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Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article AMERICAN FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article AMERICAN FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article THE UNITED STATES AND MASONIC CHARITY. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name anl address of the "Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .
THE SACREDNESS OP THE BALLOT .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAK SIR AND BROTHER , —Yon deserve the thanks of tho Masonic community for yonr article on tho above subject last week . The ballot is nothing , if not secret , and less than nothing , if its secrecy is not sacredly observed . It is not in your columns that I or any one else would venture to discuss tho comparative merits of secret and
open voting in parliamentary and other elections of public interest ; nor , do I feel assured , would yon permit mo to do so if I were so disposed . But in Masonry , aa in clubs , the ballot is the only possible mode for electing candidates for admission , and it is so for this very reason , that it is presumed to be secret . What , for instance , would be my feelings , or yours , dear Sir and Brother , if on admission to a
Lodge or club , you or I sat next to one who had done his " possible " to keep us out ? As I trust we aro both possessed of common sense , wo should probably say to ourselves that he was acting within his right , bnt shonld we be disposed to fraternise with him ? Would there be no constraint in our intercourse , he boing rendered uncomfortable because he had blackballed us , and wo because we had been
blackballed by him ? On the other hand , and assuming , as I have a right to do , thafc the secrecy of the ballot is preserved , I may , in utter ignorance of his having voted against me , sit next to a man or brother , and chat with him unconstrainedly . We can talk together on general and particular subjects , and , it may so happen , amuse , if not interest , each other . We are , in fact , socially and Masonically ,
on a level , and it never occurs to either to dream of the black ball that was oast by one against the other . Many years ago I was a member of my college discussion society . I had been a member for two years , and had twice been elected to fill ono of the vice-president ' s chairs—a position about corresponding with that of a Warden . My term of study was coming to an end , and , in accordance with
custom , I was proposed as an honorary member . I was present when the ballot took place , and though I was elected , there was one black ball against some twenty or five-and-twenty white . I should havo preferred , very naturally , a unanimous election , but if the ballot was a reality , not a sham , my intercourse , during the brief remainder
of my stay at the college , was just as cordial as ever . So in a Club , Society , or Lodge , no one need have his mind disturbed by a black ball as long as he remains in ignorance of who cast it . But if the secret is allowed to ooze out , it is not in human nature for anyone to be on as comfortable terms with the man who voted against as with those who voted for him .
What , however , I should like to see is , some practical result from your sensible article . Why , for instance , is tho case which formed its text not brought officially under the notice of the Board of General Purposes with a view to its being reported in Grand Lodge . The facts , as they have been openly stated in a Court of Law are public property , aud ifc seems to me the Board of General Purposes will be
conniving at a violation of Masonic law if they do not take cognisance of them and deal with them on their merits . It was the judge ' s suggestion that the case should have been submitted to a Masonic tribunal . There is a Masonic tribunal which is competent to try it , and why , therefore , is not the Lodge , in which occurred the practices which have been made the subject of a legal plaint , called upon to
furnish such explanations as may be thought desirable , so that if it is too late to take action in this particular case , further troubles of a similar character may be prevented ? What with the great experience of Bro . Sir John B . Monckton and the legal acumen of Bro . Mclntyre , it ought nofc to be an impossibility to pnt a stop to these miserable squabbles which do so much harm to our Society .
I do hope some notice of this matter will bo taken , so that it may not in future be in the power of an ignorant , incapable , or too impetuous brother to bring Freemasonry into bad odour with the public , or hold ifc up to public vindicate . I may have written strongly , but I feel strongly , while I have done my best to avoid saying anything that could be regarded as of a personal , instead of a general , character . I remain , yours , Dear Sir and Brother , Sl'ONTE SUA .
American Freemasonry.
AMERICAN FREEMASONRY .
