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Article THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY MAGAZINE. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Magazine.
greater part of which , it is to be feared , are not in such good working order as they were in former years , though they may be very anxious to promulgate the principles of tho Craft . That Masonry may advance in this country is our ardent aspiration ; that its pure principles of Brotherly JJOVO , Reliefj and Truthmay be diffused to the utmost
extentcommen-, , surate with the blessings which such principles cannot but produce , every well-wisher to the Order must desire ; but it is very questionable to our minds Avhether rapid increase of membership is tending to these ends . The members who are annually " made" are no criterion that it will be so ; nay , on the contrary , they tend to confirm our fears , that ruin or disaster may accrue
more speedily than some seem to imagine , unless a check be put upon the growing disposition to bring " the popular world " more largely within the precincts of the Fraternity than it was once permitted to be . It is one of the fixed rules of the Craft , that " the tongue of good report should be heard" in favour of all , who desire to enlist under its banners . It is
essential to the very life of the Order , that " strict care and due examination" should be had that no unworthy person be permitted to pass the portals of a Lodge . It is imperative , according to the Constitutions , that no person should solicit his friends to become Craftsmen , or offer any inducement to lead them to suppose it would be for their benefit to undergo thc process of initiation .
Now , there can be no question—with pain do we say it—that in too many instances there is not sufficient inquiry made into the character of persons who offer themselves for membership , and that that searching investigation into character and respectability , which the rules and regulations of Masonry require , is not insisted upon as it ought to be . We are well aware that
tlie proceedings of the Grand Lodge are much more in accordance with the spirit of our ancient Order than they were some few years ago ; but , although this is the case , we cannot but view with apprehension certain indications that have of late been apparent , that proper investigation had not been made into the reputation of some , who now take part in the business of the
Craft . We know that in many of the Provinces the same indications are appearing , and that some of the wisest and the best Masons of the Grand Lodges of those Provinces are beginning to think that the time is come when advice should be tendered to the various Craft Lodges to be both circumspect and cautious , lest they be taken unawares in acceding to propositions for membership , which , once consented to , may be tlie cause of future , if not of immediate , pain and disquietude .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Magazine.
greater part of which , it is to be feared , are not in such good working order as they were in former years , though they may be very anxious to promulgate the principles of tho Craft . That Masonry may advance in this country is our ardent aspiration ; that its pure principles of Brotherly JJOVO , Reliefj and Truthmay be diffused to the utmost
extentcommen-, , surate with the blessings which such principles cannot but produce , every well-wisher to the Order must desire ; but it is very questionable to our minds Avhether rapid increase of membership is tending to these ends . The members who are annually " made" are no criterion that it will be so ; nay , on the contrary , they tend to confirm our fears , that ruin or disaster may accrue
more speedily than some seem to imagine , unless a check be put upon the growing disposition to bring " the popular world " more largely within the precincts of the Fraternity than it was once permitted to be . It is one of the fixed rules of the Craft , that " the tongue of good report should be heard" in favour of all , who desire to enlist under its banners . It is
essential to the very life of the Order , that " strict care and due examination" should be had that no unworthy person be permitted to pass the portals of a Lodge . It is imperative , according to the Constitutions , that no person should solicit his friends to become Craftsmen , or offer any inducement to lead them to suppose it would be for their benefit to undergo thc process of initiation .
Now , there can be no question—with pain do we say it—that in too many instances there is not sufficient inquiry made into the character of persons who offer themselves for membership , and that that searching investigation into character and respectability , which the rules and regulations of Masonry require , is not insisted upon as it ought to be . We are well aware that
tlie proceedings of the Grand Lodge are much more in accordance with the spirit of our ancient Order than they were some few years ago ; but , although this is the case , we cannot but view with apprehension certain indications that have of late been apparent , that proper investigation had not been made into the reputation of some , who now take part in the business of the
Craft . We know that in many of the Provinces the same indications are appearing , and that some of the wisest and the best Masons of the Grand Lodges of those Provinces are beginning to think that the time is come when advice should be tendered to the various Craft Lodges to be both circumspect and cautious , lest they be taken unawares in acceding to propositions for membership , which , once consented to , may be tlie cause of future , if not of immediate , pain and disquietude .