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Article ADDRESS OF BRO. J. H. GRAHAM, LL.D. ← Page 3 of 3 Article FREEMASONRY AND TEMPERANCE. Page 1 of 2 Article FREEMASONRY AND TEMPERANCE. Page 1 of 2 →
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Address Of Bro. J. H. Graham, Ll.D.
pointing out that it is idle for him to deny the right of England to do what is forbidden by no known code of Masonic law . He may adduce in support of his argument such authorities as Bro . Drummond of Maine , who is strong in Masonio statistics , but , not that we are aware of ,
of any rank as a jurisconsult , and Bro . Vaux of Pennsylvania , whose opinion is no doubt entitled to respect , but who does not speak with the same authority on this class of question as our own Bro . Hughan . It is useless for him
io quote the laws of the Grand Lodge of England as forbidding the establishment of Lodges within its own jurisdiction by other than its own authority , or to instance the case he mentions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland declining in 1763 to issue its warrant for the establishment in
London of a Lodge composed of Scottish brethren . England claims the exercise of no authority to which she is not justly entitled . Her Lodges , like those of Scotland and Ireland , are spread abroad throughout most of the colonies and dependencies of the British Crown . Where
there is a Grand Lodge , as in Canada , Quebec , Nova Scotia , she declines to issue warrants for new Lodges , but where any of the Lodges constituted by herself prefer remaining under her jurisdiction , she retains and upholds them just for so long as they desire to remain , and no
longer . She exerts no power to keep them , and it would be the height of ingratitude on her part if she exerted any pressure to drive them away . In all this she is acting in accordance with the unwritten law of Masonic morality , if not with the written law
of Masonic government as invented by American brethren . It is enough for her to know she is acting rightly , nor when the time comes , as doubtless it will come , for these Montreal Lodges to sever their connection
with her , will she raise the slightest opposition , or make even the feeblest attempt to retain them on her roll of Lodges . Quebec can find better occupation for its spare moments than to waste them in idle controvenies about
mere nothings , and she will secure for herself greater respect in proportion as she treats respectfully the Grand Lodge of England , to whose authority most of her Lodges owe their existence .
Freemasonry And Temperance.
FREEMASONRY AND TEMPERANCE .
THE establishment of a " Temperance " Lodge of Freemasons is the latest departure in connection with the Craft , and it is one which has given rise , no doubt , to a considerable amount of speculation on both sides of that great question . On either of those sides there is much to be
said , and on which in all probability the brethren will expect to hear something in the consideration of those matters which either directly or indirectly affect the interests of our Order . In entering upon a survey of the subject , then , we may as well say plainly that we do not anticipate any very radical
effect which the proposal will exert upon the Brotherhood as a whole , though the permissive character of it may supply the ground of many suggestions which hitherto have been only imperfectly ventilated , and handled as gingerly as one does the proverbial hot potato . There are many to
whom it might have occurred that there are amongst our ranks a vast number of men who prefer abstinence from wine on all occasions , not merely from any inflated notions of the " goody" type , but because they like it , and it agrees with them . It may appear in bad taste , or a trifle
eccentric , to drink to a toast in coffee , or even zoedone , instead of the orthodox champagne ; still , if a guest at a banquet prefers it , we do not see that he should be regarded as a lunatic for doing so , or that the finger of scorn should be pointed at him , or the contemptuous shrug of the shoulder raised at the " milk and water " enthusiasm of such an
individual . We shall be excused , we know , for making use of these observations , for nobody can better appreciate than ourselves the true ringing heartiness and the cheery hospitality that are enjoyed when the generous wine brings into greater prominence that " flow of soul , " real urbanity , and
good fellowship , which are so characteristic of Freemasonry . That the excessive use of stimulants is abhorred by Masons of the present day—whatever might have been said of our
forefathers in the good old times of half a century ago—is universall y established and admitted . An intoxicated person in a Masonic Lodge would belie his professions , and at the banquet table would be scouted with such practical
Freemasonry And Temperance.
