Page 2
From
The North Carolina Mason
March/April 2013
the editor's desk
Thanks for reading
We are proud of the publication we bring
you every other month. The North Carolina Mason, as best we can tell, is the oldest Masonic
publication in the United States, having published its first issue in January 6, 1875. So far as
we can discern, it has been continuously published since that time.
In 1993, we became the world's first grand
lodge publication available on the Internet. THE
electronic NC MASON was the "stripped-down,
online version of the real thing." That text-only
edition became a more graphical file just a couple of years later. Today, the electronic version
has moved from a stunted to a premium version.
The online edition of The North Carolina Mason
is in color, an upgraded
version of the paper edition.
We occasionally get questions about how
much The NC Mason costs. So, here goes. It's
pretty straightforward.
The printed issue you hold in your hand costs
you less than 48¢. Of that, more than 33¢ goes to
printing and postage costs. The printing costs are
a major income source for the School of Graphic
Arts at the Masonic Home for Children.
The other 14¢ supports production costs,
news gathering, equipment, software, web hosting, and staff salary.
For most of you, we are your foremost source
of Masonic news from around North Carolina.
For more of you, we are a top source of world
Masonic news. For some of you, we are the way
you find out what is happening in your lodge.
There are occasionally those who see The NC
Mason as expendable — merely numbers on
a budget — a place to lop off a portion of the
Grand Lodge's expenses. We see it as the one
product that reaches out to you whether you are
an officer of your lodge or an occasional show at
stated communication, even if you never go to
lodge or tell anyone you are a Mason. We come
to your doorstep with news of Masonry around
the world, our state, and your community. We
keep you connected.
What is the direction of our future?
One never knows. The world changes and so
do we. Here are some preliminary thoughts and
plans for the future of The Mason.
Before long, we will be extending our news
reach to more frequent updates of the Grand
Lodge website and our Facebook presence. That
will allow us to be more timely in bringing you
news and announcements. As more and more
of our late-breaking news function becomes absorbed into Internet communication, we will
consider changes to the printed edition. Perhaps
a feature oriented color magazine format such as
several grand lodges now use may be more viable
and affordable if frequency of publication becomes
less important to our mission of keeping you informed of news of the Craft from around the state
and world. This should not happen until a large
majority of our readers see the Internet as a readily
available and easily accessed utility in their lives.
Until that time arrives, we endeavor to continue to bring to your doorstep the best bargain
in Masonic news and information. Thanks for
sticking with us.
Seen from left, are past Montfort recipient Bill Meacham, Preslar, new Montfort
Medalist Burton, and past Montfort recipient Tommy Eller.
Burton named
Montfort medalist
SALISURY — Floyd M. Burton is a new
recipient of the Joseph Montfort Medal.
Grand Master Dewey R. Preslar Jr. presented
North Carolina's highest Masonic honor December 20 at Andrew Jackson 576's awards
night celebration. Burton was master of Andrew Jackson Lodge in 1955 and has been a
life member there since 1988. Burton is the
man who started Andrew Jackson Lodge's famous annual Brunswick Stew. In 1978, he established a scholarship at the Masonic Home
From the Medical Committee
Immunizations
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
This line, used by everyone from Friedrich
Nietzsche to G. Gordon Liddy to Kelly Clarkson, summed up the process of fighting off diseases for centuries before the invention of vaccinations. In short, the only way to be immunized
against a disease was to survive it.
Today, the thirty or so immunizations available have prevented more illnesses than can be
measured. Some diseases, such as smallpox, have
been completely eradicated from the earth. Polio isn't far behind. The effects of other diseases,
such as influenza, can be dramatically lessened
through vaccination. (By the way, the Latin word
for cow, "vacca," lends its name to the first vaccination, cowpox, which was similar to smallpox.)
In the 20th century, the incidence of killer
Santa has modern
look at the Home
for Children
diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio,
and smallpox each decreased by over 99% thanks
to vaccines. And immunizations aren't just for
small children, either. Shingles, influenza,
whooping cough, tetanus, meningitis, hepatitis,
and certain strains of pneumonia can still infect
healthy adults, but they are also preventable. At
your next check up, ask your doctor if you are
up to date on your immunizations. Make sure
your children and grandchildren are up to date
on theirs, too. Visit for
more information.
If you have medical questions of wide interest,
please send them here to the Medical Committee for possible inclusion in a future NC Mason.
John Paschall, MD, is a member of Biltmore 446
and the Grand Lodge Medical Committee.
OXFORD — On the night of the annual
Christmas Dinner and Gift Party at the Masonic
Home for Children, a special visitor descended
on campus. Santa dropped by in Duke Medical
Center's Life Flight helicopter. With our children waiting below, the chopper circled campus,
touching down to deliver Santa just in time for
the evening's events. Special thanks to Jim Starlin of the Emergency Services Department at
Duke Medical Center for organizing this firsttime event. Thanks also go to those who did the
work: Duke University Medical Center's Life
Flight, Life Care, Trauma Services, Duke Emergency Department, and Duke Transfer Center.
Are you a traveling man?
By Rex Smith
As then master of Berne 724, I attended the for him to tell me how much I owed for parking.
2012 Grand Lodge Annual Communication in
Finally, someone behind me had had enough
Winston-Salem.
and honked their horn. I said to the gentleman,
After the communication ended, there were "I guess we need to settle up."
long lines waiting for the elevator to the parkHe replied "I've got you, brother," and lifted
ing garage. It seemed to take forever to travel the barricade for me to pass.
between floors, and when it did arrive, it was
I said, "Are you sure?" and he replied "I've got
packed to the limit.
you, Brother." I extended my right hand and he
Finally, after arriving at the top deck of the his in a Master Mason's grip.
parking garage, I got in my vehicle to make my
I said, "Thank you and have a nice day." He
way down the six levels, only to find that traf- nodded back in agreement as I pulled away from
fic in the garage bumper to bumper. I patiently the booth.
waited my turn for what seemed like an eternity.
