-
Articles/Ads
Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
So much for the admired superiority of the complex and modern English method , in comparison with the simple , ancient , and more correct one followed in Scotland , where no catechism was ever , or I hope ever will be , authorised or tolerated by the Grand Loclge ; but when occasionally lectures are given , which none but scientific Masons can prepare , ancl which seem to impart instruction even to the most experienced . Allow me now to put some questions to the members of the United
Grand Loclge of England . 1 st . Are they disposed to approve of the doings of the Liverpool Masons ? 2 nd . Are they prepared to order all their subordinate lodges to refuse admittance to any F . C . or M . M . until he has been passed and raised in a lodge adopting the English ritual and catechism ? 3 rd . Are they prepared for all other Grancl Lodges making reprisals , and ordering their daughter lodges to refuse admittance to all F . C . and M . M . from English lod because they
ges , had received their degrees in an incorrect manner ? 4 th . Are they prepared to follow up the same steps with regard to the E . A P ., which in England also differs in much from all the modes practised elsewhere ? Sth . Are they prepared to declare that Masonry is no longer universal , and that no one initiated out of England can be recognised as a Mason in that country ? Such must be the results that will follow the approval of the conduct
of the Liverpool Masons . The subject is important , and ought to be taken up by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , as well as by the United Grancl Loclge of England , without delay . Surely the " Liverpool Mason" is not aware that such alterations have been made within these twenty or thirty years in France , in even the first degree , that things
are now thrust into it , that used before to be known only to Masonic Templars ; yet these brethren are not refused by our lodges , nor ours by them . The greatest innovation I know of is in Mecklenburg , where all the three blue degrees are given simultaneously , and as one degree : still their Masons are acknowledged elsewhere . There are certain points on which all blue Masons agree ; these alone are ancient and genuine ; all others , including authorised catechisms of every shade and description t to be
, ough expunged . As the discussion on the shortening the time between granting the several degrees seems to have elicited the very different question about ritual and catechisms , permit me to observe that it appears to me that the parties have lost sight of one very important element . Previous to the commencement of last century , and for some years thereafter , no ordinary lodge had power to hold a M . M . lodge ; the highest degree conferred was F . C , and the degree of M . M . was given only to the
elected R . W . M . of a lodge , by three congregated R . W . Masters . But after this degree began to be given to any F . C , it ceased to be the R . W . Masters' degree , ancl became a substitute for , or rather an adjunct to , that of F . C . There is , therefore , no longer any reason why it and the F . C . degree may not be given in the same evening , particularly as no portion of this last is genuine except the simple ancl short ceremonial ; but I have been always of opinion that some time ought to elapse between the E . A P . degree and that of FCand between that of
. , F . C . and the eligibility of the individual to hold the office of II . W . M ., except in cases of emergency ; and of these cases I conceive every R . W . M . may be the judge ; for if the reason he ordered to be entered in the minute-book of the lodge , and subject to the censure of the Prov . Grand Master , this privilege is not likely to be abused .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
So much for the admired superiority of the complex and modern English method , in comparison with the simple , ancient , and more correct one followed in Scotland , where no catechism was ever , or I hope ever will be , authorised or tolerated by the Grand Loclge ; but when occasionally lectures are given , which none but scientific Masons can prepare , ancl which seem to impart instruction even to the most experienced . Allow me now to put some questions to the members of the United
Grand Loclge of England . 1 st . Are they disposed to approve of the doings of the Liverpool Masons ? 2 nd . Are they prepared to order all their subordinate lodges to refuse admittance to any F . C . or M . M . until he has been passed and raised in a lodge adopting the English ritual and catechism ? 3 rd . Are they prepared for all other Grancl Lodges making reprisals , and ordering their daughter lodges to refuse admittance to all F . C . and M . M . from English lod because they
ges , had received their degrees in an incorrect manner ? 4 th . Are they prepared to follow up the same steps with regard to the E . A P ., which in England also differs in much from all the modes practised elsewhere ? Sth . Are they prepared to declare that Masonry is no longer universal , and that no one initiated out of England can be recognised as a Mason in that country ? Such must be the results that will follow the approval of the conduct
of the Liverpool Masons . The subject is important , and ought to be taken up by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , as well as by the United Grancl Loclge of England , without delay . Surely the " Liverpool Mason" is not aware that such alterations have been made within these twenty or thirty years in France , in even the first degree , that things
are now thrust into it , that used before to be known only to Masonic Templars ; yet these brethren are not refused by our lodges , nor ours by them . The greatest innovation I know of is in Mecklenburg , where all the three blue degrees are given simultaneously , and as one degree : still their Masons are acknowledged elsewhere . There are certain points on which all blue Masons agree ; these alone are ancient and genuine ; all others , including authorised catechisms of every shade and description t to be
, ough expunged . As the discussion on the shortening the time between granting the several degrees seems to have elicited the very different question about ritual and catechisms , permit me to observe that it appears to me that the parties have lost sight of one very important element . Previous to the commencement of last century , and for some years thereafter , no ordinary lodge had power to hold a M . M . lodge ; the highest degree conferred was F . C , and the degree of M . M . was given only to the
elected R . W . M . of a lodge , by three congregated R . W . Masters . But after this degree began to be given to any F . C , it ceased to be the R . W . Masters' degree , ancl became a substitute for , or rather an adjunct to , that of F . C . There is , therefore , no longer any reason why it and the F . C . degree may not be given in the same evening , particularly as no portion of this last is genuine except the simple ancl short ceremonial ; but I have been always of opinion that some time ought to elapse between the E . A P . degree and that of FCand between that of
. , F . C . and the eligibility of the individual to hold the office of II . W . M ., except in cases of emergency ; and of these cases I conceive every R . W . M . may be the judge ; for if the reason he ordered to be entered in the minute-book of the lodge , and subject to the censure of the Prov . Grand Master , this privilege is not likely to be abused .