News from the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina

December 2011: Do You Believe in Santa Claus

"212 degrees of Fidelity, Today and Beyond"

I would like to ask each of you two questions:
1. Do you believe in Santa Claus?
2. Do your actions demonstrate your belief?

It is not easy to be a leader. When we serve you, we see the good and bad, but recently the bad has overshadowed the good because far too often when the Grand Lodge is called it is not in celebration, it is because of neglect, despair and apathy on behalf of our membership.

We are a band of brothers united by a lamb skin or white leather apron. Just because you join and travel in Appendant Bodies seeking further light your foundation must be in the blue lodge. Brethren your Grand Lodge needs your help!

Far too many masons have forgotten that there is a Santa Claus, and that our fraternity has helped Saint Nick since 1616. Christmas is more than one day a year, it is spirit, a state of mind, a willingness to put others first. Perhaps if we remember what Virginia learned one hundred and fourteen years ago, many would return to the teaching of masonry.

From the New York Sun News
Tuesday 21st, 1897

DEAR EDITOR:
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN (News Paper) it's so.'
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O'HANLON
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET

“VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little.

In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”

The time has come that each of us remembers the true spirit of Christmas. Let us unite as Santa Claus’s helpers to once again spread the good news, help others less fortunate, reach out to our brothers when they stumble, and spread the mortar of brotherly love, relief and truth.

So tonight brethren I would like to say, Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus and sometimes he dawns a Red Fez, or an Apron from the Chapter or Council. Sometimes he dawns a Red Cap or kirtle as a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor. Sometimes he is a shining Knight in his Commandery Uniform. Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus and in neighborhoods all around the world he puts on a lamb skin or white leather apron in the service of humanity.

So Virginia if in the pilgrimage of your future you find yourself once again surrounded in darkness by skepticism and you loss you way. Remember that there is a Santa Claus and our Father in heaven has told us that one day the storms will come, the rains will fall, but in the darkest hour of all Santa Claus and the true spirit of Christmas will always shine the brightest!

With this in mind I began to wonder what will happen in the coming days when that midnight journey takes place.

Will Santa Claus find you and me spreading relief, joy and cheer to our fellow man?

Let’s all dream about that night, and what it could and should be.

Saint Nicholas witnesses the gift of Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, plenty of work to be done
All huddled together in a one room home
The children united asleep in their bed
With visions of health playing around in their head
In an hospital filled with love and care
On this special day, a miracle was in the air

I had chosen the portal instead of the chimney
To begin this long nights journey
With a bag of presents, a wink and a flutter
Up the elevator I traveled, without a shutter
Every chair filled with sickness, sadness and despair
All the sudden, I saw him kneeling there
On bended knee, his eyes with compassion and care
He had reverently bowed; interrupt him, I do not dare!

Beside him a red hat, unlike my very own
This Fez of compassion, since 1922 had shown
In a room of children crippled and burned
He was there offering grace seeking nothing in return
I left that room my presence not needed
For a Shiner’s love had succeeded
In the stillness of the night, I wondered would joy ever return.
Look another, stooped over putting together a toy with look of concern
His eyes so focused intent on this deed
What kind of man was this, and what is his creed?

On his jacket a clue
I moved closer to view
A Double Headed Eagle
So Noble and so Regal
A Scottish Rite Mason was he
This man on bended knee

Yes I had heard of the Rite Care and their gift to so many T
his gift of speech would cost the parents, no not one penny!
There were others to see and the night almost gone
Soon darkness would flee and then comes the dawn
Passing by the lab I noticed a clinician
Focused on the task committed to the mission
I asked him what help he had, to fight the dreaded disease?
He smiled and said, “Santa, The Cryptic Masons charity holds the key!”
Once a year each home I do visit, leaving joy and cheer
But it is the masons who freely give, every day of the year!
I began to wonder how many children lay alone
On Christmas Eve in a bed not their own

Just then carolers began to sing
Proclaiming the birth of Jesus the King
Silent night, Holy night, Jingle bells with a bang
An apron, square and compass uniting this gang
Looking back I noticed a Fez, cap and aprons
These masons freely giving with no aspirations
It’s not the words they say that points to our Father
It’s the gift of Love, and Grace to all, each one his brother
Back to my Reindeer with my sleigh now in tow
My mission ahead, each child safely cared for below
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
Around the world we must go, let’s begin our flight!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Jay Adam Pearson
Grand Master

Just a glimpse of how South Carolina Masons are serving humanity (click photos for larger view)



	To All Free Masons where so ever dispersed over the face of the Globe, may you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year surrounded by family and friends in the grace of God!

