THE BUILDER FEBRUARY 1929
THE QUESTION OF NON-AFFILIATION

[The problem of the unattached Mason has exercised the rulers of
the Craft, and has furnished subject matter for the Masonic press
for a hundred years and more. Practically without a single
dissentient voice it has been assumed that the non-affiliated
brother was, if not a rebel and traitor, at least disloyal and
delinquent. It has been taken for granted that fundamental Masonic
law required that every Mason should be a member of some lodge. For
this, the third charge in Anderson's Constitutions dealing with the
lodge, is taken as authority. But the clause, "and every brother
ought to belong to one" is not mandatory. It expresses the
desirability, the propriety, of lodge membership, but leaves it to
the individual to make the decision. However, most Grand Lodges now
penalize in some way the unaffiliated brother.

In view of this general unanimity of sentiment we were much struck
by a recent editorial article in the Masonic Home Journal, of
Louisville, Kentucky. Incidentally we may remark that articles by
Bro. H. H. Moore, the editor of this periodical, are always worth
reading. In this ease Bro. Moore goes directly counter to the
common opinion and as a forcible argument for the defense we have
asked permission to reproduce it, as we believe it will be of
interest even to those who will disagree with it. Ed.]

This question of non-affiliation is a disturbing element in our
institution, yearly increasing in magnitude, which neither the
animadversion of Grand Masters nor the legislation of Grand Lodges
has lessened or abated; on the contrary it is thought both have
rather increased the number and the obstinacy of unaffiliated
Masons, and that such will be the ease until there is an entire
change of policy and practice, as well in Grand as in constituent
lodges. It is hard to conjecture whither and how far the radical
mind will lead and control in matters of this kind. The first step
toward an equitable solution of this and similar questions is to
stop legislation; the second is to cease calling non-affiliation a
crime. Non-affiliation is not a crime, has but recently been so
denominated, and that in defiance of general ancient usage, so far
as can be ascertained, and is in opposition to the present practice
of the oldest Grand Lodge on the continent. There is not a word in
the obligations which the Mason assumes on his making, that
contemplates or looks to continued membership. While in a lodge he
is bound to obey its laws; laws, however destitute of public
sanction, and, therefore, wanting the very element upon which crime
can be predicated in case he is guilty of their infraction. Out of
the lodge, by virtue of a legally obtained dimit, such and all laws
of a private and particular nature no longer bind him to obedience,
and so long as he violates no part of the common law of ancient
craft Masonry, crime cannot, with any degree of justice, be imputed
to him. There are many good and sufficient reasons why Masons do
not wish to affiliate, and the attempt to compel them is as absurd
as it would prove futile. It would be well to let humanity,
fraternity and justice govern our councils, and the strife now
looming up with angry aspect in many jurisdictions would be
averted. Induce the large number of members systematically absent,
except at celebrations, eats and elections, to attend the lodge
regularly, and possibly their example may stimulate the non-
affiliated his indifference and seek lodge relations. At any rate,
cease to denounce him, to placard his name on your lintels, to call
him drone and criminal, until you can show, by a general attendance
of your present members, that a new impetus had been given to the
old forces, and to them had been added new ones, and to interest,
enlighten and upbuild faster and firmer the brother remaining
within the lodge, than any appliance which can be found or adopted
by him who stays without. We hear much of perfect ashlars and pure
cement; we fear five-eighths of the former are naught but cobble
stones or spawls, while the latter has no more adhesive consistency
than mere mud. Anyhow, the cracks in the walls of some lodges are
yearly growing in number and size, and unless master workmen are
soon summoned to repair with better materials than frequently used,
those walls at no distant day will crumble to dust.
