WHITHER ARE WE DRIFTING? HENRY F. EVANS.
SECRETARY ROB MORRIS LODGE, DENVER, COLO.

AMERICAN FREEMASON, SEPTEMBER, 1914

IT has been said, "Young men think old men are fools, old men know
young men are fools." The role of Cassandra is not a pleasant one, and of
the few who have sufficient curiosity to read this article the major portion
will condemn its positions as of the "old fogy variety, and the others will
pause but a moment to shy an extra brick at the writer.  Notwithstanding
that I recognize the futility of endeavouring to reform the world, as well as
the fate meted out to those who tilt at wind mills, yet by the courtesy of ye
Editor, and a temerity only equalled by our Rocky Mountain Canaries, I
shall afford a bright and shining mark for the scorn of those who occupy
the seats of the mighty.

The Masonic press is filled with jeremiads upon the lack of interest evinced
by the members, and the numerous devices adopted to increase
attendance. We all agree upon the absolute ignorance of the rank and file
and the absence of any desire upon their part to learn the real meaning
and aim of the Institution - even if we differ as to what that meaning and
aim may be.  We endeavour by lecture, notice and "feeds" to awaken an
interest and a desire for knowledge, but with scant return. All of us
wiseacres urge our own simon-pure nostrum, guaranteed to cure or no
pay, until the resulting work, if adopted, would produce a crazy-quilt of
confusion worse confounded.  And as if it were not sufficiently serious, here
come another wild-eyed enthusiast, to toss his caddy into the arena, to be
made the sport of the wild beasts.  "Twas ever thus," so here goes for a
scrimmage.

Imprimus:- We have deserted the ancient Landmarks. "There," I hear some
one shout, "Now we've got you.  What are the Landmarks?" Well most of
them are unwritten and will ever remain so, altho volumes have been
written regarding them and attempting to define them.

Some one may be rash enough to deny that the Institution is, or ever was,
a teacher of morality, inculcating a belief in the Fatherhood of a Supreme
Being, the Brotherhood of Man and the Immortality of Soul; but scarcely
any one will affirm that it is, or ever was, intended as a super-structure
whereon to build a fabric of high class vaudeville, or to create a
gentlemen's select club.  Ye that is what it has resolved itself into in these
early years of the twentieth century.  Our initiates are not first prepared in
their hearts but they come to us with a lie upon their lips, affirming that "un-
biased by improper solicitation, and uninfluenced by mercenary motives,
they freely and voluntarily offer themselves as candidate for the mysteries."
You know it, I know it, and so does every of officer of a Lodge of any
experience or observation, that it is the worldly respectability of the
Fraternity, or popularity, the desire to better his standing with his employer,
customers, clients or in the community, or to enjoy the allurements of a
club with all its attendant pleasures, at a low expense, or as an anchor to
the wind-ward to assist out of future difficulties due to his own faults, or to
furnish him a decent burial, or to hang the jewel of K.T., 32 or the tiger's
claws to his coat.  These are the things that "induce" him to make
application, and it less seldom arises from "a desire for knowledge and a
sincere wish of being serviceable to his fellow creature," Such are the
incentives which keep the degree mills working overtime, grinding out
half-baked Masons, stamping them "Master Masons" (God save the mark!)
qualified to travel (to higher degrees) and work (their way into high office)
as such.  In truth, my Masters, this is a travesty, at sight of which gods and
angels well may weep.

"'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, nor customary suit of solemn
black," which moves me to this protest.  It is the honest indignation and just
condemnation at prostituting the good name of morality, and breeding such
a damnable spawn of hypocrites.  If the Institution is a laudable one, and
its traditions and teachings aught but hollow mockery and mystic
mummery, let us lay the ax at the root of the tree and cast out these money
changers.

If, on the contrary, there is nothing to us but sounding brass and a tinkling
cymbal, let us be honest about it, and, cutting loose from our "ancient and
honourable" mouthings, come out into the light of day, advertising boldly
for all who have the price, inclination and appetite to "get into the game."
Promise each and all an entirely new bill every night, new scenery, the
highest class of performers, full orchestra and the latest featured films, and
at the close of every performance each initiate to be furnished with a solid
tin gew-gaw, beset with Rhine stones, not less than 6x8 inches, to be
attached to the left breast of the coat, proclaiming him a "high-up" Mason
of the Jije-boo-ja variety, fully qualified to take the money, position of praise
of all gawking caballeros who are unable to raise the denarius or
pronounce aright "mumble-peg."

