All design and Graphic Work
Copyright:©Mastermason.com 1998
Web Design by:
Carl A. Davenport
Music:
The Thrill Is Gone
by B.B.King
Our Server is: Mastermason.com,
And yours should be too |
Join Freemasonry's Oldest And Most
Respected WebGuild
We're a lot more than just a fancy logo on your homepage
|
A BROTHER whom I know to
be informed, generally and in
things of the Craft, writes me as to conditions in his own
Grand Jurisdiction. His words have a wider application,
and
deserve to be considered seriously by those who have at
heart the greatest good of the fraternity.
He says, in part:
I believe that educated and intelligent men are not being
admitted in the proportion we would like. This would
indicate
that something is lacking in the showing made by the
institution to the outside world. Men of the class we most
need are not attracted by vague claims, they must see
results, and discern the possibility of advantageous
action
from their affiliation. It is a pity that matters are as
they are,
for we surely need a large, and active and intelligent
membership. We need the best men to be gathered into our
Lodges, and thus can we aid as we should in insuring free
thought, free speech, freedom of religious belief and a
preservation of free government. I hardly think that
papers
like the ......, having first appeal to prejudice, can
best serve the
cause, or gain any real results. If Masonry can be made a
real educational factor; if all the energy of Lodge,
Chapter,
Council, Commandery and Consistory could be consolidated
into a basic Masonic Fraternity, and could become an
adjunct of a universal, liberal religion - or American
church -
where at least Protestants and Jews could find their
common
belief, and where one's wives and daughters could take
part,
I think that Freemasonry would come to its own and be a
great power for good in the world. Meanwhile, our Masonry
for men only, must find some way to attract and hold the
leading men of each community, the thinkers rather than
those who are just socially or politically prominent. The
so -
called "mysteries" and "secrets" do
not appeal to the well-
read men of today. These catch the young, the
inexperienced and the uneducated ones mostly, and
especially those who think that Masonry may advance their
own interests. If we had less degree work, and more
numerous lectures on the symbols, the ends and aims, the
philosophy and history of Masonry, our meetings would be
better attended, and men of the most desirable class would
be attracted to membership. I wish our Grand Lodge would
have lecturers expound the degrees to the candidates, like
the "readers" of the Christian Science churches,
for
example. I would have the attainment of knowledge
compulsory before one could go to other degrees - and by
this I mean real knowledge, not some smattering of a
catechism. Of course all this makes up a big problem, yet
I
think that from its discussion good will result. As for
myself I
am taking refuge more and more in Masonic study and
reading, so far as l can gratify my leanings in such
direction.
|
This website does not speak for
the Grand Lodge of Illinois or Freemasonry
|
