The Shrinking The Shrinking Fraternity: Possible Fraternity: Possible

SolutionsSolutionsA presentation designed by:A presentation designed by:

J. Eddy Roberts for presentation to:J. Eddy Roberts for presentation to: Argenta Lodge #3 F&AM of UtahArgenta Lodge #3 F&AM of UtahBased on “Laudable Pursuit: A 21Based on “Laudable Pursuit: A 21stst

Century Response to Dwight Smith.”Century Response to Dwight Smith.”

The Problem…The Problem… Freemasonry is shrinking…Freemasonry is shrinking…

We will never again see the We will never again see the membership numbers of the membership numbers of the 1940’s, 1950s and 1960s. 1940’s, 1950s and 1960s. Historically, these were an Historically, these were an aberration, that we shouldn’t aberration, that we shouldn’t expect.expect.

We’ve lost about two We’ve lost about two generations.generations.

The Baby-boomer rejected The Baby-boomer rejected Freemasonry and most other Freemasonry and most other things that their fathers felt things that their fathers felt important.important.

We’re at a crossroads and have We’re at a crossroads and have three real optionsthree real options

Become a service club, like Become a service club, like Lions or KiwanisLions or Kiwanis

Join the “Animal Fraternities” Join the “Animal Fraternities” and turn our lodges into Bars and turn our lodges into Bars and Billiard hallsand Billiard halls

Return to our roots, and go back Return to our roots, and go back to the Fraternity that George to the Fraternity that George Washington, Benjamin Franklin Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Mozart knew.and Mozart knew.

PGM Dwight Smith’s PGM Dwight Smith’s Questions and PitfallsQuestions and Pitfalls

In the 1960s PGM Dwight Smith of Indiana In the 1960s PGM Dwight Smith of Indiana asked 10 important questions to the Craft asked 10 important questions to the Craft about why we are on the current path.about why we are on the current path.

Additionally, he remarked on 10 major Additionally, he remarked on 10 major problems or pitfalls that he saw, that in his problems or pitfalls that he saw, that in his opinion hinder our progress and undermine opinion hinder our progress and undermine our goals.our goals.

These questions are presented in his These questions are presented in his booklet booklet “Whither Are We Traveling”“Whither Are We Traveling” and the and the pitfalls in pitfalls in “Why This Confusion In The “Why This Confusion In The Temple?”Temple?” Both of these works are as Both of these works are as relevant today as when they were written.relevant today as when they were written.

Question #1Question #1

““Can we expect Freemasonry to retain Can we expect Freemasonry to retain its past glory and prestige unless the its past glory and prestige unless the level of leadership is raised above its level of leadership is raised above its present position?”present position?”

• PGM Smith is concerned with the quality of PGM Smith is concerned with the quality of the men we are placing in the Master’s the men we are placing in the Master’s Chair. Are these men with Vision? Are they Chair. Are these men with Vision? Are they devoted to the Craft? Or are they just devoted to the Craft? Or are they just going through the progressive Chairs going through the progressive Chairs because we need a warm body to fill them?because we need a warm body to fill them?

Question #2Question #2

““How well are we guarding the west How well are we guarding the west gate?”gate?”

• How well are we investigating candidates? How well are we investigating candidates? Are we getting the best men possible, or Are we getting the best men possible, or have we lowered our standards out of have we lowered our standards out of concern for falling numbers?concern for falling numbers?

• How long do men labor with us as Entered How long do men labor with us as Entered Apprentices or Fellowcrafts? How well is Apprentices or Fellowcrafts? How well is the man known when he is Raised? the man known when he is Raised?

Question #3Question #3

““Has Freemasonry become too easy to Has Freemasonry become too easy to obtain?”obtain?”

• In 1897, It was estimated that the average lodge In 1897, It was estimated that the average lodge member spent $50 on Dues and Insurance, and member spent $50 on Dues and Insurance, and $200 on Initiation Fees, paraphernalia, banquets, $200 on Initiation Fees, paraphernalia, banquets, and travel. The Income for a factory worker was and travel. The Income for a factory worker was around $400-500 per year.around $400-500 per year.

• In 2002, these numbers adjusted for inflation In 2002, these numbers adjusted for inflation would be $1037 for dues and $4151 for Initiation, would be $1037 for dues and $4151 for Initiation, etc. on an adjusted salary of $8301 per year.etc. on an adjusted salary of $8301 per year.

• Have we made it too cheep to join? Too easy to Have we made it too cheep to join? Too easy to obtain?obtain?

Question #3 Continued…Question #3 Continued…• To fix the “shrinking problem,” we have tried To fix the “shrinking problem,” we have tried

a lot of things, one-day classes, reduced a lot of things, one-day classes, reduced proficiency, etc. These aren’t helping, much…proficiency, etc. These aren’t helping, much…

• We have tried to appeal to younger men by We have tried to appeal to younger men by changing things that don’t matter to them, changing things that don’t matter to them, but we’re neglecting the things that they are but we’re neglecting the things that they are seeking, the tie to the past – To Washington, seeking, the tie to the past – To Washington, Franklin, and the other masons of history.Franklin, and the other masons of history.

