Page 4 - MFM March 2016
P. 4
Greetings from the Grand East
Brian J. Murphy, Grand Master
Brian Murphy, Grand Master observed images of Table Lodge banquets lined
with well-dressed, distinguished gentlemen
“The secret of CHANGE is to focus all enjoying Masonic camaraderie and fine food,
your energy, not on fighting the old, but
building on the new.” - Socrates toasting and singing odes to the fraternity and
Many of the ‘buzz words’ overheard during the the glory of God. The young prospects of today
recent Conference of Grand Masters of North come hungry for knowledge and preloaded with
America were ‘change, retention, education, wonder and awe and great expectations before
paradigms, connectivity, technology, social they ever knock at our door. They’re anticpating
media, communication, security, perceptions, great leaders who will offer them guidance and
traditions’ and so forth. These notions are mentorship. Someone to fill their sails and help
nothing terribly new. We’ve been hurling them them navigate our world’s tumultuous waters.
about for years, but these days they are certainly And if not the enlightened societies of Voltaire,
being emphasized to a much greater magnitude. Mozart, Washington, and Churchill, they’re
hoping to at least be accepted into a fraternity
There appears to be a consensus amongst that promotes philosophical discourse and
many that THIS IS A GREAT TIME to be a provides instructions for personal improvement.
MASON! Things ARE changing in a positive If not drawn to the pageantry and mysteries of
way! Worthy young men ARE seeking what Masonry, young men have forever been lured
we offer in Masonry, and boy, do we ever by the core ideals of Freemasonry. They’re
need them ...in a BIG way. But here’s the expecting Freemasonry to fulfill it’s purpose
rub… many have done their homework. They and do what it actually claims to do, and has
done for generations. And when that ravenous
do what they do best. They use the tools and neophyte finally wanders up to knock at the door
of your Lodge, what will he find?
technology they are familiar with. The internet
has made the world a very small place, so they Brothers, I’m of the firm belief that we do not
go online; read articles; research the pros and have a membership problem, we have a new
cons; delve into our historical significance; view member retention problem. So even when we do
Youtube videos showing austeur men dressed in gain a zealous disciple, and IF that new Master
tuxedos and white gloves performing precision-
driven floorwork to grandiose music amidst Mason can somehow manage to overlook the
elegant and palatial surroundings. They witness
learned men of stature reciting meaningful worn out carpet, peeling paint, dead flies on every
and profound dissertations meant to provoke windowsill, shoddy ritual work, empty chairs,
thought and capture hearts. They’ve probably lack of education, lousy food (I once had cold
gone on Facebook or other social media and spaghetti on a paper plate), inconsistent dress
code, and absence of the intellectual enrichment
he’s craving, and decides not to commit
‘Masonic suicide’ but stays on because he sees
an opportunity for himself to benefit the Lodge
with fresh ideas and build the Masonry that suits
his needs, like his grandfather would’ve ...will
we let him? Will we allow him to question our
outmoded ways? And if we do, will we empower
him to appeal our outworn M.O.s and introduce
us to his world? Will we permit him to improve
the menu with tastier recipes?
Page 4
