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Correspondence
CORRESPONDENCE
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must hear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .
INTERESTING MASONIC INCIDENTS .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Freemasons , I fear , are like many other people in this go-ahead age , who let single events escape them , and only see their important bearing when masked , like flowers , in a rich garland . The method , ton , of recording facts , under present
circumstances , is nofc fche besfc thafc conld be devised . Ifc is absolutely imperative that a scientific lecture , a financial statement , or a controversial discourse should be reported by a shorthand writer . It is desirable thafc Parliamentary proceedings should bo dealt with by the sime master hand . Bnt for ordinary purposes the narrative
form is the besfc . Ifc permits of description , and provided the writer be honest , nofc only can a report be correct in all essential points , but it can also be made really interesting . It is the custom for stenographers to look down upon those who attempt to report withont knowing shorthand . My own experience leads mo to the conclusion
that the descriptive reporter , for mosfc purposes , has the advantage over his skilled rival . One is free to colour his matter and make it agreeable as well as true ; the other records facts in a dry , mechanical way . Points are thus lost ; , except to the painstaking reader , or the few directly interested in any special topic . One
great reason why Society papers are so popular is , becanse all matters are condensed into a readable form ; the hnsk is winnowed and the grain remains concentrated and palatable . I pnrpose dealing with two or three events , and if I do nofc make them interesting it will be because I lack practical acquaintance witb my own theory .
I recollect seeing something about Lewises in connection with the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire as far back as last August . I had heard so little of Lewises in London that the hare record of the incident made an impression npon me . The snbject , however , was recently brought under my notice , and
I made some inquiries . It appears it is the practice with fche Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire , at their annnal gatherings , when they proceed to chnrcb , to have the volume of the Sacred Law borne in procession by four Lewises . The act itself is reverent and beautiful . It is an open recognition of the sovereignty of the Great
Architect of the Universe , and a proclaiming of the Bible as the grand charter of onr faith . It is a homage of the creature to the Creator , and an open testimony that Freemasonry is based upon religion . Such a scene mnst have a good effect upon the spectators , and those who take part in it , like bridesmaids at a wedding , will
remember it to the end of their days . No standard bearer shonld feel prouder than the Lewis selected to bear the Bible in a Freemasons' procession j and ifc is quite certain thafc the memory of snob an event will long be cherished . It is an honour that is sure to bear fruit . Ifc is calculated to stimulate a desire for
intimate connection with the Craft , and to make the humble Lewis a faithful and honoured ruler in fche Israel of Freemasonry . No better introduction to the Order could be found than the bearing of tbe book that rules and governs onr faith , the great landmark by which we steer , and the great teacher which inspires charity in
word and act . The brefchi * en in Worcestershire nofc only paid onfc . ward homage to the Bible , not only gave a pleasant daty to the four Lewises , bnt each one was presented with a copy of the volnme of the Sacred Law as a memento of the part he took in an interesting ceremony . Invited to partake of the banquet , the Lewises were
treated as honoured guests , and having taken a glass of wine with the Right Worshipful Grand Master , and shaken hands with him they were dismissed with their treasure before the ceremonial bosiness of the table began . I leave it to your readers to imagine what must have been the feelings of those young men , but I think I am
right in saying that the proceedings of that day would linger in their minds and stimulate to good actions in the future . In looking down the list , the glorious list of contributions to the Girls' School at the recent Festival , I noticed under the head of Monmouthshire , " 1429 , Master Willie Watkins , £ 61 8 s 6 d . " I learn
tbat this little fellow , just rising five years of age , is the son of a worthy brother , who has thus early initiated his boy into the faith of Masonry . It was , I believe , his Masonic baptism , and the day of his confirmation no donbt is looked forward to with hope and toy . May his father be spared to witness the day when the seed that has
now been sown shall be matured first into blossom , and then into the fruits of charity . Here is an example that might well be followed by others . It is all very well to say that the brethren might bestow their gifts in their own name , and that the introduction of so yonng a child into matters of which he
can know nothing nor understand is a mere bit of sentimentality . Granted all tbat objectors can say , there yet remains the fact that most of the actions of life are governed by sentiment , and that without it there would be less enjoyment than there is . The linking even of a child's name with something noble and good must havo its
influence in after life , and young as Master Willie Watkins is , he will never forget the figure he made in the list I have referred to . As an example it is worth much in the cause of charity . There are few parents who are not proud of their offspring , and I can imagine no better method of the early inculcation of the spirit of charity in
their young minds than that of associating their names practically with a good cause . Both boys and girls can be treated alike and there is this advantage , that as the object is pure and praiseworthy there is less danger of pride being inculcated . With some people giving is a habit , but ifc must have its origin in a good heart ; and no
