-
Articles/Ads
Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
[ THE EDITOR does not hold himself responsible for any opinions entertained b y Correspondents . ]
TO THE EDITOR . MASONRY IN SCOTLAND . Our Order is founded on the purest principles of morality and virtue j may it teaeh us t-i measure our actions by the rule of rectitude , squire our conduct bv the principles of motalitv and guide our conversation , and our very thoughts , within the compass of propriety .
SIR AND BROTHER . —The apathy and indifference which are the characteristics of our Lodges and Brethren towards anything like improvement , either in Grand Lodge or in private Lodges , are clearly and distinctly to be traced to the manner in which they receive their Masonic education . When I use the word " improvement , " I do not mean change for the sake of changeinnovation for the sake of something
, new , but an honest rectification of gross errors that have crept into the Lodges through time , a return to the ancient landmarks of Masonry , and a strict observance of the ancient customs and established usages . Hitherto I have noted the doings of the Grand Lodge , and tried to find out the principles upon which its business is conducted . Masonic principle , I fear , is not to be discovered there ; it is " a myth , " as I never could find it in the acts of that bodalthough I have often heard its
y , praise sounded from the tongue-tips of our Grand Lodge orators . If this is not the case , why is it that some of the oldest and best Masons have not for years visited the Grand Lodge ? But it is not my intention at present to notice that body ; the remarks which I have made upon it have been thought by some Brethren to be severe , but 1 am sure that they were not more severe than merited ; whilst I have the gratification to know that some Brethren think they
have done good . As the elections will be coming on in a month or two , and a number of new Brethren will be taking office , I think that it may be useful on this occasion to glance at the education which our Masonic pupils obtain in our Lodges , in order to fit them to preside over , or assist in ruling a Lodge , or to enable them to discharge the duties of assistant officers . I will endeavour to give your readers an idea how , in the generality of Lodges , I may say in the great majority of them , a Brother is initiated , passed , ( passed with a vengeance ) and raised , and fills the offices from Inner Guard to Right Worshipful Master . We must first initiate our candidate : he has heard that there is to he a
foundationstone laid , and that there is to be a procession at so doing ; or a Masonic ball is to take place , and he wishes to be made a Mason , that he may attend ; or some friend , who has been newly made , strongly urges him to become one , holding out as an inducement , from his own short experience , the / ten to be had at the meetings , or the lots of whisky-punch which generally follow upon an introduction to the Order . J-Iis inteii-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
[ THE EDITOR does not hold himself responsible for any opinions entertained b y Correspondents . ]
TO THE EDITOR . MASONRY IN SCOTLAND . Our Order is founded on the purest principles of morality and virtue j may it teaeh us t-i measure our actions by the rule of rectitude , squire our conduct bv the principles of motalitv and guide our conversation , and our very thoughts , within the compass of propriety .
SIR AND BROTHER . —The apathy and indifference which are the characteristics of our Lodges and Brethren towards anything like improvement , either in Grand Lodge or in private Lodges , are clearly and distinctly to be traced to the manner in which they receive their Masonic education . When I use the word " improvement , " I do not mean change for the sake of changeinnovation for the sake of something
, new , but an honest rectification of gross errors that have crept into the Lodges through time , a return to the ancient landmarks of Masonry , and a strict observance of the ancient customs and established usages . Hitherto I have noted the doings of the Grand Lodge , and tried to find out the principles upon which its business is conducted . Masonic principle , I fear , is not to be discovered there ; it is " a myth , " as I never could find it in the acts of that bodalthough I have often heard its
y , praise sounded from the tongue-tips of our Grand Lodge orators . If this is not the case , why is it that some of the oldest and best Masons have not for years visited the Grand Lodge ? But it is not my intention at present to notice that body ; the remarks which I have made upon it have been thought by some Brethren to be severe , but 1 am sure that they were not more severe than merited ; whilst I have the gratification to know that some Brethren think they
have done good . As the elections will be coming on in a month or two , and a number of new Brethren will be taking office , I think that it may be useful on this occasion to glance at the education which our Masonic pupils obtain in our Lodges , in order to fit them to preside over , or assist in ruling a Lodge , or to enable them to discharge the duties of assistant officers . I will endeavour to give your readers an idea how , in the generality of Lodges , I may say in the great majority of them , a Brother is initiated , passed , ( passed with a vengeance ) and raised , and fills the offices from Inner Guard to Right Worshipful Master . We must first initiate our candidate : he has heard that there is to he a
foundationstone laid , and that there is to be a procession at so doing ; or a Masonic ball is to take place , and he wishes to be made a Mason , that he may attend ; or some friend , who has been newly made , strongly urges him to become one , holding out as an inducement , from his own short experience , the / ten to be had at the meetings , or the lots of whisky-punch which generally follow upon an introduction to the Order . J-Iis inteii-