The North Carolina Mason

1. You want to be a better man, husband, father, Mason. 2. You want to receive further light in Masonry through excellent educational opportunities. 3. You believe in human progress and equality for all persons. 4. You love your country. 5. You want to help children with speech, hearing, and learning disabilities. 6. You are hungry for a better understanding of masonic history, symbolism, and value. 7. You want to be surrounded by the best Masons in North Carolina. We strive to have the "Right/Rite Heart." There's no time like the present. Let's go to work! What Scottish Rite Masonry has taught me expands all the lessons from the subordinate lodge so good can become better. The man who benefits most from Freemasonry is the man who allows the fraternity to transform him. Innovations are needed sometimes, but not always. All of us have ideas that might make something better; however, I've always viewed the rough ashlar as me, not the lodge or the rite. The vices and superfluities of life needing to be perfected are best hewn in myself before I start chiseling away at someone else or at the fraternity. The wisest master ever once said, "Why do you try to take the speck out of your brother's eye when you can't even see for the log in your own?" The teachings of the subordinate lodge have helped me improve myself in Masonry. What Scottish Rite Masonry has taught me expands all the lessons from the subordinate lodge so good can become better. It all starts with a willingness to learn, to subdue our passions, and improve ourselves in Masonry. It was so good to see so many of you at the 2022 Annual Communication, but we'd like to see you more often. I encourage you to reach out to one of our eight valleys – Franklin, Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh, New Bern, or Wilmington – and request a petition or online access at scottishrite.org if any of these seven items interests you. W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 | 11

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