Fourteen Reasons for Attending Lodge on a Stormy Night
A Brother being met on a stormy night wading from Lodge and ridiculed for the unnecessary exposure, sent the following 14 reasons for his conduct, says the Michigan Masonic World:
- Because the by-laws of my Lodge and the character of my engagements as a Mason make no exception for stormy evenings.
- Because I expect the Worshipful Master to be there I should be surprised if he were to remain away on account of the storm.
- Because if his hands should fail through weakness, I should have great reason to blame myself, unless I sustain him by my presence and good wishes.
- Because by staying away I may lose the instruction which would do me great good.
- Because my presence is more needed on those evenings when there are but few, than when the Lodge is full.
- Because whatever station I may hold in the Lodge, my example must influence others. If I stay away, why not they?
- Because on any important business, bad weather does not keep me at home.
- Because among the crowd of pleasure seekers, I see that bad weather does not keep the delicate female from the ball, the party or the concert.
- Because among other advantages, stormy evenings will show me what foundation my Masonic attachment is built. It will prove how much I love Masonry. True love never misses an appointment.
- Because those who absent themselves from the Lodge because it is too warm, too cold or t0o stormy frequently absent themselves from the fairest evenings.
- Because an avoidable absence from the Lodge is an infallible evidence of Masonic coldness.
- Because there is a special promise that where two or three are gathered together in God’s name, He will meet them.
- Because such yielding of surmountable difficulties prepares for yielding to those merely imaginary, until thousands never enter the Lodge, and yet think they have good reasons for neglect.
- Because I know not how many more evenings God may give me, and it will be poor plea for affectionate remembrances which I crave as a Mason, that I slighted my last Masonic evening on earth.
An article from the Michigan Masonic World reprinted in the Builder Magazine in 1925.