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Article GROWTH OF GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA. ← Page 2 of 2 Article GROWTH OF GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA. Page 2 of 2 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 2 →
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Growth Of Grand Lodge Of Pennsylvania.
Oar present system of Grand Representatives between the several Grand Bodies in the United States and elsewhere , is probably the resnlt of tho impression mado by these early propositions . Aa is WP II known to the Masonic student , Ancient Masonry con . sisted of f-iir degrees , and every lawfully warranted Lodge pnssessed and , if its ability and numbers justified , exercised the power
of conferring the Royal Arch Degree . There were then no intermediate degrees , ancl the Royal Arch was exclusively under the control of the Grand Lodge . In the year 1795 , the Grand Lodgo authorized tho formation of a Grand Royal Arch Chapter under its own immediate government . The officers of the Grand Lodge wero ex officio the officers of the
Grand Chapter , and all working Chapters were held under the authority of a regular subsisting warrant granted by the Grand Lodge . Thus matters remained for many years until Capitular Masonry in this State was conformed to the system as it existed in other jurisdictions .
I have nofc the time to enter into the details of the growth of the Graud Lodge , nor the opportunity fco illustrate the paths trodden by our progenitors , and pointed out by them for onr guidance , and whereby this Grand Lodge has attained its present high commanding position . "There were giants in those days , " and when they began the
edifice of Freemasonry in this Commonwealth , they laid deep its foundations among the sub-strata of the ancient landmarks and Masonio tradition , and then united the superstrnefcuro with the cement of Prudence , Fortitude , Temperance and Justice , ancl upheld it by the columns of Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth ; thus enabling ifc to withstand the tempests of modern innovations and
puerile novelties , which ever threaten to undermine the solid principles of this Ancient and Honourable Institution . The Pennsylvanian Mason of to-day meeting his brethren of the Grand Lodge in this building , cannot realise the wonderful advance made by the Fraternity in this jurisdiction during tho past century and a-half .
Between the Tun Tavern , of Water-street , where , in a modest hired upper room , the first Grand Lodge was held in this city and Province , and the present edifice—the molt magnificent dedicated to tho uses of Freemasonry ever erected—there is a wide distinction ; but ifc is a contrast far more eloquent than that afforded by the mere lapse of time , or the increased prosperity of the Craffc .
The contemplation of the several steps by which this architectural summit has been reached , shows that the seed sown by our Masonio forefathers fell on good ground , and yielded " sixty and one hundredfold ; " that the germs of Faith , of Hope and of Charity , planted by them , brought forth their fruit in duo season . A comparative view of the one Lodge , with its handful of Brothers
and confined to one spot in the Colony , and the three hundred and eighty thriving Lodges , with their thirty . five thousand Masons scattered throngh this greafc Commonwealth , from fcho River Delaware to Lake Erie , exhibits something vastly more significant than a mere contrasting of unrhetorical figures . Ifc presents a scene more charming to the senses than thafc depicted by a confused mass of
commonplace statistics . It represents a compact body of free-born men under the tongue of good report , " fair as the moon , clear as the sun , and terrible as an army with banners . " At this memorial service , designing to perpetuate the memory of oar growth and prosperity in a spirit of justifiable
self-congratulahon , may we nofc point to our humble beginning , our past illustrious history , and our present exalted position , and , recognising in all this the munificence of the Giver of every good and perfect gift , reverentially exclaim , as it was said of the patriarch of old , "What hath God wrought ? " " How goodly are thy tents , 0 Jacob , and thy tabernacles , 0 Israel . ' " And , standing , as we are , on tbe threshold of another epochmay
, we not resolve to forget not the past , to wisely improve the present , and " go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear , and with a manly heart ?" Wherefore , then , as a Graud Lodge , do we look back with complacency upon onr historic past , congratulate ourselves upon our successful present , and confidently indulge the hope of a glorious future .
The answer is to bo derived from the fact thafc our Order is founded upon the eternal and immutable truths of Equality and Fraternity ; that the great unwritten language and laws and traditions and teachings of Freemasonry have been kept by this Grand Lodge as pure and as sacred ns the fires tended by the vestal virgins ; that while principalities and powers and earthly dynasties are subject to
dissensions , disintegration and decay ; the white-winged Dove of Peace hovers over our battlements , and our walls are resonant with the sweet songs of Harmony , and the joyful chants of Unity , which , ' b'ke as the dew of Hermon fall upon the hill of Sion . " _ The answer is to be further found in the fact that this Grand Lodge is panoplied in the armour of the Ancient Landmarks , and with th
ese there is "no variableness , neither shadow of turning ; " that it has ever maintained , as with a Divine faith , the absolute sovereignty and supremacy of itself in all matters within its own territorial jurisdiction ; and that in determining questions of Masonic law there is nothing higher or more authoritative than its decrees , save only the Ancient LandmarksUsages and Customs of the Order .
