Unfortunately, I am one of those you are talking about. I will try to share some of my thoughts which may explain some of it, but as my Drill Instructor said "There is NO excuse BOY!", so I will give my reasons...
As I graduated H.S., I entered a small Tech School to further my education in Electronics, and some day have a good life. Hmm Uncle Sam sent a letter, and due to some problems at the school office, many of us were drafted. I entered the military, and during that time, married. We had a son, and I was in and out of Viet Nam and other nice places. I finally go out, and decided to go back to school on the G.I. Bill. Too many Bleeding Hearts at the colleges who would not accept what many of us had done, so I left, and took on a job as an autobody repair man. During that time the County Sheriff made me an offer, and a few of us put together a team to combat a "problem" many areas were having at the time. I did that for a few years, and we had a daughter. Then divorce. Things changed fast, and not always good. We got back together for a while, re-married, and had a son. Still LEO, and body work, but in another area of the Country. Moved to Texas, we divorced a second time (there is an education there fellas..). We both have new families, I finally retired from Law Enforcement, and have a daughter with this marriage. Now, being a Dad takes a lot of time, whether you are in the house, or 100 miles away. Working at least one job takes a good bit of time. Having been given a rough time about your "duties" for Country makes you double think a lot. And, trying to make sure you do right in everything takes a lot of time, especially the time you would devote to sleep. Now, some 40 years after this started, my life has slowed down enough I could take the time to Petition, enter, study, and become a Master Mason. I've said all along, that when I have the time to devote, I would take the challenge. Unfortunately, I had the time all along... I was never aware of it, as the work is one of our secrets, and it is not supposed to be discussed among non-Masons. I've told many that had I known 25 years ago what I know now, I would have been a LOT farther along. Some talk of making changes, or "modernizing" masonry. I did not come into an Ancient organization so I or anyone else could modernize it. I am almost 58 years old, and was raised a year ago June 13th (Friday the 13th), and I had no trouble learning the work, or getting it turned in. Now, it took me a lot longer than I thought it should have. I should have had it ALL done in a couple of weeks...... But, it took me about 4 months, with the MM work taking me 9 hours of study to learn. I'm NOT exceptional after all. My instructor keeps telling me how proud he is of me for the way I studied, turned my work in, and my continued dedication. Hey folks!! This is what I was talking about all along! And, I had the time... I studied for at least one hour every evening after work, Monday through Friday. It was like anything else, set a routine, and stick with it. Some can't study every night, but if you look, the time is there. I was given a candidate to teach. He is in his 30's, and his Dad was a Mason. He listened to the Masonic Funeral Rites, and decided he wanted to follow in his Dad's steps. He has been initiated as an E.A. and we have studied about 5 hours. In that time, he made outstanding progress, but kept saying he couldn't do it. The reason he hasn't been able to do it, is that he is more interested in riding his new motorcycle... I build customs, so he can come by, and study, but he WON'T!!! He had given many excuses, but I have information to the contrary. I have offered to make any adjustments it would take to get him through, but at this point I can see he is not interested, and I have to question his ability to be a Mason in the sense we all expect to be, or should be. 5 hours of study since March... I have a son his age, and one older. the Older one is interested, but like me, is putting it off, until he has time. He's still doing some college studies, and is about to promote in his F.D. to another higher rank. He's also just been informed he is going through a divorce. Is history repeating? I sure hope not. I can't push him, but I sure like to let him know how much fun I have with it, and I really do. My Lodge has dwindled down to a small number who come, We have paid dues for many of them over the years, hoping they would come back. We can't do it anymore, because they have not been contributing anything, and many will be suspeneded shortly. I hate that, as these are the same folks who were active when I was the age of many of you, but never really made any attempts to get younger folks involved. Now, I hope you yoounger fellows do not take the same attitude, and say when I get time, or we'll always make it, because it is getting harder. As for the work and learning it, I don't think it needs to be any less, it just needs to be taught in a manner where the candidate actually learns the meaning of the words he is learning and saying. By the way, I learned the questions and answers for 2 reasons... 1st that I might be able to study on my own, and second that I might be abe to "repay" my instructor by teaching another. I'm sorry this is so long, but perhaps it sheds a little light on things that happen... If I can help any Brother in any way, I am always ready to try.
