-
Articles/Ads
Article THE ROSICRUCIAN CRUSADE. ← Page 8 of 13 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Rosicrucian Crusade.
doubted , that the Grand Council of Rites were self-elected . The contrast is remarkable . Quarto . With regaid to the assumption of power by the Grand Lodge of Ireland , over the higher degrees of Masonry , there is something so ridiculously absurd in this system , that the sooner it is corrected the better . Suppose a ladder of many steps , a man on each , what would be thought of him who , on the lowest step , should have the foolishness
to describe and explain what could be only visible to those above him ? But what must be thought of him who , on the topmost step , could see and describe an horizon of illimitable extent , yet would seek for information from him whose sight was naturall y limited to a circumscribed space ? Quinto . The declaration of the Council of Rites , that there was no such chapter as the " Grand Chapter , " was unbecoming and impoliticunbecoming , because masonic courtesy should have prevailed—impolitic , because , if there really had been no " Grand Chapter , " the Council of Rites itself , which cle facto ( but irregularly ) grew out of it , must declare itself non-existent as a Council of Rites .
Sexto . A Mason expelled from a Lodge or Chapter , certainly loses his moral caste , until he makes due reparation ; but he can hardly be prevented from exercising his mental power . It was a serious fault in Zimmerman to act as he did towards the Grand Chapter . It was a still greater in those who aided , abetted , ancl afterwards associated with him for the purposes they did . It proves , that what commences badly can hardly work well ; and that the Council of Rites , wanting a sound basis , was obliged to seek from the Grancl Lodge a confirmation of their own self-constitution .
Septinw . —Excepting in Ireland , the Grand Lodge of the Craft cannot controul the higher degrees ; but , until repealed , the act of the Grancl Lodge , however militating against good sense , is the law . In England it is otherwise , each degree has its jurisdicial poiver . Octavo . The Grand Chapter can hardly have lost its rights , unless it was summoned AS SUCH , by the Grand Lodge , to the consideration of that proposition of the Council of Rites which endangered its privileges .
If the Grand Chapter was summoned , and its members attended as such , they became parties to their own disfranchisement . Nona . For the introduction of Bro . Ellis to the Cross of Christ Encampment , I was responsible . I obligated him at the time ; Lord Kildare expressed himself pleased with his company ; I was hardl y aware then of the differences in opinion between the Grand Chapter and the Council ; but I have since most carefully examined tbe books
, papers , and other muniments , of the Grand Chapter ; and I give my opinion most unhesitatingly , that they equal in correctness the transactions of any Masonic Community that I know . I had intended to have given a history of all the circumstances , compiled from documents in my possession ; but I deferred this until the pubic mind should be prepared to receive it . Your former correspondent V ERAX appears to have had a similar intention ; but is said to
have also deferred it , from respect to a Venerable Brother , whose exertions to conciliate have , like my own , failed . I reserve , however , to myself the right to publish my statement at a future period , merel y pledg ing myself to support my proof by correspondence where possible , ( and it is both extensive ancl interesting ) ; and b y all reasonable statements , where correspondence cannot be supplied . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Rosicrucian Crusade.
doubted , that the Grand Council of Rites were self-elected . The contrast is remarkable . Quarto . With regaid to the assumption of power by the Grand Lodge of Ireland , over the higher degrees of Masonry , there is something so ridiculously absurd in this system , that the sooner it is corrected the better . Suppose a ladder of many steps , a man on each , what would be thought of him who , on the lowest step , should have the foolishness
to describe and explain what could be only visible to those above him ? But what must be thought of him who , on the topmost step , could see and describe an horizon of illimitable extent , yet would seek for information from him whose sight was naturall y limited to a circumscribed space ? Quinto . The declaration of the Council of Rites , that there was no such chapter as the " Grand Chapter , " was unbecoming and impoliticunbecoming , because masonic courtesy should have prevailed—impolitic , because , if there really had been no " Grand Chapter , " the Council of Rites itself , which cle facto ( but irregularly ) grew out of it , must declare itself non-existent as a Council of Rites .
Sexto . A Mason expelled from a Lodge or Chapter , certainly loses his moral caste , until he makes due reparation ; but he can hardly be prevented from exercising his mental power . It was a serious fault in Zimmerman to act as he did towards the Grand Chapter . It was a still greater in those who aided , abetted , ancl afterwards associated with him for the purposes they did . It proves , that what commences badly can hardly work well ; and that the Council of Rites , wanting a sound basis , was obliged to seek from the Grancl Lodge a confirmation of their own self-constitution .
Septinw . —Excepting in Ireland , the Grand Lodge of the Craft cannot controul the higher degrees ; but , until repealed , the act of the Grancl Lodge , however militating against good sense , is the law . In England it is otherwise , each degree has its jurisdicial poiver . Octavo . The Grand Chapter can hardly have lost its rights , unless it was summoned AS SUCH , by the Grand Lodge , to the consideration of that proposition of the Council of Rites which endangered its privileges .
If the Grand Chapter was summoned , and its members attended as such , they became parties to their own disfranchisement . Nona . For the introduction of Bro . Ellis to the Cross of Christ Encampment , I was responsible . I obligated him at the time ; Lord Kildare expressed himself pleased with his company ; I was hardl y aware then of the differences in opinion between the Grand Chapter and the Council ; but I have since most carefully examined tbe books
, papers , and other muniments , of the Grand Chapter ; and I give my opinion most unhesitatingly , that they equal in correctness the transactions of any Masonic Community that I know . I had intended to have given a history of all the circumstances , compiled from documents in my possession ; but I deferred this until the pubic mind should be prepared to receive it . Your former correspondent V ERAX appears to have had a similar intention ; but is said to
have also deferred it , from respect to a Venerable Brother , whose exertions to conciliate have , like my own , failed . I reserve , however , to myself the right to publish my statement at a future period , merel y pledg ing myself to support my proof by correspondence where possible , ( and it is both extensive ancl interesting ) ; and b y all reasonable statements , where correspondence cannot be supplied . "