, tti answer * * o be still further found in its unshaken conviction that the spirit of novelty , of unrest , of progress falsely so-called , has no foundation in the true Masonic character * in tho firm belief thafc in Masonry whatever is ancient is true , and whatever is modern is ialse , ancl that tbe introduction of innovations into the bodv of
Masonry is as full of peril to the stability of tho Order as the introduction of the Trojan horse was to the city of Priam . ., ™ % i it is to be found in the long-esfcablished system by which the Grand Officers of this Grand Lod ge are chosen , and the prevailing spirit which binds them together .
Growth Of Grand Lodge Of Pennsylvania.
By an unwritten law of the Grand Lodge a brother who aspires to govern as Grand Master must first serve h > 3 terms of apprenticeship iu tho minor elective Grand Offices . He attains his high position through earned promotion , ancl not by intrigue and indulgence . The other elective Gt and Officers serving as advisers to the Grand Master in the government of the Craft , and partaking in his
responsibility as they ascend into tho place of dignity and power , are in like manner served " by thoso svho in their turn shall follow them . " As u Pasfc Grand Master , his influence is still felt as a member of one or more of the leading standing committees , which tend so strongly to shape the policy of the Grand Lodgo . Thus we have at all times around the Grand East a hody of diligent , faithful and experienced
brethren , who guard well the portals of Freemasonry , and suffer the Grand Lodgo to come under no evil imputation . Theso are some of the characteristics of this Grand Lodge . Upon us have devolved the duty and responsibility of preserving its laws . Let its word be " as a lantern unto our feet , aud a light unto our paths . "
In a few more decades this Grand Lodge will be celebrating tho two hundredth anniversary of its foundation . Ifc is scarcely possible that any now within the sound of my voice will be hero to assist in that ceremony . Those who will then be participants will havo received their Masonio light from us . Let it arise and shine for the never-fading glory of pure and ancient Masonry , which may always
find its sure-resting place within tho precincts of this , the parent Grand Lodge of America . 0 venerable Mother of us all , " rich with the spoils of time . " " The Lord bless thee and keep thee ! " The Lord make His face to shine upon thee , and be gracious unto thee ! " The Lord lift up His countenance npou thee , and give thee peace . "
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for tlie opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must bear the name ani address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .
" THE SAME USAGES AND CUSTOMS . " To the Editor of the FKEEJIASON ' S CUKONICIE . DEAR SIH AND BBOTIIEB , —Afc the risk of being considered pertina . cious in " sticking to a favourite fad , " as my attempt to secure a logical deduction and result from the very expressive clause in our present Book of Constitutions—relating to Masonio working—has
been characterised by my good friend yonr contemporary , in a recent leaderette , I am constrained to make further endeavour to ascertain what is meant by the clause which has been substituted in tbe proposed revision . Tho respective clauses are as follow : —
EXISTING REGULATION . REVISED REGULATION . "All lodges are particularly " The master and wardens of a bound to observe the same lodge are enjoined fco visit other usages and customs ; every devi- lodges as often as they conation , therefore , from the esta- vinently can , in order that tbe blished mode of working is highly same usages and customs may improper , and cannot be justified be observed throughout the craft ,
or countenanced . In order to and a good understanding cult ! preserve this uniformity , and fco vated among freemasons , cultivate a good understanding among free-masons , some members of every lodgo should be deputed to visit other lodges as often as may be convenient . "
At the Special Grand Lodge held ou the 30 th ult ., for the consider , tion of the proposed revision , when discussion was reprehended , and hasty decisions invited with a view to attain afc one sitting , if possible , a result which , to be at all , or even nearly , perfect , demanded cool and matured deliberation , aud tbe adjournments necessary for that purpose , I proposed the re-instatement of the existing
regulation , as an amendment , so far victoriously as to be defeated by not more than five votes . This evidences the fact that very many more Freemasons are of my way of thinking , as to unity of working , than my opponents care to admit . But I was defeated , and , as is only right , and until the decision then arrived at is reversed , respectfully bow to the majority . For
the present at all events I mnst , as will nil good and loyal Masons , observe the " same usages and customs" in Masouic working . It will be so easy to do this when we learn what are the " same usages and customs observed throughout the Craft . " Probably the direction given to us will be supplemented by information as to the authority to whom we should apply for instrnction ! At present I know of none in particular , and in a general way to adopt some of the
" usages and customs" of , say , Lodges in tho West of England , and some others of , say , Lodges in the North , and reconcile them with the " usages and customs" of the Metropolis , would be to render " confusion worse confounded , " and instead of cultivating " a good understanding among Freemasons" would almost necessitate the establishment of a fourth Masonic charity for the reception of Masonic lunatics .
