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Article NO ROOM FOR SERVILITY OR VENALITY. ← Page 2 of 2 Article NO ROOM FOR SERVILITY OR VENALITY. Page 2 of 2 Article WOMAN'S PLACE IN MASONRY. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
No Room For Servility Or Venality.
decency and safety to the moral interests and civilisation of the community . The fact grows more apparent every day , that the restraints upon vice and turpitude are rapidly becoming unhinged , and that society is lapsing into
a state of depravity in many respects fearful to contemp late . Without occupying space on the causes of this deplorable but unmistakable fact , it may be added that it fore es upon the Masonic Fraternity , among others , questions of the highest importance , and duties which cannot be put aside .
It is high time to look within the Lodge as well as without , to see what is the situation ; what is going on among the Craft ; how the common evil is effecting its proper welfare , and what means are available for the amelioration of the condition .
As heretofore suggested in these articles , it is quite plain to be seen that the most common and insidious agency in producing demoralisation among all classes is the increasing loss of personal pride of character , of common
manliness , of abhorrence and contempt for ignoble and base motives—not in respect to their dishonesty or legal criminality , but to their unmanliness and vileness—for want of
which in the community at large , every species of infamous conduct acquires a degree of toleration never formerly allowed it .
This is not in the least intended as a homily on virtue or what is now meant by the word morals . The teachings of the Craft on these matters are abundant and forcible , so that it is as unnecessary to add to them as it is impossible
to improve them , and the world has nothing better to show . But they include the presumption that it is needless to enjoin maxims touching self-respect and manly decorum on men of lawful age who have sought to be , and have been , unanimously received in membership by the
Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons . Yet ,
as mortifying as it may be to every sensitive and loyal mind among the Craft , the truth is that there is a long established and growing necessity that the successors of the noble craftsmen of the olden time should make up for
the redemption of the Fraternity from the influence of ignoble sentiments and conduct so despicable that no place was found for them in the masterly utterances designed to
enforce the sublime principles on which Masonry is founded . And , indeed , it is not strange that it shoulp have been deemed at all times shameful to the Institution
to admit by implication in its authorised and official expressions that grovelling and dishonourable modes and behaviour might at any time need repression or reprehension in an institution so grounded as Freemasonry .
If there are among the disgraceful traits of human character any which more than others are repugnant to Masonry , they must be servility and venality . Every other species of meanness may possibly be accompanied by some
meagre virtue , which may serve to render the entire character somewhat tolerable , but the man naturally servile or venal ( and these two are Siamese twins ) who seeks admission to Masonry , and the Lodge which takes him in ,
make a joint and several mistake , and one which cannot be rectified even by the consent of both parties . The detestable want of manliness , which is a peculiarity of such an one ' s nature , renders a truly Masonic character in him
impossible . Honour is necessary to the latter—it is one of its elements—yet how is honour to exist in any one capable of crawling or sneaking in the train of power , or influence , or success for tbe vile consideration of favour or pelf , or
even what some are satisfied with , to be patted on the head and treated as very agreeable , when a service is wanted by recognized superiors ? V 7 hat can Masonry do or expect from such ? Ifc is nofc Freemasonry to which such creatures
aspire . Indeed they do not aspire to anything , because they do not aspire to be anything . The craven spirit only looks up for something adapted to its desires , and whines or licks its chops as the prospect of a few crumbs is more or less encouraging .
Now , the great mischief to society is that the sort of persons and conduct above mentioned are being made respectable , or rather influential , everywhere , by the acts of parties , societies , churches , and every kind of
association whose approval or toleration of them tend to keep them in countenance , and avert the public contempt which might otherwise hold them in check , and , as it were ,
" quarantine " them from spreading the contagion of their vice among the ignorant and unreflecting , and especially the young . ^ Hence ifc is becoming a serions necessity to
No Room For Servility Or Venality.
Masonry to take a little thought concerning what the Craft are suffering their own influence to effect , in floating along with the current of depraved opinion and sentiment now prevailing . There must be some return to the old ideas of dignity and manly pride before any progress can be made in
exerting an influence m behalf of truth and honesty . Masonry is properly an association of men who are above countenancing low or mean conduct whether ifc be
considered legally honest or dishonest . If the character of the membership is changing , it is time to call a halt and see what can be done to counteract the evil . If the character
of the bulk of the Fraternity has always been what it is now , as to countenancing low and corrupt conduct in or out of the Lodge , we are all wasting too much breath in eulogizing the nobility and dignity of the Craft in the olden time , considered as an association of persons .
