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Article THE BOOK OF THE LODGE.* ← Page 2 of 7 →
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The Book Of The Lodge.*
And it is amazing what brilliant scintillations of genius have been frequently derived from one of these unpretending miscellanies . We will not presume to affirm that the BOOK OF THE LODGK contains the whole essence of Freemasonry ; but we may safely say that it embraces every rite and ceremony of ordinary occurrence , and adduces a series of orthodox rules which are applicable to them all . The author saysin his Introductory Addressthat " it is not to be doubted but a
, , manual , embracing legitimate information on all cases which can possibly arise , will be peculiarly acceptable to the W . Masters and Officers of " a lodge in particular , and to every brother who is desirous of becoming well versed in the usages and customs of Masonry in primitive times . On this plan the present little volume has been constructed . The information which it contains has been carefully arranged by a comparison of the rites practised by our ancient brethrenwith those which
, are enjoined by the United Grand Lodge of England ; and it appears extremely probable that the fraternity would gladly adopt an uniformity of practice on points where they have hitherto been at a loss to determine whether ceremonies of constant recurrence are , or are not , in accordance with ancient usage . In this enquiry the customs of foreign lodges have not been overlooked ; and it is hoped that this little volume will constitute an unerring book of reference which cannot fail to be of
incalculable service to the fraternity . " We perfectly coincide with the Rev . Doctor , that his book is likely to become a text-book to the fraternity ; for its practical utility cannot be denied . The " Craftsman , " and " Trestle Board , " which are the handbooks of the United States , do not compete with it ; for they are principally applied to the working of Masonry in the lodge , and very little is said about ceremonies . There is not a single class of brethren , amongst
those who are ever so slightly disposed to consider the science worth cultivating , who will not find a fund of entertainment and instruction in one or other of its divisions . The subjects have been judiciously chosen and scientifically discussed ; and the directions are so clearly given , that any brother of ordinary intelligence , will find no difficulty iu understanding them . The profane world entertain a variety of conflicting opinions on the pursuits of Freemasonry . We recollect , in the palmy days of Jack Bannister , a popular comic song , entitled "What ' s an old bachelor like ? " And the reply
was' * Like a knife without a fork ; Like a bottle without a cork ; Like a pump without a handle ; Like a stick without a candle ; *' & c . ( Sic . & C . With fifty other outre comparisons . Equally various are the conjectures the question , " What is Freemasonry ? " Some , who are willing to think kindly of us , suppose it to be a society whose chief design is the
practice of benevolence , as manifested in our numerous charitable institutions . But if this were all , a common sick-club , or friendly society , would answer the same purpose , without any affectation of secresy . Others , who are not quite so favourably disposed , would limit our intentions to the periodical enjoyment of conviviality and social intercourse . While those who are avowedl y hostile to our proceedings , accuse us of a fondness for show and decoration ; of frivolity and childish amusements ; of gormandizing and drunkenness ; and of occult practices
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Book Of The Lodge.*
And it is amazing what brilliant scintillations of genius have been frequently derived from one of these unpretending miscellanies . We will not presume to affirm that the BOOK OF THE LODGK contains the whole essence of Freemasonry ; but we may safely say that it embraces every rite and ceremony of ordinary occurrence , and adduces a series of orthodox rules which are applicable to them all . The author saysin his Introductory Addressthat " it is not to be doubted but a
, , manual , embracing legitimate information on all cases which can possibly arise , will be peculiarly acceptable to the W . Masters and Officers of " a lodge in particular , and to every brother who is desirous of becoming well versed in the usages and customs of Masonry in primitive times . On this plan the present little volume has been constructed . The information which it contains has been carefully arranged by a comparison of the rites practised by our ancient brethrenwith those which
, are enjoined by the United Grand Lodge of England ; and it appears extremely probable that the fraternity would gladly adopt an uniformity of practice on points where they have hitherto been at a loss to determine whether ceremonies of constant recurrence are , or are not , in accordance with ancient usage . In this enquiry the customs of foreign lodges have not been overlooked ; and it is hoped that this little volume will constitute an unerring book of reference which cannot fail to be of
incalculable service to the fraternity . " We perfectly coincide with the Rev . Doctor , that his book is likely to become a text-book to the fraternity ; for its practical utility cannot be denied . The " Craftsman , " and " Trestle Board , " which are the handbooks of the United States , do not compete with it ; for they are principally applied to the working of Masonry in the lodge , and very little is said about ceremonies . There is not a single class of brethren , amongst
those who are ever so slightly disposed to consider the science worth cultivating , who will not find a fund of entertainment and instruction in one or other of its divisions . The subjects have been judiciously chosen and scientifically discussed ; and the directions are so clearly given , that any brother of ordinary intelligence , will find no difficulty iu understanding them . The profane world entertain a variety of conflicting opinions on the pursuits of Freemasonry . We recollect , in the palmy days of Jack Bannister , a popular comic song , entitled "What ' s an old bachelor like ? " And the reply
was' * Like a knife without a fork ; Like a bottle without a cork ; Like a pump without a handle ; Like a stick without a candle ; *' & c . ( Sic . & C . With fifty other outre comparisons . Equally various are the conjectures the question , " What is Freemasonry ? " Some , who are willing to think kindly of us , suppose it to be a society whose chief design is the
practice of benevolence , as manifested in our numerous charitable institutions . But if this were all , a common sick-club , or friendly society , would answer the same purpose , without any affectation of secresy . Others , who are not quite so favourably disposed , would limit our intentions to the periodical enjoyment of conviviality and social intercourse . While those who are avowedl y hostile to our proceedings , accuse us of a fondness for show and decoration ; of frivolity and childish amusements ; of gormandizing and drunkenness ; and of occult practices