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Article RANDOM NOTES AND REFLECTIONS ← Page 2 of 2 Article ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR. Page 1 of 1 Article ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR. Page 1 of 1 Article Obituary. Page 1 of 1
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Random Notes And Reflections
local public interests of its own section , and send np a grand council to the centre , who discharge the higher functions of regulating and carrying out all measures common to the whole of the metropolis . " This council control the supply of water , the lighting , the markets , fetes and festivals , regulate and manage all the
parks and gardens , and " every year or two they invite the world to some great international exhibition , " to which tho Paris artizans have free access c < of an evening or on Sunday afternoons . " Sir John goes on to say that vast sums are voted by the Municipality for the elementary
education of Paris , " which is by law universal , compulsory , and gratuitous . " Money is also voted for higher educational purposes , for the diffusion of knowledge in the natural sciences , fine arts , and technical instruction . He contends that what is done well in Paris , we in
London , who are blessed with " an able press , a free platform and an enlightened public spirit , " could do better . He thinks the City would take its proper place , and that
the City Fathers ought to put from them any jealous feelings of other bodies growing up beside them . Our readers , however , will be able to study Sir John's letter for themselves , as it appears in another column of this issue .
Order Of The Eastern Star.
ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR .
GRANTING INDULGENCES . rriHE Order's hounds are becoming so widespread , and the - * - circumstances surrounding ifc so various , that many objects are continually arising in the different jurisdictions that demand deliberate consideration , and a more extended discussion than they are likely to obtain npon the floor of any of our Grand Chapters . And it is an unfortunate fact
that such discussions in a Grand Body , whether it be an Eastern Star organisation , or one of some other society , are apt to take on , to a greater or less degree , a personal nature , so that often the real merits of a question are lost sight of , in the regard of the members for some individual .
Among the questions that demand attention afc this time , and a speedy settlement , thafc the actions of tbe different Grand Bodies may be in a certain degree uniform , is that of the granting of Dispensations by executive oflicers , to subordinate Chapters , for various purposes . That the title
mig ht foreshadow to a degree the view of tbe question I propose to present , I have chosen the word " Indulgences , " as more nearly expressing that which is frequently done by Grand Oflicers , when they profess to issue " Dispensations . "
The tendency of mankind is toward assumption of power . The history of both Church and State fully demonstrates this fact . He who is clothed with authority , often without a consciousness of it , is apt , by assuming doubtful prerogatives , to magnify his office . And , handed down from
one to another , thafc which was at first assumed as a doubtful prerogative comes to be regarded as an undoubted right , and the encroachments go on until the people by a revolution , peaceable or otherwise , by one fell swoop , do away with them .
I have in my mind ' s eye a Grand Chapter governed by a Constitution in which the word " Dispensation" does not occur , and there does not seem to be the least necessity for the issuance of any , as the regulations state that the Grand Oflicers may grant charters for new chapters , and
constitutional provision is made for the election and appointment of officers to fill vacancies . The Grand Officers are charged to see that the laws of the Order are strictly enforced , and yet both the Grand Matron and Grand Patron issued dispensations pretending to authorize
subordinate chapters to violate written law ! The law required that officers to fill vacancies must be elected afc a stated meeting , the members being summoned for that purpose . The " prerogatives (?) " of the Grand Officer were exercised , authorizing the election of an officer at a
special meeting . Another dispensation authorized a chapter to hold a special meeting and legalized any business that should be done thereat , which should have been done at a stated meeting . A third authorized individual members of the Order , acting under a dispensation
unauthorized by law , to receive petitions ballot and confer degrees . Two chapters were authorized to suspend their Bye-Laws , but in what particular is not stated . The ritual says imperatively that the charter or dispensation and seven members , including one of the first three
Order Of The Eastern Star.
Officers , must be present in order to open a chapter , and this requirement is specifically reiterated in the Constitution of the Grand Chapter , and yet a dispensation was issued authorizing a chapter to hold a regular meeting in the absence of the first three oflicers . Another chapter
was authorized to receive and ballot upon applications afc a special meeting although the Constitution requires that applications shall only be balloted on at regular meetings , and another chapter was empowered to meet without a charter So we are to conclude fchafc if fche
above dispensations were rightfully issued , a Grand Officer can authorize a chapter to hold a " regular " meeting , in the absence of its charter or either of its three principal officers , on a clay other than that authorized by the bye-laws , and thereat it may elect oflicers , receive and
ballot on petitions . The only thing necessary seems to be a dispensation and seven members , but we can well imagine circumstances whioh , under such a system , would seem to
justify the issuance of a dispensation authorizing a chapter to meet in the absence of a quorum . When that halcyon day arrives a dispensation will be a chapter fully authorized and equipped .
