Contributed by:
Roger A. Kessinger, 32*
PO Box 160
Kila, MT  59920
406-756-0167


Published in the Knight Templar 
Magazine


MEMBERSHIP MYTHS

Greatness and strength, my Brothers, 
are not measured by size-or Rome would 
never have perished.  Bigger is not 
necessarily better-or Goliath would 
have slain David.  Likewise, haven't 
we taken our membership "problem" too 
far?

We are at a critical point in Masonic 
history, but not for the reasons one 
might think.

In our haste to fill our Lodge rooms 
with new members, we are being tempted 
to closet our principles and 
teachings.  Various proposals have 
been suggested to revive our 
diminishing numbers.  Some are nothing 
more than beer busts, picnics, 
gambling trips, and making Masonry 
into a social club.  There have even 
been recommendations about relaxing 
the proficiency requirement.  Pray 
this never happens!

The Masonic order needs spiritual 
aspirants, not mere members.  Our 
strength is not in numbers; it is in 
Masons practicing our principles.

In our haste for new members, we have 
overlooked what vivifies Masonry.  No, 
my Brothers, Masonry is not for 
everyone.  Masonry was founded upon a 
firm, abiding faith in God, truth, 
honor, justice, goodness, and love.  
Not all men are capable of helping our 
Fraternity.

If only a few men in your community 
are worthy of the lambskin, why 
degrade that honor by giving the 
aprons away like newspapers on the 
street corner?  It used to be that 
being a Mason was "the highest honor 
that could be conferred upon a man."  
Initiatic history reveals countless 
examples of men who petitioned the 
mystery schools.  Some were accepted 
and others were not.  The honor of 
initiation was never given to the 
unworthy.  The same should be true 
today.  Why then must we pander to all 
men to make them Masons?

Furthermore, what about making Masons 
"on sight"?  IF ANY MAN, REGARDLESS OF 
HIS EARTHLY POSITION, CANNOT OR WILL 
NOT, OF HIS OWN FREE WILL AND ACCORD, 
PETITION TO RECEIVE THE LIGHT, THEN HE 
DOES NOT DESERVE THE PRIVILEGE OF 
BEING A MASON-HONORARY OR OTHERWISE.

Our teachings reveal to us "that it is 
the internal and not the external 
qualifications" that matter. Remember, 
too, the great injunction, "Seek, and 
ye shall find." (Matthew 7:7 KJV) This 
is a spiritual law. When we lazily 
hand out Masonic memberships like 
napkins to the unworthy, or make a 
Mason using our "on-sight" powers, we 
deny our own spiritual heritage and 
elevate human prestige above our 
Masonic honor. Let us do away with 
these odious practices!

If we are more concerned about members 
and not honor and integrity, then even 
though our membership may be at an 
all-time high, Masonry will be 
emasculated. Please, my Brothers, 
don't sacrifice quality for quantity. 
It does not matter what our numbers 
are so much as what our principles 
are.

Masonry does not need more new 
members, but rather an exemplification 
of Masonic principles by our current 
membership and selective quality 
within our candidates.  Only then can 
we insure the perpetuation of our 
beloved order. Let us continue to seek 
qualified members and therefore 
strengthen Masonry. How can a good 
house stand if built upon a poor 
foundation?

If the fire of Masonry burned upon the 
altar of only one man's heart, Masonry 
would be more powerful than if we had 
a membership of three billion who did 
not understand, appreciate, or 
exemplify the teachings. What does it 
profit us to save Masonry, if we lose 
her soul?

At this epoch in human history, when 
communist-socialism dictates its 
totalitarian equality, when science 
proclaims we live in a mechanistic 
universe, when religions espouse their 
dry dogma and invective, and when 
governments upraise the supremacy of 
the state over the rights of man, 
Masonry will indignantly rise from the 
ashes of darkness-like the proud, 
majestic phoenix she is-to fan the 
spiritual fire within the hearts of 
men with her great wings of truth. The 
darker the world becomes, the more 
brilliantly she will flare!  When men 
seek a better way of living, they will 
knock on her door.

Masonry is omnipotent and omnipresent.  
A large membership cannot make her 
stronger, or a lack thereof make her 
weaker.  She is what she is.  And she 
patiently awaits all seekers of light-
even though they are apparently few in 
number at the present time.  When good 
men desire her, she will rejoicingly 
raise them up, one by one, to the 
celestial heavens.  Our membership 
"problem" will then be erased and the 
human drama will continue to unfold 
with all of its noble glory.