THE BUILDER MAY 1929

The Future of Freemasonry

The Concluding Article of a Series on Ancient Freemasonry and
Present Day Problems

BY BRO. HERBERT HUNGERFORD
Author of Seeing Both Sides of Yourself

In this final article Bro. Hungerford points out the reasons for an
optimistic outlook in regard to the future of the Craft. The old
self-gratulatory spirit is passing away. Thinking brethren
everywhere are comparing our practice with our Ideals in growing
discontent; and in this growing dissatisfaction and disinclination
to rest upon the laurels of the past lies the great hope for the
future. For the Pharisee who thanks God that he is not as other men
are there is no hope, it was to the Publican who confessed his sins
that the promise of the future was given.

OUR PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE in attempting this somewhat superficial
survey of our ancient institution and its relations to some of the
outstanding problems of our own times has been to formulate, or, at
least, to suggest some forecast of the future of Freemasonry.

In this brief summing-up of the series, please bear in mind the
point previously mentioned so frequently, that our purpose is far
more suggestive than conclusive. In brief, as our previous articles
have attempted to stimulate your own thinking along the lines of
our discussion rather than to present complete and definite plans
and programs to be carried out, so this final article will not
undertake to prophesy future events in Freemasonry, but will be
confined to pointing out certain observable tendencies and trends.

I certainly have no desire to pose as a prophet. Yet, I have no
hesitancy in expressing my faith, or, at least, my hopes regarding
the future possibilities of Freemasonry, based upon observation and
study of our past progress and our present activities.

The Importance of Ideals

Some of the brethren who have participated in this series of
discussions by contributing their criticisms or viewpoints on
various topics we have touched upon, have raised the objection that
the writer's attitude has been too idealistic; that he has been
advocating principles and practices of perfection far beyond the
power and abilities of the poor, frail mortals comprising the
membership of our fraternity to live up to in the regular course of
their customary activities.

Admitting that we have been advocating ideals of achievement and
practices in human relationships far above the customary behavior
of ordinary human beings, still we do not admit that such criticism
of our attitude is justified, because we maintain that the ideals
of our institution are not one whit lower than our articles have
represented them. Furthermore, when the far-seeing founders of our
fraternity established it as an art to be practiced, they thereby
indicated the fact that Freemasonry was to be regarded as an
idealistic institution. Every art is a striving towards certain
ideals of perfection which are never exactly and completely
attained. There are standards of perfection in all fields of
activity. Those who parade these standards and uphold the highest
ideals as the goal to be aimed at by the votaries of any order,
surely should not be criticized as being "too visionary." Bear in
mind the fact that "where there is no vision, the people perish."

The key-note of our theme throughout this series has been our
conviction that, by shifting the emphasis in our Masonic programs
so that less attention is paid to non-essential or side-line
activities and our major effort given to the promotion of better
understanding of the fundamental principles of Freemasonry and to
the encouragement of a more universal practicing among the Craft of
the true art of Freemasonry, we would thereby make a large
contribution towards the solution of many of the world's problems
in religion, education, politics and business.

In this final article, therefore, I propose to point out a few
activities which seem to me to be indications of hopeful endeavor
towards the goals of highest achievement. Because I have not
hesitated to call attention to some of the faults and shortcomings
of modern Masonic activities, some of my readers, possibly, may
have classed me as a pessimistic critic. Possibly, however, after
you have read my views as to the trends and prospects of our
fraternity, you will change your opinion and put me down as "one of
those incurable optimists." If you do, I shall not greatly object.

The High Repute of Freemasonry

To begin with, let me state that it is my sincere opinion, based
upon a considerable amount of observation on this particular
matter, that the vast majority of people in all walks of life
today, outside of our Craft, look upon the Masonic Order as the
greatest of all fraternities. I am not using the term as referring
chiefly to size and extensiveness. I estimate that at least nine
persons out of every ten hold Freemasonry in the highest esteem. If
my observations are fairly accurate, the critics of Freemasonry,
outside the Craft today, are few and their criticisms are, usually,
feeble or futile. The caustic rantings of a few cantankerous
professional scolds or fault-finders, such as Ed Howe or Hank
Mencken, because some of us may find pleasure in rigging ourselves
out in somewhat showy regalia, or in enjoying any of the other
innocent indulgences of our various ceremonials, are but a drop in
the bucket as compared to the high praise and almost universal
commendation that Freemasonry receives from the general public.

Without apology for what might appear to be a somewhat egotistic
attitude towards our Craft, I have no hesitancy in affirming my
belief that Freemasonry is deserving of the high place in the
esteem of the world that it has won for itself. It really is, I
believe, the greatest fraternity in the world.

Furthermore, I regard it as greater today than ever in its history.
Not for one minute do I think that modern Freemasonry is resting
upon laurels of the past. Neither do I admit that there ever was a
period in the history of the Craft when more of its members were
deeply and sincerely concerned with the best ways of maintaining
and promoting the highest and noblest ideals of the institution.

If you regard this optimistic viewpoint at variance with the
criticisms of our Order that have been presented in our previous
articles, let me hasten to show you why I believe these seemingly
opposite points of view in reality are in perfect harmony.

