If we were made Masons, in 1945, in the Jurisdiction of Washington, we would have met with a Lodge Instruction Committee four separate times as we went through the Degrees.
The first meeting would have taken place after the Lodge voted to confer the Degrees on us, but prior to receiving our EA Degree. The next three meetings would have taken place after we received each of the Degrees.
These four meetings would have been in addition to the time we spent with our coach or mentor learning the Posting Lectures.
What was the purpose of these meetings?
To teach us some of the lessons we were exposed to in each of the Degrees. To set us on the path of Masonic learning.
In 1945 Washington’s population was about 2.2 million, and of those approximately 65 Thousand were Freemasons. Today Washington’s population is roughly 7.8 million and it holds approximately 9 thousand Masons.
What ever happened to Lodge Committee’s of Instruction? What ever happened to these meetings that went on in 1945, but don’t now?
I don’t know. Whatever it was, it happened long before I was born.
What I do know is that our drastically falling membership numbers, while our population is drastically increasing are certainly made worse by the fact that we don’t have these Committee’s of Instruction, and we do not hold these meetings so that our candidates can get started off on the right foot.
Let’s chat about it…
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Most likely, you just described the "plague" that is decimating the North American Freemasonry. Whether there was such a committee in other places or not - it's irrelevant. What is relevant is the lack of proper mentoring for the new members across jurisdictions. My own GM in my own jurisdiction mentioned the phenomena several times in different articles and speeches given on occasions.
Even if it is not the only cause for the decline, it definitely is one of the major problems in our Craft. It goes hand in hand with the "watering down" of the Craft's teachings: eliminating the spiritual and intellectual component, transforming the lodges in social/dining clubs doing charitable (?) actions etc.
I agree that the lack of good mentoring is one of the most significant problems facing our Craft.
It isn't just the fact that knowledge that should be imparted isn't imparted, but it also has a very strong negative impact on Fellowship.
If a new Brother is truly mentored by an experienced Brother(s) and they end up spending a lot of time together, it is quite likely that they will end up forming a strong friendship. The new Brother's first friendship in the Lodge actually. It is those friendships that grow over time, that will truly bind a Lodge together, and a Brother to the Lodge.
But if the new Mason isn't given the opportunity to make that first friendship, well, then, what would hold him to the Lodge?
There is some "Masonic Math" I see out there in the world that makes these kinds of initiatives functionally impossible, even when they worked great in 1940.
You know how, in a group of brothers, a small % will be called to be great at ritual, a different % will be interested in esoterics, and a different % will be passionate about community charity, etc. We all have different interests. Just for the sake of argument, let's say that 10% or less of the craft is really passionate about the ritual & education aspects that this kind of committee work would require. (I'm making that number up but it isn't 90%)
In 1940 with 4 million+ US Masons that 10% was a lot of people in a lot of lodges. Fast forward to 2021, the total number of lodges probably hasn't shrunk substantially, but the membership is 25% of what it was. This not only reduces the number of people who are interested in doing that sort of thing, but *so many lodges means they're also fractured*. You probably have plenty to get it done in a district, and not nearly enough in any single lodge. Hypothetically if Masonic roles fell by 75% you'd expect to see lodge count decline similarly, but that isn't how history has gone. More lodges with fewer members means "the craft gets spread very thin". It's how you get lodges in my area on the east coast with 200 dues paying members but only 6 highly active members and you can't get a new man into a chair. Forget any extra committees, finding people to fill chairs for degree work is the more pressing concern.
It's not just that membership is declining, but this "spread thin" aspect makes it much worse; you can have districts with 15 lodges with 1-2 being truly healthy, *instead of* having a district with only 5 but all fully healthy lodges.
The math suggests what to do but alas of course it's not that simple; you hosted a previous good discussion about consolidations & their difficulty. It seems to me that it's apparent where the craft needs to go but I'm totally at a loss for a good, respectful, and measured way to get from point A to point B.
I am afraid your premise is not accurate. Freemasonry is (or should be) a *package* not cherry-picking "I like this, I don't like that...".
