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Article LODGES OF INSTRUCTION. ← Page 2 of 2 Article LODGES OF INSTRUCTION. Page 2 of 2 Article FREEMASONRY AND ARCHITECTURE. Page 1 of 2 →
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Lodges Of Instruction.
an incident of the kind just recorded brings home to us the question—Are our Lodges of Instruction , we will not say as duly , but as formally , constituted as they might be ? Is all done that can be done , in order to make them legitimate and regular , not only among the brethren of this country
and our Scotch and Irish brethren , but among Masons of other countries , who are not , perhaps , well acquainted with our usages . The main ground of Bro . Pelaster ' s refusal was the absence of the usual warrant , without which the idea not unnaturally suggested itself to his mind , that the
Confidence Lodge of Instruction was irregularly constituted . The endeavour to persuade him that all was en reyle , —that the Lodge of Instruction worked under the authority of the parent Lodge , and in conformity with the laws aud regulations of Grand Lodge , as laid down in the
B < ok of Constitutions , was of no avail . Indeed , a far greater amount of eloquence than our worthy brethren of the Confidence Lodge of Instruction possessed , and a far greater familiarity with the French language would , it seems , have been necessary to persuade Bro . J . Pelaster that
all was as it should be . Now the laws as to this description of Lodge are , to say the least , very bald . It is enacted ( 1 ) that " no general Lodge of Instruction shall be holden unless under the sanction of a regular warranted Lodge , or by the special licence and authority of
the Grand Master . The Lodge giving its sanction , and the brethren to whom such licence is granted shall be answerable for the proceedings , and responsible that the mode of working adopted has received the sanction of the Grand Lodge . Notice of the times and places of meeting of
Lodges of Instruction , within the London district , shall be given to the Grand Secretary . ( 2 ) Lodges of Instruction shall keep minutes of all brethren present at each meeting , and of brethren appointed to hold office , and such minutes shall be produced when called for
by the Grand Master , the Board of General Purposes , or the Lodge granting the sanction . ( 3 ) If a Lodge which has given its sanction for a Lodge of Instruction being held under its warrant shall see fit , it may , at a regular meeting , withdraw that sanction , by a resolution of the
Lodge , to be communicated to the Lodge of Instruction : provided notice of the intention to withdraw the sanction be inserted in the summons for that meeting . " These are the only three points laid down by law as to Lodges of Instruction . They must be held under the sanction of a
warranted Lodge , or by special licence of Grand Master . Their minutes must be produced when called for . They may be dissolved after due notice given by the sanctioning Lodge . Mackey defines them to be " assemblies of brethren congregated without a warrant of constitution , under the
direction of a lecturer or skilful brother , for the purpose of improvement in Masonry , " and further he says , "these bodies should consist exclusively of Master Masons ; and though they possess no Masonic power , it is evident to every
Mason that they are extremely useful " Dr . Oliver , in his Masonic Jurisprudence , likewise attaches great value to these Lodges , provided a strict supervision is exercised over them . To us it seems that the law is
somewhat defective , or how otherwise could such an incident as we have taken as the text of this article have happened ? And , be it remembered , that , though a matter of the very rarest occurrence , yet it is quite possible that a similar case might happen again and again , and foreign
brethren , seeking instruction within the body of an Instruction Lodge , who may wish to satisfy themselves of its regularity , must content themselves with a less satisfactory amount of evidence than can be furnished by a regular Lodge , or be denied the pleasure of joining in its labours .
