                    MASONIC SPRING WORKSHOP 1981
                        MEMBERSHIP OR MASONRY
                          THEME SPEECH #1

                          Bro. M.G. Merner


The topic assigned to me is of prime importance to the Masonic
Order today.  It is worthy of the consideration and study of every
Mason in attendance at this Workshop and of all the Masons who were
unable to be with us; but who are I hope awaiting your return so
they may reap the benefits of your many experiences at Banff.

I am assuming and I sincerely hope that each of you have decided
now that upon your arrival home you will, in conjunction with
others of your Lodge, prepare a complete and detailed report of all
things Masonic that happened at Banff.

Let us now consider the question at hand - Membership or Masonry.

Every person who has made application to become a member of our
fraternity, everyone who has been balloted on and accepted, who has
received the three degrees of Masonry and who has taken a suitable
examination is certainly a member of our great Order.

He has fulfilled the necessary requirements to obtain membership. 
He need only pay dues and live within the law to maintain that
membership.  He is entitled to and receives benefits far beyond
what he may reasonably expect; yet he may never attend lodge or
make any physical contribution to the furtherance of Freemasonry or
his Brethren.  He has obtained Membership.  Whether he proceeds
from this point on depends to a very large extent, perhaps totally,
to the education provided by his Brothers within the Craft.

The sponsors, the committee, the officers of the lodge, the
mentors, if any, the coaches, all should have informed, should have
explained carefully and fully what he may expect and what his lodge
will expect of him.  If after these discussions, talks and Masonic
Education he is unwilling to proceed he does not obtain membership. 
On the other hand if after that explanation and providing complete
and proper answers to his questions have been given we can
reasonably expect that not only will our candidate obtain
membership but will truly become a Mason and practice Masonry.

A Mason in the sense that he will take part in the work of the
Lodge that he will live according to his obligations, that he will
observe the lessons taught in the lectures and charges of the
degrees and as laid down by the Holy Scriptures open on each
Masonic Altar.  That he will attend lodge so he may participate in
the work and thereby reap the benefits that will accrue to him and
to those with whom he is associated.

The dictionary states that Membership is defined as one of a
Society or the persons that make up a society.  The dictionary does
not qualify the quality or quantity of his contribution to the
Craft or to its members or its work.

Masonry is defined in my dictionary as the work of a Mason the
association of Free Masons and their forms and ceremonies.

The member may only belong, the member practising Masonry does the
work of the Masonic Lodge and puts into practice the forms,
ceremonies and teachings with which we are all familiar, and the
world at large is benefitted because of those members who have and
continue to be Masons.

Today I have the privilege of addressing Masons.  By your very
attendance you who are here today have demonstrated your interest
in Freemasonry, have demonstrated by your attendance and by your
participation that you have a desire to have a further knowledge of
the Craft and that you are prepared to work for and sacrifice your
time and finances in the interest of what you know to be just and
right.

I congratulate you for your interest in the Craft that means so
much to each of us.  I commend you for your obvious desire to
improve and expand your knowledge of this great Order, so that in
your lodges, in your homes, in your daily lives you may serve your
lodge, your family, your church, your community in a manner
befitting all Masons and according to proper Masonic Principles and
ideals.

At a Masonic District Meeting with over 200 Masons in attendance
the question was asked - "What is Freemasonry?"

There were over 200 different replies.  If we were asked tonight to
write our answers to that question we could have over 500 different
answers.

Not only because we differ in our opinions but because we express
ourselves differently.

Let us consider just a few of the written replies and see which
fits your own situation or position here today.

        A Way of Life.
        A Blueprint for living.
        An opportunity to be of Service.
        A place where good men meet better men.
        The best influence in the world for good outside of the
        Church.
        The practical performance of the golden rule.
        A Fraternity of men engaged in the building of moral
        temples with the aid of Masonic tools.
        A Brotherhood that knows no distinction as to position in
        society and that works for the betterment of man himself.
        A group of gentlemen joined together to practice Brotherly
        Love, Relief and Truth.
        God manifesting His love in the hearts of men, through His
        Fatherhood and their Brotherhood.

There were many other answers to the question "What is
Freemasonry?"  We all need to pause and ask ourselves individually,
"What does Freemasonry mean to me?"  If any of the above answers or
combination of answers truly fit your feelings toward our Craft
then you are on the right track and the world will be a better
place because you have accepted the Masonic Challenge and advanced
beyond "Membership to Masonry".

Our concern today must be for the man who has achieved membership
only.  The member who does not attend lodge, who forgets or
neglects his Masonic duties and obligations.

We all know such members.  I have never known one who was not proud
of his association with our great fraternity.  They pay their dues,
they often wear Masonic rings or lapel pins, they will tell you the
name and number of their lodge.  They will frequently boast of the
number of years that they have belonged.  Sometimes it is our fault
that they don't participate.

