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Article ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION AND FOR OFFICE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MASONIC PORTRAITS. (No. 52.) Page 1 of 2 Article MASONIC PORTRAITS. (No. 52.) Page 1 of 2 →
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Eligibility For Admission And For Office.
Freemasonry . Above all things , let us be careful whom we admit into our Lodges , or we may suffer for this want of proper caution .
Masonic Portraits. (No. 52.)
MASONIC PORTRAITS . ( No . 52 . )
VIE VERITAS . " You know mo all , a plain blnnt man , That lovo my friend . " IT is one of the great merits of Freemasonry , a merit on which it is impossible to enlarge too often , that it includes admirable representatives of all classes ancl conditions of men . Kings , and Emperors , and Princes have
thought it not unworthy their regal ancl imperial splendour to enrol themselves in our Fraternity . Right Reverend and Reverend members of different priesthoods have sought initiation into our mysteries . Members of the naval ancl military services , as well non-commissioned or warrant as
commissioned officers , are among our members . Every other profession and every section of that powerful middle class , which is considered the back-bone of our empire , is freely ancl numerously represented . We have , indeed , both in the former and in the current series of our Masonic
Portraits , described representative members of well nigh every class of Freemason , from the Peer Statesman , who acts on all necessary occasions for His Royal Highness the Grand Master , with so much dignity , ability , and geniality , down to his humbler Masonic equal the well-to-do
tradesman . It is , indeed , to this universality that Freemasonry is indebted for its chief est strength . There is no other society in the world , none other , in fact , has ever existed , in which men of different social rank , of different mental calibre , and differing from each other in respect of
wordly means , are wont to meet together on a footing of perfect equality . This equality , be it understood , is not of that sickly sentimental character about which a certain class of theorists is accustomed to rant with such conspicuous folly . We do not profess that absolute equality
which demands that all men shall share and share alike . Our creed has in it no leaven of communism . On the contrary , we recognise those social distinctions which have existed , and will exist always , in all organised com munities . We are proud of those members who have
acquired fame by reason of their superior mental powers or superior training . We delight to place them in positions of honour , in the sure belief that in doing so we are actingjustly , as well by ourselves as by them . Ours is not a servile , bnt a respectful adulation of greatness . Our
equality amounts to this . We exact of all our members an equal loyalty to the institutions of the country in which we live or are sojourning , and equal respect for the laws ; we pay equal homage to all religious ancl political professions of faith •, we demand of all tbe same unquestioning
obedience to our Chiefs and the ordinances they enact for the general good of Freemasonry ; while all our members , according to the good that is in them , are equally eligible for promotion to offices of eminence ancl influence . This is the well-defined , well-ordered equality which we profess so
proudly , an equality which allows both of prince and peasant becoming members of our body , without , in the one case , any loss of rank , or , in the other , any assumption of a position which does not ri ghtly belong to them . We have our liberty , equality , and fraternity ; but our
liberty is not the license of an absurd visionary ; our equality is defined both by reason ancl common sense , and our fraternity is directed towards the advancement of all , instead of to the promotion of some and the
subversion of other interests . Herein , as we have said , consists the merit of our Society , that it includes men of all ranks , who are all equally required to exhibit loyalty towards our country and its rulers , obedience to our own laws , and respect for the Creator and his creatures .
But our present purpose is not to define the intent and meaning of Masonic principles so much as to describe the career of a respected member of our body , who has belonged to it many years , and who , in every position he has occupied ,
has shown himself to be conscious of the trust reposed in him when he was accepted as worthy of initiation into our mysteries . He belongs to that middle class of which we have spoken in just terms of praise . He has worked on laboriously , and is now in a position to enjoy the
Masonic Portraits. (No. 52.)
fruits of his labour . In the sphere in which he moves he is justly respected for the many admirable qualities of heart and mind which he possesses . Were there any position created temporarily in any one of the Lodges he belongs to , in which tact and delicacy of conduct wero required , there
is no one upon wbom it would more likely be conferred , or who would fulfil it more worthily and more successfully . Were there an office of trust to fall vacant , there is no ono who could more honourably occupy it . Whenever it is suggested that some special duty should bo
undertaken , demanding ability , earnest application , and the sitaviter in modo justly combined with tho fortiter hi re , then it is more than probable that , wero he eligible , he would bo invited to undertake it . He is one of those who lightly regard trouble when it will benefit
others . He interprets the commandment to do unto others as we would that others should do unto us , not as so many people nnhappily do , by taking advantage of the faults they have committed , or the weaknesses which naturally belong to them , but by helping to
rectify their errors ancl make good their defects . Hence it is that he enjoys alike the respect of all classes of men ; of his inferiors as of his superiors . He exercises without difficulty the powers of a superior officer , because , as a simple member and in subordinate offices , he has learned
the art of obedience . He is a safe as well as a trusty counsellor , for in the course of his career he has managed to acquire a large and varied experience in the most important offices , both in Lodge and Chapter . Ho is , in short , a good representative Mason , who has made his mark in our
Society . He is gently firm , but with a firmness which cannot be overcome ; he exacts , as he is willing to yield , a ready obedience to authority ; he respects others , because he commenced life by respecting himself ; and in
the hours of leisure , when enjoying the pleasures , as he has previously fulfilled the duties of life , there is the same desire to be genial and kind towards his brethren ; by reason of Avhich admirable disposition it is impossible for any to be otherwise than genial and kind towards him .
