Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
What Is The Remedy.
WHAT IS THE REMEDY .
FROM THE FREEMASON ' S REPOSITORY .
GREAT stress is justly laid upon the secrecy and inviolability of the ballot as used in passing upon the applications of candid ates- It . is a well understood law of Masonry that every member of a Lodge possesses the right to interpose an effectual bar against the entrance of an unworthy applicant , and that he is not to be qnestioned for hi 3 exercise of this right through the secret ballot . Great care is needed in the selection of new material , and the
safeguards and tests whioh have been provided are , perhaps , nono too many or severe . When a Brother casts an adverse ballot it is quite possible that he is performing a most important service to his Lodge and to the Craft . Brethren who have the courage of their convictions , so that they do not hesitate to bring about the rejeotion of unworthy applicants , are entitled to special honour . May the number of these watchful and conscientious brethren never grow less .
The faot , however , is nevertheless evident , that the seoret ballo ' is liable to abuse , and sometimes occasions a good deal of trouble * In this country , where the rule of striot unanimity prevails in passing upon the names of petitioners for the degrees , a vast power is entrusted to the individual member , who , if ruled by a narrow , selfish , or malignant spirit , may wield this power in ways that are
as base as their results are sad and disastrous . For some insufficient reason , influenced , perhaps , by some improper motive , a Mason bars the way of a deserving applicant , thus causing injury to his feelings if not to his reputation , while very likely the coursa taken introduces an element of confusion into the Lodge and tend to bring reproach upon the Institution .
Who does not know how ungenerously and offensively the ballot is sometimes , used ? A brocher becomes aggrieved with his Lodge for something done or left undone , and straightway he resolves that the Body shall do no more work until the wrong is righted . Perhaps a friend of his has been rejected for good cause , other members of the Lodge must now have their friends rejected , cause or no
cause . Perhaps the trouble is a personal difficulty with the Master , or some of the officers or members , and the casting of a negative ballot on every application is the method of retaliation adopted by a mean and cowardly nature . Perhaps the opposing Brother has failed to carry some measure on whioh his heart was set , and the failnre has moved him to antagonise the Lodge by making his power
felt through the exercise of the seoret ballot . We have been cognisant of several instances where the best of material was rejected , evidently not on account of any personal feeling against or objection to the candidates , but rather because there was a desire to block the wheels of the Lodge and prevent all work nntil something was conceded or changed . Other motives may govern—those equally unjust and unmasonio—all tending to sad and disastrous results .
Surely nothing can be more pitiable and vexatious than to have the harmony of a Lodge disturbed and its good reputation affected by the practices of a single obstructionist , perhaps , who seems determined that no work shall be done . Snoh an abuse of the ballot not only inflicts an injury upon the feelings and characters of good men outside the Fraternity , but it cuts deeper , and grievously wounds the Institution itself .
What is the remedy ? In what way can the improper use of the ballot be cheoked ? How can the wilful obstructionist be restrained in his purposes of evil ? To attempt to answer these questions brings us face to faoe with several difficulties . Whatever is done , there must be no infringement upon the right of the ballot—no attempt to remove tho secrecy which ought always to attend the
exercise of this right . If therefore a member of a Lodge shall persist in casting a negative ballot whenever the names of candidates are proposed , having no sufficient reasons for such a course , bnt acting from caprice , resentment , or some other unworthy personal feeling , we do not see how such an obstructionist can be restrained in his use of the ballot , or disciplined , so long as he keeps his lips
closed and plants himself upon tbe gronnd that the absolute freedom and seoreoyofthe ballot are assured to every Mason . It may be a defect of the system-that Masonry cannot deal with an undeserving member holding this position , but it is to be remembered that only in exceptional case 3 is any gross abase of the privilege of the ballot manifested—that the governing law in this matter works Well in the great majority of instances where it is applied .