Many of these members, in fact most of them, are great people, we
want and need their support in our Masonic Work.  They each have
special abilities that we can use.  We must exert every effort to
convince them that we need them and that every effort we put forth
is to make our meetings interesting, instructive, proper and
concise.  That we have an educational program to improve the mind
of every Mason.  That we want and need them all, not only to
receive the benefits of our educational program, but to make their
own personal contribution through leadership and participation.

We must by example prove that degree work is interesting and
beneficial not only to the candidates but to all Masons when
properly and solemnly done.

It has often been said that an informed Mason is a good Mason.

Obviously those great and good men who promote, manage, lead and
participate in the work of the Committees on Research and Education
appreciate and know the value of Masonic Eduction to our Craft. 
The work is of such prime importance that a research lodge has been
instituted in Calgary.  Fiat Lux No. 1980 will be of great benefit
to the Craft throughout this Grand Jurisdiction as well as wherever
Masonry is found.

We need education for all our members.  An informed Mason is a good
Mason.

In order to educate or inform we must have attendance.

We must remember that regular attendance at meetings is set to
balance the scale of a thorough knowledge of the work.  Regular
attendance is an accepted duty of a Mason, we all agreed without
equivocation or mental reservation that we would attend all
summonses if within the length of our cable-tow.  This agreement is
reaffirmed time after time in lodge and in our ceremonies.

It naturally follows that if reasonable attendance is not
maintained the member is a loser to a vast extend and the chain of
fellowship is weakened by his dereliction to his duty.

Attendance at lodge is necessary.  We are concerned with a science,
that requires unbroken and continuous application on the part of
its members if it is to be thoroughly understood and appreciated.

A very close friend of mine did a survey in his own lodge with the
following result.  A similar survey in your lodge would give like
results.

His lodge had 174 members 46 were non-resident.  Many of these
should have demitted so they could have affiliated and practised
their Masonry in their place of permanent residence.  Ten lived in
the area but so far from lodge as to make regular attendance
difficult.  Six were ill making it impossible or at least difficult
to attend.  This left 128 who might be expected to attend with
reasonable regularity.  A study of the attendance register
indicated that about 30% was an average attendance.  This is a
percentage comparable with most lodges and better than many.

My friend and Brother then went to 20% of the non attending members
and asked "Why do you not attend lodge more regularly?"  He
conducted his own poll.

These were some of the answers and I'm certain would be the same or
similar if the question was asked of your non attenders.

1.   Pressure of business.  I'll try to do better.

2.   A farmer; 51 years of age.  Pure carelessness, sometimes I am
     held up and can't leave the farm but in the main I could be
     there.  I will endeavour to be there in future.

3.   A Jeweller, 59.  I attend a concordant body.  They are a
     smaller group and need me more than my craft lodge.

4.   Garage Proprietor, age 56.  I apologize.  I have no excuse. 
     I enjoy the meetings and the fellowship and will do better in
     the future.

5.   Veterinarian, age 39.  No reasonable or logical excuse.  I do
     some night work but could attend if I exerted myself.  I do
     think that degree work takes too much time.

6.   Its a matter of habit.  Got out of the habit of going to
     Lodge.  I will do better.

7.   Mechanic, aged 34.  If I had some part of the work I would
     feel more like attending.

I won't bore you with any more detail of the survey.  The answers
were all similar.

My brother who conducted the survey stated and I quote -

"I am convinced that mst of the Brothers contacted will make an
honest attempt to attend in the future and if the officers of the
Lodge would pay a personal visit to those who show a lack in
attendance that a greater degree of active participation would be
a pleasing result."

I dwell on the importance of attendance only because we must have
attendance if we are going to educate members.  I am convinced and
I sincerely hope that you may be too, that success can be achieved
as a result of Masonic Education but in order to educate we must
have members present.

While preparing my remarks the Grand Lodge Bulletin for January
arrived and upon reading it I was most pleased to see an article by
our Immediate Past Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Love on Research and
Education.  I commend the article to your reading and study.  It's
an excellent article as all Bill's contributions to the Bulletin
are.  From the January 1981 Bulletin I quote - "If I were backed
into a corner and forced to name any committee or Board of Masonry
as the single most important one to the health of the Craft.  I
would have no hesitation in naming the Research and Education
Committee of Grand Lodge.

Are we not after all an educational institution striving to teach
and instill into the Characters of our Brethren eternal principles
such as integrity, truth, brotherly love, charity, temperance,
fortitude, justice or prudence, all those age old virtues that have
been the goal of civilized men through the centuries."

Most Worshipful Brother Love defines the purpose of the Committee
on Research and Education.

1.   To inspire the Brethren with a desire to improve their
     character.

2.   To guide Masons to sources of educational material and in the
     techniques of teaching Masonry.

3.   To serve as a communication link between educators and to
     coordinate the exchange of successful Masonic Programs.

4.   To produce educational programs but only in a supporting
     capacity to that done at the individual or lodge level.

Most Worshipful Brother Love says -

"The Committee on Masonic Education is the only one that concerns
itself with the fundamental objectives of Freemasonry that is to
turn our members into Masons."

