Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-10-08
THE IDEAL GOOD TEMPLAR.


An ideal What is it? A perfect
vision; vision of the perfect. Yet who
will deny the statement that one can be-
come as good a lodge member as he wills
to be; as good one as he earnestly,
prayerfully desires to be.
TO be an ideal member of our lodge
may cost much, but it will amply repay
by making one a power for good while
in this world, and browning him with
glory and honor when he shall go hence.
But let us consider what constitutes an
ideal Good Templar. or rather, if you
please, some of the virtues of this spirit.
1t is lodge night and our model mem
Der is preparing TO attend. He does not
stay at home because his tie is out of
date, or his suit is not the latest cut, or
because some one dresses little better.
Ills heart is in the work and he fully
realizes the Importance of each member
being present Then, too, he is not
troubled with that convenient, proverbial
lodge night headache. Did | say his
clothing was simple and plain? Well, if
it is, it is neat and just let me whisper
to you right here, when our ideal lodge
member dressed this evening he took of
every bit of self and locked it securely
in his closet, so that no pride, anger or
selfish motive would enter with him into
the temple or hinder him in his great
mission. lie arrived at the lodge little
before most of the members, for, he
thinks, "There may be some one | can
help" Now | know you are saying to
yourselves, "Well, he ought to, for he
must be the Chief Templar." But he is
not; he does not even hold an Office.
There are others more brilliant than he,
and his individuality is marked only by
his simple faithfulness and earnest en-
deavor to fill creditably his place and do
whatsoever shall be for the good of the
Order" His life, every act, and every
motive is a living proclamation of the
Eternal Fatherhood of God and therefore
the brotherhood of man. Mark him
carefully during the opening ceremonies
his earnest face, attentive attitude and
kindly sympathy. While it is unnOticed
by many, it is an inspiration to the Chief
Templar. His heartlness in singing, his
reverential silence during prayer and
mis- ready though softly spoken amen"
are trilles you will say, but they go to
make up that perfection which is no
trife. Tonight we have initiation, and
his earnest manner unconsciously lends
an influence which stamps indelbly upon
the candidates mind these words con-
corning the obligation, at is earnest in
its nature, imperative in its requirements
and lifelong in its duration" He is not
always the first to congratulate the new
members, as there are so many to wei
come these brothers but he has watch
full eye concerning the comfort of the
two-weeks' old brother, who at this
| time is apt to feel sadly alone. lie finds
plenty to do; there is discouraged one
to cheer a homesick one to befriend; a
tempted one TO encourage and strengthen.
Not only in the lodge-room is this help
full spirit shown. 1t is an eYer-bloOmng
rose of fragrance, whose delightful odor
is an ever-increasing source of pleasure
to those he comes in contact with. At
his daily work, on the street, in his
home, today, tomorrow and every day,
his pure unselfshness and true charity
are felt and seen. $50 reclaim the fallen
and save others from falling" is his
watchwOrd and his business, and he will
not look for any greater mission until
there is no longer any one tempted by
strong drink and no danger of a brother
or sister falling. He never allows his
zeal to overrun his charity, for charity
which is love, is the greatest virtue of
the heart. Charity is his platform;
charity is his standard, and charity the
bond that unites him with his brothers
and sisters in the lodge and outside of it,
We may not all be ideals now, but # we
earnestly and prayerfully desire to
make our plans and acts most potent
for good" we would do well to study
closely this beautiful character and fry to
possess and manifest his graces.-Mrs.
Helen Kerr KIuckenburg.