New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-14
POSITION AND DUTY or PAST MASTERS.


Prior 70 the elections the Masonic orators and
Masonic writer's have warned the brethren 20 he
careful IN the selection OF their officers. 10 put
none but the good and true into the chairs and
70 support them after having placed them NJ
The head ~ the lodge. The result Of all this can
only he Judged "in the hy-and-by'' and from the
result % the efforts and labors ~ these officers
The elections have all been held the nstalla-
tons are all passed and the nov Master. officers
and brethren have all settled down % the
regular business Of the year each in his or their
own way. some to add more members to their
already large roll others - learn the work better
and 40 il better than heretofore: still others with
a single care 70 their warGS-thc widows and
orphans n their distressed and NEEDY brethren
Here and there a new Master is anxious 10 lift
his lodge out Of tho beaten track. out Of the odd
groove" in which it had been placed by many Of
his predecessors. but the result Of all this can
only be learned in years 20 come, and can be
Judged by the attendance Of members and the
attention given the work in hand.
Does anybody watch the Past Master? Has
anybody a word for this important factor IN
every Masonic lodge? For n cannot he denied
that the Past Masters In our lodges play an i'm
portant part. We are not speaking OF those who
know It all" and can learn no more, or Of those
who think tina. they take the East with them
when they 60 out % office; and there are those
who. having reached the goal OF THEW ambition.
having attained the honorable title Of "Worship-
ful." rest upon their laurels and stay away from
the lodge. as there is nothing more 70 be gained
by attending the meetings. The really valuable
Past Master is he who having been honored by
his lodge appreciates this honor and continues TO
work for the best interests OF the craft and does
go with the added experiences gained while in
the Oriental chair; he is help TO the new Mas
ter and OF benefit 70 the officers. The old custom
of inviting the Past Master 10 a seat in the East
originated In the desire Of the presiding officer TO
have this experienced brother alongside. so 10
counsel with him and advise him how 10 act in
case difficult task or question comes up. and #
the Past Master is made Of the right stuff he
will be willing and ready 70 so advise his less
informed brother" He Will do so, not only for
the good Of the present occupant Of the East,
but more especially for the good Of his lodge,
and 10 the praise Of the great majority Of Past
Masters be IL said that this Is usually the case,
with only here and there an exception.
And these exceptions are sometimes amusing
and sometimes embarrassing when the old Past
Master holds forth TO his admiring friends. and
shakes his bony finger toward the East with
the exclamation. "Worshipful Sir. when L was
Master" etc and sad when the old man fails TO
realize the fact that he is no longer young. and
that the younger element nave taken nolu Oh the
lodge. and that these young men these new oI-
GERS headed by the young and energetic Master,
are now running the lodge, and are willing TO
listen TO his advice, but Will brook no lnterfer-
ence and especially no obstruction, when they
are trying do the best they know FOR the good
of the lodge.
The worst specimen OF the Past Master is the
ambitious one. who is lOath 10 give up the power
ne once welded, has still itching hand for
the gavel and resorts 10 intrigue 10 retain
some Vest.ge OF influence, which usually results
In placing q weak or Indifferent man in the chair,
Out these are exceptions and rave exceptions,
100 for the lodge with a large and attentive
ray o. Past Masters is usually the best governed
lodge for the Master can always rely upon hav
ing the best Of aid and the best of advice obtain
able right within the portals OF his own lodge,
and the bret hren are quick 10 discover this, and
show the utmost respect and affection for their
good Past Masters and often follow the advice
given from pure motives, and solely 10 benefit
he lodge and the craft. And as for the others.
he one soon discovers that the East OF his lodge
IS still IN the right place. and Is occupied by
A young earnest Mason, who strives hard 10
DO right although he may employ different
methods than did his predecessor; and a. - the
other, he. 100, discovers that the lodge is doing
fairly well under the new administration, and
soon the present Master will have as many ad-
nirers among the members as the old Past
Master had when in the chair
After all. IL Is essential 20 be guided by n good
and pure motive. try 10 do what seems
sor the best interest Of the lodge; and Master,
o~icers and members will fall into line, and the
true Past Master will quickly find cut tnai MS
lodge is in good hands and he viii help along III
the good work, if his true ambition IL 10 snow
the brethren the appreciation for honors con-
ferred and possible, as IL sometimes the case
Of substantial tokens received, and thus will
result the happy blending of present and Pas
Master the confidential combination Of the past
and the present. all looking for one result only
that which rebounds 20 the credit OF the lodge
and the glory OF the craft
>
mr.