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Article MASONIC BENEVOLENCE. ← Page 2 of 3 Article MASONIC BENEVOLENCE. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Benevolence.
or perhaps real advantages , or existing grievances ; and thus , in like ways , and by like means , the abominations of oligarchies and hierarchies havo subverted governments
and religions without end , and substituted anarchies and despotisms temporal and spiritual , and filled tho world with superstitions , frauds and vice .
Masonry , like all other good institutions , as long as it enjoyed but limited popularity and influence , maintained its original principles to a remarkable degree : but now , when it has entered on a career of unparalleled good fortune , it ,
is exposed at once to all the causes which havo subverted others . Those causes , which are ever various , but of like character , are so insinuating and surreptitious in their operation that none has been found which could withstand
a tide of continuous prosperity . The epitaph of every good institution which has perished might be written in the same words : Destroyed by the reaction of achieved success . If Masonry had nothing to fear but from the wrongful
designs of enemies , or those who are wicked and evildisposed , it would hold its course , and so would every other establishment of like original character . That which appears to be the great and undiscovered secret to most
innovators is , that all and singular the perverted aud des : troyed institutions among men , during all time , have been prostituted and prostrated by the devices of their best
supporters ; and this has been the danger which has threatened Masonry from its beginning—now it is actually impending , as all should be able to see .
In accordance with universal experience , what has been offered in former numbers of the Voice of Masonry touching certain associations for mutual relief , entitled " Masonic , " has been misunderstood as an attack on some
portion of the Craftsmen , and upon their attempts to secure benefits for their families in case of death ; and is evidently destined to be misinterpreted , and probably
to be made the cause of ill feeling , and be answered , if at all , by complaints against other mismanagement , and by other similar arguments .
In the July number of the Voice of Masonry certain mutual benefit associations were mentioned , which aro composed of members who are Masons , and entitled " Masonic ;" and attention was called to the evident tendency of such
additions to the settled order and form of Masonry , to pave the way for other and worse innovations . The subject is one of the highest importance , for much depends upon tbe
matter involved , whether many Masons shut their eyes to the consequences or not , and the discussion of it in all its connections involves many considerations . Among these is one which has not been mentioned in connection with
particular associations , either in the article referred to , or any other in the Voice of Masonry , so far as I am aware : that is , the true principle of Masonic Benevolence , ancl the
intent and teachings of the Masonic Lodge concerning that subject , as shown throughout the symbology and work , and expounded and practised by all worthy and skilful Masters of the " Royal Art , " from the beginning .
A full discussion of all which is involved in this one subject , without touching many others which are of great importance , would occupy far more space than can be allowed for a single article , and one reason of this is that it appears that , like many other true Masonic principles well understood and familiar to the Craftsmen of former
times , the Masonic ideas concerning benevolence , and relief are entirely new to many brethren of the present day . In consequence of this unfamiliarity with the nature and character of the Masonic Lodge , many Masons , who devote
little or no attention to anything in Masonry except its externals so far as they compare with what they see and hear of other societies , fall , as a matter of course , into the notion that Masonry stands on the same plane as any of
the others ; that all its ceremonies are mere performances adhered to because they are ancient , and are about as good as anything of the sort that is offered for the same amount
of money ; and that in some respects the modern societies have hit upon better inventions ; and they desire at once that they shall be imported into Masonry .
They never reflect that there is remaining in the Fraternity a large body of craftsmen who entered the Masonic Lodge because it was Masonic , and not because they wished to unite with any benefit association ; and
because they understood that it is the duty of all members to unite in preserving Masonry in its original and proper form , and that they would hence be safe from having the Institution transformed into something new with every whim of enthusiastic and inconsiderate members .
Masonic Benevolence.
The latter appear to suppose that , like a busiuess or benefit association , the members meet for the purpose of carryiug out whatever notion may be uppermost in the minds of a majority , and that all have a right to study up
changes in any constitutional principle or detail of organisation which pleases their fancy for the time being ; nnd that being Freemasons means the right of all to a free scramble for tnrninsr all things round and upside down to
suit " advanced ideas . " It is not so much to be wondered at , therefore , that among many other innovations we find that the practice of getting up benefit societies and attaching them to the
Masonic Lodge by entitling them " Masonic , without any authority so to do , is spreading rapidly throughout the country . As the projectors are accustomed to think of
the time-honoured term Masonic as nothing but a mere name to distinguish the Institution of Masonry from other bodies or associations , so they think that everything invented or put in practice may be named Masonic as a
matter of course , after the prevalent custom of naming hotels in every town after some noted establishment in New York or Boston . With the same fondness for euphemism by which everything now-a-days is called by the
name which belongs to something better , all benefit associations are called " benevolent institutions ; " and this misuse of terms causes that when benevolence , and particularly Masonic benevolence , is spoken of , many persons
think of nothing more than tho collection and disbursement of so much money by an organisation for that purpose . Thus one after another Masonic ideas are crowded out of language and thought ; and every year witnesses a greater
devastation of the whole body of Masonic philosophy ,
ethics and jurisprudence . As to mutual benefit associations , doubtless they are good institutions when properly organised and carried on ; and I for one know of nobody who has any objections to
them ; and I certainly claim to have no more right to interfere with or discourage their formation , than tbey have to attach themselves by the terms of the titles they assume , to the Masonic Lodge or Craft . The so attaching
them to Masonry , by advertising them as "Masonic , " is all wrong . They are not , and cannot be , Masonic , but are merely prudential arrangements for mutual protection
against pecuniary distress in which each member uses his own money to procure his oivn protection or that of his family against certain contingencies . Their being composed of members who are Masons can be of no benefit to them .
