I have written this paper, last August, as a part of an education evening in my lodge, Saddleback Laguna Lodge # 672, exploring Freemasonry's role in the 21st century. I re - written it to fit today's date. As the newly elected Master of Kadosh, I would like to share it with you.

Whence we came, where we are today.

In a time when chariots and carriages where the luxury transportation of the time, candles and lamps were the source for light, a handshake was the seal of a transaction, a wooden horse was the best toy for a toddler and a home cooked meal was a blessing to the family. Men dignified with a thirst for freedom, search for happiness, equality among fellow humans, and partnership in the destiny of the Motherland. Armed with those great ideas, thinkers and scholars of that time were assembled under the banner of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity; and Modern Freemasonry was born.

Thence we came and here we are today.

The chariots are replaced by turbo engine cars, the candles by a switch, the handshake by a 200 pages contract, the wooden horse by video games, and the home cooked meal by a microwave supper. And now Freemasons are assembled in lodges instead of taverns and homes, but still armed with great principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. Yes, the world has changed and so have we, but is it for the better.

Let us explore...

Cholera was an epidemic and now barely exists, but more kids are dying in certain parts of the world from malnutrition and lack of sanitation.

Kids use to fight with their fists and now the fists are replaced by guns.

You can't find a school without security guards.

Candy was distributed in schools and now drugs are sold to our children at school.

Literature was an important part of a curriculum and now slang words are part of basic conversation on the lips of our children.

Family gathering was an important part of their life's, and now you are lucky if you see your children.

On holy days churches were filled with families, and nowadays Disneyworld is filled with families.

The $60 dollar question. Are Value, Ethics and Morals just punch words? Are we better off? Are we morally better off?

How are we, as Masons, participating in making the 21st century a better era?

The last Masonic President we had, if I am not mistaken, was Gerald Ford in 1974. That was 35 years ago. What happened? Weren't we a major player in the creation of our nation, don't we have a duty as citizens and as masons to participate and make sure that people who live with our principles and tenets advance to make this country and society better? Or, are we too busy to care. "As a Mason you are enjoined to be exemplary in the discharge of your civil duties" Isn't it our sacred duty to make sure this nation is in the hand of honorable people? We do not speak of politics and religion in the lodge; that is fair, but we should always remember that our forefathers have left us with this trust and we have to make sure it is protected for future generations.

"Charity to all mankind" I am sorry, but just walking in a parade does not make us community servants. Yes, we have couple of other community programs in our lodge that are commended, such as the school program and the food drive, but are they enough..."To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Masons "When was the last time we visited a homeless shelter, took care of the needy, and helped the distressed. "Do you seriously declare, upon your honor... that you will be serviceable to your fellow creatures" not just Mason to Mason, but to all your fellow creatures. Living and acting what we learned makes us good examples. After all, these words are not just ink on a piece of paper; these are duties required from us as masons. How do we expect the world to know about Masons and Masonry if we are not out there seriously active in our community.

Are we really making our community a better place? Are we doing enough in helping the children of our community to be better off? Are we seriously participating in making the 21st century a better era? These are questions and concerns.

Well, things don't seem that bad after all; we are participating in some degree at least

The history of Masonry is studied today at UCLA, thanks to a visionary Grand Master, M.W. Larry L. Adamson. Therefore, we restarted our enlightening process to the outside world and because of that; many fruitful results will be achieved in the future.

Concerned with the economic situation of our people, the Grand Lodge recently created workshops for the unemployed to help them find jobs. I think that this is a great idea, and tells others that Masonry cares. Feeling the importance of the role of Masonry to our youth, last year, youth programs were emphasized by the Grand Lodge, and surely this will result not only in the growth of our membership, but will help families in raising their youth in a good atmosphere and helping us create future leaders.

Leadership and membership development programs are designed for our usage, if we take advantage of them.

Masonic organizations, such as the Shrine, are continuing in helping the children thru their hospitals; the Scottish Rite, thru their language centers; and the York Rite, thru their eye foundation, despite the financial difficulties.

These are great steps, but never the less, much more is needed.

In conclusion

From the freedom seekers of Europe to our Founding Fathers, Masonry through the ages helped the oppressed the needy and the distressed. It helped to build nations and societies. Brought light to ignorance and continue to do so. With the help and knowledge of the tools of our craft, it is our duty, as loyal Masons and good men, to continue this path. Our enemy is not the lack of membership but membership participation. Our downfall will be if we stop sharing the light with the outside world. That light which is our Values, Ethics and Morals.

Our weakness will come if we start thinking as members of lodges only, instead of part of a great fraternity and work TOGETHER for one common goal.

Churches are empty as well as our lodges, and we will lose the battle if we start looking at our members as ninety dollars per person per year instead of considering them as the future of our fraternity and treating them accordingly. We must involve our members in all our lodge programs and projects in order to retain them. Members must feel that they are part of their lodge's every day progress and destiny, true shareholders and not just spectators or followers who are only told what to do.

Concerned and visionary leaders are needed. Nothing comes without sweat. No goals are achieved without sacrifices. Voltaire said "Evil exists when good men do nothing". That is why Masonry must not just survive but also prosper.

I would like to conclude my paper with our PGM, M.W. Larry L. Adamson's motto:

"Living the Virtues today, building for a better tomorrow".

Eric Hanan, 32° KoSA