A generation of lost freemasons?

Anecdotally there is strong evidence of an increase in initiations at the moment. Many of the people who are now approaching us to join do so through our websites at a provincial or lodge level. This combined with undoubted the success of the University Scheme seems to be bringing in a number of brethren who have been younger than has traditionally been the case. The average age of an initiate has been around their early forties, typically reaching the chair in their sixties.

With the decline in freemasonry noticeably starting in the 1970s leaves one to ask if there is a whole generation who have missed out on being part of the largest fraternity in the world. If this is so, what effect will this have in the next ten to twenty years?

It is healthy to see an organisation rejuvenated by new members. Freemasonry is relevant to, and does have a place in modern society. To borrow a phrase from elsewhere, if freemasonry did not exist, it would need to be invented. A society where pleasant people can meet to socialise and meet other pleasant people that is set apart from any political or religious convictions.