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Article FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 2 Article FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 2 →
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First Impressions Of Freemasonry.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF FREEMASONRY .
TO the uninitiated Masonry is clothed with a mystery both dark and fascinating . It is doubtful whether about any other institution there lingers so much that bears upon it the badge of secrecy . As one afterward learns this
need not necessarily be the case , but ot tho fact there can be little doubt . Outside of the Lodge-room vory little is known of the workings of tho Craft . When one therefore who is
" worthy and well-qualified " knocks for admission afc the door of the Lodge his mind is generally filled with vague and indefinite ideas as to what is to follow . Such at least was the condition of the chronicler of these lines .
In his family there was a tradition that his grandfather had held an honoured place in Masonry , and his father was likewise a member of the Craft . Theso facts removed the
prejudice which exists in the minds of some against the Order ; but their influence was of a negative sort , they shed no light upon the revelations of the Lodge-room . With some trepidation therefore , mixed with curiosity , the
chronicler appeared in tho role of candidate , and took his p lace in the ante-room . The Tyler , a veteran of mauy years Masonic experiences , one whoso memory ran back to " Morgan times , " had a few jocular remarks concerning the
untried realms upon which we were about to enter , and some serious ones concerning the satisfaction which he had received from his Masonic connection . Just , as he was becoming interesting the J . S . appeared upon the scene , ancl
the kind-hearted Tyler resigned us to our fate . The request of tbe J . S ., mildly made , was rather startling but it was complied with , ancl once " divested " of that with which we were afterward " invested , " some merriment was
indulged in by myself ancl tho two companions who were to share with me in the coming experiences . Soon came the ominous knock from within the Lodge ancl we were " admitted in clue form . " Placed as wo were , of course our
sense of mystery for the hrst few moments wan only deepened . To walk about in a darkened room and a strange one , does not conduce to a feeling of security . Not until we were allowed to " see lig ht " were AVC in a condition to
appreciate our surroundings or feel at all afc ease . As the initiation ceremony proceeded the dread wifch which it was entered upon passed away . We realised that we wore taking part in a serious service , and endeavoured to
participate in its spirit . One after another the different parts of the E . A . degree were gone through ancl at its close when the lecture was given their significance was made
apparent . Our first impression of Masonry was a favourable one , and we wont out of the Lodge-room glad that our name was to be numbered on the honoured list of those who have been fellow-workers in the Craft . Wc can best
indicate the features of the Lodge that pleased us on our first acquaintance if we make a summary of them . In the same connection to mention a few things that detract may not be out of place .
The arrangement of the Lodge impressed us favourably . The Worship ful Master in the East , his complement of officers at their respective stations , the altar with the open
Bible upon it in the centre of the Lodge , the lights , the decorations , all were in good taste and conduced to order and decorum . Tlie members seated in the form of a square make confusion and disorder almost impossible .
It is hard to think of any arrangement for a meeting room which in its external features would prove superior to the Lodge-room . One only has to recall other bodies with their hap-hazard method of seating , their lack of system
and order , to see the advantage accruing to Masonry from the care given to the arrangement of that which is external . A second feature thafc proved impressive to the writer was the body of men that constitute the Lodge . Here are
found the old man with whitened locks , and the beardless youth . Here sit on a common level the scholar , the mechanic , the clay labourer . The question that rose involuntarily upon the lips as the si ght was witnessed
was—Where else could be found so representative a body ? What else could unite so many ancl such varied men ? We confess it with pride that a glow of satisfaction came over us as we walked about the Lodge-room , and saw the number
ancl character of the men present . We have witnessed representative bodies of men serving in various capacities , but have found nothing to so thrill us as a well filled Lodge engaging unitedly in the work of the Order . In connection with the thought that the Lodge drew together many men
First Impressions Of Freemasonry.
of many minds , came the other that these men into whose midst the candidate is ushered are to bo known hencefoi'th as brothers . Faces that for a long time have been familiar upon the street have now a new meaning added to them .
Men whom one has only known distantly will hereafter be friends , those whose hands it will be a pleasure to grasp , in whoso welfare an interest is awakened . This , as we reflect
upon it , was one of the most pleasant of the " first impressions . " The feeling thrilled us that all who had taken a similar obligation were henceforth bound to us wifch ties of
interest and affection . Ihey were no longer strangers but brothers , seeking with ns common ends and pledged to mutual hel pfulness . Nothing is better than sympathy . Nothing diviner than " heaven-born charity . " As the newcomer in the Lodere looks into tbe faces of those about him
these are the graces he sees , or should see reflected . Once more the ritual of the Order made a favourable impression , Its whole tone is solemn ancl reverential . One feels that Masonry is indeed grounded upon reli gion , that those who instituted it were men of deep conviction and serious
purpose . The furthest removed from all that is flippant and irreligious is our beloved Order . The first question that it puts to all who seek admission to it is an index of its
character . God : Whoever does not believe in Him , whoever does nofc desire to learn His ways , as made manifest in fche outward Avorld , has no place in a Lodge-room . And
should by some misfortune such an one press within its precincts , ere he has made bat little progress the work of the Craft will become wearisome .
