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Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 120

120 THE MEETING AND THE MEMBER CHAPTER 19
body, powerless either to restrain its members or to drive
them on, or to form them in any way. Without discipline, the
members will be at the mercy of the natural human tendency
to work alone, or with as little control as possible, at the work
dictated by the whim of the moment, and in the manner one
pleases — and out of which no good will come.
On the other hand, in a voluntarily-assumed discipline
devoted to religious ends, lies one of the most potent forces in
the world. That discipline will prove irresistible if it operates
unwaveringly, yet at the same time without admixture of
grimness, and in hearty respon sive ness to ecclesiastical
authority.
In its characteristic spirit of discipline the Legion possesses
a treasure, which it is also able to bestow outside itself. It is a
priceless gift, for the world alternates profitlessly between the
opposite poles of tyranny and licence. A lack of interior
discipline may be cloaked by the operation of a strong
external discipline, the product of tradition or of force. Where
individuals or communities are dependent on that external
discipline alone, they will collapse if it be withdrawn, as in
moments of crisis. Though the inner discip line is infinitely
more important than any system of external discipline, it is
not to be supposed that the latter is unimportant. Actually,
each requires the other. When the two combine in proper
proportion, with the sweet motive of religion intertwined, we
hold that triple cord which — the Scripture pronounces — “is
not quickly broken.” (Eccles 4:12)

12. Punctuality paramount. Without punctuality the
Lord’s command: “Set your house in order” (Is 38:1) cannot
be fulfilled. A system that is training its members to disorder
is warping them in a radical way. In addition, it is forfeiting
that respect which is the basis of all right education and
discipline. Surely that neglect of something vital which could
be so easily supplied, is as insane a proceeding as the
proverbial spoiling of the ship for the halfpenny worth of tar!
Sometimes a watch is placed carefully on the table but
exercises no influence whatever on the course of the meeting.
In other cases it does play a part in regard to the beginning,
middle, and end of the meeting but none in regard to the
regulation of the reports and other business; whereas the