Adapted by V.W. Bro. Norman McEvoy from a paper by Richard E. Fletcher, PGM, Vermont \u00a0\u00a0(undated)<\/p>\n
Conrad Hahn, a most distinguished Mason, once observed,\u00a0 \u201cThe lack of educational work in the average lodge is the principal reason for the lack of interest and the consequent poor attendance in Masonry over which spokesmen have been wringing their hands for at least a century\u201d. <\/em><\/p>\n This quote stirs one to think about the importance and value of Masonic education within the Masonic Fraternity. It should further stir us to think about why this important aspect of Freemasonry has been so badly overlooked. We must not kid ourselves into thinking that Masonic education is playing the prominent part in Freemasonry that by right it should.<\/p>\n This leads to the all important question, \u201c<\/strong>Why has this situation come about?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The real problem in trying to answer this question is that there is no easy answer.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 We, as a Fraternity, have reached the point where far to few of our members have even the faintest idea of why they are Freemasons, let alone, have any real knowledge about our history and heritage. To those of you who are \u201c<\/strong>ritual purists<\/em>\u201d<\/strong> please do not let my next statement shock you. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The real truth of the matter is we have come to depend on the ritual as the basis for Masonic knowledge. The ritual does not make Masons. It only makes members!<\/p>\n We cheat, wrong and defraud any candidate who is left hanging at the end of the 3rd<\/sup> Degree, having heard a lot of words and really not knowing what they mean.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Until the Degrees are explained to the candidate he has no idea of what he has gone<\/em> through.<\/em><\/p>\n To suggest that the explanation is complete with the lectures of each Degree is again burying our head in \u201cMasonic Sand<\/em>.\u201d Let me stress no one loves the ritual more than I do. The ritual has an important place in the life of the person who is becoming a Mason. \u00a0But, that place is not the \u201c<\/em><\/strong>throne from on high\u201d<\/strong><\/em> from which there is no more to learn.\u00a0 In my opinion, it is far easier to memorize and recite the ritual than it is to study the history and meaning of Freemasonry. So, we tend to be far more comfortable in working the Degrees than in working with the candidate to teach him what our beautiful craft is all about. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Has this always been so? \u00a0The answer, of course, is no, but we have drifted so far away from true knowledge within our Fraternity that now it is very difficult to try to turn the tide. But we are going to have to do that very thing!\u00a0\u00a0 What are in fact the origins of Freemasonry? Where did it begin? How did it reach the present state in which we find it today? & what is the significance of our Rituals??<\/p>\n Wouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if we could answer these questions in ten words or less.\u00a0\u00a0 This cannot be done!!!!\u00a0\u00a0 We can only surmise what may have happened.<\/p>\n Historically, of course, we do know that Freemasonry did not begin with the forming of a Grand Lodge in London in 1717. Quite obviously, there had to have been Lodges to be formed at that time. So, they must have had some history prior to that date.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When did it all begin?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We simply don\u2019t know!!<\/p>\n One thing has always bothered me with the explanation we are usually given. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That is:\u00a0\u00a0 “Why did the ancient Guilds of Cathedral builders need such an elaborate method of recognition?”.\u00a0 “Why would they have needed signs and words, if in fact our early origins were with tradesmen plying their skill in building cathedrals?\u00a0”\u00a0 That they might wish to keep secret the method by which they constructed a building is perhaps possible. But, they were out in the open, visible to anyone who wished to come near the building and certainly not in any danger from an outside enemy. So why would they need to have methods of recognition that would not have been known to the casual observer?\u00a0 This question has always intrigued me. Please let me tell you right now, I do not know the answer.<\/p>\n One of the better theories that I have read concerning this matter is in a book by John Robinson entitled, Born in Blood.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Let me say briefly that his theory is that Freemasonry very likely began with the suppression of the Knights Templar in the year 1307. At that time the Templars were crushed in France, but by the delay of the King in enforcing the edict in England and Scotland many escaped. It is Mr. Robinson\u2019s theory that they went underground and had to devise a method of recognition enabling them to travel safely and to establish safe houses where they would have an opportunity to rest and refresh themselves. It also gave them the ability to recognize each other as members of the order! While the suppression of the Knights Templar may or may not have anything to with early Freemasonry, it certainly makes more sense to me that secret signs and words in this type of environment were far more necessary than with the simple workman plying his trade in building a cathedral.\u00a0 Just one more thought from this particular theory. <\/strong><\/p>\n The suppression of the Knights Templar occurred on October 13, 1307. The particular day of the week was a Friday and ever since that event Friday the 13th<\/sup> has been considered to be the unluckiest day of the year. <\/em><\/p>\n Now, the suppression of the Templars was crude and bloody but it was not an unusual event in those times. war, pillage, and confiscation of property were a way of life. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0There were other orders in existence, who had their own troubles as well. \u00a0What was there about the Knights Templar that made them known and recognized and respected? Why do I say respected, because there wasn\u2019t any rejoicing at their suppression. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Instead the day is remembered as unlucky! \u00a0The only conclusion that I can reach is that this order held the respect of the people and their destruction brought about the omen of bad luck.