The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-08

ats" They professed TO b teachers OF
philosophy; to shed the rays OF ecaenunc
ijxht: to diffuse tho purest principles OK
yirture. Among the members Of the Or
der are recorded Frederick the Grvat,
Mirabeau, and many n1ennbsrs OF royal
families, and men gveat In literary. sc1en-
tific. and professional circles. The nrst
temple organized In this country was
Mecca, on September d 1S2 The Order
has since become popular throughout the
whole country, and at its shrine more
than sixty thousand have kneit. The I'm
perial Council was organized June q, 1876.
Many lodges arc having what they call
Ladies' Night" when their wfves'
daughters. mothers, sisters, sweethearts
and lady friends are present In their
beauty and goodness TO lend ther aid to-
ward making enjoyable evenings. There
are no rings, nor cliques. nor clubs, but
with all thoughts centred In the ono idea
OF friendly intercourse they seer the en-
joyments OF the evenings. Such assem-
blages unite a lodge more closely than ali
tho grips and passwords and mythical
goats can do 1t IL the free ou;pourinS
OF friends and neighbors TO absorb as
much of joy and pleasure IA can be got
ten out OF the occasion. Try II. and see
now you Sncttcl.-1lhSDffC tutohiCic.
With tomorrow evening the busy sea
son OF the lodges will begin. LaborDay
being a legal holiday. not many will open.
but with Tuesday the reunions will com
mence In earnest. We most heartily well
come TO work again those whose hands
have been idle Tor some weeks. After
resting from Masonic labor We hope they
may return with renewed strength and
during tho coming months realize more
and more the necessity for earnestness
and hearty endeavor Let the Master and
officers OF the lodge, who think and plan
for success. be encouraged by the attend
ance and support OF the members Moth
ing Is more discouragng to a Master,
nothing so retards the progress OF the
lodge work nothing causes troubles and
dissension so much. as the Indifference
of officers and members. An empty lodge
room has a most chilling effect ana the
peace. harmony and quiet that comes from
vacant seats freezes the very fountains
of a Masters energy, while full lodge
room, an earnest support and ready COM
pliance with his plans and efforts not
only makes him feel better but adds TO
his power II is most disheartenlng for
the Master TO enter the lodge-room at
the hour for opening, and when he strikes
the gavel find that he must ask Bro.
Willing To MI the West Bro. Beauty TO
take the South. Bro. Leader to act as :.
H.. and Bro. Announce as J. D., because
those officers are not present. II may be-
too. that he may have to call upon visi-
tors TO I'M those stations. or some of them
No matter how competent n brother may
be TO fill a place. If he takes II pro tenn
pore, II IS Ike a mended piece of machin-
cry. il does not Mt as nicely or run as
smoothly as though IL was the original
piece. Let the officers and members. In
returning to their places after the rest-
ing spell. come with voices attuned 10 the
work with hearts full of energy, and win
n thorough interest OF the lodge, deter
mined each to do his part that the whole
machinery may run smoothly and the
great work made successful.-New York
Dispatch.