Freemasonry in the Knowledge Economy

Introduction

Right Worshipful Master, distinguished colleagues, my Brothers, it is a great honor and distinct privilege to share with you today and to address the subject “Freemasonry in the Knowledge Economy.

Indeed, since the beginning of this Century, the challenges of Masonry have been a major topic of discussion by Masonic leaders of the World as well as by the individual brothers who comprise our Lodges. It is also a subject on which I have placed a great deal of emphasis in my position as RWM of The Glenlyon Lodge 346SC. The observations that I will be presenting to you today will not be applicable to every jurisdiction or even to every part of the World. I write from my cumulative experiences and the knowledge I have gained from traveling, debating, discussions and observations as a Freemason.

Any thoughtful Freemason recognizes that we face challenges which are fundamentally different in nature than those we have encountered in the past. Grand Lodge Officers point with alarm to an unprecedented decline in membership. Members note the decline of the Craft's position, power, and prestige in the community. Some Masons sense that Freemasonry is headed towards extinction.
Facing challenges and searching for solutions is nothing new to Freemasonry. Challenges to our integrity have been part of Masonic history even before we were formally structured in 1717. For centuries we have explored solutions to the many challenges we have and continue to face as a Craft. Yet even with said challenges our survival over those centuries is indicative of our success as an institution.

Every challenge, large or small, became temporary because our philosophical purpose never wavered and the leadership of the Craft never lost its vision. The very fact that it continues to thrive throughout the World is undeniable evidence that its purpose is universal & undying.
Although this discussion is directed towards the problems faced by the Craft in modern society, it is not aimed at proposing wholesale changes to the core principles of Freemasonry. On the contrary, many of the changes which have been adopted in the past two decades appear to have done little to remedy the underlying problems confronting the Craft.

{The United Grand Lodge of England, when faced with allegations of "blood curdling oaths", made alterations to the Ritual. The Craft, when charged with being "secret and therefore sinister", strove to be more open and visible. The Lodge, when accused by certain Christian sects of being "Satanic", expended considerable effort to establish that practicing Christians could be Freemasons without compromising their religious beliefs. None of the foregoing stemmed the decline in membership or silenced the critics.}??? ----(the problems are known so remove this para if necessary.
It would be presumptuous in the extreme to suggest that this discussion will provide a solution .to the issues we currently face. The dialectic motion of present society seems to preclude a simple or definitive solution. However, if the Craft is to confront its problems with "fervency and zeal", a discussion of Ancient Freemasonry in the swirling paradoxes of a modern society is very important.

The Modern Condition

Changing our Fundamentals

Has the societal change been so drastic that the philosophy of Freemasonry, with its emphasis on Morals & Ethics is no longer applicable? Society may have lowered its values but as an order we should not lower or alter our core beliefs and standards as we strive to fit in. We must lift others up and avoid the temptation to climb down and meet them. I would suggest that the problem is NOT with us and our philosophy, but rather with society and its values. Our concern, today, must not so much be with the changing environment in which we operate, but rather our reaction to it.
*Organized Freemasonry has survived and indeed flourished in a constantly changing environment for close to three centuries and has been a dominant player in the evolution of civil society during that period of time. It has changed over three centuries, but never in the form of magnitude that we are seeing in the present age on some areas of the World. Freemasonry has never been a stagnant institution, although we should be greatly concerned about refusing to consider change, if this change could benefit our Craft. Any change we choose to make, however, must not be as a result of pressures from the outside world. Alterations we previously made in our operational procedures were effected because we wanted them made for the benefit of the Craft…not because those from the uninitiated world wanted them made. Now, however, many changes we are making or considering are attempts to satisfy external demands.

I have sometimes found myself in disagreement with many of today’s leaders of Freemasonry, especially in Jamaica where our desperate attempt to secure numbers has resulted in a catastrophic loss of our image and the marginalization of our influence in society. Now we spend far too much time making excuses to justify our failings instead of working to maintain our successes.
. A very good friend of mine, who is also a Christian minister, once asked why as Freemasons we define ourselves as an organization with a goal to accept only good men and make them better, choosing to ignore those who need our help most. My response to him was that fine wine cannot be made from grapes. It was the responsibility of religious institutions to reform men, not ours. We are not a reformation society.

