Many Texas Masons are resistant to change of their Laws, Ritual, and Traditions and not without good justification, but it is time to heed opposing viewpoints if only to reaffirm and either reinforce or adjust those beliefs to a changing world. We have much to look back on and be proud of, but we must recognize the fact that we are no longer attracting new, young, men in the numbers we have to in order to maintain our Lodges.

In this last year of the 20th century we as Masons are to do what we can to prepare for the next era. These last 100 years have seen us progress from the horse and carriage, and a life very often lived within 20 to 40 miles of home, to motorized transportation, Electric light and the telephone, the airplane, radio, television and the computer. We have become a mobile society and an aging Fraternity. Some of us have witnessed the advent of all the above, and many more have witnessed most of them, yet we cling to the Tradition and ritual, and many of the Laws of the 20s and 30s when life was much slower.

Our Lodges have a continually rising average age of members. The 21st century is ready to move much faster than we now do. We old gray haired retirees must be prepared to adapt as technology is moving away from us in an ever faster spiraling manner. We can and have to modify our thinking and ways or we too as Lodges will go the way of the horse and buggy. The young man of today wants to receive something, but in our Lodges we seldom offer the knowledge we swear to impart, or a challenge of any sort to the Member, but wish to live in the safe old way.

I don't have many answers, but do know a few questions and have suggestions for my Brothers to think about, and perhaps these will trigger some positive and progressive action on the part of you the reader.

I am but a poor Masonic Ritualist, and so there are Brethren among us who would doubt my devotion and sincerity toward the craft. It is because of this learning ability that I will never be in the advancing line of officers in my Lodge. In Iowa and Illinois, where I was raised and worked for many years, we did not need certification to become a principle officer. We were expected to attend schools of instruction and become adept in the work.

Texas Masonic Law does not require certification while stressing it as a recommendation, but many Lodge members do demand it at the local level.

When I was an Entered Apprentice my memory work stopped at the point where I stood in the Northeast corner and received the working tools from the Master. I did not then have to, nor could I now memorize the repetitive, tedious and boring second and third sections of the proficiency. I am in sympathy with, and deeply regret, the many Entered Apprentices in Texas who became disenchanted with this memory work and failed to advance. Had I the ability I would meet and work with them individually to get them back.

I go to the Lodges, and regardless of membership size I find 5 to 8 meeting regularly in the smaller Lodges, and 20 to 30 in the larger. My Lodge has approximately 400 members with an average attendance of around 25. This is about 6% attendance. I know that some members have become infirm and cannot get out easily, and many others have moved to remote locations and cannot. There is another group that claim dual or plural membership and feel allegiance to their Home Lodge.

Where are the others? Have they become weary of the reading of the minutes, the paying of bills, and the constant talk of needed building maintenance, and elected to stay away? Have we allowed the Scottish Rite and the Shrine to become more progressive and attract our Members from us?

Each Lodge Master is instructed when installed to bring more Light to the members of his Lodge. When there comes a point in the evening that a Brother can stand and deliver a message of some sort I see those around the room look at their watches and groan that the closing will be delayed. Is this Masonry as we were sworn to observe it? Were we not each instructed to seek more light?

A number of the Officers of Lodges in this area are arranging more open meetings and bringing in outsiders with talks on items of community service and possible future interest in Masonic assistance. These are often rather lively and interesting, and poorly attended. Our Grand Master has issued his own proclamation regarding the need for increased public service and focus.

I know of potlucks and other family affairs designed to interest relatives and friends in our activities, and seldom see the attendance they merit. Who is out the few times we are asked to support our youth groups? What impression can they gain of a ghost sponsor that leaves them to their own devices and without acclaim? The DeMolay boys are Masons of the future, and most of the girls will someday have husbands to become members. The OES have the responsibility (and often desire) of kicking husband out of the house to attend his Lodge and share many of our activities.

I hear much talk of the days (a few years ago) when the lodge traveled as a group to visit other Lodges, and the great pleasure of doing so. What has happened that there is so much fond recollection, but so little being done today? Oh yes, one or two Lodges are in the process of trying to start this again. Who among us have found other suitable projects in their surrounding area and brought the idea into Lodge and proposed it for consideration? Possible rejection of such ideas should never deter us from the attempt, as we are not nor can we be the cure-all for many of our neighborhood problems. There are, however, many things requiring mostly organized time management, and perhaps donations or solicitations for such that could by carried to success.

Slowly the Lodges are computerizing, and going into cyberspace to communicate with each other, and with Members. The Lodge officers are finding that this also often reduces their work load and operating costs. Can we find members to assist in this? The officers may not be computer literate and think this a forbidding task. I have been asked to search for lost Brethren who have moved without notifying us, and also to help locate a local Lodge for a possible new Membership from a remote area. Desk space and security are items to be considered, and some may want to provide that at home or office. Also some Lodges will find it a strain on their budget and donations will be in order. These Lodges do not need the most up-to-date and fastest machines available. They do need a decent printer and perhaps a flattop scanner. They are used actually on a limited time basis.

We are guided by the 3 Great Lights and the 3 Lesser Lights of Masonry in our lives. Where in the Masonic Tradition does it say we should hide these lights under a bushel? Are we not, rather, instructed to bring light to all we may be able to reach? I know not where, but from memory comes the phrase "As ye give, so shall ye receive." Do we give enough to our Lodge(s) to receive what it has to offer? No, these and other programs and projects will not win all exposed to our traditions and desires, but each conversion is a positive step for Self and Fraternity.

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