THE FRATERNAL FORUM
EDITED BY BRO. GEO. F. FRAZER, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF STEWARDS

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Geo. W. Baird, District of Columbia. 
Joseph Barnet, California. 
Wm. F. Bowe, Georgia. 
H. P. Burke, Colorado. 
Joe L. Carson, Virginia. 
R. M. C. Condon, Michigan. 
John A. Davilla, Louisiana. 
Jos. W. Eggleston, Virginia. 
Henry R. Evans, District of Columbia. 
H. D. Funk, Minnesota. 
Asahel W. Gage, Florida.
Joseph C. Greenfield, Georgia. 
Frederick W. Hamilton, Massachusetts. 
H. L. Haywood, Iowa. 
T. W. Hugo, Minnesota. 
M. M. Johnson, Massachusetts. 
P. E. Kellett, Manitoba. 
John G. Keplinger, Illinois. 
Harold A. Kingsbury, Connecticut. 
Dr. Wm. F. Kuhn, Missouri. 
Dr. G. Alfred Lawrence, New York. 
Julius H. McCollum, Connecticut.
Dr. John Lewin McLeish, Ohio. 
Joseph W. Norwood, Kentucky. 
Frank E. Noyes, Wisconsin. 
John Pickard, Missouri. 
A. G. Pitts, Michigan. 
C. M. Sehenck, Colorado. 
Francis W. Shepardson. Illinois. 
Silas H. Shepherd, Wisconsin. 
Oliver D. Street, Alabama. 
Denman S. Wagstaff, California. 
S. W. Williams Tennessee

Contributions to this Monthly Department of Personal Opinion are
invited from each writer who has contributed one or more articles
to THE BUILDER. Subjects for discussion are selected as being alive
in the administration of Masonry today. Discussions of polities,
religious creeds or personal prejudices are avoided, the purpose of
the Department being to afford a vehicle for comparing the personal
opinions of leading Masonic students. The contributing editors
assume responsibility only for what each writes over his own
signature. Comment from our Members on the subjects discussed here
will be welcomed in the Question Boll Department.

QUESTION NO. 14

"How far should the social side of Masonry be encouraged in the
meetings of the Blue Lodge? In what manner should it be promoted?"

The Augusta Club.

Many records attest to the prominence given to the social side of
Masonry in the old lodges. Because of the changed attitude of
opinion toward this side as usually conducted, the lodges gradually
abandoned the social features instead of adapting themselves to the
changed conditions, and it is to be hoped that discussions upon
your questionnaire will result in widespread adoption of the
methods calculated to establish a social side of Masonry in our
lodges in accord with modern thought.

Theories upon untried systems are apt to prove unsound. The
practice of individual cases may not result uniformly, but the
experience of such practice is the best evidence we have. A great
orator declared:

"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the
Lamp of Experience."

The experience in Augusta is briefly as follows:

For more than twenty years a library, reading room, or Club had
been a vision of certain of our Masonic membership. Many futile
efforts towards these ends were made in various directions. These
finally crystallized in a weak call for a Masonic Club rather than
for a Study Club, or Library. From time to time efforts were made
by committees to formulate rules for the financing and government
of such a Club. The stumbling block was always the difficulty of
the distinction which would be made between Masons who contributed
to sustain the Club and those who did not, and it was found
impossible for us to determine satisfactory methods or rules to
avoid this difficulty.

In the year 1915 the call for the Club features had grown into the
minds of many besides the "visionaries" when suddenly someone whose
perception was keener proposed to establish a Masonic Club and
operate it at the expense of the Masonic Fraternity for a period of
three months. This was done and continued with growing success
until the great conflagration of March 22, 1916, which entirely
destroyed our Temple. This public catastrophe demonstrated the
value of the Club connection with our lodges for it became the
inspiration and the center of Masonic activity to relieve the
consequent distress. Fifteen thousand dollars was raised and
distributed and whilst the needs of Masons and their families were
a particular care, relief was freely given to others.

