Masonic Drones.

MASONIC DRONES .

IF there is one thing more than another that we especially dislike it is ' a drone , whether in the bee hive , the Masonic Lodge , or the world at large , it is all the same—a worthless , lazy 2 indolent life—living on the labour of others . That there are many such in every phase of human life is evident to the

most casual observer , and hence it is not surprising that more or less of them find their way into our Masonic Lodges . That they are the bane of the institution of Freemasonry is evident to every one who has ever held a supervising position in an official capacity in the Order , and how to make them

available is the problem that many have attempted to solve , but the result has been generally far from satisfactory . They still exist with their blighting influence ; ,. the vitality of

Masonry is sapped to its very roots by their connection with it , and it withers in the noontide of its prosperity , as the plant in the sandy soil withers beneath the scorching rays of a meridian sun . It is almost a wonder how such drones ever

became Masons , for their petition must have come as their own voluntary act , and they have never been known to do anything voluntarily in a Masonic way since . They pay their dues , when compelled to do so , to preserve their Masonic standing , and attend their Lodge in obedience to a summons

for the same reason . If asked to perform any Masonic duty , such as sitting up with a sick Brother , providing for those who are destitute , or relieving those who are in distress , they have important business which must be attended to—they are very sorry that it has happened so—but they must be excused

this time . They never perform any such service while there is any possible way to avoid it , but they are the first to ask it for themselves in the hour of need , or when they can be benefited by it , and if it is not promptly rendered to their entire satisfaction , Masonry is declared to be a humbug , and

Masonic obligations the merest pretence . The beautiful lessons of Brotherly love and charity inculcated so impressively in the several degrees they have taken , have fallen like good seed upon stony ground , and hence bringeth forth no fruit . Now it is evident that there must be some defect , something wrong ,

or this condition of affairs could not exist , and to endeavour to discover the cause and apply the remedy should be the aim of all who desire to increase the usefulness and promote the prosperity of Masonry . There are undoubtea . y many reasons which will present themselves to the thoughtful Mason , but

chief among them , we apprehend , is the fact that a great many men have erroneous ideas in regard to the Institution before they become members of it , and not finding it just what they had supposed it to be , in their disappointment they lose all interest in it and become simply nominal Masons . They

had imagined that Masonry was a highway to distinction , honour , riches and power , but round instead that it laid upon them new cares , labours , and responsibilities , which they were

unwilling to assume . Instead of a desire of being serviceable to their fellow-creatures , it turns out that their desire is to make the whole Fraternity of service to themselves , and if this cannot be done , they have no further use for Masonry .

Another class have become drones because they have never learned enough of Masonry to become interested in it , or they do not agree with the majority in the management of the Lodge , or they have had a personal difficulty with some Brother , or some members do not livte up to their idea of

morality , and they do not wish to associate with such profligate fellows . Instead of doing their own plain duty in such cases they shirk the responsibility , and attempt to throw all the blame on others . The great trouble in this whole matter is , these men have none of the spirit of Masonry in them

, and ought never to have been admitted into the Lodge . Let our Brothers then profit by their past experience , and more carefully examine into the character and qualifications of those who may seek admission into our Order . Let it not be sufficient that there is nothing against the moral character

of the applicant , but see to it that he . possesses positive qualities , and the capacity to understand and appreciate what wni be required of him as a Mason . Make less members and more Masons , and there will be fewer drones in our Lodges . — " Masonic Advocate . "

An Attractive And Prosperous Lodge.

AN ATTRACTIVE AND PROSPEROUS LODGE .

WHAT a striking difference there is between the meetings of different Lociges , and even between the meetings of the same Lodge at different times . Some are so interesting , from the opening to the close , while others are so dull

An Attractive And Prosperous Lodge.

that each member and visitor wishes himself at home . The welcome accorded to visitors in some is cordial and wholesouled , while in others they are treated as stragglers or intruders . In some Lodges the work is rendered accurately and impressively , in others carelessly , erroneously , and

raggedly . In some there is evidently a master-mind directing all that occurs , while in others everything happens by chance , the unusual way . In some there is a full attendance , and the Past Masters are distinguishable at a glance by their jewels , while in others vacant seats are the rule , and the Past Masters

are apparently all absent . In some Lodges the business is conducted with methodical accuracy and briskness , while in others it lags' , is a marked source of contention , and becomes a prevailing cause of unhappiness to both members and visitors . In some Lodges there is all Labour and no

Refreshment , while in others the two are harmoniously arranged , and always accompany each other , in accordance with ancient Masonic usage . In some Lodges no meeting is held without a liberal dispensation of charity , while in others the effort required to secure it is so great that it destroys the pleasure

winch should accompany this Fraternal act . In some Lodges the membership is fairly represented by the attendance , while in others there are more visitors present than members But we have stated quite enough differences—to what are

they all owing ? Mainly to one prevailing cause—the lack of interest of the Officers and members in the work and business of the Lodge . The all-important question in this connection is , Plow shall this interest be awakened ?

Too often both Officers and members of Lodges make the mistake of going to Lodge without giving any special preparation or thought to the subject . They appear to think the Lodge will " run itself . " Yes , it will— " to the dogs , " but

nowhere else . A Lodge requires to be run . It must have a head , the head must have a mind , the mind must be active , intelligent , and earnest , and have a heart to inspire it . And the members must have heads and hearts also , and use them continually in behalf of the Lodge .

No Officer or member of a Lodge should attend any meeting without giving some thought in advance to the work and business likely to come before it . General preparation for these will not be sufficient , if you desire to make your Lodge meetings truly interesting and attractive ; there must

be special preparation . If you aesire and expect to derive pleasure from meeting with your Brethren , you must prepare for it in advance . Especially is this important for the Officers in regard to the work . Every night ' s work should have

special preparation given it , and attention should be paid not only to matters in general but also to details . Often it is the details which tell . What a pleasure' every Brother derives from witnessing accurate work , smooth work , impressive work , with no omissions , or slurs , or breaks .

But the Officers must be seconded by the members , if the meeting is to be a success . They must constantly co-operate , by their punctual presence , their steady attention and their hearty assistance , in every manner possible . They must lend a hand and a tongue when required . They must each

feel a personal pride in all the proceedings , each realise that the Lodge is his own , that every visiting Brother is his guest , and that he is in some degree responsible for the entire work and business of the Lodge . What may not be accomplished with such a spirit as this

rife in the Lodge ? Nothing will be denied to well-directed efforts . The work will be correctly performed , the attendance will be large , the proceedings harmonious and fraternal , the reception of visiting Brethren cordial , the Charities of the Lodge will be liberally dispensed , Refreshment will follow

Labour , and Officers , members , and visiting Brethren will all hail with delight the approach of every meeting of such a Lodge . Brethren , this is something worth striving for , and as it is your duty it should be your pleasure . The best

interests of Freemasonry will thereby be promoted , and the Craft at large will profit by the devotion of the Brethren of every Lodge to the performance of their bounden Masonic duties . — " Keystone . "

Blessed is the man who finds within him the inspiration to build a temple , whether it be great like Solomon ' s or only a bright spot of joy and praise in some poor darkened life .

Oh , Brother , do it , and God speed you . Blessed the man who , though he cannot build , is ready to help a good work , as was the King of Tyre . Oh , Brother , do it , and "" God speed you , —Rev , E . H , Wellman , New York .