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Official Publication of The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free & Accented Masons of North Carolina
VOL. CXII - NO 7
Oxford, North Carolina, July, 1988
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR
A Message From The Grand Master
On June 20, Grand Master L. R. Thomas, Jr. addressed the Grand Chapter of Eastern Star during its informal
opening at Asheville. His remarks are as interesting to Masons as to Stars and are reprinted here in their entirety.
I am pleased and honored to bring greetings from the Grand Lodge and the 70,000 Masons of North Carolina on
this occasion of the “America, The Beautiful” Session of the Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Freemasonry
in North Carolina salutes and congratulates the Grand Officers and membership of the Eastern Star for the elegance
and magnificence of this session.
The excellent state of Masonic relations in North
Carolina affords me the privilege of bringing warm
fraternal greetings on behalf of the York Rite, Scottish
Rite, the Shrine and indeed the entire Masonic family in
our state. The fraternal relationship that exists in North
Carolina between the various Masonic related
organizations is the envy of every other Grand
Jurisdiction in the nation. I truly believe we enjoy the
greatest degree of unity and accord to be found
anywhere. And because of this, we prosper and
accomplish many things together that otherwise would
not be possible.
The leadership of the Grand Chapter of the Eastern
Star has initiated outstanding programs designed to
promote unity between the Eastern Star and the Grand
Lodge. This spirit of unity creates an environment in
which the family of Masonry accomplishes many
wonderful things for the cause of humanity.
Consider the marvelous accomplishments of the York
Rite with its Eye Foundation and the Knights Templar
Educational Foundation. The Scottish Rite is doing a
remarkable work in the field of learning disabilities with its
Childhood Language Disorders Clinics at East Carolina
University, Appalachian State University and a new clinic
Oxford — Happy Orphanage youngsters are in forefront of spectators watching St. John’s Day Shrine parade.
at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The treatment provided by the twenty-two Shriners Hospitals for
Crippled and Burned Children is one of the greatest humanitarian efforts the world has ever known.
This spirit of unity is exemplified in its finest sense through the partnership of the Grand Chapter of the Order of
the Eastern Star and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in the joint ownership and operation of the Masonic and
Eastern Star Home at Greensboro. Such is the nature and state of Masonic relations in the Old North State.
This enviable relationship provides an ideal environment for the program I am presenting this year entitled “The
Positive Image Of Freemasonry.” The various bodies of Masonry working in unity for the cause of humanity creates an
excellent atmosphere for greater Masonic visability, and increased public awareness of the oldest and largest fraternity
in the world.
Freemasonry in North Carolina was in existence many years before Oxford Orphanage and the Masonic and
Eastern Star Home were established for the benefit of homeless children and our older brothers and sisters. The same
can be said of the Shrine whose network of hospitals was not started until 1922. Why then, one might say, did the
Masonic fraternity decide to launch out into those great humanitarian endeavors? Perhaps Kemp in his poem entitled
“God The Architect” explains it best with these words:
“But chief of all Thy wonderous works, supreme of all Thy plans,
Thou hast put an upward reach into the heart of man.”
Orphanage Scene of St. John’s Day ’88
Surely, it can be said of Freemasonry that it puts an upward reach into the hearts of its members. For Masonry is
not merely an organization of men united in a brotherhood and dedicated to lofty principles; but more than this,
Masonry is a spirit, a spirit eternal in its quest for liberty and justice and brotherly love and truth.
Someone once said that what we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others lives on through the
boundless realms of eternity. Stephen Grellet gave expression to this truth when he wrote,
“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing
therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any
human being, let me do it now, let me not defer it or neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again.”
I close with these words of Daniel Webster which describe our grand purpose in the world:
“If we work upon marble, it will perish,
If we work upon brass, time will efface it,
If we raise up temples, they will crumble to dust,
But if we work upon men’s immortal minds,
If we imbue them with high principles,
With the just fear of God
And love of their fellowman,
We engrave on those tablets something
Which no time will efface
And which will brighten and brighten to all enternity.”
Buri Ives
A Proud Mason
The following item was borrowed from Brother Ralph
A. Herbold, Editor, Southern California Research Lodge,
who had borrowed it from the Trowel of the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts:
“Brother Burl Ives has performed in every major
concert hall in the world, with command performances
before royalty in Europe and Presidents of the United
States. He’s received numerous music and drama
awards and even won the coveted Oscar for his
supporting role in ‘The Big Country’ in 1958.
“Recently, while appearing as a guest on the Reverend
Robert Schuller Sunday morning ‘Hour of Power’ from
the Crystal Cathedral in California, a program witnessed
by the largest religious television audience in the world,
he was asked by the Reverend Schuller, ‘Of all the great
honors and awards you have received in your long and
successful career, what do you hold as the highest?’
Brother Ives replied, ‘WHEN THEY MADE ME A
MASTER MASON.’ It was one of the finest testimonials
that Masonry has ever received.
“Brother Ives is a member of Magnolia Lodge No. 242,
Santa Barbara, California, and is a 32° Scottish Rite
Mason.”
Masons Honor
Grand Master
New Bern — Grand Master L. R. Thomas, Jr. was
honored by the Masons of New Bern at a banquet here
May 28, 1988. A large group of Masons and their ladies,
including many Grand Lodge officers and officials and
other distinguished guests, were in attendance.
District Deputy Grand Master Jerry L. Stapleford
served as master of ceremonies and those attending were
welcomed by Bruce E. Haddock, Master of Doric Lodge
No. 568, the Grand Master’s home lodge. Past Grand
Master S. Frank Noble introduced the Grand Lodge
officials, while Shrine dignitaries were introduced by R.