During the time that this great work was being consummated
arrangements were made for a temporary lodge room. At once the call
was insistent for the continuance of the Club. Therefore a building
was rented and the third story connected to the temporary lodge
room, the intention being to use this third story as a makeshift
club quarters. But the call demanded more and better club
facilities, so the second story was used, consisting of two large
parlors, a large card room and large billiard room, kitchen and
serving rooms, two dining rooms, office, ladies' dressing room and
two large hallways for banqueting and dancing purposes. Shower
baths were installed in the third story and lockers put in two
third-story rooms for costumes and uniforms.

Here was our home for two years. The Past Masters' Association
continued its work of Masonic study. The desire for Masonic reading
and information increased among the Fraternity, and lectures were
well attended.

The Masonic Club was the inspiration and mainspring of efforts
which resulted in our present new Masonic Temple, in which the
fourth floor, 77 1/2 by 160 feet, is entirely devoted to Club
purposes to which any Mason in the world is welcomed to all its
privileges without cost or subscription of any kind. Naturally the
expense of the Club has continued to increase. This has been met
cheerfully by the various Masonic Bodies of the city.

Beginning with assets of about $40,000 we have built a Temple
costing $325,000. This is not believed to have been possible
without the social intercourse and the enthusiasm of the Masonic
Club connection with our Masonry.

The Club influence is spreading and growing. Our reading room and
library is in constant use for Masonic reading and study. This
intermingling of Masons, together with the increase in knowledge of
Masonic principles, has resulted in a great uplift among the
Brethren, so that it now seems certain that a Masonic Club is an
established institution in Augusta. This at least proves that
Augusta Masons consider that the social intercourse of Masons in
connection with their lodge work is a necessity.

In a continuation of this article I propose to relate some of the
Club activities, especially of the great work performed by the
entertainment of the Soldier Masons stationed at Camp Hancock, near
Augusta.

William F. Bowe, P. G. C., Georgia.

* * *

A Social Schedule for the Lodge Year.

I am in favor of emphasizing the social side of the Blue Lodge. To
make the lodge a mere degree factory is a great mistake. After a
man is familiar with the ceremonial of the degree he looks for
something more  "more light." Failing to get that in the lodge he
moves up higher, in the Commandery for instance, where considerable
attention is given to social features. Whether the aspirant obtains
more mental illumination in the higher degrees of the York Rite is
a question, but he certainly sees more of the social phases of
Masonry, and his attendance is better. Many men, after becoming
familiar with the degrees of the Blue Lodge, fall away and are seen
no more at the meetings. If the social and intellectual features
were better organized and emphasized we would see more interest
manifested by Masons in their lodges. An occasional lecture, on
some Masonic or sociological topic, followed by a smoker, often
proves a decided attraction.

The Master of a lodge on taking office, aided by a representative
committee of the brethren, might arrange a series of affairs for
the Masonic year, literary and social in character. The best way to
announce these affairs is through the publication of a monthly
bulletin, giving the news of the lodge. A lodge in Washington, D.
C., (Temple-Noyes) recently inaugurated a "Father and Son" get-
together meeting. The sons, big and little, of the members were
invited to an elaborate entertainment. Great sociability prevailed;
'stunts" of all kinds were staged for the amusement of the guests,
many of the youngsters taking part in them. A banquet followed.

I also advocate a ladies' night at the close of the Masonic year.
St. John's Lodge, of Washington, gives an excellent entertainment
of this character once a year. This lodge closely affiliates with
St. John's Chapter of the Eastern Star, and whenever it gives an
entertainment the ladies of the Eastern Star lend their aid in
getting up the banquet and even wait on the tables.

Yes, I am decidedly in favor of the social side of Freemasonry, but
it should also be combined with the intellectual. Masons will often
turn out to a good lecture and the proverbial feed, when they will
not otherwise attend the lodge. On such occasions the lodge should
be opened and closed in regular form, so as to keep up the dignity
of Masonry and remind the brethren of their duties to God and their
fellow men.