Of course it is not to be expected that the Masonic Fraternity can keep their floor entirely rid of mean and unworthy characters . It would be impossible , under the best condition of society ever seen , as much so as to rid the world of noxious insects , reptiles and beasts . These last are a part of the multitudinous forms of life which swarm throughout land and sea ; and doubtless the human race is , and always was and will be , a collective representation of every characteristic form of being beneath itself . Nor has
it ever been possible for any community , association , sect , party or brotherhood , to thwart the inevitable law which compels every class and denomination of men to put np with the presence of the very characters they organize
themselves to exclude . No set of men have ever been permitted to withdraw , or keep themselves segregated from the lower
or viler of mankind , however much they may abhor communication with them ; but they are compelled to take a share in upholding the common burden of the race ; and it even appears that none , however earnestly they may strive
so to do , may permanently elevate themselves , except in proportion as they are the means of elevating the lowest about them . And thus we find that the Masonic body , like all others , is clogged by the presence of the very class of
humanity which , if not made better by the association , must become the cause of its ruin . Such being the case , it is not for those who think themselves the wiser or better portion of the Fraternity , to
withdraw themselves in scorn from any who have been admitted to the benefits of the Lodge . There is no place on the chequered floor for Masonic pharisees . The meeting is " on the level . " It is true the right of expulsion exists and
in some cases should be enforced , but there is no reason to expect that the power of expulsion will ever be exercised with more discretion or justice than that of admission or rejection , under the operation of which these same persons were made Masons .
This condition , under which the Craft must exist , was doubtless well understood by those who set * up the moral aud governmental landmarks of the Lodge . It is not clear
that in former times expulsion was contemplated in any case , as the phrase , " Once a Mason always a Mason , " must have had some foundation .
The brethren must accept the situation , and not content themselves with teaching truth and justice , benevolence and the like , and desiring all to conform to the good tenets of the Craft ; and as long as nobody about the Lodge steals
or commits other offence against the criminal law , think all is well enough . It is not well enough . The influence of the Lodge must be utilized in behalf of noble and manly sentiments and the stamping out of unmanly and base
sentiments , and to prevent the cheapening of virtue by the constant tolerance of conduct too indefinite to be reached by punishment and too discreditable to be treated with any sort of allowance . —Voice of Masonry .
Woman's Place In Masonry.
WOMAN'S PLACE IN MASONRY .
" A ministering angel thou . " W'OMAN has a place in the Order of Freemasonry , but not in the ranks of the active workers . As woman has always had a place in the army—not in the ranks with a musket , but still occupying an important position and
rendering invaluable service—so she has in Masonry . In the church she is not expected to occupy the sacred desk and expound the teachings of Holy Writ , bufc she has a place as useful and important as that of the minister
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
No Room For Servility Or Venality.
decency and safety to the moral interests and civilisation of the community . The fact grows more apparent every day , that the restraints upon vice and turpitude are rapidly becoming unhinged , and that society is lapsing into
a state of depravity in many respects fearful to contemp late . Without occupying space on the causes of this deplorable but unmistakable fact , it may be added that it fore es upon the Masonic Fraternity , among others , questions of the highest importance , and duties which cannot be put aside .
It is high time to look within the Lodge as well as without , to see what is the situation ; what is going on among the Craft ; how the common evil is effecting its proper welfare , and what means are available for the amelioration of the condition .
As heretofore suggested in these articles , it is quite plain to be seen that the most common and insidious agency in producing demoralisation among all classes is the increasing loss of personal pride of character , of common
manliness , of abhorrence and contempt for ignoble and base motives—not in respect to their dishonesty or legal criminality , but to their unmanliness and vileness—for want of
which in the community at large , every species of infamous conduct acquires a degree of toleration never formerly allowed it .
This is not in the least intended as a homily on virtue or what is now meant by the word morals . The teachings of the Craft on these matters are abundant and forcible , so that it is as unnecessary to add to them as it is impossible
to improve them , and the world has nothing better to show . But they include the presumption that it is needless to enjoin maxims touching self-respect and manly decorum on men of lawful age who have sought to be , and have been , unanimously received in membership by the
Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons . Yet ,
as mortifying as it may be to every sensitive and loyal mind among the Craft , the truth is that there is a long established and growing necessity that the successors of the noble craftsmen of the olden time should make up for
the redemption of the Fraternity from the influence of ignoble sentiments and conduct so despicable that no place was found for them in the masterly utterances designed to
enforce the sublime principles on which Masonry is founded . And , indeed , it is not strange that it shoulp have been deemed at all times shameful to the Institution
to admit by implication in its authorised and official expressions that grovelling and dishonourable modes and behaviour might at any time need repression or reprehension in an institution so grounded as Freemasonry .
