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Article DIGNITY OF PROCEDURE. Page 1 of 1 Article DIGNITY OF PROCEDURE. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Dignity Of Procedure.
DIGNITY OF PROCEDURE .
rfiHE account of the creation of the universe , as given JL in the second section of the second lecture is introduced as a part of the Masonic system to serve " as an example to man that things of moment ought to be done with due deliberation , " and to teach us that in all our
undertakings we should observe due order and regularity . The beautiful language of this section renders ifc one of the most impressive parts of our ritual , and its delivery cannot fail but to remind the listener of the necessit y of observing the great truths ifc is intended to teach . Having
this lesson in view , the founders of modern Freemasonry acted wisely in stipulating that in all matters which concerned the Craft , as a body , timely notice should be given
of any intended proposition ; this previous notice of contemplated proceedings has , by the laws of the Craft , to be given to each member of a Locige at such a time prior to the meeting : as shall enable him to deliberate on the course
proposed , ancl , if need be , collect materials either in support of , or in opposition to the proposition . Were it nofc so ordered , we should find men initiated into Freemasonry with whom it would be impossible for us to associate , Lod ^ e funds would be spent in a way objectionable to the
majority , and the whole standard of Freemasonry would be lowered ; bnt so long as eich individual member of a Lodge is allowed to express his views on every question brought forward , these evils will , in a measure , be obviated , if not wholly prevented . In recognising this principle ,
however , it must not be forgotten that free discussion is tho foundation on which the whole superstructure rests , and unless a brother is allowed to express his views in a reasonable way , the whole system is upset , and the question merely resolves into a trial of strength between two parties .
We are aware matters frequently arise in Lodges , which , from first appearances , may seem to require little or no consideration , but no question should be deemed so insignificant as to bo beneath notice . It is the small items which require to be carefully adjusted , and although
they may usually be left to the Master , with perhaps the assistance of the Past Masters , to arrange , it is absolutel y necessary for the good of a Locige that they should be carefully considered . For this reason it is better for a Master to bring every item of business before the Lodo-e
by giving it due publicity on the summons , and however paltry some of tho questions may appear , such a course will prove of great benefit in years to come . By this means the brethren will learn to take an interest in the working of their Lodge , and by each taking a parfc in its
management , will materially add to its general prosperitywhile in the opposite case a feeling of indifference frequently arises which results in the work being settled by the Master or Past Masters in a somewhat dictatorial manner . It is contrary to the teaching of Freemasonry
for a section of a Locige to have the power of decidino * questions which affect the whole of the members other than at the regular meetings , when it is expected the majority will decide what is best to be clone . Discontent is certain to be engendered when questions are brought
forward thafc are virtually settled outside the Locige . Of course even when these objectionable circumstances do occur , it should be possible for a brother to express his
opinion , but it may happen he is unable to get the ear of the Lodge , or the party who has already laid out the course may be strong enough to prevent his speaking , on the plea either of want of time , or that further discussion
Dignity Of Procedure.
is unnecessary , or some other of the many ruses it is in the power of an organised opposition to adopt . Again , it may bo urged that if the few brethren who had , so to speak , settled the question before the time of meeting are strong enough , or can enlist support sufficient to carrv
their point when it is put to the vote , they are representative of the general body , but it must be known thafc unless the members take personal interest in the work of the Lodge , it is very easy to carry any question , especially if tbe Master ancl a few of tbe Past Masters can be got to
lend their support . We are of opinion that far too many vote with the majority , without taking the trouble to form an opinion of their own . This course naturally saves time , a very important matter in some Lodges , where if a brother speaks for more than a minute or so he is
reminded on all sides thafc banquet is ordered for six or for seven o ' clock , as the case may be . It is sometimes amusing to notice the interest taken in the fli ght of time on tbese occasions were it not for the feeling that everything is made subservient to worship of knife and fork .