It will often happen , however , in a condition of things such as we have indicated , that the Brother casting an adverse ballot tvill voluntarily avow his act , and very likely boast of what he has tfo ne , or of what he proposes to do in making his power felt . If he thus lifts the veil of secrecy in which it is his prerogative to remain hMrleq , the Lodee acnuires the right of passing upon his cause , —
° f inquiring into the motives by which he is evidently acting , and of "dministering a severe discip line should it be found that he has been making use of the ballot to gratify personal animosity or to secure some selfish benefit . The Lodge should not hesitate to proceed against any obstructionist when the proof is available that he acted from so base a spirit . Expulsion is the proper penalty to be
"npoged upon a Craftsman who is proved to have persisted in sys . teniatvc and indiscriminate blackballing . Brethren have been poinded from the rig hts and benefits of Masonry for exercising the '''gat of the ballot in an unjust and offensive manner , and few will ? found to deny that they were treated according to their
deservm ga . Make examples of those who persistently nbnse the ballot , a nd boast of what they are doing—those who avow their intention Preventing all work in tbe Lodge or other organisation—and in w'li ^ ^ ne ev '' complained of will be abated , whilst Masonry ''• fknd more firmly for having resolutely applied so stern a renied y .
Ad01302
Price 3 * 6 d , Crown 8 vo , cloth , gilt . MASONIC PORTRAITS FIRST SERIES . RBPBINTBD FKOM "THB FBBBHASON ' S CH & ONICLB . " LIST OF POETEAITS . 1 OUB LlTBBABY BSOTKIB . 17 THB CHBISTIAX MtNISTBB . 3 A DISTINGUISHED MASON . 18 THB MXSTIC . 3 THB MAN OF ENBBOY . 19 A MODEL MASON . 1 FATHBB TIHB . 20 A CHIP FBOM JOPPA . 5 A COBNBB STOKB . 21 A PittAB OP MASONBY . 6 THB CBAPTSMAK . 22 BAYABD . 7 THB GOWNSMAN . 23 A RIQHT HAND MAN . 3 AN EASTBBN STAB . 21 OUB CITIZBK BBOTHKB . 9 THB KNIQHT EBBANT . 25 Air ABLB PBECBPTOB . 10 THB OCTOGENARIAN . 26 Air ANCIENT BBIXOK . 11 A ZBALOUS OFFICER . 27 THB ABTIST . \ t THB SOVDIBB . 28 THB FATHBB OP TUB LODQB . 13 FBOM UNSBB THB OBOWN . 29 A SHINING LIGHT . 14 OCB HBBCOI . ES . 30 Air ABT STUDENT . 15 A MsBCHAirr PBINCB . I 31 THB MABINBB 10 THB CHEBCHHAN . 32 SOIDIBB or FOBTUNB . 33 . "OLD Mue . "
Ad01301
Second Series , now ready , Grown 8 vo , Oloth , price 3 s Qd , post free . MASONIC PORTRAITS . SKETCHES OP DISTINGUISHED FEEEMASONS . RBPBINTBD FBOM "THB FBBBHASON ' S CHBONICLB . " BY G . BLIZARD ABBOTT , OF LODGE NO . 1385 , ASSOOIATB OP KINO ' COLLEGE , LONDON . : 0 : XilST OF PORTRAITS . NESTOR AN INSTALLING MASTER ( Bro . W . Hyde Pullen , 33 deg ., Past ( Bro . W . Biggs , Past Prov . G . S . W . G . S . B ., PastDep . P . G . M . Hants , Wilts , and Past Prov . G . Sec . Assistant Secretary Sup . Coun- Berks and Bucks ) , cil A . and A . Rite . ) A VETERAN THE STATESMAN ( Bro . w . Kelly , Past Prov . G . M . and ( The Right Hon . Earl of Carnarvon , Prov . G . Sup . Leicestershire and 33 deg ., Pro Grand Master , Pro Rutland , Prov . G . M . M . M . Lei-Grand Z ., Past G . M . M . M ., and cestershire ) . Past M . P . S . G . Commander A . A GRAND STEWARD m A > Rlt 6 , ( Br 0 - John Wordsworth , 30 deg ., THE TREASURER p G . Steward , Past Prov . ( Bro . F . Adlard , P . M . and Treasurer G . J . W . W . Yorkshire , and Prov . Royal York Lodge of Persever- G . M . M . M . W . Yorkshire ) , ance , No . 