THE electronic NORTH CAROLINA MASON March/April, 1993 vol.1#1 The stripped-down, online version of the real thing Volume CXVII Ñ No. 2 Published every other month, The NC Mason is the official publication of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, AF&AM. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Grand Lodge, editor, or anyone else for that matter. Board of Publication Ñ Dalton Mayo, chairman; Reynold Davenport, James E. Stratton, J. Carroll Simmons, and H. Lloyd Wilkerson. EDITOR Ñ Ric Carter 126 Arbor Drive Washington, NC 27889 AOL: RicC Articles are by the editor unless ÒbyÓ appears after the article. Other citations are for source of information. Please feel free to pass The eNCM along to others. Any suggestions you might have would be welcomed. CON MAN STILL OPERATING IN STATE In the last issue of The Mason we reminded you about a con artist preying on Masons around the country. Benny Webb, from up in Yadkinville told us his story. Regrettably, that wasnÕt the last we heard of Leroy Wilkenson. In late January, he made at least two attempts in the northern part of the state near Interstate 95. David Faircloth, secretary of King Solomon 56 in Jackson, and Albert Hill, secretary of American George 17 in Murfreesboro, were both called. Their homes are less than a hour off the interstate and were called within a couple of hours of each other. Their calls were nearly identical to those described in the earlier article. A Òlodge secretaryÓ calls about the family of a Mason having car trouble and in need cash to get home. If the victim will carry some cash to these folks, the caller promises to put a check in the mail right now. In the most recent local cases, only the home and destination were changed. Both intended victims were asked for less than $100. Neither fell for the scam. Faircloth, who said he read about it in The Mason, even had the police dispatch an unmarked car to meet the man. No contact was made in either case after the phone calls. Stay alert and call your police department if you are contacted by someone suspicious. GRAND LODGE ANNUAL COMMUNICATION SET Raleigh Ñ The 206th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina will convene April 20. All business sessions will be held in Memorial Auditorium in downtown Raleigh. TuesdayÕs meeting begins at 10 a.m. and WednesdayÕs kicks off at 9 a.m. Election of officers begins at 11 oÕclock Wednesday morning. Your lodge should soon receive formal notification along with credentials, documents, and other important announcements about the meeting. You must bring these completed credentials with you and present them to the Credentials Committee. The committee may be found at the Radisson Plaza Hotel on Monday afternoon and in the lobby of Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday and Wednesday. DO NOT mail them to the Grand Lodge offices, present them in person. The committee will furnish you with necessary materials. Name tags and disposable aprons will be available in the lobby of Memorial Auditorium. ThereÕll be a number of tylers outside the hall. TheyÕll expect you to give the them the Third Degree pass as well as show them your current dues card. ThereÕs quite a bit to go through in opening the proceedings. The Grand Lodge officers will be received. After Grand Master Ray Norris opens the meeting, past grand masters and distinguished visitors from other states will be received. These VIPs will be introduced and seated on the stage. The first dayÕs business will, for the most part, deal with what has transpired over the last year. Miscellaneous reports of committees and boards will be received. Some will be read, others will simply appear in the Proceedings. Grand Master Norris, and former Governor and Grand Orator James G. Martin will address the Communication. Memorial services will be conducted for those who passed away in the last year. Business may vary somewhat according to special needs of the session. Wednesday, the second day of the session, will begin at 9 a.m. and see more action. ItÕll be up to you to approve or reject the past yearÕs actions of the Grand Master, Judge Advocate, Trial Commissions, Appeals Committee, and others. Their actions do not stand without the approval of the delegates. YouÕll receive and vote on the annual budget. Amendments to the Code as well as resolutions with the weight of law will be considered. Grand Lodge officers for 1993-94 will be elected. It is hoped that business will be finished by lunch time. Installation of new officers will be later in the afternoon after the lodge is closed. It is usually held about 2:30 at the Masonic Temple on Caswell Street in Raleigh. The Annual Communication is NOT just for delegates and voting members of the Grand Lodge. Every Mason in North Carolina is welcome and encouraged to attend. We hope to see you there. WHAT VOTES WILL WE FACE? There are a number of issues to be considered by the Grand Lodge this year. Some are simple matters of form. Others would change some basic tenets of the Craft. You are urged to discuss each of them with your Brothers at lodge. When deciding how you think your delegates should vote at the Annual Communication, please regard the proposed amendments with the same seriousness you would a candidate for the degrees. Your votes should be cast for the good of Masonry. The following is a short summary of the amendments to The Code to be voted on at our 1993 Annual Communication. Black Cubes: One of the most entrenched of Masonic rules is the ballot on membership of a novice. A single black cube has long been all that was necessary to reject a petitioner. A proposed amendment would have us increase that number to three. Those presenting the issue contend that the Òextreme ends of any process are seldom the best method.Ó They believe that many candidates donÕt make it because of a single vote cast in Òignorance, fear, or hate.Ó Opening Emergent Communications on First or Second Degree: Another possible amendment would alter the way we open emergent communications. It proposes to allow emergent communications called for the purpose of doing degree work to be opened and closed in the degree to be conferred. No longer would we open a Master MasonsÕ Lodge only to dispense with labor and open a First or Second Degree lodge. The idea is to keep the candidate included in the group as much as possible. It would make him the center of attention for the entire evening rather than having him banished to solitude while all the members exclude him from opening and closing. Some say the time savings would be a valuable by product on those extra meeting nights. Annual Lodge of Sorrow: It has been proposed that lodges be allowed to open and close a lodge of sorrow once each year rather than being required to do so before each Masonic funeral service. Those making the suggestion note that the graveside services performed by Masons are one of our most important opportunities to interact with the public and the families of the deceased Brother. This makes it important that we have a large attendance. Supporters point out that many young Masons must take lunch hour to participate. This time restraint often requires the young man to choose which to attend Ñ the lodge opening or the graveside service. They think the change will allow us to get more Masons to the graveside as we Òadjust to the times and todayÕs situation.