The following is from The Michigan Freemason Vol. 1-1870

LODGE ATTENDANCE.

Every Mason who values the institution as he ought, will be punctual in his attendance on the lodge meetings; and with the exception of ill health, or the infirmities of age, to impede, you will find the members who are Masons in their places on lodge nights. The true brother will not need a prompter to inform him when the evening is coming for the lodge to meet; this he keeps treasured in his mind, and is no more inclined to forget the time when he is to meet his brethren in the sanctum of the lodge, than he is to forget the Sabbath, er the time of his daily meals. The lodge is the place where he enjoys the society of his fellow-men the most. Here he meets them all on the level, and each leaves his peculiar isms and schiams out side that holy place. No party feeling is here, no political bickering, no religions canting, none of the feeling which says,

"I am better than thou; therefore, stand by thyself." All this is banisbed without this place. Here, all meet as brothers, and fraternity is the holy bond which binds them to each other.

The more Masons meet in such a sacred retreat, the more they become attached to it.

The more they mingle with their

brethren there, the more they see in them to love; for it is only the more noble traits of character which are unfolded and developed in the lodge room. Here the miwisters of the various sects meet, and exchange fraternal greetings. Here Democrat and Republican vie with each other to see who shall outdo in acts of courtesy and toleration.

Mere nationalities

are lost sight of, and the peoples of all nations and languages forget their clanishness, and, for once, recognize the noble truth that " God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."

It is strange that any member of the noble Order should ever grow remiss in lodge attendance,--that he should ever permit business or pleasure to interfere with the duty of such.