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Article RESUMPTION OF LABOUR. Page 1 of 2 Article RESUMPTION OF LABOUR. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Resumption Of Labour.
RESUMPTION OF LABOUR .
THE time is at hand when the majority of our Lodges will be once again in the full swing of work , and the moment seems not inopportune for offering a few words of advice . We may imagine that we are about entering on a new year , and in such case a review of the past , as well as a close scrutiny of the prospect before us is desirable .
' We do not for one moment suppose we shall be in a position to offer much , if anything , in the way of novelty . One Masonic year is remarkably like another , and it is only occasionally that anything happens of a very distinctive character . It is almost certain , therefore , that what we
say in this instance we have said again and again in former articles . Still , at the risk of being thought tautologous , we must traverse the same route again , and it may be that our remarks will meet the eye of sundry who have not had any previous opportunity of studying our views . And , after
all , we shall not bo singular in this matter ; indeed , our most learned authorities find themselves under the necessity of repeating many times the advice it is their duty to offer , and therefore we need not be ashamed that we labour under the same necessity as they do . Were we to compare
the addresses which a consecrating officer feels it his duty to make when constituting this and that new Lodge , we should notice in them all a strong family likeness . There would be the same impressive advice to the Master and his Officers to be circumspect in the discharge of their dutv , the
' same caution to brethren generally to bo careful whom they admit into the Fraternity , and the same urgent recommendation of onr noble Charitable Institutions to the hearty support of Craftsmen . Points of this description lose none of their importance because it is found necessary to urge
them again and again ; at all events , it is far better to indulge in this repetition of the practical than to pen learned essays on the abstruser portion of Masonic study ,
i ¦ But let us address ourselves without further preface to the duty of the moment . We have said that in a short time most of our Lodges will be once again in full working order . It will be admitted on all hands that in order to
ensure a continuance of that prosperity which has attended most of our Lodges , and especially during the last half dozen years , those , only should be appointed to rule aud govern them who are willing and anxious to discharge , to the best of their ability , the responsibilities of their several
positions . In particular the Master , who has it in his power to make or mar the fortunes of the Lodge he has been chosen to preside over , must be a model of tact and courtesy . He should be able to work the ceremonies creditably . He need not be a very learned man , but he should
make it a point of acquiring the requisite knowledge of the duties of his position . It does not add to his dignity , or the estimation in which he shonld be held by his fellowmembers , if they find he is obliged every now and then to have recourse to the kind offices of one of his Past Masters
to help him through his work , or that , when a new candidate for Masonic light presents himself for initiation , he is under the necessity of vacating the chair , in order that some well-informed elder of the Lodge may perform the ceremony . It sounds somewhat ridiculous , to say the least ,
for the head of a Lodge to have his work done vicariously , when a brother has made snch progress in our science in Freemasonry as to be deemed worthy of being admitted into the mysteries of a hi gher degree , and he who has reached the highest position of all , is himself unable to impart the additional knowledge . Ifc ia very pleasant , no
Resumption Of Labour.
doubt , for a brother to write W . M ., and P . M ., after his name , and it may be to carry on his breast three or four jewels commemorative of the valuable service * he has i rendered in his capacity of Master ; but the least that a
¦ man can do who aspires to the highest position his brethren i can confer upon him , is to qualify himself for the regular •discharge of his functions . It is the reverse of complimentary to the brethren who choose him for their ruler when a Master in no wise concerns himself about the work he will
have to fulfil , and fancies that all that is required of mm is , ¦ to preside genially in the banqueting-hall . Even a novice in the art of Masonry will quickly discover for himself the difference between a Lodge which is governed by a ¦ thoroughly competent Master , and that which is presided
' over by one who prefers doing his duty by deputy . Equally important is it that the Officers generally should be appointed •for their competency and readiness to do what is required of them . The Warden who looks forward to tho day when ' he himself shall be installed in the chair of his Lodse will
' best show his worth by acquiring a practical knowledge of his duties as Warden . That is the least he should do , for if he is negligent in the inferior office , is there any probability he will be more considerate , and more regardful of the superior and more exacting duties of the chair ?