Correspondence
time is too soon or inappropriate for laying the foundation of a practice thafc once learnrd is never forgotten . St . Paul says , " Knowledge pnffeth up , but charity edifieth . " One of the first and mosfc beautiful lessons an initiate learns is charity . Onr ceremony describes ifc as sister to mercy , and we echo the words of
Shakespeare" It is twice bless d ; It blesseth him thafc gives , and him that takes . " I fear this letter is getting too long , but I cannot close without saying that I endorse the sentiments contained in your contributed leader last week , entitled " Women as Masons . " Those who are intimately
associated with onr Charities know the value of woman's help ; were it more encouraged I should have still more faith , great as it is already , in the future of our Institutions . There are many honoured names associated with the Craft . Her Majesty the Queen , monarch though she be . is a promoter of tbe art . Her Royal Highness the Princess of
Wales cannot fail to share the Masonic enthusiasm of our Royal Grand Master , and the young widow of his brother , another noble Mason , must retain a strong affection for the Order . None afforded her more loyal sympathy afc fche time of her bereavement than Free , masons , and the high estimation in which fche late Duke of Albany
was held by the Craft is a source of pride to her still . Ifc is enough if I mention the name of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts . That lady ' s soul beats in sympathy with every good movement , and the fact thafc she takes so warm an interest in Freemasonry should stimulate our faith and nerve us fco further exertions . Mrs . Horace Brooks
Marshall is a worthy coadjutor of her husband , and although her store of silver trowels must be great , I hope she may live long to add to it , and to swell the list of noble deeds done in the name of charity . I might go on adding name to name , but what I want ia to see ladies brought more into contact wifch the spirit of Free .
masonry ; to see them actively identified with our Charities . They would then forgive the absence of their husbands moro freely wheu engaged in Masonic work and pleasures . Their influence is mighty , and their sympathies are easily secured , but they must share a little in the outward signs of glory . They might be partakers of the banquet
occasionally , like the Lewises I have named , without in the least infringing on either decorum or the laws and principles of the Order . Indeed their presence afc the banquet table would add to the pleasures of dining , and their intercourse would tend to refine and chasten the more boisterous spirits . I want the ladies to be made
real helpers in the blessings of chanty , and , as far as possible , partakers of the enjoyments that most Freemasons so much appreciate . I am sure the Craft generally would benefit , and it is equally certain that the Charities would receive a fillip and a sustaining power , whioh would be a blessing all round .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , WATCHMAN . 4 th June 1885 .
Libel And Masonic Privilege (?).
LIBEL AND MASONIC PRIVILEGE (?) .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON s CHRONICLE . D _ AR SIR AND BROTHER , —I fully agree with Bro . P . M . Stevens in his surmise thafc the publication of libellous matter would nofc be exempt from the action of the law of the realm , by any privilege , or supposed privilege , associated with the Order of Freemasonry ; and I
am surprised beyond measure that your contemporary shonld imagine otherwise . I read your answer to the query of " A W . M . " in your is ^ ne of the 2 nd ult . on this point , and I also read the answer to the same question given by the Freemason . I thought the old adage , " when doctors disagree , " & c , was most applicable here , but I
felt that even if you were wrong you at least erred on the side of consistency . I very much question , however , if you were wrong ; indeed , my opinion is that nofc only " an action for libel might stand , " but that ifc certainly woidd stand , and I am pleased to find so high an authority as Bro . James Stevens support your and my opinion . I think
it would be monstrous to place libels published under the " square and compasses" outside the reach of the remedy provided by law . Such a course wonld nofc only be detrimental to Masonry , bufc would cause such scandals as wonld fully justify the strongest denunciations of the Order by its greatest enemies . Supposing such a privilege did exist
ifc would only be necessary to join the ranks of Freemasonry previous to the publication of the grossest libels , aud as a defence to any legal proceedings which might be commenced plead Masonic privilege ! It need not signify whether or no the person libelled was a Mason , the defence would be , "I only desired to warn Freemasons
of him , " or " I only desired to show Freemasons what men there are in the world . " Another view of fche case which upholds your opinion is , thafc Freemasonry is not , so far as I am aware , recognized by law . It has no locus standi in a court of law , either collectively or by Lodges or
individuals . I believe that in order to attain legal recognition ifc would be necessary for every Lodge to be registered under the Friendly Societies Act , or some such statute , but on this point I am open to conviction . I only write what I believe to be fche facts of the case , and they are based on the result of an action some years
since by which a Lodge sought the assistance of the law to recover certain fees from a backward member . This may not be a very creditable event to refer back to , but it illustrates my view . Even
if I am wrong in my ideas—in which case you and Bro . Stevens will also be wrong—I hope the day will never arrive when libels will be pnblished , and excused on the plea that they were privileged by Freemasonry .
I am , Yours fraternally , RIGHT , NOT MIGHT .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence
CORRESPONDENCE
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must hear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .
