Free Joiners

Preston’s Freemasons are advertising for new members. To this end, they have placed a large plastic banner on their premises’ wall. This seems rather incongruous for a secret organisation, known for its closeknit fraternity and discretion. I have it on good information that they are struggling to attract new members, and have suffered from the unflattering stereotyping and negative press coverage. Yet secret societies and elite groupings tend to appeal to us. They make us better than the vulgar among whom we must live and work. Many compare the masonic lodges to the Christian churches; yet the two could not be further apart. We become Christians, not because we are worthy and have passed the test, but because we are utterly unworthy and failed every test thus far. Membership of Christ’s Church and God’s elect is open to all who would come; the tax collector and the sinner, the Pharisee and the Levite, the man and the woman (including all who think themselves somewhere in the middle), the Jew and the gentile- all may find a home in Israel. Let the secret societies, the cults and the sects seek as they will, but salvation in Christ is open to all, including the feckless, the hopeless, the witless and the godless.  

1. All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
   Let angels prostrate fall;
   Bring forth the royal diadem,
   And crown Him Lord of all!
2. Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
   Ye ransomed from the fall,
   Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
   And crown Him Lord of all!
3. Let every kindred, every tribe,
   On this terrestrial ball,
   To Him all majesty ascribe,
   And crown Him Lord of all!
4. Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
   We at His feet may fall!
   We’ll join the everlasting song,
   And crown Him Lord of all!
   -Edward Perronet