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Article TO THE EDITOR. Page 1 of 1 Article TO THE EDITOR. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
Sin AND BROTHER , —In a former number of your truly valuable publication , there is a letter signed Philo-Masonicus . The writer has touched upon some topics , which seem well deserving the attention of the higher powers . I more particularly allude to what he says upon the subject of an uniformity in the working of our ceremonies ancl lectures . The sooner a Committee is appointed for their revision the better ; particularly the Lectures . I have given a good deal of time and attention
in endeavouring to make myself master of the correct form ; but such discrepancies are constantly starting up , as to render the pursuit almost hopeless . The two great sources from which younger Brethren seek to make themselves proficients , are the G . S . L . and a goocl L . of Instruction . I have heard the lectures worked in both ; and , in some parts , give a decided preference to the latter . Take , for instance , the explanation of F . H . and C . as worked in the Red Lodge . Look at the
superfluity of words ; ancl the paucity of any definite meaning , which they convey to the mind . AA hilst these various readings continue , and each L . claims a right to its own version , how can we expect them to be well worked in any private L . The W . M . may have learned what has been pointed out to him as a good version : he puts his questions , and receives answers so different from what he expected , that both parties become confused , and the whole thing is a failure .
Another topic , in a correspondent ' s letter , is the limiting the office of the M . AV . G . M . to a certain number of years . I say , go further ; put an incapacitating terminus to the situation of paid officers ; either by length of service , or age . They can become old women as well as others , and , forgetting they are servants , assume the courteous behaviour of rulers . AVe have entered upon a new reign . Let the Augean stable be cleansed . The sooner all abuses , anomalies , and irregularities are done with
away , the better . Amongst other abuses is the following , that of making Officers in private Lodges pay a fine on receiving their collars . It is done in a few , and , I believe , very few Lodges . Surely this is against the principles of our Order . The Book of Constitutions only recognizes the custom in the G . ancl P . G . Lodges . Every Brother , before he holds office , has paid enough in the shape of initiation ancl joining feesand annual subscriptionswithout any further demand on
, , receiving a collar . It is not every Brother whose avocations will allow him time , whatever may be his inclination , to qualify himself for office : and to those the honour of a Collar and Jewel is justly due for their exertions , without being fined for it . I am , sir , yours fraternally , P . M .
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
September 2 , 1847 . SIR , —Will you , on the part of the Craft , lift up your powerful voice against the monstrous privilege assumed by the Grand Registrar , who , on the 1 st instant , in the midst of a debate , had the assurance to argue a notice of a motion he said he intended to give ; why , sir , this out-Herods M'Gullem ; true , he was called to order , but not until the Grand Lodge yawned their dissatisfaction at a proceeding , which , coming from any other member would have met summary castigation from the Grand Registrar himself . A PROVINCIAL MEMBER .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
Sin AND BROTHER , —In a former number of your truly valuable publication , there is a letter signed Philo-Masonicus . The writer has touched upon some topics , which seem well deserving the attention of the higher powers . I more particularly allude to what he says upon the subject of an uniformity in the working of our ceremonies ancl lectures . The sooner a Committee is appointed for their revision the better ; particularly the Lectures . I have given a good deal of time and attention
in endeavouring to make myself master of the correct form ; but such discrepancies are constantly starting up , as to render the pursuit almost hopeless . The two great sources from which younger Brethren seek to make themselves proficients , are the G . S . L . and a goocl L . of Instruction . I have heard the lectures worked in both ; and , in some parts , give a decided preference to the latter . Take , for instance , the explanation of F . H . and C . as worked in the Red Lodge . Look at the
superfluity of words ; ancl the paucity of any definite meaning , which they convey to the mind . AA hilst these various readings continue , and each L . claims a right to its own version , how can we expect them to be well worked in any private L . The W . M . may have learned what has been pointed out to him as a good version : he puts his questions , and receives answers so different from what he expected , that both parties become confused , and the whole thing is a failure .
Another topic , in a correspondent ' s letter , is the limiting the office of the M . AV . G . M . to a certain number of years . I say , go further ; put an incapacitating terminus to the situation of paid officers ; either by length of service , or age . They can become old women as well as others , and , forgetting they are servants , assume the courteous behaviour of rulers . AVe have entered upon a new reign . Let the Augean stable be cleansed . The sooner all abuses , anomalies , and irregularities are done with
away , the better . Amongst other abuses is the following , that of making Officers in private Lodges pay a fine on receiving their collars . It is done in a few , and , I believe , very few Lodges . Surely this is against the principles of our Order . The Book of Constitutions only recognizes the custom in the G . ancl P . G . Lodges . Every Brother , before he holds office , has paid enough in the shape of initiation ancl joining feesand annual subscriptionswithout any further demand on
, , receiving a collar . It is not every Brother whose avocations will allow him time , whatever may be his inclination , to qualify himself for office : and to those the honour of a Collar and Jewel is justly due for their exertions , without being fined for it . I am , sir , yours fraternally , P . M .
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
September 2 , 1847 . SIR , —Will you , on the part of the Craft , lift up your powerful voice against the monstrous privilege assumed by the Grand Registrar , who , on the 1 st instant , in the midst of a debate , had the assurance to argue a notice of a motion he said he intended to give ; why , sir , this out-Herods M'Gullem ; true , he was called to order , but not until the Grand Lodge yawned their dissatisfaction at a proceeding , which , coming from any other member would have met summary castigation from the Grand Registrar himself . A PROVINCIAL MEMBER .