We seek to better men of excellent character, knowing that many of those improved by our Craft have made great contributions to the structure of our civil society. I fear that Freemasons in many areas of the world today are forgetting that purpose. As a result, the visible image that we are projecting to society is one with much less prestige than we were able to sustain in the past. As that prestige diminishes, our influence on the ongoing evolution of civil society also diminishes. That is a tragic loss to the World. Freemasons exemplify the Moral and Ethical characteristics which tend to elevate societies, simply by emulating what is good and just in man. In so doing, Freemasonry served as a template which resulted in a new vision of the rights of humankind. In a broad sense, it has served as a foundation for the concept of democracy**.

Man In The Knowledge Economy

If Freemasonry is going to be successful in recruiting members in the Modern Society, it seems essential that we have a clear, articulate idea of the effect that Post Modernism has had on the men we hope to recruit. We need to understand their needs, their thinking, and their moral values. It is only when we have a clear concept of men in this modern society that we can effect changes in the way we practice Freemasonry. Each individual is different but men in modern society share a few identifiable characteristics.

Since every individual is different, it is impossible to obtain a detailed picture of these modern men. There seems to be certain identifiable characteristics which are more or less common to them all.

Our rapidly changing society has produced men with little security. Experts predict that the average person/individual will change careers at least 3 times during his working life. Often times this insecurity is a result of lack of internal stability and authentic sense of self. They live by the adage “here today, gone tomorrow” and the result is the absence of long-term planning. Experts also predict that almost half of the jobs in the next two decades will be replaced by artificial intelligence. To remain productive and relevant will require knowledge of the coding required to write these algorithms. Computer coding, as an educational area and subsequent career path, will help bridge the gap of widespread jobs loss. Everybody has to learn to code. It’s like not knowing how to read and write in the New Knowledge Economy.

The mobile and transient nature of the modern man substantially affects his life. This affects his thought process and attitudes, which directly impacts his personal and professional life. It is difficult for him to justify heavy involvement since a better opportunity may present itself. Emotional involvement is also difficult, since he is aware of the inevitable grief and disappointment that will occur when the imminent move occurs. He may have some family ties but only a few durable lasting friendships. These are neither lifetime friends or situations in which he knows and understands the person as a whole human being. Consequently, when the relationship no longer serves an economic or functional purpose, it can be terminated quickly without any sense of loss or grief. The time or desire to form strong bonds of allegiance is lacking and he is reluctant to actively participate in 1 Service Clubs.

The modern man also has a reputation for constantly seeking better opportunities and this often results in frequently changing careers or job hopping. Like capital in a global economy, he finds himself shifted to the place where he is presently needed most.

This modern man, working in a fast paced world, is always short of time. Despite the promises that high technology would lead to affluence and leisure, statistics show the contrary. White collared workers are spending more and more hours doing things faster and faster. In 1970, an attorney may have taken a week to draft a commercial contract. Today, the market place expects the same contract to be completed within 2 or 3 hours. The result of this increased pace is to place modern man in a position where it is more and more difficult to allot every second Wednesday to a specific leisure activity.

One benefit is that the modern man deals in a global economy where his business contacts involve people of every race, religion, and color. Their nationality and religion are unimportant providing the business can be conducted in an appropriate manner. This widened exposure makes him much more tolerant of diversity, cultural practices and different races than his forefathers.
The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the characteristics of the modern man. It is recognized that there are many countervailing characteristics which make the picture a far more complex mosaic. However, the essential point is that Freemasonry has to be aware, and to the best of its ability knowledgeable about the human condition in the New Knowledge Economy before we can address the question of the changes that need to be made in the way we practice Freemasonry

Restructuring Lodge Practices

Instead of changing the old principles of Freemasonry or tinkering with our Rituals, it is essential for us to re-examine the current practices in the Craft. This will determine the changes required to make Freemasonry more attractive to the modern man. In this discussion I propose specific changes that we could consider. If these proposals have any validity it is not on their specific merits, but rather because they point in the direction which I suggest we have to travel if we are going to attract young men in numbers to the Craft and continue to remain relevant.

A Masonic Vision of Society

It is essential for modern Freemasonry to develop an articulate vision of a future society, guided by Masonic principles, so that our membership can sense that they belong to an organization which intends to participate in ensuring we have a society which embodies liberty, democracy, personal privacy and dignity.