To tlie Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CIIRONICXI ; . Truro , 23 rd August 1880 . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am sorry again to ask for a little space in the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , so as to explain my position re American Freemasonry . 1 . My desiro in 1875 , when taking exception to portions of your article on that subject , was to prove that somo Grand Lodges in tho
United States were not open to your severe remarks , whereas l-frcely grant others may be . The article , however , did not select any of the many Grand Lodges for rebuke , nor wero any excepted from the friendl y castigation . Ifc was on this ground , and this ground alone , thafc I wrote the short reply . Boing so connected with the Grand L . of Pennsylvania , and knowing that body , and some others , were not reall y to be blamed , I simply sounded the reveille , aud having entered an appearance on behalf of onr American Brethren naturally felt it
American Freemasonry.
was lor thorn to debate tho subject , ami accep .. m- reject by fair argument the assertions made . 2 . Strange to say I , have nor seen any . m-iwer i-. > your article , from that day to this , by any of our friends in Anno : < - ; i . 3 . I havo not seen Bro . Mo i / v's . l / esoe / V . !/¦ .. > . : . ' . ' , but . our brother is an able well-informed writer , and ought , and doubtless dons , know well about what he writes . 1 sent him s one printed - eouphlots as to our noble Masonic Oliavifies .
4 . Brother " BRITON " evidently a ' so is at ho . no on the subject , und many of his remarks app ly with special f ' evo io sonic of flic Grand Fjodgos in question , but I slill mninbvn Inn ol -jo . > i i on to tho Grand Lodges generally arc too indiscriininat-, and not appreciative of the good accomplished by many . I s'n - 'uM liko " more proei-in information , " as does Brother ' •' BRITON ' , " bid no" having it , explains why I
have not said more . Tily remarks wero simple intend .-d io exclude those about which 1 had information IVoip the general criticism . Bro . ' •' BRITON" kindly gives me ercdii for oorroeibALnsouie feeling as to my notice of Masonic Relief . I . < snri , i'in .-, ; -.. T do not . care for them , or any su-h . It appears , however , that some brethren will provide for " a rainy day , " or for thoir wives and families , when such societies
are nnder tho nominal wing of ihe fh-ai ' , and as if , is better for thorn to do thafc way , than , < "t at all , perhaps , ifc is as well to let them alone , especially as they fend lo render charity less needful , and certainly " so far so good . " 'I-. Tho enqniry is a very largo one , and a , den I has to bo considerod , ib being simply impossible to attend to tho many details in
a hurriedly written letter . As liro . ' -BRITON" pevnts out , there is the " mileage" expense , and also other payments peculiar to tho Grand Lodges in tho United States . All these points fail to be considered , and also how much the private Lodges do out of their own funds to relievo the wants of thoir necessitous members , aud strangers . In tho latter re-peci ; it has often surprised mo to find
how much has boon paid by individual Lodges to tho widows ( and families ) of English brethren , who , in thoir destitution , havo asked the aid of their husbands' brethren , and who have boon sent back to this country free of expense , their husbands buried , and all needful wants responded to .
5 . Finally let me say , that having now dono my part , to represent our American brethren ad interim , T shall not again trouble you on the subject , feeling assured that tho Craft iu America can furnish advocates able to do them justice , and if thoy do not , then the trial must bo lost "by default . " Yonrs fraternally , WinuA-t J . HUGIIAN .
The United States And Masonic Charity.
THE UNITED STATES AND MASONIC CHARITY .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CiruoN-icr . i :. DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho extract from fcho Masonic . Advocate in your last week ' s number comes most opportunely , showing , as it does , from another aud independent source , that the views von expressed in your very first number as to one or tho idio-vncrasie ' -. of American Masonry find supporters in tho United Si ales , if not in fcbis country .
