-
Articles/Ads
Article PRECEDENCE AND REWARDS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article PRECEDENCE AND REWARDS. Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Precedence And Rewards.
incompetent men may be selected , and it is certain that men whose connection with the Province is close , and whose claims shonld be paramount , are passed over to p lease new comers who happen to be blessed with money and friends at court . It would be difficult
to cure this evil by law . No rules that could be framed would meet every contingency , and it would not be wise to make too many laws . They are valuable as guides to general principles ; they are fetters in their application where the heart plays so large a part , and where liberty ,
equality and fraternity are watchwords . It is not laws then that are wanted , but a nobler conception of the spirit of Freemasonry . Less selfishness and more sacrifice , a greater honouring of principles and less regard for
outward show are needed . There is plenty of scope for ambition apart from the unhealthy craving after office outside of the immediate sphere in which many brethren move , and a love of charity and fair play ought to suggest retirement rather than forwardness . Each centre has its
own aspirants to office , and these have first claim to precedence ; if they work , theirs should be the reward , and should not be given to those who migrate for a well understood , though not altogether honourable purpose , however rich and able they may be . Money qualification and the
pretensions that are set up in consequence are the bane of Freemasonry ; they are hostile to its genius , fatal to its spirit . They set up barriers , breed discontent , and sonr the minds of the disappointed , and grieve the heart of the just . Living principles become dry bones , and
nothing but decay can follow . There is something in tho Craft nobler even than the Charities , precious jewels as they are . The Institutions which dot the outskirts of the metropolis are the outward visible signs to the brethren and to the world of some of the results of Freemasonry .
They are grand in their motives and in their results . They are matchless as monuments of generosity , and yet they are as nothing to the hidden inward spirit which gives life and stability to the Craft . All else pales before the lessons taught in Lodge , inculculated in the traditions and enforced
in the ceremonies . For those who realise the grand truths of the Order the best reward is the strength they gain in consequence of their knowledge and faithfulness . They are not the clamourers for office , not the slaves of a selfish ambition , not the idolaters of money . Nevertheless , they
are worthy of all honour ; they are the salt of the Craft , the high priests of a grand creed , the living embodiment of the true life of Freemasonry . They could not cry aloud for praise , they would scorn to purchase it if they could , but they richly deserve to be honoured for the faith that is
in them . They are few in number , perhaps ; too few unfortunately . They leaven the mass , nevertheless , and the object of all brethren should be to increase their ranks The task would be easy were the tenets of Freemasonry better understood by those who hold them , and were they
earned out in spirit and in truth when they are realised . The age of shoddy has affected the Craft , but it has not destroyed it , for it is founded on too sure a basis . Its influence for good is lessened , owing to the narrow views that
prevail ; growth is retarded , and strife is too frequently provoked . "What is wanted is a higher regard for the precepts of the Craft , for the precedents that abound in the ceremonies , and all else would follow .
The Quarterly Court of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , held on Saturday last , was not so largely attended as it was anticipated would be the case ; this , however , may be
attributed to the fact that during the morning a very heavy thunderstorm passed over the metropolis , which for a time brought business matter almost to a standstill . Brother Lieutenant-Colonel Creaton Past Grand Treasnrer
occupied the chair , and there were also present Bros , the Rev . A . Woodford , Webb , Dubois , Binckes , H . Massey , Lovegrove , Grey , Rucker , Hammerton , Smith , Stevens , Matier , Saunders , Bowyer , Allen , Johnson , Dehane , and £ R- W . Hedges Secretary . After the minutes of last Quarterl y Court had been read and confirmed , eight
vacancies were declared for tbe October Election , for which it appears there are now thirty-two candidates . -1-ne next business -was in connection with the proposed purchase of land adjoining the Institution , and to consider tne following report of General Committee : —
The General Committee reports to the Qnarfcerly General Court wiat , m con sequence of an intimation conveyed to the House Committeafrom the owner of the freehold land adjacent to the Institution
Precedence And Rewards.