It will be said , perhaps , the picture we have just drawn is of an infinitely good Mason ; but as--happily for the Society we belong to—there are many such in its ranks , how shall wc distinguish this individual from among his fellows ? Well , he was initiated
into Freemasonry in tho Yarborough Lodge , No . 554 , on the 7 th September 1865 , aud having filled sundry offices with great credit , he was at length rewarded for the zeal and ability he had shown by being elected to the chair of his Lodge . On resigning the Mastership , in due course , he was rewarded for his further services with a Past Master ' s
jewel , given him by the members of his Lodge in token of the esteem they felt for him , both as a member and Master . He joined the Burdett Coutts Lodge , No . 1278 , on the 21 st October 1869 , and is at the present time its W . M , Moreover , he has held the important position of Secretary
for a period of six years , to the entire satisfaction or the members . He joined the Gladsmuir , No . 1385 , Barnet , not long after its establishment ; and is ono of the founders , as well as the first Secretary , of the Tredegar Lodge , No . 1625 . He is , further , a member of the Cranbourne Lodge , No .
1580 , and just now holds the minor , but not unimportant office , from a ceremonial point of view , of Director of Ceremonies . He was exalted iu the Yarborough Chapter , No . 554 , on 24 th June 18 G 8 , aud has occupied the chair of First Principal . He joined the Doric Chapter , No . 933 ,
on 31 st March 1873 , aud is one of the Sojourners for the current year . On the formation of the Gladsmuir Chapter in 1875 , our worthy companion became one of its members , and he is at the present time its M . E . Z . He has , further , received Provincial honours in Capitular Masonry , having
had conferred upon him , by the Provincial Grand Superintendent of Herts , the office of Prov . G . Sojourner . He has likewise been advanced to the Mark degree , and is a member of the Temple Mark Lodge , No . 173 . We do not
believe he has gone further than this in his connection with Masonry , but succinct as the record is , it is a most honourable one , especially if we bear in mind that the several distinctions he has had conferred upon him have been earned in the comparatively brief period of twelve
years . But these are only a part of the details it is our duty to fill in . Our worthy brother is a man who , whenever he undertakes anything , is determined to carry it out thoroughly . It would never occur to him to rest satisfied with fulfilling one part only of a programme , however well
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Eligibility For Admission And For Office.
Freemasonry . Above all things , let us be careful whom we admit into our Lodges , or we may suffer for this want of proper caution .
Masonic Portraits. (No. 52.)
MASONIC PORTRAITS . ( No . 52 . )
VIE VERITAS . " You know mo all , a plain blnnt man , That lovo my friend . " IT is one of the great merits of Freemasonry , a merit on which it is impossible to enlarge too often , that it includes admirable representatives of all classes ancl conditions of men . Kings , and Emperors , and Princes have
thought it not unworthy their regal ancl imperial splendour to enrol themselves in our Fraternity . Right Reverend and Reverend members of different priesthoods have sought initiation into our mysteries . Members of the naval ancl military services , as well non-commissioned or warrant as
commissioned officers , are among our members . Every other profession and every section of that powerful middle class , which is considered the back-bone of our empire , is freely ancl numerously represented . We have , indeed , both in the former and in the current series of our Masonic
Portraits , described representative members of well nigh every class of Freemason , from the Peer Statesman , who acts on all necessary occasions for His Royal Highness the Grand Master , with so much dignity , ability , and geniality , down to his humbler Masonic equal the well-to-do
tradesman . It is , indeed , to this universality that Freemasonry is indebted for its chief est strength . There is no other society in the world , none other , in fact , has ever existed , in which men of different social rank , of different mental calibre , and differing from each other in respect of
wordly means , are wont to meet together on a footing of perfect equality . This equality , be it understood , is not of that sickly sentimental character about which a certain class of theorists is accustomed to rant with such conspicuous folly . We do not profess that absolute equality
which demands that all men shall share and share alike . Our creed has in it no leaven of communism . On the contrary , we recognise those social distinctions which have existed , and will exist always , in all organised com munities . We are proud of those members who have
acquired fame by reason of their superior mental powers or superior training . We delight to place them in positions of honour , in the sure belief that in doing so we are actingjustly , as well by ourselves as by them . Ours is not a servile , bnt a respectful adulation of greatness . Our
equality amounts to this . We exact of all our members an equal loyalty to the institutions of the country in which we live or are sojourning , and equal respect for the laws ; we pay equal homage to all religious ancl political professions of faith •, we demand of all tbe same unquestioning
obedience to our Chiefs and the ordinances they enact for the general good of Freemasonry ; while all our members , according to the good that is in them , are equally eligible for promotion to offices of eminence ancl influence . This is the well-defined , well-ordered equality which we profess so
proudly , an equality which allows both of prince and peasant becoming members of our body , without , in the one case , any loss of rank , or , in the other , any assumption of a position which does not ri ghtly belong to them . We have our liberty , equality , and fraternity ; but our
liberty is not the license of an absurd visionary ; our equality is defined both by reason ancl common sense , and our fraternity is directed towards the advancement of all , instead of to the promotion of some and the
subversion of other interests . Herein , as we have said , consists the merit of our Society , that it includes men of all ranks , who are all equally required to exhibit loyalty towards our country and its rulers , obedience to our own laws , and respect for the Creator and his creatures .
