Robert Tailleur Sturgeon Falls Lodge No. 447 & Bethel Lodge No. 699 Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario Page 1 of 8
Concept of Masonic Renewal What does it mean to you now and in the future? Page 2 of 8
If there were a pill that could be administered, an elixir that could be given to each man who petitioned to become a member of this great fraternity known as the Freemasonry; that would steel his resolve to become and stay an active member of the craft, to become a good man who fulfills his duty as a man, a subject, a husband and a father, that pill that elixir would be worth its weight in gold. Unfortunately no such elixir or pill exists so we must deal with the very real and pressing problem of membership retention and renewal. Society is changing men and men are changing society but not always for the better. Over the past century an insidious transition has taken place in the psychology of society; the primary goal of life for many has become the acquisition of money and the things money can buy in the vain hope that wealth and stuff will bring them the happiness everyone desires. People have given up their honor, dignity, their self-respect; I dare say some have surrendered up their souls for money. Our society has become a disposable society with nothing held back: technology, every kind of stuff, morals, relationships, other people, commitments, their word, have all become items that can be disposed of if there is a perceived self-benefit to be gained by tossing it aside. Page 3 of 8
In our modern society the purely philosophical concepts of honor, dignity, personal and moral integrity, altruism have been under relentless attack for so long that these concepts do not even factor into the decision making process of most people. Today people take/buy what they think they want, what they think will bring them happiness; they use it and in short order dispose of it. Search your hearts we are all guilty. What then does Ancient Freemasonry offer the modern man who has been born and raised in this modern disposable society? In a nutshell Ancient Freemasonry offers men a never failing moral compass, one that always points out the correct way to live and act in life. The universal benevolence espoused in our work puts all men on an equal footing with all others regardless of race, language, religion or financial status. In its oaths Freemasonry admonishes us to honor our commitments not only to God but to all mankind but above all, our brethren in Masonry. In a society turning towards political correctness and the general acceptance of mediocrity no other organization admonishes its members to strive for perfection by improving their morals; by living and acting on the original ideals of sound reason, harmony, charity and living in peace with all mankind. The foundation of these Masonic ideals and this belief system is an understanding of Page 4 of 8
God (call Him what you will) and humility toward Him. The knowledge that we must all face our inevitable destiny, to stand before our creator and present a just account of our life and actions inspires a humble confidence that our moral compass is true; that the Masonic principles of brotherly love, benevolence, mercy (when required) and justice, are sound principles to live by. The true beauty of Ancient Freemasonry is that unlike so many other long standing organizations and modern society in general, Masons still talk about, believe in and encourage the ideals of virtue, honour and mercy, fortitude and justice; brotherly love, relief and truth; the knowledge of oneself and acceptance of one s inevitable destiny. On the foundation of what has been presented thus far we can state with relative certainty that God the Great Architect of the Universe is hoping for us to be victorious, to be successful, but it is we not Him who must find the key to successful Masonic Renewal. The key to successful Masonic Renewal is not just talking the talk ; we have the vision of a better world, we have the ideals of brotherly love, charity, justice and mercy, but more importantly renewal depends upon us walking the walk. We need to individually and collectively practice those virtues we profess to admire. We need to put into active operation the four cardinal virtues and not Page 5 of 8
succumb to the temptations and ideals of modern society. We must encourage and build strong, healthy, wholesome relationships with one another, always have eternity in view and not give in to the transitory concepts presented to us from the disposable society we are also a part of. Many years ago my neighbor, who was to become my sponsor and my mentor inspired me to enquire about Freemasonry by his humble, caring attitude. He walked the walk of Masonic ideals until one day I said Ross, I do not know what you ve got but I want it too. I applied for membership, was accepted and initiated and then he began to talk the talk. We met almost daily to go over the work that was required for advancement and he took the time explained many things to me. He explained about the importance of honoring the commitments I made, being charitable, striving to achieve the ideal of perfection and the many benefits and experiences that can be had during this lifelong Masonic journey. Ross followed and encouraged me in my Masonic journey to the East and until he passed to the Grand Lodge Above. He showed me the sincerest brotherly love that a man can show another man and encouraged me to do the same to all people and to my brethren in the craft. In our selfie society, obsessed with self-image and the acquisition of stuff so many young men join the craft with an unconscious desire to see what they Page 6 of 8
can take from Masonry without realizing that before you can get anything out of Freemasonry you must first give to Freemasonry. When they begin to realize that one cannot just take from the brotherhood, that they must give of themselves first; give time and heart, which is something they are not accustomed to, they drift away and dispose of the commitment they made. To renew and vitalize Freemasonry, we, the more senior and more experienced brethren in the craft must get the newer, younger brethren past the concept of I am here to take something from this organization to the point where they can say I am here to give to and through Freemasonry so that I can make my community, the world a better place and myself a better man. Failing that and we will continue to initiate and lose members at an equal rate and with our aging membership, the light of Freemasonry will continue to glow dimmer. However there is always hope! Greater than the march of armies is an idea whose time has come. (Victor Hugo). The Great Architect is hoping and working for us, the ideals of Freemasonry are lofty but sound, the Masonic moral compass is true and steady and as the darkness and failings of this insatiably materialistic, self-obsessed modern society begin to bear fruit, the light of Freemasonry will glow brighter and the tide will turn in our favor. We must stay Page 7 of 8
the course, maintain hope, work tirelessly and selflessly, pour our heart and soul into this effort so that Masonry will continue live on and when we are summoned to the Grand Lodge Above and we stand before the Great Architect of the Universe to give an account of our life, He will say Well done my true and faithful child. Now you may rest. Of course having a pill or elixir that could be administered at a new member s initiation would make it a lot easier. Robert Tailleur Page 8 of 8