Jack A. Hendee, 32°
3156 5th Avenue, Apt. 134
San Diego, California 92103–5839

In Freemasonry as in agriculture, careful nurturing is needed to yield a good result.

"Boy, Dad, this work just goes on and on doesn't it?"

"Yes, Phil, it sure does, but it is just part of a natural process for us farmers."

"What do you mean by "natural process," Dad?"

"Well, Son, look at how we maintain our farm here. Your Grand Dad bought this acreage during the Depression. He got it at auction for a dollar an acre and paid for it with what used to be called crop payments. That is, when the crops came in, he paid the bank with the profits. We were north of the Dust Bowl, so there were some crops even with the down years. Now you and I are the caretakers as it has been passed to me, and soon Mom and I will deed it to you. Land today needs much attention and nurturing, so we are sowing with great care to reap the best crops. Farming today is only as good as the way we do land management. Then we can reap the benefits of our hard labor."

"That makes good common sense, Dad, and I was just thinking of how that theme should apply to our local Masonic Lodge. When we take in a new member, we should apply the same management policies we use on our land."

"How's that son? What do you have in mind?"

"Well, let's say we take in a new member. He is excited about joining or he wouldn't come forth."

"Yes, that's true."

"Well, he needs care from all the members to make him feel proud of his membership. He needs nurturing to make him feel at ease and find out what his interests are so that he can be put right to work with others. We should immediately make him a valuable part of the group. And he should be constantly reminded, by the results of his lodge activity, not just our words, of the benefits of membership. Then he'll pass on his enthusiasm to others. Just as our work over fields and livestock is, thankfully, a never-ending labor, he should realize the never-ending duty of what I call silent recruiting, living a self-evidently good life, in order to keep a continuing supply of new members. The work should never stop and should have the same management we apply here on the farm."

"Son, I think you should come to the next Temple board meeting and present your concept. I'd just bet that you might be the next Membership Chairman. You know we get new members, but they drift away like dry topsoil. Maybe our current methods are too wordy and strict. Why not go back to the old tried-and-true methods, like here on the farm. However, right now we'd better get hustling as those clouds are forming west of here, and it might rain. Then our ladies will give us the dickens instead of lunch for talking instead of working."

Think about it. A product properly sown, tended to, and helped along should reap a long and bountiful crop. Hmmm…

Jack A. Hendee is an Iowan by birth and a Californian since 1952. He was raised a Master Mason in Lorenzo Lodge No. 709 (now merged with Acacia Lodge No. 243), Hayward, Calif., in 1959 and is a member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Al Bahr Shrine, all in San Diego. He retired from a career in marketing, sales, and distribution. A former member of Boys and Girls Mental Health Society, he now pursues several hobbies: writing, fishing, ham radio, photography, and boating where he holds a U.S.C.G. Master's License. He is much too busy in all Masonic Bodies but looking for more to do.