The "One-Day Class" Crisis

Introduction

Masons all over the US are becoming distressed at the spreading practice of large "One-Day Classes". Is this a disrespectful cheapening of our degrees and heritage, or a necessary solution for desperate grand lodges in the face of declining membership. Are we producing committed and educated brothers, or a horde of ignorant "McMasons"? Is this our future, or a dead-end?

Essays and Opinions

• My opinion on the subject:
  • "Since you asked..."
  • Isn't This Wonderful?
• Bro. Mark Griffin asks if just watching is enough?
• Advice from a Master to a new Apprentice.
• The Regrets of a Vermont Mason
• From a Maryland Mason
• Finding Joy in the Experience
• "We should square corners, not cut them", by Paul Trusten
• From a California Fellowcraft
• A Voice In Favor of the One-Day Class
• Perspective of An Iowa Mason — My Reply to Bro. Klaus — Bro. Klaus Replies
• "They All Came Just For Me" -- the crucial experience that the One Day Mason will never know.
• A Senior Deacon's impressions of a One-Day class.
• Maine's answer to the One-Day Class is a good one!
• A Busy Man Makes Time For Masonry
• A "sales and marketing professional" gives A Positive View of the One-Day Class
• A Blacksmith pounds out some thoughts on the subject.
• Thoughts from a new Entered Apprentice: "My EA degree... was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. Why anyone would want to miss that, I'll never understand."
• What Do Younger Masons Want? "Younger Masons do not want Freemasonry handed to them. They want to earn it!"
• Method of Measure?
• Letter from a busy police detective who made time to take the degrees in the traditional way. His follow-up letter a few months later.
• The Pillar of Beauty Has Indeed Fallen...

What Can You Do? -- A Model Amendment

Here is an example of a model amendment prohibiting candidates in a lodge from participating in a "One-Day Class". You can propose this in your own lodge.

• News about the Model Amendment

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A Page About Freemasonry is http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/