Lodge Meetings-How To Make Them Interesting And Profitable.

LODGE MEETINGS - HOW TO MAKE THEM INTERESTING AND PROFITABLE .

MANY Masters of Lodges ask themselves , and perhaps also ask others , " Plow shall I proceed in order to make Lodge meetings most attractive to the members and visiting Brethren ? " This question is always an important

one , and especially so at the commencement of a new Masonic year , when the Officers are generally unused to their stations , and therefore have something to learn . We are in sympathy with them , for we once stood where they stand , and felt as they do .

The Master should invariably open his Lodge " on time . " If all the Officers are not in their stations and places , let competent members be called temporarily to fill them . Never

wait for an Officer . Strict punctuality should distinguish Masonic gatherings . It is a tribute to truth , and an evidence of honesty of purpose ; it expedites the work , and prevents late hours .

Next , see that the subordinate Officers , elected and appointed , are well informed as to their duties , and perfect in their parts . In order to do this the Master must examine and drill them , and not only once but possibly repeatedly . The key to success in the working of a Lodge is to have all

the Officers skilled in their work . The floor-Lodge should be a unit , with no variance of language , and no marks of hesitancy or halting . What is more jarring to one ' s ideas of propriety than to hear one Officer use one form of words , another another , and still another a third , all in the

performance of the same work ? Fault-finding in such a Lodge is a matter of course , and true Fraternal harmony is out of the question . To secure the true standard , in drilling his

Officers let the Master invite the presence of a skilled Past Master or , should this be unattainable , that of any Brother known to have the true work , and the ability and authority to impart it .

The Lodge having been opened promptly and well , next let the current business be efficiently dispatched . In order to the accomplishment of this , do not permit the continued arrival of tardy members unduly to delay it . It was their duty to have been present at the opening . The Officers

are no more under obligation to punctuality than the members . If certain of the latter give the opening a go-by , it is but proper that they should be kept in waiting while

the punctual members are discharging the duties of the Lodge , in the prompt dispatch of its business . All of our bodies , Grand and subordinate , are frequently compelled to waste valuable time in admitting tardy members .

Work is probably next in order . What we said of the opening will apply to it—it must be performed uniformly and well , if the interest of the members and visiting Brethren is to be retained . In order to the accomplishment of this , all of the Officers , and more especially the Master and

Wardens , must speak clearly and distinctly , so as to be heard in all parts of the Lodge room , and their language , should be delivered with impressive emphasis , proper intonation and genuine feeling . There is scarcely any quality more important to a Lodge Officer than a clear , ringing , emphatic

utterance . The members cannot be interested in what they do not hear . The Master should set an example of distinct speech , and insist upon its being followed by his Brother Officers . The making of a Mason is no trivial work , and he should be a master workman who undertakes it ; and

the subsequent advancement of a Brother is no less important . Many a Mason is marred in the making . He pays his money , but he has no choice—he must take what is given him , and hence the grossest injustice is done him when the work is slovenly , carelessly , or even unimpressively performed . Some

Brethren appear to think that if they get all the words in , their duty is done , and well done . Words without life , like faith without works , are vain . Words are but the skeleton , which should be clothed with the flesh of an intelligent

understanding , and fired with the soul of a living will and determination to implant the seed-thoughts of Freemasonry so firmlv in the mind of the initiate , that no flight of years or change of circumstance may efface them .

In the absence of work , or as a supplement to it when there is but little to be done , the Master cannot do better than secure a Masonic address from some skilled Brother . It varies the ordinary Lodge proceedings , opens a new source of interest , and of itself invites visitors , thus tending to unify the great Masonic family , Seek such a Brother

Lodge Meetings-How To Make Them Interesting And Profitable.

first in your own Lodge—he is likely there , and needs only to be fraternally and earnestly invited to favour his Brethren . If he is not there , or lacks the industry or will to contribute what is within the compass of his ability to add to the interest and value of the Lodge proceedings , then call upon some

competent Brother from a neighbouring Lodge . In one or other of these the W . M . cannot fail to find an efficient assistant in imparting instruction to the Brethren , and in renewing their interest in the Lodge membership , Lodge proceedings and work .

¦ Another charge , to be given first , last and all the time , is , let it distinctly appear that those who gather in the Lodgeroom are all members of one family—Brethren , among whom the most cordial feelings exist . Banish coldness and formality from your intercourse , as you would an enemy to your

wellbeing . Greet cheerfully those of your own members who only occasionally attend , and all visiting Brethren . Cause every one to feel at home in the Lodge . This is a duty that all of the Officers and members owe to each other , and to

their guests ; and it should be a pleasure as well as a duty . Other things being equal , that Lodge is always best attended which is most distinguished tor the cordial , sociable characteristics of its membership .

Now , to come the climax . In the " good old times a Lodge supper was a regular supplement to a Lodge meeting —substantial refreshment always following substantial labour . We cannot improve in this regard on the ways of our forefathers of the Craft . ' That there is an undoubted source of

attraction in a lunch , supper or banquet—call it what you wiH—cannot be denied ; mankind love to sit " around the mahogany , " and are never in so good a humour as when at table . Freemasons should universally recognise this fact . Many Brethren overlook it because they erroneously think

that a Lodge supper necessarily involves Lodge extravagance . Far from it . A surprisingly small sum may procure a frugal but enjoyable entertainment . Food is cheap and a cold cut , with hot coffee and some other adjuncts , may be procured for a very reasonable sum . This amount may readily be

raised by voluntary subscriptions and the funds of the Lodge thus be left ^ unimpaired . Try it , Brethren , and our word for it , you will succeed : The meetings will be more fully attended ; an increased cordial fraternal feeling will permeate the membership ; the Lodge will grow in numbers , and the best interests of Masonry will be subserved . — " Keystone . "

The Obligation Of A Master Mason

THE OBLIGATION OF A MASTER MASON

CLOVERS all classes of people , all civilised races of men , / and ail religious creeds . It embraces Americans , Mexicans , Canadians , Englishmen , Irishmen , bcotchmen , Welshmen , Frenchmen , Dutchmen ,

Germans , * '' Spaniards , Italians , Grecians , Russians , Swedes , Danes , Norwegians , Austrians , Hungarians , Bulgarians , Turks , Egyptians , Arabians , Persians , Arghanistans , Beluchistans , East Indians , Siamese , Burmese , Chinese , Japanese , and all other enlightened races of the earth .

It extends its protecting arm over all classes of people , over rulers of empires , kingdoms , aristocracies , and republics , emperors , kings and queens , presidents and governors , statesmen and patriots , courts and suitors , ministers , priests and congregations , soldiers and sailors , lawyers and clients ,

doctors and patients , time-grocers and farmers , bankers and borrowers , misers and spendthrifts , employers and labourers , sheriffs , marshals , policemen and their victims , democrats , republicans , independents and populists , and even over the enterprising politicians of our country , regardless of their past

party affiliations or political faith . It has , embraced within the circle of its protection , the rich and poor , the strong and weak , the old and young , male and female , widow and orphan ,

in every age and clime , from the day of its birth down to the present administration of our worthy Worshipful Master , the next Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia , Max Meyerhardt .

It covers all creeds and quarrels with none . If a Master Mason complies with his Obligation , he may corral , in the spare chambers of his brain , any religious faith or dogma , that does not exclude belief in God . He may believe in

immersion , the final perseverance of the saints , and close communion ; or in predestination and cold dinners on Sunday ; or in sprinkling , free-agency , and the baptism of infants ; or in separate Sunday school celebrations , and- in Apostolic succession ; or in the infallibility ojf