7 ) . VIR Fen ' THE DEPUTY ( Bro . G . Ward Verry , P . M and Past ( The Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Prov . Grand . Soj . [ Arch ] Herts ) . 33 deg ., DeputyG . Master . Grand ACHILLES & ^ fnt a ^^ fp w r < Br 0-B-J-Morri 8 > PastG . J . D .. and nSJSSStaJ . ' LiA nil i Past De P- rov . G . M . of Eastern Commander A . and A . Rite . ) Division of 8 outh Wales ) . A PROVINCIAL MAGNATE A DEVON CRAFTSMAN ( Br 0 r 7 " ^ p - Sffi ^ I ; ( B « . J- B . Curteis , ' 30 deg ., Past G . M . and G . Sup . HantS'ana isle P ,. „„ h a va- a * *** ^ J Of Wight , Past G . M . M . M . and ~ R ^ ' ^ '' Prov . G . Prior of the Temple , for »« -HHApAMANTH Hants ) . ( Bro . J . M . Pulteney Montagu , J . P ., TIME-HONOURED LANCASTER S' ^' r . ^? " n ' -J' ^ ° l £ ' ( Bro . J . Lancaster Hine , P . Prov . f % ^ - ^ J ^ r ^ Q G . S . Warden East Lancashire ) . gJXta $£ ? CouncilA . " THE SCHOLAR and A . Rite ) . ( Bro . John Newton , F . R . A . S ., P . M ., HIPPOCRATES 188 P . Z ., Author of Works on Navi- ^ j . pear 80 n Belli uv ., Past gation ) . G Deacon , Dep . Prov . G . M . and OUR N OBLE CRITIC Prov _ G . Sup . N # aml E , York-( The Right Hon . Lord Leigh , 30 deg ., shire ) . Prov . G . M . and G . Sup . War- A CESTRIAN CHIEF 199 wickshire . Past G . M . M . M . ) ( The R . hfc Hon Lord de Tabley , OUR PERIPATETIC BROTHER Past G . S . W .. Prov . G . M . Che-( Bro . C . Fitz Gerald Matier , 30 deg ., shire , Grand J ., and Prov . G . G . Steward Scotland , and Past Sup . Cheshire ) . G . S . Warden Greece ) . A HARBINGER OF PEACE 206 A BOLTON LUMINARY ( Br 0 . Cil ! a . \ es Lacey , P . M ., Past ( Bro . G . Parker Brockhank , 31 deg ., p , G . J . D . Herts ) . Past Prov . G . S . D ., and P . Prov . THE LORD OF UNDERLEY 215 G . Treas ; [ ArehT . E . Lancashire . ( The Earl of Bective , M . P ., ProV . A WARDEN OF THE FENS G . M ., Prov . G . Sup ., andProv . ( The late Bro . John Sntcliffe , Past G . M . M . M . Cumberland and Prov . G . S . Warden , and Prov . Westmoreland , and Past G . G . M . M . M . Lincolnshire ) . Sov . of tho Order of Rome and A W ARDEN OF MARK Red Cross of Constantino ) . ( The Right Hon . tho Earl of Don- A BOON COMPANION 223 oughmore , 32 deg ., Past G . S . ( Bro . E . C . Woodward , P . M . 382 , Warden , and Dep . G . M . M . M ) . 1037 , £ c . ) A MASTER OF CEREMONIAL A GRAND SUPERINTENDENT 231 ( Bro . Thos . Entwisle , 30 deg .. Past ( sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., 30 Prov . G . S . or Works R . Lan . ) deg ., Prov . G . M . and G . Sup . OUR COSMOPOLITAN BROTHER Berks and Bucks ) . ( Bro . Samuel Ravvson , 33 deg ., Past iEscULAPlUS 238 Dist . G . M . and G . Sup . China ) . ( Bro . J . Daniel Moore , M . D ., 32 A GREAT ARITHMETICIAN deg ., Past G . S . B ., Craft , and ( Bro . R . B . Webster , Member of tho Past ' \ St . B ., Arch , Intendant Finance and Audit Committees General Order of Rome and Red of the R . M . Girls * and Boys' Cross of Constantine for North Schools ) . Lancashire ) . London : W . W . MORGAN . By Order of all Booksellers , or will be sent direct , by post , from the Office , 23 Qreat Qneen Street , London , W . O .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
What Is The Remedy.