and thafc no regard is paid to the maintenance of dignity and deliberation in our proceedings . Wc arc aware that to attempt any reform in this quarter would be to undertake a Herculean task , still we do not despair of making an impression on some of tho offending brethren , if not in
a quiet and friendly way by pointing out to them how ungenfclemanly they make themselves appear . It is true that tho pangs of hunger will , in many cases , serve as a sufficient excuse for a man replying somewhat hastily , bufc is ifc really the case that the members of a Lodge are
so near the verge of starvation that thoy cannot allow au extra half hour for the proper discussion of any subject that may be brought under their notice ? We hope not , but tho fact remains that cases have lately been mentioned to us which will admit of no other solution . Wc think ifc
unnecessary to give our opinion on this subject , wc would rather leave ifc to the judgment of our readers . Ono course we would suggest to prevent its recurrence is tho one we have referred to , —that every item of business be placed on the summons . The brethren would then come prepared for
what was to transpire , and if fchey felfc they would be unable to restrain their impatience , might so arrange fcheir attendance as to avoid tho discussion , reaching the Lodge just in time to sign their names and proceed to the banquet room . The brother who brought the question
forward would likewise benefit by such a course , and it would surely be no trouble to him to inform the Master of what he intended to do , at least long enough before the meeting to allow of its appearing on the summons ; if ,
however , any cause of emergency should arise which would nofc allow of previous notice , it should be left to the Master to decide whether it should be considered at thafc or the following meeting .
In matters of this description Grand Lodge could , and should , set an example , but we fear that undue haste may be said to characterise the proceedings at its Quarterly Convocations , while the same lack of dignity is apparent in many of its actions . The ruling body of
English Freemasonry , in order to maintain that amount of respect which is clue to it , should be so conducted as to earn the esteem and regard of every brother , and this can only bo accomplished by assuming a certain
amount of command , and by demanding that its edicts are obeyed ; and until this is clone with a greater amount of regularity than at present is the case we fear that private Lodges will not have so perfect a pattern to work on as Grand Lodge ought to present .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Dignity Of Procedure.
DIGNITY OF PROCEDURE .
rfiHE account of the creation of the universe , as given JL in the second section of the second lecture is introduced as a part of the Masonic system to serve " as an example to man that things of moment ought to be done with due deliberation , " and to teach us that in all our
undertakings we should observe due order and regularity . The beautiful language of this section renders ifc one of the most impressive parts of our ritual , and its delivery cannot fail but to remind the listener of the necessit y of observing the great truths ifc is intended to teach . Having
this lesson in view , the founders of modern Freemasonry acted wisely in stipulating that in all matters which concerned the Craft , as a body , timely notice should be given
of any intended proposition ; this previous notice of contemplated proceedings has , by the laws of the Craft , to be given to each member of a Locige at such a time prior to the meeting : as shall enable him to deliberate on the course
proposed , ancl , if need be , collect materials either in support of , or in opposition to the proposition . Were it nofc so ordered , we should find men initiated into Freemasonry with whom it would be impossible for us to associate , Lod ^ e funds would be spent in a way objectionable to the
majority , and the whole standard of Freemasonry would be lowered ; bnt so long as eich individual member of a Lodge is allowed to express his views on every question brought forward , these evils will , in a measure , be obviated , if not wholly prevented . In recognising this principle ,
however , it must not be forgotten that free discussion is tho foundation on which the whole superstructure rests , and unless a brother is allowed to express his views in a reasonable way , the whole system is upset , and the question merely resolves into a trial of strength between two parties .
