Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
the Order , " against Brethren who may think it necessary to use the press , as a means of communicating their ideas on Masonic subjects . ' Masonry is free , " and unless Brethren , when they use that most powerful instrument , trespass the landmarks , or circulate falsehoods concerning the Brotherhood , they ought not to be punished . The press is now called in to aid the discussion of almost every subject , to investigate right from wrongtruth from falsehoodand it is the opinion of
, , this Prov . Grand Lotlge that Freemasonry should form no exception to this rule . The A . C . Prov . Grand Lodge protest against the interference of the Grand Lodge with any unauthorised Masonic bodies , over whom she can have no control ; as such a step is likely to lead to a result similar to that which took place in 1818 , when she interfered ivith another Masonic body . The Aberdeen Prov . Grand Lodge are of opinion that information is
much wanted by the Lodges ; that intelligence on Grand Lodge business , the state of Lodges generally , and other topics connected with the Craft , ought to be transmitted in a move ample manner than has hitherto been the case . Such a step would be a great improvement , and would tend to foster that respect and esteem , which it is the duty of Lodges to pay to the Grand I . oiige—which a Circular such as the one under consideration , cannot but alienate . The Protest was carried over an amendment " that it lie on the table
for three months ; " three of the Brethren dissented from this resolution . Some minor business being settled , the acting P . G . M . addressed the Lodge , again stating that he regretted the absence of the P . G . M . and the other officers appointed by the P . G . M . with Commissioners , that during the last year , the P . G . M . hail only been once at the Lodge , the substitute P . G . M . twice , and one of the AV aniens once ; that it had fallen to his lot as W . M . of St . Machar ' s Lodge , to preside over this Lodge twice in that time . Such lack of attendance was ample proof that
there was much need of reform in the system at present employed in the constituting Prov . Grand Lodges : and whilst such ivas the case Avith them , it Avas no great Avonder that there were complaints about the Grand Lodge itself . It was the duty of Lodges to examine and consider the Laivs and Constitutions , that they might take such steps as are necessary to put the Craft upon a right footing ; the Lodges alone could do this , and they ivould be in a more likely position to carry out
the principles of Freemasonry , if those , in each province , had power to elect their own office-bearers : the same power which is invested in every individual Lodge in Scotland . Bro . Findlay asked if there Avould be any objection to a report of the proceedings of this meeting , and circulating the same amongst the Lodges in Scotland , as it might be of advantage to the Craft generally , to show what was doing in the north . Bro . AVinchester , the P . G . Secretary , stated that he did not think that any report of the meeting could be circulated , and that , in his opinion , it would be an infringement on the Laws .
I he acting P . G . M . put an end to the discussion by giving , as P . G . M ., full liberty to any Brother or Brethren to print , publish , or circulate , a full , true , and particular account of the proceedings of the meetingthere being no rule or law in the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland against it ; he held in his hand a report of a meeting in GlasgoAv—or a speech of the substitute P . G . M . of that province—which was in itself evidence that the Lodge required very much information on Masonic matters generally . The Lodge was then closed in form .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
the Order , " against Brethren who may think it necessary to use the press , as a means of communicating their ideas on Masonic subjects . ' Masonry is free , " and unless Brethren , when they use that most powerful instrument , trespass the landmarks , or circulate falsehoods concerning the Brotherhood , they ought not to be punished . The press is now called in to aid the discussion of almost every subject , to investigate right from wrongtruth from falsehoodand it is the opinion of
, , this Prov . Grand Lotlge that Freemasonry should form no exception to this rule . The A . C . Prov . Grand Lodge protest against the interference of the Grand Lodge with any unauthorised Masonic bodies , over whom she can have no control ; as such a step is likely to lead to a result similar to that which took place in 1818 , when she interfered ivith another Masonic body . The Aberdeen Prov . Grand Lodge are of opinion that information is
much wanted by the Lodges ; that intelligence on Grand Lodge business , the state of Lodges generally , and other topics connected with the Craft , ought to be transmitted in a move ample manner than has hitherto been the case . Such a step would be a great improvement , and would tend to foster that respect and esteem , which it is the duty of Lodges to pay to the Grand I . oiige—which a Circular such as the one under consideration , cannot but alienate . The Protest was carried over an amendment " that it lie on the table
for three months ; " three of the Brethren dissented from this resolution . Some minor business being settled , the acting P . G . M . addressed the Lodge , again stating that he regretted the absence of the P . G . M . and the other officers appointed by the P . G . M . with Commissioners , that during the last year , the P . G . M . hail only been once at the Lodge , the substitute P . G . M . twice , and one of the AV aniens once ; that it had fallen to his lot as W . M . of St . Machar ' s Lodge , to preside over this Lodge twice in that time . Such lack of attendance was ample proof that
there was much need of reform in the system at present employed in the constituting Prov . Grand Lodges : and whilst such ivas the case Avith them , it Avas no great Avonder that there were complaints about the Grand Lodge itself . It was the duty of Lodges to examine and consider the Laivs and Constitutions , that they might take such steps as are necessary to put the Craft upon a right footing ; the Lodges alone could do this , and they ivould be in a more likely position to carry out
the principles of Freemasonry , if those , in each province , had power to elect their own office-bearers : the same power which is invested in every individual Lodge in Scotland . Bro . Findlay asked if there Avould be any objection to a report of the proceedings of this meeting , and circulating the same amongst the Lodges in Scotland , as it might be of advantage to the Craft generally , to show what was doing in the north . Bro . AVinchester , the P . G . Secretary , stated that he did not think that any report of the meeting could be circulated , and that , in his opinion , it would be an infringement on the Laws .
I he acting P . G . M . put an end to the discussion by giving , as P . G . M ., full liberty to any Brother or Brethren to print , publish , or circulate , a full , true , and particular account of the proceedings of the meetingthere being no rule or law in the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland against it ; he held in his hand a report of a meeting in GlasgoAv—or a speech of the substitute P . G . M . of that province—which was in itself evidence that the Lodge required very much information on Masonic matters generally . The Lodge was then closed in form .