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 Masonic quotes by Brothers

MODERNIZING MASONRY

The statement is often voiced: "We must modernize Masonry." If any importance can be attached to such statement, it must be that Masonry has not been properly interpreted. The why and how of Masonry must be confusing to the extent that the modernization plan is also confusing.

Masonry is a way of existence. It is life. What can I do to change conditions? Surely, I cannot do anything about the fundamentals of life, breathing, walking or sleeping. I cannot improve upon the rays of the sun. I cannot do anything about finding a substitute for water. In all the fundamental departments of life I cannot think of any plan to modernize them. And I must accept Masonry as it is, its history, its tradition, its principles and purposes. I must judge its worth by what it has meant and means to humanity and to society.

The only possible change is in the manner that I apply Masonry to my life. What Masonry offers to the Mason of today is as necessary and worthwhile as it was to Masons of a hundred years ago. What its philosophy is worth today, it was worth a century ago. What part of it can I eliminate without losing something of lasting value? What can I put back into it that will make it a more progressive system?

The modernization of Masonry must take place within the individual Mason. There are no hidebound restrictions. There is some understanding that I can gain today which I failed to see yesterday.

May Masons, through the faithful performance of their duties as Masons, through a more careful study and understanding of our Institution, find a new appreciation, rather than to generalize on the vague and indefinite plan of "modernizing Freemasonry."

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