Freemasonry Is Dying

Paper 01/2007 Title Freemasonry is Dying Author Bro Kerry A Nicholls – New Zealand Freemasonry is dying, we can’t get members and our Lodge will have to hand its charter in. How many times have we all heard this? Well let us all do something about it. But what? - strategic planning, mentoring, new members, paint the Lodge buildings, modernise. Hey!! Slow down – back up the bus, stop the engine and listen. Here is the place to start, ourselves – each and every one of us. Think about the following – why do we visit? Is it idle curiosity to see how others work degrees, they have a good meal, a critic al look at the work of other Lodges so we can compare it to our own or is it just that we feel we must? I would like to accept that these may be some reasons but the predomin ant one has to be the spirit of Masonry or that invisible force that brings us together all as one equal and without ill will. Visiting enables us to know others better, understand others more fully and to make new friendships. As a result of visiting we should leave each meet ing strengthened with the spirit of Masonry, better equipped to display its tenets and principles in every activity of our lives. You know we are told time and time again – ‘Freemasonry makes good men better.’ This is correct, however to be effective we must labour hard, putting into effect what we learn and observe. In the world today all visits are a must whether they are local or inter-jurisdictional. How else can we bring about tolerant understanding betw een cultures in the multi-cu ltural society that we have rapidly expanded into? Freemasonry allows us to interact with our brothers, families and communities. Every person we have contact with will judge us by first appearances, and remember one day somewhere, that person or someone connected to them may just meet us in Lodge when we visit. How would you feel if the way you treated them was not in accordance with our Masonic teachings? Embarrassed, happy and cont ented or satisfied with the behaviour you illustrated knowing in your heart that you have failed the test of an upright Freemason.
What we must all remember is that inculcated within our teachings are all the lessons we need to live a worthy life, not only within our own circle but the world as a whole. Freemasons visiting teaches and strengthens that spirit within Fr eemasonry, but when taken outside of our own fraternity, and followed in all our endeavour s, we can all stand and say that Freemasonry has made me better. What we must all remember is what you see is w hat you get and in life this must be remembered every living moment that we draw breath. Do not let that breath be bad, ensure you mainta in fresh breath, keep beha viours focussed on this concept. You will be a credit to both yourself and the organisation you represent. Import antly that impression projects the person you are. Start the engine – you are the driver.