• Masonry today lacks the “Specialness” that it Masonry today lacks the “Specialness” that it once had, in part, because its too easy and once had, in part, because its too easy and doesn’t require the commitment that it once doesn’t require the commitment that it once did.did.

Question #4Question #4

““Are we worshipping at the altar of Are we worshipping at the altar of bigness?”bigness?”

• We have too few lodges, and too many buildings. We have too few lodges, and too many buildings. Historically, and currently (outside the United Historically, and currently (outside the United States), lodges were no bigger than 50 men, each States), lodges were no bigger than 50 men, each designed to appeal to an interest group, designed to appeal to an interest group, profession, or hobby. Many US Lodges are 100-profession, or hobby. Many US Lodges are 100-500 men.500 men.

• Many of our buildings sit dark and empty for 25-Many of our buildings sit dark and empty for 25-29 nights of the month. They look old and 29 nights of the month. They look old and abandoned because we aren’t using them. More abandoned because we aren’t using them. More smaller lodges would make these buildings look smaller lodges would make these buildings look fuller and more used.fuller and more used.

Question #5Question #5

““What can we expect when we have What can we expect when we have permitted Freemasonry to be subdivided permitted Freemasonry to be subdivided into a score of organizations?”into a score of organizations?”

• For far too long, the blue lodges have allowed For far too long, the blue lodges have allowed themselves to be the front door for the themselves to be the front door for the appendant organizations, like the Rites, the appendant organizations, like the Rites, the Shrine, the Grotto, and Order of the Eastern Shrine, the Grotto, and Order of the Eastern Star. Many lodges have become stepping-Star. Many lodges have become stepping-stones to these organizations, and we have lost stones to these organizations, and we have lost brothers to them. This needs to stop. brothers to them. This needs to stop. Although these organizations all have benefits, Although these organizations all have benefits, they should not be a substitute to the Blue they should not be a substitute to the Blue Lodge.Lodge.

Question #6Question #6

““Has the American passion for bigness Has the American passion for bigness and efficiency dulled the spirit of and efficiency dulled the spirit of Masonic Charity?”Masonic Charity?”

• What are lodges doing for the community? The What are lodges doing for the community? The figure tossed around is that Masons give $2 figure tossed around is that Masons give $2 million a day. This figure is nearly fifteen million a day. This figure is nearly fifteen years out of date, and relies on the Shrine for years out of date, and relies on the Shrine for most of that donation. Lets stop promoting most of that donation. Lets stop promoting ourselves on the coat-tails of the Shrine’s ourselves on the coat-tails of the Shrine’s philanthropy.philanthropy.

• What has the lodge done for its community? What has the lodge done for its community? For its widows and orphans? For its older For its widows and orphans? For its older members? Charity has been one of our members? Charity has been one of our hallmarks, Lets go practice some. hallmarks, Lets go practice some.

Question #7Question #7

““Are we paying enough attention to the Are we paying enough attention to the Festive Board?”Festive Board?”

• Far too much time in the fraternity is spent Far too much time in the fraternity is spent in boring business meetings debating on in boring business meetings debating on paying the bills and reading paying the bills and reading correspondence from the appendant bodies correspondence from the appendant bodies wanting us to come support this or that… wanting us to come support this or that… Are we paying enough attention to Are we paying enough attention to Fellowship? Are we having fun with our Fellowship? Are we having fun with our brethern? Lets bring back the festive board brethern? Lets bring back the festive board and make it a fundamental, vital part of our and make it a fundamental, vital part of our lodge activities.lodge activities.

Question #8Question #8

““What has become of that ‘course of moral What has become of that ‘course of moral instruction, veiled in allegory and instruction, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols,’ that illustrated by symbols,’ that Freemasonry is supposed to be?”Freemasonry is supposed to be?”

• We need to work on Masonic education. Quit We need to work on Masonic education. Quit lowering standards of proficiency. We need to lowering standards of proficiency. We need to be raising our standards, not lowering them.be raising our standards, not lowering them.

• Additionally, we need to quit racing men to the Additionally, we need to quit racing men to the Master’s seat. In many lodges when a Master’s seat. In many lodges when a dedicated brother is found, he is stuck into a dedicated brother is found, he is stuck into a stewards chair and rushed on up to master. stewards chair and rushed on up to master. This needs to stop. This needs to stop.

Question #9Question #9

““Hasn’t the so called ‘Century of the Hasn’t the so called ‘Century of the Common-Man’ contributed too making Common-Man’ contributed too making our fraternity a little too common?”our fraternity a little too common?”

• We’ve done ourselves a disservice by We’ve done ourselves a disservice by expunging the word temple from our buildings. expunging the word temple from our buildings. They should be temples of learning and ideas. They should be temples of learning and ideas. We need to return to Masonry as a philosophy.We need to return to Masonry as a philosophy.

