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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 3 of 3
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
the hands of a few . Rule 19 is— "That one-half only of the sum to be granted in annuities shall be assigned to widows of brethren from lodges in the London district . " One-third would be a much more just and equitable proportion . The provinces already think that the Board of Benevolence distribute too large a portion of their funds in the London district . The rate of subscriptions as compared with the privileges attachedis much too low . The scale adopted in the Girls' charity is
, far preferable . Rule 32 is absurdly liberal . It was amusing to hear some of the brethren , high , aye , very high in rank , who had done their best to stifle the infant institution in its birth , now promise to rear the bantling with the utmost care . Kind creatures 1 they find that Charity has prevailed , and think to gain credit for swimming with the stream . Fudge 1 we will watch their movements . The concluding debate was one of overwhelming interest : one
difficult to touch upon , but still of too vital an importance to be entirely passed over . Bro . Scarborough , in moving for a " Committee to investigate whether any and what alterations can be made in the ceremonies of the three degrees , " although he did not let out much of his plan , told quite enough to mahe it evident that his views are most dangerous and destructive . The Grand Registrar opposed the measure in terms most just and forcible . Truly did he say , that if Bro . Scarborough ' s views
were carried , we should no longer be members of that body of Masons , known throughout the whole world by the same marks , bound together by the same ties . We should be repudiated , go where we would , as nothing better than the other spurious offsets of Freemasonry . We should destroy the -universality which had been adopted in all ages and in all countries . Although Bro . Scarborough ' s motion was negatived by an overwhelming majority , there being only some half dozen hands
held up for it ; yet let us keep a watchful eye upon him , for he threatens to take the field again . Here I would gladly lay down my pen ; but the conduct of the M . W . G . M . during this important debate was of a most extraordinary nature . Many and strong were the expressions of censure to be heard in various parts of the hall , as soon as G . Lodge was closed . In expressing his own willingness to grant the Committee , the G . M . made a most
unwarrantable use of a deceased Grand Master ' s name . Towards the close of the evening , he made a Quixotic attack upon the " Freemasons ' Quarterly Review , " as a highly improper publication , which had already been denounced by Grand Lodge . Most chivalrous Grand Master ! if your predecessor , with all the prestige of royalty to aid him , could not suppress the " Review " in its early days , think not that your aweinspiring dignity and overwhelming eloquence can achieve the task . No ! the Craft know too well the value of the information it contains , and
dare you to the enterprise . And to conclude , the brethren were called on to pledge themselves not to disclose any of the proceedings of the evening . Of course numbers made the sign ; but I observed many who did not . The call was an insult to Grand Lodge . No brother would improperly disclose what ought to be kept secret ; but much takes place in that building , the knowledge of which , without the walls , is not only harmless , but beneficial . In fact , the call was nothing more nor less than an indirect attempt to stop the " Freemasons' Quarterly Review . " I am , yours fraternally , PHILO-MASONIOUS .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
the hands of a few . Rule 19 is— "That one-half only of the sum to be granted in annuities shall be assigned to widows of brethren from lodges in the London district . " One-third would be a much more just and equitable proportion . The provinces already think that the Board of Benevolence distribute too large a portion of their funds in the London district . The rate of subscriptions as compared with the privileges attachedis much too low . The scale adopted in the Girls' charity is
, far preferable . Rule 32 is absurdly liberal . It was amusing to hear some of the brethren , high , aye , very high in rank , who had done their best to stifle the infant institution in its birth , now promise to rear the bantling with the utmost care . Kind creatures 1 they find that Charity has prevailed , and think to gain credit for swimming with the stream . Fudge 1 we will watch their movements . The concluding debate was one of overwhelming interest : one
difficult to touch upon , but still of too vital an importance to be entirely passed over . Bro . Scarborough , in moving for a " Committee to investigate whether any and what alterations can be made in the ceremonies of the three degrees , " although he did not let out much of his plan , told quite enough to mahe it evident that his views are most dangerous and destructive . The Grand Registrar opposed the measure in terms most just and forcible . Truly did he say , that if Bro . Scarborough ' s views
were carried , we should no longer be members of that body of Masons , known throughout the whole world by the same marks , bound together by the same ties . We should be repudiated , go where we would , as nothing better than the other spurious offsets of Freemasonry . We should destroy the -universality which had been adopted in all ages and in all countries . Although Bro . Scarborough ' s motion was negatived by an overwhelming majority , there being only some half dozen hands
held up for it ; yet let us keep a watchful eye upon him , for he threatens to take the field again . Here I would gladly lay down my pen ; but the conduct of the M . W . G . M . during this important debate was of a most extraordinary nature . Many and strong were the expressions of censure to be heard in various parts of the hall , as soon as G . Lodge was closed . In expressing his own willingness to grant the Committee , the G . M . made a most
unwarrantable use of a deceased Grand Master ' s name . Towards the close of the evening , he made a Quixotic attack upon the " Freemasons ' Quarterly Review , " as a highly improper publication , which had already been denounced by Grand Lodge . Most chivalrous Grand Master ! if your predecessor , with all the prestige of royalty to aid him , could not suppress the " Review " in its early days , think not that your aweinspiring dignity and overwhelming eloquence can achieve the task . No ! the Craft know too well the value of the information it contains , and
dare you to the enterprise . And to conclude , the brethren were called on to pledge themselves not to disclose any of the proceedings of the evening . Of course numbers made the sign ; but I observed many who did not . The call was an insult to Grand Lodge . No brother would improperly disclose what ought to be kept secret ; but much takes place in that building , the knowledge of which , without the walls , is not only harmless , but beneficial . In fact , the call was nothing more nor less than an indirect attempt to stop the " Freemasons' Quarterly Review . " I am , yours fraternally , PHILO-MASONIOUS .