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Article TO THE EDITOR. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
DEAR SIK AND BROTHER , —At such a distance you will be surprised , perhaps , to perceive that a question on matters of discipline should be referred to your judgment ; but as you are held to be equal to the highest authority in things pertaining to Masonry , it appears reasonable to expect that ivhen your opinion is pronounced , it will have the effect of ivorking a change for the better in some of our Lodges in this part of the Avorld , where , I am happy to be able to say , that Freemasonry is
flourishing , though I cannot but say it with grief , that many irregularities destructive of the principles upon which this noble institution is based , have grown up along ivith it to tarnish its fair fame . Those ivho are without the pale might well wonder to hear of dissensions and divisions in a body professing to be actuated by the all-prevailing sentiment of natural brotherhood , and influenced by feelings of peace and amity towards all ; and indeed it is surprising that any
irregularity should arise , particularly Avhile there exist Rules and Regulations for maintaining discipline and promoting order . But the Avonder vanishes when the fact is known that Masonry does not exempt from the infirmities common to humanity , though this fact does not relieve ^ ny from the due restraints ivhich , more than others , it ought to be the duty of Freemasons to practice , and therefore it is matter of regret to perceive in some Lodges , Masons of respectable standing and experience not caring for the dignity of their position and the benefit of good example —in defiance of those natural restraints ivhich ought to control mankind — -breaking through even the very Rules themselves have framed , and
that for the mere purpose of carrying out their private Avishes , in opposition to all decorum and right feeling . This is the fruitful source of those dissensions and divisions , —that laws are made and not heeded ;—made with all the appearance of earnestness , after mature consideration and much discussion , and every formality necessary to produce a salutary operation , and then broken as readily as if they were never intended to be upheld . The consequence is , that the peaceably disposed , having ¦ continuall y to encounter the opposition of those ivith ivhom they desire
to live in harmony , rather than be subject to the reign of confusion where peace and unity ought to reign , are driven to the necessity of withdrawing from Lodge membership ; and the result has been , that the body becoming crippled by loss of Avorking members , falls into a state of hopeless dormancy . A catastrophe so much to be deplored is what every Mason should endeavour to avoid , and with this view I am induced to fonvard , by the
present opportunity , a Book of Regulations of the R . A . Chapter attached to Lodge No . 326 , and Avould beg to draAv your attention to the first part of Art . III . and Art . XVIII ., * that you may be enabled kindly to give us your opinion , whether it ivould be consistent to elect a Companion who may happen to be some thirty or forty rupees in debt ( and who has not even paid his exaltation fee ) , over the heads of other worthy Companionswho are not only eligible for having paid up their
, dues in advance for the year , but for the qualifications they possess . I Avillingly refrain from describing the scene that Avas enacted at a late meeting of the Chapter above mentioned , where such conduct had been perpetrated by a banded majority , but I may mention that the Rule 3 pointed out were made expressly to correct the evil occasioned bv
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
DEAR SIK AND BROTHER , —At such a distance you will be surprised , perhaps , to perceive that a question on matters of discipline should be referred to your judgment ; but as you are held to be equal to the highest authority in things pertaining to Masonry , it appears reasonable to expect that ivhen your opinion is pronounced , it will have the effect of ivorking a change for the better in some of our Lodges in this part of the Avorld , where , I am happy to be able to say , that Freemasonry is
flourishing , though I cannot but say it with grief , that many irregularities destructive of the principles upon which this noble institution is based , have grown up along ivith it to tarnish its fair fame . Those ivho are without the pale might well wonder to hear of dissensions and divisions in a body professing to be actuated by the all-prevailing sentiment of natural brotherhood , and influenced by feelings of peace and amity towards all ; and indeed it is surprising that any
irregularity should arise , particularly Avhile there exist Rules and Regulations for maintaining discipline and promoting order . But the Avonder vanishes when the fact is known that Masonry does not exempt from the infirmities common to humanity , though this fact does not relieve ^ ny from the due restraints ivhich , more than others , it ought to be the duty of Freemasons to practice , and therefore it is matter of regret to perceive in some Lodges , Masons of respectable standing and experience not caring for the dignity of their position and the benefit of good example —in defiance of those natural restraints ivhich ought to control mankind — -breaking through even the very Rules themselves have framed , and
that for the mere purpose of carrying out their private Avishes , in opposition to all decorum and right feeling . This is the fruitful source of those dissensions and divisions , —that laws are made and not heeded ;—made with all the appearance of earnestness , after mature consideration and much discussion , and every formality necessary to produce a salutary operation , and then broken as readily as if they were never intended to be upheld . The consequence is , that the peaceably disposed , having ¦ continuall y to encounter the opposition of those ivith ivhom they desire
to live in harmony , rather than be subject to the reign of confusion where peace and unity ought to reign , are driven to the necessity of withdrawing from Lodge membership ; and the result has been , that the body becoming crippled by loss of Avorking members , falls into a state of hopeless dormancy . A catastrophe so much to be deplored is what every Mason should endeavour to avoid , and with this view I am induced to fonvard , by the
present opportunity , a Book of Regulations of the R . A . Chapter attached to Lodge No . 326 , and Avould beg to draAv your attention to the first part of Art . III . and Art . XVIII ., * that you may be enabled kindly to give us your opinion , whether it ivould be consistent to elect a Companion who may happen to be some thirty or forty rupees in debt ( and who has not even paid his exaltation fee ) , over the heads of other worthy Companionswho are not only eligible for having paid up their
, dues in advance for the year , but for the qualifications they possess . I Avillingly refrain from describing the scene that Avas enacted at a late meeting of the Chapter above mentioned , where such conduct had been perpetrated by a banded majority , but I may mention that the Rule 3 pointed out were made expressly to correct the evil occasioned bv