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Article A FEW NOTES ON MASONIC JOURNALISM. Page 1 of 2 Article A FEW NOTES ON MASONIC JOURNALISM. Page 1 of 2 →
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A Few Notes On Masonic Journalism.
A FEW NOTES ON MASONIC JOURNALISM .
WE are greatly amused at times at the outspoken language which many of our American Masonic contemporaries think fit to use towards Craftsmen re the very indifferent support accorded to Masonic literature . They state , and we consider the statement is amply justified by facts , that heavy expenses are incurred , and much time ,
labour , and anxiety bestowed by the proprietors , publishers , and editors of Masonic journals , solely in order that the interests of the society may be promoted and extended .
Pretty well all who are associated with Masonic journalism love the Craft , and they would have it loved . They think the influence of Freemasonry in every country in which it is established cannot be otherwise than of a beneficent
character . They are well aware , too , how often the purposes of Freemasonry are deliberately and disingenuously misrepresented , how frequently it is aspersed and how desirable it is , in the interests of truth at least , that such aspersion should be calmly and dispassionately resented .
They bear in mind the saying that " it you throw mud enough , some of it will stick . " Many unjust people who are entirely without knowledge of the designs of Freemasonry , who hate us because they do not understand us , and who would rejoice in nothing so much as the downfall
of our Society—this class of persons is never weary of assailing ns . There is no end to the charges they bring against us . The greater the outrage they commit against decency and common sense , the better pleased are they with their dirty work . Naturally , there are plenty of
simple-minded people who , on the principle there is no smoke without fire , imagine there mnst be a certain amount of truth in charges so persistently made under these circumstances . One of two courses is open to us , as to other folk . Either , we may wrap ourselves up in onr our own
virtue aud , stifling the indignation we cannot but feel , say nothing . Or , we may meet these groundless assaults of a malignant enemy , by fair and patient argument , with the view of showing how silly as well as how wicked are these persistent attacks upon Freemasonry . The latter is the
view which eminent Craftsmen have adopted . They consider , as we have said , that , in the interests of truth , the aspersions so unfairly directed against us should be resented calmly and dispassionately . Hence have sprung into existence in various parts of the United States ancl
elsewhere a number of Masonic periodicals , the raison d ' etre of which we take to be twofold . They have been established , in the first place , for the purpose of enlightening the world generally as to the true nature and aims of Freemasonry , so that people may not run away with the idea
that these latter are in any wise baneful . In the second place , they are designed to promote Craft interests , by encouraging among members a healthy study of our history and laws , by enjoining on them on all occasions a steady adherence to the principles they profess , and by advising ,
in all cases of doubt and difficulty , what , in the interests of the Craft , is the best policy to pursue . Other minor purposes there may have been in the case of different journals . We think , however , what we have said fairly enough describes the two most important objects of a Masonic
press—to enlighten the world generally and Craftsmen in particular , by showing , the former , what we are and what we are not , and the latter , what knowledge they should posssess , and what duties they should fulfil . Ordinarily , a press established to perform such useful offices finds
A Few Notes On Masonic Journalism.
