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Article MASONIC TOUTING. ← Page 2 of 2 Article WHY SOME LODGES HAVE DETERIORATED. Page 1 of 1 Article WHY SOME LODGES HAVE DETERIORATED. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Touting.
active part in these canvassings do so with regret , and only because they recognise the system of the present day renders touting absolutely necessary .
We append the letter referred to : — MASONIO TOUTING .
To the Editor of the STANDARD . 8 m , —Can anything be done to prevent the annoying solicitation of brethren to vote for them at the Board of Goneral Purposes , which ttikos place on next Wednesday ? I have now before me letters from no less than fonr brethren , aekinp me to support them as members of the Board . Tho first two
base their demand on the faot that they have been already on the Board for fonr years ; the third sends me a postcard ( which I onolose ) , demanding * an answer , to know if I will come purposely to vote for him ; nnd tho fourth letter ( enclosed ) actually proposes that I should vote for him and fonr other brethren , nnd mentions that I am to
attend not later than 6 * 30 p . m . to record my vote To prevent this roourring annoyance , will it not be better for every member thna solicited to independently vote for any other candidates rather than those gentlemen who thrust themselves thus prominentl y forward ? I am , Sir , yonr obedient servant , S .
Why Some Lodges Have Deteriorated.
WHY SOME LODGES HAVE DETERIORATED .
" TTTHY havo certain Lodges deteriorated , and what is YV tho remedy to prevent others from falling into the same sad state ?"
Tho above quostion has two clear and distinct propositions—ono having roferonce to the past , tho other to the future—and wo therefore propose to touch upon them separately .
The first proposition therefore is , " Why have certain Lodges deteriorated ? " This subject is a delicato one , yet it must be fairly dealt with before suggesting a remedy .
It is , therefore , proposed to treat it in a general way , in order that our remarks may not be considered as applying to any individual Lodge in particular , but to the whole Fraternity as a body .
One of the principal causes why some Lodges have fallen off , both in numbers and respectability , has arisen from a carelessness of membors in proposing candidates , of whom thoy have had but little or no previous knowledge , simply because some friends have stated thoy were " good
fellows . " It should be known that " good fellows , " in the goneral acceptance of the term , often make bad Masons . Should it so happen that some member of the Lodge has boon able to ascertain such particulars concerning the " good fellows" as would mako him Lalievo that the
candidate was not sufficiently worthy of the important privilege of being made a Mason , and in consequence of the information thus received , take Buch measures as would insure hia rejection , the Brother proposing the member very often feels hurt , and takes the matter as a personal
affront . If he would properly consider the whole affair , ho no doubt would view the rejection in exactly the opposite light ; for if it be certain that tho person proposed was unworthy to be taken by the hand by all good Masons , the refusal to accept him would , perhaps , be the means of
saving the proposer ' s own reputation , and preserving the Lodge from discord and disruption . A candidate rejected or objected to for cause , is better out of the Lodge than in it , as tho proposer himself might ultimately find out when the test of time had developed the secrets of his candidate ' s
character and disposition . If accepted when he should have been rejected , it is often found that , before many years , the improperly made member , either through disappointed ambition or evil passions , generally succeeds in destroying both the honour and harmony of the Lod ge into which he has been admitted . The Brother
unwittingly introducing any one who might thu 3 be rejected , should rather feel pleased than otherwise that others had been enabled to find out the true character of the man he had proposed , before he had succeeded in being made a Mason , and before it had become too late to remedy the evil .
Another principal cause is the laxity of committees of investigation . The simple fear of offending a good and well-meaning Brother has very often operated on the
minds of persons composing such committ 3 es , and must have influenced their actions ; many times inducing them to report favourably when perhaps they thought in their own consciences the candidate below the strict standard of what should constitute the qualifications of a Brother .
Why Some Lodges Have Deteriorated.
Thoy would , perhaps , argue in this wise : " We do not know of anything actuall y bad in his character , yet his habits are a little loose . Still as Brother A . has proposed him , we may as well report favourably . " The candidate is approved . Ho is in turn appointed on a committee ,
and reports " favourably " on a candidate a few shades lower in the social scale . This member also in turn does likewise . And so on , until the words "little loose" have no application , » nd actually bad become the fact . This is all wrong . Again , the committee
selected may not feel inclined to devote the time , or have the time to spare , necessary for the fullest inquiry into the candidate ' s antecedents , or even his present habits ; and are therefore contented , if not actually satisfied , with tho recommendations given by the references specially
mentioned by the person desiring to become a member . Of courso it is not at all likely that the candidate will refer to any one who would know the evil side of his character , if ho have one ; and yet a close inquiry from his neighbours
or former acquaintances , ' or even his present business connections , might perhaps easily have led to a complete unveiling of a man whose life was nothing more nor less than a living lie .