Ó Lodges whose circumstances are different would be free to continue in their traditional form. Each lodge would make its own decision if the amendment passes. Initiation Fees: The current minimum initiation fee for conferral of the degrees was set at $50 in 1970. A proposed change to the Code would raise that to $150. Those who advocate the increase think that we make our degrees seem less important by selling them so much more cheaply than some of our appendant bodies. Some who supply souvenirs of the occasion (Bibles, Claudy books, BahnsonÕs, et al.) or have to pay fees to a temple committee have even found that they lose money when they confer a degree. For example, Forsyth lodge found that they were spending more than $300 on each new member while collecting a fee of only $75 from the candidate. Shared jurisdictions must all use the same fees. Jurisdictional Restraints: We will choose whether or not to do away with jurisdictional restraints on petitions. Currently men living within the regional jurisdiction of one lodge must get permission from that lodge and the Grand Lodge before their application to another lodge may be considered. The change, if adopted, would make the only territorial requirement a one year residency in North Carolina. Miscellaneous: Another revision to be considered in April would allow a past district deputy grand lecturer to serve as district deputy grand master. Currently a district deputy grand master must be a master or past master of a blue lodge. An amendment we will consider would require the grand secretary and the grand treasurer to attend all meetings of the finance committee. There are a couple of resolutions expected, also. They are discussed elsewhere in this issue of The Mason. SHOULD WE HIRE A DEVELOPMENTAL DIRECTOR? At the 1992 Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, a resolution was introduced to hire a developmental director to coordinate fundraising for the Masonic charities. The measure was defeated by a narrow margin. Those who favor the concept will introduce a similar proposal at our 1993 meeting. The resolution is supported by many grand lodge officers, the boards and superintendents of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home and Oxford Orphanage. Our current system of charity was studied by an analyst who lives outside the state and could not be a candidate for the job. He consulted with Masons around the state and examined the problems peculiar to our needs. His recommendations have played a great part in defining this resolution. He says, for the techniques we use, weÕre doing a good job. Recent shortfalls at the Orphanage and Home, however, require that we do better. He, and the other supporters of the resolution, think that with a more professional approach, we can do better. After all, only 20% of Masons currently contribute anything to our state charities. What does a full-time professional offer? Perhaps most important is a continuity of leadership. He should help maintain focus over a period of time. We could avoid the swings in programs that come with annual changes of grand lodge leadership. Needs of the Foundation, Home, and Orphanage could be coordinated over a long period of time. The intention is not that he take over the function of the charity committees of the blue lodges. Rather, he would be expected to spend most of his time on the road visiting you. He would be expected to educate Masons on the specific needs of the charities and show you how the institutions are currently using your support. His visits would not be to tell you how much money to raise next year, but to consult with your committees and teach them how to be more effective at the job. More help would come from his production of more efficient fund raising materials. Instead of Xeroxing that same old begging letter you used last year, modern, more capable pamphlets would be available. Formats could be altered to fit the needs of your situation. Advice on their best use would be available. ÒPlanned givingÓ is a method weÕve seldom cultivated. By taking advantage of proper tax and accounting procedures, a professional coordinator could assist individuals capable of giving large amounts. Bequests, charitable remainders, and other long-term development techniques can be to the financial advantage of the donor and his heirs. Proper use of these takes a trained advisor. When will we see results? Big results take time. Our consultant says a good director should increase giving enough within two or three years to pay for the program. One could expect to see good results within three years. By the time five years of the development have passed, he thinks the payoff would be great enough that no one would argue against the program. What will it cost us? Nothing. The boards of the Foundation, Home, and Orphanage are confident enough in the possibilities of the right man doing the job, they will be paying the cost of operating the program. The costs will not be passed along in terms of per capita increases. FROM THE EDITORÕS DESK ItÕs that time of year. Annual Communication is upon us. A couple of thousand Masons will soon descend on Raleigh and exercise their power over the direction of the Craft in our state. If youÕve never been, itÕs about time you got yourself there for at least a day. If ritual, pomp, and circumstance are your thing, Tuesday will be a good start for you. Lots of officials, many in fraternal uniform, will be announced and escorted. During the time that these distinguished visitors are being received, youÕll see as many important Masons as your likely to see in any one spot. Several speeches are also on the menu for the day. Between these sessions, or during if you donÕt mind slipping out of the auditorium, thereÕs plenty of fellowship to enjoy. ItÕs a perfect time to make a new Masonic acquaintance or to run into an old, seldom seen friend. If a good scrap is more to your liking, Wednesday morning is recommended. ThatÕs when the Brethren start discussing budgets and amendments. Luckily, these debates seldom follow a quiet or predetermined course. Some will make you celebrate your Masonry and others will be a sorely test of your ability to live by your Masonic obligations. If youÕve never made it to the event, we urge you to come this year. ItÕs never too early or too late for you to finally attend. Come and see that you have the power. THE BETTER READ MASON If you read a lot about Masonry, you may have noticed that, these days, you come across John J. RobinsonÕs name more often than King SolomonÕs. He burst on the Masonic scene with the 1989 publication of Born in Blood (One day, we plan to actually review that volume in this column.) in which he exposed much of the ritual of Freemasonry. He did so to explain his contention that Freemasonry sprang from the Knights Templar after they were banished to secrecy by the politics of the church. Robinson began speaking to Masonic groups around the country as well as appearing on talk shows as a defender of the Craft in the face of religious fundamentalists. His cigarette smoke-haloed face became a fixture at large Masonic gatherings. By now he has probably spoken to more Masons than any man ever. This is especially striking for a man who isnÕt a Mason. John Robinson has become a Freemason and quit smoking. Robinson took his entered apprentice degree two days before Thanksgiving. Two days after Thanksgiving he passed out and didnÕt wake up until three and a half weeks later. He was suffering septicemia (an infection of the blood) and the effects of a stroke. He was pronounced terminal by his doctors. In Virginia, Allen Roberts, prominent Masonic author, heard of the situation. He called Ray Evans, Ohio grand master, with a plan. Robinson was in Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, directly across the street form the new Shrine Burn Center. On December 3, a quick meeting was called in the board room at the Shrine hospital. The Grand Master left the meeting, crossed the street to RobinsonÕs side in the intensive care unit and conferred on him the Fellow Craft and Master Mason degrees. Evans told him, ÒIÕm going to get you before the Grand Master in the sky does.Ó Since his sudden illness, Robinson has made great and unexpected progress. He had surgery to repair an aneurysm. During a complete CAT scan, lung cancer was found. John spent the last week of January at home, sent there with strict injunction to gain 12 pounds before surgery. No spread of the disease has been found. He had surgery on February 2. According to Mrs. Robinson, the surgery went well and her husband was expected home by mid-February. We hope that this means heÕll soon return to the service of Masonry. He made a start on a new effort before his sudden illness. Frustrated by the lack of a unified voice and no available spokesmen for Freemasonry, John Robinson and Masonic acquaintances came up with the idea of the Center for Masonic Education. The big question was how to fund it. Ever willing to step to the fore when it came to the defense of Freemasonry, Robinson once again volunteered. He would share his vision of Masonry in a new book. He would also share the rewards from the sale of that book. He sent the last draft of the work to his publisher just days before his illness A PilgrimÕs Path, One ManÕs Journey to the Masonic Temple is RobinsonÕs personal story of his trip from stumbling inadvertently into Masonry while researching a book on medieval history to his becoming the leading spokesman for and to Freemasonry in this country. In the book, Robinson debunks the deceptions of MasonryÕs major critics. His analysis arms you with the defense you need in the face of attacks from religious zealots. Now is your chance to educate yourself and help educate others at the same time. Until June 1, the publisher and author will make a $5 donation to the Center for Masonic Education for each copy of A PilgrimÕs Path sold. The Center has been set up within the Masonic Service Association. It will answer attacks of anti-Masons. Among other projects, they will contact Southern Baptist leaders and members through direct mailing as well as the mass media with our story. They plan to be a presence at the Southern Baptist Convention in June. Every blue lodge in the country is to receive a copy of the February issue of The Scottish Rite Journal, a special edition addressing exclusively the topic of ÒFreemasonry and Religion.