P. O. Box 26071

Charlotte, N.C. 28221

Celebrating Over 50 Years!

Stated Communication Second Tuesday Each Month

2012 Officers:

Derita 715 History Past Masters

Announcements:

When is a man a Mason? When he can look out over the rivers, the hills,

and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the

vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope, and courage. When he

knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as divine,

as diabolic, and as lonely as himself, and seeks to know, to forgive, and

to love his fellow man. When he knows how to sympathize with men in their

sorrows,yea, even in their sins - knowing that each man fights a hard fight

against many odds.

When he has learned how to make friends and to keep them, and above all how

to keep friends with himself. When he loves flowers, can hunt the birds without

a gun, and feels the thrill of an old forgotten joy when he hears the

augh of a little child. When he can be happy and high-minded amid the

meaner drudgeries of life. When star-crowned trees and the glint of sunlight

on flowing waters subdue him like the thought of one much loved and long dead.

When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain, and no hand seeks his aid

without response. When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay

hold of higher things, and to see majestic meanings in life, whatever the name

of that faith may be. When he can look into a wayside puddle and see something

besides mud, and into the face of the most forlorn mortal and see something

beyond sin.

When he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope. When he has kept faith with

himself, with his fellow man, with his God; in his hand a sword to battle evil,

in his heart a bit of a song - glad to live, but not afraid to die!

In such a man, whether he be rich or poor, scholarly or unlearned, famous or

obscure, Masonry has wrought her sweet message! Such a man has found the only

real secret of Masonry, and the one which it is trying to give to all the world.

(Joseph Fort Newton)