We are aware matters frequently arise in Lodges , which , from first appearances , may seem to require little or no consideration , but no question should be deemed so insignificant as to bo beneath notice . It is the small items which require to be carefully adjusted , and although
they may usually be left to the Master , with perhaps the assistance of the Past Masters , to arrange , it is absolutel y necessary for the good of a Locige that they should be carefully considered . For this reason it is better for a Master to bring every item of business before the Lodo-e
by giving it due publicity on the summons , and however paltry some of tho questions may appear , such a course will prove of great benefit in years to come . By this means the brethren will learn to take an interest in the working of their Lodge , and by each taking a parfc in its
management , will materially add to its general prosperitywhile in the opposite case a feeling of indifference frequently arises which results in the work being settled by the Master or Past Masters in a somewhat dictatorial manner . It is contrary to the teaching of Freemasonry
for a section of a Locige to have the power of decidino * questions which affect the whole of the members other than at the regular meetings , when it is expected the majority will decide what is best to be clone . Discontent is certain to be engendered when questions are brought
forward thafc are virtually settled outside the Locige . Of course even when these objectionable circumstances do occur , it should be possible for a brother to express his
opinion , but it may happen he is unable to get the ear of the Lodge , or the party who has already laid out the course may be strong enough to prevent his speaking , on the plea either of want of time , or that further discussion
Dignity Of Procedure.
is unnecessary , or some other of the many ruses it is in the power of an organised opposition to adopt . Again , it may bo urged that if the few brethren who had , so to speak , settled the question before the time of meeting are strong enough , or can enlist support sufficient to carrv
their point when it is put to the vote , they are representative of the general body , but it must be known thafc unless the members take personal interest in the work of the Lodge , it is very easy to carry any question , especially if tbe Master ancl a few of tbe Past Masters can be got to
lend their support . We are of opinion that far too many vote with the majority , without taking the trouble to form an opinion of their own . This course naturally saves time , a very important matter in some Lodges , where if a brother speaks for more than a minute or so he is
reminded on all sides thafc banquet is ordered for six or for seven o ' clock , as the case may be . It is sometimes amusing to notice the interest taken in the fli ght of time on tbese occasions were it not for the feeling that everything is made subservient to worship of knife and fork .
and thafc no regard is paid to the maintenance of dignity and deliberation in our proceedings . Wc arc aware that to attempt any reform in this quarter would be to undertake a Herculean task , still we do not despair of making an impression on some of tho offending brethren , if not in
a quiet and friendly way by pointing out to them how ungenfclemanly they make themselves appear . It is true that tho pangs of hunger will , in many cases , serve as a sufficient excuse for a man replying somewhat hastily , bufc is ifc really the case that the members of a Lodge are
so near the verge of starvation that thoy cannot allow au extra half hour for the proper discussion of any subject that may be brought under their notice ? We hope not , but tho fact remains that cases have lately been mentioned to us which will admit of no other solution . Wc think ifc
unnecessary to give our opinion on this subject , wc would rather leave ifc to the judgment of our readers . Ono course we would suggest to prevent its recurrence is tho one we have referred to , —that every item of business be placed on the summons . The brethren would then come prepared for
what was to transpire , and if fchey felfc they would be unable to restrain their impatience , might so arrange fcheir attendance as to avoid tho discussion , reaching the Lodge just in time to sign their names and proceed to the banquet room . The brother who brought the question
forward would likewise benefit by such a course , and it would surely be no trouble to him to inform the Master of what he intended to do , at least long enough before the meeting to allow of its appearing on the summons ; if ,
however , any cause of emergency should arise which would nofc allow of previous notice , it should be left to the Master to decide whether it should be considered at thafc or the following meeting .
In matters of this description Grand Lodge could , and should , set an example , but we fear that undue haste may be said to characterise the proceedings at its Quarterly Convocations , while the same lack of dignity is apparent in many of its actions . The ruling body of
English Freemasonry , in order to maintain that amount of respect which is clue to it , should be so conducted as to earn the esteem and regard of every brother , and this can only bo accomplished by assuming a certain
amount of command , and by demanding that its edicts are obeyed ; and until this is clone with a greater amount of regularity than at present is the case we fear that private Lodges will not have so perfect a pattern to work on as Grand Lodge ought to present .