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Article OPPORTUNITIES OF MASTERS. Page 1 of 2 Article OPPORTUNITIES OF MASTERS. Page 1 of 2 →
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Opportunities Of Masters.
OPPORTUNITIES OF MASTERS .
WE have devoted more than one article to the duties and privileges of Masters . "Wo purpose on the present occasion endeavouring to point out , not what he ought or is entitled to do , but what , if he is a discreet man and possesses tact and even a moderate amount of intelligence , he will find ample opportunities for doing during his term of office .
First , and before all things , ifc depends almost entirely on the Master whether or not the members of a Lodge work harmoniously together . We assume that when he is inducted into the chair , there is a unanimous determination among those whom he has been elected to preside over to
support the chair loyally on all occasions ; while on his part he is fully prepared to reciprocate this feeling of loyalty by upholding the rights and privileges of those who are for the time under his rule and governance . Starting thus favourably on his career , there is every reason why the ruler
and the brethren he rules should go on prosperously , and why , as month after month passes away , should be strengthened and confirmed those feelings of fraternal regard which they began by entertaining towards each other . But though this is only the most reasonable expectation in the world to
form , it too often happens that in the first place little bickerings and then more serious misunderstandings arise , and the Lodge , which started under its new Master so prosperously and seemed to be so united and happy a family , becomes disorganised . Now , the likelihood of this
happening is reduced to a minimum , if the Master has tact and judgment as well as fair intelligence . In such case he is enabled at once to throw oil on troubled waters . By gently yielding in one case , by a little firmness in another , by the exercise of such powers of persuasion as may pertain
to him in a third case , what might have turned into an angry squabble is summarily nipped in the bud , and the Lodge has the opportunity of learning there and then that it has the right man to govern it ; that he has the requisite firmness to maintain the authority of the chair ; that he
does not consider ifc beneatb his dignity to be yielding in matters of opinion , but is ever ready to meet those who differ from him in a cordial and fraternal spirit ; and that he trusts more to the exercise of his suasive powers than to the assertion of his authority to maintain the peace
and harmony of the Lodge . Many , of course , will say there is nothing new in all this . Ifc has been said again and again and is applicable to every class of society which is in any way constituted like ours . This is so , and we admit it without the slightest hesitation . Unfortunately ,
people are nofc invariably disposed to act np to all that is expected of them . They quickly recognise the justice of snch advice as we have just offered , but when the time comes for them to practise what they profess to have admired so much in others , they are found wanting .
They lack judgment , and yield when they should remain firm , stand firm on the powers they possess when it is their dut y to yield , and employ their persuasive powers when a sharp application of the fortiter in re is necessary . Or else , perhaps , they allow themselves to be animated by
other feelings and persist on being dictators when clearly they are nothing more than constitutional rulers . It were possible to suggest other cases in which a Master may fail
in maintaining his authority , but wo need not multiply examples . It is universally admitted that the Master is something more than a mere chairman , and , therefore , that he should possess something more than the mere
Opportunities Of Masters.
recommendation of jolly-good-fellowship which is commonly supposed to be the ono great virtue which chairmen are expected to exhibit . So much for the maintenance of his authority as ruler of the Lodge , and the benefits to all interested in its welfare
which must follow . But a Master is something more than a mere ruler , whose duty it is to uphold tho dignity and respectability of his office . Something moro is expected from him than that he should be able to interpret our laws and Constitutions , and fulfil his duties in the ceremonies of our
Order . He must be likewise regarded in a kind of ministerial as well as magisterial capacity . Ho should be , essentially , one to whom the members of the Lodge will feel no compunction in applying for advice in all cases of Masonic difficulty . If he is the kind of man we have pictured him as a ruler ,
there is a reasonable probability , he will be one whom even tho oldest Past Master will experience no hesitation in consulting , and no unwillingness in accepting such advice as may be offered . As an adviser , his tact and judgment will serve him admirably , while his intelligence will enable
him to see clearly where the difficulty lies , and how ifc may be remedied . Brethren would probably hold back from consulting one who was arrogant ; they would know that little or no allowance would be made for surrounding circumstances , thafc he would nofc be likely to pause and examine
these patiently , and that his advice wonld be given , in all probability , overbearingly as well as hastily . On the other hand , there would be little use in consulting one who had little or no reliance on his own opinion . A man who is always in doubt as to the course he should pursue , as was
Washington Irving ' s Peter the Twijfler or Doubter , is the last person in the world to take into our confidence in case of difficulty . We do not , of course , mean that he would be more likely than others to betray the confidence
reposed in him ; but ; simply that his opinion , if he ever brought himself to offer one , would bo of little value from his unfortunate habit of doubting . But assuming the Master is of the character described , we can see how great an advantage ifc is to have such a one to preside .