It occurs to us this is a case with which the Board of General Purposes might fairl y deal , with a view to bringing it under the notice of Grand Lodge , so as to secure a more regular recognition for these Lodges . Why should not the Grand Master issue his licence in every case ? There
would be no great difficulty . Lodge No . 96 or No . 1096 sanctions the formation of a Lodge of Instruction ; thereupon Grand Lodge issues a warrant , confirming the sanction of JN ' o . 96 or No . 1096 . This warrant is placed in charge of the Instruction Lodge , so as to be producible if ever
the regularity of the Lodge should be called in question . There would not be the slightest necessity for abrogating the existing laws . The sanction would still issue as now , in
the first instance from a warranted Lodge , or the Grand Master , and it might be withdrawn , as now , after proper notice . There would simply be an additional guarantee from the highest Masonic authority in the Kingdom as to
Lodges Of Instruction.
the legality of such Lodges . Proof , in the shape of the warrant , would be forthcoming at all times , that such a lodge was working under the sanction of Grand Lodge , and the doubts that might have arisen in the mind of any strange brother as to the regularity of its constitution would immediately be dissipated .
After all , it is mainly to our Lodges of Instruction that we must look for an extension among brethren of a knowledge of the Sacred Truths which Masonry inculcates . The regular warranted Lodges have but
a short time available for this purpose , and do not often turn the available time to proper account . Their meetings , moreover , are infrequent , and , consequently , insufficient to afford the needful instruction to members .
It must be borne in mind that Masonry consists in something more than the observance of certain forms and familiarity with certain signs and tokens . There is a ritual to be learnt—a ritual that must be learnt , moreover , from memory , not from the studv of books . Such a ritual can
only be thoroughly mastered by constant practice—in a parrot-like fashion in the first instance—but afterwards , when a brother has become letter perfect , he must be taught the meaning of it all . This , of course , can be done to a slight extent in regular Lodges , but the Lodge of
Instruction is the proper theatre for study , while the regular Lodge is the place to utilise the knowledge that has been there acquired . Hence , then , everything that tends to improve and strengthen the status of the former should be done , and so small a matter as the grant by Grand
Lodge of a warrant confirming the sanction given by the Mother Lodge will suffice to put every Lodge of Instruction on a securer and more regular basis . There seems to us to be no just cause or impediment why such warrant should not be issued to every
Lodge of Instruction now sanctioned , or that may be sanctioned hereafter . As to expense , this need be no obstacle , for a small fee would suffice to reimburse Grand Lodge for
the trouble and expense involved . Perhaps some of onr readers may have given their attention to this matter , and may have some practical suggestion to offer . If so , our columns are at their disposal .
Freemasonry And Architecture.
FREEMASONRY AND ARCHITECTURE ,
THAT the history of Freemasonry should be found to comprise much that belongs with equal right to the history of architecture would surprise but a few ; and probably fewer still would seriously question the fact when once plainly stated . We do not think , however , that the
obligations of Architecture to Freemasonry have been sufficiently acknowledged by the generality of writers on this art . To us it seems little less than a marvel that the subject could possibly be treated at any length without some mention being made of the part played by the great
Masonic guilds and fraternities that seem to have flourished in every age . Yet we look in vain for any such mention in some of the most esteemed works on Historical Architecture , even in cases where Freemasonry would appear to afford a ready explanation of much that was
otherwise inexplicable . We do not now refer so much to the Architecture of the Ancient Egyptians and Hebrews , though there are not wanting indications of the existence of Masonic agencies , even so far back as this . Our immediate concern is with the architecture of the Middle Ages , and in
particular with the style of architecture known as Gothic . Take , for example , the great German critic , Frederick von Schlegel . He confesses to " a decided predilection for the Gothic style , " declares that when he is so fortunate as to discover a Gothic monument , however ruined or defaced ,
he examines it " with unwearied zeal and attention ; " and yet , when he essays to consider the origin of the st yle , the only conclusion he can come to , is that it certainly is not
Arabic . Another German , Dr . George Holler , in his celebrated treatise " On the Origin and Progress of Gothic Architecture , " sums up the various hypotheses on the subject as follows : —
1 . From the holy groves or thickets of the Ancient Celtic nations .
