Page 4 The North Carolina Mason November/December 2016
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(USPS 598-260) is published bimonthly by e Grand Lodge of AF & AM
of North Carolina, 2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608.
ird class postage paid at Oxford, NC 27565.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to e North Carolina Mason,
School Of Graphic Arts, Masonic Home for Children, Oxford, NC 27565.
Grand Master
A. Gene Cobb Jr.
Board Of Publication
O. William Faison Jr. (Chairman)
R. Kevin Combs
C. omas Nelson Jr.
John R. Beamon III
John S. Dodd
Editor
Ric Carter
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Each North Carolina Mason is a subscriber to e North Carolina Mason.
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name, his complete address, and the name and number of his lodge. Masonic
widows receive e Mason free upon request. Subscriptions are available to
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changes only should be sent to: e 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.
From the editor's desk
Grand Master A. Gene Cobb Jr. .............................. gcobb@glnc.us
Deputy Grand Master Speed Hallman ...............shallman@glnc.us
Senior Grand Warden D. M. "Mack" Sigmon. ... msigmon@glnc.us
Junior Grand Warden Shaun Bradshaw ........... sbradshaw@glnc.us
Grand Treasurer Lewis R. Ledford (PGM) ......... lledford@glnc.us
Grand Secretary T. Walton Clapp III .....................wclapp@glnc.us
Senior Grand Deacon R. David Wicker Jr. .......... dwicker@glnc.us
Junior Grand Deacon Larry B. ompson Jr. ...lthompson@glnc.us
Grand Marshal Kevan D. Frazier. ..........................kfrazier@glnc.us
Grand Steward Donald E. Kehler ......................... dkehler@glnc.us
Grand Steward Robert W. Rideout ...................... rrideout@glnc.us
Grand Tyler William B. Bruton .......................grand.tyler@glnc.us
Grand Chaplain Mark M. N. Vickers ....... grand.chaplain@glnc.us
Grand Historian Steven A. Campbell ...campmckay1358@gmail.com
Grand Lecturer Hugh L. McLaurin III ................... mac542@live.com
We wish you a joyous holiday.
May you rejoice in the blessings you
have in your life without
concern for that you lack.
May the new year
present you opportunities
that surpass your needs.
So long, and thanks for all the fish...
So, here is my 151
st
edition of e North Carolina
Mason. It is also my last. For me, it's so long to a
25-year adventure. I thank each of you for giving
me the best seat in the house for seeing inside how
Freemasonry works as an organization.
I've seen Masonry walk the fine line of preserving
tradition while growing with society. We've come out of
hiding in our communities. We've embraced our own
teachings and used them to grow as an institution.
While our total membership has declined with
the passing of our membership explosion of the
'50s-'60s, we have become more widespread by cre-
ating new lodges after years of stagnation. While
some have created lodges just to have more fun with
their Brothers, others have built lodges to delve more
deeply into the mysteries of our philosophy. ey all
help create a quarry for each Mason. We are making
new communities for ourselves in these lodges and
opening our fraternity to men who might otherwise
have not been attracted to our Craft. Our strength is
in our diversity. Who among us has not met a special
person we treasure who, except for the lodge, would
have never crossed our path?
Remember that our fraternity is a band of Broth-
ers, not a business. Remember that we are Brothers
who meet upon the level, not customers of some
organization selling memberships or secrets. We,
as our leaders, are men, and subject to the imper-
fections of man. We will have ups and downs over
time. Some times will see us thrive, and other times
will find us scratching to survive. In the end, it is up
to each of us to be the conscience of Freemasonry
— to stay the course and do the work necessary to
help the truths of Masonry spread as we spread the
cement of Brotherly love to all mankind.
As for me, I'm off on a new adventure. I'll see
you along the trail. anks for your many kind-
nesses. It's been a real privilege.
