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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
Craft at large to pass their verdict . I need not take up your space by giving you the speeches that were made by this learned Brother and those who followed him . Here you have the facts from which every Brother can draw his own inference .
1 feel gieat pain in communicating these circumstances . It has not been done with a brotherly feeling , some will say . I communicate them to you because I consider it is the only method of correcting the evils which have pavasitically taken hold of Scotch Masonry , whicli the Brethren throughout Scotland are not aware of , and can never be , unless they obtain information in this manner . We know it who are on the spot ; but how very few are there who care whether the principle of
Freemasonry be acted up to , or even be understood . Certainly the scene at the last communication and at the festival , would never be found in a just , perfect , and regular assembly ; and if this be true , it necessarily follows that they can only be found in one of another description . When the country Lodges are made aware of what is going on in Grand Lodge ; when their opinion on this subject and the next is requested ; when more defference shall be paid to them by their appearing
in the persons of their AVorshipful Masters and Wardens , than was the case with the Dalkeith Kilwinning Lodge , at the Quarterly Commuieation , then we may expect Masonry to prosper . It is a farce to think that Lodges can respect a body at their head when that body does not act up to the principles of the Order , and is only careful about pounds shillings and pence . It is only by spreading information among the Country Lodges , that we can expect the body to be raised to a
respectable position , and the motion that was carried in Grancl Lodge , that the three degrees be not given in one night , will ultimately be most beneficial ; that motion , if faithfully carried out , will restore the character of the Craft ; but the supporters of that measure will do well to watch over
it ; it will require a long time to root out the prejudice which exists against innovation , and this fundamental rule , will be considered by many of the " use" and "won ' t" Brethren as an innovation , and a waste of time . Time will prove whether this rule be disadvantageous or not . It must have a fair trial , and in this city we are in a position to give it . Our Lodges of Instruction , or Masonic Clubs , are striving to excel each other in correct working , for which they have adopted what is called the English system : why it is so called 1 am at a loss to discover . It is the
system which England received from Scotland , and which our English Brethren , with that care which is characteristic of true Masons , have been careful to maintain in its purity ; whilst we in Scotland , pleased and tickled by being considered at the head of the Craft , have sat down contentedly and patronised the refreshment part of the process—and b y some means or other have forgotten the labour . I have no doubt that the Lodges in this city will feel the benefit of this movementand that
, our Brethren will be able to demonstrate to the country Lodges that they are Masons , and at the same time own with truth that we have only copied their example . And if the country Lodges wish to carry out what they have begun they will require to continue their exertions ; in many things they will get no assistance from us in this quarter , our interests are too much bound up in the Grand Lodge , and they must not sit down thinking that the process of reform will work like a charm .
No , it must be by continued and active exertion—some definite plan must be marked out for operations—and if tlie arrangements are carefully made , there is no question of success . Let all country Lodges
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
Craft at large to pass their verdict . I need not take up your space by giving you the speeches that were made by this learned Brother and those who followed him . Here you have the facts from which every Brother can draw his own inference .
1 feel gieat pain in communicating these circumstances . It has not been done with a brotherly feeling , some will say . I communicate them to you because I consider it is the only method of correcting the evils which have pavasitically taken hold of Scotch Masonry , whicli the Brethren throughout Scotland are not aware of , and can never be , unless they obtain information in this manner . We know it who are on the spot ; but how very few are there who care whether the principle of
Freemasonry be acted up to , or even be understood . Certainly the scene at the last communication and at the festival , would never be found in a just , perfect , and regular assembly ; and if this be true , it necessarily follows that they can only be found in one of another description . When the country Lodges are made aware of what is going on in Grand Lodge ; when their opinion on this subject and the next is requested ; when more defference shall be paid to them by their appearing
in the persons of their AVorshipful Masters and Wardens , than was the case with the Dalkeith Kilwinning Lodge , at the Quarterly Commuieation , then we may expect Masonry to prosper . It is a farce to think that Lodges can respect a body at their head when that body does not act up to the principles of the Order , and is only careful about pounds shillings and pence . It is only by spreading information among the Country Lodges , that we can expect the body to be raised to a
respectable position , and the motion that was carried in Grancl Lodge , that the three degrees be not given in one night , will ultimately be most beneficial ; that motion , if faithfully carried out , will restore the character of the Craft ; but the supporters of that measure will do well to watch over
it ; it will require a long time to root out the prejudice which exists against innovation , and this fundamental rule , will be considered by many of the " use" and "won ' t" Brethren as an innovation , and a waste of time . Time will prove whether this rule be disadvantageous or not . It must have a fair trial , and in this city we are in a position to give it . Our Lodges of Instruction , or Masonic Clubs , are striving to excel each other in correct working , for which they have adopted what is called the English system : why it is so called 1 am at a loss to discover . It is the
system which England received from Scotland , and which our English Brethren , with that care which is characteristic of true Masons , have been careful to maintain in its purity ; whilst we in Scotland , pleased and tickled by being considered at the head of the Craft , have sat down contentedly and patronised the refreshment part of the process—and b y some means or other have forgotten the labour . I have no doubt that the Lodges in this city will feel the benefit of this movementand that
, our Brethren will be able to demonstrate to the country Lodges that they are Masons , and at the same time own with truth that we have only copied their example . And if the country Lodges wish to carry out what they have begun they will require to continue their exertions ; in many things they will get no assistance from us in this quarter , our interests are too much bound up in the Grand Lodge , and they must not sit down thinking that the process of reform will work like a charm .
No , it must be by continued and active exertion—some definite plan must be marked out for operations—and if tlie arrangements are carefully made , there is no question of success . Let all country Lodges