The North Carolina Mason

HISTORIAN, from page 8 January/February 2022 The North Carolina Mason Page 9 father, as a friend." What man would not strive for such an epitaph? When you may feel the world has become too demanding, crisis driven, or gloomy, I beseech you not to despair and to find comfort in the values of our fraternity and your fellow man. Take heart from the 18th century words penned by Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, a Master Mason's wife who would lose her parents, all of her brothers and sisters, and outlive all four of her children: "I am determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I may be, for I have also learnt from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not upon our circum- stances; we carry the seeds of the one or the other about with us, in our minds wherever we go." Unity, Brothers, is our strength in chal- lenging times, and Masonic values and beliefs are cornerstones of life. Do not misplace them. Everybody's wearing it … the new GM pin It hasn't always been a tradition, but in recent years, Grand Masters have designed and distributed a lapel pin created to commemorate their year in the East. Grand Master Larry ompson, installed in December, is sharing his own pin this year, crafted from elements that are meaningful to him and his vision for the year. e overall design is an adapta- tion of our Grand Lodge seal without the anchor and ladder. e all-seeing eye reminds us of the watchfulness of the Great Architect of the Universe, while the columns represent harmony and balance. Passing through these pillars during a degree represents a chance for a new beginning, the beginning of a transformative experience. e altar is our place of commu- nion with the Supreme Architect and the mosaic pavement represents our journey in life with its dark and light periods, its challenges, and achievements. e border is green not only because that's his favorite color but it's the primary color used by the historic motorcycle club he belongs to: e Boozefighters MC. e Boozefighters were founded by a group of WWII veterans and have always had a strong Masonic connection; quite a few members are Masons. Want a pin? Just attend a district meeting, be at an event at which the Grand Master is appearing …. or just ask him for one. Apply now for Hinton James, GL-Cathey Scholarships e application period for two major Masonic scholarships is now open. Lux Libertas #772 is accepting applications for the $1,000 Hinton James Masonic Scholarship for a first-year student enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill. e scholarship honors James, UNC's first student, who enrolled on Feb. 12, 1795. He graduated in 1798 with a degree in engineering and later became a Freemason. He was elected to three terms in the state legislature and served as mayor of Wilm- ington. WB Charles Barrett, the senior deacon in Lux Libertas Lodge, is a direct descendant of James. e scholarship rewards a high school senior with a record of academic achievement and community service. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, and the Lux Libertas Scholarship Committee will select and notify the recipient. e award is funded by an endowment created by the lodge and invested in the NC Masonic Foundation. More information and the application are available here: https://mfnc.org/news/application- for-hinton-james-scholarship-available Applications are also available for the Cathey Scholarship, funded by the Freemasons of North Carolina through the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. e scholarship, which honors Past Grand Master Charles Cathey, rewards high school seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement. e Grand Lodge Scholar- ship Committee selects recipients. In 2000, then-GM Cathey initiated a drive to raise money for scholarships that could be awarded to deserving North Carolina students. e Freema- sons of North Carolina generously supported his call. For his tireless efforts to educate the youth of North Carolina, the scholarship program begun by Charles Cathey now bears his name. Ten scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded for the 2022-2023 academic year. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, or the equivalent average under the school's grading system, and be enrolled in an accredited North Carolina high school. Completed applications must be postmarked by March 15. More information and the application are available here: https://mfnc.org/news/grand-lodge- scholarship-applications-are-open We paws For a reminder that working on earning your lodge's lion and pillar award is a year-round effort with a reward worth roaring about.

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