An Excellent posting by a local lodge on their blog.
"...to train its members to an understanding of the truths which its rituals and its ceremonies are calculated to inculcate, to develop its members as benevolent men, to cultivate the social virtues among men, and to propagate the knowledge of the art."
This totally moves along the lines of my original post and the post that was done by the Masonic Traveller. It is our duty as Master Masons to instill the devotion to our craft into those Entered Apprentices and Fellowcraft by setting the proper example and actually working to better ourselves as men.
It is our duty as Brothers to behave in a manner so as to exemplify ourselves to others so that they do not become disillusioned or disinterested. We need to maintain our devotion, even if we ourselves become disillusioned.
"The beauty of our ritual, and the good fellowship among the members of our Lodges cannot be conserved when the chief aim is to make Masons and money — “for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth” — and a Lodge’s life does not consist in its acquisitions, but in the contribution which it makes to civilization and society through the influence to those whom it has helped to train to what we call Masonic character."
This is all to true. Quality versus quantity, it is understood that many lodges are fiscally challenged and need the quantity to ensure the lodge can meet their responsibilities. Out of that quantity, they hope to gain some quality men out of the quantity they accept. Is this the way to go? Does this not dilute the pool? Like I indicated in my earlier post, all too often I see many men on the sidelines, watching the game, but are too busy in their lives to do any more than the once or twice a month meeting. The same five of six guys are always supporting the events that are often put on by that same five or six guys, out of a hundred or so members on the rolls.
Would that sort of apathy cause those active few to become disillusioned or to become "burnt out" of doing things that others seem not to have any interest in? How does that look to our Entered Apprentices and fellowcraft who seem to know us only for our reputation until they truly get a taste of what we are all about.
"Therefore, it should be the duty of every Masonic Lodge to put in action a plan for the education of its members in Masonic history, symbolism and philosophy, devoting more of its meetings to this much neglected function. "
This is one reason why my Brother Lanier and I decided to start the Evanston Masonic Research Society. to bring back academic pursuits in local Masonry. We need to give an understanding of the symbolism and allegory to those who truly seek the Light of Masonry rather than just use this as a network of fellows.
This was truly an inspirational post by our Brothers in DeKalb. Cheers to you! This post truly inspired.
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