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The thesis requires consideration of what would be the impact on Freemasonry by the changes that take place in the world.
That change is inevitable is well understood, for no living organism can continue unchanged. Change is an essential principle of life, in fact change is the entelechy of life.
At the same time it must be remembered that "change" is different from "alteration". The easiest example that would show the ocean of difference between the two is that you may "change" your coat twice daily but may not "alter" it more than once or twice in your life.
This underlines the fact that change implies a rearrangement of the external while the internal is intact, and if the internal suffers a rearrangement there would be an alteration, even if there is no change in the external.
Thus we are now concerned with the freemasonry in the changing world. This no doubt premises that the world is changing. Changing it is, true. But are the changes likely to have an impact on Freemasonry, as it is practiced or even in the practice of Freemasonry?
First let us understand what we have so far understood and appreciated as the system of Freemasonry.

"Freemasonry is an establishment founded on the benevolent intention of extending and conferring mutual happiness upon the best and truest principles of moral life and social virtue" is one definition by a writer.

"Freemasonry is an ancient and respectable institution, embracing individuals of every nation, of every religion, and of every condition in life. Wealth, power and talents are not necessary to the person of a Freemason. An unblemished character and a virtuous conduct are the only qualifications for admission into the Order" is the description by another writer.

Masonry, we know, is an institution of practical virtues, taught by pleasing ceremonies, and impressed upon the mind by beautiful and appropriate emblems; and it owes the preservation of its unity for so many centuries, to the fact that it is an institution of practical virtues, and not of mere abstract or speculative faith.

But it is by no means to be inferred that Masonry is destitute of faith. She believes in a sublime Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides; and where all good Masons hope to arrive at last by the aid of the theological ladder which Jacob in his vision saw, ascending from earth to Heaven, the three principal rounds of which are faith, hope and charity - that is to say, faith in God, hope in immortality, and charity toward all mankind.

What are the lessons we have been taught or we have learned during our years in Freemasonry?
» Adore the Great Architect of the Universe.
» Do your allotted task while it is yet day.
» Love your neighbor
» Do good, sympathize with the weak; do not hate anybody
» Talk with respect to superior, with prudence to peers, with sincerity to friends, and with tenderness to the    poor.
» Always listen to the voice of your conscience.
» Avoid disputes and shun insults; on such occasions utilize your reason.
» Respect women.
» Teach your children sound principles before fine manners. See that they owe you a clarified doctrine before a     frivolous elegance, and that they prefer to be honorable men rather than able men.
» Read and make the most of your reading. Observe and imitate.
» See that everything redounds to the benefit of mankind rather than your own benefit.
» Be always content for everything, with everything, and of everything.
» Never rashly judge the actions of men by either pardoning or condemning them.

God is the only one who can pass judgment on their works.

We have incorporated ourselves into one great family and we have the certain pledge of millions and we know that a brother will not desert a brother though a stranger; and that although the clods of the valley may have covered us, that the obligation shall not cease its operation.

With this view of the subject, shall we hesitate to admit that our duties are not merely to our God, and to ourselves, but that we owe much more to those with whom we are now associated.

Every brother should act therefore not merely with reference to himself, but in relation to the general good of that great family, to which he is attached by such innumerable ties, and from whom be has a right to demand, an accumulated benefit, should he ever become the child of misfortune and want.

Freemasonry has taught us from the day of our initiation a healthy respect for Truth, Honour and Virtue: that a virtuous life is what every one of us should lead. Virtue, happiness and tranquility are not separate or distinct experiences but co-emergent states in our lives.

A virtuous life leads to inner coherence and outward harmony.

Epictetus, a born slave [AD 55] who came to be the philosopher guru of Marcus Aurelius, said "A Life lived steadily in accordance with the divine will is to be preferred. A good life must be centred on three main themes: mastering your desires, performing your duties and learning to think clearly about yourself and your relations within the larger community of humanity"

Such are also the precepts of freemasonry. Thus Freemasonry is founded on the immutable laws of Truth and Justice, the basic tenets of Honour, Virtue and Charity and its grand object is to promote the happiness of the human race.

Thus based and founded on immutable and unalterable absolute values of Truth, Justice, Honour Virtue and Charity, how can one expect the institution of Freemasonry to have any impact by the changing world outside?

The world may change, people may change in their habit manner tastes and interests but truth, honour, justice and the other cardinal virtues are immutable, everlasting and unchanging.

The tenets and cardinal principles on which Freemasonry rests and is practised are as eternal as the laws of gravitation, which can never undergo any change at any time.

They do not vary or change from place to place country to country or time to time. A brother of Madras believes in Truth and Justice almost the same way as the brother of Madrid. A brother of today practices love and brotherly relief as did his great grand father in 1920!

These principles have been enunciated and laid down and still remain unchanged in every time and place and country where freemasonry has been established and practised.

However if the question were to be asked what Freemasonry could do to the changing world, my answer would be that like the street lamp, under which a preacher might preach and a while later a gang of robbers may assemble and share their spoils and still later a man might rape a woman, continues to remain unaffected and sheds its lustre to all around, uninfluenced by the acts beneath it, Freemasonry would be uninfluenced by the changes in the world, but by its own steadfastness to the cardinal virtues afford a solid mooring for the world to rally round for it is based on eternal values of Truth, Justice, Honour, Virtue and Charity and ever believes in faith in God, hope in immortality, and charity toward all mankind.