A MODEL MASTER
by M.W. SRO. WN. Mercer Wilson, Grand Master
THE CRAFTSMAN - 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 acid 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 mat-
ter. 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 means of acquiring
Masonic knowledge have now, by the indomitable
perseverance of our distinguished Brother, Robert Morris,
Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lode of Kentucky, been
placed within the reach of all. His Masonic Library, which
embraces several valuable volumes; contributed by himself,
should appear not only in every. Lodge Room, but in the
house of every intelligent Mason, as it embodies nearly all
that is valuable in Masonic literature.] 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 cheer-
fulness 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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