INTERESTING MASONIC INCIDENTS .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Freemasons , I fear , are like many other people in this go-ahead age , who let single events escape them , and only see their important bearing when masked , like flowers , in a rich garland . The method , ton , of recording facts , under present
circumstances , is nofc fche besfc thafc conld be devised . Ifc is absolutely imperative that a scientific lecture , a financial statement , or a controversial discourse should be reported by a shorthand writer . It is desirable thafc Parliamentary proceedings should bo dealt with by the sime master hand . Bnt for ordinary purposes the narrative
form is the besfc . Ifc permits of description , and provided the writer be honest , nofc only can a report be correct in all essential points , but it can also be made really interesting . It is the custom for stenographers to look down upon those who attempt to report withont knowing shorthand . My own experience leads mo to the conclusion
that the descriptive reporter , for mosfc purposes , has the advantage over his skilled rival . One is free to colour his matter and make it agreeable as well as true ; the other records facts in a dry , mechanical way . Points are thus lost ; , except to the painstaking reader , or the few directly interested in any special topic . One
great reason why Society papers are so popular is , becanse all matters are condensed into a readable form ; the hnsk is winnowed and the grain remains concentrated and palatable . I pnrpose dealing with two or three events , and if I do nofc make them interesting it will be because I lack practical acquaintance witb my own theory .
I recollect seeing something about Lewises in connection with the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire as far back as last August . I had heard so little of Lewises in London that the hare record of the incident made an impression npon me . The snbject , however , was recently brought under my notice , and
I made some inquiries . It appears it is the practice with fche Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire , at their annnal gatherings , when they proceed to chnrcb , to have the volume of the Sacred Law borne in procession by four Lewises . The act itself is reverent and beautiful . It is an open recognition of the sovereignty of the Great
Architect of the Universe , and a proclaiming of the Bible as the grand charter of onr faith . It is a homage of the creature to the Creator , and an open testimony that Freemasonry is based upon religion . Such a scene mnst have a good effect upon the spectators , and those who take part in it , like bridesmaids at a wedding , will
remember it to the end of their days . No standard bearer shonld feel prouder than the Lewis selected to bear the Bible in a Freemasons' procession j and ifc is quite certain thafc the memory of snob an event will long be cherished . It is an honour that is sure to bear fruit . Ifc is calculated to stimulate a desire for
intimate connection with the Craft , and to make the humble Lewis a faithful and honoured ruler in fche Israel of Freemasonry . No better introduction to the Order could be found than the bearing of tbe book that rules and governs onr faith , the great landmark by which we steer , and the great teacher which inspires charity in
word and act . The brefchi * en in Worcestershire nofc only paid onfc . ward homage to the Bible , not only gave a pleasant daty to the four Lewises , bnt each one was presented with a copy of the volnme of the Sacred Law as a memento of the part he took in an interesting ceremony . Invited to partake of the banquet , the Lewises were
treated as honoured guests , and having taken a glass of wine with the Right Worshipful Grand Master , and shaken hands with him they were dismissed with their treasure before the ceremonial bosiness of the table began . I leave it to your readers to imagine what must have been the feelings of those young men , but I think I am
right in saying that the proceedings of that day would linger in their minds and stimulate to good actions in the future . In looking down the list , the glorious list of contributions to the Girls' School at the recent Festival , I noticed under the head of Monmouthshire , " 1429 , Master Willie Watkins , £ 61 8 s 6 d . " I learn
tbat this little fellow , just rising five years of age , is the son of a worthy brother , who has thus early initiated his boy into the faith of Masonry . It was , I believe , his Masonic baptism , and the day of his confirmation no donbt is looked forward to with hope and toy . May his father be spared to witness the day when the seed that has
now been sown shall be matured first into blossom , and then into the fruits of charity . Here is an example that might well be followed by others . It is all very well to say that the brethren might bestow their gifts in their own name , and that the introduction of so yonng a child into matters of which he
can know nothing nor understand is a mere bit of sentimentality . Granted all tbat objectors can say , there yet remains the fact that most of the actions of life are governed by sentiment , and that without it there would be less enjoyment than there is . The linking even of a child's name with something noble and good must havo its
influence in after life , and young as Master Willie Watkins is , he will never forget the figure he made in the list I have referred to . As an example it is worth much in the cause of charity . There are few parents who are not proud of their offspring , and I can imagine no better method of the early inculcation of the spirit of charity in
their young minds than that of associating their names practically with a good cause . Both boys and girls can be treated alike and there is this advantage , that as the object is pure and praiseworthy there is less danger of pride being inculcated . With some people giving is a habit , but ifc must have its origin in a good heart ; and no
