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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14

Plain Talk To Masters

page 349

Plain Talk To Masters.

It is a well established fact that cannot be controverted, that as the officers, so the lodge; but I will go a step further and say, as the master, so the lodge.

A reading, thinking master and officers, and you will find a reading, thinking lodge; not a lodge simply in name, but one in reality; not a luke-warm one, but a genuine Masonic one.

With by far too many, the responsibilities attached to the office of Worshipful Master are underrated. They fail to understand that the master must be something besides a mere figure-head, a parrot, who simply is required to repeat certain set phrases at certain times and places. It requires something more than that; it requires for a successful master a brother of ability and brains. He must be a brother of good judgment, and possessed of good, sound, practical common sense. He must be a good ritualist, having the whole work at his tongue's end. He must be well versed in the laws of his own jurisdiction. He must render his decisions in conformity to those laws. He must also be capable of throwing aside all personal feelings, and work only for the best interests of Masonry. He should have a fair knowledge of Masonic history, and I can assure him, or anyone else, that it will not hurt anyone in the least, to subscribe, pay for and read any one or more of the Masonic journals that are published. He must also be able to intelligibly explain to the candidates the forms and ceremonies which he is passing through: not in that careless, slip-shod manner so characteristic of many masters; he must let his light so shine that there will be no darkness where there should be light.

The candidate has paid his money for the degree; therefore give him value received as far as it lies in your power. Remember that you are moulding a new Mason; to him, for the time being, you are the important factor of the lodge. In time, that delusion will be dispelled; therefore, while it lasts, use your influence to make him a true Mason. Do not put off your lessons to that more cenvenient season which never comes, but do it now. There is no time like the present. When the iron is cold, it cannot be welded; then strike while the iron is hot; do your duty when you should and while it may make an impression.

If your lodge is lifeless and on the down-hill side, you have a double duty to perform. It is for you to put your shoulder to the wheel and bring it out of the rut to its former standing. Do not get despondent and say that it can't be done. That word can't is no part or parcel of the English language. I say that you can, if you only have the will to do it. It may be hard up-hill work at first, but patience and perseverance accomplish all things; although I must admit that it sometimes wants considerable lubricating. Persevere, and you will surely bring system out of confusion; but in order to do so, you must put life and energy into your work; you must infuse the spirit of go-a-headitiveness into the slow blood of your brethren; be up and doing, and you will be astonished at the results.—Texas Freemason.

Music in a Lodge should be cultivated as much as any of the sciences. It exerts an influence that is beautiful and holy, and lends a charm to the solemnities of the occasion.—Hebrew Leader.