Masonic Blogs

Square & Compass was founded in 2020 by Cameron Adamson. Cameron, from Windsor, Ontario, has been installed as Worshipful Master three times (twice in Windsor Lodge №403 and once in his affiliated lodge – Harmony Lodge №579), organized a Cornerstone Ceremony for Windsor’s City Hall, received a “Mason of the Year” award, and travelled countless miles visiting Masonic Lodges and Temples.

While he takes pride in those accomplishments, he believes his most valuable Masonic contributions will be found in the future, and will be done through Square & Compass Promotions.  

He also produces the Square & Compass Podcast – you can learn more about the podcast at this link, celebrating our 500thsubscriber. You can also follow them on Podbean and most major platforms.

Square & Compass also offer Virtual Windsor Masonic Temple tours.

The following Square & Compass blog is reproduced with permission from their Medium platform:

Square & Compass: A New Masonic Paradigm

 

“For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.”

― Hunter S. Thompson

 

In October of 2007, at the beautiful Windsor Masonic Temple, the Worshipful Master of Windsor Lodge №403 initiated me into Freemasonry.

Since that time, I have been installed as Worshipful Master three times (twice in Windsor Lodge №403 and once in my affiliated lodge – Harmony Lodge №579), organized a Cornerstone Ceremony for Windsor’s City Hall, received a “Mason of the Year” award, and travelled countless miles visiting Masonic Lodges and Temples.

While I take pride in those accomplishments, I believe my most valuable Masonic contributions will be found in the future, and will be done through Square & Compass Promotions (“Square & Compass”), which I founded in 2020.

The purpose of Square & Compass is to promote Freemasonry and encourage Masonic learning. It does this through a weekly podcast, the organization of historical Windsor Masonic Temple tours, and the development of unique Masonic products.

However, Square & Compass’ value derives neither from its purpose nor its products, but rather from its nature: Square & Compass is a professional endeavour.

Many Freemasons are engaged in excellent work, both within the Craft and within their communities. Square & Compass has been honoured to speak with many of these Masons.

During the current pandemic, Freemasons have engaged in charitable endeavours, provided benevolence and support for those within their communities, and engaged in informative virtual education programs. Within this excellent work-I see Freemasonry’s great potential.

However, far too often and in far too many lodges, Freemasonry fails to meet its potential.

The reasons for these failures are well-documented and often discussed; declining membership, declining revenue, and declining attendance.

The underlying causes behind those reasons are also often discussed; the changing role of men in the family, an increase in two-income households, stagnating wages resulting in longer working hours, and an proliferation in social media and home-entertainment options.

Many Masonic jurisdictions (at the Lodge, District, and Grand Lodge levels) have developed numerous (well-intentioned) programs and services to address all of the above; however, these programs and services remain frustratingly ineffective.

Masonic membership continues to decline and attendance remains stubbornly low. Pursuant to one Square & Compass interview, if membership continues on its current trend, Freemasonry will cease to exist by 2040. (YouTube)

In Ontario, in a matter of decades, Freemasonry has gone from over 100, 000 members to 33, 000 (and dropping).

 

More is required.

A dedicated effort is required.

A consistent effort is required.

A professional effort is required.

And a professional effort is what Square & Compass will give.

The word “professional,” is far too often associated solely with “financial.” A “job” is done for financial reasons, a “profession” is about so much more.

A profession is about, first and foremost, loving something enough to dedicate your whole life to it (to the point of significant sacrifice).

Ask a professional writer, professional athlete, professional musician, professional dancer, or any professional, and they will tell you the same thing: they do what they do because they have to do it, because they love it.

I think Stephen King expressed it best:

“…you don’t do it for money, or you’re a monkey. You don’t think of the bottom line, or you’re a monkey. You don’t think of it in terms of hourly wage, yearly wage, or even lifetime wage, or you’re a monkey. In the end, you don’t even do it for love, although it would be nice to think so. You do it because to not do it is suicide. And while that is tough, there are compensations…”

 

For Freemasonry to grow (or even sustain itself), a professional component is required.

Dedicated and consistent effort is required. Forty, fifty, or even sixty hour weeks of dedicated Masonic work (be it attending Lodge and/or visiting, creating Masonic content, or engaging in Masonic research) should be the norm-not the exception.

Not every musician is a professional musician nor every writer a professional writer; but it is the professionals that inspire. It is the professionals that push boundaries. It is the professionals that show us the full potential of our endeavours.

Imagine music be without the Beatles. Not every musician is a professional, but professionals make every musician better.

A professional Masonic component is not an entirely new idea. In the past, Masonic newspapers acted as significant sources of revenue for their publishers. To an extent, Masonic supply and regalia shops already engage in professional Masonic services.

However, the number of current professional masons is miniscule, and the results are showing.

From a practical stand-point, it is not feasible to have a (practically) exclusively voluntary model of engagement, when the pressures on men (both related to work and family) grow exponentially.

It is not complicated: growing something requires a significant time-commitment. How a Freemason earns a living will determine how much time he can commit to Freemasonry…unless his living is earned FROM Freemasonry.

I do not know if Square & Compass will be successful (a scary thought, since I quit a government job to pursue it) but I do know other things.

 

I know the current Masonic paradigm is not sustainable.

I know Freemasonry has amazing potential.

I know Freemasonry is failing to reach that potential.

I know I am scared Square & Compass will fail.

I know I am more scared Freemasonry will fail.

I know that Freemasonry is worth the risk.

I know that other Masons recognize the same problems (and are looking at similar solutions) as me.

I know that I am thankful for every Mason (and non-Mason) who read this piece.

