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Page Two THE NORTH CAROLINA MASON December, 1988 “The North Carolina Mason” (USPS 598-260) is published monthly by The Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of North Carolina, 2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, N. C. 27608. Third class postage paid at Oxford, N. C. 27565. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE NORTH CAROLINA MASON, Oxford Orphanage Printing Department, Oxford, North Carolina 27565. BOARD OF PUBLIC A TION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MASON H. LLOYD WILKERSON SAMUEL A. HENNIS, JR. WILLIAM E. FULMER JOHN R. STEGALL WALTER J. KLEIN Published monthly by The Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of North Carolina Successor to “The Orphans Friend and Masonic Journal.” News items, pictures, inquiries, comments and other correspondence should be addressed to: Reynold S. Davenport, Interim Editor P. O. Box 578, Plymouth, N. C. 27962 or Oxford Orphanage Printing Department Oxford, North Carolina 27565 There is no charge for printing pictures. Pictures should be made in black and white. Good quality pictures are essential for suitable reproduction. We reserve the right to reject any picture not suitable for use in The North Carolina Mason. Pictures accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope will be returned to the sender upon request. address changes should be addressed to: THE NORTH CAROLINA MASON Oxford Orphanage Printing Department Oxford, North Carolina 27565 Each member of a North Carolina lodge is entitled to a free subscription to The North Carolina Mason. If you kno\V a North Carolina Member who is not receiving the paper, please send his name, his complete address (with zip code), and the name of his lodge to the above address. Editorial Quality Or Quantity Many members of our fraternity are alarmed by the general decline of Masonic membership, viewing the steady decreases in membership as a lessening of Masonic influence and a threat to the very future of Freemasonry. Others are not particularly concerned with the decline, asserting that so long as we maintain the quality of Masonic membership, we need not worry about the quantity. Masons in this group are alert to any activities calculated to achieve quantity, viewing such as a potential threat to quality. We do not believe there is any reason to fear that any conscientious Mason will ever sacrifice quality in order to achieve quantity; hence, we believe there should be no question of “Quality OR Quantity,” rather there should be a united desire for “Quality AND Quantity.” The two are definitely compatible, and essential. During the past several years, our Grand Lodge membership has dropped from 73,000 to 70,000. This is a drop of more than 4%. Have we, during those few years, improved our quality by 4%, simply because our quantity was reduced by that amount? We doubt it. There is no evidence of it. What we did do was lose the services of several thousand members, replaced in part by newly- made and newly-affiliated Masons, but still winding up with a net loss of 3,000. Not only did we lose the services of many of our members, in some instances critical to our smallest lodges, but we also lost badly needed revenues for our lodges and the Grand Lodge, again critical to our smallest lodges in some instances. We have some lodges already so small that they cannot even continue to exist if they continue to sustain these losses. Declining membership is also a threat to Oxford Orphanage and to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home. It requires no great mathematical skill to conclude that the more Masons we have, the greater is the potential for raising the funds absolutely essential to maintain these two great homes. If we had gained 3,000 Masons, instead of losing that number, we could have substantially increased our gifts to the Home and the Orphanage without any increase at all in per capita giving. There are other arguments for quantity. If you will study the beginnings of our great nation, and consider the percentage of Freemasons among our leaders in those days; if you will compair the language of our Masonic ritual with many of the influential writings in our early history; if you think upon the lasting benefits of what was done two centuries past, and later, by the brave American Patriots through the years, so many of them Freemasons; then you cannot escape an awareness of the tremendous influence for good that Freemasonry wrought then and