Ó Copies of RobinsonÕs latest book are $11.95 each, postage and handling included. You may get your copy by sending your check or money order made out to M. Evans & Co., Inc. to: Department M M. Evans & Co. 216 East 49th Street New York, NY 10017-1502. DENVER PAYS OFF MORTGAGE Denver Ñ In the last issue we mentioned the mortgage drive at Denver 757. It seems that the Brothers were more than happy to part with a little cash to avoid working at Carowinds. Not one soul chose labor. CarowindsÕ loss was DenverÕs gain. In fact, they went almost $700 over what was necessary to pay off the debt on the building. The surplus will go toward needed improvements such as landscaping and better kitchen equipment. They celebrated with a mortgage burning at their officer installation in January. A party was certainly in order after paying off a 15-year loan in only seven-and-a-half years. Lest you think they forgot other obligations to make their goal, they gave more to Masonic charities than in any year in their history, nearly $2,500. Ñ The Trestleboard. FROM TAR HEEL LODGES CHARLOTTE Ñ Steele Creek 737 will hold three fish fries as part of its Spring Charity Drive. The Masonic and Eastern Star Home will profit. Handyman projects and other projects that need doing around the lodge are now posted on the bulletin board at Steele Creek. Volunteers take one of the two cards there and sign the one left as a pledge. Ñ Steele Creek Lodge No. 737. A donation of over $50 toward covering the patio area at Charles M. Setzer 693 will get your name on ÒBrick and Mortar PlaqueÓ in the main lobby. Ñ Charles M. Setzer Lodge No. 693. The ladies of the West Gate 738 were to be honored with a prime rib dinner in February. Widows were included. Ñ West Gate Lodge # 738. * * * * PENDLETON Ñ The Brothers at Pendleton 524 held LadiesÕ Night in December. Ñ Trestle Board. * * * * RALEIGH Ñ The men of James B. Green 735 plotted an early Valentine. They planned to celebrate LadiesÕ Night on February 13. TheyÕre also scheduling a special meeting for the first Saturday in each month. ItÕll be a two hour work day to keep things top notch around the building. Ñ James B. Green No. 735. Raleigh 500 plans to have its annual LadiesÕ Night Banquet in March. Ñ Raleigh Lodge, No. 500. The Education Committee at Masters Lodge 754 gave those attending a November stated communication a pop quiz. They passed out a twenty item multiple choice test about several facets of Freemasonry. Calvin Rogers (past master and tyler) got the highest grade. Guess that proves that sitting outside the door doesnÕt necessarily keep you in the dark. Ñ The Trowel. In December Millbrook 97 held its annual banquet celebrating their founding. They were chartered December 12, 1827. Jim Lofton of Phalanx 31 was the speaker at an educational program at Millbrook in October. The program was described as inspirational. The other lesson came with the meal served before the meeting. Forty men canÕt eat seven gallons of Bob BassÕs awesome oyster stew. Even seconds to the power of four just didnÕt make it disappear. Be careful, guys, you could hurt yourselves. Ñ Millbrook Messenger. * * * * GREENSBORO Ñ ÒSeventy-two Masons [from Gate City 694] with their wives, children, and friendsÓ hosted a Christmas party for several kids at the Orphanage. After a buffet lunch at an Oxford hotel, each of the 17 youngsters was given a gift. They say the hotel parking lot was a Òbuzzing raceway of bicycles and battery-operated remote-control cars.Ó The visitors had a tour of the Orphanage afterwards. The Care Center at the Masonic and Eastern Star Home picked up $1,100 from Gate CityÕs brunswick stew. Ñ The Trestleboard. During their Christmas visit to the Orphanage, members of Revolution 552 attended church services with the children before having lunch. They then distributed gifts to each of the children. Even Superintendent David Grissom wasnÕt left empty handed. The Brothers gave him a check for the Orphanage. Family meals are on tap at Revolution for the coming year. TheyÕll have a breakfast on third Sundays. TheyÕll also team up with Rose 178, OES to hold informal dinners on second Fridays. Ñ The Bi-Monthly Newsletter. Corinthian 542 scheduled their Brunswick stew for the end of January. Ñ The Trowel. * * * * LAURINBURG Ñ Each lady attending Laurinburg 305Õs Christmas Party/LadiesÕ Night received a poinsettia. Eighty-seven were on hand for the turkey dinner and musical entertainment. Ñ The Masonic Messenger. * * * * KINSTON Ñ St. JohnÕs 4 held Past MastersÕ Night in late October. The Barbecue Dinner sponsored by them in cooperation with the Eastern Star raised $800 for the Masonic Foundation. That put the total of their contributions to Masonic charities over the $4,000 mark for 1992. Ñ The Trestle Board. * * * * SMITHFIELD Ñ Fellowship 84 was excited about one of their best charity drives ever. A single member chipped in over $1,000 of the more than $7,400 they donated this year. Irving Poliakoff was presented his VeteranÕs Award at their Past MastersÕ and LadiesÕ Night in November. Ñ The Trestleboard. * * * * JACKSONVILLE Ñ Donations to Masonic charities this year topped $5,600 at Semper Fidelis 680. Ñ Semper Fidelis Lodge. * * * * GRAHAM Ñ Battle of Alamance 256, OES treated the Masons of Thomas M. Holt 492 and their families to a spaghetti supper in December. A bunch of hillbillies, The Hillbilly Clan of the local Shrine Club to be exact, made a donation to the building fund of Holt 492. Proposal blueprints for the new dining hall are already in the works. They got $600 in donations in the first week of 1993. Now, thatÕs a flying start for the new year. Ñ The Holler Log. * * * * WINSTON-SALEM Ñ Not all charities that a lodge assists have to be Masonic. The students and staff of the Winston-Salem Enrichment Center were invited to a Christmas Chicken Party in December. Old Town 751 was the host. WeÕre not sure how Herb Blankenship will survive 1993. HeÕs the new master at Old Town 751. HeÕs also worthy patron of OES 355 and potentate of Oasis Shrine. Ñ On The Level at Old Town Lodge. Not all the 1993 officers at Forsyth 707 could exactly be called new. Treasurer Eugene Butner is serving in that office for the 33rd consecutive year. Raeford Nifong is pulling his 35th straight year as secretary. Ñ Leonard Hill, junior warden, Forsyth 707. * * * * WAYNESVILLE Ñ Last yearÕs contributions to Masonic Charities by Waynesville 259 were Orphanage $2,500; Home, $2,500; Masonic Foundation, $1,000; and Care Center, $1,000 for a $7,000 total. Ñ Waynesville Masonic Bodies Monthly Bulletin. * * * * SALISBURY Ñ Andrew Jackson 576 was to hold its annual Brunswick Stew late in February. Work starts on a Monday and doesnÕt stop until all the stew is sold and the pots are cleaned on Thursday. They refer to it as the Òcornerstone of their charitable building.Ó TheyÕll also hold a lodge homecoming in April. Ed Kenerly received their 1992 L.C. Lake Award for Outstanding Service to Masonry. Ñ The MasterÕs Journal and Bob Mazzoni, stew chairman. * * * * STATESVILLE Ñ A new altar is in place at Statesville 27. Phil Keller handcrafted it and gave it to the lodge last year. David Keller and Tom Gregory have since placed an inscribed granite top on it. Paul Hatchet and Romie Hawks got 50-year awards at Past MastersÕ/LadiesÕ Night. The J.C. Brown Award went to John Martin. The recent degree work Simpsonville, South Carolina, 311 did in Statesville was attended by 130 Masons from 33 lodges. They conducted a third degree in what some believe to be the best attended communication held in Statesville 27Õs current home of 42 years. Ñ The Trestleboard. * * * * BREVARD Ñ Have you ever needed to add a last minute note to your newletter? But, you couldnÕt afford to throw away a couple hundred copies and redo the lot. They got around that problem at DunnÕs Rock 267 in November by putting a short announcement on another label and pasting it on the outside of the issue. That announcement was for a Mountain Man Breakfast on the occasion of a Past MasterÕs Degree. Ñ DunnÕs Rock Lodge. * * * * WILMINGTON Ñ St. JohnÕs 1 had a Saturday afternoon Christmas Celebration in December. Ñ The Trestleboard. * * * * HICKORY Ñ The Home and Orphanage are more than $8,600 richer for the efforts