But our present purpose is not to define the intent and meaning of Masonic principles so much as to describe the career of a respected member of our body , who has belonged to it many years , and who , in every position he has occupied ,
has shown himself to be conscious of the trust reposed in him when he was accepted as worthy of initiation into our mysteries . He belongs to that middle class of which we have spoken in just terms of praise . He has worked on laboriously , and is now in a position to enjoy the
Masonic Portraits. (No. 52.)
fruits of his labour . In the sphere in which he moves he is justly respected for the many admirable qualities of heart and mind which he possesses . Were there any position created temporarily in any one of the Lodges he belongs to , in which tact and delicacy of conduct wero required , there
is no one upon wbom it would more likely be conferred , or who would fulfil it more worthily and more successfully . Were there an office of trust to fall vacant , there is no ono who could more honourably occupy it . Whenever it is suggested that some special duty should bo
undertaken , demanding ability , earnest application , and the sitaviter in modo justly combined with tho fortiter hi re , then it is more than probable that , wero he eligible , he would bo invited to undertake it . He is one of those who lightly regard trouble when it will benefit
others . He interprets the commandment to do unto others as we would that others should do unto us , not as so many people nnhappily do , by taking advantage of the faults they have committed , or the weaknesses which naturally belong to them , but by helping to
rectify their errors ancl make good their defects . Hence it is that he enjoys alike the respect of all classes of men ; of his inferiors as of his superiors . He exercises without difficulty the powers of a superior officer , because , as a simple member and in subordinate offices , he has learned
the art of obedience . He is a safe as well as a trusty counsellor , for in the course of his career he has managed to acquire a large and varied experience in the most important offices , both in Lodge and Chapter . Ho is , in short , a good representative Mason , who has made his mark in our
Society . He is gently firm , but with a firmness which cannot be overcome ; he exacts , as he is willing to yield , a ready obedience to authority ; he respects others , because he commenced life by respecting himself ; and in
the hours of leisure , when enjoying the pleasures , as he has previously fulfilled the duties of life , there is the same desire to be genial and kind towards his brethren ; by reason of Avhich admirable disposition it is impossible for any to be otherwise than genial and kind towards him .
It will be said , perhaps , the picture we have just drawn is of an infinitely good Mason ; but as--happily for the Society we belong to—there are many such in its ranks , how shall wc distinguish this individual from among his fellows ? Well , he was initiated
into Freemasonry in tho Yarborough Lodge , No . 554 , on the 7 th September 1865 , aud having filled sundry offices with great credit , he was at length rewarded for the zeal and ability he had shown by being elected to the chair of his Lodge . On resigning the Mastership , in due course , he was rewarded for his further services with a Past Master ' s
jewel , given him by the members of his Lodge in token of the esteem they felt for him , both as a member and Master . He joined the Burdett Coutts Lodge , No . 1278 , on the 21 st October 1869 , and is at the present time its W . M , Moreover , he has held the important position of Secretary
for a period of six years , to the entire satisfaction or the members . He joined the Gladsmuir , No . 1385 , Barnet , not long after its establishment ; and is ono of the founders , as well as the first Secretary , of the Tredegar Lodge , No . 1625 . He is , further , a member of the Cranbourne Lodge , No .
1580 , and just now holds the minor , but not unimportant office , from a ceremonial point of view , of Director of Ceremonies . He was exalted iu the Yarborough Chapter , No . 554 , on 24 th June 18 G 8 , aud has occupied the chair of First Principal . He joined the Doric Chapter , No . 933 ,
on 31 st March 1873 , aud is one of the Sojourners for the current year . On the formation of the Gladsmuir Chapter in 1875 , our worthy companion became one of its members , and he is at the present time its M . E . Z . He has , further , received Provincial honours in Capitular Masonry , having
had conferred upon him , by the Provincial Grand Superintendent of Herts , the office of Prov . G . Sojourner . He has likewise been advanced to the Mark degree , and is a member of the Temple Mark Lodge , No . 173 . We do not
believe he has gone further than this in his connection with Masonry , but succinct as the record is , it is a most honourable one , especially if we bear in mind that the several distinctions he has had conferred upon him have been earned in the comparatively brief period of twelve
years . But these are only a part of the details it is our duty to fill in . Our worthy brother is a man who , whenever he undertakes anything , is determined to carry it out thoroughly . It would never occur to him to rest satisfied with fulfilling one part only of a programme , however well