Skip to main content
Museum of Freemasonry

Masonic Periodicals Online

  • Explore
  • Advanced Search
  • Home
  • Explore
  • The Freemason's Chronicle
  • Jan. 22, 1881
  • Page 1
Current:

The Freemason's Chronicle, Jan. 22, 1881: Page 1

  • Back to The Freemason's Chronicle, Jan. 22, 1881
  • Print image
  • Articles/Ads
    Article MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE TRUE CHARACTER OF FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 2
    Article MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE TRUE CHARACTER OF FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 2 →
Page 1

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Misconceptions Of The True Character Of Freemasonry.

MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE TRUE CHARACTER OF FREEMASONRY .

"TTTHAT is Freemasonry ? is a question which is con-M stantly being asked , and the answers that are given —especially by tbe uninitiated—are as various as tbey are ludicrous . Some people will persist in asserting that it is nothing else than a political secret society , whose foremost

object is the destruction of all orderly government . Others affirm that it is an anti-religious fraternity , whose members are never contented but when they are engaged in combating the beneficent influences of religion . There are yet others who entertain the idea that it is a body of men

associated together for the destruction of morality , while the least severe of our outside critics regard us as a society of good livers , whose highest aspirations are directed towards the greatest enjoyment that is possible of what are commonly designated the good things of this life . We might , of course ,

go on enumerating other different views enunciated by even reasonable beings as to the true scope and character of _ Freemasonry , but though in the first few sentences we might amuse our readers , we certainly should not succeed

in edifying them , and we should as certainly incur the serious possibility of annoying them . Yet this conflict of ideas outside the pale of the Craft cannot , after all , be so very singular when we find that Freemasons themselves

are divided in opinion as to its aims ancl objects . It is true they are told , at the very moment of their reception into the Order , that it is a system of morality , and they are expected , or at all events , presumed to accept this definition without mental reservation of any kind ; but many so accept it

disingenuously , and have barely had time to be raised to Master Masons ere they set busily to work to show how little they appreciate its solemn teachings . Many look upon it as a kind of mutual Life Assurance- Company ; others maintain that it is a kind of Benefit Society , while

a numerous section of the Craft , regarding it from a knifeand-fork point of view , consider the three degrees of Masonry—with or without the Royal Arch—as being neither more nor less than so many preliminary steps towards a capital feed . These singular ideas would be very

laughable , were it not for the influence they appear to be exercising , and tbe ridicule tbey are calculated to bring upon our Society . Let us then , at the risk of being a little tedious , give a moment ' s attention to what are not the true obiects of our beloved Craft .

Were the impartial critic called upon to express his opinion as to the true character of Freemasonry , and , assuming that his judgment was on a level with his impartiality , he would come to the conclusion that in some of the countries of Europe it bad a sort of political influence , while in otbers

it was , if not exactly an anti-religious , yet certainly a nonreli gious , society . Passing on to Freemasonry in America , he would probably suggest that , in the land of the Stars and Stripes , it was a compound of sentimentality and outward show with—doubtless for the sake of old associations

—the occasional consecration and erection of gaudy temples , and the heavy indebtedness which is the necessary consequence of indul ging in a bobby without adequate means of defraying its cost . He would find , in various

of the States , Institutions for the promotion of Masonic charity , and a genial hospitality , with the ever-readincss of all Americans to assist the unfortunate wayfarer , in all of them . In England he would note the existemce of three grandl y-organised Institutions having severally for object

Misconceptions Of The True Character Of Freemasonry.

the relief of aged , indigent Masons and the widows of Masons , and the maintenance and education for a certain term of years of the sons and daughters of deceased or poverty-stricken brethren . He would learn , with a pleasure he would neither care nor seek to conceal , that the good

these Charities did was owing to the munificent contributions of tbe Craft , nor would be , witb this experience before him , be in the least degree surprised to hear that similar societies , but on a far smaller scale , were organised in many of our Provinces . Should he prosecute his researches

further , and visit a considerable number of our Lodges , he would find in eacb an assemblage of very good fellows who , having despatched what , for the sake of appearances , is called business , as quickly as possible , at once sat down to enjoy themselves over a good dinner , with the customary

Loyal and Masonic toast-giving to follow . In our Lodges of Instrnction he would be edified by hearing , now a discon . , solate Preceptor meekly propounding a series of questions and receiving an equal number of oftentimes crooked answers ; now the rehearsal of an important ceremony ,

more or less ably performed . Yet for all the many things that would delight him , he would still be at a loss to reconcile tbe Masonry of practice with the doctrines of Masonry as laid down by our Constitutions . He would , probably , be in the first instance more than a little disconcerted on hearing

from the lips of many worthy brethren that , for all its wide-spread beneficence and philosophic tendencies , they regarded it as a safe investment for themselves and their families against a rainy day . They knew well enough

it was a morality , but they had been at the pains of ascertaining further that the morality was illustrated by three Asylums , one . for decayed Masons and their widows , and the other two for the education and maintenance of the

children of deceased or indigent brethren . Thus , having joined the Fraternity , they at once qualified as Governors to one or all of the Institutions , not only because by so doing they felt they would be doing some service to others ; but also with one eye open to the future on their own account ,

so that if , in the vicissitudes of fortune to which all are liable , they should ever find themselves in the category of decayed Masons , and their families , therefore , be reduced from affluence to comparative poverty , they would at once have at command some source from which tbey

mig ht ask and obtain assistance . There is no doubt a good deal of common sense about this ^ point of view , but it does not exactly accord with our generally , received ideas about Freemasonry . It is quite a mistaken idea to suppose that Freemasonry is a kind of