I know that, with hard work and dedication, great things are possible.

I know I am excited to try!

 

Fraternally,

W. Bro. Cameron Adamson

Cameron is Director of Square & Compass Promotions, designed to promote Freemasonry in Essex District.

Check out the YouTube video – “Life In A Day” – The Beautiful Windsor Masonic Temple

Find out more about Windsor Masonic Temple here

Recent Articles: masonic blog series

Masonic Blogs – A Band of Brotherhood
This is one of the most poignant and important Masonic lodge websites I have found whilst researching this series – not only does it address the usual formalities for those wishing to know more about Freemasonry and offering the opportunity to join, it embodies the true spirit of Freemasonry – Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. 

Masonic Blogs - Vox Hermes
Not strictly a 'Masonic' blog but one of great value to Esoteric Freemasons – written by Mark Stavish, the author of 'The Path of Freemasonry: The Craft as a Spiritual Practice'. 

Masonic Blogs - Metropolitan Study Group
SRIA London is the online resource created by the SRIA Province of Greater London. This Province consists of the Metropolitan College, London College of Adepts, and the Metropolitan Study Group. We are part of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, the world's oldest independent order of Rosicrucian Freemasons. 

Masonic Blogs - Universal Co-Masonry
Possibly one of the most thought-provoking blogs dedicated to Freemasonry for men and women is to be found on the website of Universal Co-Masonry . There are a wealth of subjects authored by a host of superb contributors 

Masonic Blogs - Ahab's Adventures
Geeg Wiles, Master Mason and the caretaker of Captain Ahab, a three-foot-tall, forty-pound, bright yellow fisherman / wannabe pirate, who has been also accepted by our brother masons to help with LOIs and other educational needs of our fraternity. 

Masonic Blogs - El Francmasón
In this month's issue we look at the news website and blog of El Francmasón – a digital newspaper for Spanish-speaking Freemasons. 

Masonic Blogs - The Magpie Mason
The Magpie Mason is a niche internet microcelebrity who writes, with occasional flashes of superficial cleverness, about Freemasonry’s current events and history; literature and art; philosophy and pipe smoking. 

Masonic Blogs - Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction
We take a look around the web site for the Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction, who have created the 'Not Just A Man. A Mason' marketing campaign to help our entire Masonic community. An inspirational site for masonic marketers looking for video ideas. 

Masonic Blogs - The Invisible Lodge
Did you know that there is an Association just for Masonic Magicians? The Invisible Lodge
The Honorary Association of Masonic Magicians at Work Under the Jurisdiction of the Known and Unknown World 

Masonic Blogs - Portal Rito Moderno Brasil
Portal of the Modern Rite in Brasil 

Masonic Blogs - 1723constitutions
1723constitutions.com/ masonic blog marks the tercentenary of the publication in London of The Constitutions of the Freemasons – the ‘1723 Constitutions’ 

Masonic Blogs - The Hedge Mason
Each month we choose a Masonic Blog to highlight and share with our readers across the world - this month we feature 'The Hedge Mason' - but why a 'Hedge'? 

Masonic Blogs - Massoneria Egizia IT
Freemasonry in Italy of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm Arcana Arcanorum Scala of Naples (1777) 

Masonic Blogs - Rocky Mountain Mason
At The Square we actively seek out other interesting, thought-provoking magazines, websites, blogs, writers, books/products, and other creative endeavours - our mission is the sharing of Masonic knowledge to all Freemasons across the globe. 

Masonic Blogs - Southern California Research Lodge
The Southern California Research Lodge is dedicated to Masonic education and information. 

Masonic Blogs - Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library
Blog of the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library 

Masonic Blogs - Practical Freemasonry
Practical Freemasonry - offering 'Accessible Philosophy for Working Class Schlubs'! 

Masonic Blogs - PragaMasonica
We look at PragaMasonica, an online presentation of the Masonic heritage of the Czech lands, including Prague, Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. 

Masonic Blogs - Square & Compass
We take a closer look at the Square & Compass masonic blog that was founded in 2020 Ontario, Canada 

Masonic Blogs - El Blog del Masón
An informative and densely-packed source of Masonic knowledge, we explore the world of El Blog del Masón - one of the best current Spanish Masonic blogs. 

Masonic Blogs - Masoneria Antigua
Masoneria Antigua - A Spanish blog dedicated to ancient Masonry, its origins, rituals and meaning, as well as Freemasonry in general, hosted by Masonic author and translator Alberto Moreno. 

Masonic Blogs - The Masonic Philosophical Society
The Masonic Philosophical Society seeks to recapture the spirit of the Renaissance 

Masonic Blogs - Masonry Today
Do you know what happened in history and how it relates to Freemasonry, the oldest fraternity? 

Masonic Blogs - Freemasonry.network
An innovative and erudite blogsite that aims to 'bring Regular and Liberal Freemasons closer together'. 

Masonic Blogs - Masonic Ideal
Masonic Ideal - We must save Freemasonry ! 

Masonic Blogs - What is a Mason
What is a Mason .org - an educational website to help you make a daily advancement in your Masonic knowledge 

Masonic Blogs - The Midnight Freemasons
Who are the Midnight Freemasons? a group of Master Masons talk about topics of Masonic interest each from their own unique perspective. 

Masonic Blogs - Freemasons for Dummies
Each month we feature one of the must-read Masonic blogs and websites - Chris Hodapp's Freemasons for Dummies Masonic News - 

masonic knowledge

to be a better citizen of the world

share the square with two brothers

click image to open email app on mobile device

Masonic Apparel

made to order

Share this article ....

Contents