It Is A Neglected Duty?

IT IS A NEGLECTED DUTY ?

FROM time to time there have appeared earnest suggestions to the brethren of tbe jurisdiction of Pennsylvania to take an interest in the development of intellectual Masonry . It has leen suggested that physical Masonry falls far short of the aim of those who feel the

need of enlightened study of the philosophy of both the symbology and esotericism of Speculative Freemasonry . To create a taste for the study of these inherent characteristics of the ancient and honourable Fraternity is by no means either difficult or unpromising .

To begin ia the first effort . To begin can only be accomplished by the recognised need of action in this enterprise . Once it is made manifest that to delay effort ia failure , then a strong influence originates in intelligent minds to avoid failure . Thus the start is assured . When

it is known to some of the Fraternity tbat these subjects are receiving attention , if only two or three are excited to favour the plan proposed , a moral force is created that will tend to accelerate its growth . Whatever the proposition may be that these two or

three seem to regard with favour , the consideration givon to it will so amend , improve and vitalise it , that failure is left behind . Once set in motion , the momentum is created that will be felt as a si gn of success . It will carry the approved proposition , or plan , or method , out of the reach

of failure . The single purpose which should alone be the aim of those so about to undertake to develop intellectual Masonry ought to be to collect tho relics of the past , the

books , writings , pamphlets , records of Lodges , histories of events , evidenco of forgotten facts , thoughts and opinions of the sages and teachers of the past generation of the brethren .

It is a sorrowful statement , made by the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Library Committee , that what may be called neglect is the most visible sign of the dut y intended to be devolved on it . It is hardly to be believed that the oldest Grand Lodge in the United States is so far behind even in

the literature of the Craft and its suitable arrangement as the Grand Lodge Library shows on inspection . No one is censurable . No one can be justl y complained of , no one is answerable for this sad condition of the Masonic Library in the Grand Lodge Temple . It is the fault of the brethren

of the Grand Lodge . They have not felt , or manifested any special interest in the subject . Why ? It is because tbey lack the intelligence of men in other societies who do devote time to the higher development of taste and culture , and an ambition to originate the intellectual efforts that

are so important for preservation of the character of these societies ? Let some of the members of the Grand Lodge see to ifc that Grand Lodge takes affirmative and practical action to make the Library what it should be , and what is expected of the ancient Craft of Pennsylvania . Is the

Masonic mind of the Crafb in Pennsylvania unimpressibie ? Is it to be said that there are no Pennsylvania Masons who are capable and willing to do what is necessary to put the intelligence of the Craft on its proper basis ? Must it be a reproach to Pennsylvania that it takes no interest in the

subject of historical research as to the past of its Grand Lodge ? Is the advance from the condition of Masonry one hundred years ago to its present wonderful position in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania unworthy of study , examination , investigation and elucidation ?

Is research in Pennsylvania predestined to failure ? It is the past of Freemasonry that makes the present Freemasonry . The Fraternity of to-day owes its life and strength , its landmarks and its jurisprudence to the past ages . A well-appointed library containing all that has

been known and preserved from the aforetime , always ready for the nse of the Masonic student , is the absolute necessity of this age . The fact of the present is the growth of the past , as the harvest of this season comes from the seed of the last .

Brethren who are aroused to tho need of effort may meet in connection with the Library Committee to secure instruction , light and knowledge , and thus begin to prepare the way for securing the benefits that such efforts promise .

The condition of the Grand Lodge Library is the result of oversight or indifference of the Craft . The Fraternity in Pennsylvania owes it to its history and its future to a perfect remedy . Begin the work of earnest consideration of what is needed . Take a practical view of what ia

It Is A Neglected Duty?

required to be done . Make a statement to tho Right Worshipful Grand Master of the necessity and the best method to supply the means that are required . Once the Grand Lodge is informed of what is the safest , surest , most economic plan to put the Masonic Library in a condition equal

to the requirements and the character of the brethren of the Grand Lodge , it will never delay the consideration that is due to this important subject . There are young Grand Lodges that have made significant demonstrations of the most active zeal on this subject . Pennsylvania must not lag behind . —Keystone .

The combined meetings of the General Committee of Grand Lodge and the Board of Benevolence were held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall , when the former of whose business paper for the next Quarterly Communication was read . Brother Robert Grey

President of the Board of Benevolence , Bro . James Brett Senior Vice-President , and Bro . C . A . Cottebrune Junior Vice-President were in their usual places . Bros . Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary , A . A . Pendlebury Assistant Grand Secretary , W . Dodd , and W . H . Lee represented

Grand Secretary ' s office ; and there were also a very laTge muster of brethren . Bro . Robert Grey , before business commenced , said that although there was an unusually long list of cases before the Board , he was sure it would be the feeling of all tbe brethren present that this Board

should heartily congratulate Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , Patroness of the Order , on that day completing the 74 fch year of her age . Long might she live to reign in happiness and prosperity over this vast Empire . The Board first confirmed recommendations made to the Grand

Master at the April meeting , to the amount of # 540 . There were fifty-four cases on the new list . These were qualified through Lodges in the London district , and at Ipswich , Cowes , Sandown , Southport , Hawick , Poole , Calcutta , Jersey , Stow-on-the-Wold , Chipping Sodbury ,

Lostwithiel , Gravesend , Stowmarket , Middlesborough , Battle , Plymouth , St . Day , Blytb , Meltham , Hereford , Wakefield , Newbury , Welshpool , Birmingham , Ramsgate , Windsor , Dover , Stan more , Liverpool , Cambridge , Gloucester , Ewoll , Constantinople , and Bourne . In the course

of a five hours' sitting seven of these were deferred for further information and four were dismissed . The remainder were relieved with a total of £ 1 , 015 . This sum was composed of one recommendation to Grand Lodge of

£ 100 , and one of £ 50 . There were four recommendations to the Grand Master of £ 40 each , and nine of £ 30 each . Fifteen petitioners were relieved with £ 20 each , three with £ 15 each , eight with £ 10 each , and two with £ 5 each .

A new Royal Arch Chapter is to be consecrated at Guildford , on the 30 th inst . Comp . Col . G . Noel Money Grand Superintendent of Surrey , and his principal Officers , will perform the ceremony .

Tho installation meeting of the Vale of Brislington Lodge , No . 1206 , was held on Wednesday , the 24 th inst ., at the White Hart Inn , Brislington , when Bro . C . J . Hill was duly installed Worshipful Master for the next twelve months .

The consecration of a Chapter at Frome took place on Thursday , tho 25 th inst ., when the ceremony was ably performed by the Prov . Grand Superintendent of Somerset , Comp . R . C . Else , assisted by his Officers . Wo shall give a report of this meeting in our next issue .

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Tho admirable properties of these far-fumed Pills are too highly appreciated to recmjre any enconium here , as thoy are resorted to by rich and poor of every nation . The cures they effect aro not temporary or imperfect bat they bring about a marvellous and most beneficial change throughout the ontiro body , and enable it with renovated powers to resist the approach of all future attacks .