'In regard to the condition of Masonry in our state, I think it can be said that the dawn of a new era is approaching. It is true that the decrease in membership for some time past has been greater apparently than it ought to have been. Knowing as we do that heretofore Masonry has been too easy of access, that numbers and not members have been sought, that quantity instead of quality has been desired, that Masonry has been too cheap and common, that "cash" instead of character was the necessary qualification, I view the present condition as one over which we should congratulate one another, and rejoice that our night in Masonry is past, that the day is coming in which the valuable prize of Masonry is to be obtained only by those whose real, true, moral, and social worth entitle them to its degrees. Lodges should make haste, slowly, in the acquisition of initiates.'
Report delivered to the members of Clearspring Lodge 323 in Clearspring, Indiana by Brother McHenry Owen, who attended the summer communication of Grand Lodge of Indiana as the Worshipful Master's proxy,.
By the way, this was May 28th, 1878 — one hundred forty and a half years ago.
(Clearspring Lodge 323 merged with Washington Lodge 13 in Brownstown in 1972.)
Unresolved is the split between the large percentage of members who see the fraternity as a social group and a small minority who see it as a philosophical and intellectual society as it is in some other countries. The loss of several million members is a symptom of decline which has accelerated in its effects. in 2020 more lodges will shutter their doors and more buildings will be lost. The leadership is unimaginative and unresponsive. A candle in the darkness is the purchase by the grand lodge in New York of a college campus.
ReplyDeleteThe GL of NY hasnt bought any campus. It was a fund. There is a diffrence.
DeleteCo-Masonry has an out reach program called the "Masonic Philosophical Society" which may be gaining momentum in certain areas.
ReplyDeleteWhat Bro. Paul seems to be implying is correct, regular Masonic leaders must do more to make Freemasonry relevant in 2020 and beyond. Their successors should NOT be carbon copies of themselves and they should consider the healthy welfare of the Craft and its membership to be far greater in importance than satisfying their own personal egos.