Recently, I was present at a conferral of the Master Mason's Degree upon a young man 30 years of age. Not that uncommon, you say? True. We have, on occasion, seen such young men raised in our Lodges over the years. However, this young man was given the lecture of the Degree, flawlessly, by another young man raised in the very same Lodge only one year earlier!
A few weeks later, I listened as a petition was submitted by a 21-year-old. No, his father was not a Mason, nor his grandfather, his uncle, nor any known relative. That was not the motivation to become associated with us. His reason? He was impressed with the Fraternity because it aided him, via a scholarship, to secure an education.

Following that, in another Lodge, a petition for yet another young man, age 27, was referred to the committee on investigations. Why did this young man seek to ally himself with our Craft and not any of the many other men's organizations in our town? His answer was simple: "I wish to establish friendships with men in an organization where I do not have to compromise my moral and ethical views."

All too often we hear how Masonry contains nothing for the younger generation, the so-labeled "X Generation." Supposedly, the ritual work intimidates today's man and prevents him from joining. Not so! I recently studied the results of a nationwide survey of the X Generation, and one fact stood out: a large number of those polled clearly renounced the morals and actions of the previous generation, the so-called "Love Generation." They rejected anarchical rebellion, loose morals, and feel-good attitudes.

In contrast, they desire another lifestyle, more like that of their grandfathers, one based on a reverence for God and country, one built slowly with respect for things proven and true. These values lend themselves most handily to something else built on reverence and respect, our beloved Fraternity. The upcoming generation acknowledges the wisdom of George Santayana: "Those who do not remember the past are doomed to relive it." They have no such intention.

Key within this realization is that it will not be easy. It will require work. Those three young men I noted earlier, who recently embarked on their personal Masonic journey, likewise realize it will not be a cakewalk. They know very well what will be required of them to labor among us. The men they approached told them how to become Masons, not how to join a club. They know coaches and mentors will instruct them. They know their instruction will not stop upon being raised. They know learning about Freemasonry and living as a Freemason last a lifetime.

This is neither conjecture nor false propaganda. It is fact. I know the Mason who counseled that 27-year-old to lead our Fraternity in the millennium ahead. He realizes, as we all should, that there are men in our towns and cities begging to find an association of like-minded men who stand for something and do much more than just than slap each other on the back, have a good time, and accomplish very little—if anything.

Many young people today value loyalty, want purpose, and desire a worthwhile challenge. These are exactly what Freemasonry offers. We must not short-circuit the power our Craft can deliver. When a Mason remains true to the promises he made in Lodge—vows to learn, to subdue his passions, to improve himself—he will be able to serve his God and his fellowman and so enhance his own personal, ethical, and spiritual development. If the Craft works as it should, the Brother, his family, his place of worship, and his community will benefit—and our Fraternity will flourish.

This will not happen in one weekend or one year. But it will happen if we build our ranks with workmen good and true, men of solid moral quality who are seeking the wisdom and achievement we offer. These men exist. Let us set such an example that they will seek us out and, with us, carry the Fraternity beyond today's warning signals to yet higher accomplishments and prestige in the new millennium.

Daniel L. Jensen is a native Oregonian born on September 10, 1949. A roadway machinist for Union Pacific Railroad with 22 years service, he is a Past Master of Ponderosa Lodge No. 197 in Klamath Falls, Past Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Oregon (1996), and currently a District Deputy of the Grand Master. He is a Life Member of the Klamath Valley of the Scottish Rite where he has served as Wise Master of Rose Croix. Additional life memberships include the York Rite, Shrine, and Royal Order of Scotland.