SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESEARCH LODGE

1 October 1992

Brethren

Like ships passing in the night, many meaningful remarks go unnoticed. But one
recently noted remark caused me to think back on several others

While talking with a fellow on another bowling team the subject of Freemasonry
came up and he said: "Getting in the Masons is a hard nut to crack".

My response to that was to say that it was a problem we made it all by ourselves
in that we create a sense of secrecy in our candidate's minds, due to a lack of
an explanation, from which they rarely escape. Because of this web of secrecy
he believes there is nothing he can say when one makes inquiry of him.

If one does make an inquiry and is rebuffed or given an evasive answer he has
to feel he has wondered into forbidden territory and makes no further effort.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

Discussing Freemasonry with another not a member but was considering it, I was
startled to hear: "One thing that frightens me is that I understand I would be
asked to or be required to be in a line and be an officer and that is something
I really don't want to do.

Then I was further startled when telling of this to a real active Freemason and
he replied: "The Lodges have to do this as they need officers." I know that
in my Lodge at one time several DeMolays would not apply because they understood
they would have to he in the officer line. One new memher at our Stated Meeting
said he had other things to do when told he had to devote at least two nights a
week as an officer. Haven't seen him since so we lost a member.

A lady in my bowling league, overhearing one of my remarks, asked what
organization I was in and of course my reply was the Masons. "Oh," she said,
"one of my neighhors is in that and he and his wife are out nearly every night
in the week, that would he too much for us.!

Hard to condemn an active couple whose life was apparently in the appendant
bodies, but, after all, all they know is what they see. We are the image of
Freemasonry and it is not always what we would want it to be.

A remark made while talking to one active in another state: "Masonry in
is getting to he known as a poor man's organization." This requires careful
consideration hecause we do not regard a man because of his worldly wealth. But
on the other hand, we should not be regarded as "chintzy," not taking our place
in the community because of our low dues structure, literally leaving it up to
the appendant bodies, particularly the Shrine, to create our image.

Had a call from a book publisher in England during which he mentioned reading
"Masonic Philanthropies." He was amazed as to the extent of Masonic charity in
our country. Have you shown it to anyone or read it? Do you have a copy? If
you haven't, you'd also be amazd, so put $2 in an envelope, NOW, and send it to
Supreme Council, 1733 16th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20019, for a copy.


Publications included in this mailing ha been purchasecl for our memhers.