I didn't get the Brother's name or which
Upon arriving at the ticket booth, I noticed the lodge he attended, but the respect shown that
booth attendant was a black man, probably my day of one Mason to another made my journey
age or a little older. I greeted him with, "How are east a lot brighter. "I got you, Brother," just says
you doing today, sir?" and handed over my park- it all about Freemasonry.
ing ticket with my right hand.
He replied, "Doing just fine," and then "Are
you a traveling man?" He was obviously noticing
my Masonic ring.
Grand Master Hiram Abif was walking
I had heard the question before, but never through the quarry to observe the progress of the
directed to me. I said, "Yes I am, heading east," work. As he passed one Apprentice who was busy
meaning I was both a Mason and heading east with his gavel and chisel making a stone ready
toward home. He asked if I was an officer, and I to be shipped to Jerusalem, the Apprentice called
replied that I was in the East.
out to him.
A smile came across his face, and he ex"Master Hiram!" the Apprentice said, "Since
plained that he was a Prince Hall Mason and my initiation, I have been working hard in the
that he was a past master of his lodge. He asked quarries. I have been contemplating the lessons
how my year was going as master, and I replied, and symbols of my first degree. Yet, I still don't
"Fine, but with challenges."
feel that I have gained understanding. Can you
He said, "I know exactly what you mean" and help me?"
went on to elaborate on the subject. The whole
Hiram responded, "How can a man who holds
time, I was aware of the growing line of vehicles King Solomon's Temple in his hands need my help?"
behind me, but he seemed content in carrying on
And the Apprentice was brought to Light.
the conversation. The whole time I was waiting
The temple in his hands
GM meetings coming
to a lodge near you
Grand Master Dewey R. Preslar Jr. plans to
visit about half our districts this year. His meetings
start in early February and will finish at the end
of May. His meetings will be similar to the area
meetings of the past few years. Pre-meeting meals
are scheduled for 6:15 p.m. with the tyled meeting
starting at 7:00 p.m. District officers and the grand
master will be received with usual honors.
You may make your lodge's reservation for the
meeting with your district deputy grand master or
host lodge secretary. Please be considerate of the
host lodge. Make your reservations for dinner at least
seven days before your scheduled meeting. It is very
DateDistrict
The Mason
(USPS 598-260) is published bimonthly by The Grand Lodge of AF & AM of North
Carolina, 2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608.
Third class postage paid at Oxford, NC 27565.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The North Carolina Mason, School Of Graphic
Arts, Masonic Home for Children, Oxford, NC 27565.
Grand Master
Dewey R. Preslar Jr.
Board Of Publication
Thomas A. Pope Jr. (Chair)
Don E. Bolden
R. Kevin Combs
John A. Pea
John A. Sullivan
Editor
Ric Carter
frustrating to try to plan for a meal when reservations
have not been made. Your lodge will be responsible to
pay for all meals reserved. Those who have not made
reservations should not expect to eat.
In case of inclement weather, meetings will
be cancelled in accordance with local schools
cancellations. If a meeting is cancelled, the host
lodge and district deputy grand master will be
notified. Your lodge may cancel its stated communication to attend your district meeting.
Information will also be posted on the Grand
Lodge web site: .
Please consult your lodge for updates.
Host
Location
April 8....................41................. Robbinsville 672................................Church St., Robbinsville
April 9....................37...................... Vesper 554.................................637 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine
April 10..................39................. Mt. Hermon 118..................................80 Broadway, Asheville
April 11..................33.......................Snow 363.......................................240 Temple Dr., Boone
April 15...................5............... American George 17....................205 College St., Murfreesboro
April 16...................1.......................Eureka 317................. 218 S. Hughes Blvd., Elizabeth City
April 17...................3......................Atlantic 294.........................Court House Sq., Swanquarter
April 22...................4..................... Newport 706............................ 235 Howard Blvd., Newport
April 23..................12.................Federal Point 753................... 5th and Harper, Carolina Beach
April 24..................18.................. Chadbourn 190............. 417 E. Strawberry Blvd., Chadbourn
May 13...................23...................Greensboro 76.......................426 W. Market St., Greensboro
May 14...................25.......................Elkin 454.........................................114 Market St., Elkin
May 15...................28.............. Andrew Jackson 576........................401 N. Fulton St., Salisbury
T h e m i s s i o n o f F r e e m a s o n r y i n N o r t h C a r o l i n a i s t o r a i s e t h e m o r a l , s o c i a l , i n t e l l e ct u a l ,
tenets of B rotherly L ove , R elief , and T ruth , which are expressed outwardly through service to
NORTH CAROLINA
for Children in Oxford. He helped a number of
other young people continue their educations.
He is a past district deputy grand master and
has served on the Grand Lodge Committee on
Masonic Jurisprudence and the Masonic Home
for Children Board.
The Montfort is the highest honor available
from our Grand Lodge and is given at the discretion of the grand master for "distinguished
Masonic service or achievement." He is only allowed to present three during his term of office.
and
G od ,
spiritual conscience of society by
family , country , and self under the
teaching
the ancient and enduring philosophical
of G od within the B rotherhood of M an .
F atherhood
Good quality pictures, whether color or black and white, are essential for suitable reproduction. The
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 .
Reproduction of articles
by Masonic organizations is permitted with
proper credits.
Each North Carolina Mason is a subscriber to The 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 The 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: The School of Graphic Arts, Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street,
Oxford, North Carolina 27565.
Opinions expressed
are not necessarily those of The North
Carolina Mason, the
Grand Lodge, or Board
of Publication.