—that he was about to offer for sale nine acres , or thereabouts , bounding two sides of its grounds , and that the lowest sum he would take for the whole , which ho declined to divido , was at the rate of £ 1000 per acre—Col . Creaton , with tho concurrence of his colleagues , had obtained from him apromiso that such land should
not be sold until the views and opinion of the General Court as to the advisability of acquiring the property for tho Institution could be obtained . That taking into consideration the facts that the land , if sold to
a third party , might be dealt with in a manner most prejudicial to the School , and that if purchased by the Institution a very considerable and valuable portion of it could be re-sold , this Committee consider the subject is one which should receive tho fullest consideration at the hands of tho governing body of the Institution . "
Bro . Hedges also read for information the following resolution passed at the last meeting of the General Committee : —
That the House Committee be anthorised to obtain a report from Messrs . Clutton as to the value of Mr . Noel Whiting ' s land at Batter , sea , and the manner in which a portion of it could be disposed of , and submit the same to tho General Court .
In reference to this he stated that Bro . Clutton had informed the House Committee that he could not be prepared with the report in time for that day's meeting . Col . Creaton , before entering on the discussion of the business now coming beforo the brethren , believed it would
perhaps clear the air a little bit if he said a few words . It must not be thought that the owner of this land was forcing it upon the Institution ; it was quite the contrary . When the Institution purchased half au acre of land some time ago , Mr . Whiting promised him ( Col . Creaton ) that
whenever the land was for disposal he would give the Institution the first refusal . That had been done . Both he and the House Committee thought it would be a very improper act on their part if they decided the matter without bringing it first before the Quarterly Court . That
was the position of affairs . He had seen Mr . Whiting more than once as to the price , and he had stated that what ho required was £ 4 , 000 an acre ; but in the event of the Institution purchasing it he would gire £ 900 to the Institution . Bro . Letchworth thought before the matter
was gone into they had better be in order , by moving that the report of the General Committee be received . After discussion Bro . Saunders moved , " That it is inexpedient to accept the offer of Mr . Noel Whiting . " This was seconded by Bro . James Stevens , and carried unanimously .
At the request of Bro . Col . Creaton , Bro . Hedges read a letter from Bro . Belton , land surveyor , Norfolk-street , fully bearing out the statements of Bros . Saunders and Stevens with regard to the value of the land ; and , on the motion of
Bro . Letchworth , duly seconded , a letter was ordered to be written to Bro . Belton , thanking him for his trouble and kindness in the matter . A vote of thanks to Col . Creaton for presiding closed the proceedings .
In reference to this question the Evening News states " that land in the best situation in the neighbourhood has been fetching only £ 2 , 100 , £ 2 , 200 , and £ 2 , 300 , and it was very properly suggested , that
if the land is worth £ 4 , 000 an acre , that on which the Institution stands had better be sold , and the School taken to a site where more reasonable prices rule ; in which case , instead of having 230 girls in tbe School , there might be 250 or more . "
The Quarterly Court of the Subscribers of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys was held on Monday , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . George Plucknett P . G . D ., Treasurer of the Institution , in the chair . Amongst those present were : —Bros . Colonel J . Creaton , A . M . Broadley , C . F .
Matier , S . J . Parkhouse , L . Ruf , G . Bolton , G . Bolton jun ., J . J . Murray , B . Baker , A . E . Gladwell , D . M . Dewar , J . Moon , B . Lemere , F . Adlard , H . Massey , F . Davison , T . Cubitt , C . J . Perceval , H . Venn , H . Dicketts , D . Rolls , H . Smith , S . B . Wilson , C . H . Webb , R . W . Stewart
H . S . Goodall , A . Torkington , and F . Binckes . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the last Quarterly Court , vacancies were declared in the School for 20 boys , who will be elected in October next , out of a list of 64 candidates . On the motion of Bro . Raynham W .