2 . From huts made with the entwined twigs of trees . 3 . From the structure of the framing in wooden buildings . 4 . From the pyramids of Egypt . 5 . From the imitation of pointed arches generated by the intersection of semi-circles .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lodges Of Instruction.
an incident of the kind just recorded brings home to us the question—Are our Lodges of Instruction , we will not say as duly , but as formally , constituted as they might be ? Is all done that can be done , in order to make them legitimate and regular , not only among the brethren of this country
and our Scotch and Irish brethren , but among Masons of other countries , who are not , perhaps , well acquainted with our usages . The main ground of Bro . Pelaster ' s refusal was the absence of the usual warrant , without which the idea not unnaturally suggested itself to his mind , that the
Confidence Lodge of Instruction was irregularly constituted . The endeavour to persuade him that all was en reyle , —that the Lodge of Instruction worked under the authority of the parent Lodge , and in conformity with the laws aud regulations of Grand Lodge , as laid down in the
B < ok of Constitutions , was of no avail . Indeed , a far greater amount of eloquence than our worthy brethren of the Confidence Lodge of Instruction possessed , and a far greater familiarity with the French language would , it seems , have been necessary to persuade Bro . J . Pelaster that
all was as it should be . Now the laws as to this description of Lodge are , to say the least , very bald . It is enacted ( 1 ) that " no general Lodge of Instruction shall be holden unless under the sanction of a regular warranted Lodge , or by the special licence and authority of
the Grand Master . The Lodge giving its sanction , and the brethren to whom such licence is granted shall be answerable for the proceedings , and responsible that the mode of working adopted has received the sanction of the Grand Lodge . Notice of the times and places of meeting of
Lodges of Instruction , within the London district , shall be given to the Grand Secretary . ( 2 ) Lodges of Instruction shall keep minutes of all brethren present at each meeting , and of brethren appointed to hold office , and such minutes shall be produced when called for
by the Grand Master , the Board of General Purposes , or the Lodge granting the sanction . ( 3 ) If a Lodge which has given its sanction for a Lodge of Instruction being held under its warrant shall see fit , it may , at a regular meeting , withdraw that sanction , by a resolution of the
Lodge , to be communicated to the Lodge of Instruction : provided notice of the intention to withdraw the sanction be inserted in the summons for that meeting . " These are the only three points laid down by law as to Lodges of Instruction . They must be held under the sanction of a
warranted Lodge , or by special licence of Grand Master . Their minutes must be produced when called for . They may be dissolved after due notice given by the sanctioning Lodge . Mackey defines them to be " assemblies of brethren congregated without a warrant of constitution , under the
direction of a lecturer or skilful brother , for the purpose of improvement in Masonry , " and further he says , "these bodies should consist exclusively of Master Masons ; and though they possess no Masonic power , it is evident to every
Mason that they are extremely useful " Dr . Oliver , in his Masonic Jurisprudence , likewise attaches great value to these Lodges , provided a strict supervision is exercised over them . To us it seems that the law is
somewhat defective , or how otherwise could such an incident as we have taken as the text of this article have happened ? And , be it remembered , that , though a matter of the very rarest occurrence , yet it is quite possible that a similar case might happen again and again , and foreign
brethren , seeking instruction within the body of an Instruction Lodge , who may wish to satisfy themselves of its regularity , must content themselves with a less satisfactory amount of evidence than can be furnished by a regular Lodge , or be denied the pleasure of joining in its labours .
