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Article "ABUSE OF THE BALLOT." ← Page 2 of 2 Article DUTY OF THE HOUR. Page 1 of 2 Article DUTY OF THE HOUR. Page 1 of 2 →
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"Abuse Of The Ballot."
ourselves of the sanctity of the ballot , when legitimately applied , although it were always preferable that if any likelihood is shown of a candidature being in disfavour intimation thereof should be given to the proposer and
seconder , in order to prevent a refusal , which is always a source of painful regret to the members of a Lodge , who regard such a contretemps as a hitch in the otherwise smoothly working machinery of their body . As a rule this
more sensible and honest course is adopted , and much scandal and heartburning avoided ; but in the instance now under consideration , there was a deliberate straining of the powers of voting , and simply to gratify a personal
pique , and to mar the comfort and happiness of the majority , because they had acted contrary to the wishes of the clique . What were the particular causes of the isolation of these three or four members from the body of
the Lodge we are not aware , nor do we care to ask . But we do say , that snch an exhibition of malicious spleen as that narrated by our correspondent furnishes us with a sorry picture indeed of the extent to which factions spite
can be carried even in a Masonic Lodge . For the sake of the credit of the Craft , we hope we have heard the last of at , although we quite agree with our correspondent that there should be exercised some " high Masonic authnritv
to prevent the continuance and increase of what is rapidly becoming a most injurious scandal in connection with the Order . " It is useless to argue with men whose little minds are so easily poisoned as those involved in the " scandal "
before ns ; or those who will descend to such despicable means of showing their resentment . They belong to a class—a very insignificant one , we are glad to believewho deem that they have the privilege of the ballot , and
nave a right to use it , regardless of consequences . Undoubtedly , they have a right to use it , but as a rule it is exercised legitimately , and at any rate with some little show of decency . But no amount of argument will
convince some people that the rules of decency should be considered and observed . No ; they have a grudge against one or other of the Officers , and the only way they can show it is to cause discord to arise in any possible way , no
matter at whose expense . Over and over again we have heard the same wail of regret that snch should be the case , and we have found it unavailing either to argue or advise such a class of individuals . We grieve to say so , but the spirit
of personal vindictiveness cannot be wholly and entirely stamped out even in our Masonic Lodges . The only course to be adopted , so far as we can discover , is for the decent members of the Lodge to set their faces against
snch petty would-be tyrants and cowardly scunks , and to send them to that" Coventry" which they so richly deserve . Some men have no soul beyond their own personal likes and dislikes , and there is no use
attempting to cure such a deep-rooted disease . We can only hope , ¦ with the writer who has ventilated this subject , that " on the principle that there is no wrong without a remedy , measures will be promoted which will effectually prevent
repetitions of such abuse of the ballot . " For ourselves , we confess we can offer no suggestion as likely to secure a panacea for this evil , though we should be pleased to hear what our correspondents have to say on so important a question .
Duty Of The Hour.
DUTY OF THE HOUR .
An Extract from an Oration by Bro . L . C . Krauthnff , before the Grand Lodge of Missouri , 13 th October , 1885 .
DEEP in the heart of man is a great yearning for association and communion with his fellows . He has an jinborn aversion to solitude and the life of an anchorite . He realises that unaided and alone he is weak and helpless , and unable to develop the great mission and
purpose of his existence . 'Tis this that produces associations in every relation of life—domestic , religious , social , governmental , political , business ; and this , also , far back in the misty past , gave rise to an institution having for its
purpose the formation of the entire human race into one grand and harmonious family , and for its aim , the realisation of the heaven-taught universal brotherhood of man .
In such an organisation , aid and assistance to the poor and needy , the amelioration of sorrow and suffering , and the contribution to the relief of the weak and distressed , must needs be a part of the foundation upon which the super-
Duty Of The Hour.