Stewart P . G . D ., Vice-President of the Institution , the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to : — 1 . That having regard to the unprecedented success of the recent Festival , which involved unusual and excessive labour , and in appreciation of tho result , after 22 years' service , tho sum of £ 250 be awarded to tho
Secretary , Bro . F . Binckes . 2 . That in accordance with the recommendation of the House Committee , the sum of £ 105 be awarded to Miss Elizabeth Hall , now in the 20 th year of her office as Matron , in consideration of her valuable services generally and dnriDg periods of sickness , especially in the outbreak of scarlatina last year . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Precedence And Rewards.
incompetent men may be selected , and it is certain that men whose connection with the Province is close , and whose claims shonld be paramount , are passed over to p lease new comers who happen to be blessed with money and friends at court . It would be difficult
to cure this evil by law . No rules that could be framed would meet every contingency , and it would not be wise to make too many laws . They are valuable as guides to general principles ; they are fetters in their application where the heart plays so large a part , and where liberty ,
equality and fraternity are watchwords . It is not laws then that are wanted , but a nobler conception of the spirit of Freemasonry . Less selfishness and more sacrifice , a greater honouring of principles and less regard for
outward show are needed . There is plenty of scope for ambition apart from the unhealthy craving after office outside of the immediate sphere in which many brethren move , and a love of charity and fair play ought to suggest retirement rather than forwardness . Each centre has its
own aspirants to office , and these have first claim to precedence ; if they work , theirs should be the reward , and should not be given to those who migrate for a well understood , though not altogether honourable purpose , however rich and able they may be . Money qualification and the
pretensions that are set up in consequence are the bane of Freemasonry ; they are hostile to its genius , fatal to its spirit . They set up barriers , breed discontent , and sonr the minds of the disappointed , and grieve the heart of the just . Living principles become dry bones , and
nothing but decay can follow . There is something in tho Craft nobler even than the Charities , precious jewels as they are . The Institutions which dot the outskirts of the metropolis are the outward visible signs to the brethren and to the world of some of the results of Freemasonry .
They are grand in their motives and in their results . They are matchless as monuments of generosity , and yet they are as nothing to the hidden inward spirit which gives life and stability to the Craft . All else pales before the lessons taught in Lodge , inculculated in the traditions and enforced
in the ceremonies . For those who realise the grand truths of the Order the best reward is the strength they gain in consequence of their knowledge and faithfulness . They are not the clamourers for office , not the slaves of a selfish ambition , not the idolaters of money . Nevertheless , they
are worthy of all honour ; they are the salt of the Craft , the high priests of a grand creed , the living embodiment of the true life of Freemasonry . They could not cry aloud for praise , they would scorn to purchase it if they could , but they richly deserve to be honoured for the faith that is
in them . They are few in number , perhaps ; too few unfortunately . They leaven the mass , nevertheless , and the object of all brethren should be to increase their ranks The task would be easy were the tenets of Freemasonry better understood by those who hold them , and were they
earned out in spirit and in truth when they are realised . The age of shoddy has affected the Craft , but it has not destroyed it , for it is founded on too sure a basis . Its influence for good is lessened , owing to the narrow views that
prevail ; growth is retarded , and strife is too frequently provoked . "What is wanted is a higher regard for the precepts of the Craft , for the precedents that abound in the ceremonies , and all else would follow .
The Quarterly Court of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , held on Saturday last , was not so largely attended as it was anticipated would be the case ; this , however , may be
attributed to the fact that during the morning a very heavy thunderstorm passed over the metropolis , which for a time brought business matter almost to a standstill . Brother Lieutenant-Colonel Creaton Past Grand Treasnrer
occupied the chair , and there were also present Bros , the Rev . A . Woodford , Webb , Dubois , Binckes , H . Massey , Lovegrove , Grey , Rucker , Hammerton , Smith , Stevens , Matier , Saunders , Bowyer , Allen , Johnson , Dehane , and £ R- W . Hedges Secretary . After the minutes of last Quarterl y Court had been read and confirmed , eight
vacancies were declared for tbe October Election , for which it appears there are now thirty-two candidates . -1-ne next business -was in connection with the proposed purchase of land adjoining the Institution , and to consider tne following report of General Committee : —
The General Committee reports to the Qnarfcerly General Court wiat , m con sequence of an intimation conveyed to the House Committeafrom the owner of the freehold land adjacent to the Institution
Precedence And Rewards.