since. Do not think for one moment that Masonry could have been nearly so influential in those times if the great men of that day had included only one-twentieth or one-tenth the number of Freemasons that did participate. Masons succeeded in putting their stamp on and exerting their influence upon everything that was done then because they were not only good men and true, but also because they were many. And so it is today. No organization that is a force for good is going to be really influential if there are not enough members to make their presence felt and their voices heard, no matter how good they may be. Double, triple and quadruple their numbers, and their influence will increase accordingly. Two teaspoons of sugar will sweeten a glass of tea to satisfaction, but can scarcely be tasted in a pitcher of tea. One hundred Masons in a town of a thousand citizens will make their presence felt, but they will not be much noticed when the town population has grown to ten or fifteen thousand. We need to acknowledge that there are many, many non-Masons out there who would be just as good Masons as are most of us that have been members for years. We do not advocate invitations to membership, we do not know of any good Mason that does, but we do suggest that Masons should not erect sham stumbling blocks—as some do—for those seeking to learn something of us. We suggest that Masons should extend the welcoming hand to those worthy men expressing an interest in joining us. We suggest further that all Masons inform themselves concerning what can be lawfully discussed of Freemasonry, and that they then freely discuss such with their families and friends. OFFICERS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF A. F. & A. M. OF NORTH CAROLINA M.-.W.-.L. R. Thomas, Jr. t, C.L. (568) Grand Master P. O. 1467, New Bern 28560 R.-.W. .Jerry G. Tart t, (542) Deputy Grand Master P. 0. Box 366, Greensboro 27402 R.-.W.-.Bunn T. Phillips, Jr. t, C.L. (495) Senior Grand Warden 310 Lumyer Rd., Rockingham 28379 R.-.W.-.Lester P. Martin, Jr. t, (134) Junior Grand.Warden P. 0. Box 822, Mocksville 27028 M.-.W.-.Sam A. Hennis, Jr.* C.L. (322) Grand Treasurer Drawer 711, Mount Airy 27030 R.-.W. .Robert P. Dudley t, (202) Grand Secretary P. 0. Box 6506, Raleigh 27628 W.-.Willett R. Tillett t, C.L. (521) Senior Grand Deacon P. O. Box 473, Manteo 27954 W.-.Ray Norris t, (259) Junior Grand Deacon 312 Woodland Trail, Hendersonville 28739 W.-.Richard G. Moore t, (544) Grand Marshal Rt. 2, Box 666, Denver 28037 W.-.William B. Brunk t, C.L. (40) Grand Steward 8504 Bournemouth Dr., Raleigh 27609 W.-.Clifton W. Everett, Jr. t, (708) Grand Steward P. 0. Box 1220, Greenville 27835 W.-.Johnny West t, (568) Grand Tyler Apt 2-C, Ruth’s Lane, Greensboro 27407 W/.James H. Coile t, (81) Grand Chaplain Rt. 6, Box 200, Goldsboro 27530 W.-.Marvin R. Waters t, (724) Asst. Grand Chaplain 2413 Brices Creek Rd., New Bern 28560 W. .Reynold S. Davenport t, C.L. (680) Grand Historian P. O. Box 578, Plymouth 27962 W.-.William J. Clark f, (724) Grand Lecturer 402 Edge Hill Rd., New Bern 28562 W.-.H. Lloyd Wilkerson t, (680) Grand Orator 102 Shoreham Dr., Jacksonville 28540 W.-.Otto Neustadt t, (40) Judge Advocate 4120 Camelot Dr., Apt. A-3, Raleigh 27609 “Are We Who We Say We Are” On Wednesday, October 12,1988, Brother Charles B. Peevy and I were privileged to visit Oxford Orphanage. Brother Gerald Uhler furnished his truck which we loaded with fifteen boxes of clothing donated by Transylvania Shrine Club and Pisgah Chapter No. 198, O.E.S., to be used by “our” children at the home. Although Brother Peevy had visited the children’s home and the Masonic and Eastern Star Home in Greensboro many times, it was my first. We arrived at 3:00 p.m., just as the children were returning from school. After unloading the truck, assisted by two young ladies, we returned to the Administration Building where a young lad was to escort us on a tour of the buildings and grounds. My first impressions on arrival were confirmed. The cottages and campus were beautiful and well maintained. We marvelled at the small beds and bathroom fixtures in the baby cottage. We visited the Chapel, the Print and Carpenter shops also the Gym and Electrical shop, while viewing the dairy facility from a distance as it was almost supper time. At each cottage, the person in charge answered our questions, introduced the children and showed us the spacious homes. As we reached the playground area, several little boys were getting ready to go to the cafeteria. As we approached, we