Friendly Society , the members of which combine together for the purpose of assisting each other in sickness or distress , or in pensioning or helping to support tbe families of deceased members . Let , those who regard Freemasonry in this light avoid it , or if they will persist in trying to

force an entrance into our ranks , let it be resolutely denied them . The other clay , at the Quarterly Court of the Boys ' School , one brother had the candour to avow that he had qualified as a Vice-Patron or Vice-President—it is immaterial which—because , in the event of his death , it would

afford a "justification for his widow ancl children applying to the Masonic Institutions for help , even though he might leave them in possession of a fair quantum of means . Others openly supported the candidature of the

lad Collingwood on the ground that the Boys' School , and by inference , its sister Institution , the Girls' School , were not intended to benefit paupers . That such ideas as these are gaining strength must be evident to all who take the

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1881-01-22, Page 1” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 10 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_22011881/page/1/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE TRUE CHARACTER OF FREEMASONRY. Article 1
HARD TIMES. Article 2
Obituary. Article 2
BRO. ALFRED ELLIS. Article 3
DEATHS. Article 3
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE. Article 3
SERVICES OF THE ALBERT EDWARD LIFEBOAT, CLACTON-ON-SEA. Article 3
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 4
AN OPPORTUNE SUGGESTION. Article 4
WITHDRAWAL OF VISITORS. Article 4
GRAND LODGE GRANTS. Article 5
INSTALLATION MEETINGS, &c. Article 5
ANTIQUITY LODGE, No. 146. Article 5
LODGE OF TRANQUILLITY, No. 185. Article 5
UNION LODGE, No. 38. Article 6
FIDELITY LODGE, No. 230. Article 6
HARMONY AND INDUSTRY LODGE, No. 381. Article 6
WELLINGTON LODGE, No. 784, DEAL. Article 6
MERIDIAN LODGE, No. 829. Article 6
MEETING OF THE LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. Article 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
MASONIC PORTRAITS. SKETCHES Article 7
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 9
TESTIMONIAL TO THE PROV. G. SECRETARY OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE. Article 9
ROYAL ARCH. Article 9
Untitled Ad 10
S.S. PETER AND PAUL'S LODGE, No. 1410. Article 10
SINCERITY LODGE, No. 174. Article 11
Untitled Ad 11
DIARY FOR THE WEEK. Article 12
NOTICES OF MEETINGS. Article 12
PROVINCIAL CHARITIES ASSOCIATION FOR NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE. Article 13
Untitled Ad 13
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Page 1

Page 1

2 Articles
Page 2

Page 2

4 Articles
Page 3

Page 3

6 Articles
Page 4

Page 4

4 Articles
Page 5

Page 5

6 Articles
Page 6

Page 6

7 Articles
Page 7

Page 7

6 Articles
Page 8

Page 8

13 Articles
Page 9

Page 9

4 Articles
Page 10

Page 10

3 Articles
Page 11

Page 11

4 Articles
Page 12

Page 12

3 Articles
Page 13

Page 13

4 Articles
Page 14

Page 14

15 Articles
Page 15

Page 15

14 Articles
Page 16

Page 16

15 Articles
Page 1

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Misconceptions Of The True Character Of Freemasonry.

MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE TRUE CHARACTER OF FREEMASONRY .

"TTTHAT is Freemasonry ? is a question which is con-M stantly being asked , and the answers that are given —especially by tbe uninitiated—are as various as tbey are ludicrous . Some people will persist in asserting that it is nothing else than a political secret society , whose foremost

object is the destruction of all orderly government . Others affirm that it is an anti-religious fraternity , whose members are never contented but when they are engaged in combating the beneficent influences of religion . There are yet others who entertain the idea that it is a body of men

associated together for the destruction of morality , while the least severe of our outside critics regard us as a society of good livers , whose highest aspirations are directed towards the greatest enjoyment that is possible of what are commonly designated the good things of this life . We might , of course ,

go on enumerating other different views enunciated by even reasonable beings as to the true scope and character of _ Freemasonry , but though in the first few sentences we might amuse our readers , we certainly should not succeed

in edifying them , and we should as certainly incur the serious possibility of annoying them . Yet this conflict of ideas outside the pale of the Craft cannot , after all , be so very singular when we find that Freemasons themselves