Of the other qualities , such as punctuality , & c , we need say but little ; but there is one particular in whicb a Master may be of great service to his Lodge . While ready on all occasions to dispense hospitality with a free hand , let him not be afraid of avoiding lavish expenditure .
There is a tendency now-a-days to judge of a man ' s merits by tho length of his purse , and the amount of money he is ready to disburse on all occasions in season and out of season . Ifc is clearly the duty of a Master to check extravagance when he sees there is a tendency , be ifc never so
slight in that direction . Under a careless ruler there is a fair chance of Lodge funds being uselessly expended . We recognise , with jovial John Bull like loyalty , the justice of having a good dinner or banquet , bufc we are nofc of those who think it is absolutely necessary these banquets should
be very expensive . There are times when it is proper to launch out a little when some more than usuall y distinguished guests are present , or at an installation ; bufc , ordinarily , a simple banquet of good quality and well served —these , after all , are the chief considerations on such
occasions—should be held sufficient , and this , it is wellknown , ought not to be very costlv . A Master who exerts his influence in favour of this kind of economy will do good service ; for it must be remembered that " economy " has
nothing in common with niggardliness , and is in no wise discreditable . Many are obliged to practise it in their homes , and are admired and respected the more , the more they recognise the obligation , Why should they nofc prac-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Opportunities Of Masters.
OPPORTUNITIES OF MASTERS .
WE have devoted more than one article to the duties and privileges of Masters . "Wo purpose on the present occasion endeavouring to point out , not what he ought or is entitled to do , but what , if he is a discreet man and possesses tact and even a moderate amount of intelligence , he will find ample opportunities for doing during his term of office .
First , and before all things , ifc depends almost entirely on the Master whether or not the members of a Lodge work harmoniously together . We assume that when he is inducted into the chair , there is a unanimous determination among those whom he has been elected to preside over to
support the chair loyally on all occasions ; while on his part he is fully prepared to reciprocate this feeling of loyalty by upholding the rights and privileges of those who are for the time under his rule and governance . Starting thus favourably on his career , there is every reason why the ruler
and the brethren he rules should go on prosperously , and why , as month after month passes away , should be strengthened and confirmed those feelings of fraternal regard which they began by entertaining towards each other . But though this is only the most reasonable expectation in the world to
form , it too often happens that in the first place little bickerings and then more serious misunderstandings arise , and the Lodge , which started under its new Master so prosperously and seemed to be so united and happy a family , becomes disorganised . Now , the likelihood of this
happening is reduced to a minimum , if the Master has tact and judgment as well as fair intelligence . In such case he is enabled at once to throw oil on troubled waters . By gently yielding in one case , by a little firmness in another , by the exercise of such powers of persuasion as may pertain
to him in a third case , what might have turned into an angry squabble is summarily nipped in the bud , and the Lodge has the opportunity of learning there and then that it has the right man to govern it ; that he has the requisite firmness to maintain the authority of the chair ; that he
does not consider ifc beneatb his dignity to be yielding in matters of opinion , but is ever ready to meet those who differ from him in a cordial and fraternal spirit ; and that he trusts more to the exercise of his suasive powers than to the assertion of his authority to maintain the peace
and harmony of the Lodge . Many , of course , will say there is nothing new in all this . Ifc has been said again and again and is applicable to every class of society which is in any way constituted like ours . This is so , and we admit it without the slightest hesitation . Unfortunately ,
people are nofc invariably disposed to act np to all that is expected of them . They quickly recognise the justice of snch advice as we have just offered , but when the time comes for them to practise what they profess to have admired so much in others , they are found wanting .
