Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-01-12
Masonic.
From the Voice Of Masonry.
The Best Masters the Cheapest.

From the Voice OF Masonry.
The Best Masters the Cheapest.
The tendency of the age is to cheaper ev-
cry thing Clothing, food, machinery, dwell
linss, law, physic, and Masonry, have all been
placed to the test of utility sharpcncd by the
edge of economy. Not, trhat is ii 'rorM
but, phat does Il COST is the query applied
to subjects that enter the modern market, and
the l5wcst figures command the preference
with the masses. This rule in Masonry has
not worked well. Chcapncss in the value of
degrees in Lodge fittings and Lodge eXpen-
Sos, in refreshments and labor, has not always
procured the cheapest, but as in the case of
many other things, the dearest has often prov
ed the cheapest in the end.
More especially has this proved to be the
case in the selection of Lodge officers, rs those
Lodges which hive practise'! the most rigid
economy have best learned TO elect a man
to office because he will cost the Lodge moth
ing is consummatc extravaganza, as we can
easily prove, for under his actions the Lodge
will lose character, material, harmony, and
the contents of its moral and masonic treas
ury. We beg leave to offer two examples to
illustrate our position, that Tie best Masters
are tie cheapest.
I Illustration first p-s-m-y Lodge No.
elects Bro, Josephus to the East Bro. j. is
easy IN manners, easy in labor, easy in sleep,
easy in paying his debts. Under his govern
ment brethren may smoke, spit, snoozc, and
converse in the Lodge ad HJitum. His Bro
Iarrel j. being Secretary, an easncs in col
lection of fees and duties may be anticipated.
An casncss, amounting to chcapncss will fol-
low in the selection of material, the prepara-
| ton of material, aud the working up of ma
| terial; in the examination and admission OF
visitors; in the proficiency of candidates ; in
all the relations of the Lodge to the members
to the Grand Lodge, and to the institution al
large lie will go out of Office at the end o
the year quiet as lamb, easy in the BELIEF
tnat he has not knowingly put any brother tt
expense. hurt any brothers feelings, or cre-
ated an i'll feeling of any kind against him.
So much for Bro. Joscphus.
illustration Second W-sli-n Lodge No.,
elects Bro. Phcrme to the Fast. Bro. =. is
decided in manners, rigid disciplinarian, an
exact work man, and student Of Masonic
| lore. Under his government brethren must
attend punctually upon the meetings Of the
| Lodge when there, must not commit any in
leccnccs, hold any private colnmittces, os
break the dccorum Of the Lodge in any par
tcular. His cousin, Lewis Phcrmc, beng
Secretary, closcncsS in collecting is seen,
| likewise in the selection. preparation, and
working up of the material the proficiency
of candidates; the examination and admis-
sion Of visitors, and in all the relations the
Ledge sustains to its members, to the Grand
Lodge, and to the institution at large: His
official term will cost his fellow members n
good dca. Of money, for he has ever some
project ON foot, which appeals to the pocket
some poor widow to rclievc-somc object,
indispensable TO the Lodge, to purchase
some subscription to a charitable end, and his
own libcrality calls for corresponding gcner-
osity on the part of the others. lie will go
ont Of Office ut the end Of his official term bold
as lion, feeling that he has put all his brcth-
ren to heavy expenses, touched many of their
feelings sorcly, and created no little i'll will
at times against himself.
Now there are our two Illustrations fairly
shown up. One of these men is cheap, cheap
in every particular, dog cheap in point Of
fact any way you can take him. The other
is an expensive article. But which, in the
long run, costs the Lodge less Of feeling, pride
honor and money? Why the iatter, rs every
thoughtful reader will say at once. For
while the former, by his easness, neglect,
lethargy, and ignorance has kept the iinan-
ccs Of the Lodge in n ruinous condition, has
introduced material into the temple walls
which mast be taken out again, and has open
ed the door widely to the admission Of men
who are not prepared at heart. the other, the
expensive article, has filed the treasury with
the collections of fees and dues, and aided his
fellow workmcn to lay up greater treasures
"whcrc pcither moth nor rust shall corrupt"
He has reflected honor upon his Lodge. Its
name and membership hcnceiorth have a
place in the affections Of the craft at large
1t is lonorcd in the Grand Lodge. Its Off
GERS will be looked to in duo time to become
Grand Lodge officers. The widow and the
orphan look with grateful eyes upon it. The
community give it due honor and respect
Its dead men are mourucd, not only as good
neighbors and good citizens. but as good Ma
sons, punctual in the discharge of all their
associated and private duties. and honorable
in the bonds of their Masonic covenant.
Choose tllcu your best article, your cost
licst goods fellow Masons, for ''your Master.
Choose dignity. Choose iirmncsS. Choose
generosity. Every Lodge las these Yi,sucs
among it, Jewels, and only need sean lis mem
bersLip critically to find them They may
be accompanied with some molcsty and diff
flcncc; they are apt to be like tie hly
which from iti whitcucsS and the retired sit
uatiun in which it grows, forms Il conspicu-
Gus emblem. All tho better for that. The
contrast between such men, and the noisy
glarng specimens sometimes thrust upon the
Lodges for Masters will DC equally striking
and pleasing. Choose learning. Choose the
l.
be competent to inform the minds of the 9th
ers; and you viii th',s prove the correctness
Of our axiom, That the best Masters are the
cL..I....nk y