I think it's a terrible thing to slice up Freemasonry into segments as you illustrated in your comment (ritual, esoteric, community etc.). If you want community/charity work - join those groups like Rotary, Lions and others that do a better job at philanthropy. If you want camaraderie and dining - get into a bowling club and/or toastmaster group. If you want ritual only - go to church.
And if you want all that and some in one single place - then, and ONLY then, join Freemasonry. Would many present member run away if you enforce these ideas? Perhaps... but those that would stay would be real, devoted Masons. Not these wishy-washy half-assed members that even they don't know why they are in the lodge.
I don't buy into the "different interests" theory! We are supposed to be like-minded men that come together to study, to learn, to better themselves. That we might have different strengths... it's true and seems to be even beneficial. But those that want only this or that "slice" of Masonry and not the whole - should leave now. (I know, it's not a popular opinion but I am not into a popularity contest: I want real freethinkers and educated, intelligent men around me in the lodge. Or is it too much to ask?)
I am not attempting to say that it should be this way, only that it is.
It would be a great thing if we all met in the middle. Practically speaking, there are a number of masons who simply don't care for ritual and don't really dedicate themselves to practicing it and keeping it fresh in memory. Do you see it differently in your lodge? There are a number of other masons who are draw to the social aspects primarily.
It's not as if they're separate lodges that can't talk, they all exist in the same lodge.
Who let them in / "guard the west gate" is a different but good discussion. The short answer from where I'm sitting jurisdictionally is that angst about declining membership got them in. During COVID for example there was quite some anxiety about making prospects wait 6 months before a petition could be read or balloted, worrying that they'd lose interest and walk away before that could happen.
Just the other night I met at Worshipful Master in my district who was raised 18 months ago. That a bit blew my mind. Now ask: what state does a lodge need to be in, that this kind of situation can arise?
Different story -- lodge I know has a prospect that's been visiting for a few months. Nice guy; WM is ready to sign for him, and is somewhat assertively asking other brethren "who is ready to be his second signer" which .... feels.... not quite right.
I think that your point about Brothers being spread too thin is well taken. Especially in our very small, rural Lodges.
Certainly, at least as far as Washington is concerned, you are undoubtedly correct that our membership numbers have fallen at a much faster and deeper rate than our number of Lodges.
That said though, while thinking about your points over the past few hours, a couple of ideas have come to mind, I offer them for consideration:
-Instead of a Lodge creating its own Committee of Instruction, perhaps a District could do it. So that instead of each Lodge needing to come up with three men (plus mentors) each Lodge could come up with one. This would greatly divide the work required because not only would each Lodge be helping its neighbors, but the Committee itself would be quite a lot larger than needed, so not all members would have to work with all candidates.
-Another very serious problem we face as a Fraternity is a lack of proper guarding of our West Gate. Far too often people sign petitions too easily, and Investigating Committees don't look hard enough. A Lodge could declare that those who sign a candidate's petition, or serve on his Investigating Committee turn into his Instruction Committee. It seems to me that by doing so, men might take a bit more care in ensuring a potential candidate was suitable before signing off on his petition. This would, as the saying goes, allow a Lodge to kill two birds with one stone.
I agree with these points, and doing things at the district level is a good way to balance "spread too thin", it fundamentally makes sense. Here, you'll run into a different problem I suspect about prerogative; lodges are often fiercely independent and treasure having their own unique spirit. District level things (at least where I am) are not *resisted* but are often not actively participated in without prodding, particularly by masons whose primary affinity is to their lodge.
Example: I have a friend who recently became a district education officer. Much to his chagrin he finds he gets zero invites to educate lodges; they want short meetings, and doesn't want to "push his way in" to deliver an unwanted education program.
Further example: my lodge has a robust weekly ritual practice, some other local lodges do too, but district level degree exemplifications struggle for attendance. Typical uninteresting grumbling, whichever day the district chooses doesn't work for so-and-so.
Guarding the west gate is a major problem. Yes we should do it, but zooming out, I see a "dynamic" that has formed. Lodges being unable to get a good number of new members in, they reduce their standards, which gets the wrong men in, which hastens demits, NPDs, dilution of lodge culture, and "ghostings" (particularly among young men). This creates a decline cycle. Without first focusing on having the right experience to retain, in some senses who gets brought in is a secondary concern, whether they're right or wrong you won't retain them, like pouring water into a tub with the stopper out.