WHAT IS THE REMEDY .
FROM THE FREEMASON ' S REPOSITORY .
GREAT stress is justly laid upon the secrecy and inviolability of the ballot as used in passing upon the applications of candid ates- It . is a well understood law of Masonry that every member of a Lodge possesses the right to interpose an effectual bar against the entrance of an unworthy applicant , and that he is not to be qnestioned for hi 3 exercise of this right through the secret ballot . Great care is needed in the selection of new material , and the
safeguards and tests whioh have been provided are , perhaps , nono too many or severe . When a Brother casts an adverse ballot it is quite possible that he is performing a most important service to his Lodge and to the Craft . Brethren who have the courage of their convictions , so that they do not hesitate to bring about the rejeotion of unworthy applicants , are entitled to special honour . May the number of these watchful and conscientious brethren never grow less .
The faot , however , is nevertheless evident , that the seoret ballo ' is liable to abuse , and sometimes occasions a good deal of trouble * In this country , where the rule of striot unanimity prevails in passing upon the names of petitioners for the degrees , a vast power is entrusted to the individual member , who , if ruled by a narrow , selfish , or malignant spirit , may wield this power in ways that are
as base as their results are sad and disastrous . For some insufficient reason , influenced , perhaps , by some improper motive , a Mason bars the way of a deserving applicant , thus causing injury to his feelings if not to his reputation , while very likely the coursa taken introduces an element of confusion into the Lodge and tend to bring reproach upon the Institution .
Who does not know how ungenerously and offensively the ballot is sometimes , used ? A brocher becomes aggrieved with his Lodge for something done or left undone , and straightway he resolves that the Body shall do no more work until the wrong is righted . Perhaps a friend of his has been rejected for good cause , other members of the Lodge must now have their friends rejected , cause or no
cause . Perhaps the trouble is a personal difficulty with the Master , or some of the officers or members , and the casting of a negative ballot on every application is the method of retaliation adopted by a mean and cowardly nature . Perhaps the opposing Brother has failed to carry some measure on whioh his heart was set , and the failnre has moved him to antagonise the Lodge by making his power
felt through the exercise of the seoret ballot . We have been cognisant of several instances where the best of material was rejected , evidently not on account of any personal feeling against or objection to the candidates , but rather because there was a desire to block the wheels of the Lodge and prevent all work nntil something was conceded or changed . Other motives may govern—those equally unjust and unmasonio—all tending to sad and disastrous results .
Surely nothing can be more pitiable and vexatious than to have the harmony of a Lodge disturbed and its good reputation affected by the practices of a single obstructionist , perhaps , who seems determined that no work shall be done . Snoh an abuse of the ballot not only inflicts an injury upon the feelings and characters of good men outside the Fraternity , but it cuts deeper , and grievously wounds the Institution itself .
What is the remedy ? In what way can the improper use of the ballot be cheoked ? How can the wilful obstructionist be restrained in his purposes of evil ? To attempt to answer these questions brings us face to faoe with several difficulties . Whatever is done , there must be no infringement upon the right of the ballot—no attempt to remove tho secrecy which ought always to attend the
exercise of this right . If therefore a member of a Lodge shall persist in casting a negative ballot whenever the names of candidates are proposed , having no sufficient reasons for such a course , bnt acting from caprice , resentment , or some other unworthy personal feeling , we do not see how such an obstructionist can be restrained in his use of the ballot , or disciplined , so long as he keeps his lips
closed and plants himself upon tbe gronnd that the absolute freedom and seoreoyofthe ballot are assured to every Mason . It may be a defect of the system-that Masonry cannot deal with an undeserving member holding this position , but it is to be remembered that only in exceptional case 3 is any gross abase of the privilege of the ballot manifested—that the governing law in this matter works Well in the great majority of instances where it is applied .
