New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
A MASONIC TEMPERANCE LECTURE


Much has been said about the ante-room Of
Masonic lodge. Copious advice has been constant
w given 70 thoss who have the preparation Of can
didates IN charge. and too much cannot be said on
this very subject. 1t IS an unfortunate fact that
human nature inclines rather TO the light. 70 the
frivolous than TO the serious and the solemn:
hence when our masters Of ceremonies enter upon
their duty they are sometimes tempted TO make
light Of this preparation when they should be ser-
Gus and earnest IN their words and actions They
divulge no secret to the candidate when they tell
him that "Freemasonry is a system Of morality
yelled in alegory and illustrated by symbols"
They may safely tell him that internal and not
tsrnal qualifications required by Mason. and
that all neophytes must enter the lodge alike
the level. All this will give the candidate proper
conception and the right impression. that he Is
about to enter q society Of thinking men who try
10 do good. Of men iSho strive 10 improve them
selves and each other.
Much and perhaps could he said and writ
ten about the light-headed and frivolous brethren
VINO. q man is elected in a lodge for
membership. flock around him 10 scare" him. tell
him they will be on hand give II 10 him. ad-
wise him to prepare for the hot grdiron or bet him
that he won't stand g. and much more Of such
repre- hensfble idle and actually nauseating dribbe
which Is not only senseless but is unranly and IN
Masonic. Many candidates through such foolish
talk have remained away, after being duly elected.
or. when they came 10 tho lodge had altogether
wrong idea OF what 70 be dore with them. and
received entirely erroneous impression of our
ceremony. our ritual and institution.
A case in point comes at tho present writ
ing where this idle and frivolous talk had it's .f-
feet but altogether contrary 70 the usual way and
different from what was expected
Mr.. Lawrence Van Sands elected IN
lodge to become member. He was Of a happy
and tovial disposition. a mechanic Of considerable
ekll. earning good wages. and was never idle or
out Of en- Employment. was happily married 10 an
re1,e had tvyo a
happy home I say fairly happy advsedly. for
Nr. Van Sands. while OF excellent character. up
right. honest and n manly man. had besettins
sin. disease weakness, and while he earned good
wages. all the money did not reach his little wife
and was not always spent in his little home. There
were many saloons between his shop and his house.
and Larry Van" had many friends who met him
on the way. so that much Of the hard-earned
money went into the Till OF Nine Host OF the
hotels he frequented. the wife and children Of
Mr. Van Sands not dressed well they
might have been. nor did the furniture and trap
pings Of the house show the prosperity that should
go with good living and good WI es All this came
gearing the candidate prior his mutation for
Son as It snoWn a5onT Hs SSs
they at focked around him and the usual idle
The result that Mr. Van sands did not present
himself for initiation on the night which was set
fooled them. but he was determined 10 become
Mason: and quietly ascertaned from the secretary
promised to present himself then;
stated early last the
room. His wife knew where he was going; and re;
and feeble way 10 dissuade him from Joining the
Masons for she looked upon this only as an exten-
away from homo and more money souandered N
IDLE and wsseful manner Howsver he Vas IS, de; ter.
talk Of his many friends had its effect upon him.
and on The s, sSor he mag Of d M to 70
up his and TO fortify himself for the com,
Mse Drq hs arUod at the old
Tiler eyed him pretty sharply. but said nothing.
ne eu ha@ ' hm sen togehaP although When the
masters Of out t to , him fSs
goat and gridiron. etc one OF our Past Masters
acted as OF the aas M he
didate that there was no joking and no fun in our
esesons had b Been asked and Mr. Van
Sands heard through the door son n voice
name OF God and be received in due and ancient
peculiar Thrill Na over h, Mr ", Van s Sands
strains OF the organ and the brethren singing
ny Of yn 5s no Sa on a 6 and ensr ns
any great or important undertaking. without h,st
eanddase ' Rset the centre ana
S hns AID # Hs Fas Of IF the n
10 @ G Ms,eS aS
rue and faithful sys v 5Tns w vs. End9 that h Sn
b s1 nence Of he principles Of order he
NAV be better enabled 10 display the beauties OF
holiness TO the honor and glory Of Thy holy name
Amen" The response came from hundred lips
80 mote 1t be" The change in the feeling Of tho
Candidate cannot be described but II was complete
although not without shaking him up consideraSly
for II seemed II the Storm King himself had
taken hold Of the strong frame OF Mr.. Van Sands
He trembled and shook at every step and as he
advanced In the ceremony was again kneeling, this
time at the sacred altar Of Freemasonry with the
Holy Bible open before him. and gradually the
symbols and symbolism were explained TO him. He
felt da1ed. 1t was not the happy eo-it c.y fellow
frclicsorne fun. and when the ceremony was at an