FORMULA FOR L.M.W.W.B.A.O.
Formula for Lodge Member Who Would Be An Officer
There may be many ways for men to become popular; two at least are common in
everyday life; the popularity which comes from the political formula "be all
things to all men," including hail fellow well met with the hail fellow, solemn
sanctimony with the sanctimonious, agreeing with the views of the argumentative,
never taking sides strongly enough to offend, unless on that of the overwhelming
majority.
Sometimes this succeeds, even in Lodges. But the real way for the Lodge
Member Who Would Be An Officer to be popular with his fellow members in Lodge is
to have them popular with him!
It is of this formula that these lines are written.
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. attends the meetings of his Lodge; he arrives on time and
stays until the close, not for the sake of popularity, but because of genuine
interest in his Lodge and its deliberations, degrees, entertainments. Being a
sensible man he knows that not all meetings can be unalloyed joys; sometimes a
program drags, or the degree is less than good, or the entertainment is
amateurish. But it his Lodge and so he sticks it through to help by his
presence.
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. pays his dues promptly. All members should; a majority do;
he who hopes for preferment, must.
More than dues, he pays attention! Nothing more disconcerts a Master,
officers, interested brethren, than two non-interested members holding a
sotto voce conversation during a discussion on the floor. It is a cause for
justifiable resentment of what is, after all, bad manners. And neither the
Master who must appoint or the Lodge which may elect, look with favor on
brethren who lack good manners!
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. never refuses an assignment to a committee, whether
investigation of @ petitioner, examination of a visitor, or any other. He
welcomes such tasks and even seeks them. Some one has to do the work of the
Lodge. The best officers and finest Secretary, alone cannot make a Lodge. They
have well determined duties, and usually go far beyond them. But they cannot do
it all, nor should they try. Some members must take the interest, bear the heat
and burden of the day, do the job for the love of Lodge. The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. is
wise if he early makes it a part of himself. Not only the Lord loves a cheerful
giver; men love those who serve for the love of service.
If there is a Fellowcraft Team or Club in the Lodge, the L.M.W.W.B.A.0. joins
it. A good Fellowcraft Team can be of great help to any Lodge, any Master. Not
only do they materially add to the dignity of the second section of the Masters'
degree; they can do a hundred and one jobs in and for the Lodge as any Master
fortunate enough to have a cooperative Team knows.
If there is no Fellowcraft Team or Club regularly organized in Lodge, the
L.M.W.W.B.A.0. is always in that group which works in that part of the Master's
degree. If the Master plans an especially fine ceremony for some "big night,"
the L.M.W.W.B.A.0. is among those prompt for the rehearsal. He comes not just to
be seen, but because he is genuinely interested in making the degree a thing of
beauty and precision and so does his small part to help make it so.
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. of course learns the work of an officer. If he hopes to be
appointed or elected a Junior Steward, he must assuredly know in advance what a
Junior Steward has to do and how he does it. Those duties differ to some extent
in the several jurisdictions; in some the position demands little more than
carrying a rod and being part of the picture. In others, the Stewards have well
defined duties of a more exacting nature. Particularly will the prospective
Steward learn his job in those Lodges in which a Steward is expected to be just
that --- one who provides things to eat and drink. It is said---with what justice
the reader can determine by consulting his own midriff---that the way to a man's
heart is through his stomach, One way to popularity is to provide excellent food
and drink for hungry Lodge members, and he who knows the gentle arts of
marketing and preparation of food for Lodges will, sooner or later, have a chance
to display his knowledge. If his offerings prove unusual, there is very apt to
be strong representations made to the new Master-"How about appointing Brother
Jones? We never had better food, more quickly served, with less fuss, feathers,
foolishness and waste than the night he had charge!"
In some Lodges Marshall or Master of Ceremonies is at the "foot of the line."
A good Master of Ceremonies can do much to make, and more to mar, the success of
a degree in which he has an important if silent part. The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. makes
this knowledge a part of himself. Someday the incumbent will be late or absent.
If the Master knows a capable substitute is ready, he will put him in---and a
long step is taken towards realization of the ambition.
The would-be officer will do himself no injury if he learns the ritualistic
work. It is not essential, prior to appointment or election, but it is helpful.
A Lodge which knows that Brother A, just appointed Junior Steward, already knows
the Middle Chamber lecture is much more apt to be satisfied with the appointment
than with the elevation of some brother whose ritualistic capabilities are an
unknown quantity.
In some Lodges so many brethren know the ritual, so many are anxiously
clamorous for an opportunity to take part in a degree, that ritualistic
proficiency is no especial asset. But in a great many Lodges the Master must
depend upon a Past Master for a substitute when some officer is unavoidably
absent or ill. While most all Past Masters are touchingly confident that they
"know the ritual just as well as ever a demonstration frequently shows many, if
natural, lapses in memory. Masters know this. Hence the Master who also knows
that Brother A, on the side lines, is competent to fill in anywhere is usually
well disposed towards giving him the chance whenever the chance occurs.