¦ structure rests . And so it is . Next to a belief in God , Charity , which is indeed but an incident to such belief , is placed at the very basis of the Institution . Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth are its most excellent tenets . The
lesson of Charity is taught in the Masonic Primer , and is repeated and amplified in every grade through which the candidate passes , and unless he has learned it , he has indeed been a poor and unworthy scholar . The obligation
to practise it is most solemnly enjoined upon him by word , symbol , and ceremony , and the promise to follow this teaching is repeatedly given in words and manner most serious and binding . Under a sense of this obligation , this
body has taken initial steps for an organised and collective redemption of those promises , by the establishment of an Industrial Masonic Home . In the light of the facts disclosed by the address of our Most Worshipful Grand
Master , the perfection of this initial step and the practical exemplification , individually and as a Grand Lodge , of the charitable principles we profess , is , to my mind , the duty of the hour ! With this evidence before us , there can be
no question of the need of assistance , prompt and substantial , to our indigent brethren and to the distressed widows and orphans , who have been-left to our care and protection by brethren who have " gone before . " The very fact that
a worthy distressed brother , or a widow or orphan left by one , lives in our jurisdiction , is at once an appeal and a demand , more eloquent than words can frame , for assistance and relief at our hands . It is a demand we
cannot , it seems to me , permit to pass unheeded , consistent with a sense of the obligation resting upon us . Preserved in its pristine purity , the Institution of Freemasonry will have a mission that can only expire with the last man on this sphere , who , prophet-like will stand , saying :
" We are twins in death , proud snn ; Thy face is cold , thy race is ran , 'Tis mercy bids thee go ;
For thou , ten thousand thousand years Hast seen the tide of human tears That shall no longer flow . "
Never should eye be so keen , ear so ready , heart so willing and purse so open as when the existence of distress and the ability to do good is presented to the members of an organization charged with such a mission . This state
of facts and this opportunity are now before us ; and in a Masonic body , this should mean , with one voice , a resolution that there thall be no waiting for poverty to plead ; for shrunken forms and withered cheeks to stare us
in the face , or until destitution shall have driven to crime or beggary ; but that prompt and effectual action will be taken . Can we do so , collectively , in the present financial condition of this Grand Lodge and its subordinates ? Can
we assist in it individually without materially injuring ourselves and those dependent upon us ? In what manner can Ave best and most practically attain the desired end ? Thanks to the prosperity that has blessed her
subordinate bodies , and the intelligence and ability which have marked the management of her funds , this Grand Lodge is to-day in a most flourishing condition . Her treasury is plethoric , her income far exceeds her expenses , and she
has , and will continue to have a yearly surplus . The details of this financial condition can be readily gathered from the several reports of our Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer , and I need not weary you by presenting
them here and now . How shall we dispose of this surplus ? Shall it be refunded to the contributors , or shall it be permitted to accumulate until , under the the influence of the full tide which an overflowing cash box
usually generates , it will be expended for a purpose less worthy and less powerful for practical good than that to which it was set apart at the last Communication of this body ? The system of refunding to subordinate Lodges
has little to commend it , and certainly there is neither demand nor necessity to resort to it , and the other probable disposition that has been indicated will have no advocates at this day .
This surplus , supplemented by what the healthy condition of the subordinate Lodges justifies them in contributing , and but a small proportion of the plenty that our Heavenly Father has so generously scattered over our
smiling State , which has fallen to the lots of the twentyeight thousand Masons within her borders , and the other resources which our Most Worshipful Grand Master has
enumerated , all join to make up an endowment fund sufficient to justify action on the part of the most cautions . financier . Added to this is the most munificent disposition
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
"Abuse Of The Ballot."
ourselves of the sanctity of the ballot , when legitimately applied , although it were always preferable that if any likelihood is shown of a candidature being in disfavour intimation thereof should be given to the proposer and
seconder , in order to prevent a refusal , which is always a source of painful regret to the members of a Lodge , who regard such a contretemps as a hitch in the otherwise smoothly working machinery of their body . As a rule this
more sensible and honest course is adopted , and much scandal and heartburning avoided ; but in the instance now under consideration , there was a deliberate straining of the powers of voting , and simply to gratify a personal
pique , and to mar the comfort and happiness of the majority , because they had acted contrary to the wishes of the clique . What were the particular causes of the isolation of these three or four members from the body of
the Lodge we are not aware , nor do we care to ask . But we do say , that snch an exhibition of malicious spleen as that narrated by our correspondent furnishes us with a sorry picture indeed of the extent to which factions spite
can be carried even in a Masonic Lodge . For the sake of the credit of the Craft , we hope we have heard the last of at , although we quite agree with our correspondent that there should be exercised some " high Masonic authnritv
to prevent the continuance and increase of what is rapidly becoming a most injurious scandal in connection with the Order . " It is useless to argue with men whose little minds are so easily poisoned as those involved in the " scandal "
before ns ; or those who will descend to such despicable means of showing their resentment . They belong to a class—a very insignificant one , we are glad to believewho deem that they have the privilege of the ballot , and
nave a right to use it , regardless of consequences . Undoubtedly , they have a right to use it , but as a rule it is exercised legitimately , and at any rate with some little show of decency . But no amount of argument will
convince some people that the rules of decency should be considered and observed . No ; they have a grudge against one or other of the Officers , and the only way they can show it is to cause discord to arise in any possible way , no
matter at whose expense . Over and over again we have heard the same wail of regret that snch should be the case , and we have found it unavailing either to argue or advise such a class of individuals . We grieve to say so , but the spirit
of personal vindictiveness cannot be wholly and entirely stamped out even in our Masonic Lodges . The only course to be adopted , so far as we can discover , is for the decent members of the Lodge to set their faces against
snch petty would-be tyrants and cowardly scunks , and to send them to that" Coventry" which they so richly deserve . Some men have no soul beyond their own personal likes and dislikes , and there is no use
attempting to cure such a deep-rooted disease . We can only hope , ¦ with the writer who has ventilated this subject , that " on the principle that there is no wrong without a remedy , measures will be promoted which will effectually prevent
repetitions of such abuse of the ballot . " For ourselves , we confess we can offer no suggestion as likely to secure a panacea for this evil , though we should be pleased to hear what our correspondents have to say on so important a question .