I think about these kinds of things a lot and what I keep coming to is that major lodge consolidations or closings *is* on the horizon whether we like it or not, and that our main choice as a craft is if we will acknowledge that ahead of time and try to do it in a wise strategic way, or whether we will just "let it happen" and watch it happen in messy & disorganized ways on a lodge-by-lodge basis. And yet even this is not as simple as a GL making a plan and directing all of these marriages. I look at my own Grand Master in my state and I usually think, "Boy am I glad I don't have that man's job" (A) because I know I'm not wise enough to bring about the things I'd like to see, and (B) with all due respect to the Most Worshipful hosting this discussion, I can see the many and manifold "cat herding" elements of the job! :)
I wonder what the number of Candidates who petition, but don't finish the degrees is and the number of Masons who demit after 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years after being raised is.
Also, we need to look at the average age of a newly made mason. My generation and younger seem less likely to join masonry then prior generations. We have a great youth body, but how many become Masons? In order to compete for the youth, we have to market to them on social media and other relevant platforms. They need to see value. My generation and younger want to do good in the world and need a good outlet. The key to provide that outlet, while maintaining true to ourselves.
Once you get our attention, you have to keep us engaged. Ritual practices, friendly hangouts, study sessions, or whatever you can do. Don't ignore the new young Mason. He WILL get bored and leave if he doesn't see value. But, if you can make him feel apart of something special, he will stay loyal.
Most lodges I have visited are typically friendly, but they always have cliques. Groups of friends in the lodge who don't mean to, but exclude others. We have to be mindful of this.
That's just my thoughts on the matter. Have a great day!
Does that create a divide or feelings of resentment between the brothers working and the rest enjoying?
I am younger, so if there is physical work to be done, I always jump in (home and work life permitting), Especially with so many of our brothers being older, it just feels wrong to not help.
Your point about cliques within Lodges, and how they unknowingly exclude is extremely well taken. I seem to recall we had a very active discussion about just that problem here on Emeth some time ago.
Cliques in the Lodge will destroy a Lodge. They are harmful to visitors and new Masons alike.
I vividly remember, years ago, when I first moved to this area and joined my local Lodge, a Brother intentionally turning his back on me in order to exclude me from the conversation with his crowd in the Lodge. I imagine that would be enough for a lot of men to pretty much give up on a Lodge. I'm stubborn though, and I never quit, so I just kept at it, and now, well that fellow is probably my very best Masonic friend. Took a damn long time though.
Lodges do, if they want to succeed, have to actively work to ensure that everyone is truly welcome. It can be done. My Lodge isn't cliquish at all now, because we discussed it carefully, recognized it was a problem, and resolved to fix it.
My Lodge is currently "investing" in the Lodge by purchasing Life Memberships for all who are members in good standing. The life membership stays with the Lodge, even if the member transfers outside the jurisdiction. All that is required is for the member to be paid up, effective 1 July (today). Even with that--and I should note here that dues are DUE 1 January of the current year--we have several members who are not current--not members in good standing. What better incentive could there be than a Life Membership? Yet, we still have Master Masons who steadfastly refuse to pay current dues until they receive the dunning letter in September, NINE months after they are due. Try doing that in your local union!
Also, since we have been shut down for the past nearly a year and a half, we haven't been able to do any degree work. Coaches have been trying to keep in contact with protégés, offering encouragement and Masonic study to boost flagging interest, with some degree (no pun intended) of success, but just last night, we lost an EA who stated that he "is no longer interested." *I* think he found the work to be a little more than he expected. Oh, well...
Would a Lodge Committee of Instruction have helped? I don't know. Perhaps. I do know that my protégé and I meet face-to-face at least once a week. We talk about any number of things, and even discuss Masonry on occasion. We will confer his Second Degree just as soon as we can form a degree team.
If you can tell me where to find some material on a Lodge Committee of Instruction, I will see what I can put together. In the meantime, talk with new Masons, answer questions, socialize with them, keep them interested!
What I have as far as material is a small book, published by the GLofWA, in the 1940's, explaining when to have the meetings, and what it is suggested be covered in the meetings. It also makes some suggestions as to committee composition.
