Problems? "What Problems"

by John J. Murchison

We must ever remember that the purpose of Masonic writings is to cause Masons to think. As Masonry means something a little different to each individual Mason, so it must be expected that there will be many varying interpretations developed by those who do think. No one is asked to agree, only to consider others' views. With this premise established, let us turn our attention to what is commonly called "Masonry's Problems."

The currently prevailing opinion seems to be that declining membership is Masonry's key problem, and that all branches of Masonry suffer from the same affliction. I believe that we err when we paint them all with the same brush. The problems of Craft Masonry are far different than those of the Appendant and Concordant Bodies.

Let us first consider Craft Masonry. We are constantly advised, beginning with our initiation, that the purpose of Masonry is to improve the individual Mason, and to relieve his distress and that of his dependents. All other obligations may be said to relate to this basic purpose. We may search our archives in vain for any requirement to attain great numbers or build magnificent lodge buildings. Our business is to accept and improve those petitioners whom we find worthy, and who seek to join us because they have a favorable impresion of Masonry and a real desire to participate in our Masonic work. This should make it apparent that declining membership is not the problem in Craft Masonry, but is rather a symptom, or result, of a deeper illness.

Why are there not more petitioners? It may be that they do not know what our work is, or it may be that they do know, but are not interested, but how can they form an opinion if we are not working? It seems apparent that we are our own problem. We are not doing the things we proclaim Masons must do. When we were active in pursuing our objectives, the neighborhood in which we lived knew Masons' activities, and the greatest method of communication is still the neighborhood grapevine.

About three quarters of a century ago, our government adopted a Socialistic form, and undertook to care for all people from the cradle to the grave. This killed private intiative and individual responsibility. Masons fell into the trap. They heaved a sigh of relief from their responsibilities and felt that all they had to do was pay their taxes while government assumed their obligations. When Masons largely ceased to actively care for distressed brothers and their widows and orphans, Masonry's image before the public faded, and Masonry's proud reputation became lost. Masonry today is attempting to regain its reputation by preclaiming its good intentions, but actions speak louder than words. Public proclamations and disclosures will not do the job.

When Masons came to believe that government had relieved them of their obligations, they turned their energies to other things, such as social activities, Temple building, and enjoying themselves. With release from responsibility there followed a relaxation of standards, less critical investigation of petitioners, more efforts to confer the greatest number of degrees in the least possible time in order to build membership to support these enjoyable activities. Masonic education became sadly neglected.

The short term results of this change were a surge in numbers of members, and a proliferation of Appendant and Concordant Bodies devoted largely to social activities. These newly-made Masons, by and large, were never instructed in Masonic history, Masonic philosophy, and Masonic law, and consequently became ill-treated Masons, uninformed, and often uninterested, in those subjects.

With the passage of time, those Masons have come to represent today's membership. Many have lost interest and dropped out, while a few of the remaining number are attempting to formulate policies and administer Masonry today. It is, of course, from the present membership that Lodge officers are chosen who constitute the Grand Lodge, and from those come our Grand Lodge officers. These are sincere and conscientious Masons, but very few are deeply grounded in Masonry.

The basic problem in Craft Masonry today is that we have forgotten our obligations, disregarded the generally-accepted law of world-wide Freemasonry, and deviated from the Ancient Standards. Declining membership is simply the result of these changes, and may be said to be Divine Retribution for our violation of our sacred oaths, taken before our altars in the name of God. We could have been forewarned if we had heeded Albert Pike's words, when he wrote: "As you love Masonry, whatever betides, come prosperity or come adversity, adhere with unflinching tenacity to the ancient usages of the Craft."

Turning to the problems of the Appendant Bodies, we might entitle this portion "When the tails wags the dog." We must never forget that the Appendant and Concordant Bodies are composed of sincere and dedicated Masons, our Brothers. Their purpose is to enhance Masonry by providing added light and further opportunities for service, not only to the Craft, but also to humanity. Nothing herein should be construed as criticism, but is merely intended to demonstrate the difference between the problems facing each.

Let us consider, as examples, the York and Scottish Rites and the Shrine. The Rites exemplify beautiful lessons in the rituals of their degrees which can enlarge and enrich those Craft Masons who petition those Rites. It is true that there are many Masons who do not take advantage of those opportunities, and Lodges should encourage all of their members to seriously consider that furhter education. The Rites also promote many humanitarian activities, and as their membership is limited to Master Masons, it is certainly true that declining Masonic membership is a serious problem for them. The Shrine has developed its great network of purely charitable children's hospitals, and may be said to be a victim of its own success. As its membership is limited to those Masons who are members of one or both of the Rites, the decline in Masonic membership is crucial to their existence. They not only must rely upon income generated by membership, but must also have sufficient active bodies to effectively carry on their work.

There have been suggestions within the Shrine that it may become necessary to open their membership to non-Masons in order to meet this crisis. Those considerations have been voted down thus far, I specifically do not express an opinion on this, as this is a question which must be decided within the Shrine, and is one which I believe Craft Masonry should studiously avoid. There are complex issues concerned which only the Shrine must decide. If, however, they should find it necessary to "go public," I do not believe that official Masonry should object, beyond requiring certain changes in the Shrine's ritual of initiation. Masonry has always encouraged its members to be active in worthy organizations, certainly the Shrine is one.

It is understandable that the Appendant and Concordant Bodies should be concerned with ending our membership decline. The recent recruiting activity in Masonry has been largely spearheaded by the top officials of those bodies, especially the Shrine, and to a lesser extent, the Scottish and York Rites. Their interest is sincere, their efforts faithful and dedicated, some progress is being made in some areas, but nothing presently being done will remedy the illness which afflicts Craft Masonry.

The members being added by the present recruiting will largely pass through the process as their recent predecessors have done, and gain little benefit, unless Craft Masonry can be inspired to correct its course. No indication of this has yet been apparent, but hope springs eternal in the human breast!!

So Mote it Be.

©This article, appearing in the August 1999 edition of "The Philalethes", was copied in its entirety with the express permission of The Philalethes Society. This article originally appeared in "The Oregon Scottish Rite Freemason."