Page 2 From the editor's desk Be a positive force Some while back, we were stuck behind a
vehicle covered in negative bumper stickers. The stickers were all about anger, impugning, and threat. There was also a Masonic license tag. While we eschew the old man's dictum that
"civilization is going to hell in a handbasket," it is hard to dispute the view that public dis- course in this country is becoming coarser. There are certainly a number of causes and
perhaps as many cures. While we may argue the merits and problems of any suggested cure, there is one thing that we can each do. Be a better Mason. Politics is a center of inflammatory speech and opinion, especially in this election season. Searching for positive solutions has been sup- planted by hateful diatribes and shouted epi- thets. Partisans plant their meme of the day for your easy consumption. Bumper stickers and Facebook pages have
become popular locations for aggressive, of- fensive speech. "(Name a politician) is the worst (name an office) ever!!!" "Voting for (blank) is pure ignorance!!" There are always
plenty of exclamation points to make sure you understand the importance and heat. Please, realize that when people know you
are a Mason, either because they are close to you or because you proclaim your membership with a pin, or ring, or license tag, or bumper sticker, or note on your Facebook page, you are representing the world's oldest, most respect- ed fraternity. Do not squander your opportu- nity to use its persuasive power for good. Do not let your personal anger or opinion deni- grate Freemasonry. You are someone's picture of Freemasonry. No matter the source of our knowledge, we
are the sole arbiter of what message we send to the world. Supplant negativism and anger with affirmative direction. Instead of telling us who you are against, tell us who you are for. Bring solutions, not mere gripes. Become more positive in your actions, and you will become more positive in your life. You, your family, and your community will feel the dif- ference. The world will benefit. Isn't that what Freemasonry taught you?
The North Carolina Mason
January/February 2012
GM Lewis Ledford and Claude Childress at Montfort presentation.
Childress named Montfort medalist
By Ric Carter TRAPHILL — Grand masters get to be-
stow three Joseph Montfort Medals. They are the highest honor given by our Grand Lodge. On October 18, then Grand Master Lewis Led- ford drove to Traphill 483 to surprise Claude E. Childress with the award. Ledford described Childress: "Quiet, exem-
King 722 moves into new home KING — They dedicated the cornerstone of their new lodge building July 14. King 722 held their
first meeting in the new facility for their December stated communication. Sixty-five Masons attend- ed the historic meeting. There will be many firsts for King Lodge to experience in coming months as they break in their new home. During that first meeting, Ralph Monroe Patterson was presented his Veteran's Emblem for his 50 years membership. King Lodge turned 50 in 2011. — Larry Oakley
You're invited
Great Landscape Event at the Home for Children March 10 OXFORD — The Masonic Home for
Children will be hosting a day for those wish- ing to help the Home with beautifying the campus grounds. They will start the day with a continental breakfast at 8:00 a.m. Work starts at 9:00 and ends at 12:30 p.m. with lunch for you afterward. Come and enjoy the Great Landscape
Event. Groups and individuals may register or get more information by visiting or calling the Home at (919) 693-5111.
Golf tournament April 28
WALNUT COVE — Walnut Cove 629 is hosting the 11th
annual J. Arthur Johnson Me-
morial Golf Tournament and Raffle. They shot- gun start at Hemlock Golf Club in Walnut Cove at 9:00 a.m. — four-man, captain's choice for- mat, $240 entry. There are prizes for the first and second place teams and a free luncheon for players. Proceeds
Financial improprieties draw expulsions FAYETTEVILLE — Recently, three past
By Ric Carter
masters and a past secretary of Fort Bragg 667 were expelled from Masonry as a result of their malfeasance in construction of their new lodge building. The lodge never sought and was never granted approval by the Grand Lodge's Lodge Service Commission to build their facility. The LSC must approve any building plans for a lodge. As a result of cost overruns during the unapproved construction, the trustees of the lodge borrowed $175,000 dollars from one of the trustees. The debt was not submitted on fi- nancial reports of the lodge. The lodge did not have sufficient income to repay the loan. The loan was never submitted to the Lodge Service Commission which is charged to approve all such indebtedness by any lodge. Apparently, from records of the lodge and
from testimony before the Trial Commission, a small group of members recycling through the upper office chairs took control of the project and never consulted the lodge about the decisions and expenditures. No record exists of the lodge ever voting on any part of the construction project. An investigation was launched when the loan
was revealed when a new lodge secretary filed correct and complete financial reports required by the Internal Revenue Service.
go to the Masonic Home for Children. For details visit .
Imperial Shrine parade July 4
This year, North Carolinian Al Madsen will
be installed as imperial potentate of the Shrine of North America. The international conven- tion will be held here in Charlotte. A place in the huge planned parade is being reserved for North Carolina Shrine-Masons. Their initial goal was a Shriner from each lodge in NC. But, why limit the fun? If you'd like to partici- pate, they'd love to have you there. Any and all NC Shriners have a place. Wear a shirt with your lodge name and
number, your fez, comfortable long pants, and comfortable shoes. To get the details and re- serve your spot, contact Alan Hardy at or (704) 535-6815.
