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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 16 of 25 →
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Provincial.
and raising of candidates ; no one portion of these being passed over , until each Brother had been enabled to describe it in his OAvn phraseology , and subsequently in the exact Avords ordinarily used in the respective ceremonies . A comparison of portions of the ceremony , Avas instituted in each degree , betAveen Avhich a resemblance therein of the object , word , or event subsisted , and they Avere carefully noted and explainedand sectional divisionssimilar
, , in their general features , Avere formed as links or beacons of memory , for the more easy remembrance of the Avhole . On this system , the progress of the brethren , inclusive of one or tAvo not possessing strong memories , was rapid and striking , ancl a thorough analytical acquaintance Avith every part of the ceremonies Avas thus obtained . Before the close of each meeting , the Brother , the initial in Avhose surname Avas next in alhabetical indexbeing
p , entitled to preside at the next meeting to be held at his house , named the Brs . present or absent Avhom he desired to act as his Wardens ancl other officers at such meeting—the object being , that each Member , in turn , for his OAvn improvement , should fill every office . If the Brother next in rotation Avas absent , his officers for the ensuing evening were appointed by the Society . Questions involving discussion , were not to be put to the Preceptor
until the time of refreshment , Avhen points of Masonic law , discipline and practice , the origin of Masonic usages and customs , historical inquiries and references , the etymology of Masonic Avords and their present meanings , general Masonic Art , Science , Literature , letters from distinguished Brethren , the inspection of rare documents , books , & c , engaged the attention of the Brethren . Sometimes the meetings Avere enlivened by the presence of visitors of intelligence and experienceAvhose professional duties occasioned them to visit different
, countries , or that of others Avho Avere accustomed to travel , AA'henthe peculiarities in the ceremonies of Freemasonry in other countries became the themes of conversation ; as for example , on the military officers belonging to the regiments stationed in the tOAvn attending , ancl during the last Session , on the return of one of the members from a voyage across the Atlantic , Avhen the mode of conducting Masonic Lodges , ancl working the ceremonies therein , in NeAV
York , Philadelphia , & c , Avere minutely explained by the Brother ; on other occasions Avhen a Brother communicated from time to time his Masonic experience Avhilst travelling in part of Europe , Africa , and in the Holy Land . The meetings thus assumed the character of an instructive Masonic Conversazione and social gathering , to AA'hich each Brother might contribute the results of his Masonic acquirements and researches , and of his general literary and scientific attainments .
The refreshment Avas limited to a plain supply , meats , & c , being prohibited , and the refreshments Avere not to exceed two glasses each of wine , negus , or spirituous liquid and Avater . On the last circle of visits before the close of the first Session ( the number of members attending the second Session being too large for this purpose ) , the married Brethren entertained their Masonic sisters and nieces , Avhen the time allowed for refreshment Avas extended , and confections , and suitable beverages Avere introduced . Vocal and instrumental music , by the fair Masonic relatives , and the charms of their society imparted an additional interest to these agreeable
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
and raising of candidates ; no one portion of these being passed over , until each Brother had been enabled to describe it in his OAvn phraseology , and subsequently in the exact Avords ordinarily used in the respective ceremonies . A comparison of portions of the ceremony , Avas instituted in each degree , betAveen Avhich a resemblance therein of the object , word , or event subsisted , and they Avere carefully noted and explainedand sectional divisionssimilar
, , in their general features , Avere formed as links or beacons of memory , for the more easy remembrance of the Avhole . On this system , the progress of the brethren , inclusive of one or tAvo not possessing strong memories , was rapid and striking , ancl a thorough analytical acquaintance Avith every part of the ceremonies Avas thus obtained . Before the close of each meeting , the Brother , the initial in Avhose surname Avas next in alhabetical indexbeing
p , entitled to preside at the next meeting to be held at his house , named the Brs . present or absent Avhom he desired to act as his Wardens ancl other officers at such meeting—the object being , that each Member , in turn , for his OAvn improvement , should fill every office . If the Brother next in rotation Avas absent , his officers for the ensuing evening were appointed by the Society . Questions involving discussion , were not to be put to the Preceptor
until the time of refreshment , Avhen points of Masonic law , discipline and practice , the origin of Masonic usages and customs , historical inquiries and references , the etymology of Masonic Avords and their present meanings , general Masonic Art , Science , Literature , letters from distinguished Brethren , the inspection of rare documents , books , & c , engaged the attention of the Brethren . Sometimes the meetings Avere enlivened by the presence of visitors of intelligence and experienceAvhose professional duties occasioned them to visit different
, countries , or that of others Avho Avere accustomed to travel , AA'henthe peculiarities in the ceremonies of Freemasonry in other countries became the themes of conversation ; as for example , on the military officers belonging to the regiments stationed in the tOAvn attending , ancl during the last Session , on the return of one of the members from a voyage across the Atlantic , Avhen the mode of conducting Masonic Lodges , ancl working the ceremonies therein , in NeAV
York , Philadelphia , & c , Avere minutely explained by the Brother ; on other occasions Avhen a Brother communicated from time to time his Masonic experience Avhilst travelling in part of Europe , Africa , and in the Holy Land . The meetings thus assumed the character of an instructive Masonic Conversazione and social gathering , to AA'hich each Brother might contribute the results of his Masonic acquirements and researches , and of his general literary and scientific attainments .
The refreshment Avas limited to a plain supply , meats , & c , being prohibited , and the refreshments Avere not to exceed two glasses each of wine , negus , or spirituous liquid and Avater . On the last circle of visits before the close of the first Session ( the number of members attending the second Session being too large for this purpose ) , the married Brethren entertained their Masonic sisters and nieces , Avhen the time allowed for refreshment Avas extended , and confections , and suitable beverages Avere introduced . Vocal and instrumental music , by the fair Masonic relatives , and the charms of their society imparted an additional interest to these agreeable