The North Carolina Mason

Page 4 The North Carolina Mason January/February 2013 MERLI, from page 8 Golfing for WhiteStone Ric Car ter photo tion was used by da Vinci and Merli to give rise to twelve different reactions among the disciples and thus to express both artists��� intense interest in the variances of human emotion. The scene is Jerusalem in the upper room during the celebration of the Jewish feast of Passover. Two wooden tables covered with white linen cloths have been pulled together and strewn with bowls, plates, cups, wine and water jugs, and round loafs of bread. Christ, in the center, is surrounded by his disciples, six on either side. All are dressed in period robes, girdles, and sandals. Both da Vinci���s and Merli���s renditions portray the reaction given by each disciple when Jesus makes his announcement. However, except for Judas and Thomas, Merli���s disciples react differently from those in da Vinci���s painting although they all respond to the news with various degrees of puzzlement, concern, amazement, shock, anger, sorrow, and other emotions. In Merli���s sculpture, the disciples are arranged in groups of three, their names incised on the plinth beneath them. They are, from left to right, Bartholomew, sitting at the end of the table, lost in deep, pensive thought. James Minor holds his hands downward, palms facing outward, in a gesture which seems to say: ���How can this be?��� while Andrew, wringing his hands together in hopelessness and consternation, turns his eyes towards heaven. Judas, Peter, and John follow. Judas, like da Vinci���s betrayer, recoils violently at his plans being discovered, clutching his right hand around a bag presumably containing the 30 pieces of silver, his face a mask of rage, guilt, and determination. Peter, in age one of the older apostles and perhaps hard of hearing, has asked the youthful John, who is seated next to Christ, to repeat what Jesus has said. Consequently, John leans close to the older man���s ear while Peter listens, stroking his beard and looking suspiciously at Judas. In da Vinci���s painting, Christ is seated at the table but in our sculpture, He stands erect amid the disciples, staring straight ahead, holding pieces of broken bread in his hands perhaps to symbolize his body that is about to be betrayed. On his left Thomas, ever the doubter, holds his right index finger up as if to say, ���You mean only one of us will betray you?��� while James Major is so clearly agitated that he pushes out with both hands in a gesture of rejection of the very thought of what will happen. Philip, on the other hand, points to his own breast as if to say, ���Is it I Lord? Am I the one?��� Finally. Matthew and Thaddeus converse heatedly while Simon the Zealot sits at the end of the table, opposite Bartholomew, in solemn reflection at the prophetic words. Beneath the table, on the plinth, is an escutcheon or coat of arms supported by two putti (cherubs). Our porcelain sculpture is signed B. Merli and was made in a limited edition of 88, It is currently housed in one of the small offices of the Grand Lodge offices in Raleigh. You are invited to come see the Merli porcelain and the other interesting artifacts of the Grand Lodge whenever you are in Raleigh. Michael W. Brantley spent several years as grand historian and is a member of Raleigh 500. RIDE, from page 1 wards has endured some ongoing health problems that have prevented his attendance on the day of the ride. He continues to work behind the scenes. The children at the Home always remember to include him in their many thanks. He was presented with a signed thank-you banner one year and this year they gave him a big card that they all signed and assured Jerry that their hearts are always with him. The project takes a lot of time and effort all year long. Reaching out to sponsors and contributors to maintain their involvement and recruit new ones is just part of the job. Obtaining door prizes for the riders, synchronizing the meet in Raleigh for the awards presentation, working with the Oxford administrators for the cookout at the Home, the interaction with the children in attendance, and assuring the attendance of appropriate officials are among the many duties required to pull The Ride together. Eureka Lodge is putting out a call for other Masonic lodges to step up and help with the motorcycle ride. Having others involved will potentially draw in additional riders, supporters, and community interest. If you would like to contact the current cochair and work with this great event please contact Doug Earnhardt at (704) 957-0346. CLEMMONS ��� On September 5, Clemmons 755 held the Tenth Annual Clemmons Charities Golf Tournament at Meadowlands Golf Club