Another cause arises from the haste of young Lodges to make members , without caring to inquire into tho qualification of those thoy admit , or even fixing a standard for the guidance of their investigating committees . Under theso circumstances many persons , not entirely up to that
high moral standard which should characterize a Mason , become members of tho Craft , and thoy induce others equally objectionable to join ; for notwithstanding the fact that no person is over directly asked to become a member of a Masonic Lodge , still there are many ways by which
friends and acquaintances may be induced to do a thing , and yet suppose they are doing it solely of their own free will and accord . After a while these recklessly made members bring discord into their Lodge , and in order to
get lid of them they are requested to form a Lodgo of their own , which in too many cases they obtain the neceasaiy permission to do . The result must naturally bo and is injurious to the welfare and dignity of that timehonoured institution , Free and Accepted Masonry .
Leaving this part of the subject for the present , we will touch upon the second proposition . " What is tho remedy to prevent others from falling into the same sad stata ?"
First . Let no member of a Lodge propose as a candidate any man with whom he is not personally acquainted , and with whose history , for at least one or two years , he is not thoroughly conversant , no matter who the person may bo who desires him so to do .
Second . When a candidate is proposed , let every membor of the Lodge consider it part of his duty to find out for himself something about the person thus offered for membership , and if unworthy or suspicious , report tho facts to some of the officers of the Lodge .
Third . Every member of an investigating committoo should perform his duty strictly , and without fear or partiality . Should the candidate be objectionable , the
committeeman should act manfully , and report as his conscience dictates , no matter who may propose tho candidate ; for if a bad man be admitted , through his negligence , all the evils that follow rest upon his shoulders .
Fourth . Do not confine your inquiries to the set-down references , but extend them in all possible directions . Such strictures will not harm a good man , and may lead to the detection of a bad one . In such cases there
cannot be too close an investigator . Fifth . Use the black ball only when deserved , that is , when a candidate is really not Jit to bo made a Mason . A
Lodge should not be wronged either by rejecting a good man from personal motives or admitting a bad man . If merely personally objectionable , no prudent Master would force it on the Lodge .
Sixth . Fix a standard of high tone for the guidance of the investigating committees , and never deviate from it , even for your best friend . —Courier .
HOLLOWAT ' S PILLS . —Lie stomach and its troubles cause moro discomfort and bring more unhappiness than is commonly supposed . Tho thousand i'ls that settle there may bo prevented or dislodged by the judicious use of these purifying Pills , which act as a sure , gentle anti-acid aporiont , without annoying tho newes of tho most susceptible , or irritating the most delicate organisarelief
tion . Holloway ' s Pills will bestow comfort and corfor on ovoiy headache , dyspeptic , and sickly sufferer , whoso tortures mako him a bunion to himself and a bugbear to his frionds . These Pills have long boen the popular remedy for a weak stomach , for a disordered liver , or a paralysed digestion , which yield without difficulty to rhcir regulating , purifying , and tonio qualities .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Touting.
active part in these canvassings do so with regret , and only because they recognise the system of the present day renders touting absolutely necessary .
We append the letter referred to : — MASONIO TOUTING .
To the Editor of the STANDARD . 8 m , —Can anything be done to prevent the annoying solicitation of brethren to vote for them at the Board of Goneral Purposes , which ttikos place on next Wednesday ? I have now before me letters from no less than fonr brethren , aekinp me to support them as members of the Board . Tho first two
base their demand on the faot that they have been already on the Board for fonr years ; the third sends me a postcard ( which I onolose ) , demanding * an answer , to know if I will come purposely to vote for him ; nnd tho fourth letter ( enclosed ) actually proposes that I should vote for him and fonr other brethren , nnd mentions that I am to
attend not later than 6 * 30 p . m . to record my vote To prevent this roourring annoyance , will it not be better for every member thna solicited to independently vote for any other candidates rather than those gentlemen who thrust themselves thus prominentl y forward ? I am , Sir , yonr obedient servant , S .
Why Some Lodges Have Deteriorated.
WHY SOME LODGES HAVE DETERIORATED .
" TTTHY havo certain Lodges deteriorated , and what is YV tho remedy to prevent others from falling into the same sad state ?"
Tho above quostion has two clear and distinct propositions—ono having roferonce to the past , tho other to the future—and wo therefore propose to touch upon them separately .
The first proposition therefore is , " Why have certain Lodges deteriorated ? " This subject is a delicato one , yet it must be fairly dealt with before suggesting a remedy .
It is , therefore , proposed to treat it in a general way , in order that our remarks may not be considered as applying to any individual Lodge in particular , but to the whole Fraternity as a body .