effect that he would be a bold man to put in an appearance there again . This is the result , no doubt , in a great measure of the fact that our Masonic Lodges include all the elements of refinement and excellence of taste , and around which there is an atmosphere where lurks not even the
shadow of a taint of the tap-room . Temperance and moderation are amongst the cardinal virtues of an Order which stands unapproachably high amongst all tho institutions that adorn society ; and , in spite of the many insinuations to the contrary that have been hurled at our " huge social
club , " by the ignorant and uninitiated , there is no association of men on the face of the globe less deserving of an aspersion so undeserved . But with all this , there are instances in which a total abstaining brother may appear somewhat out of his element , and conspicuously so when
the festivities of the Fourth Degree are in operation ; and the difficulty here crops up , as it does in all the other relations and occupations of social life , how is the apparent loss to be remedied , and what substitute can bo suggested ? If toasts are to be drunk , the glasses must be replenished , and
probably our brethren of the as yet embryo Wolseley Lodge , at Manchester , may be ablo to throw some light as to the modus operandi by which they propose to sustain the amenities of the festive board . It is difficult to contemplate a sober and profound assemblage of the brethren toasting to
each other ' s health in water , or , like the pattern teetotallers of Dickens , " swelling wisibly before our werry eyes " upon cups of fragrant tea . It would be an unusual sight indeed to mingle with a company at which the wine cup was entirely tabooed , and this seeming anomaly will be like
breaking fresh ground when the Manchester " hydropots " assemble under the auspices of our heroic brother of Telel-Kebir fame . Still , in anticipating their convivialities , which we have no fear will lack any of the ordinary heartiness in consequence of the " feast of reason " being
predominant , we do not see any reason why the experiment should not succeed . We yield to none in our detestation of rant and platform spouting , which to thinking men are the means of deterring , rather than inducing , them to join the " ranks " of the so-called sober " armies , " and have no
other feeling but that of pity for those of the dog-ra-the manger ilk who , themselves unable to keep within the bounds of discreet moderation , would deprive others who can do so of a means of innocuous and wholesome enjoyment . It cannot be concealed that amongst the most
ostentatious of these so-called reformers practices are flagrantly common at which the minds of ordinary and less sanctimonious mortals would revolt ; but that says little against the principle that is involved . It is a fact that can no longer be withheld that Temperance ideas and
practices have of late years been advancing with rapid and important strides . At this none can rejoice , or does rejoice , more than the great body to what we are proud to belong . Nob only is the effect felt upon the moral and social pulses of the nation , but its material prosperity is
enhanced in an incalculable degree by the spread of Temperance in any of its forms . We do not mean the blatant sycophancy of those gentlemen who " with faces as long as a fiddle , " set themselves up as did the Pharisees of old , and thank Heaven they are not as other men , but
who are capable very often of the most despicable and , to say the least , un-Masonic actions . But amongst the substantial and intelligent Masons of our population there is unquestionablv a powerful impression in favour of
curtailing the habits which were at one time considered the " correct thing " in social circles ; and the race of our three-bottle men has been as nearly extirpated as have the Maories from New Zealand and the Ued Indians from the
hunting-grounds of the Far West . In this respect society has taken a decided , and it must be added , an improved turn ; for although much might be , and has been , said of the revels and routs which give a spice of jollity to the past , yet times and circumstances alter , and the society of
a toper is not usually held in high esteem amongst the members of modern refined society . After all is said and done , therefore , we are by no means disposed to sneer or jest at onr worthy brethren in the city of Cotton for the resolve upon which they have entered , to start a
"Temperance Lodge . " We rather contemplate the experiment with agreeable expectancy , and should be delighted to be present when the gallant Egyptian warrior is
introduced into the Lodge which is to bear his name . No doubt that which is wanting in the one particular of sparkling wine will be made up in other ways , and that the brethren will happy be , happy part , and happy meet again . But it
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Address Of Bro. J. H. Graham, Ll.D.
pointing out that it is idle for him to deny the right of England to do what is forbidden by no known code of Masonic law . He may adduce in support of his argument such authorities as Bro . Drummond of Maine , who is strong in Masonio statistics , but , not that we are aware of ,
of any rank as a jurisconsult , and Bro . Vaux of Pennsylvania , whose opinion is no doubt entitled to respect , but who does not speak with the same authority on this class of question as our own Bro . Hughan . It is useless for him
io quote the laws of the Grand Lodge of England as forbidding the establishment of Lodges within its own jurisdiction by other than its own authority , or to instance the case he mentions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland declining in 1763 to issue its warrant for the establishment in
London of a Lodge composed of Scottish brethren . England claims the exercise of no authority to which she is not justly entitled . Her Lodges , like those of Scotland and Ireland , are spread abroad throughout most of the colonies and dependencies of the British Crown . Where
there is a Grand Lodge , as in Canada , Quebec , Nova Scotia , she declines to issue warrants for new Lodges , but where any of the Lodges constituted by herself prefer remaining under her jurisdiction , she retains and upholds them just for so long as they desire to remain , and no
longer . She exerts no power to keep them , and it would be the height of ingratitude on her part if she exerted any pressure to drive them away . In all this she is acting in accordance with the unwritten law of Masonic morality , if not with the written law
of Masonic government as invented by American brethren . It is enough for her to know she is acting rightly , nor when the time comes , as doubtless it will come , for these Montreal Lodges to sever their connection
with her , will she raise the slightest opposition , or make even the feeblest attempt to retain them on her roll of Lodges . Quebec can find better occupation for its spare moments than to waste them in idle controvenies about
mere nothings , and she will secure for herself greater respect in proportion as she treats respectfully the Grand Lodge of England , to whose authority most of her Lodges owe their existence .
Freemasonry And Temperance.
FREEMASONRY AND TEMPERANCE .
