Greetings from the East

Social connection, in-person, has always been and will always be a basic human need. It cannot be overstated how important it is that we meet with others to personally exchange and engage, and to have places where we can assemble and establish relationships and friendships. This also involves shared activities and other necessary aspects of life such as involvement in worthy projects, recreation and culturally significant events, and even those for charitable purposes.

Freemasonry provides one of the greatest social environments ever devised, as suggested above; this we already know. The Craft manages to fuse together so many features of personal enrichment that a man cannot help but be increased in his unique capacities, if followed, across the board. Attending to that is a built-in mystique and prestige that is attached to our “world-class logo” of square and compass, where we can find an impressive motive for men to join. We did.

So what is our future as we look across younger demographic groups that eschew the traditional “legacy institutions” of the past, ours included? While Freemasonry appears to be spreading again, there are many who want nothing to do with organized charitable or social institutions, either secular or religious; a travesty. This also happened in the boomer generation. Yet Solomon’s Staircase needs the younger man to come and join, and in respectable numbers; for their benefit and ours. Perhaps like other times in history when crises abounded, an awakening ensued as to what was needed to advance or inculcate serious values wrenched from upheavals, while restoring memories of ethical greatness reached in prior epochs. Society today is fractured with some segments having been divided into competing and seemingly disoriented or profane factions. The outcome of conflict is evident. Such is difficult to change. Let’s hope this leads the quiet and thoughtful good man to come and seek us, and join in our efforts to perpetuate our sublime and gentle Craft of enlightenment. We need to be openly promoting our “benefits” to the right prospects.

Grand Lodge has recently implemented a prospect gathering program that successfully offers an “advisor” by telephone, to inform and guide the caller to local lodges. It appears to be working.

John McCargar, HA, 32°

Master