The model master
by Most W. Bro William Mercer Wilson
Originally Published In The Craftsman - 1866
Editor's Note
Most Worshipful Brother William Mercer Wilson was the first Grand Master
of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario. He was 42 years of age
when he took the gavel as Grand Master and over his life served the Grand Lodge
three times. Most W. Brother Wilson was Grand Master from 1855 - 1859, 1866 -
1867, and from 1872 - 1874. The following is an article published by our Most
Worshipful Brother in 1866 during his second term in office as it was published
in the Craftsman in 1866. It tells of the virtues and skills needed for a Master
to successfully govern his lodge. These words are as applicable today as they
were in 1866.
To become the model Master of a Lodge should be the ambition
of every Brother, and to discharge with efficiency and zeal the duties of that
important office should be his most anxious desire. These duties are not
confined to the mere repetition of a few phrases, learned by rote, but he should
be enabled to instruct the Craft, not only as to the meaning and origin of our
ceremonies, but also to explain to them the philosophy which is veiled in its
allegories and illustrated by its symbols.
He should be able, also, to convince his Brethren, that all
science and art, legitimately directed, are but lines that radiate towards the
great " I AM;" that the Sciences are the media by which we are led to
contemplate the goodness, greatness, wisdom and power, of the Great Architect of
the Universe; and that the Arts are the modes we have developed of expressing
our sense and admiration of the wondrous glories of an Almighty Father which are
scattered around us.
The Master of a Lodge should also, in his life and in his
conversation, be a model for his Brethren to admire and imitate, and should
himself practice, out of the Lodge, those great moral doctrines and virtues
which he inculcates within its walls. He should be punctual and methodical in
all things, and, both by his character and conduct, command the respect, the
esteem, and good will of all men; for, as the Master is supreme in his Lodge,
and distinguished by his position in the Craft, so should he also be
distinguished as the possessor of an irreproachable character, a dignified
demeanor, an expanded intellect, and a liberal education. Happy and prosperous
must those Lodges be which are governed by such men! - their time of meeting is
looked forward to by the Brethren with the most pleasing anticipation. Prompt at
the hour, every Brother is at his station, and the work is carried on with
pleasure and profit. The Worshipful Master who presides over his Lodge with
ability, firmness, and decision; (for without force of character there can be no
force of impression) whose manner is courteous yet dignified; whose decisions
are consonant with reason and Masonic Law; and who dispenses light and
information among the Craft, will ever be regarded by his Brethren as one who is
entitled to their highest respect and their most fraternal regard.
The anxious enquirer after Truth and Light feels that he may
appeal with confidence and safety to such a ruler of a Lodge, as to one who is
not only able and willing to reward and advance him according to his ability and
worth, but to one whose duty and high privilege it is to diffuse the beams of
light and to scatter abroad the seeds of truth. The aspirant, animated by the
love of truth, uninfluenced by mercenary motives, duly appreciating the
philosopher's apothegm, that "Knowledge is Power," and prompted by higher
desires, eagerly presses forward, believing in a nobler destiny and aspiring
after a brighter record; it is the Master's duty to assist him in his research -
it is his high privilege to "pour the balm of instruction o'er the mind," to
fill it with light, to stir up its powers, and to raise it to its proper
supremacy over matter. It is for him to bestow upon the neophyte - if he finds
him worthy and qualified - not only wealth but power also; not the wealth that
corrupts its owner, nor the power which enslaves its dependent, but the
ennobling wealth of wisdom and the enduring power of knowledge.
The Financial affairs of the Lodge are managed by such a
Master with prudence and economy - he regards debts due either by or to his
Lodge peculiarly as debts of honor, and takes care to have them promptly
arranged - the Brethren, loving the man and respecting his authority, submit to
his decision with cheerfulness and alacrity, and are ready at all times to aid
him in his efforts to advance the interests of the Order. The cement with which
he has bound the Brethren together is not confined to the Lodge Room, but is
carried out into the world, and practical illustrations of friendship and
brotherly love are daily exemplified. Time will not now permit me to enlarge
upon the various qualities and virtues which adorn the model Master. I must
therefore leave the subject for the present, and conclude by remarking, that I
feel proud and happy in being enabled to say that, I believe, we have among us
many Masters and Past Masters of Lodges who are an honor to the Fraternity and
the Order-many, who are not only Masters of men but also of work, and who are
indeed entitled to the proud distinction of being regarded as the cream of the
Craft
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