Both a bore and a farce will be all that he hears and engages in . To the reverent soul , on the other hand , to one filled with awe at God ' s manifestation of himself in nature , Masonry " speaks a varied language . " Moro and
more as she is studied will the profound wisdom of her founders be appreciated ancl the Great Architect of the Universe be understood . No greater error can ministers of religion cherish than that Masonry is their enemy . She is
their all y aud friend . She reaches a class that they find hard to draw within their churches , and , if truly administered , prepares the ground into which they can afterward sow good seed .
Let all who mourn over the indifference of men toward God be thankful that such an agency as the Lodge has existence . In its way it is one of fche strongest bulwarks of
religion . For various reasons , whicb need not be mentioned here , this fact was not the least of those which made my first impressions of Masonry most favourable .
It remains forme , iu conclusion , to point out one or two of the detracting features associated with my entrance to the Lodgo . I name first the slovenly way in which some officers performed their part . If anything requires
precision and tbo martial spirit , ifc is the manner in which the work of the Order is performed . Participants , therefore , who walk about the room with a slouch y gait , who mumble over their only half-learned parts , who show ignorance ,
carelessness , incompetence in their every movement , are most offensive . The Lodge where I took my degrees possessed a number of such spiritless officers , and future
observation has shown me thafc its case was nofc exceptional . It only requires two or three incompetents to mar and spoil the whole work , and from all such every order-loving Mason should pray , " Good Lord , deliver us . "
Another source of annoyance was the lack of appreciation on the part of some of the members of the Lodge . It is undoubtedly a fact that not a few who take the degrees fail to enter into their spirit . Naturall y enough these in
turn become poor material to induct a candidate into the principles of the Order . Only as one appreciates the genius of Masonry can he impart it , and the fact that many fail to catch its import renders them indifferent and careless while the ceremony of initiation is being performed .
Unless all present participate heartily with the W . M . and his officers in the work , much of its beauty aud force is lost . In many Lodges there could be great improvement in this direction . There ought to be a sympathetic interest on the part of all present in what is being done .
Finally , a candidate ' s opinion of Masonry is not aided where a spirit of levity prevails while the work is being performed . Too serious are the considerations presented to his mind to have them mixed with " fun , " without a great
loss in every way . While the Creator ' s name is being taken upon the lips , to have some member or members engaging in a frolic , even though a mild one , means to shock the candidate ' s sense of the fitness of things . At any rate
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
First Impressions Of Freemasonry.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF FREEMASONRY .
TO the uninitiated Masonry is clothed with a mystery both dark and fascinating . It is doubtful whether about any other institution there lingers so much that bears upon it the badge of secrecy . As one afterward learns this
need not necessarily be the case , but ot tho fact there can be little doubt . Outside of the Lodge-room vory little is known of the workings of tho Craft . When one therefore who is
" worthy and well-qualified " knocks for admission afc the door of the Lodge his mind is generally filled with vague and indefinite ideas as to what is to follow . Such at least was the condition of the chronicler of these lines .
In his family there was a tradition that his grandfather had held an honoured place in Masonry , and his father was likewise a member of the Craft . Theso facts removed the
prejudice which exists in the minds of some against the Order ; but their influence was of a negative sort , they shed no light upon the revelations of the Lodge-room . With some trepidation therefore , mixed with curiosity , the
chronicler appeared in tho role of candidate , and took his p lace in the ante-room . The Tyler , a veteran of mauy years Masonic experiences , one whoso memory ran back to " Morgan times , " had a few jocular remarks concerning the
untried realms upon which we were about to enter , and some serious ones concerning the satisfaction which he had received from his Masonic connection . Just , as he was becoming interesting the J . S . appeared upon the scene , ancl
the kind-hearted Tyler resigned us to our fate . The request of tbe J . S ., mildly made , was rather startling but it was complied with , ancl once " divested " of that with which we were afterward " invested , " some merriment was
indulged in by myself ancl tho two companions who were to share with me in the coming experiences . Soon came the ominous knock from within the Lodge ancl we were " admitted in clue form . " Placed as wo were , of course our
sense of mystery for the hrst few moments wan only deepened . To walk about in a darkened room and a strange one , does not conduce to a feeling of security . Not until we were allowed to " see lig ht " were AVC in a condition to
appreciate our surroundings or feel at all afc ease . As the initiation ceremony proceeded the dread wifch which it was entered upon passed away . We realised that we wore taking part in a serious service , and endeavoured to
participate in its spirit . One after another the different parts of the E . A . degree were gone through ancl at its close when the lecture was given their significance was made
apparent . Our first impression of Masonry was a favourable one , and we wont out of the Lodge-room glad that our name was to be numbered on the honoured list of those who have been fellow-workers in the Craft . Wc can best
indicate the features of the Lodge that pleased us on our first acquaintance if we make a summary of them . In the same connection to mention a few things that detract may not be out of place .
