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Article TO THE EDITOR. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
SIR AND BROTHER , —I had prepared a letter for the last number of the F . Q . R ., but being unaware that original letters would not be received after the first of the month in which the number is to appear , it was too late . However , as you have , in a manner highly flattering , termed it " a very important paper , " I shall , with a few unimportant alterations and some additions , re-present it to your notice . The principal topic in my letter was one ol greatI may sayVITAL IMPORTANCE
, , to the interests of our Order , viz ., the continuation of the F . Q . II . Then , in company with many who " have good-will to our Zion , " I called upon you to continue your labours ; now , the thanks and support of the whole Craft are due for the prompt manner in which those appeals have been responded to . We all felt that •¦ ' never was the hour of peril near when , to protect us , vigilance was so much needed . " Your labours have produced much good ; they may be " compared to the weeding of
a great garden , which it is not sufficient to weed once for all , and afterwards give over , but that the work must be continued daily , or the same spots of ground which are cleared for awhile will , in a little time , be overrun as much as ever . " This is not a time for half measures , for resting contented to let things take their chance , if we wish to save our venerable and venerated institution from destruction . Already have we cause to regret the proceedings of the Quarterly Communication in
March last ; already is that baneful weed CLIQUE spreading its insidious roots . Look at the attempt made , on the 4 th of September , to apply the besom of destruction to the privileges and RIGHTS of the Masters and AVardens . To many of those in the provinces unacquainted , from
distance and other circumstances , with the back-stairs influence at headquarters , the measure may have a prima facie appearance of plausibility . The proposition was to alter the constitution of the " Board of Benevolence" altogether— " that it should consist of twenty-five members , the president and ten thereof to be nominated b y the G . M , ancl the remaining fourteen by the G . L . "—In other words , that the party who triumphed in March should nominate the whole ; thus creating for themselves a species of " permanent committee ; " that the G . L .
might practically become the G . M ., and act upon the maxim , sic volo , sic jubeo . They deserve full credit for a spirit of benevolence towards themselves . How far the measure might have produced the fruits of impartial charity to our indigent Brethren is very problematical . If we wish the retreat of the AGED , the nurture and instruction of the YOUNG , to continue open without respect of PARTY , it is to YOUR columns that we mustin a great measurelook for aid . Althoughsuch is the
in-, , , firmity of human nature , that evil cannot be eradicated in toto , yet much wholesome restraint is exercised over public bodies by able and impartially conducted periodicals . It was from feelings such as these , that so many of us called loudly for our Quarterly Review to be continued . The cessation of the work would , indeed , have given a '' heavy Holland great discouragement" to the Order . There are many important things calling for a vigilant eye at this time . Turn to the manoeuvres
in December , when Dr . Crucefix ' s all-important motion was again put aside ; when the would-be collected wisdom of the Craft spoke against time . Ancl no wonder , for they well know that to limit the office of G . M . would clip their own pinions . But these things must not , will
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
SIR AND BROTHER , —I had prepared a letter for the last number of the F . Q . R ., but being unaware that original letters would not be received after the first of the month in which the number is to appear , it was too late . However , as you have , in a manner highly flattering , termed it " a very important paper , " I shall , with a few unimportant alterations and some additions , re-present it to your notice . The principal topic in my letter was one ol greatI may sayVITAL IMPORTANCE
, , to the interests of our Order , viz ., the continuation of the F . Q . II . Then , in company with many who " have good-will to our Zion , " I called upon you to continue your labours ; now , the thanks and support of the whole Craft are due for the prompt manner in which those appeals have been responded to . We all felt that •¦ ' never was the hour of peril near when , to protect us , vigilance was so much needed . " Your labours have produced much good ; they may be " compared to the weeding of
a great garden , which it is not sufficient to weed once for all , and afterwards give over , but that the work must be continued daily , or the same spots of ground which are cleared for awhile will , in a little time , be overrun as much as ever . " This is not a time for half measures , for resting contented to let things take their chance , if we wish to save our venerable and venerated institution from destruction . Already have we cause to regret the proceedings of the Quarterly Communication in
March last ; already is that baneful weed CLIQUE spreading its insidious roots . Look at the attempt made , on the 4 th of September , to apply the besom of destruction to the privileges and RIGHTS of the Masters and AVardens . To many of those in the provinces unacquainted , from
distance and other circumstances , with the back-stairs influence at headquarters , the measure may have a prima facie appearance of plausibility . The proposition was to alter the constitution of the " Board of Benevolence" altogether— " that it should consist of twenty-five members , the president and ten thereof to be nominated b y the G . M , ancl the remaining fourteen by the G . L . "—In other words , that the party who triumphed in March should nominate the whole ; thus creating for themselves a species of " permanent committee ; " that the G . L .
might practically become the G . M ., and act upon the maxim , sic volo , sic jubeo . They deserve full credit for a spirit of benevolence towards themselves . How far the measure might have produced the fruits of impartial charity to our indigent Brethren is very problematical . If we wish the retreat of the AGED , the nurture and instruction of the YOUNG , to continue open without respect of PARTY , it is to YOUR columns that we mustin a great measurelook for aid . Althoughsuch is the
in-, , , firmity of human nature , that evil cannot be eradicated in toto , yet much wholesome restraint is exercised over public bodies by able and impartially conducted periodicals . It was from feelings such as these , that so many of us called loudly for our Quarterly Review to be continued . The cessation of the work would , indeed , have given a '' heavy Holland great discouragement" to the Order . There are many important things calling for a vigilant eye at this time . Turn to the manoeuvres
in December , when Dr . Crucefix ' s all-important motion was again put aside ; when the would-be collected wisdom of the Craft spoke against time . Ancl no wonder , for they well know that to limit the office of G . M . would clip their own pinions . But these things must not , will