liberal encouragement from the body whose interests it is so eager to promote . But though . Freemasons are falsely charged with many shortcomings , and the commission of many high crimes and misdemeanours , we fear there is much in the accusation we have more than
once heard brought against them—that they are a peculiar people . They have no objection to organs of the press being started with a view to protect and promote their interests . They will read the articles that are written in their behalf , and oftentimes feel highly flattered at the enloo-istic
terms m which they and their principles are spoken of . They are thankful when they find their favourite magazine or journal well filled with readable historic or biographical sketches , setting forth , in the case of the former , the cir . enmstanecs under which Freemasonry , in this or that
country , achieved some brilliant success , in the latter , tho leading events in the life of some distinguished Craftsman of the past or present day . They are pleased when they read a sensible , Avell-balanced argument in favour of this or that Masonic doctrine , or of the course that must be
pursued in certain contingencies . Short Masonic talcs , bo they evolved from the brain of some Masonic romancist , or based on the occurrences of actual life , delight them . But
above and beyond all things are they gratified when they find their own names recorded in black ancl white , it may be , perhaps , as having rendered some substantial service , or fulfilled with more than usual eclat some difficult Masonio
duty , or it may be , perchance , having merely been present on a certain evening in a certain Lodge , ancl having subsequently partaken of the usual banquet . It comes , likewise , occasionally within the experience of every Masonic journalist that there are many Craftsmen who are by no means
indifferent to the services a Masonic journal may render them on sundry occasions . We have not in onr mind the promotion of mere personal interests so much as the help which an occasional line or two of editorial support contributes in furtherance of this or that idea , of tin ' s or that
project . Such brethren are sensible that a kindl y utterance in the columns of a Craft organ is no hindrance , but a help rather , to tbe cause tbey have at heart . They seek this aid occasionally , and occasionally it is rendered—we
may be sure , with no ungrudging spirit , if the cause may legitimatel y be supported . But while brethren are willing enough to read and express their admiration , while they dwell with infinite relish on all announcements which
include mention of their names and achievements , while tbey are willing enough to seek our aid whenever they think wo may be of service ; still , when the important question is raised , will they accord us their support iu the arduous task we have undertaken , will they enrol themselves in our
subscription list , will they "shell-out —as the slang phrase hath it—the few shillings per quarter or per annum at which we appraise our services , then they fight shy of us . There is some hesitation in the response they make . They see it at their club , or their Loch' -e takes it . Their list of
newspapers and periodicals is full at that particular moment , bat when there is a vacancy they will bear us in mind . Or they will see about it , and let us know the next time they meet us . Are we not right in describing a very numerous section of the Brotherhood as peculiar people ?
They are quite willing to read a Masonio paper , quite willing to speak of it in terms of praise , quite prepared on all occasions to seek its aid , and quite willing to accept sneb
aid if the paper is prepared to render it . There , however , we come to a fall stop . We seek their assistance , and it is withheld or denied us on the first flimsy pretence that may occur to them at the moment .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Few Notes On Masonic Journalism.
A FEW NOTES ON MASONIC JOURNALISM .
WE are greatly amused at times at the outspoken language which many of our American Masonic contemporaries think fit to use towards Craftsmen re the very indifferent support accorded to Masonic literature . They state , and we consider the statement is amply justified by facts , that heavy expenses are incurred , and much time ,
labour , and anxiety bestowed by the proprietors , publishers , and editors of Masonic journals , solely in order that the interests of the society may be promoted and extended .
Pretty well all who are associated with Masonic journalism love the Craft , and they would have it loved . They think the influence of Freemasonry in every country in which it is established cannot be otherwise than of a beneficent
character . They are well aware , too , how often the purposes of Freemasonry are deliberately and disingenuously misrepresented , how frequently it is aspersed and how desirable it is , in the interests of truth at least , that such aspersion should be calmly and dispassionately resented .
They bear in mind the saying that " it you throw mud enough , some of it will stick . " Many unjust people who are entirely without knowledge of the designs of Freemasonry , who hate us because they do not understand us , and who would rejoice in nothing so much as the downfall
of our Society—this class of persons is never weary of assailing ns . There is no end to the charges they bring against us . The greater the outrage they commit against decency and common sense , the better pleased are they with their dirty work . Naturally , there are plenty of
simple-minded people who , on the principle there is no smoke without fire , imagine there mnst be a certain amount of truth in charges so persistently made under these circumstances . One of two courses is open to us , as to other folk . Either , we may wrap ourselves up in onr our own
virtue aud , stifling the indignation we cannot but feel , say nothing . Or , we may meet these groundless assaults of a malignant enemy , by fair and patient argument , with the view of showing how silly as well as how wicked are these persistent attacks upon Freemasonry . The latter is the
view which eminent Craftsmen have adopted . They consider , as we have said , that , in the interests of truth , the aspersions so unfairly directed against us should be resented calmly and dispassionately . Hence have sprung into existence in various parts of the United States ancl
elsewhere a number of Masonic periodicals , the raison d ' etre of which we take to be twofold . They have been established , in the first place , for the purpose of enlightening the world generally as to the true nature and aims of Freemasonry , so that people may not run away with the idea
that these latter are in any wise baneful . In the second place , they are designed to promote Craft interests , by encouraging among members a healthy study of our history and laws , by enjoining on them on all occasions a steady adherence to the principles they profess , and by advising ,
in all cases of doubt and difficulty , what , in the interests of the Craft , is the best policy to pursue . Other minor purposes there may have been in the case of different journals . We think , however , what we have said fairly enough describes the two most important objects of a Masonic
press—to enlighten the world generally and Craftsmen in particular , by showing , the former , what we are and what we are not , and the latter , what knowledge they should posssess , and what duties they should fulfil . Ordinarily , a press established to perform such useful offices finds
A Few Notes On Masonic Journalism.
