                      A DECLARATION FOR MASONIC ACTION

                          by  Kenneth H. Hooley



    Let me open by saying that I realize that the A. Douglas Smith, Jr. 
    Research Lodge #1949 is normally engaged in passive research.  That 
    is to say that its usual preoccupation lies in the collection, 
    collation, and interpretation of past and present events with 
    Freemasonry for the use and benefit of future generations. 


    However, our Fraternity now faces a serious national decline in 
    membership of alarming proportions.  It has been entrenched for at 
    least 10 years.  In 1974 national Blue Lodge membership stood at 4 
    million.  At the end of 1984 membership had declined to about 3 
    million, a straight-line attrition of about simple 2.5 percent per 
    year.  This is the most optimistic analysis.  More likely, this 
    decline is tracing a parabolic curve, like a mortgage wherein the 
    remaining balance reduces to a near vertical descent in the latter 
    years of the mortgage term.  On this basis, national Masonic 
    membership could well be near only 500,000 within the next 35 
    years.  Consider the consequences against the backdrop of positive 
    growth in national population!  This means that Freemasonry is in 
    crisis.  It also means that strong and appropriate corrective 
    measures must be implemented as quickly as possible. 


    Our present Grand Master is most concerned with this problem.  He 
    is certain to be receptive to a well-conceived composite plan of 
    action by this Research Lodge.  At least 75 percent of your 
    membership must comprise an impressive array of leadership titles 
    and experience which range from Worshipful Master to Past Grand 
    Master.  Therefore, this Research Lodge represents a unique 
    reservoir of ingenuity and Masonic capability within The Grand 
    Jurisdiction of Virginia. 


    The greatest of all Spiritual Masons, the Nazerene, pointed out an 
    eternal TRUTH which applies to all here and now present:  "By their 
    works, ye shall KNOW them."  In view of the gravity of this Masonic 
    hour, I urge you to depart from passive to "active" research and 
    development.  What other Masonic body in Virginia is better 
    equipped to perform this most important task?  Our Grand Lodge has 
    already taken certain steps in the right direction.  This means 
    there already exists a problem awareness and receptivity to a well-
    conceived composite PLAN OF ACTION. 


    The Supreme Architect needs your best present effort.  Your Most 
    Worshipful Grand Master severely needs your present help.  It is a 
    situation similar to the Soviets' first launch of Sputnik.  It is 
    comparable to President John Kennedy's call for a U.S. space effort 
    to be the first to land a man on the moon. So, then was pressed 
    into service a massive pool of ACTIVE research and development such 
    as the world had never before seen. 


    With these thoughts in mind, let me urge that this august Research 
    Lodge seriously ponder and develop a complete blueprint of 
    procedure from the following Declaration for Masonic Action.  Let 
    what comes forth be an equitable and honorable blueprint to achieve 
    the correct goal of renewed Masonic growth by equitable and 
    honorable means. 


    Our membership decline has TWO basic causes.  (1) The first is that 
    negative attitudes and practices within the ranks of past 
    Leadership have been, too long, allowed to infect the general 
    membership. (2) The second cause is that this Leadership has failed 
    to ascertain and to positively apply appropriate corrective changes 
    in the outer workings of The Craft.  You must accept as axiomatic 
    that the inner condition which causes the outer manifestation can 
    only be changed by a persistent and habitual effort to modify or 
    change the outer FROM WITHOUT through presently)established centers 
    of control.  This will slowly induce the eventual cleansing of the 
    inner causes so as to stabilize the renovated exterior Masonic 
    structure.  Remember the LAW: "As within, so without"!  The 
    leverage we must employ is conscious EFFORT toward changing the 
    present effortless drift of destructive negativism into positive, 
    purposeful, and prolonged constructive outer ACTION. 

    
                         Nine (9) Items for Action 


    No. 1.  Freemasonry must cleanse, overhaul, and rebuild its various 
    levels of Leadership by proven techniques of reprogramming, so long 
    as these techniques remain within the parameters of the Masonic 
    value system as to both The Spirit and The Letter.  Our Grand Lodge 
    has already established a Leadership training program that can 
    probably be further refined.  We also must be prepared to accept 
    the probability that adjustments must be made in administrative 
    policies and recorded Laws and By-Laws. 