If you think this picture is over-drawn listen to this.  I quote from one Lodge
Bulletin, where eighty-three applications were received in one evening.  At
another twenty-five candidates were raised to the sublime (?) Degree of a
Master Mason; where they are obligated in herds, and the Degree
"exemplified," (Heaven defend us!), upon the last candidate, while the
others occupy the choicest seats in the bald-headed row.  Our
old-fashioned conception of this Degree is that it typifies birth and death,
and that it is intended, by his actual participation therein, to "confer" a right,
light and benefit upon the candidate.  The present method reminds us of
Belgian hares, or "Pigs is Pigs", either of which are sufficiently suggestive.
Another Bulletin reciting the "good things in store" of that particular Lodge,
enumerates a supper, a noon-day lunch, a May-pole party, a Masonic
Circus, (It all reminds us of a Circus with the ring-master cracking the whip,
and the barker doing double duty), a ladies' auxiliary, a minstrel show, a
moonlight party, a dancing class, a bowling club, a baseball club, a military
band, a rifle club, an admonition to vote for John Brown for City Auditor,
and Heaven only knows what else.  Shades of the Vatican, could the heart
of man desire more to make a Masonic Lodge attractive, or a nearer
approach to a Catholic fair?

Another case presents exceptional club quarters with billiard and card
rooms, musical headquarters, conservatory, library and reasonable
restaurant and lodgings, with "all the comforts of home." A past officer is
quoted with unction, as saying he had rather hold membership in that
lodge (which by the way has an added attraction of "one of the largest,")
than any other club in the City." And believe me, there are a number of the
finest clubs to select from.

Constantly you hear quoted with swelling front, the number of members
"we" have and how "we are growing." I wonder if it is "members" or
"Masons" that count.

It wouldn't be so bad if such "doins" were confined to the locality in which
such sporadic growths occur, but the trouble of it is, these "members" will
travel, and we old fogies have to open our doors and bid them welcome
as "Masons;" consequently we are interested in the character of the guests
we are expected to greet as Brothers.  Recently a back-woodsy Mason took
occasion to criticise some of the "high jinks" of another jurisdiction and was
promptly "called" by their accidental Grand Master who happened to be a
"member" of the Lodge in question, showing that the chain is no stronger
than its weakest link.  Were it not that I cite a condition not confined to one
jurisdiction - unfortunately - the writer might share like fate for offending
"lese majeste." Such "brands" of the Craft are more befitting monkeys than
Masons and react on the entire fraternity.

Time, which accomplisheth all things affords us comfort. Human nature is
long suffering, but when this sort of thing is rubbed in too briskly the worm
occasionally turns.  In my own state the Mysterious Shrine got too "raw"
once; although even then not so bad as reported in the recent escapade
at the Southern reunion.  We had a Grand Master with back-bone and he
went after them and hung the skin up to dry, which has not yet lost its
wholesome effect.

A Grand Master in another section became obsessed with the belief that
Coloured Masonry should be recognized.  No one objected until his
affiliates wanted to "travel," and then the mule bucked and that Grand
Jurisdiction was ostracized.  A similar remedy might be resorted to whereby
each Lodge could exercise its prerogative and deny the right of visitation
to those who did not measure up to its own peculiar conception of the art. 
Wouldn't it be fine for some of us trying to find a door to fit our key?

One of the roots of the trouble lies in the legalizing of gentlemanly
high-builders, by the various Grand Lodges labelling higher degrees
"Masonic," when in reality the name as well as the legislation should be
confined to the sphere of "Blue Lodge" Masons.  Rendering the possession
of the Master Mason Degree a sine qua non to receive "higher" degrees,
makes of the Blue Lodge a door mat.  Prohibit the use of the name "Mason"
by any other organization and you pluck the borrowed feathers.  Insist on
six months' investigation before ballot on candidates; sixty days between
degrees; abolish the use of robes, paraphernalia and accessories; limit the
number of candidates to be worked upon in one day to five; confine your
membership to three hundred to a Lodge, which is as many as a set of
officers can give Masonic attention to, and attend to their own vocations in
life; cut out your suppers and entertainments, prohibit the use of badges,
pins or emblems in public, or their use on cards.

This sounds pretty drastic, doesn't it? You would doubtless have fewer
"members," less salaries and lower ones, but you would have more
"Masons." They might not be as proficient in the ritual, nor as "good
fellows," but they would be sound in practise.  Possibly the Institution would
suffer in "Popularity," but your attendance will increase in percentage
notably.

Such treatment, although severe, is preferable to a fall such as the Ancient
Templars had.  We are top-heavy, and we know it, but like the ostrich, we
hide our heads, and in lieu of throwing out the ballast, we keep adding
more.  High-sounding titles and high officials whose knowledge of the real
inwardness of the Fraternity is nil, abound.  Our present appears to be - in
a gentlemanly way - to pass the Elks, the Eagles, the Owls and all the
beasts of the field and fowls of the air in a mad chase after popularity and
numbers, until soon the white-apparelled gentleman "behind" will serve us
"Masonic" sundaes, if not cock-tails; the latest thing will be the "Masonic"
tango and a Ford auto will be given as a prize to the party signing each
hundredth application.  Stop now and think, you officers of Lodges.  Look
to the motive of your applicant and your own conception of the Craft before
it is too late.  Think! Think! Think!

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