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          416-293-8634 or CIS: 71202,22
          
          ON-LINE
          by
          H. Edward Struble MPS
          
          I have an uneasy feeling in my Masonic roots. "On-line"
          "Internet" "CompuServe" "Bulletin Board" "Net Working" and
          on and on. A new era has started, and my concern is where
          is it going to lead. I am not part of the computer world and
          maybe that is what has prompted this writing.
          I am told that Masons meet, debate, discuss, learn and
          research by using their computers. It would seem to me
          there must be several difficulties in doing this. For example:
          When Masons meet under those conditions, how do they
          identify each other as Masons? How do they sort out the
          clandestine, the nonmember, those suspended for non
          payment of dues? Dues cards cannot be presented and
          verified. Masonic grips cannot be exchanged whereby one
          Mason know another in the dark as well as the light. The
          due guard and signs cannot be used. How do they answer
          the question, "Are all present Master Masons?" If these
          things are not done does it impose a limit to the Masonic
          activity that can take place?
          When debating, is the debate carried on using the normal
          established rules for debate, if so who sets down the rules,
          how are they enforced? If there are no guide lines, it is not a
          debate it is an argument. Most arguments are non
          productive.
          Under the heading of discussion, are they all thoughtful
          discussions or do they simply offer an opportunity to put
          someone down while impressing them with your great
          knowledge of the subject.
          Is the learning the kind that stimulates your curiosity for
          more knowledge on the subject, or is it a collection of facts
          that has been rehashed many times before?
          I can understand how this exposure to such a wide and
          diverse group of people can be a god send to research
          efforts on any Masonic subject. It certainly must furnish
          verifiable information on a research subject that might
          otherwise stay tucked away in some graveyard of Masonic
          information.
          I feel certain everyone's answer to all of the above will be,
          you will get back what you are willing to put into it and at any
          time you are not satisfied with what is taking place you
          always control the "off" switch.
          My main concern is what happens to the by products of this
          information source. Are papers written and published? Is the
          information gathered presented in lectures somewhere?
          Most important of all, are the majority of those active in
          these programs as active and involved in their Symbolic
          Lodges? Have the Masonic Computer activities become a
          substitute for participating in lodge meetings? That my
          brothers, is a very serious question because we are now in
          a period of our Masonic life where any lodge having ten
          percent of its members show up for communication is
          considered a rousing success. Most lodges would be happy
          with a five percent turnout. We find lodges everywhere
          depending on the Past Masters to fill the chairs.
          Already Masonic lodge attendance must overcome
          competition from football, basketball, TV, limited family time,
          work demands, etc. Are we now in the process of further
          increasing the pressure on our lodges?
          I would like to believe that the entire electronic program will
          result in restoring the influence that freemasonry enjoyed in
          the past, however I see little evidence of that trend.
          I am sure there will be those who will be indigent that I have
          raised any questions about the activities taking place in the
          new world of communications. Please keep in mind that
          there are many dedicated Masons such as I who do not
          understand all that is taking place in the computer world in
          so far as it affects our beloved fraternity. It is to be hoped
          that this query will prompt some to provide their views
          thereby bring some of us up to combat speed.