Henry R. Evans, District of Columbia.

* * *

"With Points and Without Heeltaps."

The question "How far should the social side of Masonry be
encouraged in the meetings of the Blue Lodge? In what manner should
it be promoted?" is best answered by my personal experience here in
Virginia. Virginia is, as you are aware, dry, very dry. It is,
however, a land of letter- or word-perfect Masons, the ritual
dominating everything. Here, as in all other Jurisdictions, the
thinking and reading Mason is the exception. We have, therefore,
the problem up to us of bringing candidates and members into our
lodges by making the lodge attractive without the assistance of
"Old King Booze," attractive not only to the small minority of
reading Masons, but to the ritualist, and the big majority of
members who are always ready to respond to the social call of our
Order, which feature, though now very much neglected, was once part
of "The Original Design."

My experience begins with almost my first visit to a lodge on this
side of the Atlantic (Unity Lodge No. 146, Front Royal, Virginia,
of which I am now a member), about three years ago. On that
occasion I sat for two mortal hours listening to a discussion on
"ways and means," ways of raising the wind in the shape of unpaid
dues, and means of getting enough brethren together to keep the
lodge going and elect officers for the ensuing year. After they had
exhausted the subject, I rose and explained a method which I had
never known to fail, asking a free hand with the "refreshment fund"
and their co-operation after the lodge was closed. As a last resort
they agreed to let the "big Irishman go to it" so I waded right in
that evening. As far as I can remember there were only about ten of
us, but with a dozen bottles of "pop," a couple of pounds of
biscuits and a bit of cheese, we had "some night" as they expressed
it. I went right through the whole program, gave the "seven Masonic
Toasts," and had every man jack of them on his feet several times.
We gave the "Grand Honors," drinking the toasts with "points and
without heeltaps." We had the "Tyler's Toast" and the "Charter
Song," the "Mystic Chain," and "Auld Lang Syne," and a "Three and
one in solemn silence." We really did have a splendid night. We
kept it up, we boosted it, it caught on, and today our lodge room
is regularly filled. We are talking of building, our "Degree Team"
now visits neighboring lodges, and our sister lodges, when they
visit us, go home with something to think about.

We had exactly the same experience in the Chapter with equally good
results.

Yes ! get the boys together around the social board, start your
lodge early or cut out some of the work, but don't neglect the
social feature. Think out the new stunts for the next meeting and
get the members interested. They don't want a feed every night. A
bottle of pop, a cup of coffee, a biscuit and a nibble of cheese
will do, but get them together round the festive board to yarn and
laugh and gag each other over a cigar or jimmy-pipe.

Try it, Worshipful Masters, don't let the Shrine monopolize all the
fun, and write THE BUILDER your experience twelve months hence.

I believe the social feature of Freemasonry is just as surely a
Landmark as is the Hiramic Legend and, notwithstanding Deuteronomy
27 :17, a landmark which is being slowly but surely obliterated.

J. L. Carson, Virginia.

* * *

The Example of the Churches.

As far as it is in the churches. The aim of these organizations is
first, to worship; second, to strengthen each participant so as to
make him or her a better and happier individual. The latter end is
achieved, in a great measure, by the spirit of friendliness
manifested by each and all.

This, to my mind, illustrates how far the social side of Masonry
should be encouraged in the meetings of the Blue Lodge and how it
should be promoted.

John G. Keplinger, Illinois.

* * *

Talks by the Better Informed Brethren.

The social side of Masonry is something we have all thought about.
As the lodge extends a level on which we all meet, it should not be
overlooked that the men prominent in the community, who are
accustomed to being shown more or less attention, cannot always
forget that, even in the lodge. Others may notice this and resent
it. The Master and the brethren are usually tactful, and strive to
promote harmony.