\u00a0 Why were they so respected?<\/p>\n Obviously, there is no absolute answer to that question, but one could surmise that if they were indeed practicing the principles of Freemasonry they would certainly have had the respect of the people!\u00a0 My conclusion is that Freemasonry has existed for a very long time. Not perhaps, as we know it today, but as an order of men doing good work where they were permitted to exist. This observation is not to be taken in the context of the claims of many Masonic writers, such as: Masonry goes back to the times of Solomon or even Noah and the flood. \u00a0In Masonic writing we must be very careful when making claims like this. Many times ancient symbols, which have in more recent times been co-opted by Freemasonry, are mistaken as evidence of early Masonic existence.\u00a0\u00a0 Let me give you one example. The All Seeing Eye<\/em> on the one dollar bill is certainly well known in Masonic circles and, unfortunately, has mistakenly been interpreted as a Masonic symbol. It is, in fact, an ancient symbol, which was taken into Freemasonry in far more recent times.<\/p>\n This lack of understanding of ancient signs and symbols has, in my judgment, misled many Masonic historians into false conclusions. The study of history, particularly, where the written word was not used, requires a well trained person when interpreting its meaning. That is why we need to do a far better job of interpreting early Masonic history than we have done in the past. If Masonic history began in earlier times than we normally talk about, it is obviously going to make a reconstruction of our past difficult because we have very few written records to go by. Remember those were times when few people could read or write. So, we don\u2019t have many minutes of early Lodge meetings available.\u00a0 Also remember, if their very lives were at stake, that \u00a0would be a very strong inducement not to put very much information into written form!<\/p>\n The purpose of my tracing this obscure part of our history is simply to say that I very strongly believe that there was a far more significant purpose to the origins of Freemasonry than simply erecting buildings! \u00a0I do believe that Freemasonry evolved into that stage, during its development, and while the Cathedral builders reflect a time in our history they were not its beginning!\u00a0 Let me carry this thinking one step further and bring it into the late 1700\u2019s. \u00a0Benjamin Franklin and Voltaire did not join a workers guild! \u00a0 They joined what they believed to be an educational society, which was called, \u201cFreemasonry.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 These were extremely intelligent men who had no time to waste on things that were not important to them, and yet Franklin was an active Freemason and Voltaire joined only shortly before his death! What was it that they saw in Freemasonry that eludes us today?<\/p>\n Well let\u2019s focus our thoughts more on modern Freemasonry and see what we can determine. It has been said that Freemasonry in Europe was for the elite and in North America for the masses.<\/p>\n With the great numbers of members that we have attracted over the years, there seems to be a certain amount of truth in that statement.\u00a0 Today we tend to overlook the fact that even though our numbers are dwindling we still have in excess of two and one-half million Freemasons in the United States alone.\u00a0 It would seem that when Freemasonry caught fire it did so in massive numbers. In the 1920\u2019s we were in the three millions in membership. In the 1950\u2019s and early 60\u2019s in the four millions and have been on a decline ever since. \u00a0But, if we look at the membership in the 1700\u2019s, when by any standard of measurement Freemasonry was certainly at its most influential peak, there were not very many Freemasons!\u00a0Lodges were small, intimate and every Brother knew every other Brother.<\/p>\n With larger numbers, perhaps also, came the seeds of our own downfall. It is very difficult to have personal knowledge of each Brother when our numbers are so large. \u00a0\u00a0One of the most frequent complaints we hear in Freemasonry is a Brother saying that\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was in the hospital and no one came to see me<\/em>“. The chances are no one even knew he was in the hospital!\u00a0 We also have an extremely mobile population.<\/p>\n It is no exaggeration to say that somewhere in the 30% range of the members of each Grand Lodge live somewhere else, other than the Jurisdiction in which they where raised. How do you keep a personal relationship with a Brother when you don\u2019t even know where he is?\u00a0 It would seem to me that one of the greatest mistakes we have made in Freemasonry is to try to run it as we did in the 1700\u2019s. You can\u2019t run an organization with a few thousand members the same way as you do one with millions of members. It just can\u2019t be done! \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We did not<\/em> develop, the Masonic education, the teaching programs, the communication or leadership that was necessary to deal with these vast numbers.\u00a0 When we talk about the \u201cold days<\/em>\u201d when all of the leading men of the town were in Freemasonry we overlook the fact that the town was very small and everybody knew everyone else. Now we have vast cities where people don\u2019t know everyone else. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Yet we still think of Masonry in terms of those earlier times. It\u2019s impossible not to conclude that we simply have to do a much better job of communicating with and educating our membership!\u00a0 It is no secret that we have thousands upon thousands of books on Masonry and for the most part the one thing they have in common is that they are unread.<\/p>\n We are challenged to find a way of developing material that will be used in the Masonic community. Realistically we have to get right down to the Craft Lodge Level and insist that every Lodge must offer a course in Masonic education.\u00a0 If they don\u2019t have the resources within the Lodge to provide that education then it must be done either by another Lodge or at the district level. We can no longer turn out members who do not know anything about our Fraternity. \u00a0The price we are paying for that mistake is clearly evident today!