For instance , the statement "that the Grand Lodge of Indiana has deemed ifc advisable io adjourn for two years on neconni of the enormous expense attendant upon tho annual gathering of Grand Lodge" is evidence of the fact that a very considerable - portion of the funds of Grand Lodgo is expended on fho fulfilm mfc of what in this country is held to be a duty . To put tho matter in a moro
practical form . The Grand Ledge of Indiana defrays tho expenses of those brethren who attend its gatherings ; iu England brethren from a distance who attend tho Quarterly Communications of Grand Lodge pay their own travelling expenses . Again , as regards the Grand Lodge of New York , tho same journal speaks of tho mileage and per diem expenses being paid out of its funds , and thafc recently
ifc has made a move m the direction of curtailing thorn , at least so far as Past Grand Officers are concerned . X :, w , if in the case of these and other Grand Lodges where similar expenses are allowed , the whole system were knocked on the head , there would at onco be a handsome fund at the disposal of each Grand Lodge for purposes of Benevolence , and there would no longer bo tho same ground of
complaint as exists now , that , whilo tho receipts aro considerable , the moneys available for charitable dispensation aro tho reverse . As for other of the ideas set forth in the samo article , I do not agree with them . If any one joins Masonry in the belief that he is joining a kind of benefit society , the sooner , I think , he is dispossessed of that idea , the better . It he is desirous of makim- ono of a
nnmber of people who subscribe so much periodically toward : * a sick fund , so that , when he is prevented , by illness from following his busines 3 , hemaybcin receipt of a periodical money allowance , there avo doubtless- in tho United States , as in England , many such societies open to him , many , indeed , thafc will be only too glad , to receive hia contributions and those of as many others as may be willing to join .
No ono would be so silly as to decry those socio' ins , bur . tlie / have no single feature iu common with Freemasonry . Tlieve . ve , e ; i < n ! d last week , a kind of Limited Liability Association the tno . nbors of which aro entitled to receive certain benefits iu return . " or e . nt . bn . payments . Bnfc no one who is actuated by lust motives in entering tho ranks of Freemasonry expects to derive any advantage from h ' .- u-bsevitifious .
He is presumed to Oo iu reputable circum :: ; an"os , v / Heli expression is meant to convoy the idea , not only ihar lie : ' - ; n , m in of ge . od moral -hnracter , bnfc likewise that bo is , pvoi ' e : ; iomilly i ;> - ui ' -or-viso , inn Position to support liim = elf and his family—if ho has any—in a reputable manner . There is before him . as there , is before a , ! j of ns the
contingency that misfoifnuo may over'ako him , and In- ma-r fall from a , state of comparative ntHum-cc into a . slate cf di'oon . H . y or ¦ ven absolute want . Then it is lliafc Mennry sj-op-j ; nnd helps him b'he has proved himself worthy of such help . If ho is out off suddenly and before he has been able to make provision for hi . ) family , the Fund of Benevolence , after due inquiry , will vote him a "rant of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name anl address of the "Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .
THE SACREDNESS OP THE BALLOT .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAK SIR AND BROTHER , —Yon deserve the thanks of tho Masonic community for yonr article on tho above subject last week . The ballot is nothing , if not secret , and less than nothing , if its secrecy is not sacredly observed . It is not in your columns that I or any one else would venture to discuss tho comparative merits of secret and
open voting in parliamentary and other elections of public interest ; nor , do I feel assured , would yon permit mo to do so if I were so disposed . But in Masonry , aa in clubs , the ballot is the only possible mode for electing candidates for admission , and it is so for this very reason , that it is presumed to be secret . What , for instance , would be my feelings , or yours , dear Sir and Brother , if on admission to a
Lodge or club , you or I sat next to one who had done his " possible " to keep us out ? As I trust we aro both possessed of common sense , wo should probably say to ourselves that he was acting within his right , bnt shonld we be disposed to fraternise with him ? Would there be no constraint in our intercourse , he boing rendered uncomfortable because he had blackballed us , and wo because we had been
blackballed by him ? On the other hand , and assuming , as I have a right to do , thafc the secrecy of the ballot is preserved , I may , in utter ignorance of his having voted against me , sit next to a man or brother , and chat with him unconstrainedly . We can talk together on general and particular subjects , and , it may so happen , amuse , if not interest , each other . We are , in fact , socially and Masonically ,
on a level , and it never occurs to either to dream of the black ball that was oast by one against the other . Many years ago I was a member of my college discussion society . I had been a member for two years , and had twice been elected to fill ono of the vice-president ' s chairs—a position about corresponding with that of a Warden . My term of study was coming to an end , and , in accordance with
custom , I was proposed as an honorary member . I was present when the ballot took place , and though I was elected , there was one black ball against some twenty or five-and-twenty white . I should havo preferred , very naturally , a unanimous election , but if the ballot was a reality , not a sham , my intercourse , during the brief remainder
of my stay at the college , was just as cordial as ever . So in a Club , Society , or Lodge , no one need have his mind disturbed by a black ball as long as he remains in ignorance of who cast it . But if the secret is allowed to ooze out , it is not in human nature for anyone to be on as comfortable terms with the man who voted against as with those who voted for him .
