Page 166 - LESTER'S LOOK TOTHE EAST

evinced in your attendance to the duties of Free-masonry leaves no
doubt that your future conduct will be such as to merit the approbation
of your brethren, and that the just reward which is due for meritorious
services will be rendered in your advancement to higher stations.

TO THE BRETHREN OF THE LODGE

Brethren of the Lodge, such is the nature of our Constitution that
some must of necessity rule and govern, others must submit and obey.
The officers you have chosen, and who have been solemnly installed are
sufficiently acquainted with the rules of propriety and the laws of the
institution, to avoid exceeding the powers with which they are
entrusted. The harmony of the Lodge will materially depend upon the
good order you may preserve in the conduct of its business, and the
courtesy and forbearance you may observe toward each other in its
deliberation.

I charge you then, as you shall answer at the last day, that you act
worthy of the vocation with which you are called, and suffer no faults,
no imperfections on your part, to tarnish the lustre of your jewels, or
bring discredit on the Craft. Recommend Masonry to the world by the
rectitude of your conduct, to this end make yourselves intimately ac-
quainted with all its principles and obligations, and practice in your lives
all its duties and requirements. Divest yourselves, brethren, of coldness
and apathy, so fatal to your best interests. Shun those affections and
groveling passions unworthy of a soul that claims affinity with the "Son
of Light," and put forth all your energies to grasp whatever is noble and
elevating in thought, and whatever can reveal new and sublime ideas
pertaining to our lofty destiny. Guard against dissensions among
yourselves. Let no root of bitterness spring up to trouble you. Use all
your exertions to preserve your Lodge pure, and prevent the
introduction of vice or error in its thousand forms. If, in the frailty of
humanity, a brother should fall under the influence of unholy feelings, or
wander into forbidden paths, seek the wanderer out, bring him back to
the fold, and show him the superior loveliness of virtue. Much may be
accomplished by the force of good example, and by offering good
counsel in a friendly spirit, ever remembering that "To err is human, to
forgive divine."

Finally, brethren, be of one mind; live in peace. Let nothing disturb
that pure, warm and holy love which our ritual enjoins. Follow these
injunctions and your Lodge will flourish. May the tenets of your
profession be transmitted through your Lodge unimpaired from
generation to generation.

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