march - Grand Encampment, Knights Templar

pean creators. A different mindset seemsto exist in these countries as a result offascist and communist suppression thatmight stimulate it to evolve into somethingdistinctive as a result of the differentsocietal pressures where it exists.Although I have spent some time inthe Far East, India, and the Philippinesas well as in Africa, I have not discerneda specific style which differentiates anddefines it. In these locations, as a resultof operating as Provincial or districtGrand Lodges or Lodges for a prolongedperiod of time, there has been a tendencyto take on the characteristic ofthe mother Grand Lodge, but we shouldexpect a modification.If it is the intent of Freemasonry toremain a driving intellectual force in theevolution of civil society, if we wish forfuture historians to acknowledge ourcontributions in the developing worldfor the betterment of mankind, if wewant to continue toward our goal of takinggood men and making them better,then whatever style we choose mustlead us on a pathway to that end. Uponexamining the different styles that I havepresented to you, we can measure degreesof success in world Freemasonry.The philosophical style has been inexistence for the longest period of timeand has paved the way in almost everyother environment. Therefore differencesin style have all evolved from it. Ithas certainly stood the test of time andhas impacted the world in general, probablymore than any other. It was thisstyle that became an integral part of thecornerstone of the Enlightenment andit was the Enlightenment that served asa pathway out of the ignorance of thedark ages.The sociological style found in Centraland South America has not deviatedextensively from it. The infusion of theidealism has not in any way harmed thecraft’s potential in the society in which itlives. I am not convinced, however, that itcould thrive as well in other parts of theworld. The strength of this Freemasonryis a result of the continuing struggle tooperate within its environment. I havegreat respect for both the philosophicaland the sociological styles of the craft.As I have indicated earlier, I do notreally understand Mexican Freemasonry,but I do have a fear that it places itselfin jeopardy by coming close to violatinga basic Masonic protocol. Keep this inmind my brothers. We do not fear Freemasonsbecoming involved in politicalactivity, but we must never permit Freemasonryto become involved.I look at Canadian Freemasonry, althoughpart of North America, as a modifiedversion of both the philosophicaland charitable styles. They retain moreof the philosophical style from their originbut have been greatly influenced bythe charitable.Freemasonry in the United States,however, is purely a charitable style today.Interestingly, the change into thisstyle took place over the last 30 to 50years. It began its life as a philosophicalstyle as brought over by the earlysettlers from the British Isles and theEuropean continent. There can be nodoubt that its impact on the creationof the United States of America was extraordinary.The intellectual stimulus ofthe Enlightenment played a vital role inthe idealistic structuring of this country,and more than a few of the enlightenedthinkers who played a role in this structuringwere Freemasons.My brothers, it has changed. As a28 march 2013