"Masonry
is dead in the United States- How about a new beginning?" A sad conclusion
that could only come from someone who seems to be at loss of understanding of
what the Craft is all about. A system whose aim is to make a good man to
be a better man is not dead. What appears to be dying is the
comprehension of who we are and what purpose Masonry exists. It's not
about paid off dues card; it's not about achieving "32nd degree," not
about making children laugh or about changing the world to New Order. It's
about building a temple not made by hands but eternal in heaven. The
journey will take us to a rough and rugged road; it's not going to be
easy. But on that journey it is hope that by becoming a better man we can
influence our surrounding to make it a better place. Masonry teaches
individual to be a better man. What an individual does after
"learning all it can" is up to him. While the socio-economic
concern of our brother is valid, with all the humility and brotherly love I
could muster, I disagree with his conclusion, he is flat wrong. Masonry
is not dead in US or in this world. It is alive and well, yes, it is
facing other competition but then again that's an old story since time
immemorial.
Masonry is a system of morality, veiled
in allegories and illustrated by symbols. Masonry is not about community
service like Lions or Rotary Clubs; it is not about business development like
local Chamber of Commerce; certainly not a specific religious denomination
support group. While those endeavors are noble and worth of time, they
are not the focus of the Fraternity. They are the result of ones
understanding the lessons of Freemasonry. Someone said that the real
secret of Freemasonry is making a good man a better man. Pretty nice bumper
sticker but pretty much summarizes who were are.
Youth group such Order Of
DeMolay, International Order of Jobs Daughters,
Rainbow Girls are always in need of adult supervision and more
importantly—example. There is no reason to re-invent the wheel or
"hire some writes and marketers and take the gangs off the streets and
teach them those principles of Masonry we all love."
A reminder from the EA Charge,
"Finally, Be faithful to the trust committed to your care, and manifest
your fidelity to your principles by a strict observance of the Constitution of
the Fraternity; by adhering to the Ancient Landmarks thereof…."
Fraternally,
Rudy Olano,
Hanford Lodge No. 279
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Williams"
<n6cw@mindspring.com>
To: "rholmes"
<rholmes@ridgewater.com>
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 9:43 AM
Subject: Re: Masonry is dead in the
United States - How about a new beginning?
Thanks for the insight! I will
forward this letter to all Masons here in the
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "rholmes"
<rholmes@ridgewater.com>
> To: "Chuck Williams"
<n6cw@mindspring.com>
> Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2005
10:34 PM
> Subject: Masonry is dead in the
United States - How about a new beginning?
Chuck:
Please pass what I am writing along to
other Masons who you think might read this. First for those other Masons, all
my cards are paid up in the Blue Lodge (East Gate 692),Scottish
Rite, York Rite and the Shrine. I send this E-mail as a serious proposal
to those in these bodies today who might be able to do something about the
Masonic Bodies.
After my wife's death I returned to the
"heart of Shrine-dom" -Charlotte North
Carolina to find that the new Shrine building which was built here about 10
years ago is being sold for lack of use. Yesterday I found out that if
you are a Blue Lodge Mason you no longer have to go through the Scottish Rite to become a Shriner.
Throughout the
Let's try to save Masonry,
With all sincerity,
Richard W. Holmes