WHO WILL CLOSE THE DOOR ?

Bro. Robert James Law Borland, P.D.D.G.M. Inaugural Addrees (82-09-25)

"In the beginning, God said - 'FIAT LUX' - let there be light." And there was light. Light is the first requirement of all life as we know it, and so it is with our Masonic Order. We must have light in ever-increasing amounts. In order to proceed with our avowed goal, that of bringing more light to ourselves and the Craft around us, we must supply enough light for ourselves, and we must diffuse enough to assist others along their Masonic pathway.

This must be our goal and we must never lose sight of this fact. I am sure that it was with this fact in our minds, that we gathered in the Calgary Masonic Temple to formulate plans for starting this Lodge of Research as a 75th Anniversary project.

The project has flourished, and in September 1980, we were consecrated and constituted as FTAT LUX Lodge of Research No. 1980, GRA. Mindful of the framework upon which we built our plans, I now sit, asking myself, "What do I do as Worshipful Master of this young Lodge that will perform the necessary duties and still stay within the goals that we have sea for ourselves?" As I prepare for my year, I recall the instructions of the ritual and I am ready to start:

As the sun rises in the East to open and govern the day, so rises the Worshipful Master in the East, to open and govern his Lodge; to set the Craft to work and to give them proper instructions for their labours. The sun has risen and we have already started our diffusion of light to those around us in this Masonic jurisdiction of Alberta. Our membership grows (albeit slowly) and our ring of correspondents is now spreading around the world.

It cannot be doubted that our members show skill and knowledge in the research field, as even a cursory glance at our official publication, VOX LUCIS, will attest. The immediate challenge therefore, as the new Worshipful Master, is to continue the assistance that we have started to give to the Craft in Alberta and to offer advice and instruction on points of topical interest TO THEM.

We must be careful and try to reach each one of those Lodges and not only get, but keep up, their interest in what we have to say. We cannot afford to allow boredom or ennui to creep in and destroy the work that we have done to date. Not having had the benefit of formal training as a researcher, and not being willing to research historical propositions, I thought I would address myself to a topical "opinion paper" on a subject that has worried me for some time and, from the interviews that I carried out, one that worries a good many Masons in this Province.

It is a problem that is quite evident, to my mind, and may be noticeable too in other parts of the Masonic society. My approach to the subject was directed, in no small way, by Bro. Juthner, who, in his academic paper given to us in September of 1981 (VOX LUCIS, p.71 ff) pointed out the different forms that true research can be carried on and reported. In his paper it is said that a "survey study" and a "documentary analysis" are both proper research forms; I will use both of these forms, loosely today.

My hypothesis was suggested much more slowly, although there has been a seed germinating for some time. It was not until I was honoured to have my Bro. Laycraft ask me to have an early discussion of his most excellent paper on Masonic trials which he gave to this Lodge at our May 1982 meeting held in Jasper, Alberta (VOX LUCIS, p. 99 ff). My input to that discussion was based on my experiences as a member of many trial coirmissions in the past years.

Our discussions of that paper led us to deeper thoughts of those persons who had been tried and found guilty of Masonic offences, and from thence to a discussion of the entire entrance procedures. It was natural for me, therefore to ask the question, "How did these men, some guilty of the most heinous of crimes such as incest, child molestation, theft from brethren, etc., ever gain entry into a Craft that looks only for, and teaches members only Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth?" Did they "fall" after having gained entrance to the Craft, or were our entrance examinations and trial so cursory that anyone capable of such crimes could approach our preparation room without any fear?

It was my hope that the first proposition was the true and correct one, but there was a gnawing fear that the second one may be a bit closer to the truth. This led me to a study of some statistics and to a loose survey of a number of my contemporaries, none of whom were close associates, for I already was aware of their feelings in this matter.

I was struck by the thought that there may be a connection between the high growth rate in Masonic population in this Jurisdiction and the incidence of Masonic crimes that were being perpetrated. Conversely, was there evidence to show that a slow growth period meant a stiffening of entrance standards and a corresponding reduction in the number of crimes committed? This line of approach, made through a study of Grand Lodge proceedings, failed on two counts: a change in reporting statistics during the time period studied, and the availability of evidence.

There was no correlation between rise and fall in the population and the crime figures. But, there was enough evidence to give a strong indication that something is quite wrong at the present time. I found that, in the years prior to 1920, for 2983 candidates initiated there had been 729 applicants rejected for the degrees. That is approximately one in five who were not considered to be fit and proper persons to receive the lessons we teach, and who would not bring bonour to the Craft.

After World War I, between 1918 and 1925, there was an increase in population of 3800, and 412 rejections, or one in ten who were found to be unacceptable to join Freemasonry. The war years of the Second World War were also upheaval years for the Craft, but while there were severe ups and downs there was still an overall increase of 115, and there was a rejection total of 351, so it seems that a tight rein was still being held in who qualified for membership.

