New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-24
UNAFFILIATION.
MAKE HASTE SLOWLY INVESTIGATE
FIRST

FIRST
For many years was very active and persever-
ing in collecting dues. believing that the small
amount annually exscted from the members should
be cheerfully paid and knowing too well that with
good intentions only the lodge expenses cannot be
paid and that the very best wishes and most
earnest promises do not buy single ten OF coal
or IN any way assist the poor widow or those who
depend upon our bounty and bene, olence
In after years. when the bitter experience Of life
mad taught me many sad lessons. and many causes
OF delinquency were explained to me In a most
realistic way. ] became more and more lerient
and looked sharper and deeper into the reasons
why the brethren did not pay up. often stayed
away when they were In for dues, and.
While still hold 10 the firm conviction that the
NUMBER OF those who are stricken from the roll
because they cannot" pay Is very small. as COM
pared with those who will not" pay their dues.
am not now so anxious to deplee the lodge OF It's
members as have been formerly. and rather adj
wise caution. and urge upon the brethren to
the man first. and whether he really belongs to
the class that will not pay Then. OF course. II
he does the bird that can sing" etc
Among the sad recolections of my haste in
ominendng the axe 10 fall upon the Masonic necks
OF delinquents is one ] shall never forget and.
though | afterward made amends and did ali
could to have him restored good standing, and
otherwise corrected my mistake and helped the
poor man considerably. his case often comes very
wildly before me when some poor brother Is on
the rack and in the balance-"is up for suspen-
sion. humiliation. for non-payment of dues.
Brother John H. Heming owed two three
years dues. and his case up for action
reported that I had notified the brother several
times. but had received reply though he must
have received my letters. they did not come back
to me. and having also looked in the CITY Directory.
found that he still lived at the same place given on
the books of the lodge therefore. saw no reason
why he should not be dealt with according to the
| hi IN
speak for the brother. on with his head was the
motion. duly seconded and carried and Brother
Heming was branded a non-afiliate and was de-
cared and landed without the pale OF Masonry.
No doubt there many cases just like this so
far but heard from this brother soon after action
had been taken his case. and he had been rail-
roaded out of the lodge. brother OF sister lodge
met me one day and Informed that Brother
Hemins was in hard luck. had been out OF Work
on account of sickness. his wife. too had been very
low. and he had three children down with
scarlet fever. and carry all this
through Somehow | ashamed Of myself.
felt guilty. felt that was Instrumental In rail-
reading the OF the lodge. without making
sufficient inquiries 10 the why and wherefore
and thought. too. that sometimes TOO much stress
is laid mans good standing In the lodge. and
not enough thought about how his standing
was (inanCially) out Of the lodge. | reported his
the Master, but he held that She brother
out. and he was In need and hard up. We
ought not to take any notice OF his case. and there
by save expenses.
lie one OF the saving Masters. who only
think OF accommodating money Masonic State
rights who thought only Of hts own liitle state
and let the whole country go to pos. he only
thought of the funds OF the lodge. no matter about
Masonry at large. its principles. its teachings. or
It's charity; money and let the brethren go
without bread. and disgrace the old craft with
your cold shoulder and colder heart 49,,
But was not satisfied with his decision IN thls
brethren and asked their advice Unlike most adj
vice. which Is proverbally free. these good breih,
ren knew that when came TO them for advice !
had 10 be paid for accepting II. That Is. 1t usually
meant donation 10 20 with me advict ana so IN
brother bmt instead found a totanv broken
down man. The hollow eyes OF misery and poverty
stared al me as entered the small Apartments OF
ated woman. looked al me az though was an IN
truder and had no business In their miserable
cover up or arrange the clothes Of her sic; babes
The brother himself arose from Blended posond
over the fading embers OF a FIRE in a cracked old
a manner as could muster but the attempt a.
children moaned and the little woman crou, hed
down by the side Of the bed and tried to hush IT,
smile saying he did not expec, to Sc" me az 10
supposed he had long since been stricken from the
no x Knowing hoM he Was o. o Sq
said. everybody knew tat least think TOO many
used TO have friends lots ' Of them and they Nere
respectable then; am a pauper now. | sup
pss? the lodge 100 has thrown me overheard long
There was something pathetic and bitter in his
but ! added A falsehood to i, all / said no. did
nE aid ali III his h Burden Son him.
that We. too. had discarded him. had thrown him !
MIND because he said long ago ana t. Vas was not
long ego only resently-it was only AZ the las
lodge and II seemed 10 mo as IL he broher could
and he s1agssd Ms s6oadsTs these
there Sss so mar limo snn So fey TO ber oas
gone TO the land where no drugs are needed. who |
far as 0 could Judge Tor myself self he needed doc
tor himself or did he only require a butcher no
hsye seen him before action Wss iaken E his case
apply 10 the lodge for assistance '' '' 'e"'
%sae M 9"f bun c % to h
position position and did not pres i then o S% =. the fc S
a aecay Pack It when he G
siIes 10 carry point That Is. personally saw
do justice to the brother. and had him restored
as quickly as ne was carried out Of the Lodge.
assist him went begging to mix Sro'ner
room, furnished the ice. and good bluff Dr. John
StOn attended the children every day. But II
late. They past all medical skill They
died. OF scarlet fever. but OF poverty OF mis-
cry and Of want Of money But II Is said that
money buy life. Life. liberty, happiness, all.
MammOn Is king.
There were two OF the little sick In one
bed, and another lay on the In the room.
One OF the in the bed died first: the
day while the very simple funeral arrangemenis
In progress the other one. In the cot. breahed
it's last in the Of the distracted and fa!nting
little mother Brother Hemng moved about IN .
daZe At such time human existence hangs by
slender thread. indeed, The suffering mother laid
the little body again In the cot and laid down be-
side IT, sobbing Historically hugging the tiny lit
lie corpse only moaning and crying: Let me go.
Can't go. too Finally some kind neighbors
as poor themselves took her out Of The room
away out Of sight from her misery ard her dead
loved ones.
The funeral postponed. and tho next day