Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Eternal Fitness Of Things.
THE ETERNAL FITNESS OF THINGS .
c"TTHrjiN' the poet Pope , in one of liis Kpisth ' . s . said y \ ' that " Ordw is heaven ' s first law , " mid when St Paul wvoic to the Conrithiuus , " Let till things he done decen tly and in order , " both struck the key-note of a great truth . Disorder is dangerous , and opens the way to
destruction , while order is the demand alike of the all-wise God and of all wise men . A popular assembly out of order ; 9 a bear-garden . Fortunate is it that , owing to the peculiar constitution of the Craft , a Masonic assemblage can never degenerate into that condition . Order always
prevails in a Masonic Lodge . Tt must prevail . There is a power that demands it , an emblem of authority which enforces it . But sometimes , in some jurisdictions , the Craft exposes itself to liability to error bv going outside of itself , in two
particulars , first by meeting in a place that is not Masonic , and second by sharing its official ceremonies with those who are not Freemasons . It also errs when it formally uses its Lodge Rooms for non-Masonic purposes , and invites the public to share in such proceedings .
There is an eternal fitness of things . Heaven ' s , and earth ' s , and tho Craft's , first law of order secures this fitness , while disorder mars whatever it dominates . Onr attention has just been called to two occurrences , or classes of occurrences , which suggest these thoughts , and
the application of the principle we have invoked . Wherever , by the unwise permission of the supreme Masonic authority , the installation of the officers of a Lodge , or other Masonic body , is allowed to take place in a church , or public hall , where the profane are present ,
disorder is inevitable . A disturbance from this cause , not in the Craft , but among tho profane , is now rife in the city of Chicago . One of the profane , who took exception to the proceeding , is reported as saying : " When they turn tho Presbyterian Church into a Lodge Room , and into a place
for theatrical performances , it is time that somebody should interfere . " We would say , on behalf of many Freemasons , that when the Craft assumes to thus make itself a public spectacle , and postnrizo and declaim in public , it is time that the Supreme Authority of the Craft should interfere .
We would leave the public to fight their own battles , If the churches are willing to permit the use of their chancels , pulpits and auditoriums for exhibitions by organizations outside of themselves , as Freemasons we have nothing to do with that aspect of the subject ; but we
have everything to do with the Masonic feature of such proceedings . We would not have the dignity of the Fraternity lessened or lowered ; we would not have its non-proselyting characteristic abolished ; we would not have an official act , such as the installation of
Lodge Officers — without which installation , duly performed , no Officers are lawfully invested with power to execute the functions of their stations—so executed as to render it a nullity ; we would not lay the Craft open to the ridicule of the profane , who laugh at these evident
attempts to win the favour of the public and the patronage of applicants for initiation . No matter if the thing has been done again and again , through a series of years , in fiomo localities—it is wrong now , it was always wrong , and it will never be right , no matter how often performed ,
or how much endorsed . There is an eternal fitness of things , and it is not fit for Freemasons , in the performance ot an official ceremony , to go outside of their Lodge Room into profane company , and there expose a part of the ceremonial of the Craft to those who are not Freemasons .
Another disorderly proceeding , in a different direction , was noted in the news columns of the Keystone in its issue ot last week . In that case religious services were held on a Sunday in a Masonic Hall , under the auspices of What . Lodge , Providence . R . I .. nrofanes beinsr present , and
a brand Officer delivered a formal religions address . This was an extraordinary proceeding . It is as improper , more improper from a Masonic standpoint , to turn a Lodge Koom into a Masonic church , and hold public religious eryices there on a Sunday , merely on general principles .
it is to turn a church into a quasi Lodge Room , and ve what , to the profane present , is simply a theatrical Performance , a vain show . •£ rethren , there is an eternal fitness of thingP . " Order « i heaven ' s first law . " "Let all things be done decently a ^ in ovfa . " -Keystone .
Ad01302
THEFREEMASON'SCHRONICLE, : A . Weekly Record of Mtuouio lutdHigrence . i K « i » . i'ts iif United liraud fiodse ait ; published with the Special Sanction of H . ll . H . the 1 ' iinoo of \\' : iie » the M . W . the r . nuiu Master of England . milE FREEMASON'S CEIRONICLE will bo forwarded direct i from the Office , Belvidero Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , N ., on receipt of Post Office Order for the amount . Intending Sub . soribers should forward their full Addresses , to prevent mistakes . Post Office Orders to be made payable to W . W . MORGAN , at Penton Street Office . Cheques crossed " London and County . " The Terms of Subscription ( payable in advance ) to THE FREEMASON ' CHROXICT . E aro—Twelve Months , post free £ 0 13 6 Six Months ditto 0 7 0 Three Months ditto 0 3 0 SCALE OF CHARGES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS . Per Page £ 8 8 0 Back Page .. 10 10 0 Births , Marriages , and Deaths , Is per line . General Advertisements , Trade Announcements , & c , single column , 5 s per inch . Double column Advertisements Is per line . Special terms for a series of insertions on application . Advertisers will find THE FREEMASON ' S CHKONICLE an exceptionally good medium for Advertisements of every class . Agents , from whom copies can always be had : — HANSARD PUBLISHING ; UNION , LIMITED , 12 and 14 Catherine Street , W . C . Messrs . H . DARHYSHIRE and Co ., 9 Red Lion Court , E . G ., and 43 A Market Street Manchester . Mr . RITCHIE , G Rod Lion Court , E . C . Messrs . SIMPSON BROS ., Shoe Lanr . Mr . H . SIMPSON , 7 Red Lion Court , E . C . Messrs . W . H . SMITH and SON , 183 Strand . Messrs . SPENCER and Co ., 15 Great Queen Street , W . C . Messrs . STEEL and JONES , 4 Spring Gardens , Charing Cross . Mr . G . VICKERS , Angel Court , Strand .
