The North Carolina Mason

Looking at NC Masonic History in Real Time By Steven A. Campbell, Grand Historian As the sun sets every day, we each become a part of history. We each live in a historical period or era. In living our daily lives we do not think of such things, for we are all too busy running here and there, making a living, studying, traveling, or "murdering minutes." Yet, stand back and take a look: each of us reading this has witnessed a historic time in our nation and world's history. What, you ask? A global health crisis that claimed the lives of countless men, women and children, whilst perhaps altering our way of life as well. Freemasonry in North Carolina encountered these challenging times. Please take 97 seconds to read about those who shepherded us through this daunting time. As your Grand Historian I tend to dwell upon people and events of the past – long past. It is true that folks are trying to drag me into the 20th century (and yes, I recall it is now the 21st). Our late Grand Historian Dr. Michael W. Brantley advised me to "follow your passion," thus my intrigue with the long-ago past. However, over the last couple of years, each of us has witnessed a most unusual time in our nation's and fraternity's history: a global health crisis that took many lives, and ground many businesses, institutions and nations to a halt. The United States has experienced similar sorrowful events (the 1793 yellow fever epidemic, the 1918 influenza plight). But this is the first one of this magnitude we, ourselves, have encountered. Difficult, as well as unpopular, decisions had to be made regarding our fraternity in the Old North State. Three men answered the call to stay the course and to lead us forward – MWGM P. Shaun Bradshaw, MWGM R. David Wicker, and MWGM Larry B. Thompson Jr. With prudence, caution and great thought for the safety and welfare of each North Carolina Freemason, they held the line. Now it appears that the nation, along with our fraternity, has emerged from this perilous time. Without doubt, these three most worthy brothers' names will be etched in North Carolina Masonic history. And yes, as in the past and present, we Freemasons, who are committed to our tenets, will endeavor to continue to make our nation and the world a better place for those who follow us. Yet, stand back and take a look: each of us reading this has witnessed a historic time in our nation and world's history. What, you ask? A global health crisis that claimed the lives of countless men, women and our way of life as well. S P R I N G 2 0 2 3 | 9

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