New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-17
THE RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP.
WELCOME YOUR VISITORS.

WELCOME YOUR VISITORS.
II has been said by the Oldest Masons that In
the early days OF Freemasonry In America VS.
i,ors were welcomed In lodges and chapters with
the most sincere affection and courtesy. II has
been said by these Oldest Masons now living that
no act OF fraternal etiquette was spared TO make
them understand that they were really glad 10 see
them Visitors were greeted with open arms ana
warm hearts that showed them that wherever
they travelled they found among Masons brethren
OF the mystic tie who were really brothers indeed.
Nothing could he more frtternal or cordial than
the greeting such brethren received as they were
introduced the lodgeroom.
The Master invariably sounded his gavel and
ordered the lodge take recess for few mo-
men;s for the purpose OF giving the brethren an
opportunity OF being introduced TO the stranger.
The Master then took his place beside the visitor.
and introduced each member OF his lodge by
name. and thus in true fraternal spirit, a
Masonic acquaintance began
The brethren surrounding the visitor, made his
stay agreeable in the lodge. and when the lodge
was closed a partook OF substantial refreshments.
and pledged friendship and love as united IN the
bonds OF brotherhood.
II the visitor remained few days in the place
the brethren would call the next and succeeding
days his hotel. and would try to make MN
happy and destroy the monotony OF life among
strangers by all those acts OF courtesy ana ira
ternal friendship which make the time pass pleas
anty. When strangers settled in the place their
first business seemed to be make the visiting
brothers acquainted with the town and It's IN
habitants and thus enter on life in new place
under the comforting auspices OF the brethren OF
the Masonic fraternity II a brother from ABROAD
was taken sick not only a proper physician
procured but watchers and nurses were PROVIDED
and brothers visited the bedside so often that the
visiting brother could want neither care nor COM
fort nor attendance. And when death claimed the
visitor his remains would be taken to the loved
ones at home with that tender and loving solcitudc
that Characterizes the true Mason from the hear'-
less and ignorant pretender.
Masonry remains the same in its ritual and us
principles; but that individual responsibility that
each Mason has pledged to another is fast rlsting
and dying Unless this is stopped at once IL VIII
entirely change the character of the order we love
and cherish Selishness, conceit. ambition ana
avarCe Will take the place OK love. chaTlN anu
DISTINGUISHED friendship.
In no Nay can this change be So surely od ie az
ne present day IN small t0 N sn nay vet re-
ceive cordial welcome. but In all our large CUES
a lodge in a large city and sends in his card. The
Master finds some trouble in getting compute 10
receiving visitors. and many invited TO- unGer,nhs
the job are too lazy to perform ms httle act 81
courtesy At last the Master selects J. committee
and il retircs Now. this committee is always
composed Of about three eXp.ri3 VINO SIN crl -
the lodge exactly as the parrot perchea on is Sago
has the language They salute the visitor Grul,y,
and try 10 make him nervous and I'll AZ ease in
this way they succeed in getting only small por-
ton Of what he knows. and the visitor is chaGIn"d
TO find he passes poor an examination } IN.
committee has no knowledge Of the work or ritual
outside OF lodge ana the NiSliOr from Al
distant State is charged with not being proficient
when h. gives the exact language a" used VI ms
own Jurisdiction. The committee Is ignorant OF
Masonry abroad. and believes the sun rises ana
sets in ifs own lodge. II Is difficult 70 convince
the committee that the visitor Is really n Mason
and II celebrates the question whether 10
kick him downstairs an impostor or admit HIM
Although he could not give the obilRatohs YER
batim as the committee required, sun. miro
duces the visitor without ceremony. and he ICES as
Though he had escaped from some band or ModtC
1mGionq lie is introduced to no one, and he sits
nil the evening 40 stiff as frozen goldfish standing
on ia tail and sees around MN VINO look Il,
him and fropn. and he imag!ncS cach man a SINAI!
icrherg lust escaped from an Arctic expedition.
The visitor leaves the lOis"rOoin without Know
inp a single brother and says II that is Masonry
n" wants no more of H. He cannot be couvinc"d
,ba; these men are not representatives. Of Macon
s1enended for non-payment q dues: and In that
way droDs out Of the back door OF Masonry
II CITY lodges wish to turn their lodseTooms mo
rnercenary institutions. TO make money ny confer
ring degrees let them simply say that they 90 nov
want 10 bother with visitors. But do not cast the
chilling influence the order all over Inc Eppe
nv the farce enacted IN examining visitors and pre-
tending to entertain them They may ~ .h'. .i,
,eirng angels una wares" and the poorangels would
nnt he accustomed 10 this kind OF reception
li,tIe OF the milk Of human kindness might
~ used with excellent effect H..
Instead Of having over the door or every 'ilS
lodge Hope Enters Not Here. put up me cnecr,
Ing sign TO visitors. welcome the Coming speed
the Parting Guest