Ad01303
FreebyPost,PriceOneShilling. THE REVISEDBOOKOFCONSTITUTIONS; CRITICALLY CONSIDERED , AND COMPARED WITH THE OLD EDITION . A SERIES OP ARTICLES , REPAINTED PROM THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . LONDON : VV . W . MORGAN , BELVIDERE WORKS , PENTONVILLE .
Ad01304
PriceOneShilling, Free by Post on receipt of 24 Halfpenny Stamps . OCCASIONALPAPERS OH THEHISTORYOFFREEMASONRY, Written expressly for delivery in Lodges of Instruction . LONDON : W . W . MORGAN , BELVIDERE WORKS , HERMES HILL , PENTONVILLE , N . AND BY ORDER OF ALL BOOKSELLERS . Sacretaries of Lodges of Instruction can be supplied carriage free , at 10 / - per dozen .
Ad01305
DANCING . —To Those Who Have Never Learnt to Dance . —Bro . ? and Mrs . JACQUES WYNMAN receive daily , and undertake to teach ladies and gentlemen , who have never had the slightest previous knowledge of instruction , to go through every fashionable ball-dance in a few easy lessons . ACADEMY—74 NEWMAN STREET , OXFORD STREET . BBO . JACQUES WYNSIAK WILL BB HAPPY TO TAKE TUB MAITAOBVBNT o ? MASOUIO BALIS . FIRST-CLASS BAUDS PROVIDED , PBOSPBCIUS 02 C APPLICATION .
Ar01301
/^ OLEMAN'S LIEBIG'S EXTRACT OF MEAT and MALT \ , i WINE . —A 2 s 9 tl bottle of this celebrated wine sent free by Parcels Pest for 33 stamps . Over 2 , 000 testimonials received from medical men . COLEMAN & CO . LIMIIBD , NORWICH . Sold everywhere .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Eternal Fitness Of Things.
THE ETERNAL FITNESS OF THINGS .
c"TTHrjiN' the poet Pope , in one of liis Kpisth ' . s . said y \ ' that " Ordw is heaven ' s first law , " mid when St Paul wvoic to the Conrithiuus , " Let till things he done decen tly and in order , " both struck the key-note of a great truth . Disorder is dangerous , and opens the way to
destruction , while order is the demand alike of the all-wise God and of all wise men . A popular assembly out of order ; 9 a bear-garden . Fortunate is it that , owing to the peculiar constitution of the Craft , a Masonic assemblage can never degenerate into that condition . Order always
prevails in a Masonic Lodge . Tt must prevail . There is a power that demands it , an emblem of authority which enforces it . But sometimes , in some jurisdictions , the Craft exposes itself to liability to error bv going outside of itself , in two
particulars , first by meeting in a place that is not Masonic , and second by sharing its official ceremonies with those who are not Freemasons . It also errs when it formally uses its Lodge Rooms for non-Masonic purposes , and invites the public to share in such proceedings .
There is an eternal fitness of things . Heaven ' s , and earth ' s , and tho Craft's , first law of order secures this fitness , while disorder mars whatever it dominates . Onr attention has just been called to two occurrences , or classes of occurrences , which suggest these thoughts , and
the application of the principle we have invoked . Wherever , by the unwise permission of the supreme Masonic authority , the installation of the officers of a Lodge , or other Masonic body , is allowed to take place in a church , or public hall , where the profane are present ,
disorder is inevitable . A disturbance from this cause , not in the Craft , but among tho profane , is now rife in the city of Chicago . One of the profane , who took exception to the proceeding , is reported as saying : " When they turn tho Presbyterian Church into a Lodge Room , and into a place
for theatrical performances , it is time that somebody should interfere . " We would say , on behalf of many Freemasons , that when the Craft assumes to thus make itself a public spectacle , and postnrizo and declaim in public , it is time that the Supreme Authority of the Craft should interfere .
We would leave the public to fight their own battles , If the churches are willing to permit the use of their chancels , pulpits and auditoriums for exhibitions by organizations outside of themselves , as Freemasons we have nothing to do with that aspect of the subject ; but we
have everything to do with the Masonic feature of such proceedings . We would not have the dignity of the Fraternity lessened or lowered ; we would not have its non-proselyting characteristic abolished ; we would not have an official act , such as the installation of
Lodge Officers — without which installation , duly performed , no Officers are lawfully invested with power to execute the functions of their stations—so executed as to render it a nullity ; we would not lay the Craft open to the ridicule of the profane , who laugh at these evident
attempts to win the favour of the public and the patronage of applicants for initiation . No matter if the thing has been done again and again , through a series of years , in fiomo localities—it is wrong now , it was always wrong , and it will never be right , no matter how often performed ,
or how much endorsed . There is an eternal fitness of things , and it is not fit for Freemasons , in the performance ot an official ceremony , to go outside of their Lodge Room into profane company , and there expose a part of the ceremonial of the Craft to those who are not Freemasons .