One of the principal causes why some Lodges have fallen off , both in numbers and respectability , has arisen from a carelessness of membors in proposing candidates , of whom thoy have had but little or no previous knowledge , simply because some friends have stated thoy were " good
fellows . " It should be known that " good fellows , " in the goneral acceptance of the term , often make bad Masons . Should it so happen that some member of the Lodge has boon able to ascertain such particulars concerning the " good fellows" as would mako him Lalievo that the
candidate was not sufficiently worthy of the important privilege of being made a Mason , and in consequence of the information thus received , take Buch measures as would insure hia rejection , the Brother proposing the member very often feels hurt , and takes the matter as a personal
affront . If he would properly consider the whole affair , ho no doubt would view the rejection in exactly the opposite light ; for if it be certain that tho person proposed was unworthy to be taken by the hand by all good Masons , the refusal to accept him would , perhaps , be the means of
saving the proposer ' s own reputation , and preserving the Lodge from discord and disruption . A candidate rejected or objected to for cause , is better out of the Lodge than in it , as tho proposer himself might ultimately find out when the test of time had developed the secrets of his candidate ' s
character and disposition . If accepted when he should have been rejected , it is often found that , before many years , the improperly made member , either through disappointed ambition or evil passions , generally succeeds in destroying both the honour and harmony of the Lod ge into which he has been admitted . The Brother
unwittingly introducing any one who might thu 3 be rejected , should rather feel pleased than otherwise that others had been enabled to find out the true character of the man he had proposed , before he had succeeded in being made a Mason , and before it had become too late to remedy the evil .
Another principal cause is the laxity of committees of investigation . The simple fear of offending a good and well-meaning Brother has very often operated on the
minds of persons composing such committ 3 es , and must have influenced their actions ; many times inducing them to report favourably when perhaps they thought in their own consciences the candidate below the strict standard of what should constitute the qualifications of a Brother .
Why Some Lodges Have Deteriorated.
Thoy would , perhaps , argue in this wise : " We do not know of anything actuall y bad in his character , yet his habits are a little loose . Still as Brother A . has proposed him , we may as well report favourably . " The candidate is approved . Ho is in turn appointed on a committee ,
and reports " favourably " on a candidate a few shades lower in the social scale . This member also in turn does likewise . And so on , until the words "little loose" have no application , » nd actually bad become the fact . This is all wrong . Again , the committee
selected may not feel inclined to devote the time , or have the time to spare , necessary for the fullest inquiry into the candidate ' s antecedents , or even his present habits ; and are therefore contented , if not actually satisfied , with tho recommendations given by the references specially
mentioned by the person desiring to become a member . Of courso it is not at all likely that the candidate will refer to any one who would know the evil side of his character , if ho have one ; and yet a close inquiry from his neighbours
or former acquaintances , ' or even his present business connections , might perhaps easily have led to a complete unveiling of a man whose life was nothing more nor less than a living lie .
Another cause arises from the haste of young Lodges to make members , without caring to inquire into tho qualification of those thoy admit , or even fixing a standard for the guidance of their investigating committees . Under theso circumstances many persons , not entirely up to that
high moral standard which should characterize a Mason , become members of tho Craft , and thoy induce others equally objectionable to join ; for notwithstanding the fact that no person is over directly asked to become a member of a Masonic Lodge , still there are many ways by which
friends and acquaintances may be induced to do a thing , and yet suppose they are doing it solely of their own free will and accord . After a while these recklessly made members bring discord into their Lodge , and in order to
get lid of them they are requested to form a Lodgo of their own , which in too many cases they obtain the neceasaiy permission to do . The result must naturally bo and is injurious to the welfare and dignity of that timehonoured institution , Free and Accepted Masonry .
Leaving this part of the subject for the present , we will touch upon the second proposition . " What is tho remedy to prevent others from falling into the same sad stata ?"
First . Let no member of a Lodge propose as a candidate any man with whom he is not personally acquainted , and with whose history , for at least one or two years , he is not thoroughly conversant , no matter who the person may bo who desires him so to do .
Second . When a candidate is proposed , let every membor of the Lodge consider it part of his duty to find out for himself something about the person thus offered for membership , and if unworthy or suspicious , report tho facts to some of the officers of the Lodge .
Third . Every member of an investigating committoo should perform his duty strictly , and without fear or partiality . Should the candidate be objectionable , the
committeeman should act manfully , and report as his conscience dictates , no matter who may propose tho candidate ; for if a bad man be admitted , through his negligence , all the evils that follow rest upon his shoulders .
Fourth . Do not confine your inquiries to the set-down references , but extend them in all possible directions . Such strictures will not harm a good man , and may lead to the detection of a bad one . In such cases there
cannot be too close an investigator . Fifth . Use the black ball only when deserved , that is , when a candidate is really not Jit to bo made a Mason . A
Lodge should not be wronged either by rejecting a good man from personal motives or admitting a bad man . If merely personally objectionable , no prudent Master would force it on the Lodge .
Sixth . Fix a standard of high tone for the guidance of the investigating committees , and never deviate from it , even for your best friend . —Courier .
HOLLOWAT ' S PILLS . —Lie stomach and its troubles cause moro discomfort and bring more unhappiness than is commonly supposed . Tho thousand i'ls that settle there may bo prevented or dislodged by the judicious use of these purifying Pills , which act as a sure , gentle anti-acid aporiont , without annoying tho newes of tho most susceptible , or irritating the most delicate organisarelief
tion . Holloway ' s Pills will bestow comfort and corfor on ovoiy headache , dyspeptic , and sickly sufferer , whoso tortures mako him a bunion to himself and a bugbear to his frionds . These Pills have long boen the popular remedy for a weak stomach , for a disordered liver , or a paralysed digestion , which yield without difficulty to rhcir regulating , purifying , and tonio qualities .