Where are we drifting ? The abandonment of the old regulation that " every deviation from the established mode of working is highly improper and cannot be justified or countenanced " means , if any-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Growth Of Grand Lodge Of Pennsylvania.
Oar present system of Grand Representatives between the several Grand Bodies in the United States and elsewhere , is probably the resnlt of tho impression mado by these early propositions . Aa is WP II known to the Masonic student , Ancient Masonry con . sisted of f-iir degrees , and every lawfully warranted Lodge pnssessed and , if its ability and numbers justified , exercised the power
of conferring the Royal Arch Degree . There were then no intermediate degrees , ancl the Royal Arch was exclusively under the control of the Grand Lodge . In the year 1795 , the Grand Lodgo authorized tho formation of a Grand Royal Arch Chapter under its own immediate government . The officers of the Grand Lodge wero ex officio the officers of the
Grand Chapter , and all working Chapters were held under the authority of a regular subsisting warrant granted by the Grand Lodge . Thus matters remained for many years until Capitular Masonry in this State was conformed to the system as it existed in other jurisdictions .
I have nofc the time to enter into the details of the growth of the Graud Lodge , nor the opportunity fco illustrate the paths trodden by our progenitors , and pointed out by them for onr guidance , and whereby this Grand Lodge has attained its present high commanding position . "There were giants in those days , " and when they began the
edifice of Freemasonry in this Commonwealth , they laid deep its foundations among the sub-strata of the ancient landmarks and Masonio tradition , and then united the superstrnefcuro with the cement of Prudence , Fortitude , Temperance and Justice , ancl upheld it by the columns of Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth ; thus enabling ifc to withstand the tempests of modern innovations and
puerile novelties , which ever threaten to undermine the solid principles of this Ancient and Honourable Institution . The Pennsylvanian Mason of to-day meeting his brethren of the Grand Lodge in this building , cannot realise the wonderful advance made by the Fraternity in this jurisdiction during tho past century and a-half .
Between the Tun Tavern , of Water-street , where , in a modest hired upper room , the first Grand Lodge was held in this city and Province , and the present edifice—the molt magnificent dedicated to tho uses of Freemasonry ever erected—there is a wide distinction ; but ifc is a contrast far more eloquent than that afforded by the mere lapse of time , or the increased prosperity of the Craffc .
The contemplation of the several steps by which this architectural summit has been reached , shows that the seed sown by our Masonio forefathers fell on good ground , and yielded " sixty and one hundredfold ; " that the germs of Faith , of Hope and of Charity , planted by them , brought forth their fruit in duo season . A comparative view of the one Lodge , with its handful of Brothers
and confined to one spot in the Colony , and the three hundred and eighty thriving Lodges , with their thirty . five thousand Masons scattered throngh this greafc Commonwealth , from fcho River Delaware to Lake Erie , exhibits something vastly more significant than a mere contrasting of unrhetorical figures . Ifc presents a scene more charming to the senses than thafc depicted by a confused mass of
commonplace statistics . It represents a compact body of free-born men under the tongue of good report , " fair as the moon , clear as the sun , and terrible as an army with banners . " At this memorial service , designing to perpetuate the memory of oar growth and prosperity in a spirit of justifiable
self-congratulahon , may we nofc point to our humble beginning , our past illustrious history , and our present exalted position , and , recognising in all this the munificence of the Giver of every good and perfect gift , reverentially exclaim , as it was said of the patriarch of old , "What hath God wrought ? " " How goodly are thy tents , 0 Jacob , and thy tabernacles , 0 Israel . ' " And , standing , as we are , on tbe threshold of another epochmay
, we not resolve to forget not the past , to wisely improve the present , and " go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear , and with a manly heart ?" Wherefore , then , as a Graud Lodge , do we look back with complacency upon onr historic past , congratulate ourselves upon our successful present , and confidently indulge the hope of a glorious future .
The answer is to bo derived from the fact thafc our Order is founded upon the eternal and immutable truths of Equality and Fraternity ; that the great unwritten language and laws and traditions and teachings of Freemasonry have been kept by this Grand Lodge as pure and as sacred ns the fires tended by the vestal virgins ; that while principalities and powers and earthly dynasties are subject to
dissensions , disintegration and decay ; the white-winged Dove of Peace hovers over our battlements , and our walls are resonant with the sweet songs of Harmony , and the joyful chants of Unity , which , ' b'ke as the dew of Hermon fall upon the hill of Sion . " _ The answer is to be further found in the fact that this Grand Lodge is panoplied in the armour of the Ancient Landmarks , and with th
ese there is "no variableness , neither shadow of turning ; " that it has ever maintained , as with a Divine faith , the absolute sovereignty and supremacy of itself in all matters within its own territorial jurisdiction ; and that in determining questions of Masonic law there is nothing higher or more authoritative than its decrees , save only the Ancient LandmarksUsages and Customs of the Order .
