The Lost Symbol

The pending release on 15 September 2009 of the Dan Brown novel‚ "The Lost Symbol" the cover of which depicts a key with a Square and Compass bit, will no doubt generate a good deal of interest in Freemasonry. Regardless of how Freemasonry is depicted in this novel the interest in our organisation by the general public and the media will be intense. It is expected that this new Brown novel will have the greatest impact Freemasonry has ever had to deal with in recent years.

The book is embargoed until its release and even the Booksellers and Reviewers are not allowed to open the packaging of the books until that day. We therefore can not get any advanced indication on the contents of the book but we do know that it is set in Washington DC and does involve Freemasonry and possibly the Ancient and Accepted Rite.

Brethren, this will be an exciting, and possibly challenging, time for the Craft and to meet this challenge and benefit from it we will need to work together and be prepared for mid September. Accordingly, new information pamphlets are being developed at the moment and it is anticipated that these will be distributed to Lodges prior to the release of this book. These will allow you to provide information to those interested and to any friends, family and acquaintances that ask you about Freemasonry. If you receive a membership enquiry as a result of the publicity of this book then please remember that we are after quality members not quantity and that to be a freemason an individual must share our concern for human values, moral standards and the rights of individuals. Younger enquirers can also be directed to the Freemasons NZ website: www.freemasons.co.nz

Above all it is imperative that a unified approach be taken to dealing with any publicity arising from this book. In this regard any media enquiries are to be referred to the Grand Secretary at Grand Lodge Office. Individual Members, including Officers of Grand Lodge, are not to provide any comment to the media in relation to this book, its contents or Freemasonry. We will have designated spokes people, who will be appropriately briefed and trained. They and only they will provide media comment, interviews or statements.

Please give this circular as wide a distribution as possible amongst your members.

L G Milton
Grand Secretary