A look at the Alberta Jurisdiction in the past few years, however, is shocking: Proceedings: Populatiop-: Initiates: Rejections: 1975 16,421 371 5 1976 16,145 344 8 1977 15,931 406 6 1978 15,739 389 9 1979 15,556 415 8 1980 15,264 339 9 1981 15,040 381 8 1982 14,731 381 3 Years: Decrease: Mean; Mean: 8 1,690 378 7

Do these figures indicate that today's applicants are that much better than they were as late as 1945, or may I surmise that the screening process in the Craft in Alberta today is something less than adequate? There is a striking difference between the figures 1 in 5 or even 1 in 10, and that of 1 in 55 for the years 1975-1982. Also, as Bro. Laycraft pointed out, there has been a very definite upswing in the incidence of Masonic charges laid and the last few years.

In 1981 alone, there were three trials held one month. A rural Brother of my acquaintance once said to me, half jokingly, that, "Just going into a lodgeroom will no more make a man a Mason, than going into a stable will make him a horse." This bit of whimsical logic seems to me to strike at the heart of what I am saying, after looking at the figures just given.

I believe him, because we have to be sure that a man is what I call an it uncommitted Mason": uncommitted before he approaches us. He must come to us asking for more Light voluntarily. He must have all the attributes of a Mason before we ask him to join us in the Lodgeroom.

In working with the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Commission in one of their programs, I have heard many times that if you try to reform a "skid row" drunk by placing him in a clean, modern suburban surrounding, that he will quickly turn suburbia into skid row, but if you can take the "skid row" out of the man, he will quickly move to the suburbs, helping others along the way, for it is now HIS idea to move and the DESIRE is HIS OWN VOLUNTARY ACTION.

What I read into the statistics above is that we are altogether too free with our applications for membership, and that we are not screening applicants sufficiently. The result is that even though we have initiated 3,026 men in 8 years, our population has decreased by 1690 and our Masonic crime has increased manyfold. We are not to make good men, you have often heard it said, our task is to assist good men to become better men for having been exposed to our teachings.

"We must not seek; we must be sought. ours is a voluntary, not a volunteer organization" was the thrust of a message delivered by MW. Bro. Woods to a Lodge anniversary meeting in Calgary, and therein lies the whole problem as I read it in my figures. We must judge candidates only on what they can add to the Craft; if they cannot measure up, they must be rejected.

Ours is not-a prep school, it is a mutual college where each one helps another toward the goal of more Light. My study took two forms, because after I bad read the figures, I thought it best to go out into the field. I stayed away from my own Lodge (although there were a couple of good stories there, too) and I avoided close associates because I knew their stories well from just that association.

Instead, I interviewed 147 Brethren throughout the jurisdiction this last year and presented a loosely worded questionnaire, trying to find some answers. The survey was taken by roughly 1% of the Masonic population of Alberta, and reached a fairly good cross-section because it involved large and small Lodges; large city and smaller country Lodges; new candidates to senior citizens of the Craft. There was even a mixture of Canadian Rite and Ancient York Rite Brethren involved.

I went so far as to interview some men who, T knew, had been in the Craft but had left for one reason or another. I spoke to all of these Brethren in an off-the-record fashion, for I wanted to get completely honest answers, and I am sure that by doing so, I succeeded.

Of the 147 to whom I spoke, it was comfort to find that 97 (or 66%) admitted to having received no form of coercion or outside persuasion and their answers to the Worshipful Master upon entry were therefore correct and honest.

But what frightened me more than anything else was the fact that 50 (34%) admitted to having had some form of solicitation, ranging from a gentle "nudge" by a relative, usually a father, to one city Brother who told me quite candidly, "My sponsor came to me with an application and asked me to sign it because he thought that I should join some of my business colleagues in the Lodge."

This was most intriguing, so I pursued the matter further, and I found that this Brother, who has since moved to Calgary, never heard from a character committee prior to receiving the degrees (one of my own Lodge's P.M's told me that same thing), and no explanations or talks were forthcoming, before, during or after the degrees; only the memory work and that was done to a great degree by himself with the help of a photostat copy of the work portions.