The Voice of Masonry has contained profound and learned disquisitions on fche prerogatives of Grand Masters , successors to our first Most Eminent Grand Masters , wbo ruled the Craft with despotic sway , and yet we do not remember that any writer has laid claim to such unrestricted
prerogatives as those with which some Eastern Star Officers vest themselves , without remonstrance from Grand Chapters . It would appear that the only solid ground on whioh to stand , on this subject , as well as all others , is that
of written law and , in these days , when we are building near the foundations , the cry of " halt" shonld be made upon all encroaching movements ; that future ills may be warded off .
In the Masouic Institution the powers of presiding officers are being more and more brought within the limits of specific laws , and in our Order they should be kept there . —Voice ofMasowry .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . EDWARD BARTLETT GRABHAM , P . P . S . G . W . MIDDLESEX . With the close of the year , there passed from amongst us a well-known brother , whose Masonic attainments and ardent labours in aid of our Charities will cause his name to be long remembered by those with whom he was
associated in the work of Masonry . Brother Grabham was initiated in the Royal Athelstan Lodge , No . 19 , in December 1871 , and he passed the chair in 1876 . He was a Founder and first Master of the Felix
Lodge , No . 1494 , and filled tho chair a second time in 1878 . In recognition of his services as Master and Secretary , the members of the Felix Lodge presented him with a handsome gold watch . For many years he discharged the duties of Preceptor in the City Masonic Club , his great
delight having been to give encouragement to his younger brethren , and where his great patience ancl urbanity won for him the esteem and regard of all its members . He was a P . Z . of the Mount Sinai Chapter , No . 191 , and for some years he acted as Scribe E . He was also a P . M . W . S .
of the Invicta Chapter Rose Croix , No . 10 . He was a Life Governor of all the Charities , and had served as Steward on many occasions . The Provincial rank of Senior Grancl Warden Middlesex was conferred on him in 1875 . On the 2 * 1 st ult ., afc the age of forty-two years , he
succumbed to the disease which had prostrated him for many months . He was interred afc Abney Park Cemetery on the 27 th ult ., surrounded by a numerous concourse of
sorrowing friends and brethren , desirous of paying a last tribute of respect to departed merit . The funeral service was most impressively rendered by the Reverend H . C . J . Sevan .
The Portsmouth Times announces the death , which occurred on Christmas Day , of Mr . John Lillywhite , formerly clerk of works , H . M . Dockyard . Deceased , who was in his 45 th year , had been laid aside by severe illness for some
years . He was an active Freemason , and a P . M . of the Phcenix Lodge . He had held a commission as lieutenant in the Hants Artillery Volunteers , and was much respected by a large circle of friends .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Random Notes And Reflections
local public interests of its own section , and send np a grand council to the centre , who discharge the higher functions of regulating and carrying out all measures common to the whole of the metropolis . " This council control the supply of water , the lighting , the markets , fetes and festivals , regulate and manage all the
parks and gardens , and " every year or two they invite the world to some great international exhibition , " to which tho Paris artizans have free access c < of an evening or on Sunday afternoons . " Sir John goes on to say that vast sums are voted by the Municipality for the elementary
education of Paris , " which is by law universal , compulsory , and gratuitous . " Money is also voted for higher educational purposes , for the diffusion of knowledge in the natural sciences , fine arts , and technical instruction . He contends that what is done well in Paris , we in
London , who are blessed with " an able press , a free platform and an enlightened public spirit , " could do better . He thinks the City would take its proper place , and that
the City Fathers ought to put from them any jealous feelings of other bodies growing up beside them . Our readers , however , will be able to study Sir John's letter for themselves , as it appears in another column of this issue .
Order Of The Eastern Star.
ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR .
GRANTING INDULGENCES . rriHE Order's hounds are becoming so widespread , and the - * - circumstances surrounding ifc so various , that many objects are continually arising in the different jurisdictions that demand deliberate consideration , and a more extended discussion than they are likely to obtain npon the floor of any of our Grand Chapters . And it is an unfortunate fact
that such discussions in a Grand Body , whether it be an Eastern Star organisation , or one of some other society , are apt to take on , to a greater or less degree , a personal nature , so that often the real merits of a question are lost sight of , in the regard of the members for some individual .
Among the questions that demand attention afc this time , and a speedy settlement , thafc the actions of tbe different Grand Bodies may be in a certain degree uniform , is that of the granting of Dispensations by executive oflicers , to subordinate Chapters , for various purposes . That the title
mig ht foreshadow to a degree the view of tbe question I propose to present , I have chosen the word " Indulgences , " as more nearly expressing that which is frequently done by Grand Oflicers , when they profess to issue " Dispensations . "
The tendency of mankind is toward assumption of power . The history of both Church and State fully demonstrates this fact . He who is clothed with authority , often without a consciousness of it , is apt , by assuming doubtful prerogatives , to magnify his office . And , handed down from
one to another , thafc which was at first assumed as a doubtful prerogative comes to be regarded as an undoubted right , and the encroachments go on until the people by a revolution , peaceable or otherwise , by one fell swoop , do away with them .
