Waiting for opportunity

Title

Language

English

Source

The Cabletow XXXIII (7) January 1958

Year

1958

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

open-minded, more curious about life and more receptive to beauty and thought. He serves the world best who serves himself intelligent ly. Finally, let us all heed Albert Pike's suggestion that the only question to ask, as true men and Masons, is: What does duty require? and not, What will be the result and reward if we do our duty? WAITING FOR OPPORTUNITY The Freemason (Cnnuda) Freemasonry, with its regulation ritual and formal ceremonial doe9 not seem to present the same scope for the active display of genius that is to be met with in many other spheres of life, but all the same there are many other ways in which the man of busy tempera ment may find occasion for the display of his particular ability, pro vided he seizes the opportunity when it presents itself, and is really in earnest in looking around for it. It is notorious that some men spend the greater part of their life professing a determination to make an impression in the world, and always craving for some special occasion for the display of the skill they believe themselves to possess; but the opportunity does not appear to pass their way, and they have to content themselves by recounting what they would do if they had the chance, while other men, with just the same scope for their abilities—and no more—make much of their opportunities, and rise to the eminence the other craves for. In fact, the one spends his life waiting for the opportunity, the other seems to make the opportunity for himself, and is credited with luck or spe cial good fortune rather than what he really displays—energy. There are many brethren of the present day who are continually expressing a desire to do something special for Freemasonry, and crave for the opportunity of distinguishing themselves on behalf of the Craft, but somehow or other they do not seem to be appreciated and they never rise beyond the ordinary level, ultimately severing their connection with their lodge, either from disappointment or disgust at not being made much of. They appear Lo overlook the fact that there is always a field for the display of Masonic energy open to them in the form of work done for one or other of the charitable institutions of the Order, and we venture to think the field is not only an inexhaustible one, but is also one in which the most brilliant results may be achieved, and the one in which activity and energy is sure to make itself apparent. A member of a lodge may be a most painstaking student of the ritual, and may serve through the several offices with credit, and pass through the master’s chair without fault, and yet fail to make any particular impression in the Craft, or secure any special recognition for his lodge; but the brother who takes up a stewardship for one of the charities, (Continued on page 261) 256 THE CABLETOW extent, are not losing sight of the real meaning of Masonry and the responsibilities that we have as members of this noble fraternity? Is not the real meaning of our ceremonies too often lost upon both the recipient and the participant? Is not the edification and instruction of our newer members in many instances being neglected and the service we owe to our brethren and to our fellowmen often times avoided or forgotten? Brethren: These are serious and soul searching thoughts that I wish to leave with you. They are as vital to you as they are to me —in fact they are vital to the very existence and perpetuation of Masonry of today. Let us all give ourselves and our Masonry a thorough self-analysis and then resolve to go forth to work as this little poem by Past Master A. S. MacBride entitled, “The Working Tools”, so aptly admonishes us to do: THE WORKING TOOLS Go, work on mind and matter now, A Master raised to power art thou, Impress on each and all you can Wise Heaven's eternal Temple-plan. As on a trestle-board portray The great design from day to day, And build in silence rever'ntly, The temple of Humanity. Yes, my brethren: How BIG is YOUR Masonry? WAITING FOR OPPORTUNITY (ContitiHcil from page i’.iC) and devotes himself heart and soul to the work of that office, can hard ly fail to secure a tangible return for his efforts, in the form of a handsome total on his list. This is the opportunity waiting for every brother alike—the initiate or the P.M.—for there is no limit to the number of brethren who may act as steward, and, unfortunately, no apparent limit to the number of worthy applicants for the benefits that are offered; and we are convinced that activity in this direction would not only prove a worthy outlet for ambition, but would be the stepping-stone to higher things, January, 1958 261

pages

256, 261

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