of Hickory 343. The Brothers who didnÕt participate in 1992 are being urged to save a dollar a week in 1993 for the cause. Ñ Hickory Lodge No. 343. * * * * GASTONIA Ñ Wayne Reynolds was named Mason of the Year at King Solomon 704. Ñ The Plumb Line. * * * * FAYETTEVILLE Ñ The building repair fund at Phoenix 8 is coming right along. TheyÕve gotten enough to replace two heating units and two air conditioners. A new roof and improvements to the parking lot are on the agenda for this year. Ñ Phoenix Lodge No. 8. Over at Creasy Proctor 679 theyÕre getting a DeMolay chapter started. Work on ÒLetters TemporaryÓ is currently underway. They also hit their usual big time on the charity front. The Orphanage and Home each got $10,000 for 1992. Ñ Creasy Proctor Lodge No. 679. * * * * MEBANE Ñ The brunswick stew at Bingham 272 made $2,400 for the Home and Orphanage. Ñ BinghamÕs News and Views. * * * * DUNN Ñ George C. Mitchell got his 50-year certificate and pin at the Palmyra 147 LadiesÕ and WidowsÕ Night. Hubert H. Warren, Jr. was named 1992 Mason of the Year. TheyÕre moving along pretty well on the new temple there. Insulation and sheet rock are now being installed. Ñ Palmyra Lodge No. 147. * * * * MANTEO Ñ TheyÕre still trying to fill out their collection of portraits of their past masters at Manteo 521. They know that photos were taken of several of them at Past MastersÕ Night in 1989. They canÕt find them though. If you know anything about them, please help. Ñ More Light. * * * * WASHINGTON Ñ Washington 675Õs MasterÕs Award was earned by John Riffert (PM) in 1992. They also presented a 50-year award to Warren Lane on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Donations to the Home and Orphanage Drive at 675 totaled $2,100 last year. Orr 104 made their usual trip to Oxford Orphanage. They have annually given a present to each child at the Orphanage since 1920. Their Charity Drive netted $2,000 for the Orphanage and Home last year. Orr has started a community aid fund for Durwood Weston, one of their past masters and a recipient of the Montfort Medal, the highest award bestowed by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. His home was destroyed by fire during the Christmas holidays. He got the Montfort in 1987 for his efforts as a volunteer fireman and rescueman. He was severely injured when hit by a high tension wire while removing an accident victim from a vehicle. Ñ Light From the East. * * * * MAXTON Ñ Junior Heaton, Mike Waters, Ray Long, and Joe Manis won the Maxton Masonic Open Golf Tournament. Maxton 417 will donate proceeds from the tournament to the Home and Orphanage. Ñ H.T. Medlin, secretary, Maxton 417. * * * * BOONE Ñ Snow 363 increased their donations to Masonic charities by 60% last year, giving $8,000 to the Home and Orphanage in 1992. New Snow Master Troy Perry is off to a running start with one initiation and three raisings in January. Ñ Tom Templeton, secretary, Snow 363. * * * * CHERRYVILLE Ñ In December, Cherryville 505 sent $1,000 each to the Orphanage, the Home, and Cherryville Area Ministries. Ñ Newsletter. * * * * CHINA GROVE Ñ Eureka 283 is holding a class in third degree proficiency. Willie Beaver and Bill Simms will be on hand to help all those who want to finish out their catechisms. EurekaÕs lodge mortgage fund is $4,000 richer thanks to the monthly breakfasts sponsored by the Eureka Chapter of Eastern Star. Ñ Eureka Trestleboard. * * * * SPRUCE PINE Ñ Of the eight new Masons raised by Vesper 554 in 1992, four were helping confer the Entered Apprentice Degree within six weeks. They published a lodge history as part of their 85th anniversary celebration. Ñ Vesper 554. EAVESDROPPER IN EDENTON Edenton Ñ Unanimity 7 Master Wayne Rice should have expected something when they scheduled their annual Charter Night dinner for Friday the thirteenth of November. It wasnÕt enough for him to worry about the history of the lodge he was to give as a speech to the group that evening. That morning at 5:30 (not so bright, but very early) Wayne got a call from the fire department. One of the lodgeÕs heat/smoke detectors was sending out its alert. Wayne headed to the lodge. The alarm was found to be malfunctioning and shut off. Inspection later in the day found the culprit. A small spider had set up housekeeping on the photocell of the detector. The new tenant was ejected from the lodge and his apartment replaced. We havenÕt heard if the tylerÕs sword was needed in removing the eavesdropper. Ñ The Trestle Board. AROUND THE WORLD SOUTH CAROLINA Ñ The Grand Lodge of South Carolina sponsors an Annual Workshop Meeting for Worshipful Masters. The day-long session is held in one location and on one date only. There they are helped with planning and improving their year in the east. ThereÕs an added incentive for South Carolina lodges to have their Annual Returns Òin and correctÓ by the February 1 deadline. Late reports are charged a ten percent penalty. An additional ten percent is added for every 15 days overdue. The penalty here is $1 per day after the first of March. Ñ Masonic Light. * * * * LOUISIANA Ñ As you would guess from their name, the Louisiana Red River Roadrunners Degree Team doesnÕt believe in driving the same roads every time they do their ritual work. By fall of last year they had already visited Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Trips to Texas and Kansas were pending. Ñ The Louisiana Freemason. * * * * NEW MEXICO Ñ The Grand Lodge of New Mexico was to hold its 116th Annual Communication in January. Concern over declining attendance has caused them to consider lowering the required number of Master Masons present to conduct lodge business. One proposal would lower that number from seven to five members and two visitors. An alternate would allow meetings with just three members present. Ciphers or encoded rituals are not currently available to individual Masons in that state. A resolution would allow the Grand Lodge to distribute ciphers to any Master Mason in good standing or to candidates for any degree they have attained. Expense for the key would be borne by the individual requesting it. Use in open lodge or during examination of a candidate would be forbidden. Ñ The New Mexico Freemason. * * * * IOWA Ñ Edwin D. Blinks, grand master of Masons in Iowa, has adopted the theme ÒCharting a CourseÓ for his term. Blinks wrote, ÒAs the 21st century rapidly approaches, the Masonic Fraternity also needs to chart a course for the future,Ó if it expects to remain relevant. Last year we mentioned that the Knights Templar of Iowa had offered to match funds raised by lodges in that state and earmarked for the Iowa Masonic Scholarship Endowment fund. They had put a $20,000 cap on that matching, but made it nearly $28,000 when lodges chipped in over $34,000. Other projects brought the total amount put into the endowment to $91,000. Ñ Grand Lodge Bulletin. * * * * MISSOURI Ñ At their 171st Annual Communication, the Grand Lodge of Missouri adopted several proposals. A lodge may no longer be opened during Grand Lodge Annual Communication except to perform a funeral service. Another said Òthat a candidate may not receive more than one degree at the same communication and that he could not advance until he has shown suitable proficiency in the preceding degree.Ó The Freemasons of Missouri are entering their third year of cooperation with the Missouri School Counselor Association in the Missouri Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Substance Abuse. They implement student assistance teams which design and coordinate programs for students at risk. Ñ The Missouri Freemason. * * * * SOUTH DAKOTA Ñ Computerization has hit the Grand Lodge of South Dakota. They are converting the records of all current members as well as the Grand Lodge financial records. Ñ South Dakota Masonic Messenger. * * * * RHODE ISLAND Ñ During their past fiscal year, the Scholarship Committee of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island granted more than $88,000 to 151 applicants for college scholarships. Ñ Rhode Island Freemason. * * * * MICHIGAN Ñ The Detroit Masonic Temple was inconvenienced a bit during late Õ92 and early Õ93. It was to be the site of the Detroit production of The Phantom of the Opera. The crew of 170 performers, technicians, and musicians plus one elephant will make themselves at home in the temple for the performances. The auditorium has been modified for the play to include a 1,200 pound ÒfallingÓ chandelier and 184 trap doors. Ñ The Masonic World. * * * * OREGON Ñ The Grand Lodge of Oregon has held an annual retreat for senior wardens for some time now. In March they will hold their first edition for junior wardens. The retreat is an Òintensive session of leadership training.