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Albamason wrote:Stewart
I would say this probably tends to be more of an issue in England, maybe down to public perception. In my experience, Scottish lodges appear to have a far wider range of members, genuinely from all sections of society. I would suggest that in most Scottish lodges , the majority of brethren would consider themselves "working class" whatever that means nowadays.
Despite being told in 1st degree that masonry is free, we soon find out that this isn't strictly true. The costs are probably far higher in England , not just joining fees and test fees , but festive boards, ladies festivals etc. I don't imagine that there are many prospective candidates in Scotland who could cite financial circumstances as a reason for not joining a lodge but I am not so sure that would be the case in England.
S & F
John
McClef wrote:... and part of the meal fee is to contribute towards the costs of running and maintaining the building.
Eckywan wrote:Why ?? freemasonry is on the level
or should be
and open to all IF THEY show an interest
Sebastian wrote:Yes and No. There is a huge emphasis on recruitment - but may I say something controversial and a little unfashionable?
It is not really necessary. Originally, at the beginnig of the 18thC it was a about 20 men meeting in a London tavern. It grew and grew. Not quickly, but gradually. The Craft is not a religion. It does not need to look for initiates or to evangelise. If it goes back to being 3 lodges in the whole of England, then so be it as long as tghe memberes are the 'right' people.
What attracted was the addition to the original number of the real Movers and Shakers in society, and we now lack these a little. Similarly, members of the Royal Family, Chancelllors of the Exchequer, and eventually most of the Square Mile.
In the Army, I find the 20-somethings attracted by the mystery...a perceived elitism...and this Genuinely Attracts. I can assure you they wouldn't touch Rotary or Probus with a barge pole.
If we recruit at all, let's look at a few Royal Princes...
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