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The Secret is Getting Out
By Worshipful John B. Connell
Grand Orator
This speech was given during the Grand Lodge visitation to Pearl Harbor Lodge on May 9, 2005.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master has asked me to say a few words about one of the best kept "secrets" in the world. Those who were custodians of the secret kept it buried in darkness for centuries. But now, an increasing number of "blabbermouths" have been blatantly telling the secret to anyone who will listen.
That secret is that Freemasonry is NOT a SECRET ORGANIZATION!
How can the oldest and largest fraternity in the world, whose membership numbers about ten million, including leaders in government, education, the arts, military service, religion, and almost every worthwhile field of endeavor..... how can such an organization be "secret?"
These blabbermouths have had the audacity to show by word and deed, that Freemasonry is a moral science, taught by degrees, to help make good men better, and to make this world a better place in which to live.
They have actually gone "public" and used the mass media, computers, public ceremonies, books, movies, charities, etc. to let the world know that Freemasonry is a force for good in the world and that any man who wants to share in this work, should look into the possibility of joining.
Brethren, it is no "secret" that, in the recent past, Freemasonry had experienced a decline in interest and membership. A few dedicated and hard-working individuals have kept the flame alive through the hard times, and now the fire is beginning to spread around the world, including Hawaii.
Today there is a renewed interest in patriotism and morality. Movies such as National Treasure, books like The Da Vinci Code, events like the reenactment of the Boston Tea Party and Keiki ID Program, charities such as the Shrine Hospitals and Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Children's reading clinics, etc. have focused a new and generally favorable light on the fraternity, and, although not always the most accurate, they have peaked people's interest and left them wanting to learn more.
This is where the "blabbermouths" come in. It is important that we take advantage of this renewed interest and do all in our power to inform the public and assist all who may want to join in this worthwhile endeavor.
We must make full advantage of the mass media. Newspapers, community papers such as Mid-Week, radio public service and talk shows, business publications and newsletters, etc. Be sure to include who, what, when, where, why, how, and the name of a contact person to answer any questions. Good pictures are also helpful. Tell them about elections, awards, charities, community activities, and use the opportunity to also tell them about the purpose and teachings of Freemasonry, such as brotherly love, relief and truth, temperance, fortitude, and justice.
Events such as the State Fair, K-Bay Fest, parades, booths at community shopping centers, etc. are excellent ways to get the fraternity in front of the public eye. Get people's interest, get their names and numbers, and then follow-up afterwards. Ko'olau Lodge has been working at the K-Bay Fest for several years and learning more each year. Last year they received over sixty names of people on the windward side, interested in learning more about Masonry. We invited them to a prospect party, and have received so many applications that we do not have time to put on all of the degrees and have to ask Pearl Harbor Lodge and Honolulu Lodge to allow us to use their facilities.
Believe it or not, a Masonic Funeral, in addition to providing comfort to the family of a departed brother, is also a wonderful opportunity to put the fraternity in a good light before the public. Then don't just forget the family, but involve them in lodge activities afterward. Don't forget to tell your family that you want a Masonic Funeral in additional to a funeral from your church.
Work hard on your ritual and do the best job possible. If you make a good impression in the initiation ceremonies, that will stick with the candidate. Make the extra effort to show that Masonry is something special, it is not just another social club. If you do impressive ritual, the new members will want to participate actively in the degrees for the next candidate. But if they see people reading their parts, or giggling, or sloppy in appearance, they will think that we don't care, and Masonry is not important enough to bother about.
Educate your members, so they know more about the fraternity themselves and know what to tell a prospective member.
Masonry is the oldest fraternity in the world and can trace its roots back ot King Athlestan in 926 AD and before.
Prospect. Write down names of people at work, in the neighborhood, at church, or even in yoru own family. Ask them personally if they ever thought about joining Freemasonry, or send them a letter inviting them to an informatoin session or layman's night. Give them pamphlets and lend them the video "Friend to Friend."
Then communicate! Use Lodge "Trestleboards", letters, telephone trees, e-mails, etc. The new Grand Lodge website is great, and is getting better all the time.
Brethren, other than a few signs and words, Freemasonry is NOT a SECRET. Spread the news. BE A BLABBERMOUTH!