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Article LET THE CRAFT WAKE UP. ← Page 3 of 3 Article LET THE CRAFT WAKE UP. Page 3 of 3 Article GRAND LODGE AND THE BOYS' PREPARATORY SCHOOL. Page 1 of 2 →
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Let The Craft Wake Up.
organizations , in consequence of which both Lodgos and Grand Lodges become more and more incapable of protecting their own rights , aud the dignity and integrity of the Masonic institution , against the encroachments of
innovation , and the destruction of landmarks , and particularly against the covert designs of those among them who might desire to convert the Lodges to the use of outside associations , and prostitute the powers vested iu the Grand Lodges to the advancement of pernicious assumptions .
The danger from this cause is , that little b y little the notion that all degrees which are called Masonic are part and parcel of Masonry , and that the hi gher the number of the degree the greater the authorit y belonging to its
proprietors , will be imposed on the Craft as veritable law , and with this falsity established nothing could prevent the whole swarm of European innovations from making their nests in every department of our Institution .
Then the ancient and noble institution of Craft Masonry , which came to our hands as the most worth y and beneficent which humanity has founded , would be utterl y devastated —disputes in every form would end iu schisms , which
would from time to time be settled b y contemptible compromises , each more and more subversive of law and order , and tho end would be that of the Master ' s Lodge degraded into a mere ante-room to receive and prepare
business for the hands of higher authorities , and expedite on his way every quidnunc in search of preposterous traditions and ridiculous titles . And even this function must then be shared with like beggarly coadjutors of high
degree origin , empowered by exercise of the " reserved right of making Masons , to furnish the same accommodations to those who might apply to " go through " on their lino . As to men of capacity and knowledge they would
no longer be where they could offer any obstruction , for all such would avoid the whole concern , and it could not be loDg until Masonry , as understood by the public , would take its place with astrology , fortune-telling , and the like , as a relic of barbarism .
The other evil above alluded to is the inordinate amount of mere temporary legislation , which takes up the time of all grand bodies , and makes it impossible for officers or members of Lodges to keep trace of the tangle of
constitutional amendments , regulations , resolutions , edicts , and decisions , with which the Craft are deluged from year to year , the most of which , like the greater part of the work of our State Legislatures , is nothing more than a continual
attempt to make up by profusion of laws for the want of observing and enforcing those we alread y have . The rao-e for excessive legislation in this country is fast subverting all regard for Jaw whether good or bad , and the same effect is manifest evei ^ ywhere in Masonry .
Almost all this , like the disputes , negligences and grievances which it is designed to remedy , has grown out of innovations , suffered to continue and grow into precedents in the estimation of the uninformed , and as this state
of affairs goes on , it breeds more and more the very evils which produced it , and aggravates , instead of ameliorating the condition , and makes things possible in the action and general conduct of the Craft which would have been scouted by all , only a few years ago .
Now what is to be expected in a few years more , if we cannot effect some change in the general tendency toward innovation and consequent confusion ? What remedy or preventive can be applied—by what means can the
simplicity aud dignity of the Craft be restored ? Certainl y not by contention and uproar , accusations of dishonesty and recriminations , such as are growing out of the Massachusetts embroglio , and the quarrels about
jurisdiction among the assignees of certain so-called patents of authority , or patent inventions for hi gh degrees , in which the Lodges of Masonry are in danger of being embroiled . The greatest prudence and fraternal sentiment is
demanded in dealing with such mischiefs , together with firmness in maintaining the landmarks of the Craft , in tin Lodges and Grand Lodges , and also in every association
in which Masons see proper to meet for special purposes , whether they be Chapters , Commanderies , Sovereign Councils , or any other ,
Every Mason must understand and be prepared to maintain the established rights and dignity of the Ancient Craft in the Lodges of the Craft , and not only there but
wherever he goes in other bodies which claim to be iu any way allied to Masonry . His allegiance to the institution of Masonry as he found it established in the Master ' s
Let The Craft Wake Up.
Lodge , and as he can find it in its most ancient form in the direct line through which it has come down to us , is his first and paramount fealty , wherever he may choose to go , and he can never by his own act , either by himself or in
concert with others , change the form or substance of his duty to be on the Lodge floor iu defence and maintenance of the dignity and honour of Craft Masonry against any assumptions to tho contrary , originating where they may .
A Mason never came from the Chapter , Commandery , or other body , to the Lodge . He came from the Lodge to the Chapter and the others . It was not the Lodge which made it a law that every member of a Chapter or
Commandery should be a regular Master Mason . The Chapter and Commandery made this their law , and thereby fixed the status of their own members , and reaffirmed the allegiance they were under to the Lodge ; and
consequently tho Ancient Constitutions and Charges , Grand Lodge Constitutions , regulations , rules and edicts of Ancient Craft Masonry are part of every constitution , obligation , rule or edict of those bodies , and cannot be severed from them .