There are two obstacles to peace and harmony: the one is idleness
and the other jealousy. So, it seems to the writer, it is very
plain that an effort should be made to attract the earnest
attention of all present, and to interest them all. But the
subjects should be such as the brethren are all interested in and
free from what may irritate, such as politics and religion. These
two exponents of belief and opinion should be forever barred in
lodges.

When there are no degrees to be conferred, the writer thinks, a
lecture should take its place a lecture on current topics, or on
history or on some popular science. This would, we think, be a
matter of education as well as giving a compliment to the better
informed brother who is invited to talk. The members get tired of
all-Masonic lectures and would frequently enjoy current topics.

G. W. Baird, District of Columbia.

* * *

Monthly Visiting Plan.

I would suggest to the Masters of lodges that they inaugurate as a
social feature a monthly visiting plan to confer degrees, either
the First, Second or Third, at the meeting rooms of sister lodges.
Go to some lodge with your officers and members (do not go without
your members), receive a similar visit the next month, and so on
until there be no further opportunities. Do not confine yourselves
to working the Third degree. See and let others observe how well
you can confer either the First, Second or Third, and deliver the
lectures. Use pictures through the monitorial parts, get them made
by some moving picture expert to fit the several recitations. Do
not be satisfied with the highly colored and unnatural lantern-
slide effect. Allow the Senior and Junior Wardens to alternate in
the recitations in the same degree. Take lots of time. Do not
hurry. Have but one candidate of an evening. A good man is entitled
to have all your attention and your best and undivided efforts. If
he is not, you do not want him at all. The visiting lodge will
instill enough variety into the occasion to make up for any absent
sociability. This sort of work will never grow stale. When the work
is well done, it does not pall upon the most sensitive. It is only
when "murdered" by faulty delivery, as stumbling over unusual
words, haste or lack of memory on the part of a poor officer, and
like idiosyncracies, that the work does not satisfy. Think of what
can be done if you can but enter into the spirit of it all. If you
cannot, let some one else take the candidate. He should not be
misled because of your inability to lead him. Masonry demands more
of every man than mediocrity. She must have the best. To be real
sociable in a Masonic lodge, get completely enrapport with your
task, like the orator who can make his audience laugh or cry at
will. Masonic ritualism has the "stuff" in it and it only remains
for you to bring it to the surface where both the candidate and the
audience can see and feel it. When ready, have the candidate "say
something." Let the occasion be replete with short speeches. Have
some refreshments, even if they be but coffee and doughnuts.
However, let there be a lunch of some kind after "lodge time," so
that the members can linger about the sacred place to talk and
think. Keep them a half hour at least. As they go home they may
talk to a brother on the way, but I would wager that the last
thought and about the last word would be in appreciation of this
distinctively "social side" of Masonry.

Every Master, of course, cannot be made to work as suggested. There
are one or two in the lodge "who can put it on right!" Arrange
special "honor nights" for such, so as not to have to tell the
Master (if a ripple) "right off" that the lodge wants somebody who
, "real good" to do the work, when particular company is invited.
The Master can get his glory by presiding soon as the work is done.
He will, in fact, be better pleased than though you insisted on his
going through an ordeal in which he knows himself that he cuts but
a sorry figure.

What Masonry needs is a social service along Masonic lines. What
men want is a better understanding of Masonry. How long would a
theatrical venture pay or remain popular, to say the least, were
Shakespeare's "Hamlet" to be acted in the "nude" and the soliloquy
set to the tune of "John Brown's Body" and sung with all the gusto
and abandon of a bar room tapster?

It would not be a bad idea to let your "malpractitioners" read an
article like this once and awhile. Most anyone can understand what
I believe to be the matter with the present brand of "social
Masonry." Most anyone can come to know as well how very full of
sociability Masonry is when properly "put upon the boards." I am
sure that it will furnish much food for mental "being" and as we as
Masons are here to cater to the "better part of man," such
procedure should meet the requirement so often surnamed
"sociability."

