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Article THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY MAGAZINE. ← Page 2 of 19 →
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The Freemasons' Quarterly Magazine.
authoritatively , and . at length , we will- —without assuming an authority we neither do , nor wish to , possess—reply to the several suggestions that are continually offered to our consideration . It is quite clear to our mind , that the first suggestion , and that most frequently offered , — that G . L . should appoint paid Officers to visit the country Lodges , and set them right , —
involves an impossibility . It is very true , that all subjects of importance must be discussed and decided by the Masonic Parliament , and that its ruling , after confirmation of minutes , is final , according to its interpretation of the "Book of Constitutions ; " but upon the question of Ritualism it has no power . That remains as it has stood for centuries , and cannot be changed , mutilated ,
or improved . "With respect to discipline , however , G . L . has authority , and invariably—so long as we have been acquainted with its proceedings—tempers judgment with moderation and charity . But if it ever should be that G . L . travels out of this department , to offer decision upon words and sections , that moment all unanimity and concord would inevitably cease .
Whilst the essence of Masonry is one and undivided , there may be varieties in the explanation of certain peculiarities ; and it would be utterly out of the power of G . L . to select Brethren , who would be considered by all parties to be fitted for the
fulfilment of their allotted task , of making every Lodge in the Masonic domain letter perfect . Most assuredly , if any Brethren should attempt this , —whether with the sanction of G . L . or without it , —the twenty-four horns would not suffice to settle the question of accurate Ritualism ; and thus one of the most essential features of Masonry—the division of
labourwould speedily become obliterated . G . L ., as at present constituted , would never consent to adopt a resolution , which would involve the destruction of time-honoured " landmarks ; " and therefore , the desire of some for a paid staff of Officers must remain as unlikely to be fulfilled , as the expectation of such a scheme ever working well is Utopian .
On the second point , concerning which many Brethren are quite as urgent as on the first , and perhaps more so ,- —that written instructions might surely be communicated with a view to perfect uniformity , —we really think a reply almost needless . The urgency of this desire proves to us , that those who feel it have very little recollection of the imperative terms of their
O . B ., or that it could not have been correctly administered , which is scarcely probable . Let the introduction to the E . A . degree be well considered , and this notion will immediately appear to be absurd , —nay , as impossible , as it is absurd . We have said that there may be reasons why the wishes , to which we have alluded , should exist , and we have already hinted
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Magazine.
authoritatively , and . at length , we will- —without assuming an authority we neither do , nor wish to , possess—reply to the several suggestions that are continually offered to our consideration . It is quite clear to our mind , that the first suggestion , and that most frequently offered , — that G . L . should appoint paid Officers to visit the country Lodges , and set them right , —
involves an impossibility . It is very true , that all subjects of importance must be discussed and decided by the Masonic Parliament , and that its ruling , after confirmation of minutes , is final , according to its interpretation of the "Book of Constitutions ; " but upon the question of Ritualism it has no power . That remains as it has stood for centuries , and cannot be changed , mutilated ,
or improved . "With respect to discipline , however , G . L . has authority , and invariably—so long as we have been acquainted with its proceedings—tempers judgment with moderation and charity . But if it ever should be that G . L . travels out of this department , to offer decision upon words and sections , that moment all unanimity and concord would inevitably cease .
Whilst the essence of Masonry is one and undivided , there may be varieties in the explanation of certain peculiarities ; and it would be utterly out of the power of G . L . to select Brethren , who would be considered by all parties to be fitted for the
fulfilment of their allotted task , of making every Lodge in the Masonic domain letter perfect . Most assuredly , if any Brethren should attempt this , —whether with the sanction of G . L . or without it , —the twenty-four horns would not suffice to settle the question of accurate Ritualism ; and thus one of the most essential features of Masonry—the division of
labourwould speedily become obliterated . G . L ., as at present constituted , would never consent to adopt a resolution , which would involve the destruction of time-honoured " landmarks ; " and therefore , the desire of some for a paid staff of Officers must remain as unlikely to be fulfilled , as the expectation of such a scheme ever working well is Utopian .
On the second point , concerning which many Brethren are quite as urgent as on the first , and perhaps more so ,- —that written instructions might surely be communicated with a view to perfect uniformity , —we really think a reply almost needless . The urgency of this desire proves to us , that those who feel it have very little recollection of the imperative terms of their
O . B ., or that it could not have been correctly administered , which is scarcely probable . Let the introduction to the E . A . degree be well considered , and this notion will immediately appear to be absurd , —nay , as impossible , as it is absurd . We have said that there may be reasons why the wishes , to which we have alluded , should exist , and we have already hinted