Where Have All The Masons Gone?

Where Have All The Masons Gone?

The United Grand Lodge of England confirmed that their membership numbers are now down to 200,000 from 500,000.

The drop of numbers is sad, no matter what Constitution or Grand Lodge that you follow. Saying this, I have today released a song 'Where Have All The Masons Gone? in the United Kingdom. Although based on an old folk song, it is a fun look back on a time when Freemasonry was very prominent within England. However, it could be the epitaph in years to come if Freemasonry does not change for the common good.

Lyrics are below for you and link to the song.

Let me me take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and I hope that 2018 brings health and happiness.

Song link:

https://soundcloud.com/nakmas/where-have-all-the-masons-gone

Where have all the old masons gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the old masons gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the old masons gone?
They've decided to resign every one
Oh, when will we ever learn?
Oh, when will we ever learn?

Where have all the masons gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the masons gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the masons gone?
They've decided to resign every one
Oh, when will we ever learn?
Oh, when will we ever learn?

Where have all the young masons gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young masons gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young masons gone?
Gone for genuine hobbies every one
Oh, when will we ever learn?
Oh, when will we ever learn?

Where have all the lodges gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the lodges gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the lodges gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
Oh, when will we ever learn?
Oh, when will we ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with lodge warrants every one
Oh, when will we ever learn?
Oh, when will we ever learn?

Where have all the Grand Lodges gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the Grand Lodges gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the Grand Lodges gone?
Gone to the Great Architect above every one
Oh, why didn't they ever learn?
Oh, why didn't they ever learn?

Sung by Toby Wilson
Written by Pete Seeger
Lyric Adaption by Joe Ellis

 

The Masons have learned what they could from Freemasonry, Packed their bags and Traveled to more nurturing lands.
The Freemasonic non-masons are still hanging around.

(Nice adaption!)

 

Is this a coincident or what? United Grand Lodge of America might have also confirmed in the past many decades that their memberships members were up over 1,000,000. That may have answered your question that there is a possibility that most of Freemasons are also moving to America.

 

United Grand Lodge of America? What's that?

 

I don't know, but it sure sounds good though.

 

You might want to check your references. Things are not getting better in the USA either : http://www.msana.com/msastats.asp

 

I was going to say, I've never seen anything that resembled growth in regards to U.S. masonry. Especially under the 'United Grand Lodge of America'....

 

Seriously Coach, giving that no recruiting/marketing is allowed, that statistics is pretty good in term of a business operates without a business marketing strategy. On another hand, I think the most damaging with the lacks of memberships that we are experiencing is directly affected from many external interventions to undermine and to make Freemason appears unappealing and liability, etc.

Visually, even though various rumors or accusations may not be true. Without a strong objection from Masonry, to some people, it can perceive at least something is true.

 

I have not seen anything ever been lost especially under "United Grand Lodge of America" either.

 

BTW, just want to clarify. When I use the word "we," figuratively, I was referring to the Freemasons. I am not including myself. Just want to avoid any misunderstand because I am not a Freemason yet. It is because it just sounds good and flow from the English language and its proper usage.

 

Anyone has any reporting figure/information with regard to United Grand Lodge of U.S.A?

 

You might want to check your references. All those youtube videos you've watched don't tell the whole story. In fact, they usually tell stories that have no basis in fact. Marketing is allowed in some areas. Recruiting in the form of letting someone know that they would make a good member is allowed in some areas.

These statistics are lousy even for an business without a marketing strategy, of which most freemasonic jurisdictions do have.

According to your profile information, you are not a member. Who is this "we" of which you speak so collectively and assuredly?

Are you familiar with the term "bulcrit"? It's speaking authoritatively from second hand information.

 

I think you misspelled the term, but I know what you meant. I am with you. Hopefully, one of these days, I could freely use the word "we"

 

There is no legitimate organisation of this name.
MSANA reports membership numbers from the individual states.

Also, not all Grand Lodges prohibit solicitation and marketing.

 

I merely reproduced the term as I had read it 30 years ago. I share your hope.

 

Thanks Glen, I was just put a positive spin on the membership decline. Both U.S. Grand Lodges and Canada Grand Lodges Memberships have negative gain since 1924 and decline as linear trend. Results are varied among states. It appears 1959, U.S. Grand Lodges have a gain. However, there is no detail summary of whether for not gaining more memberships to replace those resting Freemasons or Freemasons are no longer interested being affiliated with the Lodge. I don't know if the data trend was in a decline in recruiting for replacement or in a decline in keeping a Freemason stay active.

For example, you had 100 recruits this year, 60 members had new assignments with God, 50 active members left the Lodge for whatever the reason then you have a net gain of negative 10. Would you consider that it is bad? Correct me if I am wrong. Once a Mason is forever a Mason. Is that right even when an active member left the Lodge he still subject to his obligation to his brothers?

 

Thanks coach, would be happier if you would also share your smile.

 

Are you reading the same data?

 

I was looking at data from this website. http://www.msana.com/msastats.asp
U.S. Grand Lodges (Analysis & Evaluation)
year 1924 | 3,077,161 to year 2016 | 1,117,781 Peak at year 1959 | 4,103,161

1,959,380 memberships different within 52 years
rate = (3,077,161 - 1,117,781) / 3,077,161 = 63.67% change from 1924 to 2016

Average 36,284.814/year for all U.S. Grand Lodges

738.83/Lodge/year

I was using an example that I made up to explain the complexity of interpreting data. Here I give you another example that I made up. For example, there were 134 vehicle collisions last year with a total of 165 fatalities. This year, there were 67 vehicle collisions with at total of 273 fatalities. Now, this year, safety improvement collision reduction is 50% and that is impressive; however, at first, looking at the total fatalities, you would be alert that this year has a total 273 fatalities compare to 165 fatalities last year. You would think it is worse for this year than last year. However, when you analyze the data correctly, the reason more fatalities were because for environmental concern/awareness more people are carpooling. As a result, more people died per vehicle per collision instead of 1 person died per crash.

Is there another data source?

 

[QUOTE="Howard Giang, post: 188031, member: 20692"...

.... Once a Mason is forever a Mason. Is that right even when an active member left the Lodge he still subject to his obligation to his brothers?[/QUOTE]

No as to first question. Depends as to second