THE establishment of a " Temperance " Lodge of Freemasons is the latest departure in connection with the Craft , and it is one which has given rise , no doubt , to a considerable amount of speculation on both sides of that great question . On either of those sides there is much to be
said , and on which in all probability the brethren will expect to hear something in the consideration of those matters which either directly or indirectly affect the interests of our Order . In entering upon a survey of the subject , then , we may as well say plainly that we do not anticipate any very radical
effect which the proposal will exert upon the Brotherhood as a whole , though the permissive character of it may supply the ground of many suggestions which hitherto have been only imperfectly ventilated , and handled as gingerly as one does the proverbial hot potato . There are many to
whom it might have occurred that there are amongst our ranks a vast number of men who prefer abstinence from wine on all occasions , not merely from any inflated notions of the " goody" type , but because they like it , and it agrees with them . It may appear in bad taste , or a trifle
eccentric , to drink to a toast in coffee , or even zoedone , instead of the orthodox champagne ; still , if a guest at a banquet prefers it , we do not see that he should be regarded as a lunatic for doing so , or that the finger of scorn should be pointed at him , or the contemptuous shrug of the shoulder raised at the " milk and water " enthusiasm of such an
individual . We shall be excused , we know , for making use of these observations , for nobody can better appreciate than ourselves the true ringing heartiness and the cheery hospitality that are enjoyed when the generous wine brings into greater prominence that " flow of soul , " real urbanity , and
good fellowship , which are so characteristic of Freemasonry . That the excessive use of stimulants is abhorred by Masons of the present day—whatever might have been said of our
forefathers in the good old times of half a century ago—is universall y established and admitted . An intoxicated person in a Masonic Lodge would belie his professions , and at the banquet table would be scouted with such practical
Freemasonry And Temperance.
effect that he would be a bold man to put in an appearance there again . This is the result , no doubt , in a great measure of the fact that our Masonic Lodges include all the elements of refinement and excellence of taste , and around which there is an atmosphere where lurks not even the
shadow of a taint of the tap-room . Temperance and moderation are amongst the cardinal virtues of an Order which stands unapproachably high amongst all tho institutions that adorn society ; and , in spite of the many insinuations to the contrary that have been hurled at our " huge social
club , " by the ignorant and uninitiated , there is no association of men on the face of the globe less deserving of an aspersion so undeserved . But with all this , there are instances in which a total abstaining brother may appear somewhat out of his element , and conspicuously so when
the festivities of the Fourth Degree are in operation ; and the difficulty here crops up , as it does in all the other relations and occupations of social life , how is the apparent loss to be remedied , and what substitute can bo suggested ? If toasts are to be drunk , the glasses must be replenished , and
probably our brethren of the as yet embryo Wolseley Lodge , at Manchester , may be ablo to throw some light as to the modus operandi by which they propose to sustain the amenities of the festive board . It is difficult to contemplate a sober and profound assemblage of the brethren toasting to
each other ' s health in water , or , like the pattern teetotallers of Dickens , " swelling wisibly before our werry eyes " upon cups of fragrant tea . It would be an unusual sight indeed to mingle with a company at which the wine cup was entirely tabooed , and this seeming anomaly will be like
breaking fresh ground when the Manchester " hydropots " assemble under the auspices of our heroic brother of Telel-Kebir fame . Still , in anticipating their convivialities , which we have no fear will lack any of the ordinary heartiness in consequence of the " feast of reason " being
predominant , we do not see any reason why the experiment should not succeed . We yield to none in our detestation of rant and platform spouting , which to thinking men are the means of deterring , rather than inducing , them to join the " ranks " of the so-called sober " armies , " and have no
other feeling but that of pity for those of the dog-ra-the manger ilk who , themselves unable to keep within the bounds of discreet moderation , would deprive others who can do so of a means of innocuous and wholesome enjoyment . It cannot be concealed that amongst the most
ostentatious of these so-called reformers practices are flagrantly common at which the minds of ordinary and less sanctimonious mortals would revolt ; but that says little against the principle that is involved . It is a fact that can no longer be withheld that Temperance ideas and
practices have of late years been advancing with rapid and important strides . At this none can rejoice , or does rejoice , more than the great body to what we are proud to belong . Nob only is the effect felt upon the moral and social pulses of the nation , but its material prosperity is
enhanced in an incalculable degree by the spread of Temperance in any of its forms . We do not mean the blatant sycophancy of those gentlemen who " with faces as long as a fiddle , " set themselves up as did the Pharisees of old , and thank Heaven they are not as other men , but
who are capable very often of the most despicable and , to say the least , un-Masonic actions . But amongst the substantial and intelligent Masons of our population there is unquestionablv a powerful impression in favour of
curtailing the habits which were at one time considered the " correct thing " in social circles ; and the race of our three-bottle men has been as nearly extirpated as have the Maories from New Zealand and the Ued Indians from the
hunting-grounds of the Far West . In this respect society has taken a decided , and it must be added , an improved turn ; for although much might be , and has been , said of the revels and routs which give a spice of jollity to the past , yet times and circumstances alter , and the society of
a toper is not usually held in high esteem amongst the members of modern refined society . After all is said and done , therefore , we are by no means disposed to sneer or jest at onr worthy brethren in the city of Cotton for the resolve upon which they have entered , to start a
"Temperance Lodge . " We rather contemplate the experiment with agreeable expectancy , and should be delighted to be present when the gallant Egyptian warrior is
introduced into the Lodge which is to bear his name . No doubt that which is wanting in the one particular of sparkling wine will be made up in other ways , and that the brethren will happy be , happy part , and happy meet again . But it