<\/p>\n Programs can be developed but it does require commitment on the part of the Grand Lodge but, more importantly, commitment, on the part of knowledgeable Masons within each Lodge who will actively accept the responsibility to see that all Masons are taught about the Fraternity.\u00a0 Certainly Grand Lodges can be of tremendous help in developing a program common to all Lodges within their Jurisdiction a program that would be at least enough to whet the appetite of the recipient so that he would want to do more on his own but one that would teach him basic Masonic information!<\/p>\n During a recent study by the Masonic Renewal Task Force one of the issues that kept repeating itself over and over again was the lack of interest by our present members. The membership of Freemasonry can really be divided into three groups. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 If you will, imagine three side by side circles or, as I call them, a snowman lying down, the largest circle being the base which is the greatest percentage of our membership and largely inactive, a smaller circle in the middle which would be the body with a somewhat active membership; and the tiniest circle of all, the head, with the smallest group of Masons and the most active.<\/p>\n It is with the large, inactive base that our attention should be directed. The deaths occurring are roughly the same in number as the new members being brought in, so one offsets the other. Where we are losing our members is in the two categories of non-Payment of dues and demits.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Surveys have shown that of this very large base of membership, when asked why they pay their dues, 33% responded \u201cto maintain membership\u201d and 15% didn\u2019t even know why!<\/p>\n These are the ones who, through lack of interest, are now leaving Freemasonry. This group I believe represents the residue of the \u201caura of Freemasonry<\/em>\u201d<\/strong> that used to say to a man \u201c<\/strong>You Should Belong<\/em>.\u201d<\/strong> Many joined believing this. Now we have a group of men who never quite knew why they joined and over the years have never found out why, have reached that point where, either through lack of interest, or cutting back financially have no incentive to remain in Masonry.\u00a0 They have been around for years and have never been active and now see no need to stay a member. We are losing that group. We are not replacing them and unless and until we can find a way to communicate intelligently with them and show them a reason why being a Freemason is important they will continue to drift away. It is inevitable!\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But the good news is we can do something about this situation! We can do something about lack of interest and that my Brothers is the challenge facing Freemasonry today!<\/p>\n At the very least inactive members should be invited to attend the instructional classes for new members that we have already talked about.\u00a0 Let me not present Freemasonry as all doom and gloom. It most certainly is not.\u00a0 We have a tremendous amount of good work going for us.<\/p>\n Let me share with you some words from our May 1991, Short Talk Bulletin entitled, \u201cAnd The Greatest Of These Is Charity.\u201d<\/em> This quote is from that Short Talk Bulletin which was written by S. Brent Morris, a well known Masonic author:<\/p>\n \u201cA study of Masonic Charities is a study of the evolving needs of society. When food and shelter were immediate and almost daily concerns, Masons responded with firewood and the fruits of their harvests. When care of the aged, widows, and orphans were worries, Masons erected retirement homes and orphanages. When education was needed, Masons built schools, and when these basic needs moved ever farther from common experience, Masons turned their philanthropy to the health of children, burn victims, the speech and language impaired, cancer patients, and others.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n It is very clear that when Masons are challenged, they will respond! \u00a0 These are visible challenges of people needing help. Now we must accept the invisible challenge of Masons needing greater understanding of the history and purposes of the Craft!<\/p>\n The Freemasons among the Founding Fathers of America brought to their work the ancient Masonic Landmarks of Brotherly Love; Relief & Truth, and they fashioned a constitution which, by the depth and strength of its conviction, embedded those principles in the conscience of a nation. While we as a people have not always lived up to them, neither have we been able to ignore them.<\/p>\n Those are very beautiful words to describe Freemasonry. Isn\u2019t it time we reintroduced ourselves to the Meaning of Freemasonry and got back to living and practicing this beautifully descriptive picture of our order?!<\/p>\n Comment\u00a0 \u00a0<\/u><\/strong>There is no date given on this paper, however, does it really need a date??\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The situation referred to has existed for many years and, while pockets of learning exist, the lack of structured masonic education continues to this day irrespective of Country or Jurisdiction. There is, and has been for many years, a need for educational material dealing with and explaining our Ceremonies from both an Exoteric & Esoteric perspective & available to all Masonic Brethren.<\/p>\n Personally, I have been working on the creation of such a Manual for the past two years and am almost complete. Watch for more information in The Educator<\/strong><\/p>\n Have a wonderful Day & God Bless<\/p>\n Norm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MASONIC EDUCATION: A Subject Too Often Overlooked Adapted by V.W. Bro. Norman McEvoy from a paper by Richard E. Fletcher, PGM, Vermont \u00a0\u00a0(undated) Conrad Hahn, a most distinguished Mason, once…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-educator"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"MasterMason","author_link":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/author\/mastermason\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"The Educator<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"MASONIC EDUCATION: A Subject Too Often Overlooked Adapted by V.W. Bro. Norman McEvoy from a paper by Richard E. Fletcher, PGM, Vermont \u00a0\u00a0(undated) Conrad Hahn, a most distinguished Mason, once…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2681"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2681\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}