Similarly those who fill the minor offices should make a point 1 of attending and doing what is required of them in as perfect a manner as possible . There is the old maxim , which , is none the less deserving of our attention because it happens to be an ancient one , that what is worth doing at
all is worth doing well , and we hold that no Lodge should elect a Master who thinks it too much trouble to discharge his duties , aud no Master should appoint as Officers brethren who will not make the slightest sacrifice in respect of the time aud trouble required of them in order to do their work
thoroughly . Let us next say a few words as to the admission of new members , a matter in which it is impossible to carry cautionTto excess . A single unpleasant member may destroy the harmony of a Lodge , and therefore , it is impossible to be over-careful whom we receive into it . Too
often , we fear , the proposal of candidates is clone hastily , and without duo inquiry . Indeed , the inquiry in many Lodges is merely a formal matter , to which few , if any , pay the slightest attention . Yet the Constitutions are very precise on the subject . " No person shall be made
a mason without a regular proposition at one lodge , and a ballot at the next regular lodge ; which shall not take place unless his name , addition or profession , and place
of abode , shall have been sent to all the members in the summons . " If this law is observed literally . ns it should be , there is ample opportunity for duo inquiry to be made into the character and antecedents of a candidate for
initiation , but it is , we believe , a common practice m many Lodges to abridge the interval prescribed by this law , and a few days' notice is all the Lodge gets , that Mr . A . B . C . proposed by Bro . S . and seconded by Bro . Z . will be balloted for , and if elected , initiated into the mysteries of the Craft .
There is no reason why this practice should ever be adopted , for the Constitutions make due provision for any real emergency that is likely to arise . Let members be circumspect as to those they take upon themselves torecommend for admission . Let them bear in mind that a
recommendation involves a certain amount of responsibility , and in order to impress this on their minds let Masters of Lodges take care that the law is strictly enforced on all occasions , and our Society will be all the better for the circumspection . It is not necessary we should , be a numerous , in order to be a respectable body . OA
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Resumption Of Labour.
RESUMPTION OF LABOUR .
THE time is at hand when the majority of our Lodges will be once again in the full swing of work , and the moment seems not inopportune for offering a few words of advice . We may imagine that we are about entering on a new year , and in such case a review of the past , as well as a close scrutiny of the prospect before us is desirable .
' We do not for one moment suppose we shall be in a position to offer much , if anything , in the way of novelty . One Masonic year is remarkably like another , and it is only occasionally that anything happens of a very distinctive character . It is almost certain , therefore , that what we
say in this instance we have said again and again in former articles . Still , at the risk of being thought tautologous , we must traverse the same route again , and it may be that our remarks will meet the eye of sundry who have not had any previous opportunity of studying our views . And , after
all , we shall not bo singular in this matter ; indeed , our most learned authorities find themselves under the necessity of repeating many times the advice it is their duty to offer , and therefore we need not be ashamed that we labour under the same necessity as they do . Were we to compare
the addresses which a consecrating officer feels it his duty to make when constituting this and that new Lodge , we should notice in them all a strong family likeness . There would be the same impressive advice to the Master and his Officers to be circumspect in the discharge of their dutv , the
' same caution to brethren generally to bo careful whom they admit into the Fraternity , and the same urgent recommendation of onr noble Charitable Institutions to the hearty support of Craftsmen . Points of this description lose none of their importance because it is found necessary to urge
them again and again ; at all events , it is far better to indulge in this repetition of the practical than to pen learned essays on the abstruser portion of Masonic study ,
i ¦ But let us address ourselves without further preface to the duty of the moment . We have said that in a short time most of our Lodges will be once again in full working order . It will be admitted on all hands that in order to
ensure a continuance of that prosperity which has attended most of our Lodges , and especially during the last half dozen years , those , only should be appointed to rule aud govern them who are willing and anxious to discharge , to the best of their ability , the responsibilities of their several
positions . In particular the Master , who has it in his power to make or mar the fortunes of the Lodge he has been chosen to preside over , must be a model of tact and courtesy . He should be able to work the ceremonies creditably . He need not be a very learned man , but he should
make it a point of acquiring the requisite knowledge of the duties of his position . It does not add to his dignity , or the estimation in which he shonld be held by his fellowmembers , if they find he is obliged every now and then to have recourse to the kind offices of one of his Past Masters
to help him through his work , or that , when a new candidate for Masonic light presents himself for initiation , he is under the necessity of vacating the chair , in order that some well-informed elder of the Lodge may perform the ceremony . It sounds somewhat ridiculous , to say the least ,
for the head of a Lodge to have his work done vicariously , when a brother has made snch progress in our science in Freemasonry as to be deemed worthy of being admitted into the mysteries of a hi gher degree , and he who has reached the highest position of all , is himself unable to impart the additional knowledge . Ifc ia very pleasant , no
Resumption Of Labour.
