The North Carolina Mason

increasingly outspoken acknowledgement that this commitment not only belongs in the lodge and other specifically Masonic venues, but also in public and certainly including on social media. Another key element of the NC Masonic spirit is its growing attitude of faith and hope for a bright future in the Craft. I hear and see many of your leaders stepping forward, both locally and nationally, to declare that it is time to stop wallowing in the mud of lamentations about membership losses. They are challenging Masons to recognize that this is not merely a tragedy to be exacerbated by wild and desperate attempts to make new members at any cost. Instead, they highlight that ours is a time of great opportunity in which we can return attention to our ritual's high callings and profound teachings for our transformation into wiser, stronger, and more beautiful souls. They know that being true to the actual mission of the Craft is centrally vital to ensuring that Masonry remains attractive, meaningful, and worthwhile to good men who want to be better men. In this regard, North Carolina is on the crest of a wave that is picking up momentum. All the previous points about the spirit of NC Masonry are significantly punctuated by the fact that numerous NC Grand Lodge officers and committee members have openly stated their personal interests in the esoteric aspect of the Builder's Art, which is to say its philosophical, psychological, and spiritual depths. It must be in the dozens of times now that leaders in other jurisdictions have spoken to me about how much they respect and are inspired by that courageous example. Not very long ago, such statements were sadly, often bitterly, unwelcome in most Masonic circles, largely due to ignorance, intolerance, and fear. But the more Masons study the meanings of what our rituals and monitors actually say, the men who wrote It is no surprise to me that in my Masonic travels I often hear brothers of other jurisdictions referring to NC Masonry as exemplary in various ways. Your state's programs and leaders are widely known and admired. them, and the historical contexts in which they were written, the more obvious it becomes that the life of our Fraternity is nurtured and nourished by attending to its esoteric light. In this vein, it is also highly commendable that your leaders have also made it clear that our Craft should continue to be welcoming of brothers whose Masonic priorities are elsewhere, such as in the joys of good fellowship and philanthropic service. Even the most esoterically inclined among you know that workers of all specialties are needed in building temples of Truth, Relief, and Brotherly Love. Finally, I am happy to say that I may have had some part in spreading the word about North Carolina Masonry. In my travels, as I urge brothers to understand and do the work spoken about in our rituals, I am frequently asked where I have witnessed the most exceptional examples of the Builder's Art being developed, implemented, and supported by the officers and committees of a jurisdiction's lodges and Grand Lodge. "North Carolina" is always my first reply. There are certainly other places I can and do reference, but I hope that now you can understand why I praise your jurisdiction first and foremost. It is also my wish that you can take healthy pride in your growing glowing reputation, and feel encouraged to continue leading the way, giving hope, motivation, and direction to countless Masons in other jurisdictions. Thank you for letting me be a witness to your brilliant light. W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 | 21

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