New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-01
MASONIC DEPARTMENT
SELFISHNESS VERSUS MASONRY.

The further a brother advances into Masonry.
that is the more he imbibes or is imbued with
the true spirit of Masonry, the further away will
re be from sordid sefshness and the more he
will enjoy the beauty of the order. The brother
is TO be pited who does not learn. or who does
not see what the real gain of Masonry Is to him.
II is not in material gain or in prestige. but in
the true enjoyment Of the best spirit. the best
there is in life. Your capacity for enjoyment in
creases as you advance into the higher spheres
of morality, charity and tolerance toward all
men.
Mark the selfish man. The dust of LIES prosaic
pursuits collect upon his heart. hardens IT, until
no heavenly wind. however fragrant or refresh
ing can dispense the ashy heap. Mark him who
thinks only of self" who wraps himself up in
his own business concerns only. who thinks Of
nobody. of nothing only his own gain, his own
little self He has taste for music. for litera
ture. for the arts or for any of the many ele-
waiting influences; he counts only gain. and that
only in hard cash He carries even to his fire.
side a dull heavy, joyless disposition which even
the smiles OF tender wife the pratte of little
ones cannot counteract his capacity for enjoy
ment is limited, nay. il is stihed it is deadened
in the sOrdd pursuit of money; IL is killed
in his selishness. Mark that selfish man as
he advances in life and aCcumulates wealth as
we'll years. He wrinkles faster becomes gray
sooner and when nearing the end of his jour
ney he feels that he has neglected something.
that he has forgotten something; he counts his
bonds looks over the deeds of his property. his
shares and all the wealth he spent his life to
gather Yet it is all here. What. then, does he
miss? He has missed the real enjoyment of life,
all the elevating influences that make him bet
ter the good and kindly deeds unto others he
has forgotten, the charity. the consideration for
his fellow man; higher and nobler aims which
bring him nearer his God were neglected and
forgotten and he sours on life's results. He made
a mistake in LIES pursuits, but he sees ii not.
Fifty him. He is rich. but alas. really very poor.
Mark the true man and Mason; he who In
the purest spirit of the craft gives part of his
means to true charity and part of his time to
his brother who places his Maker above his
ledger. who is happy in doing good. who enjoys
the doing good for its own sake, for the sake OF
sweet charity. He communicates his happiness
TO others. and the happier he makes others the
more he enjoys himself the greater the number
of his benefciaries the greater the beneht TO
himself; the more charity he does, the klndlier
ne is to others. the deeper the purer Will be ms
him in every gesture, in his very Wak-Eou
can see the man with the capacity to enjoy HE
as the good God means that he should.
Happiness need not be so rare. the stock is
ineXhaustbe healthy capacity for enjoyment
is within ourselves by cultvating the actual,
the essential virtues Of making others happy;
ana Masonry can be OF inestimable value IN
this 1t offers in all the ceremonies food for the
most elevating thoughts; it offers the best OPP
pOvtunities 10 do good: il expands our views,
teaches to be tolerant TO others, even 10 those
who NAV differ from us in words, in thought or
deeds Masonry abOve all teaches as its very
foundation charity, and hence Masonry is
fountain for happiness and enjoyment II you
Will only search for IT, Dive deep into It's real
meaning and you will find your reward in the
full endowment ~ life's pursuits If conducted
by and within the true teachings of the craft
Il pays tc he a Mason. good and true. in the
great amount Of happiness YOU CLEAN from IT for
others and for yourself. And when nearing the
end of your Journey you may not he abe 10
count as many bonds. or gloat over your DEEDS
Of property and YOUR stocks. but you can look
hack and see the pure diamonds or chsrllE
glistening in the Widows grateful eyes. You
can hear the happy laughter of the orphan
called forth by your kindness, and YOU can look
back 70 the thankful brother you have assisted
and encouraged and possibly you can also look
forward to a continued or increased happiness
grander more sublime. than that which you en-
joyed on this mundane sphere. 1t pays 10 ne
a good Mason. pays to make others happy, pe-
cause Won are made happy by II yourself.