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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
not hold up my hand for it , considering it utterly useless and uncalled for ; nor against it , because , as far as it was tangible and intelligible , it affirmed a mere truism . Wishing you every success in your arduous undertaking , 1 am , yours fraternally , ' P . M . T . S .
[ We have selected this letter , from several others , as conveying the same ideas in the most temperate language . P . M . T . S . and others will be pleased to hear that where we lose one we win two . —ED . F . Q . R . ] SIR AND BROTHER , —I have heard with some surprise that my letter dated Nov 41840 has iven much ffence in quarters which I wish to
. , , g set right , as the best means of satisfying you of my honesty and fair dealing . I understand that I am denounced , as having invaded the rights of hospitality , and of Masonic secrecy , for that as a visitor I have rewarded kindness by betraying secrets—a charge I can confute with the utmost ease . I did not attend that Grand Lodge as a mere visiting Brother , introduced by the hospitality of a particular Lodge , but I visited it as an old member of the province , being fully entitled to do so , and made
paid my reckoning , as I presume all others did . The remarks I were as tenderly done as the nature of the necessity demanded , and have already , I hear , effected a little good . But whether in Lodge , or out of Lodge , I have , I presume , a rig ht to inquire for information ; and where can I look or inquire for either experience or advice , but to that organ which has conferred on the Craft so many benefits ? Is the truth of statement questioned ? If soI am certain the same means
my , of refuting it will be found open to any one . Much as I regret to hear that my letter has been tortured into a charge against you , as a violator of the constitution , you will , if I mistake not , treat the matter with no more attention than it merits . Yours , BEZALEEL , jun . Southampton , March 5 , 1841 .
[ We can readily imagine that Bezaleel , jun . had no notion of the application to which his letter would be twisted . —ED . F . Q . R . ] SIR , —If the publication of Masonic discussions , which involve neither Masonic ceremonials nor Masonic secrets , be really an offence against the spirit of the Masonic lawwhere is the exact line to be drawn
be-, tween the suppression or the distortion of the truth , as evinced in the socalled Quarterly Communication , and the correct and ample manner in which they have been reported in your pages ? Is the offence to be estimated or enhanced in proportion to the truth ? And , if such publication be that novelty in Freemasonry " a breach of privilege , " what shall we call the discussion in Grand Lodge of things pertaining to Grand Chapter ?
If any analogy is to be maintained between Masonic and Legislative proceedings , the Grand Chapter must be assimilated to the House of Lords , and the Grand Lodge to the House of Commons . What , then , becomes of the consistency , or of what value are the arguments of a VOL . VIII . c
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
not hold up my hand for it , considering it utterly useless and uncalled for ; nor against it , because , as far as it was tangible and intelligible , it affirmed a mere truism . Wishing you every success in your arduous undertaking , 1 am , yours fraternally , ' P . M . T . S .
[ We have selected this letter , from several others , as conveying the same ideas in the most temperate language . P . M . T . S . and others will be pleased to hear that where we lose one we win two . —ED . F . Q . R . ] SIR AND BROTHER , —I have heard with some surprise that my letter dated Nov 41840 has iven much ffence in quarters which I wish to
. , , g set right , as the best means of satisfying you of my honesty and fair dealing . I understand that I am denounced , as having invaded the rights of hospitality , and of Masonic secrecy , for that as a visitor I have rewarded kindness by betraying secrets—a charge I can confute with the utmost ease . I did not attend that Grand Lodge as a mere visiting Brother , introduced by the hospitality of a particular Lodge , but I visited it as an old member of the province , being fully entitled to do so , and made
paid my reckoning , as I presume all others did . The remarks I were as tenderly done as the nature of the necessity demanded , and have already , I hear , effected a little good . But whether in Lodge , or out of Lodge , I have , I presume , a rig ht to inquire for information ; and where can I look or inquire for either experience or advice , but to that organ which has conferred on the Craft so many benefits ? Is the truth of statement questioned ? If soI am certain the same means
my , of refuting it will be found open to any one . Much as I regret to hear that my letter has been tortured into a charge against you , as a violator of the constitution , you will , if I mistake not , treat the matter with no more attention than it merits . Yours , BEZALEEL , jun . Southampton , March 5 , 1841 .
[ We can readily imagine that Bezaleel , jun . had no notion of the application to which his letter would be twisted . —ED . F . Q . R . ] SIR , —If the publication of Masonic discussions , which involve neither Masonic ceremonials nor Masonic secrets , be really an offence against the spirit of the Masonic lawwhere is the exact line to be drawn
be-, tween the suppression or the distortion of the truth , as evinced in the socalled Quarterly Communication , and the correct and ample manner in which they have been reported in your pages ? Is the offence to be estimated or enhanced in proportion to the truth ? And , if such publication be that novelty in Freemasonry " a breach of privilege , " what shall we call the discussion in Grand Lodge of things pertaining to Grand Chapter ?
If any analogy is to be maintained between Masonic and Legislative proceedings , the Grand Chapter must be assimilated to the House of Lords , and the Grand Lodge to the House of Commons . What , then , becomes of the consistency , or of what value are the arguments of a VOL . VIII . c