New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-15
MASONIC DEPARTMENT
NOTHING TO WRITE ABDUTH

Lodges are closed the brethren tre or. vaca-
ton. and Masonic (degree) work is at q stand
still: according to many Of the brethran. there
is nothing 10 write about. In the opinion OF
these mistaken workers the degree ave rk is all
the Masonic reader cares to know about-in
their own little opinion they think ;sQ Masonic
news Is centred According to thee opinion
q Is of the utmost Importance for tn craft to
know that Worshipful Brother Black presented
the apron and Worshipfu Brother White ex-
planned the working tools: that THE young
Master Of Blank Lodge conferred II e first de-
gree like veteran" and that old u asst Master,
Worshipful Brother Fogy, gave TN historical
lecture and. above all, let the MAJ onic writer
make sure that every Wmshipful and every
Right Worshipful is duly PUBLISH I'd as being
present; and. indeed, many go 10 some of the
lodges for that purpose only. and ats they do not
go now some really think there tis~ nothing to
write about there is no worl:
Nothing TO write about in Masonry? There
never need be lack of theme in! this glorious
old Institution. Masonry cove rs the laws OF
God and il covers the needs OF humanity. II
covers the laws of God as no han is permitted
10 enter its portals without inst invoking the
aid Of Deity. No candidate for' Masonry Is al
lowed to proceed in the cerem eny Of initiation
without first declaring his firm belief in the
first commandment. and throus hout all the de-
grees. from the first to the last this is held up
before the eyes of those who seek true Masonic
light and knowledge. and on oery step he is
admonished TO 'show mercy urs. thousands Of
them who love Me-
And il covers the needs Of IN lmanity, for in
all the sacred obligations Of the order we are
taught to help. aid and assist all distressed and
needy brethren; to hold forth aihelping hand to
10 ~, God Of
our sympathy; to remember the widow and the
orphan, and be ready 10 sve them. And,
finally, when a brother is called henoe-is called
TO the celestial grand lodge above. 70 the pres
ence Of the All Father-the members of his lodge.
gather about his open grave there to perform
the last sad rites and obsequies of our ancient
craft, and while they consgn his .boay to MoSher
Earth. they commend his spirit % Him VINO
gave il, and silently and sincerely pray for him
for happiness in his new abode Nothing to
write about in Masonry? And al because the
lodge has called off, Masonry tnas not called
of. and it never does; the spirit of Masonry is
ever present in the human soul; D. manifests its
presence IN the sympathetic team in the sigh Of
relief. and In the grateful look 'of thanks. Its
presence is felt in the warm ana hearty grasp
of the brothers hands, and in TN consciousness
of doing good unto others. The verifying force
Of the higher aims in al! the trt work OF Ma
the needs of poor. weak humanity, and the true
Mason will ever find ii so.
The degree Is only the outer coating of the true
Mason. 1t is the dress. the clothing You cannot
make gentleman by dressing Inn in fashionable
attire. He must be one by educi ajon. by training.
and in feeling and in spirit. So it is with
Masonry. All the degrees in the craft do not
make a man the true Mason ! lie must have the
divine spark. the immortal SIP Tit within him.
The degrees will then bring ii out, bring him in
touch with kindred spirits. and encourage him
10 employ all the good that is in him for the
benefit of his felloW-man and tb the service or
JehoVa II Is true must ha degrees con-
ferred and we need the ritual F1ic enthusiast.
who cares only for this part ol' our work and
who tries 70 do il well; but be ever reminded
that after all the ritual is only the outward sign
Of a Mason The true. the real Apason. shows his
Masonry by his acts by his demt amor. and above
all by his devotion TO the best pterest or the
craft at large. Let us take good care or the de-
gree work but be scrupulously careful TO show
TO the world the real. the true and the good
side Of Masonry that is within Us, for by their
fruits We shall know them" The world at large
Judges you by your actions AMI your conduct,
and your dealings. and your Father VIII judge
you by your motives and by tn purity OF your
heart. your thoughts and your ctons. ana that
is the real. the true side OF Mas onry.