Wither Are We Directing Our Steps?

It is a known fact that here in Canada, and perhaps elsewhere, the numbers of members in our wonderful Fraternity are not as good as they once were, or perhaps as good as we wish it to be.
And, at the lodge last night, we discussed this question; Why is this happening? What can we do to, promote the Craft and what we do?
I feel that, one of the reasons that membership is down here in Nova Scotia is because we are not as out in the public as our Craft once was...
In 1906, our Craft held a Fair in Halifax, in the then new Armories, a special session of Grand Lodge was opened and Brethren marched from the Masonic Hall to the Armories. All the Lodges in the city, the two Royal Arch chapters, The Scottish Rite, and the Knights Templars all had booths of various kinds.
The Masonic Fair was a huge success, even more successful than its promoters had thought it would be. It is estimated that the fair brought it at least $17,400 to the treasury.
Our craft no longer does this kind of thing, I feel this is why we have lost touch with the outside world. We no longer talk to our neighbours. As a Brother stated, the only time we communicate with our neighbours was when Hurricane Juan rolled around, after that we went back inside and lost communication.
I think we need more outside communication, we need to do more things like the Masonic Fair, more events, such as Open Houses, Public Discussions and the sort.

We are going in a positive direction...as long as Brethren as yourself continue to ask these questions, because the next step is to make a change. Bro. Glenn is exactly right in my opinion.

We are going to be fine as long as we begin to let ourselves be seen. I am planning this year to have a number of Brethren join me in a Fight against Cancer run here in Chicago... with shirts showing that Masons are helping the fight against Cancer... planning on having an impressive number of Brethren joining me... this should help. I also believe that we should take more time to find out what individual interests and concerns are within the Craft.

If the Lodge consists of membership...and membership is what makes the Lodge...why are we having such a hard time meeting member needs and concerns?... We need to start listening and asking.

I feel that a turn is coming... with the internet ... more opinions, input and contact will help us get to a new High point in Masonic History... as long as we're not afraid to try new things and change with the times.

Square & on the Level... Bro. David Cruz

good question bro... if only we put into action the pricinples of Freemasonry, we will be restoring sanity to this world of ours.The problem is some brethren would obtain the status and sad to say it ends there.by making it known to the public that we indeed exist for good i.e. medical missions, inviting friends to our public installations and by practising masonry outside our respective lodges is one way of getting us to the right direction...

Bro.

That is a good question and I have been thinking of that as of late myself; quite a bit as a matter of fact. I think it is something that every generation of Masons has pondered at one time or another.

For me I try to look at it as if the fraternity is a natural body, like the ocean and I am just one surfer, on one wave. I can ride the wave, wipe out or just bob up and down with the current, but the force is still there and far bigger than our transient selves. I do think that we can take our time and experiences into context, but the truths have gone on without us and will continue go on without us.

Can we even direct where Masonry goes or can we just adjust our experience of it like how we perceive nature or artwork? Personally I like to think that there is something that is beneath the surface of our society that quietly directs men to be good and just. If that isn’t an example of the G.A.O.T.U I don’t know what is?

Fraternally

Bro. Isaac Ambrose Moore’Devine
Franklin #447
F. & A.M.