October 2011: True Success

"212 degrees of Fidelity, Today and Beyond"

Each generation must face the stark reality that we are responsible for our actions and accountable for the message our lives are sending to our children, grandchildren, and youth. I see television ads and testimonials about quick fix surgeries, breast implants, liposuction, face lifts and tummy tucks, not to mention hair implants, hair growth and hair removal…yes America’s biggest loser is fast becoming our youth.

Today humanity has allowed itself to be trapped with indifference and we have forgotten each generation has the duty of raising our youth in the principles that founded our nation.

There are eight guiding principles transfixed into the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America.

We the People of the United States

In order to form a more perfect Union

Establish Justice

Insure Domestic Tranquility

Provide for the Common Defense

Promote the General Welfare

And Secure the Blessings of Liberty To ourselves and our Posterity

Do ordain and establish this Constitution For the United States of America

Consequently the Preamble defines America’s core principles to be imparted to each generation unimpaired. It reflects the ardent desire of our founding fathers to ensure government would be just. The preamble does not affirm the sovereign authority of the state or sovereignty of man. Rather that each generation must have their body of work secure the blessings of liberty to our posterity.

Have you shared with your children, grand children, nieces and nephews the following principles?

The Sovereign authority of God
The Absolute Truth
The Veracity of objective moral values
The Fixed standards
The Sanctity of human life

When our Founding fathers were looking for guiding principles to establish the constitution, they turned to our Great Light the Holy Bible, and the result was the birth of America. Before, during, and after the birth of America; humanity has experienced many trials and tribulations. I believe Noah Webster said it best when he declared, "the moral principles and precepts contained in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible”.

Therefore since the Holy Bible is the Great Light of masonry we should follow its direction and allow its truth to light our path. Consequently we should never try to be better than others. We should not seek to raise our selves up at the expense of another’s character, worth, or reputation. Our reputation is what we are perceived to be, our character is what we are when no one is looking.

There are those special bonds we form on earth with family and friends. What makes these bonds special is they know us for who we are, warts and all…and they still love and accept anyway. Yes sometimes there are in life bonds that can never be broken, the bonds of family, the bonds of friendship, the bonds of marriage, fraternal bonds, bonds formed from athletic competition, and the bonds of comrades in arms. Each of these bonds accepts and acknowledges us for who we are, no more, no less and affirms the fact we matter. This is another lesson we need to teach our youth!

While attending Eastern Wayne High School I formed many such bonds. In my junior year there were a few team members on our wrestling team who had set the goal of a perfect season, while some of us began working on another goal. The year was 1979 when my wrestling coach introduced a philosophy that would change my life. We were all asked to remain after practice to learn precepts that ensure “true success”. The concept was simple, it was called John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success.

Now as an avid UNC basketball fan I had heard of John Wooden the “Wizard of Westwood”. The first quote I learned that day from Coach Wooden was “a player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player”. John Wooden the long time basketball coach and teacher coined his personal definition for success. “True success is peace of mind attained only through self satisfaction and knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable”.

Coach Wooden was never satisfied with his initial definition. He constantly looked for improvement; therefore he determined it was insufficient. He sought after something more tangible – more visual manifestation. His journey would span 14 years identifying 25 behavioral traits he believed were essential to achieve his idea of success. The outcome culminated in a simple but profound diagram Wooden called "The Pyramid of Success", which he completed in 1948. Now six decades later these foundational behaviors have weathered the test of time.

The bedrock of a mason’s foundation is in our Great Light. Additionally the three precious jewels of a Fellow Craft encourage us to seek, preserve and teach divine truth. Brethren if your pilgrimage through life has been stagnate and unawares; then I challenge you to search for “true success”.

