BOOK REVIEW
A RADICAL IN THE EAST by S. Brent
Morris, publication of Iowa Research Lodge No. 2, 130 pages, soft
cover, $5.35.
The Masonic accomplishments of Brother Morris
are many, but perhaps he is more recognizable as the book
reviewer for the Scottish Rite Journal. As one of the more
distinguished of current Masonic authors, he has put together a
collection of his papers dealing with some of our fraternal
problems.
To begin with, each chapter reflects on
concerns for the health of Masonry. Myths and traditional beliefs
about the reasons for our membership problems are examined
objectively. Using facts and statistical comparisons with the Odd
Fellows and other fraternal orders, Brother Morris shows that a
goodly portion of our opinions about membership are not supported
by fact.
To this reviewer the main thrust of the book is
to challenge those popular opinions that serve only to reinforce
resistance to change.
Brother Morris is not a radical by any means,
and his efforts do not offer a panacea to the problems of
Masonry. Nevertheless, this is a positive approach to breaking
down popular beliefs for the purpose of leaming from our
misconceptions.
In a sense, the book is for the more
sophisticated reader in that much of the subject matter examines
the same material Masonry's more progressive leaders have used to
explain membership decline. Thus, a familiarity with our fratemal
self-examination of the past ten to fifteen years is helpful in
getting the most out of the author's opinions.
The Wardens and Masters of every lodge would be well advised to learn the lessons provided by the reseach of Brother Morris in trying to bring their lodge into the year 2000. This book is worth reading.
- Norman Leeper
Good news for those who have ordered Living
The Enlightment: Freemasonry and Politics in Eighteenth-Century
Europe by Margaret C. Jacob, only to have received a refund
as it was out of print. Due to popular demand, Oxford University
Press decided to make another printing and we have received our
stock. Our price is still $15.96 against the publisher price of
$19.95.
After reading a review in the Oklahoma Mason
ordered a copy of Robert Burns - To The Immortal Memory
by J. Ralph Watson, soft cover, 96 pages. Includes his biography
and Masonic activities plus many of his poems and many of his
letters. Can be ordered from the author at 3560 Connaught Avenue,
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4B 1X3 for $8.50 US postpaid.
For our books for shipping add $1.75 ($3.00 foreign) for first title and 50¢ ($1.00 foreign) for each addiional. If shipped to a California address add 7¾% sales tax.