The Old Tilers talks first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics.
These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today.
The New Brother’s face showed a bad case of peeve, and his voice reflected it as he greeted the Old Tiler in the anteroom.
“S’matter, son?” inquired the Old Tiler. “You look like a cross between a thunder cloud and the Black Hole of Calcutta!”
“Politics!” snapped the New Brother. “I thought it was bad form, undignified, un-Masonic to electioneer for officers. It’s bad enough any time, but when they electioneer for one who isn’t in line for promotion and to throw out one who has served years in the chairs, I think it’s terrible!”
“Yes, yes, go on,” encouraged the Old Tiler. “Get it all out of your system.”
“Tonight they elected Bill Jones Junior Warden. He doesn’t attend regularly, does he? And Smith, who was in line for promotion, was dropped. Smith never missed a night last year and did his best as Senior Deacon.
Jones is more popular than Smith, and may make a better officer, but the point is that Smith worked and Jones never has. So I’m peeved!”
“Wiser heads than yours have been peeved at politics in a lodge,” answered the Old Tiler.
“It’s a difficult question. By Masonic usage any electioneering is taboo. The unwritten law and the theory contend for a free choice of officers by unbiased votes.
But men are men first and Masons afterwards, and politics always have been played. I know of no way to stop a brother from telling another brother how he ought to vote!”
“That doesn’t dispose of the injustice of Smith,” answered the New Brother. “It isn’t right.”
“The majority thought it was right,” countered the Old Tiler. “Now that Jones has the job, I’ll tell you that I knew Smith wouldn’t get it.
He has been faithful to his work, never missed a night, done his best. But his best just wasn’t good enough.
You speak of Jones being more popular than Smith. There must be a reason, and if he is better liked he’ll make a better officer.”
“But it is still an injustice.” The New Brother was stubborn.
“You argue from the standpoint of the man who believes that a man elected or appointed to be Junior Steward has a neck-hold on the job ahead of him,” answered the Old tiler.
“According to your idea any Junior Steward who attends lodge and does his work ought to be elected to the succeeding position each year as a reward of merit.
Actually the job, not the man, is important. The good of the lodge is more important than the reward for the man.
“You don’t realize that Masonry is bigger than the individual, that the lodge is bigger than its officers, that the positions in line are greater than the men who fill them.
“A Master may make or mar a lodge. If he is a good Master, well-liked, popular, able, attentive to his duties and enthusiastic in his work, the lodge goes forward.
If only enthusiasm and faithfulness recommend him and he lacks ability, and the respect and liking of his fellows, and he has not the equipment to rule, the lodge will go backwards. Smith is a nice fellow, faithful, enthusiastic.
But he has more from the neck down than from the ears up. Jones hasn’t attended lodge much, but he is a brainy man, accustomed to preside, knows men and affairs, and, if he bears out the judgement of the brethren, will carry this lodge to new heights.
“Smith was given his chance for four years. In that time he could not demonstrate to the satisfaction of his brethren that he would make a good Master.
It was a kindness to drop him now and not let him serve two more years. It is hard to be told ‘we don’t want you,’ but the lodge showed wisdom in choosing as Junior Warden a man in whom it believes, rather than merely rewarding faithful effort.
“I am sure the Master made a nice speech to Smith and thanked him for his work. His brethren will show him they like him as a brother if not as a Junior Warden. Smith will not be as peevish about it as are you.
He has been a Mason long enough to know that the majority rule is the only rule on which a Masonic lodge can be conducted.
He won’t understand his own limitations, or believe he couldn’t be as good an officer as Jones, but he will bow to the decision of his fellows and keep on doing the best he can. That is Masonry at its best.
Politics is often Masonry at its worst, but in the long run the right men get chosen to do the right work.
Sometimes it is a bit hard on the man, but the good Mason is willing to suffer for the love he bears his mother lodge.”
“As a peeve-remover you are a wonder!” smiled the New Brother. “But I wonder how you’d like to be supplanted by another Tiler?”
“When the lodge can find a better servant, I shall be glad to go,” answered the Old Tiler simply. “I try to be a Mason first, and an Old Tiler afterwards!”
Article by: Carl H. Claudy
Carl Harry Claudy (1879 – 1957) was an American author, magazine writer, and journalist for the New York Herald.
His association with Freemasonry began in 1908, when, at the age of 29, he was raised a master Mason in lodge Harmony No. 17 in Washington, DC. He served as its master in 1932 and eventually served as Grand Master of Masons in the District of Colombia in 1943.
His Masonic writing career began in earnest when he became associated with the Masonic service Association in 1923, serving as associate editor of its magazine, The master mason, until 1931.
Under his leadership the service Association was brought to a place of predominance through his authorship and distribution of the short talk bulletin which made his name familiar to virtually every lodge in the country.
Recent Articles: by Carl Claudy
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 Old Tiler Talks - Masonic Libraries The Old Tilers talks first published in 1925, by Carl Claudy, is a series of short anecdotal stories told in the setting of a new member asking an old tiler for his opinion on various masonic topics. These short articles are still very relevant, 100 years on, and hopefully provide some insight to new members today. |
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