    No. 2.  Freemasonry must effectively deal with the fact that its 
    future rests solely upon the quality of today's YOUTH and all of 
    the hereafter tomorrow's.  To that end, let me suggest that the 
    Grand Lodge of Virginia officially and actively supports the growth 
    of "The Order of DeMolay."  This includes the lowering of DeMolay 
    admission into the Blue Lodge to 18 conditionally.  The condition 
    should be that the DeMolay member agrees in writing not to petition 
    any other Masonic Body for a period of 6 years.  Let me also 
    suggest that every Blue Lodge be required to establish and maintain 
    the DeMolay required Masonic Committee to recruit and develop 
    DeMolay chapters throughout the Grand Jurisdiction. 

     
    No. 3   Every newly-raised Master Mason, age 21 and older, should 
    be restricted from petitioning any other Masonic Body for 3 years, 
    during which time he will be expected to complete the Grand Lodge 
    Masonic Education course. Also, let it be known to him that, during 
    this 3 year period, he will be expected to be reasonably active in 
    Degree Work; or, some Masonic Community Service of his choice.  
    Admonish him, as well, that failure to do so will mean that when he 
    is eligible to petition other Masonic Bodies he will have to do so 
    WITHOUT the written commendation of his Worshipful Master. 


    No. 4.  We should also adopt a two-fold plan of Indirect 
    Recruitment. Part A:  Wives and other female members of each 
    Masonic family should be encouraged to invite male relatives of 
    their families and friends to request of a known Master Mason a 
    petition for membership to a DeMolay Chapter or Blue Lodge.  Part 
    B:  Each Master Mason should, likewise, be urged to request the 
    female members of his family, and those of his friends, to petition 
    Job's Daughters and/or The Order of The Eastern Star. 


    No. 5.  We should encourage the establishment of Daylight Lodges; 
    or, daylight stated meetings by existing Blue Lodges in those areas 
    or Districts where there exist sufficient numbers of Brethren who 
    cannot, because of their occupation, attend evening meetings. 


    No. 6.  Within each Lodge a system of "buddy" committees should be 
    established.  The function of these committees should be to make 
    personal contact with inactive members.  The committee member would 
    make personal contact with inactive Brethren to invite them (or 
    him), with spouse, to his home for an informal Masonic family 
    evening or afternoon.  At least, the Committee Member could 
    telephone such Brethren two or three times per year simply for a 
    friendly chat.  Such occasions should be especially directed to the 
    ascertainment of that Brother's special personal interests and 
    skills.  Then the suggestion should be made that these attributes 
    would be most helpful to Lodge activities.  Ask the Brother to come 
    and share them with his Blue Lodge program. 


    No. 7.  Every Blue Lodge should be encouraged to produce at least 
    one Masonic Family event per year, such as a pot luck dinner which 
    would feature an after-dinner speaker or entertainment program.  
    Outside talent could be used, of course.  However, it would be 
    especially interesting to utilize whatever family talent that might 
    be available. There should also be appointed Brethren as Hosts who 
    would mix with the group and see that everyone is personally 
    welcomed and introduced to those who are not well known! 


    The remaining two items deal with the most "important" principle of 
    "PROJECTION".  That is to say that Freemasonry must first seek and 
    discover the most essential needs and constructive wants of the 
    locale or communities where its Blue Lodges operate.  Freemasonry 
    must then send forth is membership into the community to assist in 
    the development of resources and means to operate the machinery of 
    the chosen objective.  The utilization of this vital principle is 
    what enabled Freemasonry to function as "Builders" of the 
    Government of the United States and the Society which is supposed 
    to direct and to control that government.  Such was the character 
    of Freemasonry in the 18th and 19th centuries.  It was this precise 
    purpose for which the Ancient Brethren originated Freemasonry in 
    the first place. 


