I'm a little torn on this sort of thing. I'm not sure it taking years and years to be a MM is the proper route. This day and age, people are different. Numbers would certainly drop leaving only many, several dozen lodges left. But theyd be good lodges im sure.
However, if one were that mentally invested in something (or fiscally with dues) they would be good, quality members vs. just paying $75.00 a year for a dues card and never even showing up in lodge. At that point it is like, what is the point of you even keeping your dues up? So you can have a masonic funeral?