• Dress codes? Every lodge should have one. Dress codes? Every lodge should have one. How serious can we take ourselves when the How serious can we take ourselves when the master shows up in shorts and a t-shirt?master shows up in shorts and a t-shirt?

Question #10Question #10

““Are there not too many well-meaning Are there not too many well-meaning brethern who are working overtime to brethern who are working overtime to make Freemasonry something other make Freemasonry something other than Freemasonry?”than Freemasonry?”

• We need to try to return to the roots of We need to try to return to the roots of freemasonry. That is what the young men freemasonry. That is what the young men who are looking at the fraternity are who are looking at the fraternity are looking for – the masonry of Washington looking for – the masonry of Washington and Franklin, Mozart and Voltaire.and Franklin, Mozart and Voltaire.

• Additionally, we need to make ourselves Additionally, we need to make ourselves more visible. We need to take advantage of more visible. We need to take advantage of the free publicity that movies like “National the free publicity that movies like “National Treasure” give us.Treasure” give us.

What are the Pitfalls???What are the Pitfalls???

PGM Smith recognized several PGM Smith recognized several trends in the fraternity that he saw trends in the fraternity that he saw as pitfalls and wanted stopped. as pitfalls and wanted stopped. Many of them are still happening, Many of them are still happening, lets put an end to them once and for lets put an end to them once and for all.all.

The Pitfalls 1-4The Pitfalls 1-4

1.1. ““Abandon the ‘free will and accord’ rule which Abandon the ‘free will and accord’ rule which has placed our Craft far above the mine run of has placed our Craft far above the mine run of societies and permit outright solicitation.”societies and permit outright solicitation.”

2.2. ““Ape the service clubs. Get busy on ‘projects’ Ape the service clubs. Get busy on ‘projects’ galore in the best Babbitt fashion”galore in the best Babbitt fashion”

3.3. ““Go into the organized do-good business in a Go into the organized do-good business in a big way. Find an area of the human body that big way. Find an area of the human body that has not been exploited. Exploit it. Set a quota, has not been exploited. Exploit it. Set a quota, have a kick off dinner, ring the doorbells.”have a kick off dinner, ring the doorbells.”

4.4. ““Subsidize other organizations right and left, Subsidize other organizations right and left, and in the doing, ignore, neglect and starve and in the doing, ignore, neglect and starve the parent body.”the parent body.”

The Pitfalls 5-7The Pitfalls 5-7

5.5. ““Feminize the Fraternity. Carry Feminize the Fraternity. Carry “togetherness” to even more ridiculous “togetherness” to even more ridiculous extremes than we have already.”extremes than we have already.”

6.6. ““Hire press agents to tell the world, like Little Hire press agents to tell the world, like Little Jack Horner, what great boys we are. Jack Horner, what great boys we are. (‘Masonry is not getting its proper share of (‘Masonry is not getting its proper share of publicity’ complains one Grand Master.) publicity’ complains one Grand Master.) Never mind actions, concentrate on words.Never mind actions, concentrate on words.

7.7. ““Imitate Hollywood. Stage an extravaganza. Imitate Hollywood. Stage an extravaganza. Bring in all the groups that ever fancied Bring in all the groups that ever fancied themselves remotely related to Freemasonry. themselves remotely related to Freemasonry. Form the parade, blow the bugle, beat the Form the parade, blow the bugle, beat the drums, and cheapen the Fraternity.”drums, and cheapen the Fraternity.”

The Pitfalls 8-10The Pitfalls 8-10

8.8. ““Let Freemasonry ‘take a position’ on the public Let Freemasonry ‘take a position’ on the public issues of the day. Stand up and be counted issues of the day. Stand up and be counted (assuming, of course, that the position our craft (assuming, of course, that the position our craft takes is in like with our own pet prejudices.)”takes is in like with our own pet prejudices.)”

9.9. ““Go all out for materialism. Raise money; spend it. Go all out for materialism. Raise money; spend it. Build temples, institutions. Subsidize; endow. Build temples, institutions. Subsidize; endow. Whatever can be had by writing a check, get it.”Whatever can be had by writing a check, get it.”

10.10. ““Centralize, centralize, centralize. Pattern Centralize, centralize, centralize. Pattern freemasonry after Washington bureaucracy. Let freemasonry after Washington bureaucracy. Let nothing be done modestly by an individual or a nothing be done modestly by an individual or a Lodge; do everything on state or national level the Lodge; do everything on state or national level the super-duper way. Make a great to-do about local super-duper way. Make a great to-do about local self government, but accept no local self-self government, but accept no local self-responsibility.”responsibility.”

SourcesSources

“Laudable Pursuit: A 21“Laudable Pursuit: A 21stst

Century response to Dwight Smith” by Nights of the North, 200 Century response to Dwight Smith” by Nights of the North, 200

5. Internet Produced.5. Internet Produced.

Grand Lodge of Utah WebsiteGrand Lodge of Utah Website