Seeing that all members of every body claiming to bo Masonic are thus affirmed and reaffirmed in allegianco to the Grand Lodges , let what dispute may arise , is it not reasonable to hope that every worthy Mason , a member of
any of the Orders , will , as soon as he has notice , govern himself accordingly , and according to his light , and seek more light as quickl y as he can ? To insure this , it would be well to seek all the light obtainable in advance , that none may be taken unprepared .
A common resolution to study and maintain Masonic principles will shortly settle the greatest difficulty . Faith in those principles can remove mountains . The Grand Lodges must do something to awaken the
attention of the Lodges to the laws and obligations of the Craft , and the duties of all parties toward the supreme and established authority , in order that the Grand Lodge floors may not be filled with members who know not whence they came nor whither they are going .
Good intentions alone will not arrest the evils growing in the Lodges , there must be some proper conception of what is right to be required , and what course is to be pursued .
Let the Craft wako up , and turn their attention for a time to Maaoury , and the light that will thence arise will shine for all , and while it tips the "hi ghest hills" with silver , the golden glow of charity will fill the "lowest
valleys , " and the craftsmen hand iu band go forth in gladness to their labours . —Voice of Masonry .
Grand Lodge And The Boys' Preparatory School.
GRAND LODGE AND THE BOYS ' PREPARATORY SCHOOL .
IT was with extreme pleasure we heard of the proposition of Bro . Ilaynham W . Stewart , that £ 1000 should be voted by Grand Lodge towards defraying the cost of Fittings and Furniture for the New Buildings being erected
for the Preparatory School of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and this pleasure was greatly enhanced when the proposition was unanimously carried by the brethren at the last Communication of Graud Lodsre . We think the
grant then made was one winch is universally approved of , while it illustrates the interest taken b y Grand Lodge in the work being carried on outside its actual sphere , and its readiness to help in any cause promoted for the welfare of
English Craftsmen or those dependent on them . The Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys takes place next week , and no doubt this grant of £ 1000 has been
looked at as a splendid means of swelling the total of subscriptions then to be announced , but we think it would be unwise if it were included iu this year ' s returns , even if it would not be " counting unhatched chickens " to
let it figure among the subscriptions until the vote is confirmed . We do not for one moment wish to imply there is oven a possibility of its not receiving confirmation . On the contrary , we have said the vote is one universally
approved , but—perhaps because we wish it held overwe are of opinion it would be best not to reckon on it until it is formally settled by Grand Lodge , aud then it
would make a splendid nucleus with which to start next year ' s return . Again , it is for another reason we advocate its being held over . It would serve as a pattern for imitation by Provincial and Private Lodges , and we feel sure it
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Let The Craft Wake Up.
organizations , in consequence of which both Lodgos and Grand Lodges become more and more incapable of protecting their own rights , aud the dignity and integrity of the Masonic institution , against the encroachments of
innovation , and the destruction of landmarks , and particularly against the covert designs of those among them who might desire to convert the Lodges to the use of outside associations , and prostitute the powers vested iu the Grand Lodges to the advancement of pernicious assumptions .
The danger from this cause is , that little b y little the notion that all degrees which are called Masonic are part and parcel of Masonry , and that the hi gher the number of the degree the greater the authorit y belonging to its
proprietors , will be imposed on the Craft as veritable law , and with this falsity established nothing could prevent the whole swarm of European innovations from making their nests in every department of our Institution .
Then the ancient and noble institution of Craft Masonry , which came to our hands as the most worth y and beneficent which humanity has founded , would be utterl y devastated —disputes in every form would end iu schisms , which
would from time to time be settled b y contemptible compromises , each more and more subversive of law and order , and tho end would be that of the Master ' s Lodge degraded into a mere ante-room to receive and prepare
business for the hands of higher authorities , and expedite on his way every quidnunc in search of preposterous traditions and ridiculous titles . And even this function must then be shared with like beggarly coadjutors of high
degree origin , empowered by exercise of the " reserved right of making Masons , to furnish the same accommodations to those who might apply to " go through " on their lino . As to men of capacity and knowledge they would
no longer be where they could offer any obstruction , for all such would avoid the whole concern , and it could not be loDg until Masonry , as understood by the public , would take its place with astrology , fortune-telling , and the like , as a relic of barbarism .
The other evil above alluded to is the inordinate amount of mere temporary legislation , which takes up the time of all grand bodies , and makes it impossible for officers or members of Lodges to keep trace of the tangle of
constitutional amendments , regulations , resolutions , edicts , and decisions , with which the Craft are deluged from year to year , the most of which , like the greater part of the work of our State Legislatures , is nothing more than a continual
attempt to make up by profusion of laws for the want of observing and enforcing those we alread y have . The rao-e for excessive legislation in this country is fast subverting all regard for Jaw whether good or bad , and the same effect is manifest evei ^ ywhere in Masonry .
