THE PRESENT NEED

Grand Lodge of Alberta Bulletin – December 1936

No organization in these days can justify itself solely in terms
of it's past. Nor is it sufficient for members of the Masonic
Fraternity to certify to the glorious career of more than two
hundred years as its present "raison d'etre." Freemasonry
has survived because mankind has needed in all ages the
efforts of the fraternity to thwart the enemies of liberty,
establish beneficial governments, develop a civic
consciousness throughout the population, and practice the
virtues of brotherly love, relief and truth.

Said Goldsmith:

"Ill fares the land, to hast'ning ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay."

We are of opinion that our country needs Freemasonry today
as strongly as ever before, In fact we have had few periods
in our history more critical than the present one. Landmarks
of Masonry are revered by us all, but landmarks of
government, civilization and liberty seem on the verge of
being swept away in an inundation of the Nile of "isms"
which flood the contemporary scene.

And the cry is "But the times have changed". So they have -
but human nature has not changed nor will the need for
these ancient landmarks ever be eliminated this side of the
millenium. Material prosperity purchased at the price of
surrendering all personal and group freedom becomes
bought at too dear a price.

- Virginia Masonic Herald.

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