liberal encouragement from the body whose interests it is so eager to promote . But though . Freemasons are falsely charged with many shortcomings , and the commission of many high crimes and misdemeanours , we fear there is much in the accusation we have more than
once heard brought against them—that they are a peculiar people . They have no objection to organs of the press being started with a view to protect and promote their interests . They will read the articles that are written in their behalf , and oftentimes feel highly flattered at the enloo-istic
terms m which they and their principles are spoken of . They are thankful when they find their favourite magazine or journal well filled with readable historic or biographical sketches , setting forth , in the case of the former , the cir . enmstanecs under which Freemasonry , in this or that
country , achieved some brilliant success , in the latter , tho leading events in the life of some distinguished Craftsman of the past or present day . They are pleased when they read a sensible , Avell-balanced argument in favour of this or that Masonic doctrine , or of the course that must be
pursued in certain contingencies . Short Masonic talcs , bo they evolved from the brain of some Masonic romancist , or based on the occurrences of actual life , delight them . But
above and beyond all things are they gratified when they find their own names recorded in black ancl white , it may be , perhaps , as having rendered some substantial service , or fulfilled with more than usual eclat some difficult Masonio
duty , or it may be , perchance , having merely been present on a certain evening in a certain Lodge , ancl having subsequently partaken of the usual banquet . It comes , likewise , occasionally within the experience of every Masonic journalist that there are many Craftsmen who are by no means
indifferent to the services a Masonic journal may render them on sundry occasions . We have not in onr mind the promotion of mere personal interests so much as the help which an occasional line or two of editorial support contributes in furtherance of this or that idea , of tin ' s or that
project . Such brethren are sensible that a kindl y utterance in the columns of a Craft organ is no hindrance , but a help rather , to tbe cause tbey have at heart . They seek this aid occasionally , and occasionally it is rendered—we
may be sure , with no ungrudging spirit , if the cause may legitimatel y be supported . But while brethren are willing enough to read and express their admiration , while they dwell with infinite relish on all announcements which
include mention of their names and achievements , while tbey are willing enough to seek our aid whenever they think wo may be of service ; still , when the important question is raised , will they accord us their support iu the arduous task we have undertaken , will they enrol themselves in our
subscription list , will they "shell-out —as the slang phrase hath it—the few shillings per quarter or per annum at which we appraise our services , then they fight shy of us . There is some hesitation in the response they make . They see it at their club , or their Loch' -e takes it . Their list of
newspapers and periodicals is full at that particular moment , bat when there is a vacancy they will bear us in mind . Or they will see about it , and let us know the next time they meet us . Are we not right in describing a very numerous section of the Brotherhood as peculiar people ?
They are quite willing to read a Masonio paper , quite willing to speak of it in terms of praise , quite prepared on all occasions to seek its aid , and quite willing to accept sneb
aid if the paper is prepared to render it . There , however , we come to a fall stop . We seek their assistance , and it is withheld or denied us on the first flimsy pretence that may occur to them at the moment .