If there are among the disgraceful traits of human character any which more than others are repugnant to Masonry , they must be servility and venality . Every other species of meanness may possibly be accompanied by some
meagre virtue , which may serve to render the entire character somewhat tolerable , but the man naturally servile or venal ( and these two are Siamese twins ) who seeks admission to Masonry , and the Lodge which takes him in ,
make a joint and several mistake , and one which cannot be rectified even by the consent of both parties . The detestable want of manliness , which is a peculiarity of such an one ' s nature , renders a truly Masonic character in him
impossible . Honour is necessary to the latter—it is one of its elements—yet how is honour to exist in any one capable of crawling or sneaking in the train of power , or influence , or success for tbe vile consideration of favour or pelf , or
even what some are satisfied with , to be patted on the head and treated as very agreeable , when a service is wanted by recognized superiors ? V 7 hat can Masonry do or expect from such ? Ifc is nofc Freemasonry to which such creatures
aspire . Indeed they do not aspire to anything , because they do not aspire to be anything . The craven spirit only looks up for something adapted to its desires , and whines or licks its chops as the prospect of a few crumbs is more or less encouraging .
Now , the great mischief to society is that the sort of persons and conduct above mentioned are being made respectable , or rather influential , everywhere , by the acts of parties , societies , churches , and every kind of
association whose approval or toleration of them tend to keep them in countenance , and avert the public contempt which might otherwise hold them in check , and , as it were ,
" quarantine " them from spreading the contagion of their vice among the ignorant and unreflecting , and especially the young . ^ Hence ifc is becoming a serions necessity to
No Room For Servility Or Venality.
Masonry to take a little thought concerning what the Craft are suffering their own influence to effect , in floating along with the current of depraved opinion and sentiment now prevailing . There must be some return to the old ideas of dignity and manly pride before any progress can be made in
exerting an influence m behalf of truth and honesty . Masonry is properly an association of men who are above countenancing low or mean conduct whether ifc be
considered legally honest or dishonest . If the character of the membership is changing , it is time to call a halt and see what can be done to counteract the evil . If the character
of the bulk of the Fraternity has always been what it is now , as to countenancing low and corrupt conduct in or out of the Lodge , we are all wasting too much breath in eulogizing the nobility and dignity of the Craft in the olden time , considered as an association of persons .
Of course it is not to be expected that the Masonic Fraternity can keep their floor entirely rid of mean and unworthy characters . It would be impossible , under the best condition of society ever seen , as much so as to rid the world of noxious insects , reptiles and beasts . These last are a part of the multitudinous forms of life which swarm throughout land and sea ; and doubtless the human race is , and always was and will be , a collective representation of every characteristic form of being beneath itself . Nor has
it ever been possible for any community , association , sect , party or brotherhood , to thwart the inevitable law which compels every class and denomination of men to put np with the presence of the very characters they organize
themselves to exclude . No set of men have ever been permitted to withdraw , or keep themselves segregated from the lower
or viler of mankind , however much they may abhor communication with them ; but they are compelled to take a share in upholding the common burden of the race ; and it even appears that none , however earnestly they may strive
so to do , may permanently elevate themselves , except in proportion as they are the means of elevating the lowest about them . And thus we find that the Masonic body , like all others , is clogged by the presence of the very class of
humanity which , if not made better by the association , must become the cause of its ruin . Such being the case , it is not for those who think themselves the wiser or better portion of the Fraternity , to
withdraw themselves in scorn from any who have been admitted to the benefits of the Lodge . There is no place on the chequered floor for Masonic pharisees . The meeting is " on the level . " It is true the right of expulsion exists and
in some cases should be enforced , but there is no reason to expect that the power of expulsion will ever be exercised with more discretion or justice than that of admission or rejection , under the operation of which these same persons were made Masons .
This condition , under which the Craft must exist , was doubtless well understood by those who set * up the moral aud governmental landmarks of the Lodge . It is not clear
that in former times expulsion was contemplated in any case , as the phrase , " Once a Mason always a Mason , " must have had some foundation .
The brethren must accept the situation , and not content themselves with teaching truth and justice , benevolence and the like , and desiring all to conform to the good tenets of the Craft ; and as long as nobody about the Lodge steals
or commits other offence against the criminal law , think all is well enough . It is not well enough . The influence of the Lodge must be utilized in behalf of noble and manly sentiments and the stamping out of unmanly and base
sentiments , and to prevent the cheapening of virtue by the constant tolerance of conduct too indefinite to be reached by punishment and too discreditable to be treated with any sort of allowance . —Voice of Masonry .
Woman's Place In Masonry.
WOMAN'S PLACE IN MASONRY .
" A ministering angel thou . " W'OMAN has a place in the Order of Freemasonry , but not in the ranks of the active workers . As woman has always had a place in the army—not in the ranks with a musket , but still occupying an important position and
rendering invaluable service—so she has in Masonry . In the church she is not expected to occupy the sacred desk and expound the teachings of Holy Writ , bufc she has a place as useful and important as that of the minister