The critical point is that Freemasonry was seen by its founding members as an organization that imparted principles which, if applied, would produce a free, democratic, and just society. Equally important, Freemasons had a vision of the future which they were determined would apply to the outside world to make a better society for mankind.
Freemason leaders today are tasked with developing a concept of a just society for the future. Masons should be urged to discuss and develop clear parameters and a clear vision of the ideal future society. Men in Masonry should feel that they belong to a group that is spearheading changes for the advancement of mankind. The process of looking forward and discussing ideas of a futuristic nature would imbue the Craft with a sense of purpose, a feeling of vitality, and, most important of all, a sense that Freemasonry is going to try to affect the agenda for the future.

Structural Changes In The Craft

Corporate Rationalization

It is imperative we examine the whole Masonic structure to determine whether it should be rationalized to ensure that those bodies we retain are well intended and perform their intended function.

Modern men require, and like to be associated with, an institution which is relevant, efficient, and effectively structured. If one examines the Craft and all its concordant bodies from a purely business administrative point of view, it become evident that we have a bewildering array of Orders and Associations. Many Masons are unable to name 60% of the existing bodies. Each Masonic Order requires significant time, manpower and financial contributions from its members to conduct business. The result is that Freemasonry has a vast array of enterprises, which by definition divides our resources.

It is suggested that serious consideration should be given to corporate specialization... The Royal Arch are particularly well suited to the advancement of Masonic knowledge. The Craft Lodges are excellent forums for basic training and the development of an Officer Corps. If we would utilize each of these facets of Freemasonry for the purpose which it can serve well, it is suggested that we would strengthen Freemasonry as a whole. As long as we continue to dilute our time, resources and energy among a vast array of concordant bodies with each one trying to perform similar functions, it is impossible for the general public to gain a clear favorable image of Freemasonry.

Job Definitions in the Craft

It has been suggested that we redefine some of the Offices within the Craft to ensure that they fit the realities of a modern society. Men in this present society suffer from chronic demands on their time. Many simply do not have the time to accept an office which requires frequent meetings and numerous nights out visiting Lodges. {Notwithstanding this reality, we continue to define our most important offices in a manner which requires endless nights of meetings. DGM's often make more than ___ visits within a year. Masters feel the not too subtle pressure to visit extensively}??. These expectations do not match the realities of modern young men struggling to survive and compete in an economy where the pace is ever accelerating. For us to attract young men in numbers and have the benefit of their skills in high places we have to redefine these job definitions and ensure they are compatible with the realities of post modernism.

Redefining the Career Paths in the Craft Lodge

We also need to ensure that within the Craft Lodge opportunities are available for men who are not disposed to ritual work. Young men often feel the need to progress and advance in their chosen careers. The structure of a Masonic Lodge, however, creates only one career path and in theory only one vacant position each year. Everyone is expected to go "through the Chairs". If a young Mason is not attracted to doing ritual work, he quickly finds himself in a position where he has no career path. It should be recognized that with the present structure, our product is only attractive to a portion of young men --- namely --- that portion attracted to ritual work. Further, since we have only one vacancy per year in a well constituted lodge, this means that a lodge which has the good fortune of obtaining several candidates very quickly experiences a backlog for office. This often results in a loss of interest for the position.

A lodge structure must be developed which creates several viable career paths. Not every man who joins the Lodge is a ritualist. Many men are attracted to Freemasonry because of its charitable purposes or philosophical principles. We should re-examine our Committee Structure and ensure that we have the relevant committees to share collective knowledge, responsibility and accountability. The positions on these committees should be elevated in importance and stature. The chairman of these committees should be invested with a collar. At business meetings, these chairmen should sit in the East where they can report to the lodge and answer the questions of the Members. Men who perform outstanding service on a committee, as secretary, or as organist, especially over a period of years should qualify to be invested as a Virtual Past Master with rights and privileges similar to an actual Past Master.

The foregoing appears to be a rather revolutionary suggestion, however, to the extent the foregoing represents a foreign attitude in the minds of Masons, it illustrates the extent to which we have become overly focused on matters of ritual. It seems clear that charitable works are as inherently Masonic as doing ritual work. Consequently, we should elevate and dignify the Committee and administrative positions to show they hold a place of great importance in Freemasonry. In so doing, we would be providing several different career paths for men who are not attracted to doing ritual work.

