MASON OF MANY YEARS
He is not really old. In fact he is eternally young and very wise. If you
count age in terms of years then you can say, he is old, and if you count years
in service to Masonry, then again you can say he is old, but still you feel that
this very service to Masonry has kept him young.
He is present at the meetings and his talks are brief, always filled with
good thoughts. He loves Masonry, and for him it means love for all men. In every
discussion he shows the wisdom of experience, of years filled with the knowledge
and practice of the tenets and principles of Masonry.
He is interested in the degree work, the financial structure of the lodge. He
is conservative in that he wants Masonry to ever be a thing of beauty and
dignity, and he is progressive where progress doe not destroy such beauty and
dignity. He encourages the young Mason and has a kind word to say to the
candidates. He praises the unselfish efforts of the instructor and the members
of the degree team. Whenever the lodge is about to do something that is not
Masonry he calmly says: "Brothers, let's not be too hasty."
He has a way of knowing about brothers who are sick and in distress, and he
always reports these matters to the lodge.
When you pass him on the streets he smiles and asks: "Are you coming up
tonight?" And, even if you had not intended to be present, perhaps his
words make you change your mind.
The Mason of Many Years will think about the things that we are prone to
forget, the little thoughtful acts that are a vital part of Masonry, which we
are too busy to look after.
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