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Article THE PORTRAIT GALLERY—No. 2. ← Page 2 of 3 →
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The Portrait Gallery—No. 2.
ought to he held , as a thorough conviction that the principles of masonic equity will never be violated by him , who , to the extent of his power , is to be the conservator of the rights and privileges of the individual members of the fraternity . It is this conviction that induces wisdom to confirm , and reflection to sanction his judgments , and the impulsiveness of the unreflecting , is thus moderated by the cool philosophy of his example .
It is not to be expected that Lord Yarborough—surrounded as he is by a masonic oligarchy , alike the disgrace and contempt of the age—can be exempt from the pestilent influence of that power , —a power at once the bane and destruction of every healthy and promising element in the organization of our institution ; it cannot , we say , be expected ( under sueh circumstances ) that a freedom of action becoming the independence of a Deputy Grand Master , can at all times be fully exercised .
We must not , however , exonerate Lord Yarborough from the portion of critical observation which truth and justice demand , arising from the absence of any effort on his part to mitigate , if not to avert , the course of that unjust and impolitic system , which , although it enjoy a present impunity , is , and will continue to be , stamped with the indignant reprehension of every independent mind . It is the principal , and ,
perhaps , in a masonic point of view , the only fault of the Deputy Grand Master ; but then it is like the single fault of Mrs . Bulgruddery , and that was described by C ' olman , with more force than elegance , as a —whopper .
Of course the noble Earl has a cause—if not a reason , —for the adoption of this policy ; but if it arises from apprehension of loss of station , let us tell his lordship that such a consideration is unworthy of his reputation , and ought to be alien to his aspirations of legitimate ambition . On the other hand he may urge , allud mihi est agendum . If so , he undervalues his present office , and is insensible of its means to an end .
It is possible , however , the power that blights all who come within its upas influence , has for a time paralyzed the healthy vitality of the Deputy Grand Master ; if so , let us , for the sake of his fair fame and honorable usefulness , and for the true interests of the Craft , invoke him to reduce to action the noble and fearless theory of the poet , —
" Thy spirit , Independence ! let me share , Lord of the lions' heart and eagles eye ; Thy steps I ' 11 follow with my bosom bare , Nor heed the storm that howls along the sky . " In this age , whether it relates to Masonry , or any other institution , to govern by bald authority , unsanctioned by equity , will not—cannot be tolerated . Power may accomplish a fleeting supremacy ; but if at the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Portrait Gallery—No. 2.
ought to he held , as a thorough conviction that the principles of masonic equity will never be violated by him , who , to the extent of his power , is to be the conservator of the rights and privileges of the individual members of the fraternity . It is this conviction that induces wisdom to confirm , and reflection to sanction his judgments , and the impulsiveness of the unreflecting , is thus moderated by the cool philosophy of his example .
It is not to be expected that Lord Yarborough—surrounded as he is by a masonic oligarchy , alike the disgrace and contempt of the age—can be exempt from the pestilent influence of that power , —a power at once the bane and destruction of every healthy and promising element in the organization of our institution ; it cannot , we say , be expected ( under sueh circumstances ) that a freedom of action becoming the independence of a Deputy Grand Master , can at all times be fully exercised .
We must not , however , exonerate Lord Yarborough from the portion of critical observation which truth and justice demand , arising from the absence of any effort on his part to mitigate , if not to avert , the course of that unjust and impolitic system , which , although it enjoy a present impunity , is , and will continue to be , stamped with the indignant reprehension of every independent mind . It is the principal , and ,
perhaps , in a masonic point of view , the only fault of the Deputy Grand Master ; but then it is like the single fault of Mrs . Bulgruddery , and that was described by C ' olman , with more force than elegance , as a —whopper .
Of course the noble Earl has a cause—if not a reason , —for the adoption of this policy ; but if it arises from apprehension of loss of station , let us tell his lordship that such a consideration is unworthy of his reputation , and ought to be alien to his aspirations of legitimate ambition . On the other hand he may urge , allud mihi est agendum . If so , he undervalues his present office , and is insensible of its means to an end .
It is possible , however , the power that blights all who come within its upas influence , has for a time paralyzed the healthy vitality of the Deputy Grand Master ; if so , let us , for the sake of his fair fame and honorable usefulness , and for the true interests of the Craft , invoke him to reduce to action the noble and fearless theory of the poet , —
" Thy spirit , Independence ! let me share , Lord of the lions' heart and eagles eye ; Thy steps I ' 11 follow with my bosom bare , Nor heed the storm that howls along the sky . " In this age , whether it relates to Masonry , or any other institution , to govern by bald authority , unsanctioned by equity , will not—cannot be tolerated . Power may accomplish a fleeting supremacy ; but if at the