, tti answer * * o be still further found in its unshaken conviction that the spirit of novelty , of unrest , of progress falsely so-called , has no foundation in the true Masonic character * in tho firm belief thafc in Masonry whatever is ancient is true , and whatever is modern is ialse , ancl that tbe introduction of innovations into the bodv of
Masonry is as full of peril to the stability of tho Order as the introduction of the Trojan horse was to the city of Priam . ., ™ % i it is to be found in the long-esfcablished system by which the Grand Officers of this Grand Lod ge are chosen , and the prevailing spirit which binds them together .
Growth Of Grand Lodge Of Pennsylvania.
By an unwritten law of the Grand Lodge a brother who aspires to govern as Grand Master must first serve h > 3 terms of apprenticeship iu tho minor elective Grand Offices . He attains his high position through earned promotion , ancl not by intrigue and indulgence . The other elective Gt and Officers serving as advisers to the Grand Master in the government of the Craft , and partaking in his
responsibility as they ascend into tho place of dignity and power , are in like manner served " by thoso svho in their turn shall follow them . " As u Pasfc Grand Master , his influence is still felt as a member of one or more of the leading standing committees , which tend so strongly to shape the policy of the Grand Lodgo . Thus we have at all times around the Grand East a hody of diligent , faithful and experienced
brethren , who guard well the portals of Freemasonry , and suffer the Grand Lodgo to come under no evil imputation . Theso are some of the characteristics of this Grand Lodge . Upon us have devolved the duty and responsibility of preserving its laws . Let its word be " as a lantern unto our feet , aud a light unto our paths . "
In a few more decades this Grand Lodge will be celebrating tho two hundredth anniversary of its foundation . Ifc is scarcely possible that any now within the sound of my voice will be hero to assist in that ceremony . Those who will then be participants will havo received their Masonio light from us . Let it arise and shine for the never-fading glory of pure and ancient Masonry , which may always
find its sure-resting place within tho precincts of this , the parent Grand Lodge of America . 0 venerable Mother of us all , " rich with the spoils of time . " " The Lord bless thee and keep thee ! " The Lord make His face to shine upon thee , and be gracious unto thee ! " The Lord lift up His countenance npou thee , and give thee peace . "
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for tlie opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must bear the name ani address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .
" THE SAME USAGES AND CUSTOMS . " To the Editor of the FKEEJIASON ' S CUKONICIE . DEAR SIH AND BBOTIIEB , —Afc the risk of being considered pertina . cious in " sticking to a favourite fad , " as my attempt to secure a logical deduction and result from the very expressive clause in our present Book of Constitutions—relating to Masonio working—has
been characterised by my good friend yonr contemporary , in a recent leaderette , I am constrained to make further endeavour to ascertain what is meant by the clause which has been substituted in tbe proposed revision . Tho respective clauses are as follow : —
EXISTING REGULATION . REVISED REGULATION . "All lodges are particularly " The master and wardens of a bound to observe the same lodge are enjoined fco visit other usages and customs ; every devi- lodges as often as they conation , therefore , from the esta- vinently can , in order that tbe blished mode of working is highly same usages and customs may improper , and cannot be justified be observed throughout the craft ,
or countenanced . In order to and a good understanding cult ! preserve this uniformity , and fco vated among freemasons , cultivate a good understanding among free-masons , some members of every lodgo should be deputed to visit other lodges as often as may be convenient . "
At the Special Grand Lodge held ou the 30 th ult ., for the consider , tion of the proposed revision , when discussion was reprehended , and hasty decisions invited with a view to attain afc one sitting , if possible , a result which , to be at all , or even nearly , perfect , demanded cool and matured deliberation , aud tbe adjournments necessary for that purpose , I proposed the re-instatement of the existing
regulation , as an amendment , so far victoriously as to be defeated by not more than five votes . This evidences the fact that very many more Freemasons are of my way of thinking , as to unity of working , than my opponents care to admit . But I was defeated , and , as is only right , and until the decision then arrived at is reversed , respectfully bow to the majority . For
the present at all events I mnst , as will nil good and loyal Masons , observe the " same usages and customs" in Masouic working . It will be so easy to do this when we learn what are the " same usages and customs observed throughout the Craft . " Probably the direction given to us will be supplemented by information as to the authority to whom we should apply for instrnction ! At present I know of none in particular , and in a general way to adopt some of the
" usages and customs" of , say , Lodges in tho West of England , and some others of , say , Lodges in the North , and reconcile them with the " usages and customs" of the Metropolis , would be to render " confusion worse confounded , " and instead of cultivating " a good understanding among Freemasons" would almost necessitate the establishment of a fourth Masonic charity for the reception of Masonic lunatics .
Where are we drifting ? The abandonment of the old regulation that " every deviation from the established mode of working is highly improper and cannot be justified or countenanced " means , if any-