Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason S' Quarterly Review, And General Assurance Advocate.
convincing by good faith united with good temper , and perfectly consistent with the most strenuous opposition . Bros . R . G . Alston and Bigg are illustrations of this view . With little exception—and the exception almost proving the rule , how wanting in courtesy are the speakers on the dais—honest truth is often sneered at , and impertinence frequently pressed in to eliminate its objects . At the conclusion
of the late scene , the Deputy Grand Master made a few brief remarks , whieh , as they fell from him , were treasured up by his anxious hearers . * The two leading points of debate were the non-confirmation of the minutes of the previous Grand Lodge in relation to the conduct of the President of the Board of General Purposes , and to the case of Major-General Cooke . As to the first case , we are of opinion that in so full
a Grand Lodge a majority of twenty-seven is a victory dearly bought : canvassing by those in high places ; the power of condensation among the Purples , who mustered unusually strong ; the alliance of those brethren interested in the eighteen lodges , who had been impressed with the idea of losing caste ; the number of those who may be expecting promotion ; and , again , the honester votes of many brethren who , at all times dislike to disturb the confirmation of minutes—contributed
to swell the number of those who were favourable to the ruling of the President of the Board ; and the wonder is that so many members were of opinion that such ruling was altogether improper . Touching the case of General Cooke . Two serious errors have been clearly committed , with neither of which has that brother any thing to do ; in this we do not undertake to defend him , but to put as well as we
can the matter in its right light . The first error was committed by the Grand Master himself , who incautiously appointed that brother before he made due enquiry , and but that the Grand Lodge of New York viewed the appointment with masonic forbearance , the case might have led to a very different result . We are not desirous that the penalty for this error should be visited on General Cooke , who has already paid severely
by his dismissal by the Grand Master . Bro . Coe , of facetious memory , had a saying for Grand Lodge , " let every tub stand on its own bottom ;" and so far he was right . The next error was committed by the Grand Lodge , who permitted a preliminary debate on a message from the Grand Master , and this we cannot but consider as a violation of law , which even the Grand Lodge
itself cannot commit with impunity . This haste was unmasonic , the manner of the debate was equally so : it reminded us of the saying" Lydford law—first hang and draw , Then sit in judgment after . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason S' Quarterly Review, And General Assurance Advocate.
convincing by good faith united with good temper , and perfectly consistent with the most strenuous opposition . Bros . R . G . Alston and Bigg are illustrations of this view . With little exception—and the exception almost proving the rule , how wanting in courtesy are the speakers on the dais—honest truth is often sneered at , and impertinence frequently pressed in to eliminate its objects . At the conclusion
of the late scene , the Deputy Grand Master made a few brief remarks , whieh , as they fell from him , were treasured up by his anxious hearers . * The two leading points of debate were the non-confirmation of the minutes of the previous Grand Lodge in relation to the conduct of the President of the Board of General Purposes , and to the case of Major-General Cooke . As to the first case , we are of opinion that in so full
a Grand Lodge a majority of twenty-seven is a victory dearly bought : canvassing by those in high places ; the power of condensation among the Purples , who mustered unusually strong ; the alliance of those brethren interested in the eighteen lodges , who had been impressed with the idea of losing caste ; the number of those who may be expecting promotion ; and , again , the honester votes of many brethren who , at all times dislike to disturb the confirmation of minutes—contributed
to swell the number of those who were favourable to the ruling of the President of the Board ; and the wonder is that so many members were of opinion that such ruling was altogether improper . Touching the case of General Cooke . Two serious errors have been clearly committed , with neither of which has that brother any thing to do ; in this we do not undertake to defend him , but to put as well as we
can the matter in its right light . The first error was committed by the Grand Master himself , who incautiously appointed that brother before he made due enquiry , and but that the Grand Lodge of New York viewed the appointment with masonic forbearance , the case might have led to a very different result . We are not desirous that the penalty for this error should be visited on General Cooke , who has already paid severely
by his dismissal by the Grand Master . Bro . Coe , of facetious memory , had a saying for Grand Lodge , " let every tub stand on its own bottom ;" and so far he was right . The next error was committed by the Grand Lodge , who permitted a preliminary debate on a message from the Grand Master , and this we cannot but consider as a violation of law , which even the Grand Lodge
itself cannot commit with impunity . This haste was unmasonic , the manner of the debate was equally so : it reminded us of the saying" Lydford law—first hang and draw , Then sit in judgment after . "