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Article TO THE EDITOR. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
SIR AND BROTHER , —It must have been apparent to every brother who , attended , the last Grand Lodge , that no pains are spared on the part of our rulers in Freemasonry to gain a point , or carry any object at the quarterly meetings . It was with sincere regret that I belield the W . Bro . Henderson placed in the front of that battle against the widows of the indigent members of the Craft . A gentleman highly amiable in all the walks of life ought not to have been so placed , and it is to the
kind ancl gentle disposition he possesses to an eminent degree , that I attribute the circumstance of his having heen selected for the no very enviable task of moving the non-confirmation of the minutes . The circulation of the statement of account , at the expense of the Craft ,
also iu my opinion , was , to say the best of it , unwise , because , although not so intended by the promoters , it might be made the medium of argument the very reverse of that for which it was put forth ; but the crowning injustice was the speech or reply of the M . W . Grancl Master ; the manner and tone were of such a character as to cause a large amount of sorrow to many of the best and purest members of Grand Lodge . The speech , however , had its effect , and the widows are for a time to remain unheeded ancl neglected . Now , sir , it occurs to me that
the very best way to gain the sympathy of Freemasons is to ask them calmly to consider the object and purpose of their being knitted together in one common brotherhood . If I mistake not the moving power is , or ought to be , charity . Is such the case ? Look at the splendor of
our temple , the costliness of our attire , the gorgeousness of our banquets , our imposing ceremonies , our formal processions , our patrician display and funded property , and tell me if charity be not rather the catchword than the real pursuit and object of our Order . I desire to know what right we have to accumulate eleven thousand pounds whilst one widow is pining in want and misery . The public vaunting of our wealth may be flattering to our vanity , but is most injurious to our cause ; and 1 believe that Freemasonry is doomed to decay and ruin
unless those members who have at heart its best affections by every effort endeavour to raise it to a purer and healthier altitude . Grovelling and base have hecome many of its pursuits , none more so than the accumulation of property . Its possessions will pierce it through , and will ultimately perish in its grasp ; but if properly distributed will cause
the widow s heart to sing for joy . A mighty change is going over the length and breadth of this world , and assuredly the society to which we belong will not escape the general commotion . In all revolutions it is the noble , the mighty , the grand who have suffered ; the storm passes over , and leaves the masses , the poor , the feeble unscathed . O ! that our mighty ones woulcl learn wisdom , ancl in time avert the consequences which now threaten to overtake them .
Finally , I would invite your powerful co-operation and the assistance of the Craft , by pressure from without , to cause in high places the exercise of that virtue which is twice blessed , instead of that spirit of domination and aggrandizement which so unhappily prevails . I am , Sir and Brother , PISA .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
SIR AND BROTHER , —It must have been apparent to every brother who , attended , the last Grand Lodge , that no pains are spared on the part of our rulers in Freemasonry to gain a point , or carry any object at the quarterly meetings . It was with sincere regret that I belield the W . Bro . Henderson placed in the front of that battle against the widows of the indigent members of the Craft . A gentleman highly amiable in all the walks of life ought not to have been so placed , and it is to the
kind ancl gentle disposition he possesses to an eminent degree , that I attribute the circumstance of his having heen selected for the no very enviable task of moving the non-confirmation of the minutes . The circulation of the statement of account , at the expense of the Craft ,
also iu my opinion , was , to say the best of it , unwise , because , although not so intended by the promoters , it might be made the medium of argument the very reverse of that for which it was put forth ; but the crowning injustice was the speech or reply of the M . W . Grancl Master ; the manner and tone were of such a character as to cause a large amount of sorrow to many of the best and purest members of Grand Lodge . The speech , however , had its effect , and the widows are for a time to remain unheeded ancl neglected . Now , sir , it occurs to me that
the very best way to gain the sympathy of Freemasons is to ask them calmly to consider the object and purpose of their being knitted together in one common brotherhood . If I mistake not the moving power is , or ought to be , charity . Is such the case ? Look at the splendor of
our temple , the costliness of our attire , the gorgeousness of our banquets , our imposing ceremonies , our formal processions , our patrician display and funded property , and tell me if charity be not rather the catchword than the real pursuit and object of our Order . I desire to know what right we have to accumulate eleven thousand pounds whilst one widow is pining in want and misery . The public vaunting of our wealth may be flattering to our vanity , but is most injurious to our cause ; and 1 believe that Freemasonry is doomed to decay and ruin
unless those members who have at heart its best affections by every effort endeavour to raise it to a purer and healthier altitude . Grovelling and base have hecome many of its pursuits , none more so than the accumulation of property . Its possessions will pierce it through , and will ultimately perish in its grasp ; but if properly distributed will cause
the widow s heart to sing for joy . A mighty change is going over the length and breadth of this world , and assuredly the society to which we belong will not escape the general commotion . In all revolutions it is the noble , the mighty , the grand who have suffered ; the storm passes over , and leaves the masses , the poor , the feeble unscathed . O ! that our mighty ones woulcl learn wisdom , ancl in time avert the consequences which now threaten to overtake them .
Finally , I would invite your powerful co-operation and the assistance of the Craft , by pressure from without , to cause in high places the exercise of that virtue which is twice blessed , instead of that spirit of domination and aggrandizement which so unhappily prevails . I am , Sir and Brother , PISA .