in Winston-Salem. Eighty-eight entrants played the tournament. Bruce Ayers, left, is seen here presenting a check to WhiteStone Administrator Mark Kolada. The more than $4,300 was the Masonic and Eastern Star Community���s portion of the proceeds from the big event. ��� Bruce Ayres Pirate parking available GREENVILLE ��� The Greenville Masonic Center takes in a little extra income by charging for parking during East Carolina University football games. They���re only a couple of blocks from the stadium. Greenville 284 Senior Deacon Daniel VanLiere and Manteo 521 member Jeremy Christensen are seen here while parking cars for the Appalachian State game a couple of months ago. They brought in $1,100 that day. ��� David Stapleton The punhappy candidate A candidate for initiation was to be picked up and driven to the lodge, but before this could happen, the car broke down. The candidate said, as it was no great distance, he would go on his bicycle. Just when he reached the top of the hill, his chain broke. As the lodge was at the bottom of the other side, all he needed was a backpedal brake, so he repaired the chain with a cord he had in his pocket and free-wheeled downhill to the lodge. Later that evening, in reply to a toast in his honor, he said how proud he was to be a Freemason but could not understand, as he had told no one, how the master knew that he had come on his own free wheel and a cord! ��� http://www.ca/odges. org Spencer Lodge supports local kids Durham Masons help with area blood drive SPENCER ��� Want to show the community that your lodge cares? One good way is athletic team sponsorships. Spencer 543 helped sponsor the North Rowan High School football season. They got a banner hung to acknowledge their support, a reminder to all the fans, parents, and grandparents who attend games that Masons care and that the lodge is still there and active. Other similar possibilities include recreation teams like teeball, little league, and soccer leagues. ��� Spencer Lodge Facebook page DURHAM ��� There was plenty of Masonic involvement when the Bethesda community here held a blood drive. Meredith Lee, a senior at North Raleigh Christian Academy, coordinated the drive. Durham 352, Oak Grove 750, Southgate Chapter Eastern Star, and the Bethesda Ruritan Club all participated. They brought in a total of 54 units of blood. Twenty-eight were first time donors. Scott Hodges (Durham 352) is seen here giving with Thomas Simmons (Oak Grove (750) preparing in the background. ��� Margaret Lee STATE, from page 3 Lenoir Hibriten 262 held a double outdoor third degree last year. Thirty Masons from six lodges were represented on a site owned by Russell Bridges. Hibriten Lodge is selling lodge coins for ten dollars each. The money goes into a lodge maintenance fund. If you���d like one, contact Clyde Robbins at (828) 726-6053. ��� Clyde Robbins Holly Springs Holly Springs 115 Masons marched together in the Happy Holly Days Parade December 8. They wore dark suits, white aprons, and white gloves. They were joined by members of other lodges. ��� Ben Oakes Brevard Dillsboro East LaPorte 358 and Dillsboro 459 were having a joint installation December 13. ��� Brian Rau Buxton Cape Hatteras 698 got new shutters, new sign, and fresh paint this past year. Visit on vacation. Kernersville Tom Hurm was named Kernersville 669���s Mason of the Year for 2012. ��� The Kernersville Masonic Lodge News Conover The charity drive at Conover 709 brought in $2,600 last year. ��� Conover Lodge Newsletter Ranger Dunn���s Rock 267 held a fish fry December 7. Proceeds from the ten-dollar flounder plates went to WhiteStone, A Masonic and Eastern Star Community. ��� Broward Davis Montgomery 426 prepared holiday fruit baskets for their widows December 18. ��� Derek Cheek Highlands Mount Holly 544 held their Annual Cindy Cloninger Memorial Barbecue Fundraiser November 2. ��� Dewayne Gore Blue Ridge 435 was having the lodge Christmas Dinner at a cafe in Dillard. ��� Trestleboard Mount Holly Three charter members attended the party: Harriett, Stewart, and Hearren. Grantham Lodge celebrates 50th NEW BERN ��� Eighty people attended when Grantham 725 celebrated their 50th anniversary October 6. Games were provided for children and adults alike before supper was served. Lodge Master Val Robinson was master of ceremonies for the evening. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato salad topped the menu. After supper, Alvia Hearren gave a brief history of the lodge. They also called on and honored their living charter members: Charles Harriett, Charles Stewart, and Alvia Hearren. After the honors, the Kingsmen provided musical entertainment.

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