As far as I know this book is extremely rare. Centralia Lodge has a fairly extensive library, and I've gone through it many times, and I've not seen one there. Nor have I seen one up at the Grand Lodge. The preface seems to indicate that it would have only been distributed to Lodge Worshipful Masters, with the intent that it be passed down each year. So, perhaps 300 copies.
I did find this in a box of stuff that was dropped off at the Office by a Mason's family who didn't know what else to do with his Masonic things.
As the GLofWA is the holder of the copyright, it is my intention to have it republished in some form so that it can get into the hands of our Brothers. I presume that should be fairly easy to do electronically.
1) We will have a RESERVED parking spot for you at Port Orchard-John Paul Jones No. 98 tonight. You are, of course free to park wherever the spirits wish, but *that* one will be yours for the taking.
2) Would you be comfortable bringing that small book with you to the meeting tonight? I will make a copy and return it to you by mail.
- Masonry is different things to different people.
No. Masonry is Masonry. People may join for various reason, but Masonry itself shouldn't change. As others have pointed out, there are plenty of other organizations available to fulfill different things for different people. But Masonry should never adapt itself to fit those other competing needs. Things like charitable work, socializing and fellowship, etc, all organically are part of Masonry, but isn't what defines it.
- You get out of masonry what you put into it.
I hate this. It infers that the onus of investing oneself into Masonry is the brother's obligation, and relieves any burden on the lodge to reciprocate. It is just as much the responsibility of the lodge to provide "good and wholesome instruction" as it is for the brother to listen, absorb and learn, as well as pass along their own learning to the next.
- We can do it cheaper than X amount a contractor is charging for the upkeep of the building.
Ugh. Our lodge is having to spend tens of thousands of dollars because the building was originally built by the brothers, and the workmanship was...not the best. The windows leak because of poor framing, the bathrooms stink because of poor design, the furnace while brand new is so inefficient because of how the ducting works, etc etc etc.
This one also irritating in that occasionally we'd hear the "we can do it ourselves" cry, but then nothing gets done, because no one actually wants to do the work.
Sorry, another rant, completely off topic, but I'm not a subscriber, so...
Our farm is filled with buildings, from homes to barns, all built, as my Grandfather was very fond of saying 'With Brute Strength And Ignorance.' As such, I feel your pain.
I'm a big fan of paying to have work on our buildings done right, and then renting the facilities out in order to generate the income needed to pay those bills. Alas though, I seem unable to convince many at all of the desirability of renting out our facilities.
Most likely, you just described the "plague" that is decimating the North American Freemasonry. Whether there was such a committee in other places or not - it's irrelevant. What is relevant is the lack of proper mentoring for the new members across jurisdictions. My own GM in my own jurisdiction mentioned the phenomena several times in different articles and speeches given on occasions.
Even if it is not the only cause for the decline, it definitely is one of the major problems in our Craft. It goes hand in hand with the "watering down" of the Craft's teachings: eliminating the spiritual and intellectual component, transforming the lodges in social/dining clubs doing charitable (?) actions etc.
I agree that the lack of good mentoring is one of the most significant problems facing our Craft.
It isn't just the fact that knowledge that should be imparted isn't imparted, but it also has a very strong negative impact on Fellowship.
If a new Brother is truly mentored by an experienced Brother(s) and they end up spending a lot of time together, it is quite likely that they will end up forming a strong friendship. The new Brother's first friendship in the Lodge actually. It is those friendships that grow over time, that will truly bind a Lodge together, and a Brother to the Lodge.
But if the new Mason isn't given the opportunity to make that first friendship, well, then, what would hold him to the Lodge?
There is some "Masonic Math" I see out there in the world that makes these kinds of initiatives functionally impossible, even when they worked great in 1940.
