The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2010

North Carolina Mason

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Page 2 From the editor’s desk Questions cross our desk Q: I recently attended lodge meeting in Georgia. Tey desig- nate their lodges as F & AM. I know we are AF & AM. I am curious to learn the difference between an AF & AM lodge and an F & AM lodge. How did the designation F & AM come about? — Harry Franklin, Denver 757 A: Free and Accepted Masons and Ancient, Free and Accept- ed Masons. Today, the designations essentially have NO meaning and do not denote any specific differences in lodges. Te terms are leftovers from the days when the Grand Lodge of England was split into Ancients and Moderns. Tat spat about ritual was finally worked out in 1813 when the two factions united into a single grand lodge — the United Grand Lodge of England that we know today. At various times in our history, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina has been Ancient York Masons, Free & Accepted Ma- sons, and Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. We have never found an explanation for the name changes. Q: How does a Mason get into the Grand Line, how does this happen? Do you have to be a past master? Do you have to be a 32? What are the requirements? — Josh Edwards, Bula 409 A: Tere is no procedure or set method. Each incoming grand master chooses a grand steward. He makes that choice solely ac- cording to his will and pleasure. Few men who find themselves in the line have sought it. Tey are often first noticed in their lodges as those who had the skill to make things happen and lead others. Many have shown similar skills in appendant bodies, but membership in an appendant body is not required. Grand Lodge officers are always on the lookout for talent. Men they respect and notice are usually appointed to grand lodge committees where their performance is further seen. Most appointees have been watched by line officers for years, with their appointment list being winnowed as the line officer pro- gresses toward the east. By the time to make the appointment comes, a deputy grand master has generally talked to several men he is considering, be- fore finally settling on one who will accept the large responsibility for the hundreds of hours he will have to spend at the job. The Code’s requirements for the job are simple — he must be a resident of North Carolina, a member of one of our lodg- es, and a past master. Two lecturers earn unique honor Kelly Hooper, center, with the award he received from GM Dill, left, and Custodians Secretary Sigmon. In the last few weeks, the Grand Lodge has seen and recog- nized a new milestone. Kelly Hooper of Robbinsville 672 and Bill Goodwin of Unanimity 7 have both reached 60 years as certified lecturers, the first NC Masons to do so. Tey have both been masters of their lodges and district depu- ty grand lecturers in their areas. Tey both were certified as Class Bill Goodwin, center, holds the award he got from Custodians Secretary Sigmon, left, and GM Dill. A Lecturers in 1950. Members of the Board of Custodians and Grand Master William L. Dill visited to present recognitions of their achievement. Class A Lecturers essentially must know the OSW in order to earn their title. Te current system of certifying ritual experts began in 1941. — Mack Sigmon You’re invited Summer Assembly July 11–13 MAGGIE VALLEY — Te York Rite is having its Great Big meeting in a small hall UNION GROVE — Grand Master Billy Dill kicked off his district meetings this year here at Grassy Knob 471. Small lodges often fear they do not have enough room to host big meetings. Grassy Knob proved that it’s those snug meetings that are often the best. Take a chance, and see what your results can be. — Tom Gregory Masonic exhibit set for Mt. Vernon MOUNT VERNON — A singular moment in Ameri- can Masonic history will occur in February 2011. For the first time, a major American museum will present an ex- hibition on Freemasonry and George Washington. A joint project of the George Washington Masonic National Me- morial and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, the ex- hibition will open in Mount Vernon’s new museum and education center. The exhibition’s working title “A Deserving Brother: George Washington and Freemasonry” derives from Wash- ington’s letter to King David’s Lodge in Providence, Rhode Island in 1790. He wrote, “I shall always be happy to ad- vance the interests of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving Brother.” The title refers not only to Washington, but to all men who join the Craft seeking to be a “deserving Brother.” With more than one million visitors to Mount Vernon ev- ery year, this exhibition will be a golden opportunity for Free- masons to articulate their history and moral philosophy. Te exhibition will open on President’s Day weekend 2011 and run through January 2012. — Mark Tabbert, Te Messenger by way of EMESSAY Notes NC Mason Deadlines Issue Deadline January/February ..........................January 1 March/April ...............................March 1 May/June ....................................May 1 July/August ...................................July 1 September/October ....................September 1 November/December ..................November 1 Smokies Summer Assembly July 11–13. It’s a showcase for some good Masonic presentations wrapped in a low-impact family va- cation package. Tere will be several outings including the trip out to the Masonic Shrine at Black Camp Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information, contact York Rite Grand Secre- tary Robert Schafer at PO Box 17212, Raleigh, NC. Mocksville Masonic Picnic August 12 MOCKSVILLE — One of North Carolina’s oldest Masonic events, the Mocksville Masonic Picnic will be held at the Clem- ent Grove Masonic Picnic Ground here from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. on August 12. Wilkerson College Lodge August 7 ROANOKE RAPIDS — Wilkerson College Lodge will meet at 11:00 a.m. at Widow’s Son 519. Te program by Mark Sanders is en- titled “Te Correlation of our Degree Lectures and the Scriptures.” October 2 OXFORD — Orphans Lodge 761 will host the lodge