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Article TO OUR READERS. Page 1 of 2 Article TO OUR READERS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Our Readers.
TO OUR READERS .
ARCHIMEDES is said to have boasted that he could move the world if he could only obtain a fulcrum for his lever . This impossible feat of physical science has long since been performed for the social and moral world , and
the mighty arm which moves mankind from North Cape to New Zealand , and from Bohring ' s Straits to Japan , is the printing press . It is the exponent of social , political , and scientific thought ; the mirror the journalist holds
up to human nature , in which mankind may see its own perfect reflection . The growth of this vast power , during the past few years , has been enormous , and the development of class journalism has been one of the signs of the
times . No party or section of the State regards itself as upon a footing of perfect equality with its rivals until it is fairly and ably represented by an organ devoted to its interests and inspired by its policy . Nor is it alone in the
fruitful field of politics that journalism has developed in a way that was undreamed of when Leigh Hunt and Cobbett suffered for the free expression of opinion . Parties that are not political , social coteries , theological sectaries , and
the savans of the world of science , have each its more or less able representative and its staff of writers , who , so to speak , hold briefs for their clients , and plead their cause before the bar of public opinion .
The Freemasons , who wield so vast and beneficent an influence over society , have hitherto neglected to use the press for the purposes of the Craft . They have been inadequately represented by journals , which have failed to
obtain the confidence of the great mass of the members of the Order . This , indeed , is not surprising , when it is remembered that the so-called organs of Freemasonry , whatever other merits they may possess , have been
singularly weak in the literary department of journalism . Freemasonry includes within its ranks the most cultivated intellects of the day , and any paper which aspires to be the exponent of the Fraternity must , at
all events , endeavour to keep pace with the growing requirements of an ago remarkable for its intellectual activity . The questions in which Masons are interested are numerous , and varied in their scope and
range , and although politics and sectarianism have little direct influence upon a society which is based upon the broad principles of Benevolence and Charity , it is not the less true that there are times when the Fraternity finds
itself brought into collision , from no fault of its own , with both political and religious forces . The recent retirement of the Marquis of Ripon from the ranks of Freemasonry has been brought about by the pressure of the Romish
Church , which has always looked with suspicion upon the Brotherhood . In some of the European States Masonry has been seriously discouraged , under the absurd belief that its principles were antagonistic to social order and
the independence of Government . So late as the middle of the last century ib was discountenanced by the French Government and clergy , and in Spain and Italy it has generally been under the ban of the State , It should be
To Our Readers.
the business of a journal devoted to the interests of the Order to attempt the removal of prejudices such as these , which , though they may have little perceptible influence upon the prosperity of the Fraternity ,
yet have the effect of preventing timid or ill-informed persons from enlisting under its banner . In an age when " Sociology " is demanding for itself a recognition and a place in the estimation of the public second only
to that which is monopolised by political science , the Brotherhood may fairly claim to speak a word in season upon many social topics of general interest which , nevertheless , have little or no direct bearing upon the
Craft . "We are all learning that the points of contact between classes and institutions are innumerable , . and that it is impossible for any section or class to ignore the claims or the convictions of the mass of society .
Freemasons , who , in the sacred arcanum of the lodge , have long since solved the great problem of perfect and complete Toleration , have learned to regard the differences and the misunderstandings of the outer world in
the light of their superior freedom . Men , indeed , often differ , not because they are radically opposed , but because they misunderstand each other . We venture to think that the occasional discussion of social questions , in a free and
impartial style in the pages of a journal devoted to the interests of the Craft , cannot but be beneficial , and wo shall attempt this portion of our task with the conviction that our efforts will be generally appreciated . The FREE
MASON ' CHRONICLE , the First Number of which we now have tho pleasure of presenting to our readers , will endeavour to srtpply all that has hitherto been wanting in the existing
Masonic organs . It will not only attempt to keep pace with the growing literary requirements of the day , bub it will seek to exhibit the Order to the non-Masonic world
divested of its technical details , and clothed in the garb of Charity and Brotherly Love . The questions of the hour , which exercise the minds of thoughtful men , will be handled freely and broadly , without any tinge of political or
sectarian bias . The memoranda of Masonic gatherings which will appear from week to week , will be full and accurate ; and as free interchange of opinion is one of the best signs of life and vigour in any society , ample scope will be given
for Correspondence on topics of interest to the Order , We feel assured that our endeavours to found a journal worthy of the confidence of the Brotherhood will be widely appreciated and generally acknowledged . The staff of trained
writers which has been engaged to contribute leading articles is composed of men who are well versed in Masonry , and who will be devoted to the advocacy of its best interests . In sending forth our First Number upon its
high mission we have only to add that our labours are influenced by no mercenary considerations . Commercial success is indeed the foundation of the life of a Newspaper , and we shall seek to make the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE as
prosperous as possible , but we will not permit our pages to degenerate into a mere trade circular , nor will we , for any immediate advantages , sacrifice or degrade the high principles of Brotherl y Love , Relief and Truth , which
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To Our Readers.