Although he has now moved to Calgary, he has not been back to his, or any other Lodge, since receiving his third degree. This Brother is not alone as there were five others in the survey who admitted to me that they had had no visitation prior to getting their initiatory degrees. As I was saying, this revelation frightens me and I hope that it frightens you enough to start some preventative actions. J. R. Dasherwood of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 is quoted in a letter that is used in the Saskatchewan jurisdiction as follows:

All Freemasons are forbidden to canvass for recruits. All applications for admission to the Order must be entirely voluntary, and the initiation must come from the prospective candidate himself. In the study conducted, some of the questions put to all respondents, after re-assuring them of the reason for my quest, and guaranteeing them anonymity if requested, were: -

How old are you? - How long have you been in the Masonic Order? - Have you held offices in your Lodge? - Did you proceed through to be Worshipful Master? - What first attracted you to Freemasonry? - Was there any form of approach, or solicitation, made to you? - If so, what form did the solicitation take? -

What Masonic discussion did you have before being initiated? - What Masonic discussions did you have during or after the degrees were taken? - Was your sponsor instrumental in teaching and guiding you? These questions usually evoked a longer discussion and many times I had to say no more. It may be of interest to learn something about the background of those whom I have interviewed: -

Their average age was 53. - Their average Masonic years were 12. - 112 were holding or had held office, and of those 89 went on to be Worshipful Masters of their Lodges. - 11 had left the Craft voluntarily, and 6 had simply walked away and had allowed themselves to be suspended for non-payment of dues - 7 of those who left the Craft had done so because they saw nothing to their liking, no future, no stimulation in the meetings. - 4 left because of personality problems, or, as one put it, "for catching hell for not doing my floor-work correctly."

What I learned from these men, was not so much the fact that over one third of them had been coerced to join the Craft, but what this one third now thought of the "own free will and accord" landmark of the Order that we profess to observe and maintain. Almost to a man, I found, that to them a gentle "nudge" or push would be quite in order as a recruiting tool for someone "they thought should be in the Lodge."

It has even been suggested by one Master that there be a contest with a prize for the man bringing in the most candidates to his Lodge. Obviously, the letter which we in Alberta make available to Lodges, in order to help to qualify their applicants, means very little in their quest for candidates, and this letter must mean less to those who were recruited.

My interpretation of the survey study is that the percentage of Masons in Alberta who think that it is quite in order to go out and "shake the tree" is growing, and that these men now make up a number of the members who form character committees who sit in judgment on the qualifications of those new applicants asking for Craft membership.

With this thinking at the preparation room door, will not the floodgates open wide and make this Craft just another club to join, to try for a while, and if not to one's liking, just to walk away from? After talking to these men, it is my belief that we are well on the way. Just listen to them talk of membership drives, getting out some advertising material that will tell the world who and what we are!

To my view these are out and out recruiting tools, and will do away with any semblance of "FREE WILL AND ACCORD" in our applicants. BUT WHO WILL CLOSE THE DOOR? How can we stem the flood of people who obviously think that the voluntary approach to our membership is a thing of the past and who advocate the recruiting of candidates, and who are now sitting in judgment of new arrivals at the door? The answer is not as easy as the question.

From my 147 respondents the most common answer of the 46 that saw a problem ahead, was to the effect that the two important committees, the Character Committee and the Board of Installed Masters, must be operative, to see that no unqualified person slip past them. It was the concensus that if these two Committees were working properly that the big part of our problem would be reduced greatly, if not entirely.

There was the suggestion put forward many times that the Character Committee needs assistance in order to do their work better. Instead of each. going their indefinite way alone, there should be a standard form of questionnaire prepared that would ask the proper questions. It seems obvious that the letter which is presently made available to all Lodges in Alberta is not being used, or at least, not heeded by many of the Lodges.

For starters, it was suggested that the letters should be read by the sponsor and the applicant, signed and returned to the Lodge for filing in the candidate file. This would ensure that the letter had been read by both. (The "letter" referred to does not constitute an option, its use is mandatory; the Petition for Initiation form carries the note "This form is not to be given to an applicant until he has returned the letter duly signed." ED.COMM.)

Next, and this is my own opinion, the application should be re-structured to ask more searching questions, the answers to which would give the Committee a better grounding upon which to base their decision.

To paraphrase a saying of our Brethren of the legal profession, "I would rather see 50 good men turned down than to let one bad one slide in," and I say that because I think that a good man will continue his good ways without the benefit of our teachings, but a "bad" member will tear down everything that we have tried to build; we will all be judged by his actions and the Craft could be made to look ludicrous and shallow to the outside world - we would be destroyed.

Sponsors' names kept cropping up in my conversations. A great many felt that names were being supplied by some sponsors who did not really know the candidate they were sponsoring. It was suggested, and I think that it is an excellent suggestion, that the sponsors be required to write to the Committee as to why they are confident in their sponsorship.

Sponsors should be the ones to know the applicant best, and should be the ones to plead the applicant's case before the Committee. This method, as I see it, would greatly lift the burden from the Committees in smaller centres where a real test of faith is experienced when the candidate is well known by all. It was intersting to follow up on the suggestion regarding the Board of Installed Masters.