Beginning at the foundation John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success we perceive the foundation of:

Industriousness - anything worthwhile requires dedication and work.
Friendship - respect and camaraderie.
Loyalty - “To thine own self be true”. Do not betray yourself and those you lead.
Cooperation - If you wish to be heard listen.
Enthusiasm - is contagious, so is despair and negative rhetoric. If you are not enthused about where you are leave!
Self- control - You cannot lead or function effectively unless your emotions are under control.
Alertness - There is always something going on around your circle of acquaintance from which knowledge can be gained if you are alert.
Initiative - Have the courage to make decisions and take action. Often failure to act is the greatest failure.
Intentness - the ability to resist temptation and stay the course.
Condition - You must have mental and moral condition, without proper conditioning in all areas; you will fall short of your potential.
Skill - You must know what you are doing and be able to perform quickly and properly. Regardless of the specific skills required in your profession you must master each one.
Team Spirit - Eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of all. Praise that comes because of your contribution to the group is the kind of praise that should be desired.
Poise - remaining true to oneself, not getting rattled, thrown off, or unbalanced regardless of the circumstances or situation.
Confidence - Is earned only by a tenaciously pursuing and attaining those assets that allow you to reach your own level of competency. However confidence must be monitored to ensure it does not spoil or rot and turn into arrogance.
Competitive Greatness - “A real love for the hard battle, knowing it offers the opportunity to be at your best when your best is required.” Instilling a joy derived from the struggle itself, the journey, and the contest.

I believe applying the 15 precepts of John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success will help our lodges become effective pillars in our communities. Brethren the successes of your Lodge, District and our Grand Lodge have endured since October 1736. Our brethren who have gone before us knew and applied the eight guiding principles transfixed into the Preamble which had been imparted to them by our founding fathers. If our lodges are going to endure for future generations we must recommit, dedicate and teach true success.

Our founding fathers came to this wilderness in search of religious freedom, not agnostic despotism. The foundation of masonry was built upon the precepts contained in Holy Bible and many of Coach Wooden’s 15 character traits contained in his Pyramid of Success.

During the life of the children of Israel they faced a similar fate as we do today in America. They had reached a point where the current generation could no longer rely upon the previous generations commitments to ensure the blessings of liberty. Each one had to decide the path they would travel to the future. On bended knee they heard GOD provide the solution. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

I pray our Nation turns back to GOD. My hope is for a new since of patriotism to engulf our nation, and that our Fraternal Bonds are strengthened. It only takes one brother with an eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of all to begin a reformation. In my heart I know Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success can benefit each mason under the whole canopy of heaven.

Collectively with our Great Light True Success will be attained. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, my brothers…it is the only thing that ever has.

Your friend and brother from Inman

Jay Adam Pearson
Grand Master

August 2011: A Noble Calling

"212 degrees of Fidelity, Today and Beyond"

What is the noblest calling one can receive? I have thought a lot about this question since being installed as Grand Master, wow it’s been a whirl wind since April 29th! I want to thank each of you for your prayers, support and countless acts of kindness. I am truly humbled to be serving in this high office.

I have no doubt with the leadership of our 302 Worshipful Masters, and the support of our Appointed and Elected Grand Lodge Officers, together we will accomplish great strides helping our fellowman. It will take each of us working together, and a commitment to keep the communication lines open, thus ensuring we can listen to and talk with each other remaining united to make a difference.

As I have reflected on those in our communities who give of themselves daily I have pondered the question, what is the noblest calling one can receive? Perhaps it is the calling to be a teacher, serve in the military, public service as a school board member, fireman, policeman, or perhaps our first responders. Let us never forget the 911 responders! And let us not forget the calling to being a spouse, parent, or President of the United States.

I have always admired President Truman, particularly the way he handled adversity. During his first weeks as Vice President, Truman scarcely saw President Roosevelt, and received no briefing on the development of the atomic bomb or the unfolding difficulties with The Soviet Union. The winds of change would swiftly cause these and a host of other wartime tribulations to become Truman's duty to solve when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in office.

On April 12, 1945, Harry S. Truman became our 33rd President of the United States of America. Shorty after taking the oath of office for President, Truman said to reporters, "Boys, if you ever pray, pray for me now. I don't know if you fellas ever had a load of hay fall on you, but when they told me what happened yesterday, I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me."

Brother Truman’s noble calling began in 1884 when Harry S. Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri. Truman did not have a middle name. In southern states, including Missouri, parents typically used initials rather than a middle name. Truman said the initial was a compromise between the names of his grandfathers, Anderson Shippe Truman and Solomon Young. He grew up in Independence, and for 12 years prospered as a Missouri farmer through hard work and dedication. Truman would enter The Great War as a captain in the Field Artillery, and be deployed to France.

