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Changing social values
I am relatively new to Freemasonry, and
focussing on what attracts us to Masonry, we
are all aware of the strong perception
throughout the Craft that, anecdotally
and statistically, there is something amiss.
This is directly linked to the decline in
membership and numbers of Lodges. I feel
this perception is misplaced, but believe that
there is a correlation between membership
levels, the current social landscape and
national demography.
In the social context, the ‘nucleic family’
and marriage are in decline, there has been
a significant increase in the number of
people living by themselves, divorce rates
are high and the ‘average family’ has only
1.7 children.
Similarly, we have moved a long way
from the rigid class system of Victorian
and Edwardian times, and the population
is becoming older as a result of increased
longevity.
Nobody has definitive answers to the
declining numbers, and we must ascertain
the reasons before we attempt to fix that
which is not necessarily broken.
There should be a survey of members
on their views concerning Freemasonry
today, and commissioning of a number
of focus groups to ascertain perceptions
of Freemasonry from those without
Masonic connections.
Maybe the problem lies outside
Freemasonry. Often I have heard the
mantra ‘What’s in it for me?’ from my
contemporaries – and younger when
discretely asked about joining.
The decline in membership could be
a reflection of society today, both in terms
of the ‘pace of life’ and the substantial
changes in morals, ethics and social fabric.
This should give us all the more reason to
seriously consider any changes to our ritual
or structure.
Kenneth Dry
Eastbourne, East Sussex
A sense of belonging
I found the article entitled Young Masons
(MQ, Issue 21), very refreshing, I am new to
Masonry, and at 37, also consider myself to
be young.
It is commendable that senior members
are debating what could be done to keep
younger brethren interested. I find attending
Lodge is a wonderful sanctuary from the
hustle and bustle of everyday life, and
sincerely believe that a big part of this is
achieved through the traditional values
and protocol.
For me, one of the main attractions to
Masonry is the feeling of participating in,
and understanding rituals, and pushing
myself to get involved in activities that
I would not be involved in without
Freemasonry.
I enjoy the sense of belonging to a
fraternity with such a magnificent history.
I am enjoying reading about our history and
believe we should keep Masonry unique
and not change the way things have been
done in order to attract (or keep) candidates.
I could never have guessed that a
fraternity such as Freemasonry could have
given me so much enjoyment. The
formality and protocol we maintain in our
Lodge is a big part of what keeps me
interested and provides me with a place to
go each month like no other.
Lee Poole
Great Grimsby
Retain the ritual
I joined my Lodge in January 2005, and
at 43 I am one of its youngest members,
and looking forward to becoming Junior
Deacon. One of the main reasons I joined
Masonry was for its tradition and history.
I was fortunate to have a father-in-law
who introduced me and gave me a flavour
of what it was all about. Whilst we need to
recruit new brethren, prospective
candidates do not know what the ritual
consists of, so how will changing it assist
recruitment?
The ritual does take time to learn, but
I have also been given pieces to perform,
including the working tools, but in
Masonry as in life, you only get out what
you put in.
While the festive board may be in need
of review, I would implore all Masons to
retain the ritual in its current form. It served
our predecessors well, and will do so in the
future.
Andy Gibson
Buckley, Flintshire, Wales
Long live tradition
In March this year I was presented with my
Grand Lodge Certificate. Like Craig
Adkins, I too have read many views on
recruiting younger brethren into our ranks.
My view is also traditional – namely, I
would not wish to see Freemasonry become
more open, nor would I like to see our
ritual diluted. Those who advocate altering
our dress code and changing the structure of
the festive board etc., are missing the point.
Surely, these are the very same reasons
that make belonging to our fraternity a
different experience, totally unlike any
other ‘club’ and without comparison?
The mystery surrounding our Craft and
our peculiar traditions are at the very heart
of my interest in it. Work within the temple
continues to fascinate me, and I particularly
enjoy contemplating our ritual.
Intrigue was at the centre of my
motivation to join and that membership was
not open to just anyone. Paradoxically,
had I been notified in advance that my
membership would involve recital of
‘strange text’ and from time-to-time the
occasional after-dinner speech, I think I
would have politely declined!
Our continued success will rest on
attracting the right kind of candidate, just
as it has always done, rather than simply
modernising to suit this particular moment
in history!
Keith Bowles
Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire
Bro. Craig Adkins raises an interesting
point in his article in Issue 21, 2007. In
New Zealand we too have begun to see
an influx of younger men joining the
Craft and many of us wondered how we
would need to adapt to meet their needs.
Anecdotally I soon learned that many of
our young members were looking for the
same things that Bro. Adkins enjoys. This
doesn’t mean however that the Craft in
any Constitution should stop listening and
responding to the needs of its members,
but it does suggest that there is a change
in western society, in both hemispheres,
that is making the values of Freemasonry
appreciated.
Jeff Allan
Secretary, Lodge Tironui No. 400,
New Zealand
Identifying true virtue
The article from Craig Adkins (MQ,
Issue No. 21) ought to provide much
food for thought, espousing the very
virtues of Freemasonry which many,
far older, seek to decry.
At present, it seems common to mock
established customs and do everything
to destroy them: indeed, we live in an
age of rapid change – not necessarily for
the better.
Both Great Britain and the Craft enjoy
a heritage – much of it common – dating
back many hundreds of years. It is time we
revelled in this, rather than endeavouring
to change it!
Dress codes, so-called archaic Lodge
practices, and now music. Yes, of
course it is possible to use recorded
sound rather than employ – and much
enjoy – a live organist. But, as custodians
to this rich heritage, are we honestly
exercising our responsibilities correctly,
and what image are we projecting to
putative candidates?
Bro. Adkins espouses the crucial reality
of difference: despite his relative youth, he
very much enjoys being a member of, and
a participant in, something apart from the
mainstream. What a wonderful virtue to
be proud of and preserve at all cost!
Far too many institutions have sought
to foster greater popularity and apparent
empathy with the majority, and have
effectively destroyed themselves in the
process as they lost the very things which
set them apart.
Let us ensure that, as the current
guardians of the past, we clearly identify
what has true virtue and what has not!
Michael Feltham
michael.feltham@homecall.co.uk
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Copyright 2002-2007
MQ Magazine
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