In connection with the suggestion for moving pictures, I would call
the attention of Masters to the immense possibilities of Middle
Chamber Work the Armies at the river, the progress of building, and
in fact, every situation of the portrayal of the subject in its
entirety that can be accentuated by the free use of the "movie."

Denman S. Wagstaff, Committee on Education of the Grand Lodge of
California.

* * *

Get the Members Acquainted.

I would first like to delete the word "Blue." I am an old fashioned
Mason and, many as are my degrees, I consider all but the basic
three, side degrees. But ;that aside, the answer to the above must
be that the 'social side" itself must be defined. If it is to be
used to mean promiscuous assemblies held jointly with other
organizations like the 0. E. S., to be dancing and card parties, or
to be held to advertise Masonry and indirectly solicit petitioners,
I would say not at all.

All the features of Masonry are important and brotherly
sociability, feasting together on terms of perfect equality,
regardless of "worldly wealth or honors," is not the least of them
and should never be neglected. I cannot, in view of the 18th
amendment to the Constitutions of the United States, advocate
resuming the punch bowl and toddy glass of our forebears, but I do
hold and have long advocated a feast of some sort at every lodge
meeting. I go so far as to tell lodges to resort to crackers and
cheese if needs must, but feast together as brothers anyhow. It
brings together at table those who "might otherwise remain at a
perpetual distance." I have seen a former Governor and present
Congressman seated by a car repairer whose hands were like coarse
sandpaper, but whose life was well known to be a truly Masonic one,
and who was a brilliant ritualist. The Governor was introduced to
him and said: "Brother I have often heard of you as a Mason and I
wish I were as worthy and well equipped a one." The words were well
deserved and sent that plain, half-educated man home warmed at
heart. Nowhere else would they have ever met.

Another sort of social converse still more important and often
sadly neglected, is the greeting and noticing of visitors,
especially the aged and the poor, in lodge and anteroom. Rather
than rush to shake hands with prominent men, it is better Masonry
to make sure that no brother's humble rank in life makes him a
Masonic wall flower. Hunt out the one whose modesty and humble
opinion of his importance causes him to hang back. If you don't
know him tell him "My name is Jones. What is yours, and how are you
?"

These seem small matters but they are large ones and go far towards
practicing what we so vehemently profess. The lodge as a lodge
should give some of its meetings to lectures on Masonic subjects,
music and an occasional, say annual, ladies' night, with
refreshments.

A Masonic lodge is not a proper medium for bringing together our
respective families on social lines. All attempts at this are
dangerous.

Joseph W. Eggleston, P. G. M., Virginia.

* * *

Comradeship.

The basic meaning of "social" is comradeship; and this signifies
something mutual, giving as well as receiving and refers to duty as
well as entertainment. Masonic entertainment concerns club rooms
and banquet halls, or, where such do not exist, the anteroom. In
the lodge room, the social symbol is a cordiality that rings true,
a courteous consideration of all present, and an opportunity for
all members to take part in discussing business.

At Masonic meetings, the social side of Masonry represents
relaxation from duty; and it is best cultivated in the hour that
follows the formal meeting. If Master and officers do not hurry
away, but remain a while with the brethren, after lodge, it
unquestionably produces a feeling of real comradeship; it looks as
though those in authority really liked the company of the modest
and unassuming.

Occasional games or refreshments, in as informal a manner as
possible, add to the pleasure of meeting together. We must remember
that "social" suggests "mutual." Members should go away from such
meetings, not feeling that they have been entertained, but that
they themselves have contributed to the good fellowship. This gives
everyone the feeling of being of service; and that is the meaning
of Freemasonry. In the lodge room, officers are of eminent service.
In the social hour, "those also present" can arise and shine. For
officers to try to entertain the boys is fatal to success. Let all
have a share in the entertaining, and all will feel that their
presence is essential. Give the boys a chance.

Joseph Barnett, California.

