I found a copy of the original by-laws of the Balfour Lodge as approved by the Grand
Lodge on November 25, 1856. I thought you might have some interest in a few items.

Section 1: The regular communication of this lodge shall be on the first Tuesday of
each month, and the festival of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist at one
hour after the sunset.

Section 4: No brother shall be eligible to any office or entitled to any vote in any
election who labors under any Masonic Charge or who shall be in arrears to the
amount of $2.

Article IV, Section 4: The Tyler shall be at every meeting of the lodge, attend every call
of the Master, and under his direction give due notice of all called meetings within the
town; he shall have general charge of the lodge room and see that the same is in proper
order.

Article V, Sec 1: Each candidate for initiation shall pay a fee of ten dollars to the lodge
and one dollar to the Tyler. And for each subsequent degree shall pay a fee of five
dollars to the lodge and fifty cents to the Tyler, which fees must be paid before the
degrees are conferred. Provided, that ministers of the gospel, in good and regular
standing, may by unanimous consent be admitted without fee.

Section 2: Every mason before being admitted to membership shall pay a fee of two
dollars to the lodge and fifty cents to the Tyler.

Section 4: Every member of the lodge except the Secretary and the Tyler, shall pay
into the treasury thereof two dollars per annum in quarterly payments.

I became a mason in 1948.

Balfour lodge grew consistently from 26 members in 1857 until 1952 when at 240
members we reached a high water mark. Remember, this was the year of the opining
the new temple at 632 Sunset Ave.

Asheboro Lodge #699 is the newest lodge in our area. It was chartered on April 21,
1954. One of our Past Masters from 1961 was their first Master. They began meeting
in the Balfour temple and had 37 charter members. Twenty-five of their charter
members came from Balfour Lodge. Of these, five were Past Masters of Balfour
Lodge #188 at one time.

Asheboro #699 has done quite well from the beginning and is still doing quite well. In
recent years they have been resourceful and helpful to us with degree work and
ceremonies. I thank God for them and hope this real brotherhood between the lodges
continues for many years to come. It is so much easier to display unity to all who see
us from the outside when all the lodges work together and help each other. I know
because I became Acting Master in 1960 when David Williams was moved because of
a job change. I have always been thankful for the people who helped me to get that
year behind me. It was also a little better when I was elected for my own year in 1961.

I do not want to be disrespectful of any Mason or Lodge but I think we now have the
most beautiful and predominating lodge in the district. I hope we can use it for the
benefit of the fraternity and to the glory of God.
Balfour Lodge History
Balfour Lodge #188 AF & AM
Chartered December 2, 1856 - Grand Lodge of North Carolina
Balfour Masonic Temple
632 Sunset Ave.
Asheboro, NC  27203
(336) 625-5363
info@balfourlodge.com
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Balfour Masonic
Lodge #188.