Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Opening Of The Session
we do not wish to imply that open censnre is to be abandoned altogether , bnt that it should be tlie last course to resort to is certain . We seem to havo digressed somewhat in so far that we have referred to the work tho Master will be called upon to
perform ere we have considered the important question , Who shall be elected ? Doubtless the first answer to this question , or certainly the one that is given in most Lodges is—Tho Senior Warden . The wisdom of adopting such a course is apparent . Usually tho brother who fills the
position of principal officer has worked his way up from one or other of the minor positions , and has in the time thus passed learned the peculiarities of the members and the general tendency of their wishes . If he is a man willing to bow to the voice of the majority , and is
possessed of a genial disposition , we doubt if any better brother could be elected , for by rote he is entitled to the promotion , and above all has that knowledge of the Lodge , which personal experience alone can secure , but , unfortunately , it is very difficult to decide whether a brother is
possessed of the qualities we have referred to . As Senior Warden , or indeed ever since he entered tho Lodge , he may have been looked up to as desirous of promoting the comfort of his companions , but he may have cherished ideas of what he will do when in tho chair , which no one
but himself is aware of , and although he may consider the enforcement of these views necessary for the good of the members , he may contemplate harsh steps to secure their consummation . As it is impossible to form any idea of what may be in store for us , we are compelled in a
measure to act in the dark , but we think there should not be much doubt of the general tendency of a brother who has been in office for a term of four or more years . On the other hand , if it be deemed advisable by the Pasfc Masters or others , who in a measure guide the Lodge , to
reject the Senior Warden , we think they should take some steps to inform that brother of their decision ; it is at least as easy for them to pay a visit to the one chiefly affected , and explain their ideas , as it is for a party to visit each member of the Lodge , and , behind the back of the brother ,
set forth particulars which , true , or untrue , influence the voting when the night of election arrives . As men , but above all , as Masons , they would deserve greater applause did they act in a straightforward manner and explain to tho Senior Warden their reasons for wishing
him not to take the office of Master . If their reasons were sound , that brother in most cases would retire from the contest , and save thereby tho upset of a rejection on the ballot ; but if unsouud , how much better it would be to have discovered the error before it was too late to remedy it .
Trifling as this question of canvassing and influencing the votes is regarded by some , it is in reality a very serious offence . Every Past Master , ere ho took his obligation as W . M . elect , promised in solemn Masonic form to avoid piques and quarrels , and yet how often do we find them
quietly allowing , or even taking part in securing the rejection of a certain brother when the time of election approaches . Can a worse clique exist in a Lodge than that which can secure the rejection of any motion that does not exactly coincide with the views of its leaders .
Caste.
CASTE .
ALMOST everybody has heard of the Irishman who , when twitted with being nowhere in the race , comforted himself with the reflection , " Well , I drove them all before me like a flock of sheep ! " Such , it appears to us , is the position of not a few of our brethren who , instead of
endeavouring by application and perseverance to rise like Sauls amongst their fellows , are content to allow others the undisputed sway of even their own imperfect acquirement of our system . Paradoxical as it may sound to
speak of caste where all " meet upon the level and part upon the square , " such a definition is , in a certain sense , admissible , even in Freemasonry . True , the principles of our Order , and the precepts which are bound up with its
very existence , tend to level all distinctions ; within the Lodge the brethren meet on an equality , the perfection of which is nowhere else to be attained . But , in spite of this
grand fraternal axiom , which is tacitly recognised in every well-regulated Lodge , there are different traits in the characters of the brethren with whom we are accustomed to meet , and which publish audibly the truth of the old
Caste.