Q. S.

To say exactly how far the social features should be carried on in
lodge work is supremely difficult. When a prescription is being
written by an "M. D." and needs to indicate an uncertain
quantity which, however, is necessarily a certain one he does so by
using the letters "q. s." standing for quantum sufficit.

It is much the same in lodge work. There is, unquestionably, a
great need for cultivating the social virtues, and I believe it is
quite as much our duty to do so, as to "carry on" in any other line
of Masonic endeavor. However, the Master should be, and is, the
guiding hand he, and he alone should direct all lodge activities
and be the actual head during the term of his office. After
retiring from it, he surely owes an obligation to the Craft to be
always ready and willing to "help, aid, and assist in the noble and
glorious work of rebuilding the House of the Lord" which is
characterized in all the various phases of life but the Master
should possess the "all-seeing eye" that only can discover the
needs of the Craft over which he is chosen to preside. How he can
get this wonderful perceptive quality save by resorting to the
power of prayer, I do not know!

In conclusion, let me say that it behooves us to follow the advice
given us by the Saviour, "Pray without ceasing." Strength, and
wisdom, and Light will surely come. In this manner only can this,
and many other important questions be settled. None can absolutely
say, "how far," but it is "q. s."

S. W. Williams, Tennessee.

* * *

The "Fourth Degree."

Man representing the highest order of the animal kingdom is by
nature social. Altruism is the highest manifestation of this
sociability. The very fact that men organize themselves into
Masonic lodges is an evidence of this social instinct carried out
in everyday life.

The social side of Masonry in its narrower sense includes in a
general way banquets, entertainments, initiations and
correspondence other than that pertaining to business and official
reports. Unquestionably the period of "refreshment" following
"labor" is the time when the brethren come into close personal
contact with one another.

The inspiration of the high ideals as dramatically set forth in
well rendered "labor" will find its practical application in the
close and intimate contact of brother with brother during this
period of sociability, and many a life-long and valuable friendship
is often thus formed.

The homely but apt quotation "All work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy" is directly applicable in our lodge activities. The
stress of well conducted "labor" must have its adequate period of
variable social "refreshment" in order to round out and fulfill the
highest functions of the lodge. The nature of this entertainment
will naturally depend upon the character and taste of the members
of the particular lodge and its environment. A picnic in the woods,
with the members of the family included, might prove a day of rare
social enjoyment to a lodge situated near country surroundings,
whereas a theatre supper would be a far greater success in thus
city lodge. The so-called "Fourth degree" it parlor with
instructive talks from those having something of interest to impart
to the brethren, interspersed with music, informal conversation and
a collation undoubtedly act as powerful adjuncts to the securing of
a large attendance at every lodge communication. The program can
and should be varied for each communication and announced
beforehand in the regular notices sent out to the brethren.

Intellectual "feasts" in the form of some Masonic historical event
or problem attractively presented can well be included from time to
time as part of the social side of the Masonic activities of the
lodge. Frequent exchanges of visitations with sister lodges
undoubtedly promote a wider sociability and extends the horizon of
the individual lodge members.

Social amenities by correspondence with other lodges and especially
with absent brethren does likewise, and a committee in social
corresponded can well be productive of good results in rounding out
the social side of any lodge. This was demonstrated time and again
in the great World War.


Banquets, picnics, excursions, theatre parties, musicals and other
entertainments-all these have their places as valuable social
agencies.

A well organized system of home visitation in charge of a discreet
and carefully selected committee undoubtedly would promote
sociability in many lodges and bring out brethren to its
communications who otherwise would not come.

G. Alfred Lawrence, N

* * *

The Informal Study Club at Members' Homes.

The function of a Masonic lodge is to teach morality according to
a system of symbolic instruction. While this is the real function
and should never be lost sight of, there are many ways in which it
may be definitely practiced as well as taught by the members of the
Fraternity. To cultivate the social side of life is a valuable and
Masonic act. The Fraternal greetings and the social chat in the
anteroom before the lodge is opened and after it is closed; the
lunch or banquet with its post-prandial speeches and stories; the
family night at which the members of the brother's families are
invited to the lodge room and entertained, are all of value when
conducted judiciously.