heard shouts almost in unison, “Are you Masons, are you Masons?” They introduced themselves and shook our hands. They bombarded us with questions, tried on our fez’s and invited us to eat supper with them. We did and it was delicious. We proudly answered their question with, “Yes we are Masons and we love you.” We will go again, and as we ask ourselves, “Are we really who we say we are?” Let’s be sure we tell these little boys and girls the truth by example and not by just being a dues card member of a Masonic Lodge. Thursday morning dawned bright and chilly as we headed toward the mountains with a stop over at our Masonic and Eastern Star Home in Greensboro. We visited the garden apartment complex prior to being given a tour of the Home in general. Our host, Mrs. Ella M. Payne, Assistant Administrator, invited Brother Peevy and I to have lunch with her in the cafeteria, it was great. We spoke to several of the guests and met many of the personnel. The entire facility and grounds were beautiful and immaculate. There were so many things to appreciate and should excite the imagination of all North Carolina Masons, not withstanding the fact that the Orphanage has 137 children and can accommodate 260. The home has a long waiting list that could be alleviated if only the 70,000 Masons in our state would fulfill their individual obligation. A check for $10.00 mailed right now from every member would provide the necessary funds to build the much needed addition to the Care Center. Again, let us ask ourselves, “Are we who we say we are?” Both Pat Cox, Acting Superintendent of Oxford Orphanage and Tommy Jones, Administrator of the Home were away on official business. Henry F. Adams, Secretary Transylvania Shrine Club ACCORDING TO JIMROD We present below this month's poetical offering from that distinguished Mason and philosopher, JIMROD Q. WAXPILLOW. Artemis Claude Dettwiler Thought there was no one viler Then the sorry crook That came and took The sword while he was Tyler Finally, we come down to that old truism which has been voiced by so many so often: “Let us always live out of the lodge the lessons we are taught in it.” In so doing shall we convince all good men that any organization so treasured by such as we is certain to be good and desirable. If each of us simply do that one last thing, we need never fear for Masonry’s quality OR its quantity. Reynold Davenport William A. Hooks Past Grand Master (Continued from Page One) He became a member of Fellowship Lodge No. 84 in 1940 and served as its Master in 1952. The lodge named him “Mason of the Year” in 1956 and elected him a Life Member in 1960. In 1961, Grand Master James W. Brewer appointed him Grand Steward and he advanced through the line until his election to Grand Master in 1969. Other Masonic and Masonic -related activities included the following: District Deputy Grand Master in the 14th and the 49th Districts, York Rite Bodies in Goldsboro and Fayetteville, Raleigh Scottish Rite Bodies, Society of Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis, Red Cross of Constantine, Sudan Shrine Temple, and others. Memorial Services were conducted November 4 in Centenary United Methodist Church by the Reverend Brad Bradshaw. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Nell Broadhurst Hooks; two daughters, Mrs. Julia Healey and Mrs. Susan Whitley; a brother, David Hooks; a sister, Miss Dorothy Hooks; four grandchildren, Quill O. Healey, Susan Doyle Poisson, Julia Margon Healey and Nelle Broadhurst Poisson. (A third daughter of Bill and Nell Hooks, Nell Broadhurst Hooks, died August 22, 1984.) Those wishing to send cards and letters to Mrs. Hooks should use this address: Mrs. Nell Hooks, 509 Hancock Street, Smithfield, North Carolina 27577. Dedication at Bush Hill Archdale — The Grand Master and other Grand Lodge officers came here November 12 to dedicate the new temple of Bush Hill Lodge No. 732. The other Grand Lodge officers were Senior Grand Warden Bunn T. Phillips, Jr., Grand Secretary Robert P. Dudley, Grand Marshal Richard G. Moore, Grand Tyler Johnny R. West and Grand Chaplain James H. Coile. Grand Master L. R. Thomas, Jr. opened the Grand Lodge in Ample Form, announced the purpose of the meeting, then dispensed with labor and instructed that members of the general public be invited to witness the ceremony. The ancient ceremony of dedication was conducted by the Grand Master, assisted by William W. Cox, D.D.G.M.