New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-14
A MODEL LODGE.
THE ENTHUSIAST OF OTHER FIELDS NOT WANT
ED IL MASONRY

THE ENTHUSIAST OF OTHER FIELDS NOT WANT
Ed IL MASONRY.
There are many Masons ever ready TO parade in
public their connection with the fraternity. Ere
quently you hear the boast Il master
Mason" or high Mason" o some one Will inform
his patient listener that he has taken the hull de-
grees in Masonry. These as a rule are the outward
Masons. who cover themselves with Masonic Jewels
and embems Of the craft. but pay very lite atten-
ton TO their lodge duties TO the work required OF
them. The other class perchance never wear Ma
comic emblems, never mention their connection with
the fraternity except 10 members thereof. but are
always at their posts In the lodge. always ready
to serve on committees and DO whatever is re-
quired Of them for the best interest Of Masonry.
These do not seek office. but accept the same az a
matter OF duty. and when accepted do their
whole duty in well outside OF the lodgeroom.
Commend me 20 the brother OF the latter descrip
ton, Cor OF such is the glory OF Masonry. He may
not he covered with embems to make show. but
he covers himself with glory and the love and
respect of his brethren.
But worst OF all is the enthusiast OF other fields.
who brings this enthusiasm into our lodges with
him. There is the military the temperance and
especially the religious enthusiast. All these can
not understand why all the brethren should not join
in with them. Their idea o: course. Is the right
one, always The military finds not much
scope IN lodge chapter. He quickly PUSHES into
the commandery. whore amid drills and tactics.
marches and countormarches. he finds himself at
home. Here his talent finds room for display. He
may lose interest in his lodge or chapter. and
devote his entire time TO his chapeau and uniform
He delights IN military drills. and. he IS cap
tain in one OF reg ments. his knowledge and
experience In very handy on the carpeted
floor OF the commandery room. Yet Masons have
no fault find with this enthusiast. True. he does
no good in the other bodies. but he does HARM
and we still hold him among and as the spirit
OF discipline grows and the laws OF the Grand Com
mandery more and more enforced that ne
must" remain in good standing in lodge and
chapter, may always hope that he will grow
tired Of drills age creeps upon him. and, after
all. the active sensible Mason IS active every
where more Less in the various bodies
More troublesome IS the temperance fanatic. lie
lectures the brethren constantly upon his favorite
theme and implores them to fee from the tempt
ing cup and touch the blightng curse
LIQUOR II Is often the that either lie never
touched any himself and does not know the need
or want Of it, or else he has been redeemed out
of the gutter and now turns savagely upon those
who may moderately indulge in light sumulahts
He thinks the lodge is Just ne he.d 10 tn
sign pledge. and me height OF his ambition u TO
sd not Of q co
viii even make an ef"rt to obtain suoie NJ tart
Der OF brethren OF MS own way OF lhnKHg 70 stSet
a new lodge. whers his idiosyncrasy wiz mo rouge,
that his endeavors that one direction turn many
from the true path Of Mas9nry OF ,o chary and
emphatically place for the temperate man 1t is
not a plao. to proselyte for fanatical notion ana
brother Good Templar lays TOO mucn S'r ,nIs
versal aim Of the craft He. too soon drops OUT
ter things and becomes m6Ied IN the S Sobs
genius Of Masonry
But great deal than the above is the re-
Ngious enthusiast, who Insists that every man. es-
peciay every member OF his lodge, should accept
his views. his theory and his theology. This often
found election nights: sometimes 1t stares at you
from the ballot box. and often creates a most un-
aroused and this spirit dixie many others) Is easier
aroused than nllayed. Many instances could be
would say that have often heard some Of Them
Bring their own peculiar doctrines and dogmas up
TO the lodge with them. where they out Of
place and often offend or hurt the feelings OF
Some years ago a brother. an eminent divine.
ceived the idea OF forming new lodge. the MEM
least certainly TO his denomination 1t was TO be
known and recognized as the" lodge par excel
ience All the Christian virtues of the universe
model lodge. and none but the truly good and vir-
tuous and especially none but those confessedly and
should be admitted After much pulling ard haul,
ing and backing this lodge was finally launched
upon poor and unsuspecting and sinful Masonic
community. The Master was the class leader OF the
church the Senior Warden was the pastor, the su-
pertntendent OF the sunday-school took tho
sexton OF the church figured as secretary. Three
good and pous undertakers were chosen as trustees
For a while things went along smoothly and the
BY a powerful Christian denomination and backed
be a strong and wealthy church But soon. alas!
very soon all the good material At for such lodge
looking AROUND and into other churches to and good
members. These. Of course. were not quite as good