There are, however, abuses to the social features of a lodge which
must be apparent to the brethren who have a high conception of
Freemasonry, and to whom the tendency of XYZ Lodge to the title of
a ball team or whist club is unsavory.

The best possible manner in which the social side of Freemasonry
has been promoted, to my observation, was by an informal Study
Club, which met monthly at the homes of the members and combined a
profitable evening's improvement in Masonry with light refreshments
and a social hour.

An installation (either private or public) on St. John's Day, may
include a social program suited to the occasion.

The traditional banquet after work in the Third degree, however,
furnishes the best opportunity for the social side of Masonry.

There is such a good opportunity to promote the social side of
Masonry in a legitimate way that it is to be lamented if abuses are
indulged in.

Silas H. Shepherd, Chairman Masonic Research Committee, Grand Lodge
of Wisconsin.

* * *

Interest the Ladies.

It is difficult to understand why there should be a need for any
medium other than that of a well conducted degree ceremony to keep
up an active interest in lodge affairs.

However, it is a fact that we must admit, that an attendance of 40
to 60 out of a membership of 400 or over is as much as we usually
obtain.

I believe that the social side of Masonry can be fostered best by
bringing the families of the brethren together by means of
entertainment of various sorts. When the ladies begin to have an
interest in the lodge of their male relative connections they are
apt to see that he is not unmindful of his duty as to attendance at
lodge communications. Give the ladies an interest. 
John A. Davilla, G. S., Louisiana.

* * *

Complete Equipment for the Social Side.

Nothing in the conduct of the lodge is half so important as the
promotion of the social side of Masonry. Certainly not perfection
of ritualistic work.

Three principles should be recognized. First, that, whatever may be
the theory, in practice no Mason who has no part in the work can be
expected to be a regular attendant at lodge meetings for very long
if there is no attraction except that of seeing the work.

Second, that a member of a lodge is doing himself and the lodge
just as much good when he spends an evening in the anteroom of the
lodge parlors getting acquainted and keeping acquainted with his
brother members as when he spends the whole evening in the lodge
room as a spectator on the benches.

Third, that the promotion of the social side is so important that
it ought not to be lost to chance or to he accident of the faculty
of the lodge officers for the time being for the promotion of
social intercourse. It ought to be provided for in the very
situation and equipment of the lodge.

To appreciate these principles is the important thing. They will be
applied according to the situation, size and circumstances of each
lodge and the tastes and character of its members. Trying to
increase or to maintain the attendance at lodge is beating the air
so long as one looks only to the interior of the lodge room. There
should be something, much or little, as may be possible, outside.

For example, my own lodge has dining rooms where lunch is served
every day and dinner every evening. It has ample room for ladies
and they frequent the Lodge House. It has card rooms, billiard
rooms, chess rooms, a reading room and a ball room. Sometimes there
will be at the same time fifty people, men and women, dining in the
small dining rooms, 300 members dining together in the large dining
room, 50 to 75 carrying on the work in the lodge room, 50 men
playing games in the card rooms, 50 more talking or reading in
other rooms, some ladies playing bridge in the ladies' sitting room
and 40 members and ladies together in the large ladies' drawing
room.

This is meant only to allow an extreme application of the
principles laid down. Perhaps no other lodge could carry them to
that point. But any lodge can go along this road a short distance
or further according to circumstances. 
A. G. Pitts, Michigan.

* * *

The Duty of the Junior Warden.

Experience in my own lodge and observation in many others enables
me to answer this with some degree of certainty. The very nature of
a Masonic lodge as a voluntary association of friends and brothers
recognizing the social principle, obligates it to the encouragement
of social intercourse in its meetings wherever and whenever
possible. The periods of refreshment are especially set aside for
that purpose and an officer placed in charge during those periods
to see that no "excesses" be permitted.