It will often happen , however , in a condition of things such as we have indicated , that the Brother casting an adverse ballot tvill voluntarily avow his act , and very likely boast of what he has tfo ne , or of what he proposes to do in making his power felt . If he thus lifts the veil of secrecy in which it is his prerogative to remain hMrleq , the Lodee acnuires the right of passing upon his cause , —
° f inquiring into the motives by which he is evidently acting , and of "dministering a severe discip line should it be found that he has been making use of the ballot to gratify personal animosity or to secure some selfish benefit . The Lodge should not hesitate to proceed against any obstructionist when the proof is available that he acted from so base a spirit . Expulsion is the proper penalty to be
"npoged upon a Craftsman who is proved to have persisted in sys . teniatvc and indiscriminate blackballing . Brethren have been poinded from the rig hts and benefits of Masonry for exercising the '''gat of the ballot in an unjust and offensive manner , and few will ? found to deny that they were treated according to their
deservm ga . Make examples of those who persistently nbnse the ballot , a nd boast of what they are doing—those who avow their intention Preventing all work in tbe Lodge or other organisation—and in w'li ^ ^ ne ev '' complained of will be abated , whilst Masonry ''• fknd more firmly for having resolutely applied so stern a renied y .
Ad01302
Price 3 * 6 d , Crown 8 vo , cloth , gilt . MASONIC PORTRAITS FIRST SERIES . RBPBINTBD FKOM "THB FBBBHASON ' S CH & ONICLB . " LIST OF POETEAITS . 1 OUB LlTBBABY BSOTKIB . 17 THB CHBISTIAX MtNISTBB . 3 A DISTINGUISHED MASON . 18 THB MXSTIC . 3 THB MAN OF ENBBOY . 19 A MODEL MASON . 1 FATHBB TIHB . 20 A CHIP FBOM JOPPA . 5 A COBNBB STOKB . 21 A PittAB OP MASONBY . 6 THB CBAPTSMAK . 22 BAYABD . 7 THB GOWNSMAN . 23 A RIQHT HAND MAN . 3 AN EASTBBN STAB . 21 OUB CITIZBK BBOTHKB . 9 THB KNIQHT EBBANT . 25 Air ABLB PBECBPTOB . 10 THB OCTOGENARIAN . 26 Air ANCIENT BBIXOK . 11 A ZBALOUS OFFICER . 27 THB ABTIST . \ t THB SOVDIBB . 28 THB FATHBB OP TUB LODQB . 13 FBOM UNSBB THB OBOWN . 29 A SHINING LIGHT . 14 OCB HBBCOI . ES . 30 Air ABT STUDENT . 15 A MsBCHAirr PBINCB . I 31 THB MABINBB 10 THB CHEBCHHAN . 32 SOIDIBB or FOBTUNB . 33 . "OLD Mue . "
Ad01301
Second Series , now ready , Grown 8 vo , Oloth , price 3 s Qd , post free . MASONIC PORTRAITS . SKETCHES OP DISTINGUISHED FEEEMASONS . RBPBINTBD FBOM "THB FBBBHASON ' S CHBONICLB . " BY G . BLIZARD ABBOTT , OF LODGE NO . 1385 , ASSOOIATB OP KINO ' COLLEGE , LONDON . : 0 : XilST OF PORTRAITS . NESTOR AN INSTALLING MASTER ( Bro . W . Hyde Pullen , 33 deg ., Past ( Bro . W . Biggs , Past Prov . G . S . W . G . S . B ., PastDep . P . G . M . Hants , Wilts , and Past Prov . G . Sec . Assistant Secretary Sup . Coun- Berks and Bucks ) , cil A . and A . Rite . ) A VETERAN THE STATESMAN ( Bro . w . Kelly , Past Prov . G . M . and ( The Right Hon . Earl of Carnarvon , Prov . G . Sup . Leicestershire and 33 deg ., Pro Grand Master , Pro Rutland , Prov . G . M . M . M . Lei-Grand Z ., Past G . M . M . M ., and cestershire ) . Past M . P . S . G . Commander A . A GRAND STEWARD m A > Rlt 6 , ( Br 0 - John Wordsworth , 30 deg ., THE TREASURER p G . Steward , Past Prov . ( Bro . F . Adlard , P . M . and Treasurer G . J . W . W . Yorkshire , and Prov . Royal York Lodge of Persever- G . M . M . M . W . Yorkshire ) , ance , No . 