The Symbolic Degrees Revisited

Another consideration should be moving from a system of symbolic ranks in Freemasonry to one which requires study and self development before the Member advances to the next rank.
Young men in a modern society want to be equipped with the tools which will enhance their capacity to compete and be successful in the outside world. It is important to consider changing from symbolic ranks to ranks which require learning, development, and leadership training before proceeding to the next degree. It may foster a greater sense of achievement if it took 3 years of study and self development to become a Master Masons. These courses, if purposefully developed, would not simply be a study in "Lodge things". Masonry is about self development and self improvement. A vast number of topics which are not now considered "Masonic subjects" could quite naturally fit into this curriculum. By proceeding in this fashion, we may be arming our candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to be happy, successful members in a high paced knowledge economy, who is also capable of maintaining a stable family unit.

Freemasonry and the Media

It is /(or has been) suggested that our charitable works become a tool for recruitment. One way to achieve this is through media advertising via both social and traditional methods.
Post modernism is characterized by television, radio, and Internet capabilities which not only produce an instantaneous flow of information but quickly create visual images in the minds of the masses. In the past, the Craft has shunned publicity of its "good works" on the basis that we should "quietly and modestly move in the sphere of our lives." It is agreed that modesty is an excellency of character to be practiced by every Member. The critical point however, is that this is a personal trait. It is an entirely different for a corporate entity ---- The Grand Lodge. As a corporate entity, it is critical in a modern society to utilize the mass media to ensure that the general public has a favorable and knowledgeable image of the institution. The Grand Lodge must ensure that its image is relayed to the hearts and minds of men. To do this it necessary to capitalize on the power of the mass media. We must constantly examine every dimension of the Craft in terms of its potential for capturing the hearts and minds of the public. Alternatively, it may be strategically sound to decentralize the Masonic Bursary Fund and have the decisions on applicants made at the District Level. The District may very well decide to give a substantial number of bursaries in a small town where the Lodge is struggling to get members. By giving a substantial number of bursaries in that small town we would get favorable publicity which may result in more men considering, Lodge Petitions.

In like manner we should be strategic in our donations of bursaries. We should consider ensuring that our scholarships are judicially given in areas where we think we have the potential to attract new candidates. For example, if we gave a scholarship to a needy member of the school lodges and if we involved these young men in the decision making process, we would develop a permanent relationship with these schools which could produce many Petitions in the future.
Additionally, we should develop fund raisers that are multifaceted in nature so that they not only raise monies but also recruit young people who will participate in the fund-raising. {If these funds are used to assist young people, the project could become a noteworthy event. For example, we could develop a sports trading card program whereby a young child could have his (or her) picture on a sports card which looks and feels the same as Wane Gretzky"s sports card. Kids would love the cards ......... and every Grampa would be buying some for the kid to trade with his team mates and give as Christmas presents. If that card was emblazoned with the motto "Freemasons believe every child is a star" we would have the potential of touching the lives of every child who became involved in a sport or organized activity. This could be structured so that the child's team received a portion of the profits from selling these cards. We would have the satisfaction of creating a fund raiser which every amateur sports club could use to raise funds for itself. We would have a program which the media would love to extol}---(remove or shorten example if necessary).

Connecting With the Outside World

We should develop a system of "Masonic Patrons" whereby non-masons could associate with and support Freemasonry. Masonry should recognize that potential candidates need exposure to Freemasonry before they will consider joining. Traditionally, this occurs when a man meets a Masons and becomes his friend. This friendship gradually results in an introduction to Freemasonry and then eventually results in a Petition. This exposure to Freemasonry has to be extended beyond the efforts of the individual. We have to develop a strategy whereby more men encounter Freemasonry.
If we were to develop a program of "Masonic Patrons" where non-masons (both male and female), corporations, and other entities could become Patrons of a Masonic Lodge, this has the potential to be a positive step. Corporations could donate funds to a specific Masonic charity. Non-masons could agree to be Patrons and help with a specific fund raisers. The Lodge in turn could hold a "Patron's Night" to acknowledge their contributions. In so doing we would provide a mechanism where non-masons could interface and encounter Freemasonry. It would give Masons a tool to identify men who they think would someday be interested in petitioning. It would provide us with a forum to introduce the principles of Freemasonry to the non-masonic community. It would also give us volunteers and additional sources of funds.