What , however , I should like to see is , some practical result from your sensible article . Why , for instance , is tho case which formed its text not brought officially under the notice of the Board of General Purposes with a view to its being reported in Grand Lodge . The facts , as they have been openly stated in a Court of Law are public property , aud ifc seems to me the Board of General Purposes will be
conniving at a violation of Masonic law if they do not take cognisance of them and deal with them on their merits . It was the judge ' s suggestion that the case should have been submitted to a Masonic tribunal . There is a Masonic tribunal which is competent to try it , and why , therefore , is not the Lodge , in which occurred the practices which have been made the subject of a legal plaint , called upon to
furnish such explanations as may be thought desirable , so that if it is too late to take action in this particular case , further troubles of a similar character may be prevented ? What with the great experience of Bro . Sir John B . Monckton and the legal acumen of Bro . Mclntyre , it ought nofc to be an impossibility to pnt a stop to these miserable squabbles which do so much harm to our Society .
I do hope some notice of this matter will bo taken , so that it may not in future be in the power of an ignorant , incapable , or too impetuous brother to bring Freemasonry into bad odour with the public , or hold ifc up to public vindicate . I may have written strongly , but I feel strongly , while I have done my best to avoid saying anything that could be regarded as of a personal , instead of a general , character . I remain , yours , Dear Sir and Brother , Sl'ONTE SUA .
American Freemasonry.
AMERICAN FREEMASONRY .
To tlie Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CIIRONICXI ; . Truro , 23 rd August 1880 . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am sorry again to ask for a little space in the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , so as to explain my position re American Freemasonry . 1 . My desiro in 1875 , when taking exception to portions of your article on that subject , was to prove that somo Grand Lodges in tho
United States were not open to your severe remarks , whereas l-frcely grant others may be . The article , however , did not select any of the many Grand Lodges for rebuke , nor wero any excepted from the friendl y castigation . Ifc was on this ground , and this ground alone , thafc I wrote the short reply . Boing so connected with the Grand L . of Pennsylvania , and knowing that body , and some others , were not reall y to be blamed , I simply sounded the reveille , aud having entered an appearance on behalf of onr American Brethren naturally felt it
American Freemasonry.
was lor thorn to debate tho subject , ami accep .. m- reject by fair argument the assertions made . 2 . Strange to say I , have nor seen any . m-iwer i-. > your article , from that day to this , by any of our friends in Anno : < - ; i . 3 . I havo not seen Bro . Mo i / v's . l / esoe / V . !/¦ .. > . : . ' . ' , but . our brother is an able well-informed writer , and ought , and doubtless dons , know well about what he writes . 1 sent him s one printed - eouphlots as to our noble Masonic Oliavifies .
4 . Brother " BRITON " evidently a ' so is at ho . no on the subject , und many of his remarks app ly with special f ' evo io sonic of flic Grand Fjodgos in question , but I slill mninbvn Inn ol -jo . > i i on to tho Grand Lodges generally arc too indiscriininat-, and not appreciative of the good accomplished by many . I s'n - 'uM liko " more proei-in information , " as does Brother ' •' BRITON ' , " bid no" having it , explains why I
have not said more . Tily remarks wero simple intend .-d io exclude those about which 1 had information IVoip the general criticism . Bro . ' •' BRITON" kindly gives me ercdii for oorroeibALnsouie feeling as to my notice of Masonic Relief . I . < snri , i'in .-, ; -.. T do not . care for them , or any su-h . It appears , however , that some brethren will provide for " a rainy day , " or for thoir wives and families , when such societies
are nnder tho nominal wing of ihe fh-ai ' , and as if , is better for thorn to do thafc way , than , < "t at all , perhaps , ifc is as well to let them alone , especially as they fend lo render charity less needful , and certainly " so far so good . " 'I-. Tho enqniry is a very largo one , and a , den I has to bo considerod , ib being simply impossible to attend to tho many details in
a hurriedly written letter . As liro . ' -BRITON" pevnts out , there is the " mileage" expense , and also other payments peculiar to tho Grand Lodges in tho United States . All these points fail to be considered , and also how much the private Lodges do out of their own funds to relievo the wants of thoir necessitous members , aud strangers . In tho latter re-peci ; it has often surprised mo to find
how much has boon paid by individual Lodges to tho widows ( and families ) of English brethren , who , in thoir destitution , havo asked the aid of their husbands' brethren , and who have boon sent back to this country free of expense , their husbands buried , and all needful wants responded to .