Correspondence
time is too soon or inappropriate for laying the foundation of a practice thafc once learnrd is never forgotten . St . Paul says , " Knowledge pnffeth up , but charity edifieth . " One of the first and mosfc beautiful lessons an initiate learns is charity . Onr ceremony describes ifc as sister to mercy , and we echo the words of
Shakespeare" It is twice bless d ; It blesseth him thafc gives , and him that takes . " I fear this letter is getting too long , but I cannot close without saying that I endorse the sentiments contained in your contributed leader last week , entitled " Women as Masons . " Those who are intimately
associated with onr Charities know the value of woman's help ; were it more encouraged I should have still more faith , great as it is already , in the future of our Institutions . There are many honoured names associated with the Craft . Her Majesty the Queen , monarch though she be . is a promoter of tbe art . Her Royal Highness the Princess of
Wales cannot fail to share the Masonic enthusiasm of our Royal Grand Master , and the young widow of his brother , another noble Mason , must retain a strong affection for the Order . None afforded her more loyal sympathy afc fche time of her bereavement than Free , masons , and the high estimation in which fche late Duke of Albany
was held by the Craft is a source of pride to her still . Ifc is enough if I mention the name of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts . That lady ' s soul beats in sympathy with every good movement , and the fact thafc she takes so warm an interest in Freemasonry should stimulate our faith and nerve us fco further exertions . Mrs . Horace Brooks
Marshall is a worthy coadjutor of her husband , and although her store of silver trowels must be great , I hope she may live long to add to it , and to swell the list of noble deeds done in the name of charity . I might go on adding name to name , but what I want ia to see ladies brought more into contact wifch the spirit of Free .
masonry ; to see them actively identified with our Charities . They would then forgive the absence of their husbands moro freely wheu engaged in Masonic work and pleasures . Their influence is mighty , and their sympathies are easily secured , but they must share a little in the outward signs of glory . They might be partakers of the banquet
occasionally , like the Lewises I have named , without in the least infringing on either decorum or the laws and principles of the Order . Indeed their presence afc the banquet table would add to the pleasures of dining , and their intercourse would tend to refine and chasten the more boisterous spirits . I want the ladies to be made
real helpers in the blessings of chanty , and , as far as possible , partakers of the enjoyments that most Freemasons so much appreciate . I am sure the Craft generally would benefit , and it is equally certain that the Charities would receive a fillip and a sustaining power , whioh would be a blessing all round .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , WATCHMAN . 4 th June 1885 .
Libel And Masonic Privilege (?).
LIBEL AND MASONIC PRIVILEGE (?) .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON s CHRONICLE . D _ AR SIR AND BROTHER , —I fully agree with Bro . P . M . Stevens in his surmise thafc the publication of libellous matter would nofc be exempt from the action of the law of the realm , by any privilege , or supposed privilege , associated with the Order of Freemasonry ; and I
am surprised beyond measure that your contemporary shonld imagine otherwise . I read your answer to the query of " A W . M . " in your is ^ ne of the 2 nd ult . on this point , and I also read the answer to the same question given by the Freemason . I thought the old adage , " when doctors disagree , " & c , was most applicable here , but I
felt that even if you were wrong you at least erred on the side of consistency . I very much question , however , if you were wrong ; indeed , my opinion is that nofc only " an action for libel might stand , " but that ifc certainly woidd stand , and I am pleased to find so high an authority as Bro . James Stevens support your and my opinion . I think
it would be monstrous to place libels published under the " square and compasses" outside the reach of the remedy provided by law . Such a course wonld nofc only be detrimental to Masonry , bufc would cause such scandals as wonld fully justify the strongest denunciations of the Order by its greatest enemies . Supposing such a privilege did exist
ifc would only be necessary to join the ranks of Freemasonry previous to the publication of the grossest libels , aud as a defence to any legal proceedings which might be commenced plead Masonic privilege ! It need not signify whether or no the person libelled was a Mason , the defence would be , "I only desired to warn Freemasons
of him , " or " I only desired to show Freemasons what men there are in the world . " Another view of fche case which upholds your opinion is , thafc Freemasonry is not , so far as I am aware , recognized by law . It has no locus standi in a court of law , either collectively or by Lodges or
individuals . I believe that in order to attain legal recognition ifc would be necessary for every Lodge to be registered under the Friendly Societies Act , or some such statute , but on this point I am open to conviction . I only write what I believe to be fche facts of the case , and they are based on the result of an action some years
since by which a Lodge sought the assistance of the law to recover certain fees from a backward member . This may not be a very creditable event to refer back to , but it illustrates my view . Even
if I am wrong in my ideas—in which case you and Bro . Stevens will also be wrong—I hope the day will never arrive when libels will be pnblished , and excused on the plea that they were privileged by Freemasonry .
I am , Yours fraternally , RIGHT , NOT MIGHT .