Shakesperian motto , "the mind's the standard of the man . " Apply the subject to any Lodgo with whose constituent parts we are , any of us , familiar , and the justice of the remark will be amply borne out in our reader ' s experience . Given , that all are induced to join the ancient and
honourable institution from a good opinion preconceived of its moral and social advantages—who aspire to become the instruments of diffusing a wise and beneficent system with which even tho outer world , so far as it has the opportunity of forming an opinion , must cordially agree ,
it would be contrary to Masonic honesty to believe that any were tempted to enlist under our banner from " mercenary or other unworthy motives ; " and we are bound to believe that every initiate is imbued with the most strictly upright and legitimate intentions when he has been
admitted to the first glimpses of Masonic light . But how often do we find that these intentions become lax and diluted , even as are the rays of light shining through a focus reversed ? The enthusiasm which is kindled by the first acquaintance with the sublime ceremonies , the admiration
which is stirred by the early study of the purest principles of piety and virtue , too frequently cool down after tho firsfc flush of pleasurable surprise ; and how common is the remark from brethren who thus grow lukewarm—that they can " see nothing in it . " It is just here that the
question of moral and intellectual caste betrays itself . Some , with keen perception of the intrinsic beauties of the Craft , press forward with the laudable ambition of drinking deeper of the well of knowledge , fired with a pardonable ambition in their desire to overreach their fellows
in the stretching out after truth . Without blazoning forth to the world their longings to soar into the ranks of dignity and office , we see them plodding industriously on , mastering the successive details of their avocation , until the expertness which is the result of patient study secures for
them the inevitable reward of being raised head and shoulders above the rest . Their primary object in becoming Freemasons was not that some day they should be attired in gaudy regalia and glittering jewels , and have the pleasure of affixing the coveted initials of distinction
to their names . Theirs is not merely the service of the lip and of show , but of the heart ; and here , as in every other grade of life , the race is to the swift , and to the strong . Others who have joined from motives of equal integrity find the process slow and fatiguing , —it may be either
from mental weakness , or inability to take a firm grip of the principles and tenets which are embodied in our symbolic ceremonies . They admire , and even appreciate , the grandeur of our Masonic rites ; their hearts are stirred by the sublime appeals which are made for the exercise of
those attributes of brotherly love , relief and truth , which are the very keystone of the brotherhood . But somehow they lack the intellectual calibre and the steady determination which constitute the motive power in all life ' s achievements , and the sequel is that apathy and lethargy set in , and
instead of carrying on the work so well inaugurated , they fall back into the common ranks , and keep but a feeble hold , if any at all , on the leading strings of progress , which were placed firmly in their hands on the day of initiation These are but two aspects of the case in which Masonic
caste is to be defined . But , let us ask , are there not other , and even more regrettable , evidences of a diversity of intellectual weight in the constitution of our Lodges ? Can we not point to individuals who regard conviviality and lavish expenditure as the very ne ?) Z « s ultra of Masonic
enjoyment . There are " cubs " in every stratum of society , and Freemasonry would be something more than a human institution if it escaped the taint . The " cub" revels in the brilliancy of his jewellery , the cut of his coat and collar , the recherche character of his get-up . He eschews
the study of the ritual as being too " heavy " and intellectual . He is the mainstay and support of the fourth degree , and is ever ready to obey the welcome call of the Junior Warden . He comes in late from his club , breaks profusely into blandishments and smiles , and his
description of anything pleasant as " awfully jolly " forms the staple of his talk . Though a stickler for the equality and fraternity of Masonry as an abstract principle , he avoids as much as possible his brethren who are less favoured as
to social position and " appearances , " and speaks of his fellow-creatures as " cads , " with the exception of a few kindred spirits , whom he designates as " men , " or " fellows "—never as brethren or gentlemen . He never " goes in " for any work of charity or Masonic study himself ; nor do any of his acquaintances—so he does not care .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Opening Of The Session
we do not wish to imply that open censnre is to be abandoned altogether , bnt that it should be tlie last course to resort to is certain . We seem to havo digressed somewhat in so far that we have referred to the work tho Master will be called upon to
perform ere we have considered the important question , Who shall be elected ? Doubtless the first answer to this question , or certainly the one that is given in most Lodges is—Tho Senior Warden . The wisdom of adopting such a course is apparent . Usually tho brother who fills the
position of principal officer has worked his way up from one or other of the minor positions , and has in the time thus passed learned the peculiarities of the members and the general tendency of their wishes . If he is a man willing to bow to the voice of the majority , and is
possessed of a genial disposition , we doubt if any better brother could be elected , for by rote he is entitled to the promotion , and above all has that knowledge of the Lodge , which personal experience alone can secure , but , unfortunately , it is very difficult to decide whether a brother is
possessed of the qualities we have referred to . As Senior Warden , or indeed ever since he entered tho Lodge , he may have been looked up to as desirous of promoting the comfort of his companions , but he may have cherished ideas of what he will do when in tho chair , which no one
but himself is aware of , and although he may consider the enforcement of these views necessary for the good of the members , he may contemplate harsh steps to secure their consummation . As it is impossible to form any idea of what may be in store for us , we are compelled in a
measure to act in the dark , but we think there should not be much doubt of the general tendency of a brother who has been in office for a term of four or more years . On the other hand , if it be deemed advisable by the Pasfc Masters or others , who in a measure guide the Lodge , to
reject the Senior Warden , we think they should take some steps to inform that brother of their decision ; it is at least as easy for them to pay a visit to the one chiefly affected , and explain their ideas , as it is for a party to visit each member of the Lodge , and , behind the back of the brother ,
set forth particulars which , true , or untrue , influence the voting when the night of election arrives . As men , but above all , as Masons , they would deserve greater applause did they act in a straightforward manner and explain to tho Senior Warden their reasons for wishing
him not to take the office of Master . If their reasons were sound , that brother in most cases would retire from the contest , and save thereby tho upset of a rejection on the ballot ; but if unsouud , how much better it would be to have discovered the error before it was too late to remedy it .
Trifling as this question of canvassing and influencing the votes is regarded by some , it is in reality a very serious offence . Every Past Master , ere ho took his obligation as W . M . elect , promised in solemn Masonic form to avoid piques and quarrels , and yet how often do we find them
quietly allowing , or even taking part in securing the rejection of a certain brother when the time of election approaches . Can a worse clique exist in a Lodge than that which can secure the rejection of any motion that does not exactly coincide with the views of its leaders .
