Learning The Work.

LEARNING THE WORK .

1 THERE is an injurious notion current in the Craft that it is only necessary for the Officers of a Lodge to learn the work , while the members at large are privileged to remain in ignorance of it , without impairing either their character or their enjoyment as Masons . This is a serious , and sometimes a fatal

error , retarding the progress of the Masonic bodies , subtracting from the enjoyment of the Brethren who are misled by it , and lessening their interest in the art and mystery of Freemasonry , and in their own particular Lodge . We shall do what we can ,

in the present article , to disabuse the minds of , possibly , some of the readers of the " Keystone " of this error , and thereby , throug h their influence with others , advance the best interests of our anciont and honourable Fraternity .

The work of the Craft is Freemasonry incarnate , the flesh and blood of our mystery , the personification of Masonic teachings . What the work does not teach is not taught in Freemasonry . What is not proven by it is not susceptible of proof . It is the alphabet of our system , the hornbook of the Masonic scholar , the

authoritative exposition of Masonic truth , the encyclopaedia of Freemasonry . There ia not a lesson of Brotherly love , or of morality , or of charity , or of Masonic philosophy or religion approved by Freemasonry , that is not distinctly and symbolically taught in the work of the three degrees . This being true , it is

apparent that not only has Masonic work a dignity that is acknowledged , but a power and a glory , in which every Brother of the Craft , from the loftiest to the humblest , from the oldest to the youngest , is entitled to share . Masonic work is the heritage

of every newly-made Brother ; it makes him a Mason , and it is an epitome of Masonry . If he does not know it he is Masonically blind , while the sunlight of Masonry is shining in his face .

It is evident that every initiate into the mystery of Freemasonry desires to understand and enjoy it . There are two propositions in this connection , which are axiomatic : ( 1 ) The Brother who does not know the work cannot . understand

Freemasonry ; and ( 2 ) neither can he enjoy it as he should . First , he cannot understand it . The beauty of the work is that it explains itself . There are no unanswered conundrums propounded by it ; it gives no riddle of the Sphinx ; but every truth taught is plainly and forcibly stated , and the reason for it

is given in connection with the fact . This is the charm of Masonic work—it unfolds the mystery , it explains the art , it makes clear the principles and the philosophy of the Craft . But he who is ignorant of the work as a matter of form , necessarily cannot understand it as a matter of substance . He has but the

merest smattering of Masonic knowledge , and is in truth a Freemason but in name . In all probability he cannot visit any Lodge unless he is vouched for , for how can a Brother who is ignorant of the work make his way into a Lodge ?

But while , possibly , some Brethren may be willing to be ignorant of the work , all would like to enjoy all that is enjoyable in Freemasonry . Now , we assert , without fear of intelligent contradiction , that the Brother who does not know the work

has debarred himself from enjoying some of the most pleasurable features of the Craft . He never has had the companionship of " that angel knowledge . " He is powerless in the Fraternity , since " knowledge is power . " To a Brother who knows the

work , every meeting of his Lodge , when a degree is either conferred or rehearsed , is interesting . He loves to hear the work . He loves to impart it . He rejoices because he knows Freemasonry , and is an active , intelligent and happy participant in " the fellowship of the mystery . "

After a candidate is received into the Fraternity , he finds that work is the only currency which the Craft accepts . When a strange visitor comes to a Lodge , it does not simply ask him where he hails from , but can he work ? If he is " rusty , " his place is not even in the outer courts of the Temple , but without in the company of the profane .

An eloquent writer has said , " God is a worker , and he has thickly strewn infinity with grandeur . " Every Freemason should be a worker , and signalise his presence in the Craft by first learning the work , then teaching it , ancl always enjoying it . The enjoyment is inseparable from the knowledge .

Will not the reader be incited by what we have said to respect more than he has ever done before the work of the Craft , learn it thoroughly , and thereby understand its teachings full y ; and last , and perhaps most of all , enjoy to the full the rich banquet of knowledge , the high intellectual pleasure , which flows from a familiarity with Masonic work ?

What an impetus would be given to all of our Lodges if all of the members attending were working Masons ! How correctly , impressively and beautifully the work would be done . How easy it would be to select a Brother for Junior Warden at

the annual election ! What a happy family would that be where all would know even as they were known ! Happy day—when shall we see it ? Soon , very soon , if Brethren everywhere would become earnest , faithful seekers after Masonic Light ; or , even

Learning The Work.

on the lower level of mere personal enjoyment , would fully realise that Masonic knowledge is Masonic enjoyment . Ignorance is not bliss in Masonry . Brethren , be Masonically intelligent , learn the work , and you will be Masonically happy . — " Keystone . "

Masonic Brevities.

MASONIC BREVITIES .

THE intellectual standard of a Lodge may be safely gauged by the number who read a Masonic periodical . It should be the duty of the W . M . and Brethren , when a strange face appears in the Lodge Room , to make the Visitor welcome , for the former are at home , while the latter is a guest .

Brothers , don ' t nurse hurt within your breasts ; life is too short to cherish ill-will toward each other . If you have been wronged let it pass . What difference does it make when in a few years you pass hence to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns ? Is it worth while to hate each

other ? Silence , secrecy , and calmness of temper are the unmistakable marks of a true Mason . We are always glad to see young members taking an active interest in the work , and qualifying themselves to step in and fill the place of any Officer who may be absent .

In this hard and money-getting age it is well to remember those good men who work for the good of their fellowman , who toil in our quarries and benefit others more than themselves . There may be glory , but there is much good done , all the same , by these worthy workers .

The old Masonic maxim about keeping silence if you have no good to talk about , is wise in more ways than one . It is couched in the interest of the talker as well as those talked about . In eternity it will amount to more to have given a cup of cold water , with the right motives , to an humble servant of God than to have been flattered by a whole generation .

Human life is like a game of chess—each piece holds its place upon the chess board—King , Queen , Bishop , and Pawn . Death comes , his game is up , and all are thrown , without distinction , pell-mell in the same bag . — " Exchange . "

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