Ó Ñ Oregon Masonic News. * * * * WASHINGTON Ñ The Masons, lodges, and appendant bodies of the state of Washington contributed, through the Masonic Service Association, nearly $53,000 to the relief of those who suffered at the hands of hurricanes Andrew and Iniki. A seminar for blue lodge wardens has been instituted by the Grand Lodge of Washington. The emphasis will be on developing skills important to a successful year in the east. A working relationship among all masters around the state is another goal. To further add to the future cooperative relationship, the grand line officers who will serve as grand master during each wardens term as master are participating in the program. Family attendance is encouraged. Child care will be furnished. Some sessions will include wives. Regional Workshops for all members will include discussions on communication, protocol and courtesy, floor work and standard work, and solicitation and visitation. Ñ Washington Masonic Tribune. * * * * MINNESOTA Ñ Minnesota Grand Lodge officers are being allowed to conduct cornerstone ceremonies on Sunday now. Although final approval of the measure is not official until a second vote at Annual Communication in March, the Grand Lodge has been allowing the sessions in hopes of preventing further misunderstandings with community churches who often request such dedications. Corinthian Lodge in Farmington recently offered a rough and unused basement to local Boy Scouts as a meeting hall. Everybody profited. The kids got a reliable home, and the Masons got a jazzed up basement when the boys cleaned and painted. RayÕs Sign is finally in place on the tower of the Grand Lodge of MinnesotaÕs office. ItÕs a 15-foot high version of their symbolÑa Square and Compasses with G on a stylized map of the state. The $12,000 emblem became known as ÒRayÕs SignÓ when Grand Secretary Ray Schlemmer instigated and spear-headed a drive to get their symbol before the eye of the public. Ñ The Minnesota Mason. * * * * INDIANA Ñ Although Masonic license plates were originally intended to raise visibility in the state, the Grand Lodge of Indiana was surprised to find them a significant income producer. They made $35,000 from the tags in 1992. It was part of their 175th anniversary celebration. They will place a Masonic float in the Indianapolis 500 parade in May. A Masonic relief vehicle is also planned to assist those around their state recovering from disasters. Ñ The Indiana Freemason. * * * * WISCONSIN Ñ Grand Master James A. Zimmerman declared the last week in February Square and Compasses Week in Wisconsin. Blue lodges were asked to sponsor open houses. They were furnished proclamations to be signed by local officials and materials to publicize the event in their community. Ñ The Wisconsin Masonic Journal. * * * * KENTUCKY Ñ Masonic license tags are now available to Masons in Kentucky. They will cost $25 for a five year period. This is in addition to the regular tag fees. A current dues card is necessary to get one of the plates. Ñ Masonic Home Journal. * * * * KANSAS Ñ A Master Builder Award has been instituted by the Grand Lodge of Kansas. Bronze, silver, and gold medallions will be presented to those who sponsor new master Masons. They will be given for five, ten, and 25 sponsorships respectively. Division III of the Kansas Lodge of Research has built a flat bed trailer to be used for a parade float in their area. Ñ The Kansas Mason. * * * * DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Ñ In 1992 an International Committee was created by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. Their goal was to contact the foreign groups visiting or living in the nationÕs capital. They also contacted a number of foreign grand lodges to promote the formation of foreign-language lodges in their jurisdiction. One result has been ÒLa FranceÓ Lodge which is currently operating under dispensation. Their ritual will be that of the District of Columbia, but all work will be performed in French. Ñ The Voice of Freemasonry. * * * * OKLAHOMA Ñ Several regulations of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma were changed at their last annual communication. The Grand Lodge Annual Communication was changed from a Monday/Tuesday affair to a Friday/Saturday event. Blue lodges will now be allowed to rent their facilities to non-Masonic groups for uses which bring Òno discreditÓ to the Fraternity. Lodges may now be opened by five Master Masons, four if their membership is less than 50. Lodges will be prohibited from entering fund raising agreements without permission of the grand master. Guymon 335 recently held a Past Masters Lodge with the PMs occupying the principal chairs. WhatÕs the big deal? All of them were over eighty years old. Ñ The Oklahoma Mason. * * * * ARIZONA Ñ The Youth Committee of the Grand Lodge of Arizona recently published a guide to scholarships and grants available through Masonic organizations. A Tax Committee has been formed for the purpose of assisting Arizona blue lodges with property tax problems. They help with valuation changes and supporting non-profit status for lodges to reduce property taxes. Twenty-five lodges in the Salt River Valley of Arizona have banded together to maintain a telephone information line. Callers may learn of Masonic events coming up in the area. Newsletters are used to supply the information. Junior wardens call weekly to make sure information is correct. Grand Master Oscar Lyon, Jr. has offered more specific explanation of the Grand LodgeÕs recently passed selective invitation resolution. The invitation must be a Òneutrally wordedÓ explanation of the Òprocedure of obtaining membershipÓ in Masonry. One reminder is allowed after the initial approach. Ñ Arizona Masonry. * * * * NORTH DAKOTA Ñ Grand Master Jim L. Savaloja has established an 800 number for the Masons of North Dakota to contact him. Harmony 53 in Lidgerwood recently stepped more openly into their community. Their building will house a public museum sponsored by a county historical group. Ñ The North Dakota Mason. * * * * PENNSYLVANIA Ñ The Pennsylvania Youth Foundation has published the fifth edition of the Masonic Scholarship Resource Guide. It includes a summary of more than 40 scholarship and grant programs offered by Masonic and related bodies. More than 4,000 copies were distributed through state Masonic organizations. Over 500 were sent out to guidance counselors in all high schools in Pennsylvania. Ñ The Pennsylvania Freemason. * * * * TEXAS Ñ A new Clinic/Nursing Center will been opened this year at the Home for Aged Masons in Arlington. The 54,000 square-foot facility will house 30 private and 30 semi-private rooms, each with its own bath. A chapel, beauty and barber shops, activity area, physical therapy room, country store, and landscaped courtyard are included. Ñ Kirby Rudisill, superintendent. FROM GRAND MASTER RAY NORRIS The Masonic youth organizations of this Grand Jurisdiction have experienced a good year and are well prepared for the challenges of 1993. The International Order of DeMolay, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and Job's Daughters have met many challenges. New challenges were recognized and many goals were accomplished. We applaud the successes of our young people. We thank them for the many efforts and contributions they have made to their respective organizations. Their leadership has been wonderful. It was indeed an honor and privilege to be in Fayetteville with our future leaders at the Grand MasterÕs Class, Order of DeMolay, January 8 and 9. The conduct and professionalism of these young men were excellent. It was a joy and a very rewarding experience to witness their outstanding leadership qualities during the business sessions. Their ritualistic work during the conferral of the Initiatory and DeMolay Degrees on a class of 21 young potential leaders was super. They are sincere and dedicated young men, keeping alive the high ideals of truth, liberty, democracy, and service that are central to Freemasonry. We were impressed. The formal banquet on Saturday evening was exciting and very impressive with over 200 youth and adults in attendance. It was heartwarming to see our young people from many geographical locations within the state come together and enjoy a fun-filled weekend. Several awards and honors were presented to young men, women, and chapters for their many outstanding accomplishments during 1992. Under the leadership of State Master Councilor Colin Vance of Burlington, the North Carolina State Association of the Order of DeMolay is off and running. A new chapter is being organized in Fayetteville. With the help of