By William Reid
TARBORO — Back in November, Concord 58 held a banquet celebrating the 200th
anniversary of
their lodge. The following article on their history first appeared in Carolina Country. In Tarboro, where majestic Victorian homes line the streets of the historic district downtown, there is no institution older than Concord Ma- sonic Lodge No. 58. The lodge turned 200 years old on November 22 and has long established its permanence and proven its value to this Tar River community. Mayors, senators, generals, ren- egades, blockade runners, and a governor have called this lodge home. They gave their time, tal- ents, blood, sweat, and tears for their
lodge, community, state,
and country. The comradeship and deeds
of Freemasonry coincide with the founding of our country and its communities. The temperament,
patriotism, and republicanism of the southern American colonies and later the states were fertile grounds for Freemasonry to grow and spread. As a fraternal society that dates back to the 1600s, Free- masonry's bond of friendship and self-discipline at- tracted brothers from all walks of life. From farmer to merchant to aristocrat to politician, all brothers in the lodge stood on equal ground and were treated as such, though it may not have been a reality in everyday life. Freemasonry in Tarboro and Edgecombe
County did not begin with Concord Masonic Lodge No. 58. When the state legislature met in Tarboro in 1787, thus making it the state capital that year, Tarboro did not have a Masonic lodge. The leading members of North Carolina lodges, however, were in Tarboro for the meeting of the legislature. While here, they created the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of
NORTH CAROLINA 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 Robert E. Gresham Jr.
Board Of Publication Gary R. Ballance Don E. Bolden John A. Pea
Thomas A. Pope Jr. John A. Sullivan Editor Ric Carter
plary in his work, never seeking any recogni- tion, service-oriented, has impacted many by his example — and of course passionate and has great competence."
Grand Master Robert E. Gresham 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 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 cancel- lations. If a meeting is cancelled, the host lodge and district deputy grand master will be notified. Your lodge may cancel its stated communication to at- tend your district meeting. Information will also be posted on the Grand Lodge web site: . This schedule was the sched- ule as of November 11, 2011. Changes may be nec- essary. Please consult your lodge for updates.
The word is that Childress first came in con-
tact with the lodge when doing some operative masonry for them, repairing the lodge founda- tion. When done, he inquired, "Just what sort of joint is this anyway?" When explanation was made, Childress asked them to apply the payment for his bricklaying straight to his petitioning fees. He later went on to become a foundation of the Ashe Lodge. The Montfort Medal is awarded for distin- guished Masonic service or achievement.
GM's district meetings District Date
Host
33 ..........March 5 ...........................Traphill 483 34 ..........March 6 ........................Cookville 502 26 ..........March 7 .....................Kernersville 669 38 ..........March 20 ........................Cliffside 460 36 ..........March 21 ........................Belmont 627 32 ..........March 22 ..................... Matthews 461
41 ..........April 9 ........................Blue Ridge 435 40 ..........April 10 .........................Dillsboro 459 37 ..........April 11 .............................Vesper 554 39 ..........April 12 ........Nichols W. Asheville 650 16 ..........April 17 ..............................Selma 320 14 ..........April 18 ...........................Raleigh 500 6 ............April 19 ...................William Pitt 734
22 ..........May 1 ....................Jefferson Penn 384 21 ..........May 2 ........................ Laurinburg 305 17 ..........May 3 ............................ Stedman 730 1 ............May 14 .............................Eureka 317 2 ............May 15 ............................Manteo 521 8 ............May 16 ............... Royal White Hart 2 4 ............May 21 ...........................Franklin 109 12 ..........May 22 .......................... Shallotte 727 10 ..........May 23 ....................Pleasant Hill 304 29 ..........May 30 ........................Albemarle 703
Tarboro's Concord 58 turns 200
North Carolina on December 9–11, 1787. That lodge remains the oldest and largest fraternal orga- nization in North Carolina. On December 11, 1792, the Grand Lodge
chartered Raleigh Lodge No. 20 in Tarboro as the town's first. That Masonic lodge was dissolved De- cember 2, 1799, and few records remain. The first meeting of the Concord Masonic
Lodge No. 58 was held at the Tarboro home of John H. Hall on May 24, 1811. The lodge met at least ten times before it received a charter from the state's Grand Lodge. The official charter, which the lodge still maintains, is dated November 22, 1811. The minutes of November 25, 1811, record the first use of the number 58. The lodge met in the house of Maj. Reading Blount do wn - town,
the
same place where ear- lier George Washing- ton stayed April 18, 1791, dur- ing his southern tour. Books of minutes chronicle lodge activities from 1811. Handwritten correspondences and documents tell the story of Concord 58. Penmanship and literacy vary greatly, and they reveal not just official business but also the thoughts and ideals of the times. Some examples: At the January 1818 meeting, it was "Resolved,
that the Tyler procure for the use of this lodge twenty spit boxes." The tyler was an officer who served as the "outer guard," standing outside the door of the room while the lodge was meeting. In 1821, Concord No. 58 had 28 members who met monthly and paid dues of 50 cents a quarter.
Once funds exceeded $100, members could apply for personal loans which had to be paid with inter- est within a year. On March 15, 1845, it was "Resolved that the
interest accruing from the funds of this lodge be appropriated to the education of the orphans or children of indigent Worthy Master Masons and that should there not be a sufficient number of Masonic children that the committee be privi- leged to make selections among others that are not Masons."
In 1998 when the lodge moved from its Main
Street location to a new location off Barlow Road, a collection of portraits was discovered in an attic. These portraits of lodge officers and brothers, dating from the late 1810s to the 1870s, represent a Who's
Who of the Tarboro community's elite: General Louis Dicken Wilson (1789–1841), namesake of Wilson County, state legislator, Mexican War hero, and benefactor of local causes; General Wil- liam Dorsey Pender (1834–1863), Tarboro native, namesake of Pender County, a West Point graduate who died of wounds suffered at Gettysburg; Gover- nor Henry Toole Clarke 1808–1874, Civil War era governor. Others are still being identified. The lodge plans to restore and preserve these portraits. William Reid is a member of Concord 58 and is compiling the third and most recent history of the lodge.
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.
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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.
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