The North Carolina Mason

Page 14 The North Carolina Mason January/February 2020 From the Grand Historian regularly, but most of us do not. ey collect dust and debris for a lack of use or need. Oversized lodge rooms are the same — usually unnecessary. Centralize your degree work and focus on fraternalism at home in a small, intimate space. If you can, rent out your remaining space, and open it to public functions. Brethren, don't fall prey to the psychological fallacy of believing your lodge is failing because it appears no one attends your meetings. Your best members and your best friends are the men who regularly attend. ose are the men with whom you should commune and enjoy. Make your space fit your needs and your personality. Brethren, size matters. It's not about the size of your room, it's how you use it. SPACE from page 13 By Ludwik Wodka Grand Historian Up until about the middle of the 20th century, North Carolina's Masonic ritual had another name: the "Stevenson Work," named after Levi Stevenson, a lecturer and Past Grand Master of Virginia. He is largely responsible for introducing and propagating in North Carolina the ritual work we are all know and love. However, this ritual was briefly replaced by a variation known as the "Best Work." e story begins in 1868, when Grand Master Robert W. Best made the following comments in his address to Grand Lodge: "You are all doubtless aware of the re-adoption at our last Annual Communication of what is called the 'Stevenson Work.' Brother Stevenson being present, was called upon to exemplify the work, which proved very unsatisfactory to the representatives then present, including many of the supporters of his system. … "My proposition was this: To call a convention of Masons who had directly or indirectly received and taught the work of Brother Stevenson (as taught by him in 1849), to meet with him and myself and go over the work and see if any changes had been, and if it were necessary any should be made." is revised ritual was exempli- fied before the Grand Lodge and subsequently approved when, "On motion of Brother E. Grissom, the name of 'R.W. Best' was substituted for 'Stevenson'" in reference to the North Carolina ritual. How Stevenson Work became the ʻbestʼ us emerged the "Best Work." e Best Work includes numerous minor changes, and several notice- able deviations from the Stevenson Work. Some of these changes include the Master's admonitions to the candidate before each obliga- tion as well as the encounter at the port of Joppa. Also, the lectures are delivered in a question-and-answer format as opposed to the narrative form we currently use. While the ostensible purpose of the Best Work was to stabilize the ritual, it had almost the opposite effect. Upon adoption, the ritual work that had been taught for more than 20 years was changed, only adding to the confusion and frustra- tion amongst the brethren. In 1874, events took an unfortu- nate turn. Past Grand Master Best was discovered to be in possession of a printed cipher of the Best Work with additional copies he intended to sell. He was brought up on Masonic charges and expelled from the fraternity. e Grand Lodge proceedings of 1874 report a resolution that "e action of the Grand Lodge, at its Annual Communication in 1868, in substituting 'R.W. Best' for 'Stevenson' in connection with the authorship of the work of this jurisdiction, be rescinded." e original Stevenson Work was once again adopted. Grand Master George W. Blount stated in his address in 1875 that he "felt justified by the action of the last Grand Lodge in discarding the interpolations and addenda to the work and lectures, and in declaring that taught by Stevenson as the Ancient Work of Masonry, and that intended by the Grand Lodge to be taught and practiced." Robert Best was reinstated after admitting the wrong, destroying the cipher, and appealing to the mercy of the Craft. e Grand Lodge still has a cipher described as the "Best Work," dated 1873. It is unknown if this is the same cipher book Best possessed, but its publication date and "interpolations and addenda" make it very likely. It is all that remains of this brief but unfortunate detour in the story of the North Carolina ritual. PGM Robert W. Best (above) and the beginning of the text of his ad- dress to the Grand Lodge concern- ing the the Stevenson Work. Like The NC Mason on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2irdm6m

• Cover