By "social intercourse" it is presumed one means the natural social
amenities and the good fellowship that comes from mutual
participation in whatever forms of amusement the brethren prefer,
whether eating, dancing, debates or whether physical or mental
recreation. Our lodge tried about everything before we found the
plan that suited us best. I should say that this is an individual
matter for each lodge to decide for itself, depending upon the
temperament of the members and the customs of the community.

We started with a Study Club. We found in our "researches" that our
forebears gave considerable more attention to the "social side"
than the more serious side of Masonry. The English, Scotch and
Irish brothers of the old country met in taverns and after
initiations devoted most of their time to conviviality. The Masons
of the Revolution seriously occupied themselves with the questions
of the day, affecting the young nation's welfare and had less time
for banquets. They inclined toward the French idea of patriotic
addresses. Our lodge was one of the pioneer bodies on the Kentucky
"frontier" and its early meetings were great occasions to which
members traveled hundreds of miles that they might experience the
social joys. Community welfare matters those days were largely
lodge matters too. They were talked over among members of our
political party in the period of refreshments. Later the feasts
were separated from the lodge meetings proper.

Our Study Club eventually organized and today looks after the
lecturing of new candidates, provides a place for informal
discussion of all questions in which members are interested from
war to economics, from dances to public affairs. The Masonic Body
supports the Club financially and every Mason is a member. The
lodge therefore feels that it may at any time call upon the Club to
arrange social affairs on a large scale and has come to look upon
the Club as an aid to the Junior Warden.

We are a "city lodge" and necessarily the greater part of our time
is spent in labor, with little opportunity for social intercourse.
But before the lodge is called on and during the periods of
refreshment and just after its close, the Master and all the
brethren welcome visitors and each other. Always visitors are urged
to give us a little talk tell us about himself. If one is in
difficulties we get to know about it at these times and the lodge
is invariably left "at refreshment" whenever there is any delay in
work.

Now in country lodges, where the candidates for degrees are not so
numerous and more time can be given to social enjoyment the club
feature of Masonic life can easily be omitted. Cynthiana No. 18,
this State, of which I am an honorary life member, has solved the
social problem by placing all social features in the hands of the
Junior Warden and Stewards and making them work. That is what they
are for! So these officers are ready to fill up every gap with
something that contributes to good fellowship. If there is five
minutes to spare while the lodge is "at ease," they know everyone
present and will call on someone for a remark or start
introductions of strangers. They arrange community picnics,
"socials," anything to give members an opportunity to rub
shoulders. They arrange co-operative entertainments with other
Fraternities; have held one or two Fraternity Days; went into
partnership with Church and city authorities during the war to
follow their soldier boys with home comforts. In short through its
social progress, the lodge has become a recognized social
constructive agency in its community.

We need a little more democracy in our lodges and a little less
timidity of our officers in discharging their plain social duties.
I have found that where the membership itself is asked to decide
upon some program of social features, or left to evolve one with
only a suggestion now and then from the Master, they may be trusted
to evolve something worth while.

Were I again placed in the Master's chair in some lodge needing
more social intercourses, I would certainly not attempt to force my
own views on the members. But I would instruct the Junior Warden
and the Stewards under him to do their duty. I should at convenient
periods turn the lodge over to them; first, that they might
ascertain the sense of the membership on the kinds of social
enjoyment preferred by it, second, that long enough periods of
refreshment might be provided whenever there was not ritualistic
work to be done, for the proper officers to "make good" in what the
membership expected of them.

As to the kind of and variety of social features possible at these
periods when the lodge was "at ease," that would require another
story. In answer to such a question if propounded, I think lies the
solution of the troublesome problem of getting good attendance and
of making Freemasonry something strong and virile in public life as
its founders intended.

Joseph W. Norwood, Kentucky.


