MoNs00n

Well then I agree that an ad campaign could shine the light on many good future masons.
I am interested in seeing the ad itself to see the approach he had taken.

chgregory

My Brothers,

Times change and process changes as well!

http://www.massfreemasonry.org/index...w=56&NG_id=157

This is the site that explains their use of commercials.

This next post explains the "view" of at least one Grand Lodge.

http://www.masonicworld.com/educatio...%20conduct.htm

I could not find the commercial on Utube, but I am certain someone will.

From my point of view, masons need to advertise. I don't suggest running an ad to send in your money and become a mason, just to let people know what we stand for and what we accomplish. Somewhere on the end mention how to get in touch with the membership committee.

Heck, we should be in the papers every couple of weeks doing something to better our community which is a lot of publicity. I wear my entry badge for my office on a lanyard that says "2B1Ask!" with the Masonic symbol. I have been asked many times what it means and been able to give a message about what masons do. I carry my masonic passport in my ticket wallet with my US Passport, and I have had at least 4 differnt officials in airports around the world just chat about their being masons, or wanting to become one. Is that advertising? On our web site we have photos of masons doing good work in the community...advertising? I have a link to obtain a blank petition and how to find a lodge in your area....advertising?

I believe all of that is positive advertising, and my Grand Lodge runs a couple of spots each year about how the fraternity helps the community on TV, and it ends with the phrase, "Want to join the Masons, "2B1Ask!" You bet that is advertising.

Using the images of long dead masons to promote the fraternity is not new, but it is also not wrong. I feel that MWBrother Benjamin Franklin was both a antient and a modern mason (of course I have no belief that they are different...other post, sorry) but the issue was reconcilled and he did receive a Masonic Funeral, all be it too late. MWBrother George Washington was a life long member of the GL of VA and I suspect that either gentleman would be proud to be a symbol of their fraternity, I know I would if the situation were reversed.

One of the most important tasks of masons today (and yesterday) is to help the fraternity to grow and prosper, to help find good men to become involved and act as living stones for God's house. If putting a mesage out to the world that says, we are here, we are not some consipiracy to take over the world, we do good work, we need many hands to help with such work and we will help you be a better man and husband if you choose to seek membership.

I think we should also point out that we have nothing to do with keeping Steve Gutenburg in movies (re:Stonecutter's song...another post). Bad pun intended.

There might well be rough water on this course, but as JP Jones said: "Da-- the torpedos, full speed ahead."

S&F,

...ps... I think I am turning into a radical....

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Cliff Gregory, 32

Psi Brr

Aren't you lucky! As a US citizen you get to be a free radical too!

__________________
Bob Hunter
"When elephants fight, the grass suffers.” - African proverb

MoNs00n

Cliff Gregory, 32
It sounds like you do a very good job at advertising for having so many people ask you about joining and to catch notice from other mason's around the world to strike a conversation. It is a form of advertising and a notable way as well.

Psi Brr

I AM curious how so few people can know the character of, or what it means to be, a mason. Advertising is one element, but that's a function of marketing that doesn't really convey the responsibility one assumes when one enters into the realm of freemasonry. It seems freemasonry is overshadowed by the myths surrounding any notion of secrecy by the order.

Could not the Masons in Salem let their good works in northern Massachusetts speak for themselves? I understand the need to avoid self-aggrandizing behavior, though it becomes necessary to draw some attention to the group's good works. Subtlety will be quite the challenge in this case, though no less necessary.

It's quite the conundrum. How best to grow membership without doing so overtly.

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Bob Hunter
"When elephants fight, the grass suffers.” - African proverb

Mystic knight

I never heard of the term antient or modern until I came to this forum. I think that this kind of terminology is divisive and does nothing to help Masonry. I know that George Washington was a Master Mason of the blue lodge and I would have to see cold, hard proof to believe that he was anything else but ancient. He didn't even attend lodge regularly, but a portrait was taken of him in his apron at some event with his brethren. Old George had a very unique apron I guess.

chgregory

Do you know the story of where it came from?

Taken from the Grand Lodge of PA web site:

When the young Marquis de Lafayette came to America at the age of 20 and joined George Washington's army for the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, the American cause had become his cause.
The affection each man held for the other is legendary. So, too, is the legacy of Masonic history developed through that affection. For many years Masons and non-Masons believed that the white silk apron known as the Lafayette Apron, had been embroidered by Madame Lafayette and presented to Bro. George Washington by Bro. Lafayette in August of 1784. This cannot be documented as fact. It has, however, been ascertained that the Apron did indeed belong to Bro. Washington, and current research suggests that it was made in China.

The apron was presented to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania by the Washington Benevolent Society on July 3, 1829 and is now on display in the Grand Lodge Museum at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. It is a study in symbolism. For example, the apron border colors of red, white and blue are the national colors of both the United States and France. Symbols are silent emblems having meaning only when interpreted. Given the unique character of the interpretation process, it can be understood that no symbol has absolute meaning.

If you go to the link:

http://www.pagrandlodge.org/tour/apron/index.html

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Cliff Gregory, 32

Magus Masonica

George Washington was a York Mason. They where not " moderns" but they got along and worked with each other often.

The reason why the Antients state that George Washington didn't attend lodge is because they never had access to York minutes.

__________________
BC 96°
National Head Of Washington State
Masoneria Egipcia del Antiguo Primitivo Rito de Memphis Misraim
M.E.A.P.R.M.M.
"Trois la dirigent, cinq l'éclairent, sept la rendent juste et parfaite"
http://magusmasonica.blogspot.com/
http://templesobek.blogspot.com/

Psi Brr

Now THAT'S an interesting little tidbit...

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Bob Hunter
"When elephants fight, the grass suffers.” - African proverb