5 . Finally let me say , that having now dono my part , to represent our American brethren ad interim , T shall not again trouble you on the subject , feeling assured that tho Craft iu America can furnish advocates able to do them justice , and if thoy do not , then the trial must bo lost "by default . " Yonrs fraternally , WinuA-t J . HUGIIAN .
The United States And Masonic Charity.
THE UNITED STATES AND MASONIC CHARITY .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CiruoN-icr . i :. DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho extract from fcho Masonic . Advocate in your last week ' s number comes most opportunely , showing , as it does , from another aud independent source , that the views von expressed in your very first number as to one or tho idio-vncrasie ' -. of American Masonry find supporters in tho United Si ales , if not in fcbis country .
For instance , the statement "that the Grand Lodge of Indiana has deemed ifc advisable io adjourn for two years on neconni of the enormous expense attendant upon tho annual gathering of Grand Lodge" is evidence of the fact that a very considerable - portion of the funds of Grand Lodgo is expended on fho fulfilm mfc of what in this country is held to be a duty . To put tho matter in a moro
practical form . The Grand Ledge of Indiana defrays tho expenses of those brethren who attend its gatherings ; iu England brethren from a distance who attend tho Quarterly Communications of Grand Lodge pay their own travelling expenses . Again , as regards the Grand Lodge of New York , tho same journal speaks of tho mileage and per diem expenses being paid out of its funds , and thafc recently
ifc has made a move m the direction of curtailing thorn , at least so far as Past Grand Officers are concerned . X :, w , if in the case of these and other Grand Lodges where similar expenses are allowed , the whole system were knocked on the head , there would at onco be a handsome fund at the disposal of each Grand Lodge for purposes of Benevolence , and there would no longer bo tho same ground of
complaint as exists now , that , whilo tho receipts aro considerable , the moneys available for charitable dispensation aro tho reverse . As for other of the ideas set forth in the samo article , I do not agree with them . If any one joins Masonry in the belief that he is joining a kind of benefit society , the sooner , I think , he is dispossessed of that idea , the better . It he is desirous of makim- ono of a
nnmber of people who subscribe so much periodically toward : * a sick fund , so that , when he is prevented , by illness from following his busines 3 , hemaybcin receipt of a periodical money allowance , there avo doubtless- in tho United States , as in England , many such societies open to him , many , indeed , thafc will be only too glad , to receive hia contributions and those of as many others as may be willing to join .
No ono would be so silly as to decry those socio' ins , bur . tlie / have no single feature iu common with Freemasonry . Tlieve . ve , e ; i < n ! d last week , a kind of Limited Liability Association the tno . nbors of which aro entitled to receive certain benefits iu return . " or e . nt . bn . payments . Bnfc no one who is actuated by lust motives in entering tho ranks of Freemasonry expects to derive any advantage from h ' .- u-bsevitifious .
He is presumed to Oo iu reputable circum :: ; an"os , v / Heli expression is meant to convoy the idea , not only ihar lie : ' - ; n , m in of ge . od moral -hnracter , bnfc likewise that bo is , pvoi ' e : ; iomilly i ;> - ui ' -or-viso , inn Position to support liim = elf and his family—if ho has any—in a reputable manner . There is before him . as there , is before a , ! j of ns the
contingency that misfoifnuo may over'ako him , and In- ma-r fall from a , state of comparative ntHum-cc into a . slate cf di'oon . H . y or ¦ ven absolute want . Then it is lliafc Mennry sj-op-j ; nnd helps him b'he has proved himself worthy of such help . If ho is out off suddenly and before he has been able to make provision for hi . ) family , the Fund of Benevolence , after due inquiry , will vote him a "rant of