Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Equality And Universality Of Freemasonry.
THE EQUALITY AND UNIVERSALITY OF FREEMASONRY .
ONE of the earliest impressions which the ritual of Freemasonry seeks to make on the mind of an initiate is that a spirit of equality exists within its ¦ ranks . All who are admitted within its nortals are
received in the same manner , without favour or distinction of any kind , the only qualifications being a desire for knowledge and a good reputation . To
impress tms on tne mina ot tne novice one ol tne most forcible portions of the ceremony of initiation has been arranged , and we can hardly imagine that any man who has passed through the ordeal to which we refer could ever forget the peculiar feelings he
experienced when , poor and penniless , he was appealed to on behalf of those who , from unforeseen calamity or misfortune , were reduced to the lowest ebbs of poverty and distress . Undoubtedly the lesson is a good one , and it is taught in such a manner as to ensure the
most beneficial results . Yet there are some who cannot appreciate the full extent of this spirit of equality . Both within the ranks of the Order and outside of it are to be found men who argue that the pmml . tv of Freemasonry is a mvth . and that there ia — —
1 v ' v ' as much danism inside the Masonic Lodge , or among Masons , as anywhere else , and it seems nothing will induce them to alter this opinion . Of course the equality of Freemasonry exists only in Freemasonry ,
and this is the peculiar feature of the case which appears to cause so much misunderstanding and doubt . It would be quite inconsistent with the teachings of the Craft to even imagine that the equality that exists inside a Lodge should be extended outside of it ,
or that a casual meeting at a Masonic Lodge should confer privileges outside the limits of every-day custom or the dictates of common sense . A brief consideration of the results which would follow a departure
from this limit will at once prove the impossibility of any other result , and yet , as we have said , men are to be found who complain that the brethren who meet them in Lodge , and work side by side with them in the affairs of Masonry , hardly vouchsafe them a recognition when they meet in the ordinary course of
their private or public avocations . What a splendid opening it would be to the adventurer or the schemer if by associating himself with Freemasonry he could approach all its members on terms of equality outside
the Lodge , and what abuses would result were such a system of general equality , as many desire , to become popular . Happily there is no fear of this happening , but on the other hand the every-day actions of Freemasons in Masonry prove that a grand system of
equality does exist , and that it forms no insignificant unit in contributing to the success of the Order , which without equality would speedily lose its best characteristics even if it did not wholly fade away . This spirit of equality may also be regarded as the prime factor of the conditions which have given to
The Equality And Universality Of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry its Universality , for without equality it would be impossible for all classes , all creeds , and all nationalities to meet under one common banner . There must be something in common to attract so
many and such widely different natures , and that something is found in the equality which exists as a primary qualification for Freemasonry , and examples of which are frequently to be met with ; on all sides .
ine present ween nas given us an example ot tnia equality ; an event of considerable importance to English Freemasonry was celebrated on Monday , when the Eight Hon . Lord George Hamilton , M . P ., First Lord of the Admiralty , was installed as r-w-r i si i •<__ «• ¦ n . t / si • i - _ r •»¦«• — . _ -. __— .
Worsniptu . Master ot tne urns wick . Lodge , JNo . 21 ) 12 , one of the most brilliant assemblies ever witnessed in a private Lodge being gathered together to do honour to the occasion . The long association of Lord George Hamilton's family with the Masonic Order—particularly in Ireland , where his brother , tho Duke of Abercorn , at present holds the high office of Most Worshipful Grand Master—attaches considerable
weight to any Masonic actions of his lordship , apart from the high position he occupies in the councils of the nation , and both serve to illustrate what is possible of being accomplished through the equality of Frfift-mftsnnrv . Tn -what other fvnhere should -WG find
men of such widely different surroundings as those who assembled on the occasion of the Chiswick Lodge installation gathered together as they were ; or how would it have been possible for such a gathering to
have taken place unless there was good foundation for the boast of the Masonic Order to which we have already referred ? We accordingly think that the members of the English Craft have reason to congratulate themselves on the event of the week ,
especially as it affords still further proof of the popularity of the Order in the highest circles , and the desire of those in the foremost social positions to fulfil their Masonic obligations as readily and as thoroughly
as do those of less exalted position . Freemasonry may be said to have lived down the oppositions which have from time to time threatened it , and at the present time maybe described as firmly established , as it enjoys the support of all classes .
Still , it is gratifying to refer from time to time to such acts from the leaders of the nation as the one we are this week able to record , as they are the tangible and visible proofs of that devotion to the Craft of which
its members are so proud , and wnicn , witnout actual proof from time to time , might be regarded by the outside world merely as matters of tradition . With H . R . H . the Prince of Wales at its head Freemasonry has an answer to any objector who might accuse its members—as some do—of acting in
opposition to the general welfare of the country , and of mankind in general . But , say these objectors , the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family are exceptions , and for answer we have to turn to the long roll of noblemen and other popular men who not only owe allegiance to Freemasonry , but
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Equality And Universality Of Freemasonry.
