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From Murphy to Manteo: |
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Is our conscience a treasure?
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Brother and long-time NC Governor Jim Martin said this:
“This issue has been before this Grand Lodge since 1947! With an improvement in race relations and understanding, there has been a growing readiness in some southern states, including Virginia and North Carolina, to begin a more enlightened consideration of the universality of Freemasonry.
“As a large majority of our sister grand lodges in America have affirmed the legitimacy of Prince Hall Freemasonry, there can be no pretense of any Masonic principle that would deny granting the same recognition to Prince Hall Masons as we have granted to other grand jurisdictions.
“Even more compelling is the need to settle this issue in a way that will advance the future of Freemasonry. America today is a land of equality of opportunity. It is a bastion for religious and philosophical tolerance. Few of our young men hold to views on racial separation such as were more common only decades ago. There is still a propensity for ‘birds of a feather flock together,’ but there is very little acceptance today of rules or organizations that would compel segregation based on race. That is why today there are no statutory social distinctions in Masonry.”
The most elegant argument for equal, on-the-level relations among black and white Masons is our conscience. That word suggests a brilliant personal relationship between man and God. It also suggests a social conscience affecting every living being everywhere. Conscience is what has driven North Carolina AF&AM Masons to welcome individual black brothers into their lodges. Conscience is what has generated a crowded room of white and black Masons and families to stand and applaud as the first black man became Master of his formerly all-white lodge. Conscience is what has created a new concept in brotherhood in the form of Mosaic Lodge 408 where Masons of all racial origins celebrate a better life for all. Conscience is what drives NC Masons to meetings in other cities where integrated meetings are a long-established, productive practice.
Conscience is truly a treasure.
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Produced by the public relations committee of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Masons in North Carolina,
2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27628 MMVIII
Author/editor: Walter J. Klein wklein(at)carolina.rr.com
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