Strategic Planning

We must become much more knowledgeable about both the problems and the successful strategies presently employed to recruit new members.

Despite the difficulties Freemasonry encounters in a modern society, the Craft is still attracting new members. Where, it is suggested, we appear to be deficient is in carefully investigating and analyzing the reasons for this success. We could possible develop a DGL Committee whose responsibility is to examine Lodges in jurisdictions who are successful at attracting candidates. We need to know what techniques, if any, they are being employed. We need to know precisely how those candidates encountered Freemasonry, what dimensions of the Craft they find attractive, why they believe Freemasonry could be a useful adjunct of their lives.

In like manner we should examine in great detail the Lodges that have not been successful in obtaining new blood. Are there specific reasons why they do not have new member’s. Is this a Lodge which has made no attempt to obtain new members because they are comfortable with their existing friends in The Lodge. Is this a situation where the community itself is decreasing in population and thus there is simply a smaller market from which to recruit new members.

This investigation should point us to areas in the market where we have a strong possibility of gaining candidates. We may find that Teachers, the Police Force and the Army are excellent markets for us to recruit new members. If that is the case, then specific programs could be implemented to ensure we fully canvas these markets. At this juncture answers are not clear but we must determine what techniques "sell the product" and what "markets are interested in buying", the Craft cannot make intelligent decisions which will stem the decline in membership.

Freemasonry and the Mobile Man

It is suggested that since so many of our Members in the future will be transient, the Craft has to make the necessary adjustments to ensure Freemasonry is a useful and beneficial tool for these mobile road warriors.

With the increased transience of society, we can expect that unlike past members who have spent their lifetime attached to a Lodge, an increased number of our Membership will move from one local to another. We must develop practices and procedures which take this mobile population into account. Many of these mobile executives become fatigued with the hotel/restaurant circuit that is an integral part of their lives. Some, it is suggested, are looking for a different format in which to conduct their business. If the foregoing is correct, it seems that we should be ensuring that our Temples have a place available for them where they can conduct their business This service could be offered at/for a minimal fee. This would be beneficial to not only mobile Masons, but non masons alike who would have access to a board room for meetings. It creates an opportunity for men who may otherwise never encounter Freemasonry to interface with the institution. No doubt a certain number of them would make inquiries and eventually Petition a Lodge.

Freemasonry and the Virtual Lodge

Before the widespread use of social media, fraternal orders brought together individuals and allowed them to meet, mingle and grow as associates and friends. Social media encompasses websites, blogs, groups and other outlets which allows participants to communicate and contribute their thoughts without leaving their home. This has been discussed as a contributing factor to the decline in membership. The internet and social media have become staples in our lives and we must find ways to blend the physical and digital to grow our craft. The use of the internet should be utilized as another tool in the communication of ideas. A virtual lodge makes Freemasonry accessible to brothers and allows them to remain or become vibrant participants and share in dialogue.
You may ask, what is a virtual lodge? I would describe it as the next logical step after an Internet Lodge. An Internet Lodge is a lodge that is open to brothers of many jurisdictions. It is oftentimes seeking only brothers to affiliate or subscribe since degree work is not their focus. The lodge is instead a marketplace of ideas and a way for the fraternal spirit to spread across the world. An Internet lodge meets in the physical world but also corresponds utilizing a variety of Web based applications on daily basis. Some examples of Internet lodges are Internet Lodge No. 9659 and Lodge Ireland 2000.

A virtual lodge meets online. That's right, online. The brothers assemble online from wherever they are located. The meetings have a ritualistic opening and closing and the business of the lodge is dispensed in the same manner that a physical lodge would. It is a lodge in every sense of the word… well, maybe not every sense. This type of lodge begs the question: what is a lodge? Is a lodge the people or is the lodge the building? Or is it both?

The Virtual Lodge meets through an online video conferencing service. This is an important first foray, combining Freemasonry and the Web. The Web is redefining our
sense of place and our sense of time. We use telepresence devices to conduct meetings from any
location with an Internet access or Skype or FaceTime to chat with family and friends. This also begs the question, Can Speculative Masonry work without a physical meeting place? Can we experience Freemasonry wherever we are so dispersed? I think the answer to both these questions is a resounding yes.

