THE PLACE TO START
A great deal is said about the necessity for really making Masons of our
candidates. Perhaps such a problem will always exist, but do we approach it from
the logical standpoint? When you and I became Masons, and all of us travelled
the same journey, was there any special effort extended us in the direction of
having us attend lodge regularly, or in making us feel more at home for a few
meetings until we could really become a part of the lodge and the activities?
The answer, I think, is NO.
We received the degrees; we were impressed with the beauty of Masonry and the
great lessons of the degrees to the extent that we wanted to become an integral
part of the whole. It is not suggested that we do not owe our new Masons certain
courtesies, instructions in procedures, which he does not learn when he is
taking the degrees, and the proper consideration in all matters that is due the
less experienced by the older Masons. But there are two points involved. Every
effort should be made to confer the degrees in a manner that is dignified and
serious so that the candidate will eagerly seek Further Light in Masonry. But
there is also the necessity for careful selection of candidates so that the
heart and mind will behold the beauty of Freemasonry.
Our first obligation is to understand the serious undertaking in making a
Master Mason. A candidate who is told: "Before proceeding further it
becomes my duty to inform you that the ceremonies in which you are about to
engage are by no means of a light or trifling character, but are of great
importance and deep solemnity," and then is the victim of frivolity and
humiliation, perhaps will never look further for the beauty in Masonry.
Let us by all means show the proper courtesies to our candidates, but let's
begin at the right place--when we confer the degrees.
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