You know how, in a group of brothers, a small % will be called to be great at ritual, a different % will be interested in esoterics, and a different % will be passionate about community charity, etc. We all have different interests. Just for the sake of argument, let's say that 10% or less of the craft is really passionate about the ritual & education aspects that this kind of committee work would require. (I'm making that number up but it isn't 90%)
In 1940 with 4 million+ US Masons that 10% was a lot of people in a lot of lodges. Fast forward to 2021, the total number of lodges probably hasn't shrunk substantially, but the membership is 25% of what it was. This not only reduces the number of people who are interested in doing that sort of thing, but *so many lodges means they're also fractured*. You probably have plenty to get it done in a district, and not nearly enough in any single lodge. Hypothetically if Masonic roles fell by 75% you'd expect to see lodge count decline similarly, but that isn't how history has gone. More lodges with fewer members means "the craft gets spread very thin". It's how you get lodges in my area on the east coast with 200 dues paying members but only 6 highly active members and you can't get a new man into a chair. Forget any extra committees, finding people to fill chairs for degree work is the more pressing concern.
It's not just that membership is declining, but this "spread thin" aspect makes it much worse; you can have districts with 15 lodges with 1-2 being truly healthy, *instead of* having a district with only 5 but all fully healthy lodges.
The math suggests what to do but alas of course it's not that simple; you hosted a previous good discussion about consolidations & their difficulty. It seems to me that it's apparent where the craft needs to go but I'm totally at a loss for a good, respectful, and measured way to get from point A to point B.
I am afraid your premise is not accurate. Freemasonry is (or should be) a *package* not cherry-picking "I like this, I don't like that...".
I think it's a terrible thing to slice up Freemasonry into segments as you illustrated in your comment (ritual, esoteric, community etc.). If you want community/charity work - join those groups like Rotary, Lions and others that do a better job at philanthropy. If you want camaraderie and dining - get into a bowling club and/or toastmaster group. If you want ritual only - go to church.
And if you want all that and some in one single place - then, and ONLY then, join Freemasonry. Would many present member run away if you enforce these ideas? Perhaps... but those that would stay would be real, devoted Masons. Not these wishy-washy half-assed members that even they don't know why they are in the lodge.
I don't buy into the "different interests" theory! We are supposed to be like-minded men that come together to study, to learn, to better themselves. That we might have different strengths... it's true and seems to be even beneficial. But those that want only this or that "slice" of Masonry and not the whole - should leave now. (I know, it's not a popular opinion but I am not into a popularity contest: I want real freethinkers and educated, intelligent men around me in the lodge. Or is it too much to ask?)
I am not attempting to say that it should be this way, only that it is.
It would be a great thing if we all met in the middle. Practically speaking, there are a number of masons who simply don't care for ritual and don't really dedicate themselves to practicing it and keeping it fresh in memory. Do you see it differently in your lodge? There are a number of other masons who are draw to the social aspects primarily.
It's not as if they're separate lodges that can't talk, they all exist in the same lodge.
In my motherlodge in Europe, I saw it differently.
Here in Canada, I see it as you do.
My only (< this is a figure of speech) question is: who let them in?
Who let them in / "guard the west gate" is a different but good discussion. The short answer from where I'm sitting jurisdictionally is that angst about declining membership got them in. During COVID for example there was quite some anxiety about making prospects wait 6 months before a petition could be read or balloted, worrying that they'd lose interest and walk away before that could happen.
Just the other night I met at Worshipful Master in my district who was raised 18 months ago. That a bit blew my mind. Now ask: what state does a lodge need to be in, that this kind of situation can arise?
Different story -- lodge I know has a prospect that's been visiting for a few months. Nice guy; WM is ready to sign for him, and is somewhat assertively asking other brethren "who is ready to be his second signer" which .... feels.... not quite right.
I think that your point about Brothers being spread too thin is well taken. Especially in our very small, rural Lodges.
Certainly, at least as far as Washington is concerned, you are undoubtedly correct that our membership numbers have fallen at a much faster and deeper rate than our number of Lodges.
That said though, while thinking about your points over the past few hours, a couple of ideas have come to mind, I offer them for consideration:
-Instead of a Lodge creating its own Committee of Instruction, perhaps a District could do it. So that instead of each Lodge needing to come up with three men (plus mentors) each Lodge could come up with one. This would greatly divide the work required because not only would each Lodge be helping its neighbors, but the Committee itself would be quite a lot larger than needed, so not all members would have to work with all candidates.
