After Covid

As we saw in December 2021, the article on Numbers showed various patterns over the years. The 1920s was a period of massive increase in the number of initiates and new lodges, as well as buildings. Many lodge buildings are dated from the turn of the 20th century to the 1930s and many had over 500 brethren, 242 being one such example. It is understandable why cliques formed with these numbers as it would have been impossible to get to know every brother and how the phrase ‘more members than masons’ arose. Few Grand Lodges followed our example. Scottish masonry became a ‘sausage factory’ to bring in money and we have suffered over the last few decades as a result of this approach. Many young masons blame Grand Lodge, PGLs and their own PMs for mismanagement; they might be right. Blaming our predecessors won’t lead to anything constructive and I don’t want to go into the 1, 2, 3, mark argument which I think everyone today feels in not right, but we do need to think about the way forward after Covid.

Many brethren feel we have lost our relevance in society. Of course, the charitable works continue and we aim to have given Prostrate Scotland £1m in the near future which is magnificent. However, that is not our raison d’etre—we are much more. The charitable side is seen by society, but there are so many charities and organisations collecting for charity especially by direct debit, that it’s rarely newsworthy in papers. Most lodges can probably look into their 19th C history and see degrees were part of a system which included talks on masonry explaining our history (local and nationally), symbols, the meaning of the ritual, moral lessons, etc. Somewhere along the line, the short 19th C minutes became longer than some meetings!! Masonic etiquette became more casual—how many lodges no longer have brethren installed in dinner suits?

If we do not instruct our brethren in the Craft of Masonry then they will have nothing to pass on. Many traditions have been lost (for example, saluting the JW at the recess when retiring temporarily, harmonies, testing candidates thoroughly). Numbers have dropped and will continue due to the pandemic. Candidate numbers are likely to increase this year as many lodges have a back log, but that’s temporary. Let’s not rush candidates through—let’s instruct them properly hoping they will stay long term: we need this to survive. We need to accept that the Craft will return to similar numbers before the wars and that might not be a bad thing at all. We might get to know each other again! Returning to buildings—too many look awful outside and without the cash, it’s difficult to fix it, but we must try. 242 is looking superb inside and outside and hopefully, brethren will return in similar numbers to before, but it needs a constant upkeep and test fees need to be paid. The public must see run down buildings and wonder if it’s the same inside—would you want to be part of that? Every lodge needs a strategic plan for the next 2/3 years and PGL/GL can help if no one in the lodge is versed in this thinking. Introduce a series of talks which will help new candidates (and members!), have a programme within the lodge of helping any brother head towards the chair and perhaps engage with the local community in a non-charitable way. 242 allows the local history society to use its hall—can this be extended? I’m sure lodges can think of ways in their neighbourhood. Only we can make the difference in our lodges so let’s all work as a team and bring one idea to the General Committee.