They lack judgment , and yield when they should remain firm , stand firm on the powers they possess when it is their dut y to yield , and employ their persuasive powers when a sharp application of the fortiter in re is necessary . Or else , perhaps , they allow themselves to be animated by
other feelings and persist on being dictators when clearly they are nothing more than constitutional rulers . It were possible to suggest other cases in which a Master may fail
in maintaining his authority , but wo need not multiply examples . It is universally admitted that the Master is something more than a mere chairman , and , therefore , that he should possess something more than the mere
Opportunities Of Masters.
recommendation of jolly-good-fellowship which is commonly supposed to be the ono great virtue which chairmen are expected to exhibit . So much for the maintenance of his authority as ruler of the Lodge , and the benefits to all interested in its welfare
which must follow . But a Master is something more than a mere ruler , whose duty it is to uphold tho dignity and respectability of his office . Something moro is expected from him than that he should be able to interpret our laws and Constitutions , and fulfil his duties in the ceremonies of our
Order . He must be likewise regarded in a kind of ministerial as well as magisterial capacity . Ho should be , essentially , one to whom the members of the Lodge will feel no compunction in applying for advice in all cases of Masonic difficulty . If he is the kind of man we have pictured him as a ruler ,
there is a reasonable probability , he will be one whom even tho oldest Past Master will experience no hesitation in consulting , and no unwillingness in accepting such advice as may be offered . As an adviser , his tact and judgment will serve him admirably , while his intelligence will enable
him to see clearly where the difficulty lies , and how ifc may be remedied . Brethren would probably hold back from consulting one who was arrogant ; they would know that little or no allowance would be made for surrounding circumstances , thafc he would nofc be likely to pause and examine
these patiently , and that his advice wonld be given , in all probability , overbearingly as well as hastily . On the other hand , there would be little use in consulting one who had little or no reliance on his own opinion . A man who is always in doubt as to the course he should pursue , as was
Washington Irving ' s Peter the Twijfler or Doubter , is the last person in the world to take into our confidence in case of difficulty . We do not , of course , mean that he would be more likely than others to betray the confidence
reposed in him ; but ; simply that his opinion , if he ever brought himself to offer one , would bo of little value from his unfortunate habit of doubting . But assuming the Master is of the character described , we can see how great an advantage ifc is to have such a one to preside .
Of the other qualities , such as punctuality , & c , we need say but little ; but there is one particular in whicb a Master may be of great service to his Lodge . While ready on all occasions to dispense hospitality with a free hand , let him not be afraid of avoiding lavish expenditure .
There is a tendency now-a-days to judge of a man ' s merits by tho length of his purse , and the amount of money he is ready to disburse on all occasions in season and out of season . Ifc is clearly the duty of a Master to check extravagance when he sees there is a tendency , be ifc never so
slight in that direction . Under a careless ruler there is a fair chance of Lodge funds being uselessly expended . We recognise , with jovial John Bull like loyalty , the justice of having a good dinner or banquet , bufc we are nofc of those who think it is absolutely necessary these banquets should
be very expensive . There are times when it is proper to launch out a little when some more than usuall y distinguished guests are present , or at an installation ; bufc , ordinarily , a simple banquet of good quality and well served —these , after all , are the chief considerations on such
occasions—should be held sufficient , and this , it is wellknown , ought not to be very costlv . A Master who exerts his influence in favour of this kind of economy will do good service ; for it must be remembered that " economy " has
nothing in common with niggardliness , and is in no wise discreditable . Many are obliged to practise it in their homes , and are admired and respected the more , the more they recognise the obligation , Why should they nofc prac-