-Another very serious problem we face as a Fraternity is a lack of proper guarding of our West Gate. Far too often people sign petitions too easily, and Investigating Committees don't look hard enough. A Lodge could declare that those who sign a candidate's petition, or serve on his Investigating Committee turn into his Instruction Committee. It seems to me that by doing so, men might take a bit more care in ensuring a potential candidate was suitable before signing off on his petition. This would, as the saying goes, allow a Lodge to kill two birds with one stone.
I agree with these points, and doing things at the district level is a good way to balance "spread too thin", it fundamentally makes sense. Here, you'll run into a different problem I suspect about prerogative; lodges are often fiercely independent and treasure having their own unique spirit. District level things (at least where I am) are not *resisted* but are often not actively participated in without prodding, particularly by masons whose primary affinity is to their lodge.
Example: I have a friend who recently became a district education officer. Much to his chagrin he finds he gets zero invites to educate lodges; they want short meetings, and doesn't want to "push his way in" to deliver an unwanted education program.
Further example: my lodge has a robust weekly ritual practice, some other local lodges do too, but district level degree exemplifications struggle for attendance. Typical uninteresting grumbling, whichever day the district chooses doesn't work for so-and-so.
Guarding the west gate is a major problem. Yes we should do it, but zooming out, I see a "dynamic" that has formed. Lodges being unable to get a good number of new members in, they reduce their standards, which gets the wrong men in, which hastens demits, NPDs, dilution of lodge culture, and "ghostings" (particularly among young men). This creates a decline cycle. Without first focusing on having the right experience to retain, in some senses who gets brought in is a secondary concern, whether they're right or wrong you won't retain them, like pouring water into a tub with the stopper out.
I think about these kinds of things a lot and what I keep coming to is that major lodge consolidations or closings *is* on the horizon whether we like it or not, and that our main choice as a craft is if we will acknowledge that ahead of time and try to do it in a wise strategic way, or whether we will just "let it happen" and watch it happen in messy & disorganized ways on a lodge-by-lodge basis. And yet even this is not as simple as a GL making a plan and directing all of these marriages. I look at my own Grand Master in my state and I usually think, "Boy am I glad I don't have that man's job" (A) because I know I'm not wise enough to bring about the things I'd like to see, and (B) with all due respect to the Most Worshipful hosting this discussion, I can see the many and manifold "cat herding" elements of the job! :)
I wonder what the number of Candidates who petition, but don't finish the degrees is and the number of Masons who demit after 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years after being raised is.
Also, we need to look at the average age of a newly made mason. My generation and younger seem less likely to join masonry then prior generations. We have a great youth body, but how many become Masons? In order to compete for the youth, we have to market to them on social media and other relevant platforms. They need to see value. My generation and younger want to do good in the world and need a good outlet. The key to provide that outlet, while maintaining true to ourselves.
Once you get our attention, you have to keep us engaged. Ritual practices, friendly hangouts, study sessions, or whatever you can do. Don't ignore the new young Mason. He WILL get bored and leave if he doesn't see value. But, if you can make him feel apart of something special, he will stay loyal.
Most lodges I have visited are typically friendly, but they always have cliques. Groups of friends in the lodge who don't mean to, but exclude others. We have to be mindful of this.
That's just my thoughts on the matter. Have a great day!
The only clique we have at our lodge is everyone that does all the work and then there is everyone else.
Does that create a divide or feelings of resentment between the brothers working and the rest enjoying?
I am younger, so if there is physical work to be done, I always jump in (home and work life permitting), Especially with so many of our brothers being older, it just feels wrong to not help.
Your point about cliques within Lodges, and how they unknowingly exclude is extremely well taken. I seem to recall we had a very active discussion about just that problem here on Emeth some time ago.
Cliques in the Lodge will destroy a Lodge. They are harmful to visitors and new Masons alike.
I vividly remember, years ago, when I first moved to this area and joined my local Lodge, a Brother intentionally turning his back on me in order to exclude me from the conversation with his crowd in the Lodge. I imagine that would be enough for a lot of men to pretty much give up on a Lodge. I'm stubborn though, and I never quit, so I just kept at it, and now, well that fellow is probably my very best Masonic friend. Took a damn long time though.
Lodges do, if they want to succeed, have to actively work to ensure that everyone is truly welcome. It can be done. My Lodge isn't cliquish at all now, because we discussed it carefully, recognized it was a problem, and resolved to fix it.