THE EQUALITY AND UNIVERSALITY OF FREEMASONRY .
ONE of the earliest impressions which the ritual of Freemasonry seeks to make on the mind of an initiate is that a spirit of equality exists within its ¦ ranks . All who are admitted within its nortals are
received in the same manner , without favour or distinction of any kind , the only qualifications being a desire for knowledge and a good reputation . To
impress tms on tne mina ot tne novice one ol tne most forcible portions of the ceremony of initiation has been arranged , and we can hardly imagine that any man who has passed through the ordeal to which we refer could ever forget the peculiar feelings he
experienced when , poor and penniless , he was appealed to on behalf of those who , from unforeseen calamity or misfortune , were reduced to the lowest ebbs of poverty and distress . Undoubtedly the lesson is a good one , and it is taught in such a manner as to ensure the
most beneficial results . Yet there are some who cannot appreciate the full extent of this spirit of equality . Both within the ranks of the Order and outside of it are to be found men who argue that the pmml . tv of Freemasonry is a mvth . and that there ia — —
1 v ' v ' as much danism inside the Masonic Lodge , or among Masons , as anywhere else , and it seems nothing will induce them to alter this opinion . Of course the equality of Freemasonry exists only in Freemasonry ,
and this is the peculiar feature of the case which appears to cause so much misunderstanding and doubt . It would be quite inconsistent with the teachings of the Craft to even imagine that the equality that exists inside a Lodge should be extended outside of it ,
or that a casual meeting at a Masonic Lodge should confer privileges outside the limits of every-day custom or the dictates of common sense . A brief consideration of the results which would follow a departure
from this limit will at once prove the impossibility of any other result , and yet , as we have said , men are to be found who complain that the brethren who meet them in Lodge , and work side by side with them in the affairs of Masonry , hardly vouchsafe them a recognition when they meet in the ordinary course of
their private or public avocations . What a splendid opening it would be to the adventurer or the schemer if by associating himself with Freemasonry he could approach all its members on terms of equality outside
the Lodge , and what abuses would result were such a system of general equality , as many desire , to become popular . Happily there is no fear of this happening , but on the other hand the every-day actions of Freemasons in Masonry prove that a grand system of
equality does exist , and that it forms no insignificant unit in contributing to the success of the Order , which without equality would speedily lose its best characteristics even if it did not wholly fade away . This spirit of equality may also be regarded as the prime factor of the conditions which have given to
The Equality And Universality Of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry its Universality , for without equality it would be impossible for all classes , all creeds , and all nationalities to meet under one common banner . There must be something in common to attract so
many and such widely different natures , and that something is found in the equality which exists as a primary qualification for Freemasonry , and examples of which are frequently to be met with ; on all sides .
ine present ween nas given us an example ot tnia equality ; an event of considerable importance to English Freemasonry was celebrated on Monday , when the Eight Hon . Lord George Hamilton , M . P ., First Lord of the Admiralty , was installed as r-w-r i si i •<__ «• ¦ n . t / si • i - _ r •»¦«• — . _ -. __— .
Worsniptu . Master ot tne urns wick . Lodge , JNo . 21 ) 12 , one of the most brilliant assemblies ever witnessed in a private Lodge being gathered together to do honour to the occasion . The long association of Lord George Hamilton's family with the Masonic Order—particularly in Ireland , where his brother , tho Duke of Abercorn , at present holds the high office of Most Worshipful Grand Master—attaches considerable
weight to any Masonic actions of his lordship , apart from the high position he occupies in the councils of the nation , and both serve to illustrate what is possible of being accomplished through the equality of Frfift-mftsnnrv . Tn -what other fvnhere should -WG find
men of such widely different surroundings as those who assembled on the occasion of the Chiswick Lodge installation gathered together as they were ; or how would it have been possible for such a gathering to
have taken place unless there was good foundation for the boast of the Masonic Order to which we have already referred ? We accordingly think that the members of the English Craft have reason to congratulate themselves on the event of the week ,
especially as it affords still further proof of the popularity of the Order in the highest circles , and the desire of those in the foremost social positions to fulfil their Masonic obligations as readily and as thoroughly
as do those of less exalted position . Freemasonry may be said to have lived down the oppositions which have from time to time threatened it , and at the present time maybe described as firmly established , as it enjoys the support of all classes .
Still , it is gratifying to refer from time to time to such acts from the leaders of the nation as the one we are this week able to record , as they are the tangible and visible proofs of that devotion to the Craft of which
its members are so proud , and wnicn , witnout actual proof from time to time , might be regarded by the outside world merely as matters of tradition . With H . R . H . the Prince of Wales at its head Freemasonry has an answer to any objector who might accuse its members—as some do—of acting in
opposition to the general welfare of the country , and of mankind in general . But , say these objectors , the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family are exceptions , and for answer we have to turn to the long roll of noblemen and other popular men who not only owe allegiance to Freemasonry , but