Page 116 - Amo Amass A-muse is some of the fruit of a lifetimes love of Freemasonry - the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235

Why hAS ThE CRAFT ENDuRED?

ES! Why is it that when so many laudable Societies have come and gone our
ancient Craft not only survives but increases its membership throughout the
Yworld? It has done this without any form of advertisement normally considered
so essential to stimulate growth. In fact any form of proselytising or publicity is repugnant
and not permitted. What is it that is the centre which holds our structure together and is
not shaken by any revolution in human affairs? Despite much opposition it yet endures.
Quite early, the Inquisition of the Catholic Church found out all there is to know about
it, but decided that there must be something hidden which they had not discovered because
it seemed so childish and pointless for educated people to wish to join. Fancy taking a
solemn oath not to reveal a ritual which was a lot of drivel, mixed up with some moral
platitudes which everyone understood. They considered, quite reasonably, that an Oath and
Secrecy for this purpose was nonsense and had therefore to be a cloak to hide something
dangerous to Church or State. In fact, our Craft cannot really be classified as a Secret Society
at all because its “Aims and Relationships” are published and can be obtained by the Public.
It is only our means of recognition and the way we carry out our Aims that are secret.
Our ritual cannot be called a `gem of literature’ and our ceremonies are certainly not
beautiful. In fact they are degrading and could suggest worse. Our claims to antiquity and
our traditional history is founded upon much that is not true and supported by fables
derived from illiterate building workmen. The idea of not disclosing knowledge, except
to the few, is extremely old. How to build a house that would not fall down, must have
been one of the first secrets. To outsiders, this picture of our Society is one that should
have disappeared long ago. However, to us, it matters not whether the stories unfolded are
false or true. We accept it all to convey in allegorical form a philosophy of life. Its power
upon our minds is hidden.
Regular Freemasonry must be conceded to have become the greatest and most
important movement towards universal peace and happiness that this world has ever seen.
Let us consider our strengths and see whether the secret of our endurance lies here.
We have avoided all those subjects that lead to disagreement and bloodshed, and we
refuse to reply when challenged. Therefore Religion and Politics must not be discussed,
but that does not mean that members outside the Lodge should not be staunch supporters