doubt , for a brother to write W . M ., and P . M ., after his name , and it may be to carry on his breast three or four jewels commemorative of the valuable service * he has i rendered in his capacity of Master ; but the least that a
¦ man can do who aspires to the highest position his brethren i can confer upon him , is to qualify himself for the regular •discharge of his functions . It is the reverse of complimentary to the brethren who choose him for their ruler when a Master in no wise concerns himself about the work he will
have to fulfil , and fancies that all that is required of mm is , ¦ to preside genially in the banqueting-hall . Even a novice in the art of Masonry will quickly discover for himself the difference between a Lodge which is governed by a ¦ thoroughly competent Master , and that which is presided
' over by one who prefers doing his duty by deputy . Equally important is it that the Officers generally should be appointed •for their competency and readiness to do what is required of them . The Warden who looks forward to tho day when ' he himself shall be installed in the chair of his Lodse will
' best show his worth by acquiring a practical knowledge of his duties as Warden . That is the least he should do , for if he is negligent in the inferior office , is there any probability he will be more considerate , and more regardful of the superior and more exacting duties of the chair ?
Similarly those who fill the minor offices should make a point 1 of attending and doing what is required of them in as perfect a manner as possible . There is the old maxim , which , is none the less deserving of our attention because it happens to be an ancient one , that what is worth doing at
all is worth doing well , and we hold that no Lodge should elect a Master who thinks it too much trouble to discharge his duties , aud no Master should appoint as Officers brethren who will not make the slightest sacrifice in respect of the time aud trouble required of them in order to do their work
thoroughly . Let us next say a few words as to the admission of new members , a matter in which it is impossible to carry cautionTto excess . A single unpleasant member may destroy the harmony of a Lodge , and therefore , it is impossible to be over-careful whom we receive into it . Too
often , we fear , the proposal of candidates is clone hastily , and without duo inquiry . Indeed , the inquiry in many Lodges is merely a formal matter , to which few , if any , pay the slightest attention . Yet the Constitutions are very precise on the subject . " No person shall be made
a mason without a regular proposition at one lodge , and a ballot at the next regular lodge ; which shall not take place unless his name , addition or profession , and place
of abode , shall have been sent to all the members in the summons . " If this law is observed literally . ns it should be , there is ample opportunity for duo inquiry to be made into the character and antecedents of a candidate for
initiation , but it is , we believe , a common practice m many Lodges to abridge the interval prescribed by this law , and a few days' notice is all the Lodge gets , that Mr . A . B . C . proposed by Bro . S . and seconded by Bro . Z . will be balloted for , and if elected , initiated into the mysteries of the Craft .
There is no reason why this practice should ever be adopted , for the Constitutions make due provision for any real emergency that is likely to arise . Let members be circumspect as to those they take upon themselves torecommend for admission . Let them bear in mind that a
recommendation involves a certain amount of responsibility , and in order to impress this on their minds let Masters of Lodges take care that the law is strictly enforced on all occasions , and our Society will be all the better for the circumspection . It is not necessary we should , be a numerous , in order to be a respectable body . OA