New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16
MASONIC DEPARTMENT
CONDUCTED ny THE GRAND LIBRARIAN OF THE
GRAND LODGE OF TIE STATE OF NETWORK.
A NEEDLESS AND USELESS CEREMONY.

A NEEDLESS AND USELESS CEREMONY
The District Deputy Grand Master when max
Ing his official visit to any lodge In his dis
trict hns the right to preside. after the lodge
Is opened, but understand the law and
custom of the craft, this does not inure on other
visits which may be assumed as Of courtesy
and showing his interest in the welfare Of
his charge The Grand Master has the right
TO preside in all lodges in his jurisdiction when
ever he chooses to exercise this plerogative
either in person by special delegation. The
right 10 demand the gave is bounded by these
considerations only, and it follows that. in the
absence Of the right. IL is mistaken courtesy
on the part Of the Master to offer it, yet this
is almost constantly done. and has come to be
often serious interference with the business
Of the lodge, more especially when some spe-
cial occasion calls out full attendance Of mem
bers and visitors among which there may be
many present or past Masters and Grand Lodge
officers, past and present. When Distrlct
Deputy visits outside Of his own district ne
has no power 10 exercise. but takes win MIN
only the honors Of his position. ana the evil
dence Of his zeal for the craft II Is therefore,
always within the discretion Of the Master 10
receive him without other form than cour'e-
Gus greeting nor is there any obligation 10 cali
I'D the lodge and go through the form OF ten
dering the gavel which it Is not eNpec'eo ne
will accept and which, TO the credit OF THESE
Right Worshipfus. they rarely, II ever 40 e~-
cent for the purpose only 10 seat the members
The same may be said Of all Masters OF Fast
Masters. except Of course. only the Grand
M.e.er Whenever a Master or a Past Master
&c announced the lodge rises to receive him, ana
he is invited 10 the East.
The same performance takes place with almost
any brother having Masonic title 20 MS haiii7'
All this takes time and delays the WORK Oh 'he
lodge. and wearies the patience or the o'e'"ie"
who often do not even know the Vsi'o's anu
should not be required TO jump up every t'H'e d
Masonic star Of first second or fifth magnitude
enters Without the slightest personal reverence
mr. interest in the matter it is fair 10 say that
when a Master or Grand Lodge officer passes
out of Office he has no right TO any dele'ehoe
except always that due to his past services ana
present interest. and to his devotion 10 'he pest
interest of the craft. but certainly no. tiid'
which is due TO the actual Master ana piesI ~
orcurant of a high and exalted offlce Let TINS
calling up the lodge be stopped. me Ad my
recognizing the merits OF anu me esteSiH -
those who have faithfully served the craft WY
ta,.a horne the heat and burden OF the cay, IL
does not follow that their visits TO the loage
should needlessly delay our work by the useless
ceremony OF receiving them. and which cere-
n,onv can add nothing to the h0nors aireau!
earned and bestowed upon them far De II iron.
rs 10 deny the reward and honor que 10 hOiies'
devotion 10 our brotherhood. but let US drop
these embarrassing repetitions or a ceremony
which does not increase our regard for the re-
ciplents and only places the lodge at a dlsaunal-
tnse When Past Master or Past Grand olIlcer
enters Your lodge who from whatever reason
Is seldom, seen IN midst. let his visit De rec
cgu,zed and signazed by rising reception, put
those (and their name Is legion who are con,
slant visitors among do not require ana
should not expect to have the brethren stand up
every time they visit lodge. Every brother
who Is a frequent visitor TO the Temple, or our
lodge rooms in other buildings. must have Cd.
served that many Of the visiting brethren call
IN upon every lodge in session on that evening
There are ten rooms IL: "asontc Hall. which are
occupied every evening. and II Past Master
enters each opHany evening he may have what
seems TO us ne empty honor Of making the
brethren stand up for him ten times. 1t is GER
tain that this needless and useless ceremony
needs only to be called TO the attention Of the
brethren themselves when II will be discon-
tinued. or at least discountenanced. always
with those exceptions which discreet Master
will know when and where TO employ. such as
when a newly elected Master enters lodge for
the first time as Worshipful. or whenever
real good reason exists for calling up the
brethren to show special honor to some Past or
officer.