    Throughout most of this 20th century, thus far, this purpose and 
    function has been abandoned by Freemasonry.  It is, in this 
    century, how the WORD of the Master Mason, the "Builder," has been 
    all but lost!  Even worse, for too long, two Bodies of the Masonic 
    Tree have been allowed to use and abuse the auspices of Blue Lodge 
    Freemasonry for their own ends.  This has resulted in projecting a 
    negative image upon the mind of the general public.  These 
    conditions must be brought under control, and reversed, if efforts 
    to regenerate the desirability and positive influence of 
    Freemasonry in the culture and society of America are to succeed. 


    No. 8.  Each Blue Lodge, or a group of Lodges within a Masonic 
    District, should promote and execute at least one Masonic community 
    event such as a Masonic Fair.  It should feature competitive 
    exhibitions of arts, crafts, entertainment, etc., awarding ribbons 
    and/or prizes for the best. 


    No. 9.  Each Lodge should develop a project of community service, 
    designed to best utilize its reservoir of membership and 
    membership/family skills and talents. For example: (a) Our 
    communities have a growing number of single-parent households.  We 
    must realize the severe handicap that these families suffer.  We 
    should seek them out.  We should share with them our own family 
    attention and help them to the extent of our cable-tow. By so doing 
    as Blue Lodge Masons and Masonic Families, we serve God, Country, 
    and greatly enrich our own lives with Spiritual fulfillment.  
    Example (b): A most tragic development of our time is the alarming 
    growth of teenage suicide. Each Lodge, or groups of Lodges within 
    each Masonic District, should establish a Youth Problem Counseling 
    Service.  The function of that service would be to offer our Youth 
    adult special help toward the realization of their constructive 
    ambitions and dreams and desires for self-fulfillment.  The service 
    should solicit volunteer assistance by professional help such as 
    educational counselors, psychologists, and social workers who are 
    already within the locale or community. 


    If we as Masons, and Masonic Families, make a serious commitment to 
    such service projects within our communities, our Masonic and 
    Eastern Star membership problems will soon begin to abate and 
    eventually disappear. Outsiders will want to become a part of our 
    Orders.  We shall then be sowing good seed upon fallow ground.  We 
    shall then be cultivating with Diligence and Patience.  And we 
    shall, with certainty, harvest the Good Fruit to the benefit of 
    ourselves, our Fraternity, our families, our Country, and to the 
    Glory of God, our Supreme Architect.  "As ye sow, so shall ye 
    reap," said the Shepherd of Bethlehem. This is another aspect of 
    the Law of Duality.  And, as we first do so in the "outer", from 
    the living unconscious within each of us shall eventually come 
    forth The Light which shines from within The Temple Not Made with 
    Hands.  This great Truth is also eloquently expressed by Portia, 
    the lady attorney in Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice."  She 
    refers to the power of a single candle which shines forth from a 
    sea of darkness. 


    Let me now finish with this contemplation: 

    Every human life must choose to ignore or to learn from the failures 
    and accomplishments of the Past.  The Energies of Life demand that 
    we respond to the Present with positive richness of sharing and 
    caring hearts; or, with negative emptiness, barren and stark.  Of 
    the Future, we must all await a Time with patience until, at last, 
    we discover what we, today, upon Mother Earth have cast! So it is 
    with Freemasonry.  The shadow of declining membership continues to 
    lengthen.  Is this the growth of tomorrow's fruitful womb?  Or, is 
    it the opening of Freemasonry's tomb? 

    
    The answer to ONE of these questions will characterize the future 
    of Freemasonry.  This is the late Hour when Masonic Leadership must 
    choose which price is to be paid: 

    (1)  the administration of strong medication and, perhaps, some 
    surgery; or, 

    (2)  the tragic loss and cost of a great fraternal funeral. 


    The Supreme Architect has decreed seasons wherein we must die for 
    His Greater Causes.  But, He has also provided sowing and growing 
    seasons wherein we may choose to LIVE and labor and to create our 
    very own lesser causes. 


    Brethren, which course shall we choose to take?  High-Twelve, now 
    past Meridian, forces upon us a choice to make.  Must we not return 
    to labor until the Sun has set upon the Station in the West when, 
    then, we may adjourn to rest and to celebrate? 