at 11:00 a.m., with the program to be announced later. December 11 GREENSBORO — Te lodge will hold its annual election and installation at the Greensboro Masonic Temple. Te 4:00 p.m. meeting and installation will be followed by their semiannual dinning out meal. Motorcycle Ride September 11 OXFORD — Te 13th Annual Charity Ride to the Masonic Children’s Home is set. As usual, motorcycle riders will depart from China Grove early. Other groups will take their own routes to Raleigh for registration, prizes, and staging the last leg of the trip to the Home. Tere will be a Hot Sauce Festival at the Ride culmination. For more information, call Doug Earnhart (704) 957-0346 or Jerry Edwards (704) 857-8162. St. John’s Day Schedule June 26, 2010 7:30 a.m. ....................... Children’s booths serving breakfast open ............................. upper campus 8:30 a.m. .......................Stated communication of Orphans Lodge ........................Masonic Center 9:00 a.m. .......................Walking tour sites open ................................................... various locations Museum opens .......................................... Cobb Center at Dunn Cottage Souvenir vendors open .............................. Cobb Center at Dunn Cottage 10:00 a.m. .....................Welcome .........................................................................York Rite Chapel Featured speaker Richard B. Mckenzie ...........................York Rite Chapel Polk Lodge hosts Prince Hall visit CHARLOTTE — On January 10, James K. Polk 759 did a triple Third Degree while hosting a visit from three local Prince Hall lodges. Lodge reports say, “It was an incredible turnout and marvelous time.” The Prince Hall visitors participated with other visitors in helping raise the three candidates. — Randy Richardson Tech helper knows his ritual, too TROY, NEW YORK — When you MORI users need help with a software question, you call the Vita Rara help desk here. Te voice you hear is that of Ken Crandall. You have already noticed that he is a man of good humor and al- most endless patience. You may not know that Ken is a Mason. Ken is seen here in Alexandria, Virginia studying during a break at the Confer- ence of North American Grand Mas- ters back in February. He was to sit in the East for a First Degree as soon as he returned home. He’s a member of two New York lodges, Seneca 797 in Webster and Van Rensselaer 87 in East Greenbush. A third generation Mason, Ken joined the lodge in 2003. He is senior warden of Van Rensselaer 87 and expects to be installed as master of June 5. His father will be there ot install him. Masonic Online Registry Interface (MORI) is the database used by the Grand Lodge and your lodge secretary to keep track of lodge fi- nances and member information. NORTH CAROLINA The Mason (USPS 598-260) is published bimonthly by Te Grand Lodge of AF & AM of North Carolina, 2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608. Tird class postage paid at Oxford, NC 27565. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Te North Carolina Mason, School Of Graphic Arts, Masonic Home for Children, Oxford, NC 27565. Grand Master William L. Dill Board Of Publication John O. Newman Jr., Chairman Gary R. Ballance Don E. Bolden Tomas A. Pope Jr. Hugh K. Terrell Jr. Editor Ric Carter 11:00 a.m. ..................... Rides open,children’s souvenior & dessert booths open ....... upper campus 11:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. ....Tours available ................................................. meet at information booth 11:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. ....Lunch served ................................................................MHCO Cafeteria 12:00 p.m....................... Dedication of the Colenda Gallery ........... Cobb Center at Dunn Cottage 2:00 p.m. .......................Conclusion of St. John’s Day 2010 Schedule subject to change due to weather Handicap parking and shuttle services available 7:30 A.M.–2:00 P.M. The North Carolina Mason May/June 2010 7th District makes Prince Hall visit HAVELOCK — On March 23, a delegation of Masons from the 7th reported that it “was a delightful and fulfilling experience for one and all.” THE MISSION OF FREEMASONRY IN NORTH CAROLINA IS TO RAISE THE MORAL, SOCIAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND SPIRITUAL CONSCIENCE OF SOCIETY BY TEACHING THE ANCIENT AND ENDURING PHILOSOPHICAL TENETS OF BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF, AND TRUTH, WHICH ARE EXPRESSED OUTWARDLY THROUGH SERVICE TO GOD, FAMILY, COUNTRY, AND SELF UNDER THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD WITHIN THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN. Good quality pictures, whether color or black and white, are essential for suitable reproduction. Te right to reject any submission not suitable for use is reserved. Pictures will be returned to the sender only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Submissions and other correspondence should be sent to the editor at PO Box 6506, Raleigh, NC 27628 or rcarter@grandlodge-nc.org. Each North Carolina Mason is a subscriber to Te North Carolina Mason. If you know a member who is not receiving the paper, please send us his full name, his complete address and the name and number of his lodge. Masonic widows receive Te Mason free upon request. Subscriptions are available to others at a rate of five dollars per year. Subscription inquiries and address changes only should be sent to: Te School of Graphic Arts, Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, North Carolina 27565. Reproduction of articles by Masonic organiza- tions is permitted with proper credits. Opinions expressed are not necessar- ily those of The North Carolina Mason, the Grand Lodge, or Board of Publication. Masonic District visited East Lily 803 PHA here. A capacity crowd was on hand for the first area visit between the grand lodges. After the meeting and before dinner, the meeting was closed in unison by the PHA District Deputy Grand Master Raymond Newby and our 7th District Deputy Grand Master Lee Kyle Allen. It was Ric Car ter photo Chris Minor photo

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