The arrangement of the Lodge impressed us favourably . The Worship ful Master in the East , his complement of officers at their respective stations , the altar with the open
Bible upon it in the centre of the Lodge , the lights , the decorations , all were in good taste and conduced to order and decorum . Tlie members seated in the form of a square make confusion and disorder almost impossible .
It is hard to think of any arrangement for a meeting room which in its external features would prove superior to the Lodge-room . One only has to recall other bodies with their hap-hazard method of seating , their lack of system
and order , to see the advantage accruing to Masonry from the care given to the arrangement of that which is external . A second feature thafc proved impressive to the writer was the body of men that constitute the Lodge . Here are
found the old man with whitened locks , and the beardless youth . Here sit on a common level the scholar , the mechanic , the clay labourer . The question that rose involuntarily upon the lips as the si ght was witnessed
was—Where else could be found so representative a body ? What else could unite so many ancl such varied men ? We confess it with pride that a glow of satisfaction came over us as we walked about the Lodge-room , and saw the number
ancl character of the men present . We have witnessed representative bodies of men serving in various capacities , but have found nothing to so thrill us as a well filled Lodge engaging unitedly in the work of the Order . In connection with the thought that the Lodge drew together many men
First Impressions Of Freemasonry.
of many minds , came the other that these men into whose midst the candidate is ushered are to bo known hencefoi'th as brothers . Faces that for a long time have been familiar upon the street have now a new meaning added to them .
Men whom one has only known distantly will hereafter be friends , those whose hands it will be a pleasure to grasp , in whoso welfare an interest is awakened . This , as we reflect
upon it , was one of the most pleasant of the " first impressions . " The feeling thrilled us that all who had taken a similar obligation were henceforth bound to us wifch ties of
interest and affection . Ihey were no longer strangers but brothers , seeking with ns common ends and pledged to mutual hel pfulness . Nothing is better than sympathy . Nothing diviner than " heaven-born charity . " As the newcomer in the Lodere looks into tbe faces of those about him
these are the graces he sees , or should see reflected . Once more the ritual of the Order made a favourable impression , Its whole tone is solemn ancl reverential . One feels that Masonry is indeed grounded upon reli gion , that those who instituted it were men of deep conviction and serious
purpose . The furthest removed from all that is flippant and irreligious is our beloved Order . The first question that it puts to all who seek admission to it is an index of its
character . God : Whoever does not believe in Him , whoever does nofc desire to learn His ways , as made manifest in fche outward Avorld , has no place in a Lodge-room . And
should by some misfortune such an one press within its precincts , ere he has made bat little progress the work of the Craft will become wearisome .
Both a bore and a farce will be all that he hears and engages in . To the reverent soul , on the other hand , to one filled with awe at God ' s manifestation of himself in nature , Masonry " speaks a varied language . " Moro and
more as she is studied will the profound wisdom of her founders be appreciated ancl the Great Architect of the Universe be understood . No greater error can ministers of religion cherish than that Masonry is their enemy . She is
their all y aud friend . She reaches a class that they find hard to draw within their churches , and , if truly administered , prepares the ground into which they can afterward sow good seed .
Let all who mourn over the indifference of men toward God be thankful that such an agency as the Lodge has existence . In its way it is one of fche strongest bulwarks of
religion . For various reasons , whicb need not be mentioned here , this fact was not the least of those which made my first impressions of Masonry most favourable .
It remains forme , iu conclusion , to point out one or two of the detracting features associated with my entrance to the Lodgo . I name first the slovenly way in which some officers performed their part . If anything requires
precision and tbo martial spirit , ifc is the manner in which the work of the Order is performed . Participants , therefore , who walk about the room with a slouch y gait , who mumble over their only half-learned parts , who show ignorance ,
carelessness , incompetence in their every movement , are most offensive . The Lodge where I took my degrees possessed a number of such spiritless officers , and future
observation has shown me thafc its case was nofc exceptional . It only requires two or three incompetents to mar and spoil the whole work , and from all such every order-loving Mason should pray , " Good Lord , deliver us . "
Another source of annoyance was the lack of appreciation on the part of some of the members of the Lodge . It is undoubtedly a fact that not a few who take the degrees fail to enter into their spirit . Naturall y enough these in
turn become poor material to induct a candidate into the principles of the Order . Only as one appreciates the genius of Masonry can he impart it , and the fact that many fail to catch its import renders them indifferent and careless while the ceremony of initiation is being performed .
Unless all present participate heartily with the W . M . and his officers in the work , much of its beauty aud force is lost . In many Lodges there could be great improvement in this direction . There ought to be a sympathetic interest on the part of all present in what is being done .
Finally , a candidate ' s opinion of Masonry is not aided where a spirit of levity prevails while the work is being performed . Too serious are the considerations presented to his mind to have them mixed with " fun , " without a great
loss in every way . While the Creator ' s name is being taken upon the lips , to have some member or members engaging in a frolic , even though a mild one , means to shock the candidate ' s sense of the fitness of things . At any rate