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Article THE PORTRAIT GALLERY.—No. 4. ← Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Portrait Gallery.—No. 4.
Constitutions , and above all to support the dignity and honour of the Board . Of all these points Brother Dobie was conspicuously observant , unless , indeed , when in the course of debate , he would rule that the prerogative of the Grand Master was involved , and then he certainly assumed the extension of powers neither intended nor declared by the Constitutions . We allude in particular to a case recently brought under the consideration of the Grand Lodge , wherein , as the result might have affected personal character , his ruling was held to be correct .
As Grand Registrar , Brother Dobie appears to consider that he is the conscience-bearer of the Grand Master ; and however he would scorn to act dishonourably by any one , still the legal fiction will predominate . A recent case in Grand Lodge may be alluded to in proof ; wherein he laboured hard as an advocate , during a desultory debate , to fix an obloquy on a brother , who withstood not only the sly inuendo , but the less equivocal attack of the Deputy Grand Master , with a forbearance that no doubt surprised both .
Attempts to alter the mode of distributing the Fund of Benevolence also signally failed ; but as it is believed by the great majority of the Grand Lodge that Brother Dobie is unfettered by subserviency , although Ms policy may be questionable , so he stands well with all , and is deservedly esteemed by the great majority .
His powers as Grand Registrar are supreme over those provinces in which there is no provincial chief ; and , as may be expected , he must occasionally fail to give satisfaction . Nor can this be wondered at in districts where want of discipline has for many years been too apparent . On one occasion , when he could not personally attend , he exposed himself to the possible displacency of Grand Lodge , by sending a letter
expressive of his opinion ; but the matter passed sub silentio " . Hitherto the pencil has pourtrayed the light and shade of masonic character , without infringing on the privacy of domestic life , in which Brother Dobie is a bright example of affection and friendship . It may be remarked , that what in most Scotchmen—the broad Aberdeenian dialect—is not harmonious , yet with him is really pleasant . Whether it
is the emphatic delivery , not sententious but well regulated , the words ready , sentences neatly pointed ; or that his commanding person , tall , upright , good head , quickly glancing intelligent eye , gain attention , would be difficult to decide .
" Vultus est index animi . " Whatever may be Brother Dobie's prejudices , of one thing the Craft are assured , that as a Brother Mason or a private gentleman , it would not be easy to bring forward a higher standard . VELASQUEZ .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Portrait Gallery.—No. 4.
Constitutions , and above all to support the dignity and honour of the Board . Of all these points Brother Dobie was conspicuously observant , unless , indeed , when in the course of debate , he would rule that the prerogative of the Grand Master was involved , and then he certainly assumed the extension of powers neither intended nor declared by the Constitutions . We allude in particular to a case recently brought under the consideration of the Grand Lodge , wherein , as the result might have affected personal character , his ruling was held to be correct .
As Grand Registrar , Brother Dobie appears to consider that he is the conscience-bearer of the Grand Master ; and however he would scorn to act dishonourably by any one , still the legal fiction will predominate . A recent case in Grand Lodge may be alluded to in proof ; wherein he laboured hard as an advocate , during a desultory debate , to fix an obloquy on a brother , who withstood not only the sly inuendo , but the less equivocal attack of the Deputy Grand Master , with a forbearance that no doubt surprised both .
Attempts to alter the mode of distributing the Fund of Benevolence also signally failed ; but as it is believed by the great majority of the Grand Lodge that Brother Dobie is unfettered by subserviency , although Ms policy may be questionable , so he stands well with all , and is deservedly esteemed by the great majority .
His powers as Grand Registrar are supreme over those provinces in which there is no provincial chief ; and , as may be expected , he must occasionally fail to give satisfaction . Nor can this be wondered at in districts where want of discipline has for many years been too apparent . On one occasion , when he could not personally attend , he exposed himself to the possible displacency of Grand Lodge , by sending a letter
expressive of his opinion ; but the matter passed sub silentio " . Hitherto the pencil has pourtrayed the light and shade of masonic character , without infringing on the privacy of domestic life , in which Brother Dobie is a bright example of affection and friendship . It may be remarked , that what in most Scotchmen—the broad Aberdeenian dialect—is not harmonious , yet with him is really pleasant . Whether it
is the emphatic delivery , not sententious but well regulated , the words ready , sentences neatly pointed ; or that his commanding person , tall , upright , good head , quickly glancing intelligent eye , gain attention , would be difficult to decide .
" Vultus est index animi . " Whatever may be Brother Dobie's prejudices , of one thing the Craft are assured , that as a Brother Mason or a private gentleman , it would not be easy to bring forward a higher standard . VELASQUEZ .