Freemasonry has gone from being empowered by its ideology to being imprisoned by it.

In the old Western films, there was always the saloon with the swinging doors. People walked in and stumbled (or were thrown) out. While our Order, of course, has an entirely different set of standards than the stereotypical Western saloon, it, at times, appears that we do have the same "swinging doors" syndrome.

All Masonic Bodies bemoan the fact of declining membership. We have membership drives, information nights, "Rusty Trowel" efforts, and still we decline. These efforts are all noble and, at times, rewarding. But then, just how rewarding? From the Blue Lodge, through the Scottish and York Rites, to the Shrine, the same faces appear meeting after meeting. Of course, they are most welcome, but what happened to the coveted new members? The answer might be found in a series of questions.

Could it be time for some of us to realign our thinking? The next time you leave your Stated Meeting dinner (you may not have stayed for the actual meeting), please look around at the traffic as you drive home. Probably, you won't see too many 1950 to 1960 autos. The drivers have updated to stay with the times and changing conditions. But has Freemasonry gone from being empowered by its ideology to being imprisoned by it?

We should remember that reverence for the past is important, but so is regard for the future. Can any of us older members remember why and when we joined the Fraternity? We were young, working, raising a family. Sound familiar? We excuse our young friends for not joining today by saying, "They are too busy." Poppycock! We want them to be too busy to join. Most of us do not want newcomers to move in with fresh ideas and new enthusiasms!

At a Masonic gathering recently, I visited with a much younger Brother and was really taken back by his saying, "I made a big mistake in joining. This organization has no place or use for a younger member." He went on to say that he would never recommend membership to anyone under the age of sixty! I had no argument to offer in return.

The doors do swing both ways, don't they? When it becomes easier to go out the door than stay, we are indeed a declining, aging Order. Has it occurred to any of us that these same young people we ignore are capable of running corporations, managing government offices, being doctors, fire fighters, and educators? How can we then feel they are not fit to hold office in our Lodges?

When I see or hear of Lodge Officers in their second or third time "around the corner," I am dismayed. Surely those Lodges have had new members come in. Where are they? Were they shuffled out the door so someone could stay in the chairs for an eternity? It seems as though the senior members could form a body to assist and teach the new Brother. In the Scottish Rite, simply putting a black cap on someone does not make that person a happy, working member. We may be the greatest organization in the world at helping others, while swinging the door shut on our own.

Of course, not all members care to be officers. Bingo! There are the committees. The real work is always done behind the scene. Make our members proud to serve on committees. Recognize them. Applaud them. They will tell others. Activity creates activity. Look at any sports team that is winning. The stands go from empty to full. We all want to be on a winning team. We have the highest standards. Can we remember to live by them?

Let's make those doors wear out from swinging in, not out! May we always remember-and act-by the words of Ill. Jim Tresner, 33°, Grand Cross, In his book Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument, page 102, he says: "Dying organizations love both rules and ceremonies-since both limit the amount of thinking permitted or even possible."

Jack A. Hendee is an Iowan by birth and a Californian since 1952. He was raised a Master Mason in Lorenzo Lodge No. 709 (now merged with Acacia Lodge No. 243), Hayward, Calif., in 1959 and is a member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Al Bahr Shrine, all in San Diego. He retired from a career in marketing, sales, and distribution. A former Director of Boys and Girls Mental Health Society, he now pursues several hobbies: writing, fishing, ham radio, photography, and boating where he holds a U.S.C.G. Master's License. He is much too busy in all Masonic Bodies but looking for more to do.