Un-gilding the lily

10 April 25

Change and masonic development is done by way of the teachings contained in our rituals.

Lessons that go back thousands of years. But, like any other lesson, they are useless unless the student is willing to spend the time and effort to understand them and put them into practice. When we realise this, we will realise that the fraternity did not fail us. We were given what we needed to improve ourselves, and then we sat there upset that nothing was happening. Many of us viewed the meetings as a waste of time, not understanding that the meetings are what allowed us to continue, to pass on the tools to new brethren, so that each of us could improve ourselves.

It is this shift in our perspective that will lead us to realise that Freemasonry still has a great deal to offer, but only if we are willing to seize it. We are fortunate if we come to realise this on our own. Therefore, it is up to us to ensure that it never gets to that point in the first place. So how do we do that?

Simple; we set realistic expectations. We tell the candidate what it is really like. Not the pretty, shiny image that is portrayed but the reality of day to day life as a Freemason. We tell him about the long meetings. We tell him about the work he’ll have to do memorising ritual, including the time it will take to drive to his rehearsals. We tell him that not all lodges are equal; that some focus on charity, some focus on research, some focus on fellowship. We encourage him to visit different lodges and explain that they all have their pros and cons and tell him it is important to find the one that truly offers whatever it is he’s looking for. We bluntly explain that while we will provide his working tools to improve himself, he is the one who must labour in the quarries. And finally, and perhaps most importantly, we explain that during his labours, when he finds that he wants help, that he must proactively seek us out, and in turn, we must make a commitment to support him.

It is natural to assume that by removing some of the gilding from Masonry that we may hear fewer knocks at our door. But if we provide a fair and honest assessment of what can be found within our temples, we will lay a solid foundation of understanding among our new brethren that will result in a stronger edifice.