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Article THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY REVIEW. ← Page 5 of 8 →
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The Freemasons' Quarterly Review.
conquers them , or , through its assuasive power , renders their effect less oppressive . Expediency is a quality easier of application to the moment ; but is often fatally resorted to , and it wants the dignity which is ensured by consistency . In the preservation of a social system , much depends
upon the cautious observance of both these essentials . The Masonic juris-consult will bear in mind that the social system in which he is included , and by which he is protected , demands from him a strict examination and a cautious observance ; while the land-marks are to be held sacred , there is yet a necessity that legislative acts should
as sacredly reflect the opinions of the body at large , who , participating in the advanced state of morality and science , are not likely to affect the stability of our institution , but , on the contrary , to support it . The great mass of the fraternity may , in some measure , have their opinions qualified by time , but if legislation be regulated by
consistency , it will keep pace with time , and not be behind hand ; and thus no fear need be entertained of descending from the higher scale to adopt the lower one , unless , indeed ,
the opportunity of timely profiting by consistency be disregarded , and expediency shall become the only means of avoiding an external change . Some nine months since , a notice of motion was given to increase the dues to Grand Lodge ; and it having been found that the Lodge of Benevolence had exceeded its income , it was consistent to
devise the means to make the income meet the expenditure . The time for bringing forward the motion , however , has been delayed from necessity , and it became only possible to liave the notice read , that the members of Grand Lodge might be prepared for its timely consideration , when lo ! it was statedand we opine somewhat irregularlba
, y , y very worthy Brother , that the motion should be withdrawn—and why ? Because the Board of General Purposes _ had some such intention , which they would hereafter submit to Grand Lodge ! And so , after three notices , and the hopeful expectation of the motion being brought on , at the lapse of one entire it was suggested to withdraw
year , it , in deference to some contemplated arrangement of the Board . Is this conduct consistent or expedient ? We would not disparage the merits of the Board , but we must candidly acknowledge , that to step in , and , after a lapse of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Review.
conquers them , or , through its assuasive power , renders their effect less oppressive . Expediency is a quality easier of application to the moment ; but is often fatally resorted to , and it wants the dignity which is ensured by consistency . In the preservation of a social system , much depends
upon the cautious observance of both these essentials . The Masonic juris-consult will bear in mind that the social system in which he is included , and by which he is protected , demands from him a strict examination and a cautious observance ; while the land-marks are to be held sacred , there is yet a necessity that legislative acts should
as sacredly reflect the opinions of the body at large , who , participating in the advanced state of morality and science , are not likely to affect the stability of our institution , but , on the contrary , to support it . The great mass of the fraternity may , in some measure , have their opinions qualified by time , but if legislation be regulated by
consistency , it will keep pace with time , and not be behind hand ; and thus no fear need be entertained of descending from the higher scale to adopt the lower one , unless , indeed ,
the opportunity of timely profiting by consistency be disregarded , and expediency shall become the only means of avoiding an external change . Some nine months since , a notice of motion was given to increase the dues to Grand Lodge ; and it having been found that the Lodge of Benevolence had exceeded its income , it was consistent to
devise the means to make the income meet the expenditure . The time for bringing forward the motion , however , has been delayed from necessity , and it became only possible to liave the notice read , that the members of Grand Lodge might be prepared for its timely consideration , when lo ! it was statedand we opine somewhat irregularlba
, y , y very worthy Brother , that the motion should be withdrawn—and why ? Because the Board of General Purposes _ had some such intention , which they would hereafter submit to Grand Lodge ! And so , after three notices , and the hopeful expectation of the motion being brought on , at the lapse of one entire it was suggested to withdraw
year , it , in deference to some contemplated arrangement of the Board . Is this conduct consistent or expedient ? We would not disparage the merits of the Board , but we must candidly acknowledge , that to step in , and , after a lapse of