THE OLD TYLER
THE CRAFTSMAN - 1875
AT the outer door,
well-armed, he long hath stood,
The faithful sentinel of mystic
hours,
None pass or repass, but the favored few -
So truly
hath he kept the outer gate.
When winds have swept the skies in
fearful gale,
When Winter's cold congealed the nightly
air,
When Summer's heat poured down its burning rays -
He
still for duty cared, and held his trust
Like one commissioned by
the higher powers.
His jurisdiction ne'er was intervened -
So
conscientious was he - that none should
Pass the sacred threshold
which he guarded
With such Masonic care.
We have met this
good old Tyler - often met him - and often stopped at big outer
gate to have a passing word. He is now gray in years, and his
form is bent with the weakness of age. Long years ago he first
saw the light of the Temple in a distant state. Then the
craft was a small band in Israel, and the obscurity of the
Order made it seem little and insignificant in the eyes of the
world. To join the fraternity then was largely a venture
in the dark compared with the present day, for the simplicity of
its ancient prestige held the institution in modest reserve,
while the crowds held themselves aloof from it, because it was
far from being popular. The Churches even looked upon it with
suspicions and jealousy as a semi- infidel association, and in
most instances protested against their ministers and
members joining it; and in many parts of the country it was no
easy matter for outsiders to find out who were Masons, for there
was then no display of jewelry such as we have in these days.
Even the fact of being a Mason was ordinarily concealed from the
world. It was none of their business. It never is any of their
concern; and, therefore, as all know, it is not necessary to
carry an emblem of any sort to convince any Master Mason that we
are one. There used to be, and there is yet, a sort of private
way forgiving this information, which, after all, is much to
be preferred to any other, This much of Masonry the old
Tyler could teach us, as he had had long years of experience,
and though most of the time he was outside of the Lodge-room, he
had by critical attention, gathered more knowledge of the
history of the Lodge, and of the character and standing of the
members, than perhaps any other officer in it. Many a
long yarn has he told us while we smoked our cigar at his
stove. "Brother Tyler," we asked him, one night, "did you
ever have any one come up here who was not a Mason, who wanted
admission to the Lodge-room." "Why, yes," said he with a
laugh, "I once had a woman to knock at the door, and I
opened it, and asked her to walk in and take a seat, which she
did, for she knew me as I had once done some painting for
her." "Mr. Tyler," said she, "I'm in hunt of my husband,
and he told me he was coming to the Lodge to-night, but to tell
you the truth, I am very much afraid he has gone
somewhere else." "Your husband, madam," said I, "is
sitting in the Lodge-room; he is our Senior Warden." "Was
he here last Saturday night ?" she asked. "He was," I
responded. "Was he here two weeks before that?"
she enquired. "Yes, Madam, he was," I said. "Well,
I guess I'm a fool," she said, with rather a serious
laugh. "Why, what's the matter, Madam?" I asked. "Why,
to tell you the truth," she answered, "I've been jealous of my
husband, and I didn't believe he was attending the Lodge.
I thought he was going somewhere else." "He never misses a
Lodge-meeting, Madam," I replied. "Will you let me look
into that room ?" she asked. "Why, Madam," said I, "I could
not, without the permission of the Worshipful
Master." "Ask him," said she, "for I feel that
my happiness depends on seeing in that room." Knowing they
were about to close, I rapped at the door and informed the Junior
that Mrs. ____ was in the outer-court and wished to took in
that room. The door was closed, and the Lodge in due form
adjourned; when I was informed that I could conduct Mrs. ____
into the room and introduce her to each one of the leading
officers of the Lodge. I understood the joke at once, and I said
to her, "Madam, I have been Tyler of this Lodge for
many years, and I believe I have never seen a woman in that
room when the Lodge was in session, but the Worshipful Master, on
this occasion, in view of your high character and the fact
that your husband is the Senior Warden of this Lodge, has given
me permission to conduct you to the sanctum sanctorum and to
introduce you to each one of our principal officers. Are you
willing to proceed?" I asked her. "I am," said she, with a
great deal of firmness. I then offered her my arm, which
she took, and I rapped at the door, which was opened. I saw
all the officers were in their places; minus their aprons and
jewels, and I led her first to the sacred altar, and I said to
her, "here is where we say our prayers, Madam, and that Holy
Bible contains every moral principle of Masonry." I then led her
to the East and introduced her to the Worshipful Master; then
I led her to the Junior Warden and introduced her as the wife of
our Senior Warden, after which I led her to the West, where I
said: "This gentlemen, Madam, you know; he is our Senior Warden,
and we esteem him as one of the very best members of
this Lodge. We claim him as our brother, but you claim him by
a still higher and stronger tie, and therefore I cheerfully
surrender you into his hands." The Senior Warden took her by
the hand kindly and affectionately, and kissed her before us
all. The whole Lodge then came up and shook hands with the good
lady, and I reckon, Sir, you never saw a much better pleased
woman than she was. She never gave her husband any more trouble
on Masonry. Masonic Advocate. back to top
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