—that he was about to offer for sale nine acres , or thereabouts , bounding two sides of its grounds , and that the lowest sum he would take for the whole , which ho declined to divido , was at the rate of £ 1000 per acre—Col . Creaton , with tho concurrence of his colleagues , had obtained from him apromiso that such land should
not be sold until the views and opinion of the General Court as to the advisability of acquiring the property for tho Institution could be obtained . That taking into consideration the facts that the land , if sold to
a third party , might be dealt with in a manner most prejudicial to the School , and that if purchased by the Institution a very considerable and valuable portion of it could be re-sold , this Committee consider the subject is one which should receive tho fullest consideration at the hands of tho governing body of the Institution . "
Bro . Hedges also read for information the following resolution passed at the last meeting of the General Committee : —
That the House Committee be anthorised to obtain a report from Messrs . Clutton as to the value of Mr . Noel Whiting ' s land at Batter , sea , and the manner in which a portion of it could be disposed of , and submit the same to tho General Court .
In reference to this he stated that Bro . Clutton had informed the House Committee that he could not be prepared with the report in time for that day's meeting . Col . Creaton , before entering on the discussion of the business now coming beforo the brethren , believed it would
perhaps clear the air a little bit if he said a few words . It must not be thought that the owner of this land was forcing it upon the Institution ; it was quite the contrary . When the Institution purchased half au acre of land some time ago , Mr . Whiting promised him ( Col . Creaton ) that
whenever the land was for disposal he would give the Institution the first refusal . That had been done . Both he and the House Committee thought it would be a very improper act on their part if they decided the matter without bringing it first before the Quarterly Court . That
was the position of affairs . He had seen Mr . Whiting more than once as to the price , and he had stated that what ho required was £ 4 , 000 an acre ; but in the event of the Institution purchasing it he would gire £ 900 to the Institution . Bro . Letchworth thought before the matter
was gone into they had better be in order , by moving that the report of the General Committee be received . After discussion Bro . Saunders moved , " That it is inexpedient to accept the offer of Mr . Noel Whiting . " This was seconded by Bro . James Stevens , and carried unanimously .
At the request of Bro . Col . Creaton , Bro . Hedges read a letter from Bro . Belton , land surveyor , Norfolk-street , fully bearing out the statements of Bros . Saunders and Stevens with regard to the value of the land ; and , on the motion of
Bro . Letchworth , duly seconded , a letter was ordered to be written to Bro . Belton , thanking him for his trouble and kindness in the matter . A vote of thanks to Col . Creaton for presiding closed the proceedings .
In reference to this question the Evening News states " that land in the best situation in the neighbourhood has been fetching only £ 2 , 100 , £ 2 , 200 , and £ 2 , 300 , and it was very properly suggested , that
if the land is worth £ 4 , 000 an acre , that on which the Institution stands had better be sold , and the School taken to a site where more reasonable prices rule ; in which case , instead of having 230 girls in tbe School , there might be 250 or more . "
The Quarterly Court of the Subscribers of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys was held on Monday , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . George Plucknett P . G . D ., Treasurer of the Institution , in the chair . Amongst those present were : —Bros . Colonel J . Creaton , A . M . Broadley , C . F .
Matier , S . J . Parkhouse , L . Ruf , G . Bolton , G . Bolton jun ., J . J . Murray , B . Baker , A . E . Gladwell , D . M . Dewar , J . Moon , B . Lemere , F . Adlard , H . Massey , F . Davison , T . Cubitt , C . J . Perceval , H . Venn , H . Dicketts , D . Rolls , H . Smith , S . B . Wilson , C . H . Webb , R . W . Stewart
H . S . Goodall , A . Torkington , and F . Binckes . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the last Quarterly Court , vacancies were declared in the School for 20 boys , who will be elected in October next , out of a list of 64 candidates . On the motion of Bro . Raynham W .
Stewart P . G . D ., Vice-President of the Institution , the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to : — 1 . That having regard to the unprecedented success of the recent Festival , which involved unusual and excessive labour , and in appreciation of tho result , after 22 years' service , tho sum of £ 250 be awarded to tho
Secretary , Bro . F . Binckes . 2 . That in accordance with the recommendation of the House Committee , the sum of £ 105 be awarded to Miss Elizabeth Hall , now in the 20 th year of her office as Matron , in consideration of her valuable services generally and dnriDg periods of sickness , especially in the outbreak of scarlatina last year . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .