05/26/2025
Saint Paul Masonic Lodge traditionally does not offer explanations for any of its activities. However our newest offering appears as such an odd pairing that some explanation seems called for.
Our newest Lodge auxiliary, “Private Affairs,” is a gentleman’s club that readily admits men of minimum age 60 years but requires that men younger than age 60 be chaperoned by an older gentleman.
This requirement allows us to honor even uninitiated men as leaders within our auxiliary, which reinforces the men as leaders in their community.
Clearly, our community needs leaders.
Zip Code 38126, the community we serve is the poorest zip code in Shelby County. The murder rate in this south Memphis neighborhood averages three killings per week.
Many of our youth express feeling trapped, unable to escape the reality of their lives. While harboring a deep mistrust of law enforcement, they fear that they may be the next one killed. “Self protection”, they say, is all they need.
Private Affairs gentlemen’s club seems odd on the surface for this organization but it attacks the problem head on. While masons’ R&L is a place of safe assembly for the entire community it lacks the power to specifically address younger men who desperately need direction.
The Private Affairs structure provides opportunities for older men to lead and influence younger men as the younger must seek out the older to socialize within the Private Affairs gentlemen’s club structure. And as no politics are allowed, this elder and younger men socialization automatically encourages respect for authority, leading to good citizenship.
Our organization has learned that through our food and fun offerings we are able to reach, teach, and influence our community, not from the top down but from the bottom up.
Marvie Louis White, Grand Master
MWGL of TN, AF&AM
