New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-21
NiSONIC WGRiTITTDE.

Webster defines lngra,ltude to be want Of graf
tude or sentiments Of kindness for favors received,
inscnsiblitcs to favors and want % disposition
20 repay them: unthankfulness. No man will own
himself guilty Of gratitude"
Ineraritude Is perhaps one Of the commoneS'
evils that is found I'm the human family. II Il in
every walk OF life IN every circle in every society
IN every organization. In every family. II is pres
ont where Il is not realized. II exists where II IL
not supposed possible To find H. II IS shown In
action far more than I'm words. often the very OK
precision - thankfuness. rs uttered hy the lips *
seen he false by the very act that follows Non"
of rs can really claim exemption from this evil
for as long as the fallen nature of man clings 20
him so long will the rorrrs OF scfshnoss remain
and to acnshucss be traced all ingratitud"
We 20 not analyzc our emotions. but let them have
play and lead us down 20 many things we should
blush 10 own We say (and think We are I'm car
nest and mean just what the words express We
are grateful FOR the favor. when the action THAI
Immediately follows proves we did not know our
own hearts or understand that there was gross
scliishuoss lurking there. worm In the DUO
destroying our sense Of thaukfulness. We ar"
grateful for the favor. long as the favor Is IN
process Of being bestowed but as soon as IT is past
forget the friendly service. and the gratitude
vanishcs. as does The vapor before the morning
Oh IF that heart were really truly unsclnsh: II
the favor SO highly priced and 80 thankfully -
CevcG to-day were not forgotten tomorrow II
there could he a lasting sorse OF gratitude. how
much happier tn. human family would be- But
the slime Of he serpent clngs TO every heart ana
| selGshness rank. frcc-growng weed. crowds out
the tender bud of real gratitude. No man lives
who has not seen more less OF this unsavory
| thing
This is true Of individuals and Of organizations.
/ and Masonic lodges are likewise guilty. Nothing 50
hurts ~ feel that The efforts In behalf Of So
! Of. ~ mr. loilg ara
/ performed. The work in the lodges ought to be
/ BRIGHT memory. fragrant through our whole lives;
! but alls how often the flower Is faded. and the
/ STEM flied with thorns. alone remains. An migrate
mi child is a trial An ungraiefui friend IS an
/ unpleasant memory An ungrateful Mason is
! living fasehood. An ungraicful lodge is a mockery
upon Masonry. But there many ungrateful
] children. and friends and Masons and lodges.
/ monarch I'm behalf Of his brethren In the promised
land. ne found that search had been made In the
one given zoo scditiou and rebellion. and was hurt.
. ful unto Tings." Therefore the king had ordered
rl,., - a., Tfis vas m" record as pre-
| sentod by the uugratefui people who dwelt In the
/ land 81 Judea- II was "A false accusation. The re-
Whom Iefuhbahcl presented the true state Of hls
people ana showed 10 tn king that Il was insrat-
letters and passports" were ISSUED and safe con-
duct granted 20 the ambassador. ana the Work was
no longer numbered or lrnp.dod This was the act Of
"a grateful SOVEREIGN. The people who had thus false
/ Is accused tho Jews Of rebellion had forgotten the
/ many good kings who had ruled 10 that land tho
/ many great blessings they had enjoyed from their
I hands and the spirit OF ingrdtitudc led fhcm -
. seek 30 damage the very people - whom they owed
J. go much
/ In Masonry Il T. seen I'm the failure 10 remember
| The eacrhc's made for the good of the order We
/ have nothing now 10 say OF the inGratitude ~
/ members 90 fhc order hut ~ the lodges 20 iiltp-
I M members. We have heard Of case fand that
/ o. what calls forth this article that seems 10 us
. member WAS suspended for uon-payment Of dues,
/ who had never been delinquent; had paid his dues
I regularly for more than twenty years. had served
IN 400 of ~" positions In the lodge, had twice been
. Master lie had been regular and faithful IN the
discharge Of his duties until business had kept him
from constant attendance NJ lodge meetings. lie
/ had served hts lodge at time when h needed his
personal efforts 20 revive H. lie had always con-
irlhuicd 20 the objects ~ charity until misfortune
overlook him and he could not give IS literally as
I before. He had never failed 10 respond 10 every
/ call made by hls lodge upon his lime. and had
laborcd jealousy 10 build up the lodge.
These efforts were all forgotten. and those who
were Doe their short clothes when he WAS 40 work
for the lodge who had never given 1.-THE ~ wha:
be- had n time or I'm money 20 their Jealous support
/ - the lodge. had suspended him. This, We lninE.
was a clear case of gross Masonic iugratifudc. and
IN. sooner such lodge Is bloticd from tho rolls ~
Such a lodge is doubtless made up OF those VINO
come up year after year and have their dues rein
tod. do nothing for the cause OF charity, ana are
bur stagnant pools filed with poisonous slime. not
gratitude. The sooner such lodges become extinct
Tho sooner Will the world see the beauty OF UNI
selfish Masonry. charitable Masonry. brotherly love
Masonry
the praise of the fraternity. we have seldom heard
of one whose fOrgrifuln"ss Of faithful work. long
service regular contributions. Las led 10 such a
mark OF Masonic ingratitude j. W. =