New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-22
MASONIC.DEPARTMENT
4 NEW DANGER COyFRONTs MASONRY.

IT has often been repeated, and is undoubtedly
true. that there is more danger to Masonry from
within than from without. Masonry has been
assaled by III, ignorant: it has withstood the
constant assault Of one of the most powerful
organizations in the world II has outgrown and
overcome the base politician who tried to over
throw the institution years ago, and to-day
Masonry is stronger. Weather and more popu-
lar than ever. 1t stands before the world Of to-
day pure and honored, esteemed by the Church
and respected by all men. But dark and
ominious cloud appears upon the Masonic hori-
ION. Cnfur the danger signals beat the drums
OF warning. sound the trumpets of alarm There
: a strike in contemplation against the craft
and one Of great import. The female por-
ton Of Masonry, that is. the Masons wives.
daughters and sisters. threaten to go on strike
as soon as the lodges will resume labor They
will strike for shorter hours. Their grievance is
that the brethren spend too much time, say too
la'e, at the lodge.
Something of this sort agitated last VIM
aer but the time too short. and soon as
the brethren became aware of the threatened
danger they talked of spring bonnets and seaside
trips and sojourns in the mountains. This some
what averted the Outhreak, but the rainy season,
together with the mosquito pest again turned
and toward the long hours of lodge nights, and
already preparations in progress for closer
organization Secret meetings are TO be held
eary rext month, walking delegates will be
appointed to so around and visit lodges and
stop all work after 10 o'clock.
Tremble. We Masons, especially those who stay
out after 10 o'clock; the ladies after you;
they Will surely go on strike next fall and they
are In dead sure earnest about ii, too Silently.
but with determination they are perfecting their
organization, and they feel confident of
cess and OF ultimate victory and every lodge
will have close at 10 O'clock and you will have
no chance TO man or brother after closing.
The lecture in the third degree will have to be
modelled and the distinguished craftsman" who
delivers ii must begin carrier and the 'symposi-
uyn" after? Gone in the ewigkeit.
We tremble at the coming revolution and
tremble for The poor old Tiers when assaed by
the lady walking delegate. who with a of
her delicate hand, will demand that all work
shall stop, all working tools shall be laid aside.
and trowel and apron be locked up until some
arrangement COR COMPROMISED can be arrived at
10 Secure shorter hours. earlier closing and no
stopping at halfway house
Let all Masons trembe and prepare for the
Impending danger The only advice we can give
rs. surrender-surrender at once and so home
earlier. and if there be any among you who in
sist upon continuing the struggle let these be
separated from the many who would gladly sur
render and grant the demand of shorter hours.
Call q meeting of the bosses" at once and pre-
pare for the great strike. And 10 the strikers
would say: Let justice be tempered with
mercy, and don't be too hasty; do not condemn
all for the misdeeds OF the few. Most of the
brethren go home at | o'clock. but some live
far away from the lodgeroom that ii takes
long time TO reach home, and the distance
sometimes makes them very tired
There few might owls, very few, who
hoVer about the lodge. lCath 10 part, and the
great body OF good and true MasOns should not
De made TO suffer for these few bad bad men
" no stay out late. And il would be well if some
committee on arbitration could be appointed to
avert any serious ENHANCEMENT. One of the
leading strikers spoke Of appealing 10 the Grand
Master. but this was at once hooted down, for 1t
was claimed that when Mason reaches this high
ONCE ne must have spent years and years at
the lodges hence away from home and kept very
late hours Then the higher degrees were talked
OF, but stately widowed matrCn, who bad had
two husbands who we're Masons and whose
eral sons member Of the fraternity, arose
and with the eXper.enc of her life before her
said: mo. no: the higher they go the worse they
become and the later they stay out; strike at the
root: strike at the lodge first and make them
close early: 10 O'Clock i.'ate enough for any man
Mason 10. bc out night
When the Masters rccOnVene their respective
lodges next month il would be well TO take this
matter in consideration open lodge promptly,
transact your business with proper dispatch
confer yCur degrees with a spirit of earnest de-
votiOn and wher you invite one Of our dis
don't keep him waiting until II o'clock before
YOU are ready for him Close early and go home
u your family and if there are any might owls"
among your members let them stay and bear
The terrible consequence and attendant evil Of
their action