It occurs to us this is a case with which the Board of General Purposes might fairl y deal , with a view to bringing it under the notice of Grand Lodge , so as to secure a more regular recognition for these Lodges . Why should not the Grand Master issue his licence in every case ? There
would be no great difficulty . Lodge No . 96 or No . 1096 sanctions the formation of a Lodge of Instruction ; thereupon Grand Lodge issues a warrant , confirming the sanction of JN ' o . 96 or No . 1096 . This warrant is placed in charge of the Instruction Lodge , so as to be producible if ever
the regularity of the Lodge should be called in question . There would not be the slightest necessity for abrogating the existing laws . The sanction would still issue as now , in
the first instance from a warranted Lodge , or the Grand Master , and it might be withdrawn , as now , after proper notice . There would simply be an additional guarantee from the highest Masonic authority in the Kingdom as to
Lodges Of Instruction.
the legality of such Lodges . Proof , in the shape of the warrant , would be forthcoming at all times , that such a lodge was working under the sanction of Grand Lodge , and the doubts that might have arisen in the mind of any strange brother as to the regularity of its constitution would immediately be dissipated .
After all , it is mainly to our Lodges of Instruction that we must look for an extension among brethren of a knowledge of the Sacred Truths which Masonry inculcates . The regular warranted Lodges have but
a short time available for this purpose , and do not often turn the available time to proper account . Their meetings , moreover , are infrequent , and , consequently , insufficient to afford the needful instruction to members .
It must be borne in mind that Masonry consists in something more than the observance of certain forms and familiarity with certain signs and tokens . There is a ritual to be learnt—a ritual that must be learnt , moreover , from memory , not from the studv of books . Such a ritual can
only be thoroughly mastered by constant practice—in a parrot-like fashion in the first instance—but afterwards , when a brother has become letter perfect , he must be taught the meaning of it all . This , of course , can be done to a slight extent in regular Lodges , but the Lodge of
Instruction is the proper theatre for study , while the regular Lodge is the place to utilise the knowledge that has been there acquired . Hence , then , everything that tends to improve and strengthen the status of the former should be done , and so small a matter as the grant by Grand
Lodge of a warrant confirming the sanction given by the Mother Lodge will suffice to put every Lodge of Instruction on a securer and more regular basis . There seems to us to be no just cause or impediment why such warrant should not be issued to every
Lodge of Instruction now sanctioned , or that may be sanctioned hereafter . As to expense , this need be no obstacle , for a small fee would suffice to reimburse Grand Lodge for
the trouble and expense involved . Perhaps some of onr readers may have given their attention to this matter , and may have some practical suggestion to offer . If so , our columns are at their disposal .
Freemasonry And Architecture.
FREEMASONRY AND ARCHITECTURE ,
THAT the history of Freemasonry should be found to comprise much that belongs with equal right to the history of architecture would surprise but a few ; and probably fewer still would seriously question the fact when once plainly stated . We do not think , however , that the
obligations of Architecture to Freemasonry have been sufficiently acknowledged by the generality of writers on this art . To us it seems little less than a marvel that the subject could possibly be treated at any length without some mention being made of the part played by the great
Masonic guilds and fraternities that seem to have flourished in every age . Yet we look in vain for any such mention in some of the most esteemed works on Historical Architecture , even in cases where Freemasonry would appear to afford a ready explanation of much that was
otherwise inexplicable . We do not now refer so much to the Architecture of the Ancient Egyptians and Hebrews , though there are not wanting indications of the existence of Masonic agencies , even so far back as this . Our immediate concern is with the architecture of the Middle Ages , and in
particular with the style of architecture known as Gothic . Take , for example , the great German critic , Frederick von Schlegel . He confesses to " a decided predilection for the Gothic style , " declares that when he is so fortunate as to discover a Gothic monument , however ruined or defaced ,
he examines it " with unwearied zeal and attention ; " and yet , when he essays to consider the origin of the st yle , the only conclusion he can come to , is that it certainly is not
Arabic . Another German , Dr . George Holler , in his celebrated treatise " On the Origin and Progress of Gothic Architecture , " sums up the various hypotheses on the subject as follows : —
1 . From the holy groves or thickets of the Ancient Celtic nations .
2 . From huts made with the entwined twigs of trees . 3 . From the structure of the framing in wooden buildings . 4 . From the pyramids of Egypt . 5 . From the imitation of pointed arches generated by the intersection of semi-circles .