Freemasonry today would be facing a serious crisis if the leaders
in Masonic endeavors and activity held the same views that the
world at large outside the Craft apparently holds. The wise
observation that it is a dangerous condition when "all men speak
well of you" applies to social groups as well as to individuals.

But, my personal observation leads to the opinion that the more
thoughtful members of our fraternity are far from complacent
regarding the present conditions of the Craft. Everywhere I come
into touch with Masonic leaders, I find plenty of evidence of
wholesome dissatisfaction which I regard as the most hopeful and
healthy portent for the future of Freemasonry.

Many Cities Within Our Craft

There are thousands of Masonic leaders, I believe, who are
diligently and sincerely seeking ways and means of applying the
teachings of Freemasonry to the solution of present day problems.
The many comments I have received on this series of articles coming
from every section of the country, is one indication of this.
Another of much greater significance is the generally critical tone
of the principal articles in the Masonic press everywhere,
excepting in the few back-patting and personal sheets which are too
few and insignificant to be deserving of serious attention.

During the several years I was connected with the staff of speakers
of the Masonic Bureau of Educational and Social Service of New York
State, I was afforded considerable opportunity of observing the
sort of speeches which made the biggest hits with the brethren. It
appeared to me as a most gratifying fact that the old back-patting
palaver style of speech was not applauded or appreciated nearly as
much as the plain talks containing really constructive criticism
and practical suggestions for the improvement of the Order.

Unless I have failed to read aright the signs of the times,
Freemasonry is on the verge of the greatest era in the history of
the institution. The unusual and not altogether beneficial
conditions in the Craft which came as an aftermath of the world war
are now passing. We are beginning to get away from the notion that
progress is denoted by increase in numbers. We are losing our
liking for big drives and mass movements, the direct resultant of
the various drives and campaigns which were so necessary a part of
war activities. We are beginning to think in terms of Masonic
quality rather than mere quantity.

In brief, I am confident that we are beginning to shift the
emphasis in our Masonic programs, so that in a steadily increasing
number of Lodges, the activities are being centered upon the real
fundamentals of our great Masonic teachings, instead of being
concerned chiefly with the least important features of Masonic
endeavor.

Please do not misunderstand that I am pretending that, throughout
the Craft generally, we have already Shifted the emphasis. But I do
insist that the tendency in this direction is plainly discernable.
It has been my privilege to visit quite a number of lodges and to
discuss the conditions of our Craft with a good many devoted
brethren in all parts of the country. Everywhere the same thought
has been uppermost in the minds of Masonic leaders: What can be
done to encourage a larger percentage of our members to practice
the real art of Freemasonry and live in accord with true Masonic
teachings ?

There is a practical answer to this question, I sincerely believe;
an answer that has been tried and proven worthy. Granting the fact
that our discussions in this series have only scratched the surface
and have not delved deeply into historical research or social or
economic analysis; still, I feel sure every reader who has followed
the series will admit that they have all pointed in one direction.

The point repeatedly emphasized is that no changes or modifications
are necessary in the purpose, plans or programs of Freemasonry in
order to answer the above vital question in a plain and practical
way. All we need to do is to continue the shifting of the emphasis
in our Masonic programs and activities in the ways already noted as
being the tendency in many Lodges.

Getting right down to brass tacks, I contend, that the Masonic
Study Club Movement, as fostered and directed by The National
Masonic Research Society, offers the most effective answer to the
question as to how any Lodge or any group of really interested
brethren may stimulate and encourage the more widespread practice
of the art of Freemasonry among all their fellows and brothers.

If you are anxious to develop the true Masonic spirit among the
members of your Lodge, I doubt if you can find a more satisfactory
and certain way of accomplishing this commendable aim than by
organizing a Study Club. You are surely aware of the difficulty of
deeply impressing the principles and teachings of Freemasonry
through the frequently hurried administering of initiatory rites.
Neither does sitting on the side lines listening to these
ceremonials or even participating in them, bring out clearly and
completely the noble ideals and practical teachings of our Order.
Nor will a few brief talks or lectures by well-informed brethren
fully accomplish this objective. All these things will help, of
course, yet you will find no other means as effective in teaching
Masonic ideals and inculcating the practices of Freemasonry as
organizing and conducting a regular course of readings and
discussions.

You will note, therefore, that although we have reached the final
discussion in our series on Ancient Freemasonry and Present Day
Problems, we have really just begun our endeavors towards the
practical application of the points we have attempted to present
during this series.

In accepting the appointment as sort of a chairman for The Masonic
Study Club Forum of THE BUILDER and general campaign manager for
the extension of the Study Club Movement, I admit my deep
appreciation of the honor and privilege of this service, but also
wish to express my Obligations to, and my dependence upon the
counsel, criticism and cooperation of my brethren in all parts of
the country who have shown so much interest and given such splendid
encouragement to all efforts on behalf of the extension of Masonic
education. If those who have been encouraging my efforts in this
series will continue their cooperation by helping to awaken
interest in the Study Club Movement among the Craft everywhere and
will also aid in organizing, conducting and passing along, through
our Study Club Forum, any practical pointers brought out by actual
Study Club activities, I certainly shall have no fears regarding
the future of Freemasonry.