-37, and the following officers and members of the lodge: Master Randall L. Johnson, Senior Warden Stephen L. Brumfield, Junior Warden Lawrence E. Walker, Treasurer Farrell H. Slack, Secretary Max R. Wood (these last four are all Past Masters), Senior Deacon Thomas B. Scearce, Junior Deacon E. Keith Malone, Steward Edward C. Forrester; Past Masters Gerald D. Jester, Billy R. Foster, Travis A. Gulledge, Billy W. Gardner, Ralph W. Jones; members Roland B. Lawrimore, Jr. and Ted A. Schmaus. Lenton Slack provided music during the ceremony and the oration at the end of the dedication was delivered by the Grand Master. Then the non-Masons left the lodge room, the Grand Master resumed labor in the Grand Lodge, and the Master expressed the lodge’s appreciation to the Grand Master and other participants. The Grand Master made a brief response. The minutes were read and approved and the Grand Lodge was closed in Ample Form. From The Lodges Fayetteville — R. F. “Rocky” Rockwell, Master of Phoenix 8, offered these remarks in the November lodge publication: “The soundest investment we can make is to devote our energy to the youth of the community. We must remember that from their ranks will come the future leaders of our land. We should make our contribution to assure that when the time comes the youth of today will be ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The assistance Phoenix Lodge has given to the youth of the community, through our support of Oxford Orphanage, has made me proud to be a Mason and a Brother of Phoenix Lodge. Your support of the Oxford Orphanage Fund Raiser has been fantastic, we all can take pride in this accomplishment.” (Phoenix raised $5,379.00 for the Orphanage in their ’88 drive.) — Bulletin of Phoenix 8. ******* Kenansville — Secretary Snodie Wilson of St. John’s 13, was recently honored with a reception marking his retirement from the Agricultural Extension Service after thirty-two and one-half years of service. — Lodge Log ******* Monroe — Lodges of the 39th District will again this year contribute funds to buy Christmas presents for all the children at Oxford Orphanage. They call this “Operation Christmas.” Masons will meet in the Temple of Monroe 244 on December 17 to wrap and label the gifts; they will deliver them to Oxford the following day. — Monroe Trestle Board ******* Charlotte — Activities in West Gate 738 during August and September were typical of what is needed all across North Carolina . . . they raised nine and affiliated two during those two months. Raised were: Jerry David Etters, Jr., James Harvey Hendrickson, James William Lutz, Sr., Donald Lee Pressley, John Lee Beam, Lonnie Charles Ellis, James Edward Tarleton, Arthur Hobson Turner, Jr., and Richard Kelly Hughes. Affiliated were Jerry David Etters and Jimmy E. Whitley. — West Gate Newsletter ******* Mebane — September was also a good month for Bingham 272, when it raised the following five: Ronald Warren Mann, Edsel Dean Workman, Joseph Allen Page, Gregory Holland and Harvey Rudd. — Bingham’s News and Views Be on the lookout for some really good news concerning the printing of The North Carolina Mason. We will announce it just as soon as the deal is firmed up. Questions and Answers The Grand Lodge Constitution and Regulations (THE CODE) spell out the Masonic law that governs lodges and Masons in North Carolina. Copies of THE CODE are furnished each lodge, individual members may purchase copies through their lodge secretaries ($10.00). The answers to the following questions are brief, they are subject to error; and they are unofficial; they are intended only for general information. Some members may wish to score themselves in their knowledge of Masonic law with their anwsers to these questions. The answer follows each question. 1. If the man elected Master for 1989 does not show up for installation, does the newly-elected Senior Warden become Acting Master? Answer: No. The 1988 Master remains in office until a successor is elected and installed. REG. 64-01. If the Mason elected Master declines to be installed and a new election is held for Master, according to the law governing same, then the Mason elected Master by that new election is installed, and not until then does the 1988 Master step down. 2. Does the Mason elected Master by that second election qualify for the title of Past Master at the end of 1989? Answer: He does if his installation takes place not more than sixty days following the date of the lodge’s 1988 annual communication. REG. 64-01 (1). 