the present chapter in Fayetteville and the many Master Masons' who support them, the new charter, no doubt, will be forthcoming. This is the first new chapter in North Carolina for the year 1993. With the 1993 goals of Brother Colin, his state officers, and the team work of DeMolay and Advisors statewide, additional chapters will be established this year. Many inquiries have been made from Masonic districts around this Grand Jurisdiction. We expect the lodges and other Masonic bodies to support our young people and bring about a growth never before experienced in North Carolina. The Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Youth Organizations is at work. They will be most pleased to assist in any way possible to promote and establish new chapters throughout the state. Brother E. John Elmore, executive officer, The International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay is dedicated to the great cause of the Order. He would be most pleased to hear from supportive and interested Master Masons. You may reach him at P. 0. Box 964, Burlington, North Carolina, 27215, phone (919) 227-4034. His expertise will be very helpful in establishing a new DeMolay chapter. There are many challenges present this day for the membership of our great fraternity of Freemasonry. Among them is the active support of our youth organizations. They have and are asking for the help and assistance of every Master Mason. Our contribution to our young people and their fraternities will be very rewarding to Freemasonry in the future. These young men are potential Master Masons as well as the future leaders of Freemasonry and our country. Ñ by Ray Norris, Grand Master of NCGL of AF&AM Grand MasterÕs DeMolay Class Fayetteville Ñ The North Carolina DeMolay held its Annual Grand MasterÕs Class at the Masonic Center here the second weekend in January. Grand Master Ray Norris was the guest of honor as Lafayette DeMolay Chapter hosted. Twenty-four young men received the DeMolay degrees, and the state organization held its regular business meeting. Grand Master Norris was the featured speaker at the Saturday night banquet. Two hundred-forty attended that dinner and the dance which followed. International Master Councilor of DeMolay Tom Denslow of New Mexico was a special guest. DeMolay members from Greensboro, Burgaw, Zebulon, Raleigh, Jacksonville, Salisbury, Wilson, and Fayetteville attended. Colin Vance of Greensboro was elected state master councilor for 1993. Josh Dunbar of Cary is his deputy. Senior councilor is RaleighÕs Sam Barron while Will Deans of Cary is junior councilor. Robert Ransdell and Sandy Dunbar are the new state dad and mom. Raymond B. Morgan Chapter in Cary was named the chapter of the year. Frank Silber, Raleigh; and Jon Lehman, Cary, were presented distinguished service awards. Ñ E. John Elmore, DeMolay executive officer in North Carolina. CHRISTMAS IN SPARTA Sparta Ñ For ten years now, underprivileged children in Alleghany County have been invited to a Christmas party hosted by Sparta 423. Luckily, the bad weather didnÕt hurt attendance. The Eastern Star served turkey and trimmings to 100 folks in the basement of the lodge. After supper, the children gathered around the Christmas tree to get a special visit with Santa Claus. He gave each a bag of goodies. Every one of the 57 kids was then given a $20 gift certificate. For a third year, Chris Elliott, Sparta artist, donated a painting to sell with proceeds designated for the party. Area merchants donated food for the meal, as well as candy, fruit, and gum for the treat bags. Merry Christmas to you, fellas. Nice work. Ñ Lynn Worth, The Alleghany News. NORTH DAKOTA SETS NEW DISTRICT SYSTEM North Dakota Ñ Grand Master Jim Savaloja has instituted a new system of district officers for North Dakota. In the past they have had a system similar to ours here in North Carolina with a district deputy grand master and district deputy grand lecturer. This year officers will be elected at district meetings. The officers will be district deputy, senior warden, junior warden, and secretary. As one might expect, the district deputy is the man in charge. He chairs all district meetings, offers council to district lodges, and assures that district lodges are performing up to the expectations of the grand master. The senior warden coordinates with constituent wardens. He insures that each lodge provides a quarterly trestleboard. From these, he prepares a district trestleboard which will be posted in each lodge. He establishes dates for district meetings and informs the grand lodge and The North Dakota Mason of important doings. He further works on preparing blue lodge senior wardens for their year as master including their committee appointments, activities schedules, and visitations. The district junior warden serves as host at all district functions. He coordinates with constituent junior wardens an evaluation of lodge programs reporting the effectiveness of projects. A quarterly evaluation is passed on to grand lodge. The secretary keeps minutes of all district functions. He also serves as the intermediary between the grand secretary and local secretaries. Terms of office are one year. Districts are encouraged to select each officer from a different lodge. Ñ The North Dakota Mason. FROM THE MASONIC AND EASTERN STAR HOME Beginning January 1, 1993, the Home adopted a "smoke-free" policy in order to assure the health and safety of residents, employees, and visitors. Residents who smoke (very few) are allowed to smoke in their private rooms. All other areas inside the Home are off limits. * * * * On the day after Christmas, in the early morning hours, Mrs. Pearl Taylor Holloman, age 88 and a resident of the Home for nine years, drifted slowly from this life and crossed the stream to be with her Heavenly Father. A thoughtful, good, and kind lady in every respect has now left the scene. Pearl was recommended to the Home by Lydia Chapter 109, OES in Rocky Mount and while here she became the adopted resident of Ahoskie Chapter 291, OES. She is survived by a sister in South Carolina with whom she would visit twice a year during her early years at the Home. The funeral and interment were in Rocky Mount and a memorial service was held in the Home Chapel. "When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; Dressed in his righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand." Ñ Edward Mote * * * * In the early morning hours of Monday, January 4, Brother Bill Campbell, age 86 and a resident for 4 1/2 years, was translated from this imperfect home below to that all glorious perfect Home above. A devout Christian, a devoted husband, a loyal Freemason, and a true gentleman in every sense of the word has now been removed from our midst. Bill was a favorite of both the residents and employees. He was recommended to the Home by Renfro Lodge 691 in Mount Airy, and he became the adopted resident of Hyde Chapter 213 in Engelhard and Mount Airy Chapter 18, OES. The funeral and interment were in Mt. Airy, and a memorial service was held at the Home. Bill is survived by a daughter and son. "Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies; Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me'" Ñ Lyte * * * * Mrs. Allie Hawkins, age 97 and a resident of the Home for over 25 years, passed away in the Care Center on Thursday, January 14. Allie had been in the Home more years than anyone else at the time of death. Preceding her entrance into the Home on March 1, 1967, she was residing in Cary and was recommended by Edith Chapter 160, OES. She became the adopted resident of both Farmville Chapter 146, OES and Lorraine Chapter 169, OES located in Gastonia. Allie, who spent a fourth of her life at the Home, was loved and respected by all. A graveside service was held in Marian, South Carolina. A memorial service was held at the Home. "Face to face I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky; Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by'" * * * * Mr. James Edgar Christy of Trinity, NC entered the Home on January 20. Jim was recommended by Corinthian Lodge 542 and he is residing in the Bennette Building, Room 123. * * * * A new sewer line which serves the Care Center, Laundry, and Kitchen was installed in late January. A troublesome, periodic backup problem for the past 12 years has now been solved. In May of 1992 a new sewer line was laid for the old Latham Residential Building (1949). Service Rendered 1992 Enrollment Men Women Total Total Enrollment (1-1-92) 36 168 204 Admissions 7 15 22 Total Cared For 43 183 226 Deaths 6 19 25 Enrollment (12-31-92) 37 164 201 Days of Care Total Possible for Census (1-1-92) 13,176 61,488 74,664 