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Article THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND. ← Page 3 of 3 Article MASONRY IN BIRMINGHAM. Page 1 of 2 →
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The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.
name you chose , I call it taxation . There would be no more charity in paying the extra two shillings , than there is in paying the poor taxall the difference being that , if I do not pay the poor rate the guardians will sell my furniture for it , and if I did not pay the increased subscription I should be expelled from the Craft for non-payment of dues . I am , respected Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , GEORGE WATSON .
Masonry In Birmingham.
MASONRY IN BIRMINGHAM .
Although Freemasonry has during the last few years made rapid advances in Birmingham and its neighbourhood , both in numbers and influence , as the increase of lodges rivalling their elder sisters in zeal and usefulness , the efficiency of the Provincial Grand Lodges , and the rise of benevolent institutions , planned by masonic minds and nurtured by masonic care , appear to us satisfactorily to testify , still there has been a cause of regret to zealous and painstaking brethren in the fact
that with the spread of the Craft , there was no corresponding extension of masonic knowledge . The death or infirmities of old and well-informed brethren had almost left the lodges without instruction in anything beyond the mere ceremonies of the Order , and these , from various causes , were imperfectly , and with many differences , performed . To remedy this evil , the old lodge of St . PaulNo . SIrather more than a year agocommenced
, , , the establishment of a Lodge of Instruction , in which the other lodges readily joined . In the Lodge of Instruction it soon became evident that , in order to harmonize the various modes of working , resource must be had to some authority to which all parties would submit themselves . The traditions of Masonry , as handed down by the late Bro . P . Gilkes , had long been considered by the Birmingham brethren , as the standard
of masonic principles and practice , and of these they desired to obtain a perfect knowledge , that they might work correctly in their own day , and hand down a pure system to their successors . For some years Bro . Skeet , a pupil of Bro . Gilkes , had , in a most generous and praiseworthy manner , taught the ceremonies of the three degrees , and occasionally the explanations of the tracing boards , to those brethren who chose to apply to him , and the recollection of his kindness will never be erased from the memories of his grateful ils ;
pup but , as it was supposed the lapse of time , with its usual influence on us all , might have somewhat impaired the correctness of his work , it was resolved to request the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , London , to depute some eminent authority in their body to visit Birmingham , and adjust the differences that existed among the brethren . The Emulation Lodge most promptly responded to the wishes of their Birmingham brethrenand deputed Bro . W . HoneyP . M . of No . 19
, , , to visit them . It was hoped that by conference with Bro . Skeet , he would be able to revive the recollection of any points on which he might be doubtful , and by confirming the accuracy of his work , secure to the lodge the services of their old instructor . That brother , however , thinking it time that the powers of younger brethren should be exercised , declined the task , to the regret of the majority of the lodge ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.
name you chose , I call it taxation . There would be no more charity in paying the extra two shillings , than there is in paying the poor taxall the difference being that , if I do not pay the poor rate the guardians will sell my furniture for it , and if I did not pay the increased subscription I should be expelled from the Craft for non-payment of dues . I am , respected Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , GEORGE WATSON .
Masonry In Birmingham.
MASONRY IN BIRMINGHAM .
Although Freemasonry has during the last few years made rapid advances in Birmingham and its neighbourhood , both in numbers and influence , as the increase of lodges rivalling their elder sisters in zeal and usefulness , the efficiency of the Provincial Grand Lodges , and the rise of benevolent institutions , planned by masonic minds and nurtured by masonic care , appear to us satisfactorily to testify , still there has been a cause of regret to zealous and painstaking brethren in the fact
that with the spread of the Craft , there was no corresponding extension of masonic knowledge . The death or infirmities of old and well-informed brethren had almost left the lodges without instruction in anything beyond the mere ceremonies of the Order , and these , from various causes , were imperfectly , and with many differences , performed . To remedy this evil , the old lodge of St . PaulNo . SIrather more than a year agocommenced
, , , the establishment of a Lodge of Instruction , in which the other lodges readily joined . In the Lodge of Instruction it soon became evident that , in order to harmonize the various modes of working , resource must be had to some authority to which all parties would submit themselves . The traditions of Masonry , as handed down by the late Bro . P . Gilkes , had long been considered by the Birmingham brethren , as the standard
of masonic principles and practice , and of these they desired to obtain a perfect knowledge , that they might work correctly in their own day , and hand down a pure system to their successors . For some years Bro . Skeet , a pupil of Bro . Gilkes , had , in a most generous and praiseworthy manner , taught the ceremonies of the three degrees , and occasionally the explanations of the tracing boards , to those brethren who chose to apply to him , and the recollection of his kindness will never be erased from the memories of his grateful ils ;
pup but , as it was supposed the lapse of time , with its usual influence on us all , might have somewhat impaired the correctness of his work , it was resolved to request the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , London , to depute some eminent authority in their body to visit Birmingham , and adjust the differences that existed among the brethren . The Emulation Lodge most promptly responded to the wishes of their Birmingham brethrenand deputed Bro . W . HoneyP . M . of No . 19
, , , to visit them . It was hoped that by conference with Bro . Skeet , he would be able to revive the recollection of any points on which he might be doubtful , and by confirming the accuracy of his work , secure to the lodge the services of their old instructor . That brother , however , thinking it time that the powers of younger brethren should be exercised , declined the task , to the regret of the majority of the lodge ,