New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-17
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION.

To the Grand Librarian
Sir: have been greatly interested in your editorials
on the Masonic page of The Sunday Tribune, espe-
cialy I'm those decrying the rushing in OF members.
But are you not wrong? In the Old World. where
a century is nothing in the history of an institu-
ton the sow-go methods may he the thing. but
in this land Of progress each institution must Keep
stem in quick time with the others lose its po
sition in the ranks. and Masonry u.s. think. not
EXEMPT from the prevailing conditions. Without a
considera bic influx OF new blood the lodges would
die as II were from dry rot, and eventually the
Grand Lodge itself
i; is true perhaps. that the older membership
cnioying as 1t does serene faith In the traditions
Of the order would continue faithful to the institu-
ton but IL is the younger element. with ambitions
for Office to be satisfied, that Keeps the machihe
moving
The grand officers may not know that they be-
lleve in this they may preach against II, never
theess they are moved by this progressiveness.
and so act. Hence by their activity they encour-
age activity in others. Last spring my district
gave a reception to the Grand Master. The lodges
were kept in the Hobbies until called for In sue
cession. marched in lined up in the centre aisle
long enough enable those present to make a
quick count Of the number of brothers IN each'
Those strong IN numbers were appauded ana
marched proudly TO their seats; those small In
numbers skunk abashed into theirs You see some
thing OF this also when one lodge visits another
stronger language than can be given by words. 1t
is that numbers are important. a lesson you may
no certain is not forgotten, and produces the de-
sired effect
So far as my observation goes. the years OF
rapid growth brings In as good a class OF men as
the slow growth II is characteristic OF the
human race 70 desire TO belong to prosperous in
stitutions and prosperous Institutions secure d
h,tfer class Of men than those not so. itundreuS
Of men amply for admission Masonic lodges
ST,
Whether these men ever attain 10 ths siasoIi'.
spirit may be another question Many OF them get
their degrees and seldom WISH the ouse' ue".T
th.f mai is not situation singular only TO the
present decade -, 49, .e..o.., hoit.,
that TO the older brothers there is FEELING
Of s,rredness in the institution that does not exist
among the younger element. brother OF my
Masonic Records" though. as think he knows
them to he 80. he VIII not admit IT, Ih s,,e f a
Younger element. however, when i Wiling 10
listen "a the truth and ready TO be convinced.
But granting all this. can you MAINTAIN success
fully such institution on noh-pros leSs.,e
line of conduct and a necessity? Ana Is IL not
therefore necessity that this line OF success
should be pursued even though In the hurry ana
hustle a few undcs.rab bic members creep III
L. I, MOI therefore the real question at Issue.
not that undesirable members may mus creep III;
but that thereby the Masonic spirit may diSappehr
10 Join my Lodge Is by ques,.Gn point blank or
bv question indirect There Is solicitation Just me
ssun The Masonic rule in regard thereto you
i,rn., md IL need not he stated here. The spirit
~ The rue is against solicitation direct or indirect
II We could go back ana ascertain ,nn S'suauon
which gave rise That rule we would nave
w.. ,cr ,,ndersiandng OF IT. In my Investigations
b.ve found that apparently each Masonic rule mas
origin in some ,ucn ch s tbe re re-
ouirinr the signature OF the bylaws: the RUE
known to many. the reason to but rev. And ths