Total Possible for Admissions 1,065 3,267 4,332 Total Possible 14,241 64,755 78,996 Total Days Not Used by Deceased 903 4,014 4,917 Total Days of Care 1992 13,338 60,741 74,079 Average Daily Enrollment 36 166 202 Waiting List Number of Applicants on Waiting List (1-1-92) 24 82 106 Number of Applications Approved 14 20 34 Total Number of Approved Applicants 38 102 140 Number of Admissions 7 15 22 Number Removed from Waiting List by Death or Choice 1 7 8 Number of Applicants on Waiting List (12-31-92) 30 80 ll0 Operating Expense (1992) Total Operating Expenses $3,620,590.00 Cost Per Resident Yearly 17,924.00 Cost Per Resident Monthly 1,494.00 Cost Per Resident Daily 48.97 Care Center Building Fund Accumulated Funds (1-1-92) $1,072,894.00 Contributions and Interest 144,106.00 Accumulated Funds (12-31-92) 1,217,000.00 Ñ by Tommy Jones, superintendent of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home. FROM OXFORD ORPHANAGE While visiting in various lodges across the state, several questions always arise about Oxford Orphanage. It is always a pleasure to inform our Masons on programs, projects, and activities that are provided for all the children who are entrusted to our care. If any of you, our brethren, have questions or need information about your Masonic home for children, you are encouraged to call or write the Orphanage. In this article, Brother Ric Carter, editor of our N.C. Mason, noted he would gladly publish information on how our Masons can admit children to Oxford Orphanage. The Orphanage presently has 145 children and we can assist approximately 50 more deserving children. As you read the policies and procedures for admission, please be sensitive to the needs of children in your area who could benefit from the quality care that is provided at your Oxford Orphanage. Many thanks for your continued prayers, support, and love. Ñ by David Grissom, superintendent of Oxford Orphanage Oxford Orphanage does not accept any child for admission until the following occurs: 1. An application has been submitted and processed. 2. The Director of Admissions of Oxford Orphanage has completed his investigation. 3.The lodge has approved and recommended admission of the child to Oxford Orphanage and no children are admitted on an emergency basis. Children between the ages of three and sixteen are considered for admission. Exceptions to the age limits will be considered when involving family groups. A Masonic relationship is NOT a prerequisite for admission. A child may be an orphan, have one or both parents, or the family unit may lack the financial resources to keep the family together, or the parent(s) or guardian(s) may not be able to provide for the emotional and psychological security that a particular child requires. 4. The Oxford Orphanage Admission Committee has approved the admission of said child to Oxford Orphanage. Processing Procedures For Applications 1. A definite need for placement must be determined. At least one member of the Lodge Oxford Orphanage Committee should personally determine that the child needs placement in an orphanage and in his opinion Oxford Orphanage is an appropriate place for the child. If it appears that the child does not need placement or is not suitable for placement at Oxford Orphanage, the family should be advised that they should seek other assistance. 2. If it appears that the child needs placement in an orphanage and that Oxford Orphanage would be an appropriate place, a formal application for admission, which can be secured from the Orphanage, must be completed and signed by the parent or legal guardian(s). This application shall contain "essential" family/school/medical information and release forms and agreements as noted in the application and must be signed and submitted with the application. A member of the Lodge Oxford Orphanage Committee should assist the family in completing the Application for Admission. 3. The application (with preliminary recommendation of Lodge Oxford Orphanage Committee completed) shall be forwarded to Oxford Orphanage for processing. 4. Immediately upon receipt of the Application for Admission by Oxford Orphanage, the Oxford Orphanage Director of Admissions shall make a full social services investigation, including a personal visit with the child and family and other appropriate community sources such as school. A member of the Lodge Oxford Orphanage Committee or a lodge member (preferably one known to the family) should accompany the Director of Admissions on the home visit, if possible. This can be reassuring to the family and children and will also mean that the lodge will have "first-hand" knowledge of any special needs or problems. When possible, the Director of Admission will also visit the sponsoring lodge to respond to questions and offer any assistance regarding the application procedure. 5. The Report of Investigation shall be promptly reviewed and the needs of the child evaluated by the Oxford Orphanage Admissions Committee. (Superintendent, Dean of Students and Director of Admissions.) 6. The Oxford Orphanage Admissions Committee shall send a report and recommendation to the Lodge for action. If admission is not recommended, specific reasons for rejection should be given. 7. The Lodge should consider the application and vote to approve and recommend the admission of the child to the Orphanage. If the application is not approved, no further action is taken. 8. If the Lodge approves and recommends the admission of the child to the Orphanage, the approval and recommendation will be forwarded to Oxford Orphanage for final approval and processing by the Oxford Orphanage Admissions Committee. The admission of the child should proceed subject to the conditions set out in the "Agreement" included in the Application for Admission. Admission is on a space available basis. General Comments 9. After a child is admitted to Oxford Orphanage, the Administration shall endeavor to keep the Lodge "informed" by periodic reports of the progress and needs, if any, of the child. 10. The Lodge should remember that in addition to the financial support they provide to all of our children by their gifts, they should be prepared to "support" any child they recommend for admission to the Orphanage with: (a) occasional letters or cards, i.e., birthday, etc. (b) appropriate gifts, i.e., birthday, Christmas, etc. (c) arrange for vacations if parent/guardian cannot afford or refuses to arrange. 11. Hopefully, the child, after admission to the Orphanage, will not be forgotten by the sponsoring lodge. The Oxford Orphanage Administration not only invites but encourages the lodge members and friends to visit the Orphanage as frequently as they can and provide support and encouragement to all of our children and specifically to those they have sponsored. Phone 919-693-5111. SAM ERVIN, JR. PORTRAIT DEDICATED IN NATIONÕS CAPITAL District of Columbia Ñ In December, a portrait of the late North Carolina Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr., was hung in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Hall of Honor in the nationÕs capital. The ceremony was attended by a delegation of over 50 Masons and their family members who drove to Washington for the ceremony. They were welcomed to the House of the Temple of the Scottish Rite by Admiral W. Gene Sizemore (USN. Ret.), grand executive director of The Supreme Council, 33¡. The House of the Temple is just a few blocks from the White House. General H. Lloyd Wilkerson (US Marines, Ret.), head of the Scottish Rite in North, Carolina, spoke of Senator Ervin's many accomplishments as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, representative to Congress, and long-time senator, 1954-74. In particular, Senator Ervin gained national fame by presiding over the Watergate hearings. Dr. David Kruger, head of Scottish Rite Masons in Virginia, noted Senator Ervin's Masonic accomplishments. A member of Catawba Lodge No. 249, Newton, North Carolina, and the Scottish Rite of Charlotte, Senator Ervin merited some of Masonry's highest honors, including the Thirty-third Degree and Grand Cross of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Following the unveiling of Senator Ervin's original oil portrait, those present toured the historic House of the Temple. On the following morning they visited the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in nearby Alexandria, Virginia. The Hall of Honor portrait was donated to the Scottish Rite by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina; the Scottish and York Rites of North Carolina; and Oasis, Sudan, and Amran Shrine Temples of North Carolina. EXTREMISM VS. FREEDOM EditorÕs note: As most of you know, there