Caste.
CASTE .
ALMOST everybody has heard of the Irishman who , when twitted with being nowhere in the race , comforted himself with the reflection , " Well , I drove them all before me like a flock of sheep ! " Such , it appears to us , is the position of not a few of our brethren who , instead of
endeavouring by application and perseverance to rise like Sauls amongst their fellows , are content to allow others the undisputed sway of even their own imperfect acquirement of our system . Paradoxical as it may sound to
speak of caste where all " meet upon the level and part upon the square , " such a definition is , in a certain sense , admissible , even in Freemasonry . True , the principles of our Order , and the precepts which are bound up with its
very existence , tend to level all distinctions ; within the Lodge the brethren meet on an equality , the perfection of which is nowhere else to be attained . But , in spite of this
grand fraternal axiom , which is tacitly recognised in every well-regulated Lodge , there are different traits in the characters of the brethren with whom we are accustomed to meet , and which publish audibly the truth of the old
Caste.
Shakesperian motto , "the mind's the standard of the man . " Apply the subject to any Lodgo with whose constituent parts we are , any of us , familiar , and the justice of the remark will be amply borne out in our reader ' s experience . Given , that all are induced to join the ancient and
honourable institution from a good opinion preconceived of its moral and social advantages—who aspire to become the instruments of diffusing a wise and beneficent system with which even tho outer world , so far as it has the opportunity of forming an opinion , must cordially agree ,
it would be contrary to Masonic honesty to believe that any were tempted to enlist under our banner from " mercenary or other unworthy motives ; " and we are bound to believe that every initiate is imbued with the most strictly upright and legitimate intentions when he has been
admitted to the first glimpses of Masonic light . But how often do we find that these intentions become lax and diluted , even as are the rays of light shining through a focus reversed ? The enthusiasm which is kindled by the first acquaintance with the sublime ceremonies , the admiration
which is stirred by the early study of the purest principles of piety and virtue , too frequently cool down after tho firsfc flush of pleasurable surprise ; and how common is the remark from brethren who thus grow lukewarm—that they can " see nothing in it . " It is just here that the
question of moral and intellectual caste betrays itself . Some , with keen perception of the intrinsic beauties of the Craft , press forward with the laudable ambition of drinking deeper of the well of knowledge , fired with a pardonable ambition in their desire to overreach their fellows
in the stretching out after truth . Without blazoning forth to the world their longings to soar into the ranks of dignity and office , we see them plodding industriously on , mastering the successive details of their avocation , until the expertness which is the result of patient study secures for
them the inevitable reward of being raised head and shoulders above the rest . Their primary object in becoming Freemasons was not that some day they should be attired in gaudy regalia and glittering jewels , and have the pleasure of affixing the coveted initials of distinction
to their names . Theirs is not merely the service of the lip and of show , but of the heart ; and here , as in every other grade of life , the race is to the swift , and to the strong . Others who have joined from motives of equal integrity find the process slow and fatiguing , —it may be either
from mental weakness , or inability to take a firm grip of the principles and tenets which are embodied in our symbolic ceremonies . They admire , and even appreciate , the grandeur of our Masonic rites ; their hearts are stirred by the sublime appeals which are made for the exercise of
those attributes of brotherly love , relief and truth , which are the very keystone of the brotherhood . But somehow they lack the intellectual calibre and the steady determination which constitute the motive power in all life ' s achievements , and the sequel is that apathy and lethargy set in , and
instead of carrying on the work so well inaugurated , they fall back into the common ranks , and keep but a feeble hold , if any at all , on the leading strings of progress , which were placed firmly in their hands on the day of initiation These are but two aspects of the case in which Masonic
caste is to be defined . But , let us ask , are there not other , and even more regrettable , evidences of a diversity of intellectual weight in the constitution of our Lodges ? Can we not point to individuals who regard conviviality and lavish expenditure as the very ne ?) Z « s ultra of Masonic
enjoyment . There are " cubs " in every stratum of society , and Freemasonry would be something more than a human institution if it escaped the taint . The " cub" revels in the brilliancy of his jewellery , the cut of his coat and collar , the recherche character of his get-up . He eschews
the study of the ritual as being too " heavy " and intellectual . He is the mainstay and support of the fourth degree , and is ever ready to obey the welcome call of the Junior Warden . He comes in late from his club , breaks profusely into blandishments and smiles , and his
description of anything pleasant as " awfully jolly " forms the staple of his talk . Though a stickler for the equality and fraternity of Masonry as an abstract principle , he avoids as much as possible his brethren who are less favoured as
to social position and " appearances , " and speaks of his fellow-creatures as " cads , " with the exception of a few kindred spirits , whom he designates as " men , " or " fellows "—never as brethren or gentlemen . He never " goes in " for any work of charity or Masonic study himself ; nor do any of his acquaintances—so he does not care .