3. If a Master resigns in mid-term, does he qualify for the title of Past Master? Answer: No. The only Masons qualifying for that title are those that serve a full term as Master of a regularly chartered lodge, a Master that dies in office, and the Master who serves from the date of charter of a new lodge until its first annual communication, provided he also served as Master while the lodge was under dispensation. REGS. 64-01 (2) and 64-04. 4. The Master of my lodge closed debate on a question that was on the floor, and the question had not been fully aired. What can we do about it? Answer: The Master has the power to close debate whenever he chooses. REG. 67-08. He may have decided there had been adequate debate, or he may have felt further debate would be injurious to the harmony of the lodge. You cannot appeal his decision to the lodge, but you can appeal to the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge if you believe the Master has abused his authority. REG. 67-06 and others. If you appeal to the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge, the burden would be upon you to demonstrate that your judgment, and not the Master’s, was correct. Don’t undertake this lightly. 5. Can a Master order a second secret ballot on any question? Answer: Not after the ballot has been closed and declared. If he, for any reason, feels a mistake had been made in the ballot, he can report this to the Grand Master and await his orders. REG. 67-09 (6). On the other hand, if he becomes aware of an error or irregularity while a ballot is in progress, and before it has been closed and declared, he shall immediately stop the balloting, destroy any ballot that has accumulated, and proceed to take another ballot according to law. REG. 76-04 (12). Some examples of possible errors or irregularities justifying him in stopping the ballot are: The Senior Deacon drops the ballot box; a member announces he has cast the wrong ballot by mistake; it is discovered a visiting brother has balloted; and so on. 6. Can the Master decide a tie vote? Answer: If he has not already voted, he can. REG. 67-10 (5). 7. Can the Master insist upon installing his successor, even though the incoming Master wishes someone else to install him? Answer: It is the Master’s right to install his successor. REG. 67-10 (26). However, it would be highly unusual for him to exercise that right if the incoming Master objected, and I have never heard of such. 8. Is it true the lodge cannot exclude a Master for non-payment of dues during his term of office? Answer: Yes. REG. 67-11. 9. If a question of law arises, does the Master’s decision prevail against the judgment of a majority of members present? Answer; Yes. REG. 67-02 (2). 10. Can one or more members appeal his decision? Answer: Yes. REG. 67-02 (2). (Editor’s Note: It is the clear intent of the law that the Master shall govern the lodge at all times, according to that law. As the language in the ceremony of installation admonishes, he should at all times govern in an even- handed manner, never arbitrarily. It is assumed by the law that a Mason becoming Master will have aquired the knowledge, the judgment and the experience to so govern, and that he will be so imbued with the spirit of Brotherly Love that his manner of governing will never be disruptive of the harmony of the lodge or of the general feeling of goodwill prevailing in it. The law provides that the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge will, upon being appealed to, appropriately deal with the rare individual that abuses the office of Master or its powers. They will likely also deal quite heavily with a Mason, or Masons, that makes frivolous accusations against a Master. Please remember that answers in this column are always unofficial. Masonic Listings Contrary To Usual Weather Patterns It is common knowledge that most of our weather moves from west to east—at least a great deal of it does. Natural phenomena notwithstanding, North Carolina Masonry has long elected to’move east to west with its Masonic listings. Our 1st Masonic District is on the coast, while our 65th is just as far west as you can get without being in Tennessee. The proficiency exams for certified lecturers always begin in the east and move westward. In just about any listing of Masons you will find the “Down-Easterners” listed first and the “Mountaineers” bringing up the rear. Maybe we should turn things around and move west to east for the next couple of centuries—just to even things up. so to speak.
The North Carolina Mason (Oxford, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 1, 1988, edition 1
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