The Empty Chair
The Empty Chair
Brethren,
Brethren,
Tonight I wish to speak, not about something we always see…
Tonight I wish to speak, not about something we always see…
But about something we notice only when it is missing.
But about something we notice only when it is missing.
An empty chair.
An empty chair.
Every Lodge has one.
Every Lodge has one.
Sometimes it belongs to a Brother whose health no longer permits him to attend.
Sometimes it belongs to a Brother whose health no longer permits him to attend.
Sometimes it reminds us of a Brother serving far from home.
Sometimes it reminds us of a Brother serving far from home.
And sometimes…
And sometimes…
It belongs to one who has laid down his working tools and gone to that House not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
It belongs to one who has laid down his working tools and gone to that House not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
At first, the chair seems empty.
At first, the chair seems empty.
But is it?
But is it?
When we look upon it, we remember the laughter we once heard from that place.
When we look upon it, we remember the laughter we once heard from that place.
The counsel freely given.
The counsel freely given.
The hand extended in friendship.
The hand extended in friendship.
The quiet example of a life well lived.
The quiet example of a life well lived.
Suddenly, the chair no longer seems empty at all.
Suddenly, the chair no longer seems empty at all.
It is filled with memory.
It is filled with memory.
Freemasonry teaches that no man builds the Temple alone.
Freemasonry teaches that no man builds the Temple alone.
Each Brother shapes a stone.
Each Brother shapes a stone.
Each contributes something of himself.
Each contributes something of himself.
Some teach ritual.
Some teach ritual.
Some mentor young Masons.
Some mentor young Masons.
Some prepare meals.
Some prepare meals.
Some quietly visit the sick.
Some quietly visit the sick.
Others simply offer a smile that makes another Brother’s burdens a little lighter.
Others simply offer a smile that makes another Brother’s burdens a little lighter.
When they are gone, we begin to realize how much they truly gave.
When they are gone, we begin to realize how much they truly gave.
There is another lesson in the empty chair.
There is another lesson in the empty chair.
One day…
One day…
Every chair in this Lodge will become empty.
Every chair in this Lodge will become empty.
Yours.
Yours.
Mine.
Mine.
Even the Worshipful Master’s.
Even the Worshipful Master’s.
The stations we occupy today will one day belong to others.
The stations we occupy today will one day belong to others.
The gavels will pass to different hands.
The gavels will pass to different hands.
New voices will fill these halls.
New voices will fill these halls.
The question is not whether our chair will someday be empty.
The question is not whether our chair will someday be empty.
The question is…
The question is…
What memories will remain when it is?
What memories will remain when it is?
Will the Brethren remember our kindness?
Will the Brethren remember our kindness?
Our patience?
Our patience?
Our willingness to serve?
Our willingness to serve?
Will they remember that we encouraged the young Mason who doubted himself?
Will they remember that we encouraged the young Mason who doubted himself?
That we visited the Brother who could no longer attend?
That we visited the Brother who could no longer attend?
That we quietly placed the needs of the Lodge before our own?
That we quietly placed the needs of the Lodge before our own?
The greatest monuments in Masonry are not built of stone.
The greatest monuments in Masonry are not built of stone.
They are built in the hearts of those whose lives we have touched.
They are built in the hearts of those whose lives we have touched.
Perhaps the empty chair is not a symbol of absence after all.
Perhaps the empty chair is not a symbol of absence after all.
Perhaps it is a reminder that every meeting gives us another opportunity to leave behind something worthy of remembrance.
Perhaps it is a reminder that every meeting gives us another opportunity to leave behind something worthy of remembrance.
So the next time you notice an empty chair in this Lodge, do not simply think about who is missing.
So the next time you notice an empty chair in this Lodge, do not simply think about who is missing.
Think about the legacy he left…
Think about the legacy he left…
And the legacy you are building.
And the legacy you are building.
For one day, another Brother will look upon your chair.
For one day, another Brother will look upon your chair.
May he remember that it was once occupied by a good man…
May he remember that it was once occupied by a good man…
A faithful Mason…
A faithful Mason…
And a true Brother.
And a true Brother.
Thank you, my Brethren.
Thank you, my Brethren.
Tony Fain P.M.
Tony Fain P.M.
Springville Lodge #153
Springville Lodge #153
Powder Springs, Ga.
Powder Springs, Ga.