Performance Appraisal

We should consider moving to an appraisal system in selecting a Line Officer. By using the established pattern of What? How? Who? and Why? It is impractical and unreasonable to expect that anyone can make a justifiable appointment in the line without first considering and satisfying these questions.

Let us first consider the What?
The charges and responsibilities contained in the installation ceremony for each line officer and those responsibilities specifically defined by stations and places in the ritual of the three (3) degrees are the foundation of my analysis for what each officer must do. Yet, brethren, these in themselves are completely inadequate to describe the responsibilities - or the what? of the officers today. These must be expanded and detailed to include all responsibilities in keeping with the lodge practice and organization in this modern world.

Let’s take a look at the - How?
Let’s face one fact squarely: In this progression system the most important offices are filled by
appointments made by Past Masters and Master Masons who sometimes are years removed from
active line work. We have all experienced or witnessed the results of a poor choice progressing
through the line. These remarks have been directed toward a suggested method to implement this
progression system and eliminate the problems, headaches, and worries that are a natural result of
selecting a Brother for the line.

Officer responsibilities can be conveniently classified in three groups: Ritual, Fraternal, Administrative.

• Ritual - Specific responsibilities - including the Lectures, attendance, participation, Degree rehearsals.
• Fraternal - Welfare and Relief, Charity, Masonic Fellowship, Funeral Services.
• Administrative- Petition Investigation, Cost Control, Committees - Program & Social, DGL, Planning and Organizing

Other appraisal areas for consideration should include:-

• Acceptability,
• Leadership,
• Responsibility,
• Judgment as related to people - Soundness or decisions
• Constructive ideas
• Is he self-serving?
• Mental Alertness
• Attitude- Interest - Participation
• Personality - Disposition, Tact, Appearance, etc.
• Overall proficiency

With a sound, well-developed, and complete organization of responsibilities and an effective training and appraisal plan, we can guarantee our Lodges exceptional officers and the “new” appointment, however selected, will respond with vigor to the task he has accepted.

The Ritual and Ceremonies

Throughout this paper I have made numerous proposal which are rather controversial in nature. What I have not suggested and do not propose to suggest is that we change the principles of Freemasonry or tinker with the Ritual. Men in the modern society are faced with constant change and uncertainty. Freemasonry is an institution which provides an unchanging and secure environment. A Mason can enter a Lodge from Jamaica to Canada with the knowledge that he will not be confronted with a strange or uncomfortable environment. He knows that he will meet like- minded men who will ensure he is welcomed and experiences a joyous evening. It is the unchanging and familiar roll of the ritual which has rung through our lodges for centuries, which gives the modern man some momentary comfort and certainty in an ever changing and rather nihilistic world.

Craft Masonry has a monopoly on one thing, namely the practice of Freemasonry. It was never instituted to be a service club and I suggest that adaptations to make it more "service clubby" will not be effective. If a man is desirous of the service club experience, there are numerous organizations for him to join. Freemasonry, on the other hand, cannot hope to compete and produce the same product as The Lions or The Rotary. I suggest that should we attempt to do so we will not only damage one of the great shining lights in Western civilization- we will do ourselves and our Brethren a great disservice. If we continue to maintain the principles of Freemasonry and conduct the Ritual unchanged, as it has been done for generations, we will pass to the next generation a blueprint for the development of thoughtful, productive and happy lives.

My brothers, the twenty first century could very well be the most critical period of time of our existence. We have, in this century, the potential to accomplish what no other entity has been able to do: facilitate our own extinction.

We have spent way too much time parasitizing the greatness of our past, but we cannot continue to dwell upon its greatness while continuing to ignore the need to create our future. Our concern must now be our future, and our greatest hurdle to overcome will be us. The time has come for is to deposit our egos at the door and dedicate ourselves to the unity of regular Freemasonry.
It is a time for us to repay our brothers of the past who have given an unsurpassed legacy to each of us and to the World. We will not accomplish this by sacrificing the protocols that have created that legacy. We, the present-day leaders of this heritage, must assume the responsibility of perpetuating it and carrying it into the future.

My Brothers, if Freemasonry is not succeeding anywhere in the World, it is not the failure of Freemasonry, it is our failure as Masons.

As our Brother Sir Winston Churchill once said:
"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often."

A Mason is not necessarily a member of a lodge. In a broad sense, he is any person who daily tries to live the Masonic life, and to serve intelligently the needs of the Great Architect.