Almost to a man it was stated that Lodges were not receiving enough, and in some cases any, Light during their meetings. As my own opinion, for what it is worth, there is merit in the statement for I have been in Lodges where the Master had found it difficult to open and close his Lodge, and seemed indifferent to the rules laid down by our Constitution.

Some almost never perform any degree work, but farm it out to others. What kind of leadership and what "lessons of virtue" will proceed from this type of East? Not that ritualistic perfection is a must, but an indifferent attitude will result in the deterioration of the beauty of our lessons and these will be lost on the candidates, and all within their sphere will lose Light.

How any Committee elected by the Lodge Brethren to look after their interests and to see that the Lodge leadership is maintained at a high level, could attest to a false declaration of excellence, is beyond my ken. It is the crux of our whole problem, I suggest, that if a weak and uncaring Master is installed, the whole framework of Masonry is weakened and I am afraid that the whole structure will tumble about our ears.

It must not happen. We must not allow it to happen. Those who care about the Craft must raise their voices against what they see happening to the Craft in Alberta. They must let it be known that they: - Do not want to become just another club. - Do not want to be part of membership field-days or contests. - Do not want to be judged by outsiders on the behavior of a few who do not know the meaning of Freemasonry, and who knowingly break the laws of God, Man and Freemasonry.

But they certainly DO want: - To have the Mason put back into his rightful place in Masonry. - To be ruled by men who only have the Craft at heart. - To be taught by competent and knowledgeable teachers. - To be sure that the Master who is installed is able and properly qualified to lead a Lodge. -

To be sure that those in, and those coming in, are well screened to ensure that their aims and qualifications are of a high standard so that we can all enjoy a mutual learning experience. At the outset, I had hoped that a solution would present itself that would answer my original question of: "WHO WILL CLOSE THE DOOR?"

In this I have failed, but it is my hope that some of the fears that I have expressed, after having researched the statistics and interviewed the Brethren, will cause you alarm. I hope that, as Worshipful Master of this lodge, I have spread a bit of Light to this Jurisdiction on this topical subject, as I am charged to do.

I conclude by quoting our good friend and Brother, M.W. Bro. Dwight Smith, who ended his great lecture series, whither are we Traveling?, by saying: I come to the conclusion of this series of exploratory articles with my faith in the basic worth of our ancient Craft unshaken, convinced that the solution to Freemasonry's problems is Freemasonry.

Why do we not try it? APPENDIX "A" Below is a reduced size copy of the "letter" referred to in this paper. Grand Lodge of ALberta Address.................. ...................Alberta Date.................... Dear Mr. As you have expressed a desire to become a Freemason we presume you are willing to consider thoroughly the step you propose to take. The exact nature of the Masonic Order is unknown to you now and we deem it advisable, before you sign an application form, to inform you on certain features and phases of the institution.

Please read and consider this letter carefully, you will then have a better understanding of the duties of a member and what is required of him. Freemasonry has, in all ages, insisted that men should come to its doors of their own freewill and accord, as no one is authorized to solicit members. We expect those who apply to have a favourable opinion of the Order and not to be attracted by curiosity. The Masonic Fraternity is an organization founded on high ideals and sound moral principles.

The membership consists of men of good character drawn from many classes and creeds. Its teachings are based on a belief in God, the immortality of the soul and the brotherhood of man. An Atheist cannot be a member. We believe in God and welcome men of all creeds.

We endeavour to teach a man the duties he owes to God, his country, his family, his neighbor and to himself. Masonry does not interfere with religion or politics but strives after light and truth, endeavouring always to bring out the highest and noblest qualities of men.

We do not permit any political discussion in our Lodges but we demand of each member true obedience to the laws of the country in which he resides. Freemasonry is not a service club, nor is it a benefit society, valuable as these bodies are. We have no provision for sick pay or any other benefit. Our help is always extended to those who through unforseen circumstances and through no fault of their own, have met with misfortune.

There are three degrees in Craft Masonry. The first is the Entered Apprentice, the second the Fellowcraft and the third the Master Mason. Each degree requires a vow of secrecy which does not in any way conflict with your duty to God, to humanity or to the country in which you reside. Your admission to the Craft will entail certain financial obligations which you should be able to discharge without detriment to yourself or those dependent on you.

In addition to the fees payable on your entrance there will be annual dues for the support of the lodge. These amounts you can ascertain from the member to whom you have spoken. If you become a member and receive the three degrees, you will be expected to attend as many meetings of your lodge as you can. The petition form contains questions which must be answered truthfully.

When the lodge receives your completed petition a committee of members will make close enquiries about you. After receiving the committee's report the members will decide whether it is wise for you to join the Fraternity at this time and you will be advised of their decision. We trust that ycu will consider these statements in the same spirit of honesty and friendship in which they have been presented to you.