They would be far better situated to secure a sufficient number of members , and be in every respect jnst as beneficial to all parties concerned , if they would throw
open their doors to all comers , for it is a vital necessity to such societies , depending as they do on a constant influx of members to keep them going , that they should have the whole community to draw from .
If there are any brothers in the Masonic Fraternity who have misunderstood Masonry , and think it is a benefit society , it would seem taat the time has come when it would be advisable for them to improve their Masonic
erudition by exploring the subject . If they do understand what Masonry means it is becoming clearer every day that they are willing to aid in subverting the system as well as the design of it , for mutual benefits in the way of stated payments out of funds raised by tax on the members never was
any part of Masonry ; but other societies organised for
such a purpose and drawing funds to make such , payments from the members , according to regulations , have been holding Lodges side by side with those of Masonry during the last hundred years , as is known to tbe world , yet it is
not likely that any of them would lack the foresight to forbid a portion of the members getting up a side institution of their own , and holding it forth to the world as part and parcel of the principal association .
Freemasonry is not , and cannot lawfully become a benefit association . Its institution is a Benevolent Fraternity . Its work , in the way of benevolence , is not to exact money by regulation from its constituents , by forced levy , and pay
the same out to the needy , and call that benevolence , and so let the whole spirit of its sublime office down to the level of a legal quid fro quo , and thus baulk and hinder the effect of its grand moral lessons , committed to the hearts of
freemen who are left in libert y and rationality to follow according to their light . It has put aside at all times the use of ancillary and supplemental devices , which are sure in the end to be additions which takeaway from the force and effect of its sacred principles , heaven born in their
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Benevolence.
or perhaps real advantages , or existing grievances ; and thus , in like ways , and by like means , the abominations of oligarchies and hierarchies havo subverted governments
and religions without end , and substituted anarchies and despotisms temporal and spiritual , and filled tho world with superstitions , frauds and vice .
Masonry , like all other good institutions , as long as it enjoyed but limited popularity and influence , maintained its original principles to a remarkable degree : but now , when it has entered on a career of unparalleled good fortune , it ,
is exposed at once to all the causes which havo subverted others . Those causes , which are ever various , but of like character , are so insinuating and surreptitious in their operation that none has been found which could withstand
a tide of continuous prosperity . The epitaph of every good institution which has perished might be written in the same words : Destroyed by the reaction of achieved success . If Masonry had nothing to fear but from the wrongful
designs of enemies , or those who are wicked and evildisposed , it would hold its course , and so would every other establishment of like original character . That which appears to be the great and undiscovered secret to most
innovators is , that all and singular the perverted aud des : troyed institutions among men , during all time , have been prostituted and prostrated by the devices of their best
supporters ; and this has been the danger which has threatened Masonry from its beginning—now it is actually impending , as all should be able to see .
In accordance with universal experience , what has been offered in former numbers of the Voice of Masonry touching certain associations for mutual relief , entitled " Masonic , " has been misunderstood as an attack on some
portion of the Craftsmen , and upon their attempts to secure benefits for their families in case of death ; and is evidently destined to be misinterpreted , and probably
to be made the cause of ill feeling , and be answered , if at all , by complaints against other mismanagement , and by other similar arguments .
In the July number of the Voice of Masonry certain mutual benefit associations were mentioned , which aro composed of members who are Masons , and entitled " Masonic ;" and attention was called to the evident tendency of such
additions to the settled order and form of Masonry , to pave the way for other and worse innovations . The subject is one of the highest importance , for much depends upon tbe
matter involved , whether many Masons shut their eyes to the consequences or not , and the discussion of it in all its connections involves many considerations . Among these is one which has not been mentioned in connection with
particular associations , either in the article referred to , or any other in the Voice of Masonry , so far as I am aware : that is , the true principle of Masonic Benevolence , ancl the
intent and teachings of the Masonic Lodge concerning that subject , as shown throughout the symbology and work , and expounded and practised by all worthy and skilful Masters of the " Royal Art , " from the beginning .
