We need good quality men. Who will finish, and stay active at lodge. Men who will take the time to learn the work. learn the lessons. Teach it to new members proficiently. and love masonry for what it truly means. How do you pick them out of the crowd. I wish to god i could tell you. Age has nothing to do with it. Some men join out of curiosity, some because they think it will profit them in there business affairs. or get them aide in distress. others are interested in our mysteries, or want titles, and distinction that masonry confers. Very few care for our masonic philosophies, or care to learn about its ancient symbols. How are we suppose to know if our petitioner falls into one of these categories? You think he is going to give you that information during his investigation? All we can do, is hope that we can open his eyes. Show him the beauties of masonry, hope that he gets it, and stays to share it with the rest of the world. We need quality men, of all ages, shape, sizes, and colors if we are going to survive. We need to join as brothers, and come up with good solid solutions to this problem. This forum reaches world wide. some change is going to have to happen, what that is i wish i could tell you. we need to take a step back, and look at what is best for masonry. Maybe our own personal opinions do not always serve the greater Good of what we are trying to accomplish. I HAVE HAD HEAD STRONG OPINIONS ON ISSUES IN THE PAST, THAT UPON FURTHER REFLECTION, HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE OVERALL GOOD OF THE LODGE, AND MASONRY. We can fix this problem. We have to, in a few years a lot of us will be the old timers. What will our legacy be? What condition will we leave our fraternity in?