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Article FREE FROM DEBT. Page 1 of 1 Article FREE FROM DEBT. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Free From Debt.
FREE FROM DEBT .
THE mere fact that Freemasons Lodges are closed to the outside world is in itself sufficient to create a feeling of curiosity in the minds of a very large section of the community , for whose especial delectation the more enterprising sensational journalists attempt , from time to time , to lift the
veil that hides the working of our Brotherhood from the view of the profane , with the result that exposures are provided , which are more or less appreciated in proportion to the imaginative colouring with which they are surrounded .
At one time we hear of the awful iniquity of Freemasons , who are accused of toasting each other in satanic beverages from a hideous skull , or revelling in orgies more suited to pandemonium then a meeting of civilised mortals of the
nineteenth century ; or the detractors of Freemasonry tell the world that the Society is banded together to overthrow all that is right and good , its members being bound to support and shield each other , no matter what horror may be
attempted , or what crime may have been committed . These and similar stories come almost as regularly as the famous " sea serpent" or the " giant gooseberry , " and certainly serve their turn to provoke a harmless smile on the part of
those who , being members of the Fraternity , know as to its working , and can therefore guage the " exposures" at their proper worth ; but the Masonic Order possesses another
vulnerable spot , in the form of its financial arrangements , and this is very often assailed by the detractors of Freemasonry , who are sometimes able to paint a really black picture , with this item as the leading subject .
In this particular Freemasons do not have to deal with attacks from outside alone—there are many within the ranks of the Order who like to express themselves as to what they consider the correct method of dealing with Lodge Funds , and it must be admitted there are occasions when it seems
necessary , as well as most desirable , to let outside light and criticism shine on what is done privately in our Lodges . Those of our readers who knew the FBEEMASON ' CHRONICLE in its younger days will probably remember the series of
" Balance Sheets" that were published in its pages , when names and other means of identification were withheld , and a summary was given showing how the different Lodge funds of the year were disbursed .
There were many Brethren in those days who strongly condemned the action of the CHBONICLE in thus publishing private affairs to the world , while others , as is natural , commended what was done . It is not our desire to weigh the >
pros and cons of this individual part of the subject , as it haslittle association with our present purpose , but we think it will be admitted there is a healthier spirit among our Lodges
now than was the case then , a very much larger number of the Brethren of to-day striving to render their Lodges "free from debt" than was customary in the days of long ago . We mi ght almost say that most of the new Lodges that
Free From Debt.
are now consecrated are launched by their Founders free of all liability , from a financial point of view , while many of the older ones are returned year by year as " free from debt , " although several of them possess valuable assets , in the way
of furniture , invested funds , or outstanding subscriptions ; and although it may be many years before all our Lodges can be so described , we are convinced the rising generation of the Craft is even more embued with this laudable ambition than
its immediate predecessors , and there is every reason to hope and believe that the next decade will witness a marked improvement in this particular . It is most certainly a laudable desire to be able to point to one ' s Lodge as a pattern in
regard to its financial position , and as there can be no question that such a boast has become one greatly in favour among English Craftsmen , there are , as we have said , good grounds for believing that the future will see an even greater improvement than has been manifest in the immediate past .
The foundation of the crusade against indebtedness on the part of Lodges may be traced to the desire , already referred to , that is almost general with Founders of new Lodges , to start with a clear balance sheet . This course
entails a very considerable responsibility on those who take the initiative in forming new Lodges , but , in our opinion , it is the only principle on which additions to the roll of Lodges should be permitted , unless it can be demonstrated
without the slightest shadow of a doubt , that a new Lodge is necessary in a quarter where there are not sufficient members of the Order to pay the expenses of proper formation . In
that case a grant towards expenses might be made by Grand Lodge , which would thus be called upon to decide by vote as to the necessity of the course proposed , and would consequently remove any doubts as to the need for extension .
While it must be admitted that new Lodges are formed for the general good of Freemasonry and the world at large , it must also be recognised that in a large number of instances
they are promoted to gratify the personal ambition , or suit the convenience of their Founders , and this being so the preliminary expenses should be cleared by the Founders .
One of the greatest evils that can assail Freemasonry is indebtedness on the part of its Lodges , for as 3 oon as a Lodge finds its exchequer empty , with claims outstanding for necessary expenses or luxuries , the natural proceeding seems
to be to look around for Initiates , with the result that less care than usual is exercised ia their selection , and the outcome is that quality may be sacrificed , in order to put the funds in a better condition .
It is certainly expecting too much to even suggest that Grand Lodge should exercise any control over the spending of Lodge Funds , in order to keep the Lodges within due bounds , but there is no harm in asking the authorities to
exercise their power in connection with new Lodges , the Founders of which should be compelled to start fair , by subscribing among themselves such a sum a 3 to launch their bantling " free from debt . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Free From Debt.