7 ) . VIR Fen ' THE DEPUTY ( Bro . G . Ward Verry , P . M and Past ( The Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Prov . Grand . Soj . [ Arch ] Herts ) . 33 deg ., DeputyG . Master . Grand ACHILLES & ^ fnt a ^^ fp w r < Br 0-B-J-Morri 8 > PastG . J . D .. and nSJSSStaJ . ' LiA nil i Past De P- rov . G . M . of Eastern Commander A . and A . Rite . ) Division of 8 outh Wales ) . A PROVINCIAL MAGNATE A DEVON CRAFTSMAN ( Br 0 r 7 " ^ p - Sffi ^ I ; ( B « . J- B . Curteis , ' 30 deg ., Past G . M . and G . Sup . HantS'ana isle P ,. „„ h a va- a * *** ^ J Of Wight , Past G . M . M . M . and ~ R ^ ' ^ '' Prov . G . Prior of the Temple , for »« -HHApAMANTH Hants ) . ( Bro . J . M . Pulteney Montagu , J . P ., TIME-HONOURED LANCASTER S' ^' r . ^? " n ' -J' ^ ° l £ ' ( Bro . J . Lancaster Hine , P . Prov . f % ^ - ^ J ^ r ^ Q G . S . Warden East Lancashire ) . gJXta $£ ? CouncilA . " THE SCHOLAR and A . Rite ) . ( Bro . John Newton , F . R . A . S ., P . M ., HIPPOCRATES 188 P . Z ., Author of Works on Navi- ^ j . pear 80 n Belli uv ., Past gation ) . G Deacon , Dep . Prov . G . M . and OUR N OBLE CRITIC Prov _ G . Sup . N # aml E , York-( The Right Hon . Lord Leigh , 30 deg ., shire ) . Prov . G . M . and G . Sup . War- A CESTRIAN CHIEF 199 wickshire . Past G . M . M . M . ) ( The R . hfc Hon Lord de Tabley , OUR PERIPATETIC BROTHER Past G . S . W .. Prov . G . M . Che-( Bro . C . Fitz Gerald Matier , 30 deg ., shire , Grand J ., and Prov . G . G . Steward Scotland , and Past Sup . Cheshire ) . G . S . Warden Greece ) . A HARBINGER OF PEACE 206 A BOLTON LUMINARY ( Br 0 . Cil ! a . \ es Lacey , P . M ., Past ( Bro . G . Parker Brockhank , 31 deg ., p , G . J . D . Herts ) . Past Prov . G . S . D ., and P . Prov . THE LORD OF UNDERLEY 215 G . Treas ; [ ArehT . E . Lancashire . ( The Earl of Bective , M . P ., ProV . A WARDEN OF THE FENS G . M ., Prov . G . Sup ., andProv . ( The late Bro . John Sntcliffe , Past G . M . M . M . Cumberland and Prov . G . S . Warden , and Prov . Westmoreland , and Past G . G . M . M . M . Lincolnshire ) . Sov . of tho Order of Rome and A W ARDEN OF MARK Red Cross of Constantino ) . ( The Right Hon . tho Earl of Don- A BOON COMPANION 223 oughmore , 32 deg ., Past G . S . ( Bro . E . C . Woodward , P . M . 382 , Warden , and Dep . G . M . M . M ) . 1037 , £ c . ) A MASTER OF CEREMONIAL A GRAND SUPERINTENDENT 231 ( Bro . Thos . Entwisle , 30 deg .. Past ( sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., 30 Prov . G . S . or Works R . Lan . ) deg ., Prov . G . M . and G . Sup . OUR COSMOPOLITAN BROTHER Berks and Bucks ) . ( Bro . Samuel Ravvson , 33 deg ., Past iEscULAPlUS 238 Dist . G . M . and G . Sup . China ) . ( Bro . J . Daniel Moore , M . D ., 32 A GREAT ARITHMETICIAN deg ., Past G . S . B ., Craft , and ( Bro . R . B . Webster , Member of tho Past ' \ St . B ., Arch , Intendant Finance and Audit Committees General Order of Rome and Red of the R . M . Girls * and Boys' Cross of Constantine for North Schools ) . Lancashire ) . London : W . W . MORGAN . By Order of all Booksellers , or will be sent direct , by post , from the Office , 23 Qreat Qneen Street , London , W . O .