DOES THE FRATERNITY HAVE AN IDENTITY
CRISIS?
by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
"A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry"
Ralph: "If any of the Racoons ever get sick, it'll be my responsibility to go and visit them."
Alice: "Oh, that is a very important responsibility, Ralph. You better start now and find out what the visiting hours are at Bellevue."
- The Honeymooners
As Freemasons, we have been very fortunate recently to receive some good
press from the movies, "National Treasure," and Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci
Code." Dan's upcoming book, "The Solomon Key" will also lead to renewed
interest in Masonry. True, such movies and books portray the fraternity as
ancient and honorable, but I am becoming very much concerned about the image
we project to the public. Under these titles, today's Freemasons are viewed
as what I call "Custodians of the Past." How many people have we met who said,
"Oh yea, I remember my grandfather was a Mason"? Frankly, our image with the
public is one of a bunch of nice old guys who occasionally give money to
charity, hold pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners, and have secret
handshakes and signals. Does anyone remember the handshake used by
Ralph Cramden and Ed Norton (from TV's "The Honeymooners") in their
"International Order of Loyal Raccoons" Lodge? That's the general
perception the public has of us. Think I'm kidding? Let's look at some
of the customs of the "Raccoons":
Membership requirements (Bylaws, sec. 2)
- US citizen for the last six months.
- Have a public school diploma.
- Pay a $1.50 initiation fee.
Raccoon of the Year privileges:
- Opening the first clam at the annual clambake.
- Steering the boat on the annual ride up the Hudson River to Raccoon point.
- Free burial with spouse at Raccoon National Cemetery in Bismark, North Dakota.
- Opportunity to run for Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler.
Lodge events:
- Annual national conventions in Chicago and Minneapolis.
- Annual ride up the Hudson River to Raccoon point.
- Annual clambake.
- Annual fishing trip (wives not allowed).
- National Mambo dance championship.
- Annual Costume Party.
- Raccoon Lodge bowling team, the Hurricanes.
(There was a $15 fee for each event).
The Raccoon Marching song:
In the West and in the East
There's a mighty little beast
For courage there is no other.
When the chips are all at stake
We are proud to call him brother.
So with our noble tails entwined
And a spirit strong of mind
We'll have hearts that cannot melt.
In the forest, in the trees
On the land or seven seas.
We're brothers under the pelt.
Raccoons, the noble Raccoons.
Drinking toast:
Fingers to fingers, thumbs to thumbs, watch out below, here she comes.
(Thanks to the Grand
Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon for this background material)
Sure, Jackie Gleason had a lot of fun developing this bit and
it got a lot of laughs but ultimately it represents the
public persona of Freemasonry. Now, with Hollywood's latest offerings,
we are portrayed as the old guard looking after our ancient heritage.
Consequently, it should come as no small surprise why we are not getting
much needed young blood into the fraternity.
We should be mindful of our public image in our activities and writings,
otherwise we will be forever regarded as "Custodians of the Past," not
the "Builders of the Future."
Ralph: "It just so happens that the Raccoon Lodge is going through a financial crisis.
And I'm the treasurer, Alice, I'm responsible. If I don't get some money into that treasury,
you know what might happen? The Bensonhurst chapter of the Raccoon Lodge may no longer be.
You know what that means?"
Alice: "Yeah. Real estate values in Bensonhurst will go up one hundred percent!"
Keep the Faith.
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not
necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction
or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein,
please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic
web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:
Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com
Please forward me a copy of the publication when it is produced.
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http://www.phmainstreet.com/timbryce.htm
Copyright © 2007 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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