I have in my mind ' s eye a Grand Chapter governed by a Constitution in which the word " Dispensation" does not occur , and there does not seem to be the least necessity for the issuance of any , as the regulations state that the Grand Oflicers may grant charters for new chapters , and
constitutional provision is made for the election and appointment of officers to fill vacancies . The Grand Officers are charged to see that the laws of the Order are strictly enforced , and yet both the Grand Matron and Grand Patron issued dispensations pretending to authorize
subordinate chapters to violate written law ! The law required that officers to fill vacancies must be elected afc a stated meeting , the members being summoned for that purpose . The " prerogatives (?) " of the Grand Officer were exercised , authorizing the election of an officer at a
special meeting . Another dispensation authorized a chapter to hold a special meeting and legalized any business that should be done thereat , which should have been done at a stated meeting . A third authorized individual members of the Order , acting under a dispensation
unauthorized by law , to receive petitions ballot and confer degrees . Two chapters were authorized to suspend their Bye-Laws , but in what particular is not stated . The ritual says imperatively that the charter or dispensation and seven members , including one of the first three
Order Of The Eastern Star.
Officers , must be present in order to open a chapter , and this requirement is specifically reiterated in the Constitution of the Grand Chapter , and yet a dispensation was issued authorizing a chapter to hold a regular meeting in the absence of the first three oflicers . Another chapter
was authorized to receive and ballot upon applications afc a special meeting although the Constitution requires that applications shall only be balloted on at regular meetings , and another chapter was empowered to meet without a charter So we are to conclude fchafc if fche
above dispensations were rightfully issued , a Grand Officer can authorize a chapter to hold a " regular " meeting , in the absence of its charter or either of its three principal officers , on a clay other than that authorized by the bye-laws , and thereat it may elect oflicers , receive and
ballot on petitions . The only thing necessary seems to be a dispensation and seven members , but we can well imagine circumstances whioh , under such a system , would seem to
justify the issuance of a dispensation authorizing a chapter to meet in the absence of a quorum . When that halcyon day arrives a dispensation will be a chapter fully authorized and equipped .
The Voice of Masonry has contained profound and learned disquisitions on fche prerogatives of Grand Masters , successors to our first Most Eminent Grand Masters , wbo ruled the Craft with despotic sway , and yet we do not remember that any writer has laid claim to such unrestricted
prerogatives as those with which some Eastern Star Officers vest themselves , without remonstrance from Grand Chapters . It would appear that the only solid ground on whioh to stand , on this subject , as well as all others , is that
of written law and , in these days , when we are building near the foundations , the cry of " halt" shonld be made upon all encroaching movements ; that future ills may be warded off .
In the Masouic Institution the powers of presiding officers are being more and more brought within the limits of specific laws , and in our Order they should be kept there . —Voice ofMasowry .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . EDWARD BARTLETT GRABHAM , P . P . S . G . W . MIDDLESEX . With the close of the year , there passed from amongst us a well-known brother , whose Masonic attainments and ardent labours in aid of our Charities will cause his name to be long remembered by those with whom he was
associated in the work of Masonry . Brother Grabham was initiated in the Royal Athelstan Lodge , No . 19 , in December 1871 , and he passed the chair in 1876 . He was a Founder and first Master of the Felix
Lodge , No . 1494 , and filled tho chair a second time in 1878 . In recognition of his services as Master and Secretary , the members of the Felix Lodge presented him with a handsome gold watch . For many years he discharged the duties of Preceptor in the City Masonic Club , his great
delight having been to give encouragement to his younger brethren , and where his great patience ancl urbanity won for him the esteem and regard of all its members . He was a P . Z . of the Mount Sinai Chapter , No . 191 , and for some years he acted as Scribe E . He was also a P . M . W . S .
of the Invicta Chapter Rose Croix , No . 10 . He was a Life Governor of all the Charities , and had served as Steward on many occasions . The Provincial rank of Senior Grancl Warden Middlesex was conferred on him in 1875 . On the 2 * 1 st ult ., afc the age of forty-two years , he
succumbed to the disease which had prostrated him for many months . He was interred afc Abney Park Cemetery on the 27 th ult ., surrounded by a numerous concourse of
sorrowing friends and brethren , desirous of paying a last tribute of respect to departed merit . The funeral service was most impressively rendered by the Reverend H . C . J . Sevan .
The Portsmouth Times announces the death , which occurred on Christmas Day , of Mr . John Lillywhite , formerly clerk of works , H . M . Dockyard . Deceased , who was in his 45 th year , had been laid aside by severe illness for some
years . He was an active Freemason , and a P . M . of the Phcenix Lodge . He had held a commission as lieutenant in the Hants Artillery Volunteers , and was much respected by a large circle of friends .