A full discussion of all which is involved in this one subject , without touching many others which are of great importance , would occupy far more space than can be allowed for a single article , and one reason of this is that it appears that , like many other true Masonic principles well understood and familiar to the Craftsmen of former
times , the Masonic ideas concerning benevolence , and relief are entirely new to many brethren of the present day . In consequence of this unfamiliarity with the nature and character of the Masonic Lodge , many Masons , who devote
little or no attention to anything in Masonry except its externals so far as they compare with what they see and hear of other societies , fall , as a matter of course , into the notion that Masonry stands on the same plane as any of
the others ; that all its ceremonies are mere performances adhered to because they are ancient , and are about as good as anything of the sort that is offered for the same amount
of money ; and that in some respects the modern societies have hit upon better inventions ; and they desire at once that they shall be imported into Masonry .
They never reflect that there is remaining in the Fraternity a large body of craftsmen who entered the Masonic Lodge because it was Masonic , and not because they wished to unite with any benefit association ; and
because they understood that it is the duty of all members to unite in preserving Masonry in its original and proper form , and that they would hence be safe from having the Institution transformed into something new with every whim of enthusiastic and inconsiderate members .
Masonic Benevolence.
The latter appear to suppose that , like a busiuess or benefit association , the members meet for the purpose of carryiug out whatever notion may be uppermost in the minds of a majority , and that all have a right to study up
changes in any constitutional principle or detail of organisation which pleases their fancy for the time being ; nnd that being Freemasons means the right of all to a free scramble for tnrninsr all things round and upside down to
suit " advanced ideas . " It is not so much to be wondered at , therefore , that among many other innovations we find that the practice of getting up benefit societies and attaching them to the
Masonic Lodge by entitling them " Masonic , without any authority so to do , is spreading rapidly throughout the country . As the projectors are accustomed to think of
the time-honoured term Masonic as nothing but a mere name to distinguish the Institution of Masonry from other bodies or associations , so they think that everything invented or put in practice may be named Masonic as a
matter of course , after the prevalent custom of naming hotels in every town after some noted establishment in New York or Boston . With the same fondness for euphemism by which everything now-a-days is called by the
name which belongs to something better , all benefit associations are called " benevolent institutions ; " and this misuse of terms causes that when benevolence , and particularly Masonic benevolence , is spoken of , many persons
think of nothing more than tho collection and disbursement of so much money by an organisation for that purpose . Thus one after another Masonic ideas are crowded out of language and thought ; and every year witnesses a greater
devastation of the whole body of Masonic philosophy ,
ethics and jurisprudence . As to mutual benefit associations , doubtless they are good institutions when properly organised and carried on ; and I for one know of nobody who has any objections to
them ; and I certainly claim to have no more right to interfere with or discourage their formation , than tbey have to attach themselves by the terms of the titles they assume , to the Masonic Lodge or Craft . The so attaching
them to Masonry , by advertising them as "Masonic , " is all wrong . They are not , and cannot be , Masonic , but are merely prudential arrangements for mutual protection
against pecuniary distress in which each member uses his own money to procure his oivn protection or that of his family against certain contingencies . Their being composed of members who are Masons can be of no benefit to them .
They would be far better situated to secure a sufficient number of members , and be in every respect jnst as beneficial to all parties concerned , if they would throw
open their doors to all comers , for it is a vital necessity to such societies , depending as they do on a constant influx of members to keep them going , that they should have the whole community to draw from .
If there are any brothers in the Masonic Fraternity who have misunderstood Masonry , and think it is a benefit society , it would seem taat the time has come when it would be advisable for them to improve their Masonic
erudition by exploring the subject . If they do understand what Masonry means it is becoming clearer every day that they are willing to aid in subverting the system as well as the design of it , for mutual benefits in the way of stated payments out of funds raised by tax on the members never was
any part of Masonry ; but other societies organised for
such a purpose and drawing funds to make such , payments from the members , according to regulations , have been holding Lodges side by side with those of Masonry during the last hundred years , as is known to tbe world , yet it is
not likely that any of them would lack the foresight to forbid a portion of the members getting up a side institution of their own , and holding it forth to the world as part and parcel of the principal association .
Freemasonry is not , and cannot lawfully become a benefit association . Its institution is a Benevolent Fraternity . Its work , in the way of benevolence , is not to exact money by regulation from its constituents , by forced levy , and pay
the same out to the needy , and call that benevolence , and so let the whole spirit of its sublime office down to the level of a legal quid fro quo , and thus baulk and hinder the effect of its grand moral lessons , committed to the hearts of
freemen who are left in libert y and rationality to follow according to their light . It has put aside at all times the use of ancillary and supplemental devices , which are sure in the end to be additions which takeaway from the force and effect of its sacred principles , heaven born in their