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Article TO THE EDITOR. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
Sm AST > BROTHER , —I venture to address you privately upon a subject which has long occupied my mind , hoping that you may be induced to notice it , and aid the object I have in view , with your powerful pen . It has occurred to me that it would be most desirable to establish a " Freemason ' s Club , " upon a scale similar and equal to the great clubs which are so numerous in the Metropolis . There can be no doubtthat
, the Craft is sufficiently strong in point of numbers , and affluence to carry out this design . I have mentioned this project to a few Brethren only , who tell me that it could not succeed , as there would immediately arise dissentions , which would infallibly defeat it , —also , that there would be strong opposition made by self-interested parties . In reply to the first objection , it appears to me that the establishment of a club would be the means of reconciling these differences , ivhich , among
Masons , more particularly , ought not to exist ; and in reply to the second objection , I presume the opposition could only proceed from the Licensed Victuallers ; but I contend that a " Freemason ' s Club " would not affect them at all , as the banquets which usually take place in their houses , would still continue to be held there . I propose that the club should consist of a refreshment room , library , and reading roomsas in other clubs ; but in additionthat a Lodge of
, , Instruction and Improvement should be provided , whicli might be held every day in the club house—so that Brethren from the provinces , ( members of the club , ) might obtain the benefit of instruction and improvement in the mysteries of the Craft . The establishment of a Freemason ' s Club would add to the respectability and advantage of Masons
in every way . It would inspire the uninitiated with a belief that Freemasonry was of more moment than a mere affair of guttling anel guzzling , by ivhich , at present , they do attempt to ridicule the Fraternity . I am convinced there are many Brethren in the provinces , of high standing in society , clergymen and gentlemen , who do not belongto any club , who ivould cheerfully join this ; besides , many who are at present deterred from entering the Craft , might be influenced ( from the respectability guaranteed by the club ) to become Masons ; and thus
strengthen the bonds of unity and Brotherly love , which should ever prevail amongst us . A much respected Brother wished to know how my project could be sustained . I do not think it would prove a difficult task , provided , our neiv Grancl Master , the Earl of Zetland , could be persuaded to commence Iris official rule by lending bis sanction to the scheme . A thousand members paying an entrance fee of 10 / . each , would give a funel of
10 , 000 / , amply sufficient for the formation of the club ; and a house might be taken for three years , or for a longer period , whilst a building fund was accumulating . I will not now occupy more of your time than is necessary to apologise for this trespass ; and to repeat my earnest hope that you may be induced to enter upon this topic in your next publication , and I have no doubt that it will be favourablreceived by the Brethren throughout
y the kingdom . I beg to subscribe myself , Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , W . April 30 , 1 WI .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
Sm AST > BROTHER , —I venture to address you privately upon a subject which has long occupied my mind , hoping that you may be induced to notice it , and aid the object I have in view , with your powerful pen . It has occurred to me that it would be most desirable to establish a " Freemason ' s Club , " upon a scale similar and equal to the great clubs which are so numerous in the Metropolis . There can be no doubtthat
, the Craft is sufficiently strong in point of numbers , and affluence to carry out this design . I have mentioned this project to a few Brethren only , who tell me that it could not succeed , as there would immediately arise dissentions , which would infallibly defeat it , —also , that there would be strong opposition made by self-interested parties . In reply to the first objection , it appears to me that the establishment of a club would be the means of reconciling these differences , ivhich , among
Masons , more particularly , ought not to exist ; and in reply to the second objection , I presume the opposition could only proceed from the Licensed Victuallers ; but I contend that a " Freemason ' s Club " would not affect them at all , as the banquets which usually take place in their houses , would still continue to be held there . I propose that the club should consist of a refreshment room , library , and reading roomsas in other clubs ; but in additionthat a Lodge of
, , Instruction and Improvement should be provided , whicli might be held every day in the club house—so that Brethren from the provinces , ( members of the club , ) might obtain the benefit of instruction and improvement in the mysteries of the Craft . The establishment of a Freemason ' s Club would add to the respectability and advantage of Masons
in every way . It would inspire the uninitiated with a belief that Freemasonry was of more moment than a mere affair of guttling anel guzzling , by ivhich , at present , they do attempt to ridicule the Fraternity . I am convinced there are many Brethren in the provinces , of high standing in society , clergymen and gentlemen , who do not belongto any club , who ivould cheerfully join this ; besides , many who are at present deterred from entering the Craft , might be influenced ( from the respectability guaranteed by the club ) to become Masons ; and thus
strengthen the bonds of unity and Brotherly love , which should ever prevail amongst us . A much respected Brother wished to know how my project could be sustained . I do not think it would prove a difficult task , provided , our neiv Grancl Master , the Earl of Zetland , could be persuaded to commence Iris official rule by lending bis sanction to the scheme . A thousand members paying an entrance fee of 10 / . each , would give a funel of
10 , 000 / , amply sufficient for the formation of the club ; and a house might be taken for three years , or for a longer period , whilst a building fund was accumulating . I will not now occupy more of your time than is necessary to apologise for this trespass ; and to repeat my earnest hope that you may be induced to enter upon this topic in your next publication , and I have no doubt that it will be favourablreceived by the Brethren throughout
y the kingdom . I beg to subscribe myself , Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , W . April 30 , 1 WI .