Official Publication of The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons of North Carolina
VOL. CXII-NO. 5
Oxford, North Carolina, May, 1988
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR
A Message from the Grand Master
This Is Your New Grand Master
As I assume the office of Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina, I do so with a deep
sense of humility and with gratitude to the Masons of this state for their confidence in electing
me to this high and important office. I am mindful that the honor carries with it the solemn
responsibility of safeguarding the prosperity and well- being of Freemasonry in this Grand
L. R. “Pete” Thomas, Jr. joined a select group of men in April of 1981. That was when
Grand Master Nelson B. Banks offered him the office of Grand Steward of Masons in North
Carolina. That appointment led to Pete’s election this year as Grand Master. It was an
important milestone in a long Masonic journey, but it was certainly not the beginning. Our new Grand
Jurisdiction. And I fully realize that I am accountable to
the 70,000 Masons of North Carolina for the stewardship
of this office.
I am impressed by the excellent state of the Craft.
Freemasonry in North Carolina is healthy and vibrant.
During the coming days, it has the potential to reach new
heights of prosperity. With your commitment and with
God’s help, this great fraternity will continue to flourish
and spread its beneficent influence throughout our land.
Our beloved late Past Grand Master, Nelson Banks,
admonished us to tell the exciting story of Freemasonry
and to let our light so shine that all might see and know of
our good works. Inspired by his words, I have entitled our
program for this year, “The Positive Image of
Freemasonry.”
To accomplish this program, we need to tell the story
of the Craft’s noble works in North Carolina. Oxford
Orphanage and the Masonic and Eastern Star Home
provide the centerpiece of that story. These are our
Masonic charities — an opportunity for each of us to help
those less fortunate than ourselves.
In keeping with the theme, “The Positive Image of
Freemasonry,” I am proposing a two-fold program for the
year: “Masonic Visibility” and “Leadership Development
for Subordinate Lodges.”
Masonic Visibility entails making the public more
aware of Freemasonry. It means informing non-Masons
about “Who We Are” and “What We Stand For.”
Public awareness is crucial to our success. It is
necessary if we are to expand the Craft’s influence in our
society and present a “Positive Image of Freemasonry” to
the general public. We need to develop and implement
appropriate methods to increase and improve the
visibility of the Masonic fraternity in the world at large.
In short, there is today a pressing need to foster a
greater public awareness of Freemasonry, in developing
a “Positive Image of Freemasonry,” our efforts should be
concentrated in two directions: the way we see ourselves
and the image the public has of us.
We have something of great value. Let’s be proud of
the Masonic fraternity and tell the world about it.
This brings us to the second facet of our program ■
(Continued on Page Two)
Noted Masonic Scholar To
Visit North Carolina
Roy Wells to Lecture Across State
Roy A. Wells of England, noted Masonic Scholar and
Lecturer, will visit North Carolina in May. Plans are being
made for him to lecture in New Bern, Lumberton,
Fayetteville, Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte and
Asheville. Also, it is planned that he visit our Oxford
Orphanage and Eastern Star Home in Greensboro.
A retired insurance executive, Wells served in the
Royal Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean. Masonically,
he has become widely known as a Masonic Lecturer and
the author and editor of many Masonic books. He is Past
Junior Grand Deacon of the United Grand Lodge of
England and Past Master of Quatuor Coronati, the
world’s premier research lodge.
(Continued on Page Two)
Master has been a Mason for twenty-eight years, during
which time he has built a distinguished career.
Pete Thomas became a Mason in New Bern’s Doric
Lodge No. 568. He was raised in February, 1960 and
quickly joined into lodge activities. By 1962, he was
serving his lodge as Steward. Six years later, he was
serving as its Master.
Pete is a Certified Lecturer and has served as District
Education Chairman for the Seventh District. In fact, he
has the distinction of being the first person to hold that
position in the Seventh District.
Our Grand Master is also a member of the New Bern
Scottish Rite and York Rite Bodies and has taken an
active role in conferring the Scottish Rite degrees. He
also holds membership in the N. C. College SRICF and
the Red Cross of Constantine. On November 28th of last
year, he was awarded an honorary 33rd degree by the
Southern Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite.
In 1966, Pete became a member of Sudan Temple. He
approached his Shrine activities with the same
enthusiasm he brought to Masonry. He quickly joined the
Chef Crew, eventually becoming assistant director of
that unit. In 1971, he was appointed Director of Sudan
Temple, a post he held for the next seven years. During
that time, he worked closely with the Temple’s uniformed
units and won the respect of those who worked with him.
Noble Pete Thomas eventually left the post to enter the
Divan. His progression through the offices of the Divan
culminated with a term as Potentate in 1987.
He is a member of the New Bern Shrine Club and the
Royal Order of Jesters, a social club whose membership
is open to Shriners by invitation only.
Brother Thomas’ roots are in eastern North Carolina.
He was born in New Bern on August 27,1925, the son of
Roy and Effie Thomas. He attended school there and
graduated from New Bern High School in 1942. As a
youth, Pete was active in the Boy Scouts, attaining the
rank of Eagle Scout.
Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the Navy. He
served in the Pacific during World War II as a Flight
Engineer in a Patrol Bombing Squadron. After the war,
(Continued on Page Two)
L. R. “Pete” Thomas, Jr.
Grand Master, 1988-1989
Grand Lodge Meets In Raleigh
M.-.W.-.Eddie P. Stiles opened the Grand Lodge in ample form at 10:23 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19 in Raleigh’s
Memorial Auditorium.
The Communication featured the presentation of several awards and honors. Montfort Medals went to Travis
Cox and Tommy Jones. Green Level Lodge No. 277 was honored for exemplary efforts in fund raising. And Grand
Master Stiles received a plaque from the Masonic Service Association in recognition of his visitation of all V. A.
Hospitals in the state.
(Continued on Page Two)
Acting Editor Steps Down
C. Bruce Hunter will leave the editorial staff of the
North Carolina Mason following the publication of the
May issue. Hunter has edited the paper since January,
1987. He will return to duties with his family business and
to several writing projects he had set aside while editing
the North Carolina Mason.
Reflecting on the past sixteen months, Hunter praised
the personnel at the Oxford Orphanage Printing
Department. “They taught me how to edit a newspaper,”
he said. “And while I was learning, they put out the paper.
They’ve worked diligently and unselfishly, and they
deserve much more credit than they receive. I’m grateful
that I had the opportunity to know them.”
Pending the selection of a new editor, the publication
will continue its monthly schedule. Editorial
correspondence can be sent to the Printing Department
in Oxford or to the Grand Lodge offices in Raleigh.