The quality of lodge membership is never equated with age... The infusion of youth into the lodge has not only proved as a positive development with the usual attitude of youthful glee and enthusiasm, it is indeed amazing. It has happened all over the world, in Cagayan de Oro, and here. This is a phenomenon interestingly a deviation form the tradition of our fraternity that the more senior members of the community are members of the craft. Let me congratulate JW Albert, SW Mark and most specially WM Arwin. Take a good look at them, we somehow cannot hide but reminisce ourselves 20-40 years ago. Alas! It will always be happier to improve lodge membership in that manner. In any which way, I also believe it is always easier for the pony to adapt to a newfound master in a rather strange barn.
Membership growth has always been the plague of modern day Freemasonry especially in this predominantly Catholic country where disinformation and apathy is in the midst. So many things have been written as to how we should go about it and how to overcome this without having to antagonize anybody. I still believe, as masons, we should adhere on, "to practice out of the lodge those great moral duties which are inculcated in it," becuase, "By our actions, will Freemasonry be judged." Emphatically it has been our tradition to just do what we think is right, unmindful of wordly praises from the uninitiated in the communities we dwell. In other words, we remain obscure and stealthy in whatever generous deeds that we do. Short of the usual publications that other societies and civic organizaitons do to make their presence known and invite future members to join them.
Yes it is incumbent upon each one of us to practice out of the lodge those great moral duties which are inculcated in it, our only way to make peple think that we are. This obligation calls to mind the following statement of III. Albert Pike from his book, Morals and Dogmas I qoute:
"The natural work of Masonry is practical life, the use of all the faculties in their proper spheres, and for thier natural functions. Love of truth, justice and generosity as attributes of God must appear in a life marked by these qualities; that is the only effectual ordinance of Masonry..." The natural form of Masonry is goodness, morality, living a true, just and affectionate self-faithful life; from the motive of a good man, it is loyal obedience to God's Law."
In our communities we are often misunderstood because we tend to isolate ourselves from the rest. Whithersoever dispersed we have the propensity to flock together, even in social functions and gatherings because we enjoy each other's company more tha nwith others... It maybe an invitaiton for an inquisitive mind buy may also be a dreaded - sight for the apathetic and the misinformed. In either situation, we have to analyze why...
Without membership growth, we are in quandary on what is to be done. For both sides of the spectrum, education is the only way...but how? The live television talk-show a couple of weeks ago? It elicited more questions than answers. In any which way we do it, we leave to our individual judgement and thoughts of another quote from the III. Albert Pike.
"The duty of the Mason is to endeavor to make man think better of his neighbor; to quite instead of aggravating difficulties, to bring together those who are severed or estranged; to keep friends from becoming foes and to persuade foes to becoming friends. To do this her needs control of his own passions and be not rash and hasty, nor swift to take offense, nor eay to be angered."
The activities in line drawn by WM Arwin, lodge activities are always done to promote cohesion and solidarity among the brethren and are directed towards the rest of the community for better compassion and understanding of htings we have done and we have to do. How well we do it, is the best invitation of others to be inquisitive on what we are. To the brethren of Tangkulan Lodge and the rest of the community, MORE POWER! And may GOD BLESS US ALL!!
