February 1, 1996 started a new history between the members of the California Grand Lodge (CGL) and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California and Hawaii. (PHGL). On that date several members of Eli Baker Lodge (PHGL) visited Live Oak Lodge (CGL) in open Lodge meeting.
I was unable to attend due to my own Lodge meeting that same evening, however I did visit Eli Baker on March 15, 1996 when several members of Live Oak returned the visit and witnessed the conferring of the Entered Apprentice Degree. On March 28, 1996, I joined with the members of Eli Baker and visited Live Oak Lodge to witness their conferring of the entered Apprentice Degree.
I also visited Olympus Lodge (PHGL) on March 25, 1996 where several visitors from Columbian Lodge, San Francisco (CGL) and a member of Acacia Lodge, Hayward (CGL) were also visiting and witnessed the conferring of the Entered Apprentice Degree.
Having personally made the exchange I can honestly say that Masonry is a universal family. Upon being able to come together, we were further allowed to enjoy ourselves in an atmosphere that only a masonic lodge can provide.
During the past few years, members of both lodges along with other brothers from other lodges on both sides have participated in each other's social affairs. But never had they sat together in a Lodge meeting. Both Grand Lodges have existed within the state for over two hundred years, with each being dedicated to the same principles, yet rules and regulations but more especially personal bias' forbid the meeting of the two.
I reminded the brothers, at both meetings, that regardless of what our feelings may have been, may be or might become, we will still be the people that will be discussed years from now when the record books are opened. It's history, it's fact!
Well the drum has been beat and roll call has been taken. We must now allow the past to be that guiding light towards a future that can be illuminated as bright as we desire to establish it.