TO OUR READERS .
ARCHIMEDES is said to have boasted that he could move the world if he could only obtain a fulcrum for his lever . This impossible feat of physical science has long since been performed for the social and moral world , and
the mighty arm which moves mankind from North Cape to New Zealand , and from Bohring ' s Straits to Japan , is the printing press . It is the exponent of social , political , and scientific thought ; the mirror the journalist holds
up to human nature , in which mankind may see its own perfect reflection . The growth of this vast power , during the past few years , has been enormous , and the development of class journalism has been one of the signs of the
times . No party or section of the State regards itself as upon a footing of perfect equality with its rivals until it is fairly and ably represented by an organ devoted to its interests and inspired by its policy . Nor is it alone in the
fruitful field of politics that journalism has developed in a way that was undreamed of when Leigh Hunt and Cobbett suffered for the free expression of opinion . Parties that are not political , social coteries , theological sectaries , and
the savans of the world of science , have each its more or less able representative and its staff of writers , who , so to speak , hold briefs for their clients , and plead their cause before the bar of public opinion .
The Freemasons , who wield so vast and beneficent an influence over society , have hitherto neglected to use the press for the purposes of the Craft . They have been inadequately represented by journals , which have failed to
obtain the confidence of the great mass of the members of the Order . This , indeed , is not surprising , when it is remembered that the so-called organs of Freemasonry , whatever other merits they may possess , have been
singularly weak in the literary department of journalism . Freemasonry includes within its ranks the most cultivated intellects of the day , and any paper which aspires to be the exponent of the Fraternity must , at
all events , endeavour to keep pace with the growing requirements of an ago remarkable for its intellectual activity . The questions in which Masons are interested are numerous , and varied in their scope and
range , and although politics and sectarianism have little direct influence upon a society which is based upon the broad principles of Benevolence and Charity , it is not the less true that there are times when the Fraternity finds
itself brought into collision , from no fault of its own , with both political and religious forces . The recent retirement of the Marquis of Ripon from the ranks of Freemasonry has been brought about by the pressure of the Romish
Church , which has always looked with suspicion upon the Brotherhood . In some of the European States Masonry has been seriously discouraged , under the absurd belief that its principles were antagonistic to social order and
the independence of Government . So late as the middle of the last century ib was discountenanced by the French Government and clergy , and in Spain and Italy it has generally been under the ban of the State , It should be
To Our Readers.
the business of a journal devoted to the interests of the Order to attempt the removal of prejudices such as these , which , though they may have little perceptible influence upon the prosperity of the Fraternity ,
yet have the effect of preventing timid or ill-informed persons from enlisting under its banner . In an age when " Sociology " is demanding for itself a recognition and a place in the estimation of the public second only
to that which is monopolised by political science , the Brotherhood may fairly claim to speak a word in season upon many social topics of general interest which , nevertheless , have little or no direct bearing upon the
Craft . "We are all learning that the points of contact between classes and institutions are innumerable , . and that it is impossible for any section or class to ignore the claims or the convictions of the mass of society .
Freemasons , who , in the sacred arcanum of the lodge , have long since solved the great problem of perfect and complete Toleration , have learned to regard the differences and the misunderstandings of the outer world in
the light of their superior freedom . Men , indeed , often differ , not because they are radically opposed , but because they misunderstand each other . We venture to think that the occasional discussion of social questions , in a free and
impartial style in the pages of a journal devoted to the interests of the Craft , cannot but be beneficial , and wo shall attempt this portion of our task with the conviction that our efforts will be generally appreciated . The FREE
MASON ' CHRONICLE , the First Number of which we now have tho pleasure of presenting to our readers , will endeavour to srtpply all that has hitherto been wanting in the existing
Masonic organs . It will not only attempt to keep pace with the growing literary requirements of the day , bub it will seek to exhibit the Order to the non-Masonic world
divested of its technical details , and clothed in the garb of Charity and Brotherly Love . The questions of the hour , which exercise the minds of thoughtful men , will be handled freely and broadly , without any tinge of political or
sectarian bias . The memoranda of Masonic gatherings which will appear from week to week , will be full and accurate ; and as free interchange of opinion is one of the best signs of life and vigour in any society , ample scope will be given
for Correspondence on topics of interest to the Order , We feel assured that our endeavours to found a journal worthy of the confidence of the Brotherhood will be widely appreciated and generally acknowledged . The staff of trained
writers which has been engaged to contribute leading articles is composed of men who are well versed in Masonry , and who will be devoted to the advocacy of its best interests . In sending forth our First Number upon its
high mission we have only to add that our labours are influenced by no mercenary considerations . Commercial success is indeed the foundation of the life of a Newspaper , and we shall seek to make the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE as
prosperous as possible , but we will not permit our pages to degenerate into a mere trade circular , nor will we , for any immediate advantages , sacrifice or degrade the high principles of Brotherl y Love , Relief and Truth , which