Fraternally,

Nelson L. Pierce 32° | Worshipful Master

Pikes Peak Lodge #5 F&AM PHA

513 N. Prospect Street | Colorado Springs, CO 80903

502-424-5241 | tanp302@yahoo.com

🌟 February Newsletter 🌟

📅 Upcoming Events & Birthdays 🎉

📆 Events This Month

• 💖 Valentine’s Day Specials & Celebrations – February 14

• 📚 Masters, Wardens, Secretaries, and Treasurers Workshop – February 15
  📍 1130 Panorama Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80904
  ⏰ 9:00 AM
  An essential workshop for leadership development and administrative guidance.

• 🏛️ Mid-Year Conference – February 16
  📍 1150 Panorama Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80904
  A gathering to discuss progress, share insights, and set goals for the second half of the year.

• 🇺🇸 Presidents Day Observance – February 17
  A day to honor the leadership and legacy of U.S. Presidents.

• ✊🏾 Black History Program – February 22
  📍 513 N Prospect St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903
  ⏰ 3:00 PM
  Join us as we celebrate Black history, culture, and achievements.

🎂 Birthdays This Month

• Willie McGoughey – February 4 🎂
• Willie Outlaw – February 5 🎉
• Aller Delarosa – February 6 🎊
• James Cates – February 7 🎈
• JB William – February 9 🎁
• Harry Anderson – February 16 🎂
• Roland Raye – February 18 🎉
• Charles Galloway – February 25 🎊
• James Lamb – February 28 🎁

🎉 Special Announcements

📢 Newly Raised Master Masons will show proficiency on February 15.
👏 Deandre Barksdale, Brandon Bryant, and Kris McGourty will demonstrate their proficiency—come and support them!

📢 Pikes Peak Lodge will be opening the Mid-Year Conference on February 16.
🏛️ Join us for this important occasion as Pikes Peak Lodge officially opens the conference.

🎊 Wishing everyone a fantastic February filled with success, learning, and celebration! 🎊

WM Nelson L. Pierce

Worshipful Master Lamb

Senior Warden Pierce

Junior Warden Levy

Senior Deacon James

Junior Deacon Arku

Senior Steward McGourty

Junior Steward Murphy

Working Tools- JS Murphy

Apron- SW Pierce

King Solomon- PM Cousar                            Hiram- James

Jubela-Levy            Jubelo- Murphy           Jubelum- Arku              Captain-Noel

Grand SW- James       Craftsman 1-PM  Raye      Craftsman 2-JT       Craftsman 3- McGourty    

Charge-PM Raye

Schedule:

November 6, 2024 .... 6:30 pm Table Read (Dinner)

November 10, 2024..... 8:30 am Walk through ( Food & Football After) 

November 13, 2024 .... 6:30 pm Full Degree  practice

November  15, 2024...6:00 pm Lodge set up..discuss last min changes 

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