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. is sufficiently interested in Lodge discussions to know
what they are about. Not necessarily does he take part; the chap who is f
forever
on his feet to argue pro or con gets to be considered argumentative for the sake
of argument, if not a positive nuisance. When he does speak it is from
conviction. He argues good naturedly; never under any circumstance does he use
personalities. He always addresses the Master, says his say briefly and sits.
Men like common sense. They like a man who has something intelligent to say,
whether they agree with it or not. They like brevity, (and how!) So a brief
argument occasionally on some motion is a point in any brother's favor; an
argument on every occasion, and at length, will as surely keep a man out of the
line as any known method.
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. has two inflexible rules: "don't butt in" and "keep my
knife in its sheath." He doesn't try to tell the Tiler how to tile, the
Secretary how to collect dues, the Senior Deacon how to deliver the Middle
Chamber work. He does not instruct the Master in the art of the presiding nor
tell the Treasurer how to keep accounts. If he has a constructive suggestion he
tries to get it over as a question; "This occurred to me-maybe I'm all wrong,
but I'd like to know -would it help any in collecting dues if we used registered
mail?" Such a suggestion is without offense. Compare with: "If you were really
on to your job, you'd use modern methods. Now where I work, I said to the
President, I said 'if you want that money collected, I can tell you how to do
it. I know all about collecting money. You use registered mail for your bills,
and you'll get the money!' "
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. keeps his knife in its sheath, if indeed, he has a knife.
He wants no one's job; has a knife out for no one. He does not criticise. Having
common sense he knows that the only Perfect Man was crucified nineteen hundred
and some years ago, and that ever since men have been making mistakes and will
continue to make them; even be makes them! Consequently he does not tell his
fellow members what a poor job John made of the charge, or how if Jim would only
study a little, he could almost do a good obligation, or if old Tim, on the
door, was a little less stingy he'd buy some glasses and recognize members when
they came to the door. Poor Old Tim, going blind by inches; he knows every one
by voice, and is beloved of the Lodge! Criticism of Tim will put the would be
officer outside the pale for ever and a day!
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. knows that oil smoothes more bearings than sand. He goes
out of his way to say something good about the chap who is all cast down because
he made a mistake. Suppose the Junior Warden did leave a phrase out, or invert
two words, or say "repaired" when he meant "retired" or spoke of a "heck-at-em"
when he meant "hecatomb?" He's ashamed. Then some one says "swell job, fellah;
oh, I saw you look worried when you made one little slip, but so what? It was a
grand job and I'm proud of you!" How does the mistake maker feel? Compare with;
"Gosh sakes, man, don't you know any better'n that? How can a man 'repair'
by a door? He has to 'retire', you nit wit!" Even a laugh can't
take the sting out of such a speech and no man likes the bee who stings him.
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. makes it a point to give something for nothing---perhaps
it is better said: "he makes it a point to give something for his Masters'
Wages."
Is there a contest, debate, spelling bee or other function requiring a prize?
If a merchant, he gives something from his stock for a prize: if not, he buys
something. It may be little, inexpensive, but the point is in the offer. Do not
misunderstand; no man should try to, and no man may, buy his way into favor. But
willingness to give for the sake of the many is seldom confused in other men's
minds with an attempt to buy favor. The man in modest circumstances, known to be
anxious for election, who bought and presented a fifty dollar Bible or a hundred
dollar flag to the Lodge might well be suspected. He who from the goodness of
his heart and interest in the event offers to help out the entertainment
committee staging some sort of a Lodge contest will not be misunderstood.
The ambitious brother is quick to offer his car for Lodge use; if a funeral,
he can take so many. If n outing, he has place for some brethren and their wives
who have no car. If an old or a lame brother cannot easily get to Lodge, it is
not too much trouble to drive out of his way to take him to Lodge. He visits the
sick; he doesn't minister to the ill because he wants to be popular; he is
genuinely interested in John or James or Tom and wants to tell him he is missed
in Lodge and "Come on, fellow, get well soon so we can be back on the job
together!"
The L.M.W.W.B.A.0. spends some spare time thinking up novel and different
Lodge entertainments. No harried Entertainment Committee but happily will
receive such suggestions; it may be they cannot accept one which may be old, or
tried-and-found-wanting, or too expensive, or whatever. But Entertainment
Committee members have thankless tasks, and suggestions are like a drink of
water to the thirsty!
The L.M.W.W.B.A * 0. remembers names. Easy and simple in a small Lodge, a
memory for names in a large Lodge is a great asset. To be able to speak to 'a
brother who hasn't been in Lodge for a year and call him by name both surprises
and pleases. Every brother is human. All humans have a certain amount of vanity.
To be remembered by name is at once the subtlest and the simplest of flatteries.
Finally (although this catalog could be extended for pages) -the
L.M.W.W.B.A.0. knows how to smile a natural smile; a smile that comes from
within, not from pulling face muscles by an effort of will. Perhaps it is best
said that he knows how to smile with his eyes. Any man may force a grin but eyes
smile only from a smiling heart. Smiles beget smiles. Smiles thus begot evoke
friendly feelings. Friendly feelings make for popularity. Real popularity-not
the professional politician variety-brine the votes of members, the approbation
of brethren when a Master appoints the smiling brother.
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