Ray Harrison, Recorder of Sudan Temple, of which the
Grand Master is immediate Past Potentate. A large
television set was presented the Grand Master and Mrs.
Thomas by Grand Lecturer William J. Clark on behalf of
the New Bern Masons.
The Reverend Clyde G. McCarver, Past Grand
Chaplain, was introduced by Past Grand Lecturer
Charles T. Potter for the principal address. McCarver, as
usual, delivered a stirring speech which challenged all
Masons to live up to and by our Masonic teachings.
Haddock then unveiled a portrait of the Grand Master
which will henceforth be displayed in the Scottish Rite
temple, the meeting place of Doric Lodge.
Oxford — When you drove into this town Saturday
morning, June 18, and headed for Oxford Orphanage,
you felt as if you were passing in review. Crowds of
people lined the street, some standing, some in lawn
chairs along the sidewalks, others sitting on the curbs. All
were awaiting the big parade of marching units of Oasis,
Sudan and Amran Shrine Temples.
Further down the street, at the Orphanage, the
reviewing stand was occupied by Jody “Red” Rose and
his Nashville Band. That ensemble, amplified as it was,
strove mightily to be heard by the home folks, back in
Nashville. But that was just fine—it seemed to be just
what the crowd wanted. It is surely what they got.
Then the band yielded its space to the Grand Lodge
officers and other dignitaries who assembled there to
review the parade as it came off the street and onto the
Orphanage campus. Clowns and bands, motorbikes and
horses, odd vehicles and odder costumes—this parade
had it all. The crowd loved it, and the Orphanage kids...
well, they just ate it up.
Lloyd Young, chairman of the arrangements and the
proceedings, introduced Acting Orphanage
Superintendent B. Patrick “Pat” Cox, who welcomed
one and all and then introduced the platform guests.
The three Shrine Temples, apparently not satisfied
with having entertained the crowd and most of the town,
undertook to feed the multitude and scored another
resounding success. It was a veritable host of chickens
that gave their all under the oaks at Oxford that day. It
was reported that 5,500 meals were served, so you know
there were a few people on hand.
The musical group “Life” entertained following the
meal, then there was singing by Jim and John Hager,
Star-Mason Golf Go
Jointly Sponsored Golf Day Benefits
Masonic and Eastern Star Home
Greensboro—The Grand Lodge of North Carolina
and the Eastern Star Grand Chapter of North Carolina
are joining forces October 20 to sponsor a golf
tournament and “Pig Out” for the benefit of the Masonic
and Eastern Star Home. The golf tournament will begin at
9:00 a.m. at Bryan Park Golf Club on Highway 29, North
of Greensboro. The “Pig Out” takes place at mid-
afternoon on the grounds of the Home. Entry fee for the
tournament is $45, which includes the “Pig Out.” Tickets
for the “Pig Out” are only $5 each. All profits derived from
these events will go to the Home, credit being shared on a
50-50 basis by the Masons and the Stars. The rain date is
October 27.
Each Masonic lodge and each Eastern Star chapter is
requested to recruit players, to be a sponsor (at levels of
25, 50 or 100 dollars), to be responsible for selling then
“Pig Out” tickets and reporting same to their district
chairman by October 1, and to be represented at the
events of October 20. All checks should be made payable
accompanied by the ubiquitous “Red” Rose and his
indefatigable accomplices.
When, finally, all the singing and thumping and
twanging and stomping was done, the throngs of Masons
and their families began winding their several ways
homeward, leaving behind the grand old campus and a
group of happy and excited children.
Some sidelights are in order:
Enterprising Orphanage youngsters had set up all
kinds of booths about the campus. You could buy a cold
drink, or a cap, or crafts, or cotton candy, or you could
dunk a kid—there was a real carnival-like atmosphere...
Other boys and girls made themselves available as guides
and through their services many Masons and their
families saw phases of Orphanage life they had only heard
and read about before... Cars were parked all over, and
people were everywhere, but the vast Orphanage
campus held everything with ease. It could have
accomodated twice the crowd—and more . . . The
printed program advertised that all events would be held
in the gymnasium if it rained. Well, maybe some of the
events could have gotten in there, not much of the parade
could have, and it’s a cinch most of the crowd could not
have. It is awful to contemplate the havoc the “Red” Rose
group would have inflicted upon the assembled eardrums
in those restricted confines. It didn’t rain. It knew better.
Over 65,000 North Carolina Masons did not make it to
St. John’s Day in 1988. Most Masons in that 65,000 have
never been. You missed something. You missed a great
chance to fraternize with your brethren and their families
from all across the state. You missed seeing a great group
of children and their splendid home provided by us, who
and which comprise the crown jewel of North Carolina
Masonry. Don’t miss it next year. PLEASE?
to “MESH Golf Tournament Project” and identified as
being for the benefit of the Masonic and Eastern Star
Home. All payments are fully tax deductible except for
the portion of an entry fee which will be used for green
fees.
Following are answers to some possible questions:
District Chairmen are the District Deputies of the
respective bodies . . . The event is scheduled for a
weekday (Thursday) because it would not be possible to
tie up the golf course on a weekend... The tournament is
open to Masons, Stars and their selected friends (not
open to general public). . . It normally requires
about five hours to play eighteen holes on this
course, and a “shotgun” start and “superball” play
will be utilized to expedite things... Winners will be
awarded trophies . . . Official entry forms,
sponsorship forms, fly sheets and additional “Pig
Out” tickets are obtainable from your District
Deputy.