are divided in opinion as to its aims ancl objects . It is true they are told , at the very moment of their reception into the Order , that it is a system of morality , and they are expected , or at all events , presumed to accept this definition without mental reservation of any kind ; but many so accept it

disingenuously , and have barely had time to be raised to Master Masons ere they set busily to work to show how little they appreciate its solemn teachings . Many look upon it as a kind of mutual Life Assurance- Company ; others maintain that it is a kind of Benefit Society , while

a numerous section of the Craft , regarding it from a knifeand-fork point of view , consider the three degrees of Masonry—with or without the Royal Arch—as being neither more nor less than so many preliminary steps towards a capital feed . These singular ideas would be very

laughable , were it not for the influence they appear to be exercising , and tbe ridicule tbey are calculated to bring upon our Society . Let us then , at the risk of being a little tedious , give a moment ' s attention to what are not the true obiects of our beloved Craft .

Were the impartial critic called upon to express his opinion as to the true character of Freemasonry , and , assuming that his judgment was on a level with his impartiality , he would come to the conclusion that in some of the countries of Europe it bad a sort of political influence , while in otbers

it was , if not exactly an anti-religious , yet certainly a nonreli gious , society . Passing on to Freemasonry in America , he would probably suggest that , in the land of the Stars and Stripes , it was a compound of sentimentality and outward show with—doubtless for the sake of old associations

—the occasional consecration and erection of gaudy temples , and the heavy indebtedness which is the necessary consequence of indul ging in a bobby without adequate means of defraying its cost . He would find , in various

of the States , Institutions for the promotion of Masonic charity , and a genial hospitality , with the ever-readincss of all Americans to assist the unfortunate wayfarer , in all of them . In England he would note the existemce of three grandl y-organised Institutions having severally for object

Misconceptions Of The True Character Of Freemasonry.

the relief of aged , indigent Masons and the widows of Masons , and the maintenance and education for a certain term of years of the sons and daughters of deceased or poverty-stricken brethren . He would learn , with a pleasure he would neither care nor seek to conceal , that the good

these Charities did was owing to the munificent contributions of tbe Craft , nor would be , witb this experience before him , be in the least degree surprised to hear that similar societies , but on a far smaller scale , were organised in many of our Provinces . Should he prosecute his researches

further , and visit a considerable number of our Lodges , he would find in eacb an assemblage of very good fellows who , having despatched what , for the sake of appearances , is called business , as quickly as possible , at once sat down to enjoy themselves over a good dinner , with the customary

Loyal and Masonic toast-giving to follow . In our Lodges of Instrnction he would be edified by hearing , now a discon . , solate Preceptor meekly propounding a series of questions and receiving an equal number of oftentimes crooked answers ; now the rehearsal of an important ceremony ,

more or less ably performed . Yet for all the many things that would delight him , he would still be at a loss to reconcile tbe Masonry of practice with the doctrines of Masonry as laid down by our Constitutions . He would , probably , be in the first instance more than a little disconcerted on hearing

from the lips of many worthy brethren that , for all its wide-spread beneficence and philosophic tendencies , they regarded it as a safe investment for themselves and their families against a rainy day . They knew well enough

it was a morality , but they had been at the pains of ascertaining further that the morality was illustrated by three Asylums , one . for decayed Masons and their widows , and the other two for the education and maintenance of the

children of deceased or indigent brethren . Thus , having joined the Fraternity , they at once qualified as Governors to one or all of the Institutions , not only because by so doing they felt they would be doing some service to others ; but also with one eye open to the future on their own account ,

so that if , in the vicissitudes of fortune to which all are liable , they should ever find themselves in the category of decayed Masons , and their families , therefore , be reduced from affluence to comparative poverty , they would at once have at command some source from which tbey

mig ht ask and obtain assistance . There is no doubt a good deal of common sense about this ^ point of view , but it does not exactly accord with our generally , received ideas about Freemasonry . It is quite a mistaken idea to suppose that Freemasonry is a kind of

Friendly Society , the members of which combine together for the purpose of assisting each other in sickness or distress , or in pensioning or helping to support tbe families of deceased members . Let , those who regard Freemasonry in this light avoid it , or if they will persist in trying to

force an entrance into our ranks , let it be resolutely denied them . The other clay , at the Quarterly Court of the Boys ' School , one brother had the candour to avow that he had qualified as a Vice-Patron or Vice-President—it is immaterial which—because , in the event of his death , it would

afford a "justification for his widow ancl children applying to the Masonic Institutions for help , even though he might leave them in possession of a fair quantum of means . Others openly supported the candidature of the

lad Collingwood on the ground that the Boys' School , and by inference , its sister Institution , the Girls' School , were not intended to benefit paupers . That such ideas as these are gaining strength must be evident to all who take the

  • Prev page
  • You're on page1
  • 2
  • 16
  • Next page
  • Accredited Museum Designated Outstanding Collection
  • LIBRARY AND MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1058497 / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025

  • Accessibility statement

  • Designed, developed, and maintained by King's Digital Lab

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Privacy & cookie policy