How To Overcome Apathy.

glad to see him , like to have him with yon ; impress upon him that he is amongst friends . When he goes away he has a smile in his heart , and a bright spot in his memory for the pleasant time passed at your fireside . If this is the way you receive a mere stranger who has

a friendly introduction in your family why should you not receive a brother of the mystic tie in as kindly and fraternal a way ? Why not call off your Lodge and have him introduced all around to 'he members and make him feel at homu ? Make him realize that there is something in

Masonry beyond the mere form and ceremony . Make him feel , as he grasps the hand of each brother , an electrical thrill of friendship which tells him they are not strangers , but friends ; that he is looking into the eyes of men who

will be all to him that that word means , if he needs them ; that his hand is clasped by one who will be to him one of the dearest and best things God has given us on this earth to cherish and enjoy—a true and manly friend .

Well , what remedy do you propose ? you say . Do you wish to turn the Lodges over to wine bibbers , gourmands and revellers , and spend its funds in dissipation ? By no means . Nothing is further from my thoughts . No one , I take it , will accuse me of such a desire . I can say , what

perhaps few here can , that I never took a drink of wine or liquor , or used tobacco in any shape ; and that , too , though in this country , in my early youth , indulgence in the use of both were part of the customs of the people , and a man was considered odd who used neither . Yet I am not an

advocate of total abstinence . I believe in moderation in all things . I know I am approaching dangerous groundin a measure calling in question what is possibly deemed an established and unalterable rule governing the body in this State . No , I will not say unalterable rule ; every rule

unless it can stand the test of criticism and come up to the measure of usefulness and expediency , should be changeable . I am pleased to know , from his address delivered yesterday , our Grand Master is in favour of a relaxation or

modification of the " no refreshment" rule . Everywhere he made an official visit , he told us , the crowning feature of the occasion culminated in a banquet , around which were more firmly cemented the mystio ties binding the participants to each other—and to him .

I believe Masonry is comprehensive enough to take iu all classes of men who truly desire to do unto others as they would that others should do unto them . That being the case , its doors must be opened to the average man , who makes as a class the majority of human kind , whom its

principles and practices will strengthen , educate , elevate , and ennoble . To do all this takes time . You must first get him within your folds ; then study and understand , as far as possible , his disposition and wants , his likes and dislikes , what will attract and what will repel him ,

comprehending that you must make the place attractive enough to retain him , while you gradually educate him up to tbe standard necessary to make the practice of Masonic

doctrines not only a duty , but a pleasure and a habit—a part of his very self . Now , how are you going to retain him after you get him in the Lodge ? By calling him from all the outside attractions and allurements to attend

yonr meetings , where he is to sit like a bump on a log and listen to the dry recitals of tbe same Masonic morals four times a month . If it gets a little tedious to him and he whispers somewhat loud to his neighbour , he is promptly called to order by the Master , and reminded it is necessary

he should give silent attention to the proceedings going on before him . You all must realize such a thing cannot be very entertaining to him . After a few experiences of that

kind bis attendance slackens off and ends in his coming only 8 emi-occasionally ; in fact , so rarely that many of the members , when he does come , ask , " Who is that ?"—not recognizing him as a member .

You surely will not claim , under these circumstances , there exists a close , friendly relationship between the transient attendant and the other members of the Lodge . If yon will ask him , he will tell you he knows but few of the members by sight , might pass almost any of them in

the street without recognition and in total ignorance that the man going by was bound to him by the mystic tie . Ask him why he does not go to the Lodge meetings . He

will say , " Oh , well , I did go several times , but it became tiresome and I was otherwise engaged . " In time , about the only member of the Lodge he knows is the collector who comes for his dues . He remains a member of tbe Craft and thats about all . He may have some dim recollection of what he beard in the Lodge about Masonic

How To Overcome Apathy.

rites and duties , but they are so faint they have little or no influence ? on his conduct towards his fellow man . Will that man propagate the Masonic faith , or add to its glory or renown ? Will ho , by his good Masonic works , attract worthy members to the fold ? Will he fulfil the

obligations of his Lodge when his interests clash with those of other Masons ? Answer those questions from your own observation . Mine has led me to believe , in a great many instances I am sorry to say , his obligations aro forgotten . And why is it ? Because they are not

grounded upon nor bound by the social tie . You never can make morality practical as long as you keep it ideal . That ^ in my judgment , is the reason the churches of today have so little influence . There is really no social tie amongst their members . There is nothing but the

ethereal one of religious sentiment , which is polished up a little once in every seven days , and encroached upon or absolutely forgotten during the remaining six , whenever it conflicts with personal interests . Well , yon say , what can the Lodge do about it ? How

can the Lodge help it ? I answer , as at present hampered by regulations , nothing—it cannot help it . But it could have helped it if it had had a little freedom to act . If the Lodge had been at liberty to make its meetings attractive to its members , had little socials , friendly discussions ou

interesting topics , and now and then some simple repastall mere pretexts in themselves , but sufficient to amuse and attract the average man and bring him into social and friendly relations with the other members , gradually making them better acquainted with each other , and

insensibly but surely planting in his breast a liking for his fellow members , a desire to come again and be with them and talk over the business and affairs of each other , the prospects of the country , & c , slowly but surely making the bond of friendship stronger and stronger between them ,

till after a time he looks forward with pleasure to the meetings whicb draw him away from the caros and perplexities of the world , away from the cold and selfish crowd who would care but little if he dropped by the wayside , and perhaps consider that he was only another obstacle out of their pathway in the mad rush after wealth and power .

In his Lodge he knows he is with his friends , with those who feel an interest in him , who will stand by him when the hour of trouble comes , and rejoice at his success . Will he not always feel the same way towards them , and as far as they are concerned will he not be ready to fulfil his duties

as a Mason ? When he gets thus far he is in the frame of mind to look with proper consideration to the duties he owes to the members of the Fraternity at large ; by the good effects wrought on him through the relationship with the

members of his own Lodge his eyes are open to the benefits which will accrue to mankind when the same relationship shall be established amongst all the members of the Order , and they will feel aud act towards each other as he feels and acts towards bis own little band of brethren .

But you say if this plan is carried out the funds of the Lodge will be dissipated , and no money will be left to carry out its benevolent views . It is not my idea that the Lodges should have unlimited sway in such matters . Give them a reasonable discretion . There are conservative and

sensible members enough in every Lodge to keep such matters within proper bounds . The surroundings of nearly every one are different , and will require a different plan of action from its neighbour . The Master has control and can be relied on not to let

anything be done which would throw discredit on tne Lodge or the Order . In some places it might be undesirable to have any wine or liquor at refreshment , for fear some member might take too much . The brethren should always remember an intoxicated Mason not only disgraces himself , but also casts a stain on his associates .

If discussions on any subject are invited , there may be some prosy member , you say , who by the unreasonable length of his speech may tire the others . The Officers of the Lodge will always have enough tact to prevent such a thing and suit their attractions to their surroundings .

If the small sums these entertainments will Cost will result in drawing tho members together in closer friendly anion , thon I say the money will be well spent , the cause of Masonry advanced , the membership of the Lodgo increased by the addition of practical Masons , and its treasury more than replenished by the healthy growth .

Another Order , which sprang into existence during this century , and , no doubt , patterned after ours an i intended to be a sort of improvement upon it , has been conducting