Volume 7

Brethren,

Below is the final part of the 2006 article I wrote in response to the Scottish Rite leadership
conference. Please keep the comments coming.

We hear about declining membership all the time. I am still surprised to meet people who have
no idea what freemasonry is. As much as Freemasonry is woven into the fabric of our nation,
there are still many people in the general population who have never heard of us. Do you
think this was the case 100 years ago? NO. The demographic that we are looking to for our
new members, young men, are looking for leadership. They are the television generation, they
grew up with both parents working, and a television for a babysitter. They have a much broader
education than generations past, but they are growing up in a time when values such as
accountability, honor, and tolerance are, at the very least, severely lacking in our
communities. Somewhere along the line we have failed in our duties. Masonry is Geometry,
and geometry is the science whereby we find order in chaos. Just as our ancient brethren
found order in the chaos of the heavens, whereby even the stars and planets are guided by the
compasses of the Great Architect Of The Universe, so should we find order in the chaos of life
and guide it by the equality of the level, the moral rectitude of the plumb, and the square of
virtue. As Entered Apprentices, we break off the corners of the rough stones, the better to fit
them for the builders use. As Fellowcraft, we adjust these stones for use in their rightful place.
But as Master Masons, it is our duty to spread the cement which will unite them all into one
common mass, and to draw the designs upon the trestle board that will ultimately decide what
form that common mass will take. Masons should be, and have historically been, leaders in the
community. When our forefathers laid the foundation of this country, they invested the power
with the people. When our public institutions fail us in the guidance of our youth, someone
needs to step up and take the lead. Brethren this is our opportunity. This is our chance to take
this great fraternity back to what it was. We claim to take good men and make them better, but
we have the opportunity to build good men from scratch. So, how should we promote the
fraternity in the public eye? Should we have a three-dollar per capita tax for mass media
advertising? I don’t think so. Our advertising should be by example. We should live our lives
above reproach. We should be mentors to the people we see everyday. The principles taught
within the tiled recesses of the lodge should also extend to our everyday lives. We should
always meet on the level, and extend all proper consideration to the opinions and beliefs of
others. We should always keep our passions within due bounds, and remember to act upon the
square, even when the rest of the world may not. The world is in desperate need of unbiased
leadership. Throughout history, Freemasonry has always been the great equalizer. Masonry
will never FORCE change on an individual, just as the individual Mason can never FORCE
change on the world itself. We have two choices; we can struggle our way upstream by being
incited into argument and discontent; or by our actions, we can subtly guide the tides of time.
One good man at a time…
I ask you again, what is the ultimate goal of Freemasonry?

Sincerely and fraternally,

Jason D Strucinski P.:M.:
Master, Balfour Lodge #188
(336) 824-2552 home
(336) 414-1350 mobile
jstrucinski@uniquetool.net
www.Balfourlodge.com

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VOL. 6 (MAY , 2009) EDITION

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VOL. 5 (J ANUARY, 2009 ) EDITION

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VOL. 4 (NOVEMBER, 2008) EDITION

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VOL. 3 (JUNE, 2008) EDITION

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VOL. 2 (APRIL , 2008) EDITION

CLICK HERE TO READ THE VOL. 1 (JANUARY, 2008) EDITION

From the East - A Message from Wor.: Jason Strucinski