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There is no doubt that Freemasonry will continue to diminished in our society and Freemasonry has bought
evolve and although I have traveled for Freemasonry in into it. We refuse to raise initiation fees and dues because
the Far East and Africa, I have yet to differentiate any we feel that the average American could not afford it,
specific style. It would be interesting however to look the same average American who would spend at least
back 50 years from now and observe their style of the an equal amount on something to smoke or drink or on
craft and its impact on the development of their societies. entertainment and not give it a second thought. It is not
a matter of cost; it is a matter of priority.
North American Freemasonry, excluding Mexico and
perhaps Canada, has developed a style unlike that of We in North America have absolutely no concept of what
any other. It is a style that evolved into being to the it means to be a Freemason in the rest of the world. The
greatest extent over the last 25 years. In that span of financial cost to affiliate with this organization in most
time we have surrendered most of its intellectual and of the world is in the thousands of dollars and the time
philosophical qualities, eliminating the stimulus to learn requirement to become a Master Mason is measured
and excised the requirements to do so. We have directed in years, not in months let alone in days. While we in
most of our energies toward becoming an organization North America are lessening our requirements to be
dedicated to raising monies for outside charities. Hence Freemasons, much of the world is increasing theirs or at
I refer to North American Freemasonry as a “charitable least not decreasing them.
style” of the craft.
I was in Brazil about 10 years ago and I asked what the
Tragically, the result has been an erosion of our image dues were in their jurisdiction and they told me $50.00.
in society and ironically we evolved into this approach in When I expressed surprise that their annual dues were
an attempt to buy back the respect and admiration along that cheap, they told me it was $50 a month not $50 a
with that image we were losing. As a result we have year and there are some jurisdictions where the dues will
surrendered the qualities of Freemasonry that made it run as high as several thousand dollars a year. Several
such a unique entity. There are hundreds of organizations months ago I asked a Scottish Freemason what the cost
dedicated to specific charitable objectives but there was for initiation in his lodge and the annual dues. He
are precious few that were dedicated to improving the told me that he paid 3000 pounds to join and the dues
man and this constituted much of the uniqueness of were 1000 pounds a year. Keep in mind the British pound
Freemasonry. Our uniqueness is what made the craft into at that time was almost double the value of our dollar.
what it is; probably the most outstanding
and significant organization ever created by The uniqueness of Freemasonry. Our I was speaking at a
the mind of man and in turn, Freemasonry uniqueness is what made the craft into symposium in Argentina
made this world what it is today. It made what it is. about eight years ago and
it by taking the best men it could find and following a Lodge meeting,
improving the man. By so doing, it changed the direction we retired downstairs for the customary toasts
of civil society. Freemasonry was one of the primary then went to a restaurant for dinner. Following dinner
enclaves that provided the environment during the age the Grand Master spoke and the floor was open for
of the Enlightenment that attracted great minds and discussion. Around three o’clock in the morning they
laid the framework for a democratic society. The United finally took me back to my hotel and after they dropped
States of America is one of the results. me off were walking across the street and I asked them
where they were going now and they said they were
The more I study this craft the more impressed I become stopping for a drink and to continue their discussion.
with how much its presence meant in the development The next day I asked the Grand Treasurer how late their
of civilization. And now I look with great sadness to the meetings normally ran and he told me that sometimes
loss of both quantity and quality in North American they don’t get home until it’s time to go to work the
Freemasonry. I look at the results of our early leadership next morning. Can you imagine how that would fly in our
with their magnanimous long-range vision that produced country?
what we have inherited and then observe not only the
lack of that vision today but even of the understanding I also found that after receiving of a petition the Lodge
of our significance in the world. The vast majority of will conduct an investigation for a period of a year before
our Grand Lodges have not produced a major program bringing it up to ballot, and if approved the first degree
over the last 25 years other than programs designed is conferred. Prior to receiving the second degree the
to increase numbers or raise monies to give away to initiate will have, over the period of a year, presented
charities, both of which have been detrimental to us at least three learned papers on Freemasonry and then
and my friends that is not the purpose of Freemasonry. be questioned on the floor. If he passes he may receive
I emphasized to the Grand Lodge of Russia several years the second degree when the same process will take
ago while speaking in Moscow, that we did not make this place prior to his receiving the third degree. In many
world by rolling over it with vast numbers. We made this parts of the world it takes a period of 1, 2 to 3 or more
world by making good men better, one man at a time. years to receive the 3 degrees. Indeed, I was talking to
Unfortunately for Freemasonry we live in a country that a brother recently; I’m not sure which Grand Lodge and
is the great equalizer. In the name of political correctness he told me that it took him nine years to complete his
today, we have developed an attitude that everyone three degrees. At this stage, these brothers know more
deserves the same as everyone else regardless of ability, about the craft than most of our members will learn in a
desire, initiative, or work ethic. As a result, the stimulus lifetime of Freemasonry in North America.
for one to rise above the level of mediocrity has been

Montana Freemason Page 24 Jan/Feb 2022 Volume 98 No.1