The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2017

North Carolina Mason

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May/June 2017 The North Carolina Mason Page 5 One of my favorite stories about Abraham Lincoln was when he assembled his Cabinet during the War and asked this question: "If you call the tail of a dog a leg, then how many legs does the dog have?" ose who answered, "Five" were corrected by the President, who said, "A dog has four legs. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg." When each one of us became a Mason, we agreed to take on certain obligations that made us a Mason. We live out those obligations in many ways through our various stations and places of life. Many of us learn, improve, and ignite our passion for charitable work in multiple areas. Some of us are passionate about charity with a singular focus. Yet, we are Masons. We are those who define for the world, "best work and best agree." Ours is a lifestyle dedi- cated to the highest principles of friendship, morality, and brotherly love. We do not always agree on what it looks like, but we do all agree these are the vital parts of our beloved fraternity. I am amazed at friendship, morality, and brotherly love occurring all over the state of North Caro- lina. My joy and privilege to visit in the lodges has been a constant reminder of who we really are and what we really do. I've seen similar and different approaches to openings and closings that have warmed my heart and been a gentle reminder that our quest for excellence in education, patriotism, philan- thropy, membership, and affiliated connections beyond our doors is being accomplished by people we call Masons. Our District Meetings have been a little bit different this year because we have welcomed people into the meeting who are not Masons. e square and compass hasn't fallen off the building in any place. We have raised more than $12,000 in the district meetings for Whitestone, MHCO and the NC Masonic Foundation. Many people may call us many things and we may call ourselves some- thing, too. At the end of the work day, my hope and prayer is that we will be able to call ourselves "Lodges of Excellence." To do that, we will not bark like a dog. We will roar like a lion! Let's go to work! Let's Go to Work! Defining 'best work, best agree' By A. Gene Cobb Jr. Grand Master BAFFLED, from page 4 "If you call the tail of a dog a leg, then how many legs does the dog have?" is in the photo; what is this about and what is the full name of the event, lodge and people in the photos; when did this happen, and is there anything significant about the date or timing like an anniver- sary or important date in the life of your lodge; why is this important for others to know, why did this even happen; and how … how did it happen, how was it made possible? Truth be told, with so many stories coming in, if I come across a story that requires too much time and effort to fill in missing information, I very likely just won't use it. I wish I had time to track everything down. Helpful tip: Have someone read your story before you send it in and ask them to look for missing info. Or read it out loud to yourself. After you write it, let it sit for an hour or so and come back to it and read it in full again. I often find things I have forgotten in my own writing by doing that. Snail Mail. ose of us of a certain age love getting hand-addressed envelopes in the mail. For most of us, that means somebody sent a card or a letter with news of family. ere's no argument: this is a great way to stay in touch, but not when it comes to sending news in for the Mason. Electronic is best. Snail mail takes longer to arrive, of course, and it brings extra work on this end. We have to re-type the news into a laptop and try to scan the photo so it comes out as clear as we can make it – which usually isn't very clear at all. at means chances of meeting deadlines are not as great and if the picture isn't good, we generally can't use the accompanying story. If you don't do digital, ask a brother – they are wired! I guarantee you someone in your lodge can help you. If not, someone in your family or office can help. No Secrets! Don't send photos that have Masonic secrets in them. Be mindful that the newsletter goes to folks all over — and many of them are not brothers. It doesn't happen often, but let's keep all secrets secret! If you're not sure what is and isn't fair game, check out the list the Board of Custodians compiled and offered in last month's issue. It's on page 5. I hope this helps. As always, if you're not sure what to send, just email or call me! Couldn't get to any of the Grand Master's district meetings this year? Didn't have the chance to join his "Kick the Bucket" campaign to raise money for our three charities? is is your chance! Join the Mail Bucket Campaign and join your brothers who gave so generously at the GM's 21 district meetings statewide! Pop a check made out to North Carolina Masonic Foundation in an envelope, address it to Grand Secretary Walt Clapp at the Grand Lodge AF&AM of North Carolina, 2921 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27608. (Make a note on the check that this donation is for the Mail Bucket Campaign.) Don't like checks? Call the Grand Lodge at 919-787- 2021 with your credit card handy. You can also donate online here: www.mfnc.org. Where will your money go? Directly to our charities: e Masonic Home for Children in Oxford; WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community in Greensboro; and the North Carolina Masonic Foun- dation's many programs designed to help the Craft, our lodges and brothers in Freemasonry. ank you for all you do for our Brotherhood, and thanks for giving to our hardworking charities and the people they serve! Not too late to help out

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