Another disorderly proceeding , in a different direction , was noted in the news columns of the Keystone in its issue ot last week . In that case religious services were held on a Sunday in a Masonic Hall , under the auspices of What . Lodge , Providence . R . I .. nrofanes beinsr present , and
a brand Officer delivered a formal religions address . This was an extraordinary proceeding . It is as improper , more improper from a Masonic standpoint , to turn a Lodge Koom into a Masonic church , and hold public religious eryices there on a Sunday , merely on general principles .
it is to turn a church into a quasi Lodge Room , and ve what , to the profane present , is simply a theatrical Performance , a vain show . •£ rethren , there is an eternal fitness of thingP . " Order « i heaven ' s first law . " "Let all things be done decently a ^ in ovfa . " -Keystone .
Ad01302
THEFREEMASON'SCHRONICLE, : A . Weekly Record of Mtuouio lutdHigrence . i K « i » . i'ts iif United liraud fiodse ait ; published with the Special Sanction of H . ll . H . the 1 ' iinoo of \\' : iie » the M . W . the r . nuiu Master of England . milE FREEMASON'S CEIRONICLE will bo forwarded direct i from the Office , Belvidero Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , N ., on receipt of Post Office Order for the amount . Intending Sub . soribers should forward their full Addresses , to prevent mistakes . Post Office Orders to be made payable to W . W . MORGAN , at Penton Street Office . Cheques crossed " London and County . " The Terms of Subscription ( payable in advance ) to THE FREEMASON ' CHROXICT . E aro—Twelve Months , post free £ 0 13 6 Six Months ditto 0 7 0 Three Months ditto 0 3 0 SCALE OF CHARGES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS . Per Page £ 8 8 0 Back Page .. 10 10 0 Births , Marriages , and Deaths , Is per line . General Advertisements , Trade Announcements , & c , single column , 5 s per inch . Double column Advertisements Is per line . Special terms for a series of insertions on application . Advertisers will find THE FREEMASON ' S CHKONICLE an exceptionally good medium for Advertisements of every class . Agents , from whom copies can always be had : — HANSARD PUBLISHING ; UNION , LIMITED , 12 and 14 Catherine Street , W . C . Messrs . H . DARHYSHIRE and Co ., 9 Red Lion Court , E . G ., and 43 A Market Street Manchester . Mr . RITCHIE , G Rod Lion Court , E . C . Messrs . SIMPSON BROS ., Shoe Lanr . Mr . H . SIMPSON , 7 Red Lion Court , E . C . Messrs . W . H . SMITH and SON , 183 Strand . Messrs . SPENCER and Co ., 15 Great Queen Street , W . C . Messrs . STEEL and JONES , 4 Spring Gardens , Charing Cross . Mr . G . VICKERS , Angel Court , Strand .
Ad01303
FreebyPost,PriceOneShilling. THE REVISEDBOOKOFCONSTITUTIONS; CRITICALLY CONSIDERED , AND COMPARED WITH THE OLD EDITION . A SERIES OP ARTICLES , REPAINTED PROM THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . LONDON : VV . W . MORGAN , BELVIDERE WORKS , PENTONVILLE .
Ad01304
PriceOneShilling, Free by Post on receipt of 24 Halfpenny Stamps . OCCASIONALPAPERS OH THEHISTORYOFFREEMASONRY, Written expressly for delivery in Lodges of Instruction . LONDON : W . W . MORGAN , BELVIDERE WORKS , HERMES HILL , PENTONVILLE , N . AND BY ORDER OF ALL BOOKSELLERS . Sacretaries of Lodges of Instruction can be supplied carriage free , at 10 / - per dozen .
Ad01305
DANCING . —To Those Who Have Never Learnt to Dance . —Bro . ? and Mrs . JACQUES WYNMAN receive daily , and undertake to teach ladies and gentlemen , who have never had the slightest previous knowledge of instruction , to go through every fashionable ball-dance in a few easy lessons . ACADEMY—74 NEWMAN STREET , OXFORD STREET . BBO . JACQUES WYNSIAK WILL BB HAPPY TO TAKE TUB MAITAOBVBNT o ? MASOUIO BALIS . FIRST-CLASS BAUDS PROVIDED , PBOSPBCIUS 02 C APPLICATION .
Ar01301
/^ OLEMAN'S LIEBIG'S EXTRACT OF MEAT and MALT \ , i WINE . —A 2 s 9 tl bottle of this celebrated wine sent free by Parcels Pest for 33 stamps . Over 2 , 000 testimonials received from medical men . COLEMAN & CO . LIMIIBD , NORWICH . Sold everywhere .