Whence Came You? - 0709 - The Real Work of Masonry: Service and Interpretation

Do you know any more effective way to interest your fellow members in their lodge than by giving them a definite part in some phase of your masonry? How many members of your lodge are actually doing something for the lodge or for some member? As an illustration of how this may work, consider this little incident.

In enlarging his service committee meeting, he approached one of the older members, a retired businessman, and advised him that he was appointing him a member of the committee.

He outlined the service plan he had in mind, explaining that he wished to find something for every member to do that would make him a more ardent and interested mason.

This brother expressed considerable interest, but said that he did not see how he could accept an appointment on the committee, as his entire time was devoted to caring for his wife, a helpless invalid.

He said, quote, "As a matter of fact, I could not even attend a meeting if a neighbor of ours was not kind enough to come in to sit with my wife while I am away." Instead of accepting this as final, the master asked what he did with his time.

For instance, "What is your hobby?" The brother's face lit up as he responded, "Why, didn't you know? I grow roses.

I have one of the finest rose gardens in this section of the state.

My roses are famous." The master led the conversation along while the brother enlarged upon his hobby, then suddenly asked, "How many of your roses have you ever sent to sick members of lodge?" The brother gasped, hesitated a minute, then replied, "Why, none.

My heavens.

I never even thought of it."Immediately the master responded, "You are going on my service committee.

I will not take no for an answer.

One rose grown by you, a fellow member, sent to a sick shut-in or bereaved brother will bring more sunshine into that brother's room than the largest bouquet I ever bought." The more you know about the members of your lodge, the more you can find some outlet for their expressions of masonry that will definitely enroll them as participating members.

Whether it is contributing a rose from his garden, calling on a sick neighbor, finding a customer for a crate of oranges sent in to pay a member's dues, counseling a son of a departed brother, advising a widow about real estate or insurance, reading to a blind brother, donating blood for a transfusion, helping a brother to find a job, taking a cripple to the hospital for X-ray, helping the coalition committee, furnishing transportation to a member, taking part in some entertainment, pruning a hedge, or arranged a budget for a widow, or taking out ashes for her, et cetera, et cetera.

There are a thousand and one things to be done, seemingly of no great moment, but all of great significance, and the performance which will do much to cement the bond between the participant and the lodge.

If you want to make your lodge successful, give every member a chance to do something for it.

Masonry is very real to every man who is at work in it, at whatever capacity.

If you want to increase attendance, promote a greater loyalty, give ritual a new meaning, and weld an unbreakable bond between the brethren and the lodge, give him a part in all of this.