The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-05-30
HISTORY OF MASONRY IN NORTH CAR
0l!NA,
Paper Read Before the Henderson
Lodge April and. 1901, by r. S. Nc
Coin, Esq.

April :, l9ol, by X. ). McCoin, Esq.
secretary OF the Lodge, he having
been invited to deliver an address on
some phase of Masonry. The paper
was turned over to q committee with
request to have the whole or part OF
it published. The following extracts
are given:
Sometimes you may study the origin
OF an institution or society and see the
causes that led up to its organization.
and by these you may predict its useful
ness in the community or its effect upon
society.
This is not the case with Masonry be-
cause its origin is lost in the abyss of un-
explored antiquity. No historical records,
no Evolutionary accounts, can with GER
tainty point out the precise time, the
place, or the particular manner of it's
commencement.
Whatever may have been its origin
this we know, that as far back as the
written history of Christian civilization
is recorded, we find Masonry has had an
honorable existence and has made an
impress upon society at all ages. Today
Masonry rises clear and distinct above
all other fraternal organizations, just as
the Alps rise above the valleys and plains
of France, Italy and Germany.
Above where the scramble for gold is
mingled with the prayers for bread,
above these scenes of sunshine and glad
ness, Of sorrow and woe stands the tall
mountain commanding the whole coun-
try to look up to God, who is the source
of all light and knowledge. Just SO in
the moral world Masonry commands
men to look up and rise to a higher
plain, above petty differences of neigh
bors, above the politicians scramble for
office and power, above the churchman's
squabbles and pickering over church gov
eminent, or different modes of sacrament
tai rites
In worldly matters We may not think
alike, in matters concerning church or
State we may disagree, but within these
sacred walls we meet on common ground
taking no notice of each others wealth or
poverty, political views or religious con-
victiOns, but realizing as every true Mason
must, that it is the inner man and not
the out that Masonry seeks to help TO
enlighten and to elevate.
The definition of the word Mason is a
bull der. one who builds with stone, NOR
tar and brick Then brethren, according
to Webster, if you as individuals are Ma
y y
ing for yourselves and pcsterity, out Of
strong and durable material well
rounded, symmetrical character, whose
walls are strong and perpendicular; if
you are not so building you are mis-
nomers, and there is a stranger within
the gates.
st. Johns Lodge, Wilmington, n. e.,
was the first Lodge organized in the
State, as the Grand Lodge in 1871, after
full investigation of the claims of all
Lodges to priority st. Johns Lodge at
Wilmington was awarded No. l. While
L know of no earlier record than this
still Masonry undoubtedly existed in the
CarOlinas prior to this time because Gov.
Martin, who was an accurate historian
as well as a Jealous Mason, says: "Ma-
sorry crossed the Atlantic with the first
British cOlonist in America and the
Grand Master of England appointed pro-
visionai Grand Masters who constituted
regular Masonic Lodges in the new world,
but the Carolnas had no provisional
Grand Master until 1876 when the Earl
of London appointed John Hamerton to
that dignity; from this can be traced
regular succession to Joseph Monfort
who was in January, I'LL appointed and
commissioned Grand Master of Amer
lea
Here is the language of the commits
sion: ''To all and every OF our Right
Worshipful and Loving Brothering, we
Henry Somerset, Duke of Beauford,
Marquis and Earl Wooster and Grand
Master of the most ancient and honor
able society Of free and accepted Masons
Greeting
"Know Ye that we of the great trust
nd in,
WorshipfuI and well beloved Bro. Joseph
Monfort, Esq, of Halifax, in the province
of North Carolina in America, do hereby
constitute and appoint him the said
Joseph Monfort Provincial Grand Master
of America, with full power and author
ity in due form to make Masons and to
constitute and regulate Lodges as occa-
sion may require, and to do and to exc
cute all and every such acts and things
appertaining to the said office as usually
have been and ought to be done by a
Provincial Grand Master" This was
under the seal OF the Grand Lodge Of
England and bears the date of January,
1771.
Under this authority Joseph MonfOrt
established Lodges in the Province OF
North Carolina. Royal White Hart Lodge
at Halifax derived its authority from
this source. Thus we seein January I'LL,
North Carolina had theproud distinction
OF having the Provincial Grand Master
of America, there can be no doubt but
this was great incentive to Masonry in
this province and Joseph MOnfOrt by his
earnestnpss and long and tireless efforts
succeeded in awaking quite number OF
the then sleeping MasOns and created a
new interest in the noble work, Just as
our able and efficient Master has one
hundred and thirty years later awakened
the sleeping and has put new life in Hen
derson Lodge No. 229.
History tells US that in the memorable
struggle of 1776 Masons as individuals
occupied conspicuous places in that long
and bloody war, that Washington and
every officer in his army whose rank was
as high as Brigadier was q Mason.
Here again we find Masons building; this
time they are building q broad and
strong foundation upon which is to be
erected a great and mighty nation whose
flag shall never trail in the dust. as long
as it stands as an emblem OF self-gOvern-
ment and religious liberty.
After furnishing the chief promoters
and leaders Of great revolution and
after having wrung from the British
Crown our religious and political rights
there was other work that needed to be
done and so long as building is to be
done the true Mason stands ready to do
his part.
At the close OF the great Civil War al
most every home contained a widow and
some helpless orphans who were COM
PEELED to exc out miserable existence as
best they could The Masons began to
lay plans for their relief
In 1868, just three years after the close
OF the war. St Johns College property
in Oxford was sold under mortgage
and was purchased by the Grand Lodge
OF North Carolina for 81 900. 1t was the
intention OF the Grand Lodge at this