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History Of International F.&A.M. Masons & O.E.S. Inc.
International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc. and Order of Eastern Star, Inc. is a worldwide fraternity. It
was organized in 1950 by the late Dr. William V. Banks, a very prominent Attorney and a Mason with very high ideals.
His dream became a reality with the birth of this new Masonic Organization.
ITS PURPOSE: to provide moral, financial, benevolent, and charitable leadership to serve this
present age.
This fraternal organization
was incorporated and chartered in August of 1950 in Detroit, Michigan. This Charter empowered International
Masons to practice Freemasonry, and operate as a Masonic Order, throughout the United States, its possessions and territories.
This American issued charter empowers, International Masons to the same rights as those charters issued directly from the
Grand Lodge of England or the Grand Orient of France. Dr. Banks and his host of friends established a National Jurisdiction.
Through their diligent efforts the same year, three States were incorporated: Ohio, New York and Illinois.
Youth Chapters were added with authority vested similar to that
in the adult constitution. The purpose – to provide an apprentice work-shop for the young children and adolescents in
the charitable work of the Masonic Body. To inculcate certain moral principles, as exemplified by the Holy Bible and other
moral sciences, which is highly regarded by our Masonic Order.
International
Masons was founded upon those Christian principles that denied no person the right to fraternalism, regardless of race, color
or creed. The cardinal principles of this organization are to appeal to its membership in such a manner as to: International Masons was founded upon those Christian principles that
denied no person the right to fraternalism, regardless of race, color or creed. The cardinal principles of this organization
are to appeal to its membership in such a manner as to:
1. Promote better understanding and coordination.
2. To improve such fields of thought which tend to ensure sound judgment.
3. To install
in the minds of youth the necessity of intellectual progress.
4. To regard all that tends to develop character
and wholesome personality traits.
5. To establish only such assets or liabilities which are within the financial
range of the membership.
International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc., and Order of Eastern Star, extends
from coast to coast; from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, on the Bahamas Islands and Alaska. There are more than 1,000
lodges and chapters with a membership of approximately 500,000. In addition, our youth courts consists of over 2,000 members.
Other institutions of Freemasonry across the nation swell with pride at the great progress our Organization has
achieved in this century. A large measurer of credits must be given to the well known reputation that Freemasonry enjoys throughout
our nation and around the world.
Our purchase and employment of the first black owned Broadcasting Facilities
of radio and television stations, along with the Universal Barber College, the international School of Cosmetology, also the
Industrial College puts us in the position to render unbridled service far beyond that of any other Order. These medians of
service, coupled with other modern services, such as monetary benefits and those of prestige, and enjoyment, brings Freemasonry
to a new level and where no one can doubt that International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc., and Order of Eastern
Star, render services not duplicated by any other Organization.
Because of our beliefs in the Bible and Christian
principles, we teach charity, and service to all mankind and we try to induce an ethical way of life which brings about those
improvements necessary to the construction of good, clean respected citizenship.
Under the administration of our
present leader, Supreme President and Chief Executive Officer, Illustrious, George Mathews, who took office in 1986, International
Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc., and Order of Eastern Star, has reached a higher plateau and has grown to be one of
the largest Fraternal Orders in the world.
Dr. Mathews has implemented higher goals for the Officers and Members:
1. Improved leadership, not only by teaching, but also by demonstration.
2.
Extending a helping hand to the needs in our communities, by showing Christianity
and Charitable deeds.
3. Broadening our Scholarship
Fund to enable the Youth to own businesses or have
the skills to work in top ranking positions and take part of in our
government with
strong voices, full of honesty.
4. Having a helping
hand in teaching people to have Respect, Dignity, and most of all
Love for themselves and mankind.
5. Approaching
Dr. Mathews' tenure of 14 years, he has created ways and means of
financially supporting other National Organizations and private sectors
with the same
concepts as our own. "LOVE, CARE, and SHARE".
6.
This organization owes our continued constructive success to Illustrious Dr. George
Mathews, a man with strong convictions and forethought. A
man with goals and
objectives. A man who is family orientated. A man who stands on principles
of truth,
fairness and honesty. A man that gives God the praise for who he is and what
he is.
A man that never cease to pray for Divine guidance.
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