Lazy Masons.

LAZY MASONS .

AMONG the "Masonic Tidbits" which we have recently extracted from onr American contemporary , the Voice of Masonry , is one nnder the above heading , which is given as the expression of " some observing Grand Master , " and is to the following effect : — " My experience is ,. that a lazy Mason will soon become so la-ay tbat be will

not attend bis Lodge if ifc were within fifty steps of his door , while the zealous live Mason will go , no matter if he should have to ride ten miles . Lazy Masons are just about of as much use to the Lodge as lazy Christians are to tbe church . They hel p to swell the count of membership , are always

ready to avail themselves of its benefits , but don't like to shoulder any of its burdens . " This bit , says tbe editor of our contemporary , is so piquant and pointed , and so well deserved , that I cannot resist tbe temptation to place it before my readers . We cordially endorse the opinion of

our American brother in his condemnation of Lazy Masons , and feel that a few words further on the subject may not be considered out of place . Nothing can be more disheartening to the Master of a Lodge than to find , at the time that his Lodge should be

opened , that he , and perhaps two or three others , are the only members present , and when , after making inquiry , he finds that the absence of many of the brethren afc the time fixed in the summons was due to laziness , rather than to any inability to attend at the proper time , annoyance

follows as a natural course ; and , not unfrequently , an inclination to neglect the work in the future is the consequence . If brethren would remember thafc punctuality among members of Lodges is one of the most desirable characteristics , they would perhaps oxerfc themselves to secure it

wherever possible . By so doing they would nofc only add to their own comfort , but would materially increase that of others . How often has the business of a Lodge had to be rushed through , the banquet hurried , and the speeches cut short , in consequence of want of punctuality

at the start , and all caused by brethren who were really too lazy to attend the meeting at the proper time , thereby necessitating delay in the opening of tho Lodge , or the appointment of a brother who , maybe , was nofc thoroughly acquainted with such portions of the work as he might

be called upon to undertake , while filling the place of an absent officer . In writing in these terms of absentees at the opening of a Lodge , ifc would not be fair to say that all who are not punctual in fcheir attendance are defaulters through laziness . There are , of course ,

many causes which either detain or keep a brother away from his Lodge , but in all such cases , especially when the brother holds office , the Worshipful Master should be previously informed , so as to prevent bis waiting unnecessarily . There is one other class of Moson—if we may so

term rum—to whom our strictures as to laziness most par ticularly refer . We allude to the brother to be initiated . We have frequently been present at Lodge meetings when

the whole proceedings have been brought to a standstill by the non-appearance of the candidate for initiation at the time appointed . In these csis-cs we have thought that tbe proposer and seconder were to biame ;—indeed , they are

personally answerable for the doings of the candidate , so far as Freemasonry is concerned , until he has taken upon himself the responsibilities of membership , and been admitted to a participation in tbe secrets of the Order . We are of opinion that the Worshipful Master would do

well in politely , bufc firmly , refusing to initiate any one who was nofc present at the time at which he was summoned , or afc least within a reasonable period afterwards . First impressions are fche strongest thafc can be made , and if a brother were taught tbat punctuality was a feature in

Freemasonry , it would not only benefit him , from a Masonic point of view , but perhaps prove of far greater service to him in after life than some of the more popular teachings of Freemasonry . In this respect we mast bear in mind thafc Freemasonry aims at tbe improvement of ourselves

and our fellow men . It is true that inconvenience might follow a postponement , bufc fche sufferer would be the candidate himself , who , ifc should be remembered , was also the cause of tbe inconvenience . The nearer the man may be to tbe place of meeting the more likely is he to be late , —if

afc all inclined to laziness . When the meeting takes place at a distance , it is necessary to lay out a programme , and work to ifc , in order to attend the Lodge afc all ; but when ifc is within " fifty steps of our door , " comparatively speaking , no such preparation is needed , and , as a consequence ,

unpunctualifcy is more likely to take place . This may , in a measure , account for the delay in opening some Lodges , especially noticeable in large towns , although , on the other hand , the engagements of members so situated are often more binding , and less amenable to Masonic claims than those of Provincial brethren .

Thafc Lazy Masons are always ready to avail themselves of the benefits of Freemasonry is as true , we admit , in this country as it is in America . Our experience leads us to the belief thafc members of the " lazy " class are among the foremost of those who apply for assistance , from one

source or another , of Masonic relief ; indeed , there are so many of this class of applicants about in our midst as to bring down , the condemnation of some brethren on Masonic charity generally , and , as a consequence , many truly deserving individuals suffer . It would be hard ,

indeed , to measure a brother , or tbe eligibility of a brother s family for assistance , by what such a man had done in the past , but we cannot help taking such subjects into consideration when weighing the claims thafc are made upon the Order , as , more frequently than otherwise , we find

those who do the least are among the loudest in their demands . To what is this lack of past service due ? Laziness , and to laziness alone . There are many brethren who could , if they so desired , do much to extend tbe benefits of Freemasonry during their lifetime , by working on its behalf

among their friends . Personally they may be able to do little , but their associations may be such as to bring them in contact with large numbers of those who can ; yefc , from a want -of energy , they do nothing . Should a day of adversity overtake them or their families , they are usually

the first to apply for the benefits of the Order . How can we prevent this ? We cannot measure out relief in proportion to what a brother has done ; nor can wc compel brethren to work if they do nofc feel disposed to do so ; but we may urge on all to do something , assuring them

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EPPS'S GSSSESC ) COCOA .