"Masonic Education is more than just historical and philosophical
addresses.  Masonic Education can include any information of
actively affecting the welfare and smooth operating of our Lodges."

My Brethren you have been a splendid audience.  I thank you for
coming to this session for taking time away from your many
pleasures and activities.

I sincerely hope that you agree with me that Knowledge and
Education will and does turn

"Members into Masons".

I beg of you all that as you return to your respective places of
abode, it will be with a firm determination nurtured by attendance
at this Workshop to carry on and expand present Masonic Education
programs that presently exist.  To start new ones if none exist.

The results will astound you and the very future of Masonry depends
on your individual efforts.

We have today considered

Membership or Masonry.

We have considered how to turn members into Masons through Masonic
Education.

I invite you to participate in another session tomorrow at which
time we can enlarge on the subject at hand.

Before we leave I would cite for you a Masonic charge for no other
reason than that it can be considered part of your Masonic
education and contains a truly great message.  This charge is
available to all Masons.  You need only ask for it if you don't
have it.

MY BROTHERS.  The Ways of Virtue are Beautiful.  Knowledge is
attained by degrees.  Wisdom dwells in contemplation.  There we
must seek her.

The great objects of our Association -

        The restraint of improper desires and passions.
        The cultivation of an active Benevolence.
        The promotion of the correct knowledge of the duties we owe
        to God, our neighbour and ourselves.

        Uniting in the Grand Design
        Let us be happy ourselves and endeavour to promote the
        happiness of others.
 
My Brethren, I hold in my hand an old old Masonic Fable based on
the times when the operative craft were becoming Free and Accepted
masons and there was a real thirsting for knowledge.  It has a
great message.


                * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Extract from: Masonic Relief Association of the U.S. and Canada
===============================================================

                    SPEAK NOW TO US OF MASONRY

And when the Labour of the day was ended and evening had come, They
gathered on a high hill and having placed one of the guild of
tylers to guard against the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers,
They seated the Oldest Master in the Chair.  Then the Others
gathered at his feet saying, "Tell us of our great free order of
masons."

And he said, "What wilt thou?" and one said, "Now speak to us of
the lodge."

He answered saying, verily, the lodge is as a mother.  She giveth
us birth by bringing us from darkness unto light.  She provideth us
instruction mete to our youth and training in the art of character
building and manhood.  She feedeth our bodies with the milk of
human kindness.  She causeth our soul to know of the Fatherhood of
God.  She teacheth each of us is a brother.  She loveth no one more
than another but putteth each on the same level.  None to her is a
stranger.  She is a sanctuary for the weary.  A wholesome guiding
light.  She demandeth little but giveth much.  Verily, she is a
mother.

Then Another said "Speak to us of the lesser lights."

And he said, "anciently the Sun was thought to rule the day and at
nighttime the Moon assumed this duty by governance of the time of
darkness.  To the Master of the lodge is given the task of ruling
and governing his lodge both day and night.  Placed in a triangular
position are the lesser lights.  Viewed from any side one taper
always appears to be centrally placed.  This one would guide our
steps in the search for truth while those on either side would keep
our steps from straying too far either to the right or to the left.
Regard well the lesser lights my brothers.

Then one said "what of truth?"

And he answered saying "Lo, truth is like unto a bright star by
which the seafaring man steers his course.  It shines constantly if
he will but look for it yet he cannot grasp it nor can he examine
it closely.  It is nothing that he can take in the palm of his hand
and say it is thus and so.  Yet he hath faith that it will lead him
safely to the end of his voyage.  So is truth like unto a guiding
star which, if followed in faith, will never lead us to the right
or to the left along the path of righteousness.  Truth is much to
be desired by the earnest craftsman.

Yet another said, "what is the choice among wealth, power and
wisdom?"

And he answered saying, "three wayfarers in ancient times in a
far-away country rescued an all-knowing man from a dire situation. 
Being possessed of strange powers he granted each one a desire as
a reward.  The first chose wealth, the second power and the third
wisdom unbelieving the powers of the stranger.  In after years, the
first became possessed of great wealth.  He bought his position,
his friends and his pleasures and he was beholden to none.  As time
went on his wealth went from him and his position, friends and
pleasures deserted him leaving him worse off than before.  The
second man gained great power.  He held control over the lives of
many of his fellow men and in their hearts they hated him.  In time
his power faded but not the hatred, leaving him more destitute than
before.  The third gained great wisdom.  He understood life.  He
understood the birds and the beasts and the whys and wherefores of
all things.  None could take his wisdom from him for his was the
wisdom of the heart.  Unto him was rendered much power which he
exercised wisely for the good of all.  And unto him came great
wealth which he shared with others.  Verily wisdom is to be desired
above all things.

Others clamoured to ask him more of the teachings of the craft but
he stilled them saying, "know ye not that an over-abundance of talk
is confusing? Ponder upon what ye have heard and go thy ways in
peace."
