Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
of all who wish to see the Craft prosper to take active measures to benefit the cause . If the lodge would meet at regular times , duly appointedif the provincial lodges would hold their regular meetings , and take actual inspection as to the working of the lodges , the Craft would then be in a fair way of moving in the right path ; but so long as what is everybody ' s business is neglected , so long will the Craft remain as it is . If the Grand Lodge would ive a little more publicity to the various
g lodges , holding from it , as to what is going on in the masonic worldpublish yearly lists of lodges and office-bearers , it would show at least what lodges were working and those that are not ; order their clerk to send to every lodge quarterly communications ; pay him for whatever trouble he may be at , but let the work be done , so that the Craft may know what is doing , and whether it is in a right position or not . As I have given only some of the evils that have tended to throw discredit
on Scotch Masonry , with your leave I shall continue the subject in another paper ; ancl at the same time point out what should be done , at least in my opinion . I feel so convinced of the possibility of reviving the Craft , if proper means are taken , that no brother who wishes it to prosper should be discouraged : and unless the evils of the system are made bare , how can many know that they do exist , or how can they be rectified . I have not set " aught down in malice , " or with the
intention of hurting the feelings of any one ; it is only an ardent wish to see Masonry prosper , to see it take its proper station in Scotland , to see Scotch Masons when they leave their country recognized as good Masons and as perfect masters of the Craft , that has induced me to write thus . But excuse the length of this paper , ancl believe me , when we are in a right footing in this quarter , and nothing to complain of , we may then with your leave take a look into the working of other quarters , but not till then , whether that system be English or Irish , French or Bengalee . Yours fraternally , FELLOW-CRAFT . Edinburgh , July 1840 .
EDINBURGH . —The report of the affairs of the Grand Chapter of Scotland has been published ; it is a valuable record of events , and contrasts admirably with that of the Grand Lodge . The Scribes , Comps . Leon and Cameron , have arranged the details with clearness and precision . At the last Quarterly Communication it was resolved that the practice of the Royal Arch should be put on a system more in accordance with the present day—that the fee for a charter should be reduced from ten to five guineas . This will materially assist lodges in obtaining charters , ancl enable them to confer legally and constitutionally the degrees of Mark , Super-excellent , & e .
THE WOODMAN AND HIS PROXIES . —At the last Quarterly Communication , on a division , the numbers were nineteen to twenty-three—the trifling majority formed by the " -whipped in ;"—A lodge not on the published roll , and therefore ineligible to vote , obtained a proxy that day from the AVoodman , while others , of perfect regularity ancl independence , were refused proxies on the clay , on the plea of some technical informality . More of this anon .
MASONIC VISIT , Aug . 8 . —The first fraternal visitation of English Freemasons to their brethren in Scotland , was paid by deputations from the Northern Counties' Lodge , Lodge de Loraiue , Lodge of Industry , Burgh Lodge , and Lodge St . Peter ' s , all of Newcastle-on-VOL . vil . s s
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
of all who wish to see the Craft prosper to take active measures to benefit the cause . If the lodge would meet at regular times , duly appointedif the provincial lodges would hold their regular meetings , and take actual inspection as to the working of the lodges , the Craft would then be in a fair way of moving in the right path ; but so long as what is everybody ' s business is neglected , so long will the Craft remain as it is . If the Grand Lodge would ive a little more publicity to the various
g lodges , holding from it , as to what is going on in the masonic worldpublish yearly lists of lodges and office-bearers , it would show at least what lodges were working and those that are not ; order their clerk to send to every lodge quarterly communications ; pay him for whatever trouble he may be at , but let the work be done , so that the Craft may know what is doing , and whether it is in a right position or not . As I have given only some of the evils that have tended to throw discredit
on Scotch Masonry , with your leave I shall continue the subject in another paper ; ancl at the same time point out what should be done , at least in my opinion . I feel so convinced of the possibility of reviving the Craft , if proper means are taken , that no brother who wishes it to prosper should be discouraged : and unless the evils of the system are made bare , how can many know that they do exist , or how can they be rectified . I have not set " aught down in malice , " or with the
intention of hurting the feelings of any one ; it is only an ardent wish to see Masonry prosper , to see it take its proper station in Scotland , to see Scotch Masons when they leave their country recognized as good Masons and as perfect masters of the Craft , that has induced me to write thus . But excuse the length of this paper , ancl believe me , when we are in a right footing in this quarter , and nothing to complain of , we may then with your leave take a look into the working of other quarters , but not till then , whether that system be English or Irish , French or Bengalee . Yours fraternally , FELLOW-CRAFT . Edinburgh , July 1840 .
EDINBURGH . —The report of the affairs of the Grand Chapter of Scotland has been published ; it is a valuable record of events , and contrasts admirably with that of the Grand Lodge . The Scribes , Comps . Leon and Cameron , have arranged the details with clearness and precision . At the last Quarterly Communication it was resolved that the practice of the Royal Arch should be put on a system more in accordance with the present day—that the fee for a charter should be reduced from ten to five guineas . This will materially assist lodges in obtaining charters , ancl enable them to confer legally and constitutionally the degrees of Mark , Super-excellent , & e .
THE WOODMAN AND HIS PROXIES . —At the last Quarterly Communication , on a division , the numbers were nineteen to twenty-three—the trifling majority formed by the " -whipped in ;"—A lodge not on the published roll , and therefore ineligible to vote , obtained a proxy that day from the AVoodman , while others , of perfect regularity ancl independence , were refused proxies on the clay , on the plea of some technical informality . More of this anon .
MASONIC VISIT , Aug . 8 . —The first fraternal visitation of English Freemasons to their brethren in Scotland , was paid by deputations from the Northern Counties' Lodge , Lodge de Loraiue , Lodge of Industry , Burgh Lodge , and Lodge St . Peter ' s , all of Newcastle-on-VOL . vil . s s