FREE FROM DEBT .
THE mere fact that Freemasons Lodges are closed to the outside world is in itself sufficient to create a feeling of curiosity in the minds of a very large section of the community , for whose especial delectation the more enterprising sensational journalists attempt , from time to time , to lift the
veil that hides the working of our Brotherhood from the view of the profane , with the result that exposures are provided , which are more or less appreciated in proportion to the imaginative colouring with which they are surrounded .
At one time we hear of the awful iniquity of Freemasons , who are accused of toasting each other in satanic beverages from a hideous skull , or revelling in orgies more suited to pandemonium then a meeting of civilised mortals of the
nineteenth century ; or the detractors of Freemasonry tell the world that the Society is banded together to overthrow all that is right and good , its members being bound to support and shield each other , no matter what horror may be
attempted , or what crime may have been committed . These and similar stories come almost as regularly as the famous " sea serpent" or the " giant gooseberry , " and certainly serve their turn to provoke a harmless smile on the part of
those who , being members of the Fraternity , know as to its working , and can therefore guage the " exposures" at their proper worth ; but the Masonic Order possesses another
vulnerable spot , in the form of its financial arrangements , and this is very often assailed by the detractors of Freemasonry , who are sometimes able to paint a really black picture , with this item as the leading subject .
In this particular Freemasons do not have to deal with attacks from outside alone—there are many within the ranks of the Order who like to express themselves as to what they consider the correct method of dealing with Lodge Funds , and it must be admitted there are occasions when it seems
necessary , as well as most desirable , to let outside light and criticism shine on what is done privately in our Lodges . Those of our readers who knew the FBEEMASON ' CHRONICLE in its younger days will probably remember the series of
" Balance Sheets" that were published in its pages , when names and other means of identification were withheld , and a summary was given showing how the different Lodge funds of the year were disbursed .
There were many Brethren in those days who strongly condemned the action of the CHBONICLE in thus publishing private affairs to the world , while others , as is natural , commended what was done . It is not our desire to weigh the >
pros and cons of this individual part of the subject , as it haslittle association with our present purpose , but we think it will be admitted there is a healthier spirit among our Lodges
now than was the case then , a very much larger number of the Brethren of to-day striving to render their Lodges "free from debt" than was customary in the days of long ago . We mi ght almost say that most of the new Lodges that
Free From Debt.
are now consecrated are launched by their Founders free of all liability , from a financial point of view , while many of the older ones are returned year by year as " free from debt , " although several of them possess valuable assets , in the way
of furniture , invested funds , or outstanding subscriptions ; and although it may be many years before all our Lodges can be so described , we are convinced the rising generation of the Craft is even more embued with this laudable ambition than
its immediate predecessors , and there is every reason to hope and believe that the next decade will witness a marked improvement in this particular . It is most certainly a laudable desire to be able to point to one ' s Lodge as a pattern in
regard to its financial position , and as there can be no question that such a boast has become one greatly in favour among English Craftsmen , there are , as we have said , good grounds for believing that the future will see an even greater improvement than has been manifest in the immediate past .
The foundation of the crusade against indebtedness on the part of Lodges may be traced to the desire , already referred to , that is almost general with Founders of new Lodges , to start with a clear balance sheet . This course
entails a very considerable responsibility on those who take the initiative in forming new Lodges , but , in our opinion , it is the only principle on which additions to the roll of Lodges should be permitted , unless it can be demonstrated
without the slightest shadow of a doubt , that a new Lodge is necessary in a quarter where there are not sufficient members of the Order to pay the expenses of proper formation . In
that case a grant towards expenses might be made by Grand Lodge , which would thus be called upon to decide by vote as to the necessity of the course proposed , and would consequently remove any doubts as to the need for extension .
While it must be admitted that new Lodges are formed for the general good of Freemasonry and the world at large , it must also be recognised that in a large number of instances
they are promoted to gratify the personal ambition , or suit the convenience of their Founders , and this being so the preliminary expenses should be cleared by the Founders .
One of the greatest evils that can assail Freemasonry is indebtedness on the part of its Lodges , for as 3 oon as a Lodge finds its exchequer empty , with claims outstanding for necessary expenses or luxuries , the natural proceeding seems
to be to look around for Initiates , with the result that less care than usual is exercised ia their selection , and the outcome is that quality may be sacrificed , in order to put the funds in a better condition .
It is certainly expecting too much to even suggest that Grand Lodge should exercise any control over the spending of Lodge Funds , in order to keep the Lodges within due bounds , but there is no harm in asking the authorities to
exercise their power in connection with new Lodges , the Founders of which should be compelled to start fair , by subscribing among themselves such a sum a 3 to launch their bantling " free from debt . "