Almost all this , like the disputes , negligences and grievances which it is designed to remedy , has grown out of innovations , suffered to continue and grow into precedents in the estimation of the uninformed , and as this state
of affairs goes on , it breeds more and more the very evils which produced it , and aggravates , instead of ameliorating the condition , and makes things possible in the action and general conduct of the Craft which would have been scouted by all , only a few years ago .
Now what is to be expected in a few years more , if we cannot effect some change in the general tendency toward innovation and consequent confusion ? What remedy or preventive can be applied—by what means can the
simplicity aud dignity of the Craft be restored ? Certainl y not by contention and uproar , accusations of dishonesty and recriminations , such as are growing out of the Massachusetts embroglio , and the quarrels about
jurisdiction among the assignees of certain so-called patents of authority , or patent inventions for hi gh degrees , in which the Lodges of Masonry are in danger of being embroiled . The greatest prudence and fraternal sentiment is
demanded in dealing with such mischiefs , together with firmness in maintaining the landmarks of the Craft , in tin Lodges and Grand Lodges , and also in every association
in which Masons see proper to meet for special purposes , whether they be Chapters , Commanderies , Sovereign Councils , or any other ,
Every Mason must understand and be prepared to maintain the established rights and dignity of the Ancient Craft in the Lodges of the Craft , and not only there but
wherever he goes in other bodies which claim to be iu any way allied to Masonry . His allegiance to the institution of Masonry as he found it established in the Master ' s
Let The Craft Wake Up.
Lodge , and as he can find it in its most ancient form in the direct line through which it has come down to us , is his first and paramount fealty , wherever he may choose to go , and he can never by his own act , either by himself or in
concert with others , change the form or substance of his duty to be on the Lodge floor iu defence and maintenance of the dignity and honour of Craft Masonry against any assumptions to tho contrary , originating where they may .
A Mason never came from the Chapter , Commandery , or other body , to the Lodge . He came from the Lodge to the Chapter and the others . It was not the Lodge which made it a law that every member of a Chapter or
Commandery should be a regular Master Mason . The Chapter and Commandery made this their law , and thereby fixed the status of their own members , and reaffirmed the allegiance they were under to the Lodge ; and
consequently tho Ancient Constitutions and Charges , Grand Lodge Constitutions , regulations , rules and edicts of Ancient Craft Masonry are part of every constitution , obligation , rule or edict of those bodies , and cannot be severed from them .
Seeing that all members of every body claiming to bo Masonic are thus affirmed and reaffirmed in allegianco to the Grand Lodges , let what dispute may arise , is it not reasonable to hope that every worthy Mason , a member of
any of the Orders , will , as soon as he has notice , govern himself accordingly , and according to his light , and seek more light as quickl y as he can ? To insure this , it would be well to seek all the light obtainable in advance , that none may be taken unprepared .
A common resolution to study and maintain Masonic principles will shortly settle the greatest difficulty . Faith in those principles can remove mountains . The Grand Lodges must do something to awaken the
attention of the Lodges to the laws and obligations of the Craft , and the duties of all parties toward the supreme and established authority , in order that the Grand Lodge floors may not be filled with members who know not whence they came nor whither they are going .
Good intentions alone will not arrest the evils growing in the Lodges , there must be some proper conception of what is right to be required , and what course is to be pursued .
Let the Craft wako up , and turn their attention for a time to Maaoury , and the light that will thence arise will shine for all , and while it tips the "hi ghest hills" with silver , the golden glow of charity will fill the "lowest
valleys , " and the craftsmen hand iu band go forth in gladness to their labours . —Voice of Masonry .
Grand Lodge And The Boys' Preparatory School.
GRAND LODGE AND THE BOYS ' PREPARATORY SCHOOL .
IT was with extreme pleasure we heard of the proposition of Bro . Ilaynham W . Stewart , that £ 1000 should be voted by Grand Lodge towards defraying the cost of Fittings and Furniture for the New Buildings being erected
for the Preparatory School of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and this pleasure was greatly enhanced when the proposition was unanimously carried by the brethren at the last Communication of Graud Lodsre . We think the
grant then made was one winch is universally approved of , while it illustrates the interest taken b y Grand Lodge in the work being carried on outside its actual sphere , and its readiness to help in any cause promoted for the welfare of
English Craftsmen or those dependent on them . The Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys takes place next week , and no doubt this grant of £ 1000 has been
looked at as a splendid means of swelling the total of subscriptions then to be announced , but we think it would be unwise if it were included iu this year ' s returns , even if it would not be " counting unhatched chickens " to
let it figure among the subscriptions until the vote is confirmed . We do not for one moment wish to imply there is oven a possibility of its not receiving confirmation . On the contrary , we have said the vote is one universally
approved , but—perhaps because we wish it held overwe are of opinion it would be best not to reckon on it until it is formally settled by Grand Lodge , aud then it
would make a splendid nucleus with which to start next year ' s return . Again , it is for another reason we advocate its being held over . It would serve as a pattern for imitation by Provincial and Private Lodges , and we feel sure it