My Lodge is currently "investing" in the Lodge by purchasing Life Memberships for all who are members in good standing. The life membership stays with the Lodge, even if the member transfers outside the jurisdiction. All that is required is for the member to be paid up, effective 1 July (today). Even with that--and I should note here that dues are DUE 1 January of the current year--we have several members who are not current--not members in good standing. What better incentive could there be than a Life Membership? Yet, we still have Master Masons who steadfastly refuse to pay current dues until they receive the dunning letter in September, NINE months after they are due. Try doing that in your local union!
Also, since we have been shut down for the past nearly a year and a half, we haven't been able to do any degree work. Coaches have been trying to keep in contact with protégés, offering encouragement and Masonic study to boost flagging interest, with some degree (no pun intended) of success, but just last night, we lost an EA who stated that he "is no longer interested." *I* think he found the work to be a little more than he expected. Oh, well...
Would a Lodge Committee of Instruction have helped? I don't know. Perhaps. I do know that my protégé and I meet face-to-face at least once a week. We talk about any number of things, and even discuss Masonry on occasion. We will confer his Second Degree just as soon as we can form a degree team.
If you can tell me where to find some material on a Lodge Committee of Instruction, I will see what I can put together. In the meantime, talk with new Masons, answer questions, socialize with them, keep them interested!
What I have as far as material is a small book, published by the GLofWA, in the 1940's, explaining when to have the meetings, and what it is suggested be covered in the meetings. It also makes some suggestions as to committee composition.
As far as I know this book is extremely rare. Centralia Lodge has a fairly extensive library, and I've gone through it many times, and I've not seen one there. Nor have I seen one up at the Grand Lodge. The preface seems to indicate that it would have only been distributed to Lodge Worshipful Masters, with the intent that it be passed down each year. So, perhaps 300 copies.
I did find this in a box of stuff that was dropped off at the Office by a Mason's family who didn't know what else to do with his Masonic things.
As the GLofWA is the holder of the copyright, it is my intention to have it republished in some form so that it can get into the hands of our Brothers. I presume that should be fairly easy to do electronically.
Two things, Most Worshipful:
1) We will have a RESERVED parking spot for you at Port Orchard-John Paul Jones No. 98 tonight. You are, of course free to park wherever the spirits wish, but *that* one will be yours for the taking.
2) Would you be comfortable bringing that small book with you to the meeting tonight? I will make a copy and return it to you by mail.
See you this evening!
Tig
A few of the comments I've heard over the years:
- Masonry is different things to different people.
No. Masonry is Masonry. People may join for various reason, but Masonry itself shouldn't change. As others have pointed out, there are plenty of other organizations available to fulfill different things for different people. But Masonry should never adapt itself to fit those other competing needs. Things like charitable work, socializing and fellowship, etc, all organically are part of Masonry, but isn't what defines it.
- You get out of masonry what you put into it.
I hate this. It infers that the onus of investing oneself into Masonry is the brother's obligation, and relieves any burden on the lodge to reciprocate. It is just as much the responsibility of the lodge to provide "good and wholesome instruction" as it is for the brother to listen, absorb and learn, as well as pass along their own learning to the next.
- We can do it cheaper than X amount a contractor is charging for the upkeep of the building.
Ugh. Our lodge is having to spend tens of thousands of dollars because the building was originally built by the brothers, and the workmanship was...not the best. The windows leak because of poor framing, the bathrooms stink because of poor design, the furnace while brand new is so inefficient because of how the ducting works, etc etc etc.
This one also irritating in that occasionally we'd hear the "we can do it ourselves" cry, but then nothing gets done, because no one actually wants to do the work.
Sorry, another rant, completely off topic, but I'm not a subscriber, so...
You just listed my pet peeves... :)
Our farm is filled with buildings, from homes to barns, all built, as my Grandfather was very fond of saying 'With Brute Strength And Ignorance.' As such, I feel your pain.
I'm a big fan of paying to have work on our buildings done right, and then renting the facilities out in order to generate the income needed to pay those bills. Alas though, I seem unable to convince many at all of the desirability of renting out our facilities.