Modern Day Stone Age

I had the good fortune of seeing a new brother last evening, outside of a lodge setting. As we talked I remembered him and we had a nice visit.

Some things came up in our discussion which weren't so nice, in fact they hit me like a three-pound sledge in the forehead. This brother is relatively young in Masonic years, owns and operates a business, and is eager to learn.

He made mention that had he known the relative inactivity of the lodge he joined he would have sought out a different lodge. In joining a lodge he chose the one in the town where he lives. The unfortunate thing is that particular lodge has lost it's way and is struggling to stay afloat. However, he is a fairly new member and he attended at least one degree at his lodge, which he mentioned had very poor attendance.

Education and learning about Masonry also came up in our conversation. This young man is hungry and eager to learn. He related how he has learned nothing since being raised. We all know that he surely picked up some morsel of knowledge while observing the degree. But, his point must be well taken and seriously considered by all of us.

My intention is not to point out the deficiencies of this lodge......but to point out the deficiencies of our fraternity as a whole. I hate to sound like a broken record, or keep beating a dead horse, choose your own cliche.....we have to change and become more educated ourselves to impart knowledge to the new young brothers.

I can hear the grumbling now.....well if they learned their lessons the way we did they would have knowledge..perhaps they would.....and I think that was a much more informative, learning process also....but the fact remains.....change has occurred....and we no longer do the catechisms that way.

This brief conversation hit me right between the eyes because I know we, for the most part fall very short in relating our great history and heritage and the meanings of our rites and ceremonies. Remember our fraternity is rich in symbolism and we must be able and willing to translate those symbols and allegories to our new young brothers.


 

Although our roots may be firmly

planted in the stone age....that is the building of the great edifices of stone...our fraternity has to respond to the modern day expectations of our new young brothers.