                               SUCCESS STORY
                                     By
                              Ralph A. Herbold
                              SCRL Master 1963


    One of the most remarkable Masonic success stories of the day is that of
the Southern California Research Lodge, chartered in 1952.

    The foundation and basis for success were the 30 charter members, all
active in the field of Masonic education.  This small group wrote a great
many of the programs used to this day which are found in the Lodge's set of
four volumes.  They traveled all over southern California for educational
programs.  This service is still performed and, as then, at no cost to the
Lodges.

    Because the basis of the Lodge was an active group, principally Masonic
scholars, it remained small in number, not having its 100th application until
five years after its beginning, in 1957.

    Growth continued to be slow and it was not until 1975 that the 500th
member signed the by-laws.  Then things began to happen.  As the result of a
policy started about 1965, news letters and brief articles, many the result
of correspondence with jurisdictions literally around the globe, were sent
to members.  Sample mailings were sent on a regular basis to the Masters and
Wardens of the area in an effort to acquaint them with the work of the Lodge.

    Publications of other Grand Jurisdictions were contracted for and
included in this output.  It was found that members enjoyed reading about
Freemasonry in other jurisdictions so this was adopted as a regular policy.

    As a result of this activity, the Lodge received its 1000th application
in 1980, less than five years after the 500th, an average of, for this period,
100 applications per year.  This growth expanded, the Lodge receiving its
2000th application in January of 1985, the 3000th in October of 1987, and
the 5,000th in January of 1992.

    Prior to 1979 only members of Lodges in California could apply for
membership.  At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California
that year legislation was adopted to allow applications from any Master Mason
in a jursidiction they recognized.  Because of the excellent relationship
with other jurisdictions, publicity was given this action resulting in almost
800 applications from every state and twenty foreign countries.

    Starting slow, but expected to increase, are applications from Lodges and
York Rite and Scottish Rite bodies recognized by the Grand Lodge of
California, giving them a wonderful source for educational programs.

    The set of four volumes, over 500 pages, is now housed in a 3" post
loose-leaf binder making it easy to remove talks and panel discussions for
copying or programs.  The first three have specialized talks or multi-part
panel discussions while the fourth consists of short items for Trestle Boards
or two to three minute talks.

    Each month members receive a 9 x 12 envelope, no folded papers,
containing a one page letter on a particular subject, two (two page)
Fraternal Reviews covering activities and items of Masonic interest in
other jurisdictions and one or two feature articles, usually two to six
pages each.  Included is the Short Talk Bulletin of the Masonic Service
Association and, at this time, The Georgia Messenger and the Green Mountain
(Vermont) Mason with occasional copies of the Virginia Masonic Herald and
Pennsylvania Freemason.  Out of jurisdiction members also receive the
California Freemason.

    The Lodge has a book sales department offering the classics as well
as the newly published, nearly all at discounted prices.

    The philosophy or reason for this success?  All of their materials are
designed for the individual Master Mason rather than the Masonic scholar.
They believe our Craft is a serious organization in its purpose but also
believe this purpose can be communicated in an interesting manner and that
Freemasonry can be exciting and it can be fun.

    Want to give Southern California Research Lodge a try?  The annual dues
are $15 and the set of volumes is $30.  A recent post office decision no
longer allows shipping these at book rates so the price zone 6 is $32.50,
zone 7 $34.00, zone 8 $37.50, Canada $41.00 and other foreign $47.00.  Your
zone would be the same as yours to us.  For information and application
contact Ralph A. Herbold, Corresponding Secretary, P.O. Box 6587, Buena Park,
CA 90622.


  (Hiram Valley BBS users can post questions to MAX RUSH in Conference 2)

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