Phil Bryant, Governor of the State of Mississippi, has signed a proclamation naming March 9th, 2018 – the primary date for the 200th Annual Grand Lodge Communication, as Freemasons Day in the State of Mississippi. It is believed to be the first such proclamation – the first “Freemasons Day”, in the history of The Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F. & A. M.
You may download a printable copy of the proclamation here.
Below is the text of the proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Grand Lodge of Mississippi of Free and Accepted Masons is an organization dedicated to the ancient landmarks of the Order of Freemasonry; and
WHEREAS, on June 24, 2017, all Masons wheresoever dispersed celebrated 300 years of Freemasonry; and
WHEREAS, on July 27, 1818, the Grand Lodge of Mississippi of Free and Accepted Masons was officially established in Natchez, Mississippi, by delegates from territorial lodges warranted almost fifteen years prior to the recognition of the newly established State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, in 1871, the Grand Lodge of Mississippi procured a charter in perpetual succession by an act of the Mississippi legislature, which through its principle officers governs and regulates
the Masonic fraternity within the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Masons are taught that all men are equal and individual freedom of thought and action, as well as morality and ethics, are the concepts and ideals upon which the Order is founded; and
WHEREAS, the Grand Lodge of Mississippi today consists of more than 16,000 Master Masons and 239 Lodges located in nearly every community across the State, as well as other appendant
Masonic bodies such as the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and the York Rite, and other affiliated bodies such as Shriners International, National Sojourners, Order of the Eastern Star, DeMolay International, International Order of the Rainbow; and
WHEREAS, by teaching the great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth and through its fellowship, its compassion and its concern, Freemasonry enables men to serve God, family, country, neighbors and self:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Phil Bryant, Governor of the State of Mississippi, do hereby commend and congratulate the Grand Lodge of Mississippi of Free and Accepted Masons upon the occasion
of their 200th Annual Grand Lodge Communication and proclaim Friday, March 9, 2018, as
FREEMASONS DAY
in the State of Mississippi.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to be affixed.
DONE in the City of Jackson, on the twenty-first day of February in the year of our Lord, two thousand and eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and forty-second.
PHIL BRYANT
GOVERNOR
