Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 27, 1993 TAG: 9307270183
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The "free publicity" surrounding a proposal to condemn the organization was invaluable, Morlock said, raising awareness about the nation's oldest fraternity and uniting its members in a common cause to defend themselves.
Morlock, grand master of Masons in Virginia, was in Roanoke recently to give a Community Builder Award to former Mayor Noel Taylor.
Morlock, a retired Secret Service employee who lives in Alexandria, was elected to the state organization's highest office in February, just as the war of words between Masons and their Southern Baptist opponents was heating up.
Southern Baptists spent more than $100,000 studying the Freemasonry issue over the past two years. At their June convention in Houston, representatives passed a resolution criticizing some aspects of Masonic practice but saying that membership should be up to the individual consciences of Christians.
"Originally, I was surprised" the issue even came up, Morlock said. "A considerable number of Baptists are Masons and a number of Baptist churches were dedicated by Masons.
"People who are Freemasons are probably the best church supporters that you can find," Morlock said.
Opponents have accused Masons of conducting secret rituals amounting to Satan worship and of giving too much honor to their leaders by addressing them as "Worshipful Master" and other titles.
Masons also were alleged to have developed their own "plan of salvation" - even their own religion - in conflict with Southern Baptist teachings.
Masonic leaders denied that, asserting that theirs is strictly a fraternal organization. Freemasonry does use symbolic elements in its rituals taken from the Bible, however, and an open Bible is displayed at all meetings.
Though a person can find out "99.9 percent of all there is to know about Freemasonry from a good public library," Morlock said, he acknowledged there is a perception that the organization is secretive and mysterious.
To counter that, he has ordered lodges around Virginia to set aside two meeting nights this year for members to invite friends who meet the qualifications for membership to see what the Masons are all about.
He was criticized for that in some quarters, Morlock said, because Masons never invite anyone to become a member. All prospective members must approach a Mason about joining.
His purpose, he said, was not to subvert the ancient tradition of nonproselytizing, but to help spread the word about an organization that has been facing serious membership declines in recent years.
"We've kept to ourselves too long," Morlock said, failing to attract new, young members.
"We realize we have to show our light."
by CNB