Over four years the Great War would leave in its wake a toll of death, carnage, and destruction such as the world had never seen. World War I would forever shape the 20th century and leave its mark upon Truman and those who served home and abroad. Returning from The Great War, he married Elizabeth Virginia Wallace, and opened a haberdashery (a men’s clothing store) in Kansas City. Active in the Democratic Party, in 1922 Truman was elected a judge of the Jackson County Court. Eventually in 1934 Truman would hear the calling to become a Senator. During World War II he headed the Senate war investigating committee, who was task with checking into waste and corruption. It has been estimated Truman saved our government an estimated cost of 15 billion dollars.
President Truman made some of the most decisive decisions in history. Soon after V-E Day, the war against Japan had reached its final stage. Allied Forces issued an urgent plea for Japan to surrender, which was promptly rejected by the Empire of Japan. President Truman, after consultations with his advisers, ordered atomic bombs dropped on cities devoted to Japan’s war effort. The two cities selected were Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japanese surrender quickly followed. In June 1945 President Truman witnessed the signing of the charter of the United Nations. Thus far, President Truman had followed his predecessor's policies, but he soon developed his own. He presented to Congress a 21-point program, proposing the expansion of Social Security, a full-employment program, a permanent Fair Employment Practices Act, and public housing and slum clearance. Truman wrote this program, "symbolizes for me my assumption of the office of President in my own right." It became known as the Fair Deal.

In 1947 President Truman would face re-election and he would have to campaign for the office of President. In foreign affairs Truman’s life experiences provided his most effective leadership for the American people. President Truman’s second term would be marked with many social and foreign affair challenges. In 1952 President Truman would decide not to accept the nomination of his party for President. Weary and worn from the conflicts of politics and burdens he had faced President Truman retired to Independence; and at age 88, he died December 26, 1972, “after a stubborn fight for life”. President Truman’s life or what I call his body of work was committed to do “that which is right”! His obituary read “He left a major mark as a world leader”.

Regardless of your station in life, are you committed to do that which is right? Often this will be a willingness to answer a call and accept a position of service. We each must be willing to churn or till new ground and break free from our comfort zone. Breakthroughs require commitment, engagement, and imagination. Leaders must embrace their calling like President Truman and commit themselves to have their body of work stand for that which is right! When faced with adversity look for new ideas, insights, and ways to solve the problems we are facing. I challenge each of you to commit yourselves to make your “body of work” stand for that which is right! Our communities, state, nation, and world are facing many challenges and difficulties. Our beloved fraternity has within its power to make a difference. This will only occur when the craft challenges itself to rediscover, the wonder, and curiosity of their youth. Are you willing to go beyond your self-imposed boundaries and help those in need?

One of the most memorable poems ever written is “In Flanders Fields”.

Several years ago I visited the World War I Museum in Kansas City. As you enter the museum you walk over a glass bridge and beneath it laid a field of poppies. Have you ever wondered why McCrae used poppies in his poem?

Wild poppies flower in abundance when other plants in their direct vicinity are dead. The poppies seeds can lie on the ground dormant for years and years, patiently waiting until there are no more competing flowers or shrubs in the vicinity. Additionally when someone firmly roots up tor tills the ground, these seeds will sprout.

“Flanders Fields” was literally born of fire and blood during the hottest phase of the second battle of Ypres. There was enough rooted and tilled up soil on the battlefield of the Western Front for the poppies to flourish.

Indeed trench warfare had left its toll upon Europe and literally churned up the soil. Therefore in May of 1915, McCrae sat down for 5 minutes rest and in anguish he wrote his poem.

Wild poppies burst forth from the ditches and graves on the battlefield; around him blood red poppies blossomed like no one had ever seen before.

As Grand Master I ask you to till new ground. Cultivate new Ideas. Reach beyond your comfort zone.

Take time for internal reflection, and evaluate your body of work. Remember breakthroughs require commitment, engagement and imagination.

Let the poppies remind you of the sacrifices our countrymen have made for our Great Nation! The time has come for this generation to have their body of work stand for that which is right!

Earlier I asked you, what is the noblest calling one can receive? I believe that the noblest calling you can receive it is to realize and achieve your potential!

Your friend and brother from Inman

Jay Adam Pearson
Grand Master

Celebrating 275 years of Freemasonry in South Carolina	275th Annual Communication

MWB Jay Adam Pearson, Grand Master	April 24 - 27, 2012 Charleston, SC