is much criticism of Freemasonry afoot today. A few religious fundamentalists, for purposes of their own or simple ignorance, are attempting to make Masonry appear anti-religious and anti-God. We know our fraternity to be a major bastion of religious freedom, something few of our critics approve of. We may have dropped the torch in letting that fact be known in our communities. The following appeared in the December, 1992 issue of The Short Talk Bulletin of the Masonic Service Association. We also urge you to find a copy of the February, 1993 issue of The Scottish Rite Journal. The entire issue is dedicated to the relationship of Freemasonry and religion. Freemasonry today again faces an age-old antagonist Ñ religious extremism. In the past, our Craft has always defended its basic commitment to freedom of conscience. Masonry's dedication is to each person's right to decide matters of faith for himself. Freemasonry leaves each person to embrace the creed of his choice and teaches toleration. All men of good character who believe in a Supreme Being are welcome in Freemasonry. There they are encouraged to live according to the tenets of their own faith. Our Masonic position is simple: all men and women have the right to be free. They have a right to think for themselves in all matters civil, political, and religious. Today, however, divisive sectarianism is gaining strength. Within some denominations extremists are demanding new rules which would force many Masons to choose between his church, synagogue, or other religious membership and his fraternal membership. The most recent instance is the creation by the June 1992 Southern Baptist Convention of a special "investigation" of Freemasonry by its Interfaith Witness Department. The one-year study is to determine if Freemasonry is compatible with the Christian faith. That, in itself, is not a concern. All thinking Masons know Freemasonry is compatible with all the great faiths of the world, including the Christian faith. We also know any objective, unbiased study on the subject will prove this to be true. Freemasonry's main concern is that, whatever the report to the Convention may be, it will be twisted to condemn Freemasonry. Headlines such as "America's Largest Protestant Denomination Expels Masons" can benefit no one. Also, local Baptist churches, if forced to oust Freemasons, will lose their traditional autonomy in addition to membership. Worse yet for our fraternity, we can expect several other mainline denominations to consider similar condemnations, however ludicrous, of Freemasonry. The result could be a devastating blow to Freemasonry. Minimally, it is estimated, we could lose 20% of our present members, not to mention the loss of prospective members. We should not forget that the anti-Masonic furor of the 1826-56 period resulted in Masonic lodges losing as many as 75% of their members. Clearly, all caring and thoughtful Masons today must take the threat of religious extremism seriously. We must get back to our Masonic roots and again become outspoken champions of toleration and religious freedom. We must let the world know that Masonry is not the enemy of any church, but its servant and ally. Religion and Freemasonry; both feed the spirit in different ways. We must be absolutely certain our own membership is well informed. There is a real danger that some of our brethren who are subjected to anti-Masonic influences or personally harassed by anti-Masons in their own church will feel torn between two seemingly absolute alternatives and, consequently, anguished enough to consider demitting as an escape from the dilemma. To maintain a strong and committed membership, Masonic leadership in all branches of the family of Freemasonry should help create an awareness campaign about Freemasonry and religious extremism, including the present situation in the Southern Baptist Convention. So what can be done? Where to start? How to make a difference? Consider the following suggestions: 1. Awareness seminars could be conducted at the Grand Lodge, Masonic District, and Valley levels. Invite all, Masons and non-Masons alike. Have a knowledgeable speaker or panel to provide information on religious extremism and to offer answers to the commonly raised anti-Masonic claims. 2. Distribute relevant brochures to all Masons. Suggestions are "Conscience and the Craft" (Guthrie Valley, PO Box 70, Guthrie, OK 73044); "Freemasonry and Religion," and the February 1993 issue of The Scottish Rite Journal (The Supreme Council, 33¡, 1733 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009); or other resource materials available from the Masonic Service Association (8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910). 3. Hold open houses at local Masonic Lodges and affiliated bodies. Invite pastors, ministers, rabbis, and priests. Have a qualified Mason present to respond to questions. 4. Arrange meetings with the parents and members of DeMolay, Rainbow Girls, and Job's Daughters. Young people are among the most vulnerable targets for anti-Masonic propaganda. 5. Local Masonic organizations should make every effort to increase their visibility and to make the general public aware of the good work done by Freemasonry's many philanthropies. 6. To the extent possible, each Grand Lodge should appoint a spokesman to respond to all media and public inquiries and, whenever possible, to appear on radio talk shows and other public occasions to explain the Fraternity's position on the issues raised by any anti-Masonic group. 7. Every Mason should write a simple statement that he has never found any conflict between Freemasonry and his faith. Letters should be mailed to the leaders of his own church or, given the present instance of the Southern Baptist Convention's "investigation" of Freemasonry, to the following: Dr. Ed Young, President Southern Baptist Convention 6400 Woodway Houston, TX 770S7 Dr. Morris Chapman, Exec. Sec./Treas. Executive Committee 901 Commerce St., Suite 750 Nashville, TN 37203 Dr. Mark Coppenger SBC, Public Relations Office 901 Commerce St., Suite 750 Nashville, TN 37203 8. Every Mason who has both his faith and his Masonry in his heart, and who is confident that both bring substance to his spiritual nature in a noncompeting way, should strive to become a representative to the governing body, local and/or national, of his denomination. Baptist Masons concerned about the Southern Baptist Convention, for instance, should consult their conscience and, possibly, become messenger/delegates to their church's meeting in Houston, Texas, at the Astrodome, June 14-17, 1993. Unless Masons make a concerted effort to be represented in their denominations, certain fundamentalists will continue to attempt to dominate church decisions and work toward such extremism as condemnation of Freemasonry. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Take practical steps, as outlined above, to bring Freemasonry to the forefront in a positive way. Most of all, become even more active in your denomination and stand tall for Freemasonry! In the charge given to a newly raised Mason, he is told to be faithful and active in his church, synagogue, or other place of worship, and that he should always practice good citizenship. God, country, and honor should always be our cornerstones. Our Masonic forefathers struggled to establish the great American principle of religious toleration. Now all Freemasons are called upon to live actively and publicly for this same great tradition. Ñ by James Bernard Wilkinson, 33¡. He is Senior Judge in Virginia's Thirteenth Judicial Circuit and a member of Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. He has taught Sunday School for forty years and served as Clerk of his former church for thirty consecutive years. Wilkinson is a member of the Lodge of Strict Observance No. 207, Richmond, VA, and in 1992 was the Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. He serves the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry as Orient Personal Representative in Virginia and as Secretary of the Childhood Language Center in Richmond. The Masonic Service Association has been asked to serve as a clearing house for information concerning how we can respond to these attacks, and they will be attempting to gain information from all of the Grand Lodges, as well as other Masonic sources, as to what actions might be taken. If you have any questions or comments on this subject, please don't hesitate to let them know. The address where you may reach them is: 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785. Further information on this effort may be found in ÒThe Better Read MasonÓ elsewhere in this issue of The NC Mason.