An Informed Brother
The American Freemason - February 1914
A BROTHER whom I know to
be informed, generally and in things of the Craft, writes me as
to conditions in his own Grand Jurisdiction. His words have a
wider application, and deserve to be considered seriously by
those who have at heart the greatest good of the
fraternity. He says, in part: I believe that educated
and intelligent men are not being admitted in the proportion we
would like. This would indicate that something is lacking in the
showing made by the institution to the outside world. Men of the
class we most need are not attracted by vague claims, they must
see results, and discern the possibility of advantageous action
from their affiliation. It is a pity that matters are as they
are, for we surely need a large, and active and intelligent
membership. We need the best men to be gathered into our
Lodges, and thus can we aid as we should in insuring free
thought, free speech, freedom of religious belief and a
preservation of free government. I hardly think that papers
like the ......, having first appeal to prejudice, can best
serve the cause, or gain any real results. If Masonry can be
made a real educational factor; if all the energy of Lodge,
Chapter, Council, Commandery and Consistory could be
consolidated into a basic Masonic Fraternity, and could become
an adjunct of a universal, liberal religion - or American church
- where at least Protestants and Jews could find their common
belief, and where one's wives and daughters could take part,
I think that Freemasonry would come to its own and be a
great power for good in the world. Meanwhile, our Masonry
for men only, must find some way to attract and hold the
leading men of each community, the thinkers rather than
those who are just socially or politically prominent. The so -
called "mysteries" and "secrets" do not appeal to the
well-read men of today. These catch the young, the
inexperienced and the uneducated ones mostly, and especially
those who think that Masonry may advance their own interests. If
we had less degree work, and more numerous lectures on the
symbols, the ends and aims, the philosophy and history of
Masonry, our meetings would be better attended, and men of the
most desirable class would be attracted to membership. I wish
our Grand Lodge would have lecturers expound the degrees to the
candidates, like the "readers" of the Christian Science
churches, for example. I would have the attainment of knowledge
compulsory before one could go to other degrees - and by
this I mean real knowledge, not some smattering of a
catechism. Of course all this makes up a big problem, yet I
think that from its discussion good will result. As for myself I
am taking refuge more and more in Masonic study and reading,
so far as l can gratify my leanings in such
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