What Does Freemasonry Teach Usp

If I might designate what to my mind may be termed the leading characteristics of him who has learned aright the lesson inculcated by Freemasonry , I would call them liberality , equality , and Fraternity . Liberality not merely in his dealings in temporal matters , but more especially in his ideas

and thoughts . He who has learned aright the lessons inculcated by Masonry is free from bigotry and intolerance , and in forming his estimate of his neighbours is large-minded , candid , tolerant , generous and impartial . He concedes to his neighbour the utmost freedom of ideas and conduct , and

grants him the full exercise of every right and prerogative which he claims for himself . My Brother , you tenaciously cling to and cherish the right to entertain whatever opinions you please , and within limits fixed by law and right to pursue

whatever line of conduct meets your approbation , but have you learned to exercise that degree of liberality which concedes to every man under the sun the same prerogative ? If not , one of the most important lessons taught by Freemasonry has been lost upon you .

When we speak of equalty in our Masonic Lodges we do not have reference to wordly wealth or honours , to ability or mental endowments , nor to social distinction . Equality in any of these respects is impossible , and is , perhaps , not desirable .

But when we speak of equality as taught in Freemasonry , we mean that we are all descended from one common stock , partake of the same nature and share the same hope . Distinctions among men are necessary in order to preserve

subordination , yet no eminence of station should make us forget that we are Brethren , and that a time is rapidly approaching when every distinction save that of goodness shall cease , and death , the final leveller , reduce us to the

same state . The teachings of Freemasonry can be likened to an intellectual ocean , whose waves touch the shores of thought , within which the sunlight of content and love burst forth with a radiance beautiful to behold . Then what does it

teach us ? To cultivate that friendship which Addison said : " Is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of each other . " And that which Cicero has declared : " Improves happiness and abates misery by doubling our joy and dividing our grief . "

And that which Southey likened to : " The shadows of the evening which strengthen with the setting sun of life . " We have plenty of friends ( so-called ) when we are in prosperity , but adversity sometimes turns the tide . Brethren , in carrying out the teachings of Freemasonry , let us cultivate that

friendship which can be found in these words : " Do unto others that which we would like to have done unto ourselves . " Now , to recapitulate , Freemasonry is at the close of this igth century no mere childish and contemptible medium for the display of finery and empty pomp . It is no machinery for

the encouragement of disloyalty , either to God or man . It is no substitute for the religion of home or Church . It is a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . It inculcates the highest and deepest moral ' lessons . Its universality denotes its hold on the needs of mankind . It

seeks no notoriety . It canvasses for no membership . It goes quietly on in its beneficent way . It neither exploits nor conceals its noble and helpful ambitions . Its aid is given without ostentation ., and without hypocrisy . The

needs of the widow and the fatherless , of the wanderer and the outcast , are met , if found worthy , with a generosity and Brotherly open-heartedness which neither craves nor allows recognition . It lets not its left hand know what its right hand does .

And yet it has been assailed with a virulence which is often as bitter as it is unaccountable . It has been proscribed with a ban and attacked with anathema . It has been ridiculed in pulpit and press . It has been beset with the open assault , and scourged with the covert sneer . It has been the opprobrium of the narrow-minded and the butt of the bigot .

\ et , amidst it all , Freemasonry still glides smoothly on , as it were , accomplishing its great object and proclaiming to the world by its teachings the same messages which heralded the coming of that wonderful man upon the plains of Bethlehem nineteen nineteen

hundred years aero : " Peace on earth xjcunenem nunoreo years ago : Peace on earth , good will to men . "

Brethren of Rehoboam Lodge , in promulgating the teachings of Freemasonry within the portals of your Lodge , I would judge by the number of Brethren on your membership roll that the ashlars upon which you have worked have been gradually smoothed and prepared without too rude a

What Does Freemasonry Teach Usp

blow , producing an unseemly fracture—may it ever be thus with you—may those kindly feelings and that amicable conduct which you have extended , I trust , one to the other , be continued . May the G . A . O . T . U . continue to support your Lodge by cementing and adorning it with every moral , social ,

and religious virtue . And my earnest wish to the Brethren of Rehoboam Lodge is , " That length of days may be in her right hand , and in her left riches and honour—may her ways be ways of pleasantness and all her paths be peace . '' — " Masonic Sun . "

The Lookout Committe.

THE LOOKOUT COMMITTE .

ONE of the most difficult problems , one of the most universal , and one of the longest standing , is how to secure the regular attendance of members at Lodge meetings . Masters have resorted to various methods tp arouse an interest on the part of indifferent members . They have

made personal visits to them and urged them to attend . They have written letters , setting forth the needs of the Lodge , and appealing to them to renew their interest and

encourage the Officers and those who are active in its affairs . Attractive notices have been sent out , giving in detail the work of the Lodge , reminding the members of their duty and soliciting their co-operation .

The first two methods have in some instances resulted in good , and have led some members to attend the meetings and take an interest in the work of the Lodge . They are good as far as they go , but the ordinary Master cannot spare the time to make repeated visits that are sometimes necessary in order to secure an interview , and sometimes

when he does see the Brother he finds him uninterested , and with one excuse or another dismisses the matter from his mind . He receives the Master courteously , listens to what he has to say , makes a half way promise , with a mental reservation , to be present at the next meeting . After the

interview , he concludes that the Master is ambitious to make a good record , and his motive in visiting the members is a selfish one , and he does not consider it a Masonic duty to encourage selfishness , so the meeting night comes and goes but he is not present .

The letter is read , laid asjdek or "filed for future reference . " In the " multitude of business cares " it is forgotten , and the good intention that may have been framed in his mind is not carried out . The " attractive " notice is

received by the persistenly absent member and in many instances finds its way into the waste basket unopened . In others it is simply glanced at and not wholly read . Some complain at the " squandering of money" on printer ' s ink . And so it goes .

The great trouble in most Lodges is the failure to look after and develop those who are brought in . More attention is paid to bringing new men into the Lodge than to retaining and educating those already in . A candidate is raised , signs the bye-laws , and is then turned adrift to " paddle his own canoe" and look out for himself . If he chances to

sail into smoo ' th waters all right , but if he strikes upon shoals he must get along as best he can . It is of vastly more importance to the health , strength and vigour of the Lodge to develop the old members , ' to look after them , and help them to retain the enthusiasm of their Masonic youth , than to confer degrees upon new men .

Bro . Charles A . Alden , Senior Warden of Washington Lodge , made a suggestion at the last meeting of that body which strikes us most favourably . It was to appoint a " Lookout Committee , " whose duty should be to visit the absentees and urge them to attend the meetings , and to look

out for them when they do come to the Lodge , extend to them the warm grasp of Brotherly love , and lead them to catch some of the enthusiasm which is found in others . If

the absentees fail to respond after one visit , call again , and follow up the work in a kind and Brotherly way . The work of this Committee must be careful , persistent and continuous . The members of it must be on the lookout for

an opportunity to meet some who need cultivation and impress them with the importance of their presence at the Lodge , and tell them of the pleasant and profitable meetings that-are held . This , followed up day by day , cannot fail to result in good to the Lodge .

There is much other good work that this Lookout Committee can do which will suggest itself to the thoughtful Mason . Try the " Lookout Committee" plan . —" Standard , "