Duty Of The Hour.
DUTY OF THE HOUR .
An Extract from an Oration by Bro . L . C . Krauthnff , before the Grand Lodge of Missouri , 13 th October , 1885 .
DEEP in the heart of man is a great yearning for association and communion with his fellows . He has an jinborn aversion to solitude and the life of an anchorite . He realises that unaided and alone he is weak and helpless , and unable to develop the great mission and
purpose of his existence . 'Tis this that produces associations in every relation of life—domestic , religious , social , governmental , political , business ; and this , also , far back in the misty past , gave rise to an institution having for its
purpose the formation of the entire human race into one grand and harmonious family , and for its aim , the realisation of the heaven-taught universal brotherhood of man .
In such an organisation , aid and assistance to the poor and needy , the amelioration of sorrow and suffering , and the contribution to the relief of the weak and distressed , must needs be a part of the foundation upon which the super-
Duty Of The Hour.
¦ structure rests . And so it is . Next to a belief in God , Charity , which is indeed but an incident to such belief , is placed at the very basis of the Institution . Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth are its most excellent tenets . The
lesson of Charity is taught in the Masonic Primer , and is repeated and amplified in every grade through which the candidate passes , and unless he has learned it , he has indeed been a poor and unworthy scholar . The obligation
to practise it is most solemnly enjoined upon him by word , symbol , and ceremony , and the promise to follow this teaching is repeatedly given in words and manner most serious and binding . Under a sense of this obligation , this
body has taken initial steps for an organised and collective redemption of those promises , by the establishment of an Industrial Masonic Home . In the light of the facts disclosed by the address of our Most Worshipful Grand
Master , the perfection of this initial step and the practical exemplification , individually and as a Grand Lodge , of the charitable principles we profess , is , to my mind , the duty of the hour ! With this evidence before us , there can be
no question of the need of assistance , prompt and substantial , to our indigent brethren and to the distressed widows and orphans , who have been-left to our care and protection by brethren who have " gone before . " The very fact that
a worthy distressed brother , or a widow or orphan left by one , lives in our jurisdiction , is at once an appeal and a demand , more eloquent than words can frame , for assistance and relief at our hands . It is a demand we
cannot , it seems to me , permit to pass unheeded , consistent with a sense of the obligation resting upon us . Preserved in its pristine purity , the Institution of Freemasonry will have a mission that can only expire with the last man on this sphere , who , prophet-like will stand , saying :
" We are twins in death , proud snn ; Thy face is cold , thy race is ran , 'Tis mercy bids thee go ;
For thou , ten thousand thousand years Hast seen the tide of human tears That shall no longer flow . "
Never should eye be so keen , ear so ready , heart so willing and purse so open as when the existence of distress and the ability to do good is presented to the members of an organization charged with such a mission . This state
of facts and this opportunity are now before us ; and in a Masonic body , this should mean , with one voice , a resolution that there thall be no waiting for poverty to plead ; for shrunken forms and withered cheeks to stare us
in the face , or until destitution shall have driven to crime or beggary ; but that prompt and effectual action will be taken . Can we do so , collectively , in the present financial condition of this Grand Lodge and its subordinates ? Can
we assist in it individually without materially injuring ourselves and those dependent upon us ? In what manner can Ave best and most practically attain the desired end ? Thanks to the prosperity that has blessed her
subordinate bodies , and the intelligence and ability which have marked the management of her funds , this Grand Lodge is to-day in a most flourishing condition . Her treasury is plethoric , her income far exceeds her expenses , and she
has , and will continue to have a yearly surplus . The details of this financial condition can be readily gathered from the several reports of our Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer , and I need not weary you by presenting
them here and now . How shall we dispose of this surplus ? Shall it be refunded to the contributors , or shall it be permitted to accumulate until , under the the influence of the full tide which an overflowing cash box
usually generates , it will be expended for a purpose less worthy and less powerful for practical good than that to which it was set apart at the last Communication of this body ? The system of refunding to subordinate Lodges
has little to commend it , and certainly there is neither demand nor necessity to resort to it , and the other probable disposition that has been indicated will have no advocates at this day .
This surplus , supplemented by what the healthy condition of the subordinate Lodges justifies them in contributing , and but a small proportion of the plenty that our Heavenly Father has so generously scattered over our
smiling State , which has fallen to the lots of the twentyeight thousand Masons within her borders , and the other resources which our Most Worshipful Grand Master has
enumerated , all join to make up an endowment fund sufficient to justify action on the part of the most cautions . financier . Added to this is the most munificent disposition