        [REMARKS - January 23, 1993 - 79th Annual Installation of
             Officers MONTEBELLO LODGE NO. 451 F. & A.M.]

       PREPARING FOR CHANGE --- THE NEXT GENERATION OF FREEMASONS
                                   By
                                Max Rush
                         1993 Worshipful Master

(INTRODUCTORY NOTE: I received a number of requests for a
transcript of my REMARKS following my installation as the 1993
Master of Montebello Lodge.  I spoke that evening from carefully
prepared notes but without a full text.  Even with the full text
there are a number of differences it good written and oral styles.
In the material that follows I have done my best to retain the
style of the oral presentation which has left some unusually
constructed sentences and some punctuation I have invented to solve
problems of converting to written form my oral remarks.  As always
comments are welcome.)


Brothern, our ladies and guests:

Just a few weeks more than 20 years ago I ended my term as Master
of Triad Lodge.   I fully expected that my future masonic attention
would focus on my primary masonic interests --- masonic
scholarship, research and related subjects.

About three years ago I celebrated my 25th anniversary as a Mason
by participating in the initiation, passing and raising of my son,
Brother Craig, and my son-in-law, Brother Jim.  The lodge recently
elected (and tonight we have installed) my son as Junior Warden of
this Lodge.  I had the special honor of appointing my son-in-law as
Senior Deacon.  I share the time honored expectation of all Masters
before me that Montebello Lodge will in exercising its discretion
find my selection a wise and prudent one and, accordingly, at our
next annual election, select him as our next Junior Warden.

It was through their expert influence, that virtually one
generation removed from my first journey to the East, I now find
myself again charged with the duty and responsibility to manage the
day to day affairs of our Lodge.  I will endeavor to discharge my
duties with care, responsibility and dignity.

The twenty years that separated my two terms of service have seen
Masonry dramatically affected by changing conditions in the society
in which we live.  On a more personal level, I am not the Mason I
was 20 years ago.  Some of my views of Masonry have changed
radically.

The ancient charges and regulations directed to me tonight by the
Installing Officer, Worshipful Ken, have been in use in this lodge
since in founding over 80 years ago.

Twenty years ago I found great difficulty in the injunction that it
is not in our collective power as Masons (through our Grand Lodge)
to make innovations in the body of Masonry.  I believed then and I
believe now that this time honored admonition is in fact an
innovation grafted on masonry in the 18th century.   That the body
of masonry has evolved over time cannot be disputed by any serious
student of our craft.  Masonry by its nature has and will remain
subject to the force of change.

In 1972 I was convinced (despite the attempted persuasion to the
contrary by the generation before me) that Masonry's survival in
the age of aquarius would demand core changes.  I was wrong.
(There are some lessons which each generation must, apparently,
learn for itself.)  The body of masonry was sound in 1972.  The
body of masonry is sound in 1993.

However, our ways of doing things (as distinguished from the body
of Freemasonry itself) must change or our fine work will not
survive.  We have learned from the study of the Masonic Renewal
Committee of North America, among others, that there are certain
hard realities that we cannot prudently ignore:

     REALITY ONE.  There is a wide segment of the eligible male
population that is interested in the fellowship and service that
lodge membership offers, but with demands of modern family living
they have no more than 5 hours a month to devote to such
activities.  Accordingly, they have a high expectation and
requirement that this limited time be well spent, enjoyable and
rewarding. Our present systems of lodge instruction and schools of
instruction cannot attract and retain members who are under such
time pressures of modern living.  The body of masonry is sound ---
but our ways of doing must change.

     REALITY TWO.  The needs of more youthful members contrast
significantly with the needs of older members.  The body of masonry
is sound, but our ways of doing things must change to accommodate
the natural differing needs of younger and older members.

     REALITY THREE.  In the world of the 90's objections to joining
any organization are increased if the organization is perceived as
secret, mysterious or if it has goals and objectives that are
unknown or misunderstood.  The body of freemasonry is sound --- but
our ways of doing must change so that prospective members have the
information to know that we are not a secret organization.  Our
goals and objectives of fraternalism, self-improvement and service
are laudable and worthy of support, but until the reality is
effectively communicated we will remain the subject of suspicion
and uncertainty.

     REALITY FOUR.  In an age of sexual equality in the work place,
and in the home, men in increasing numbers will not consider
membership in any organization without the approval of the lady in
their life.  More interesting is the implied finding that wives who
see lodge as beneficial to their husband support their partners
membership.  The body of masonry is sound --- by our ways of doing
may need rethinking to ensure that women are properly informed
about the value men derive from being involved in our important
fraternal work.

These and other realities require that I be more open to change in
our ways doing.  I am prepared to do so.  I ask for your support.
Tonight I propose a theme for this masonic year: "Preparing for
change and the next generation of Freemasons".

Looking to Brother Maynard in the West, next year should provide
the final transition.  Then look out!  From the South - Craig Rush;
then our current Senior Deacon - Jim Hannum; hopefully followed by
Ray Reyes our current Junior Deacon.  Ready or not leadership of
our Lodge is about to be passed to the next generation.  The body
of Masonry is sound --- but this new generation will be forced to
find new ways of doing to take our lodge successfully into the next
century.

As a tangible demonstration of my resolve to be open to change in
our ways of doing I choose to conclude with remarks that I (and
most other Masons) would have found unthinkable at my 1972
Installation.

I speak directly to the non-masons who received an invitation from
me to attend tonight's installation.  I am pleased that several of
you chose to use some of your discreationary time to be with us.
In every case I made the conscious decision that I believe you
would make an excellent Freemason.  Freemasonry as now constituted
will not directly solicit you for membership.  In time this is one
of our ways of doing that will probably change.  The time for this
idea has not yet come --- but it is clearly on the agenda of the
next generation of masonic leadership.  For now the next step
toward Freemasonry is yours.  Information about Freemasonry or an
application for membership in our fraternity is yours for the
asking.

Innovation is not necessary to open our doors of fraternalism, self
improvement and service to others.  The body of Masonry is sound,
we just need some fine tuing in our ways of doing.

Finally, my Brothern of Montebello Lodge, I am almost ready for the
next generation of Freemasons.  How about you?

Thank you very much.
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