New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-27
oTE MASONIC KICKER

- have q bad temper Is q misfortune ~ '
,o.s.ssor. q e even more II Ia curse TO him.
and as to those who are associated with nm
IN lodges I, 70 a sore trial, for he may De
.sood enough Mason beyond his bad temper
Su, did Masonry have any effect upon MIN
HAS tho sweet influence Of our tenets' OF OUT
lessons and teachings. softened him any must
ever be asked OF the chronic kicker OF '''e
one who constantly finds fault with MS oro'ne.
and always impugns his motive IN every worn
and action. To hear one eternal rouho OF CUM
n,aint and n,urmuring 10 have every pleasant
thought scared away by this evil spirit Is
core trial TO the good. earnest and hard-work'hs
brother II Is like the sting OF Scorpion
perpetual nettle. destroying your peace MAKING
YOU miserable. This influence OF bad temper
Is deadly and the purest and sweetest Amos
nhere IN the lodgeroom Is contaminated and be-
comes mlasmatic wherever the evil genius pre-
walls.
II may he true that we should not permit the
evil temper of others 10 influence us. but It is
unreasonable to expect this Of poor, weak hu-
man nature One string out OF tune will de-
stroy the harmony. the music OF an instrument
otherwise in perfect tune: in the lodge one
brother with p chronic bad temper will destroy
the harmony and good feeling OF others. and
unless the better sense Of the good brethren
prevails and they cultivate kind and affection
ate temper 10 overpower and overcome the dis
cord and evil created by the bad temper Of one
Of their number discord will prevail. and all
through this man with bad temper Men
Judged by other men according to their
willingness ability to be useful. and Masons
are judged by other Masons according TO their
ability and willingness to be good and true. and
according 10 the good work they do In our
Quarres Let good brother be chilled by the
bad temper Of another; ii is he. not you that
needs reforming and needs the impress Of true
Masonry upon his heart and upon his conduct
and character. Masonry. like an instrument OF
music. should be well and thoroughly tuned 10
meet all the requirements expected from its
teachings and practice, and In ringing tones peal
Forth harmony and goodwill TO all mankind;
firmly yet sweetly should It's tones ring out
silver bell to guide and lead all good mem
bers OF the craft. notwithstanding a solitary
kicker" here and there in some Of our lodges.
II you have one in your lodge. hand him the
gavel or common stone hammer and tell him to
knock off the rough corners Of his bad temper.
call his attention to the difference between the
rough ashlar in its rude and natural state and
the polished ashlar made ready by the skilful
workman: tell him that TO run off in tantrum
OF Ill WILL I'll words and bad thoughts is not
walking uprightly by the pumbl!ne OF rectitude.
and that the trowel is not used TO besmear the
walls with the mud of bad repute and bad
temper. but to spread the cement which unites
the building into one common mass. 70 spread
me cement Of brotherly love and affection: tell
him II Is not square this finding fault with
others.
Honest. well-meanng suggestions born OF
desire to improve or mend mistake. are al
ways accepted by the Master by a speaker or
writer. Honest and friendly criticism, coming
from true Mason and offered in friendly and
true Masonic spirit Is not only acceptable but
IS sought by the true man. by the true Mason:
but finding fault for the mere fun OF Il" Is
hurtful. injurious. unmasOnc and ungentleman-
~. and every true Mason and good brother
should make an effort to have it stamped out
even at the expense Of getting rid Of "Ye Ma
sonic Kicker" and more especially by paying
no attention whatever TO his choeric temper
ard by letting him severely alone