The Force Of Example.

THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE .

I ? ROM our earliest ages we are taught that tlie force of example has much to do with our future , which is likely to lean to good or to evil according as we have been surrounded by good or bad companions . It is very certain this is true in regard

to Freemasonry and those who are associated with it . In one direction we see a Lodge ruled over by an energetic , active brother , who infuses such an amount of life and enthusiasm into the work as to make an appreciable difference on all around him , his fellows

seeming to catch the contagion of activity , or to be carried away by the force of a good example . On the opposite side we have a half-hearted , easy going ruler , whose lassitude and general bearing create such an imnression upon the whole members of the Lodge

as to give one the feeling that there is no life in it , and that everything is going rapidly to ruin . There it is the force of a bad example , which , it has truly been argued , is more sure of making its mark than is one WTIPVA imH . fl +. inn -wnnld hfi likfilv t , n lead to fulvn / ntace . *^ mmm- ~ mm ~™ ~_

„ . mv ...... ,, _ j „ --Bearing this in mind we see how necessary it is for the founders of a Lodge to go about their work with enthusiasm and activity—they will probably have a

governing influence on their Lodge for very many years to come , if not for ever ; for it is seldom a Lodge changes in its character from one extreme to the other . A smart Lodge generally remains so , while one with

an evil reputation seldom seems to rise above it . Of course there are instances of radical changes in our Lodges , but they are few and far between , and no one

but those who have joined a second rate Lodge , Avith the desire of helping to raise its status , and have worked hard in that direction , can appreciate the task that is before them , or the almost utter impossibility

of achieving the result aimed at . 13 ut even m this the one thing most absolutely necessary is the force of a good example . The Master selected for such a work requires to be exceptionally capable and energetic , with a natural aptitude for reform , and a

full determination to carry the work through to the end , never leaving off for one moment until the desired result has been achieved .

In older Lodges it is often possible to look to the permanent officials for the benefit of a good example . The Treasurer and Secretary—more particularly the latter , perhaps—have often very much to do with the progress or otherwise of their Lodge . If the Secretary

is half hearted in his work , and goes about his duties as though it mattered very little whether they were completed or not , the members with whom he comes into contact will , most likely , catch the

contagion lrom him , and answer his communications in the same half-hearted way as he adopts towards them . The effect of this would probably be that few , if any , of the members would be present at the appointed hour of meeting , while those who did come

would be unprepared to meet any emergency , because

The Force Of Example.

they had not understood from the Secretary that this or that was coming forward for consideration . But how different all this is when we have a Secretary who forces a good example upon the members ; one who is in himself a pattern of

punctuality and regular procedure , and who really compels his fellow members to follow his example because they know that no amount of excusing or explanation will justify in his eyes any departure

lrom strict routine or energetic action . Then we have the influence of the Treasurer . Some of the holders of this office add to the reputation of their Lodge , just as others detract from it , and although , they may do this entirely by their own actions it is seldom

there is any immediate result unless the example they set—one way or the other—is followed by the bulk of the members . There are many Treasurers who will not attempt to leave their seat even after the closing

of their Lodge until they know that the finances are in regular order , and the same Brother would not consider he had carried out his duties if he attempted to leave the banquet table before the house bill of the

evening was settled , and Ins Lodge was once more free of liability . Can it be argued that the action of such a Brother has no influence on his Lodge and its members ? Bather we may say that it is compara * tively easy to identify pupils brought up in such a

school , because having reaped the advantage of a good example , they are anxious to provide something similar in their own case .

The ritual of Freemasonry recognises this when it impresses on the Wardens the necessity of being patterns of good order and regularity , as it is only by setting a good example that they can hope for

anything good m others . Then , too , we nave the Deacons and their work to deal with . How frequently an initiate's whole career in Freemasonry is influenced by the way in which he was received and treated by

the Deacons . Ii they acted with care arid diligence the first impression of the new member would be more likely to be beneficial than would be the case if they were slovenly and half hearted ; indeed the force

ot the example set in this particular has perhaps more influence on the future of an initiate than any other part of the early preparation he receives for his membership of the Masonic Order .

Having gone thus far through the officers of a Lodge we should be leaving our task uncompleted if we omitted to refer to the guardian of our Lodgethe Inner Guard . It is almost possible to tell the character of a Lodge by the way in which an Inner

Guard receives a stranger or welcomes a well known member ofthe Lodge—the force of the example he sets is felt by almost every brother who enters , and it seems almost as impossible to act with dignity

immediately after a slovenly reception as to salute a Master with careless indifference a moment after the Inner Guard has brought one to a thorough appreciation of his position and the duty he owes to the Lodge in particular and the Craft in general .