New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-27
SOUND ADVICE FROM AN OLD SECRETARY.

Brethren who are travelling, or live In foreign
Jurisdiction ought from time TO time TO send their
addresses to the secretary. and at least once year
communicate with him. even If their dues paid
Secretaries who have he'd the office for few years
know of one more members who have gone away
promising to write send their addresses, and that
is the last they hear from them Sometimes tele-
gram comes from board OF relief asking II Bro A
Is in good standing, he has applied for RELIEF etc
Often the secretary compelled to reply: Stricken
from roll for ~ p. D." Then comes an Indignant
protest from the brother. who. when in the city,
was a faithful member. always paying his dues. at
tending to his duties and he don't see why ne should
have been dropped" He forgets that for three or
more years he has not fit to communicate with
the secretary. and that the lodge cannot thrive on
dead wood"
few years ago a came early to the lodge
room and sat down near the secretary's desk. When
he came in he greeted him very Familiarity. shaking
him warmly by the hand. The secretary returned
his greeting but failed 10 recognize the proeher
and asked his name.
The secretary recollected the name, and also that
he had several times written to the brother and
received no answer. Finally. after due summons
he was dropped from the roll. The orother re-
sponded: YES that's all right; got your letters
meant 10 answer but was too busy; had a big cot
ton plantation. 500 hands. ETC., etc. but have come
back and want to pay up
The secretary told him to leave his ADDRESS. ana
he would send him the amount OF his Indebtedness
The address he gave was in what II known as
'hard" neighborhood. BY careful investigation the
secretary learned that the brother 90 had been Nv
ing there several years. had bad character ana
never had a cotton plantation in the SOUTH Dut hau
oot into bad company and made his living there IN
very baviDe Masonic intercourse with his breth
ran and Of course did respond TO the secretarys
letters In all probability they merely served 10
prick his conscience II Is needless TO say ne aid
n vh.rs the lodge was benefited by non-communi-
Another case Is recalled: -.
a brother of ample means went 10 distant city.
For a wear or two he wrote occasionally 10 the
secretary sending his dues promptly Ihen noth-
ing more was heard of him until one day tele-
fReiinf asking If Brother was member, and that
he was sick and in distress; The secretary re,
sponded: 20 X. assist him. This brother had
aiways been ready TO assist with his purse time
I'D been kept good by his friends In the lodge
Cthey were all his friends).
Through correspondence the secretary learned
that ons. venture after another that the brother
made had failed until his entire fortune was gone.
s. stranger in strange land and too proud 10 In
form his friends he struggled on. until disheart
ened he took sick and was found by sympathiz- |
ing brother - whom. In answer to the question |
I]aye you no friends" he replied that once he !
was a member of - Lodge, but supposed he had |
been stricken from the roll. he had neglected TO
The response OF the secretary to assist him cheered
his heart but II came too late. ior IN Two nonths
he died and buried at the expense OF his lodge
with Masonic honors ,., , -. -
municatirg with his lodge for friends could have
heen raised up for him. who would have encour-
a ged him. lightened his load and perhaps have as
sisted him TO regain what he had lost. "A man
that hath friends must show himself friendly.
Moral-Kecp I'D communication with your lodge.