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Article CONSECRATION OF THE UNIVERSAL CHAPTER, No. 181. ← Page 3 of 3 Article WORSHIPFUL MASTERS. Page 1 of 1 Article WORSHIPFUL MASTERS. Page 1 of 1
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Consecration Of The Universal Chapter, No. 181.
on the head of the chapter , and as one ofthe visitors he most heartily thanked thc companions for the kind reception they had accorded the visitors , wishing the companions and their successors all that prosperity which this happy day seemed to foretoken , and which he trusted the Universal Chapter might long exist lo enjoy . . _
" Comp . PARKINSON , in proposing the "Health of llie Officers , " said he did not know whether Comp . Philbriek ever corrected proofs of his speeches , for it might be quite useful if he did , otherwise ii might possibly appear to the uninitiated somewhat anomalous to hi . told that thcessen . -col Royal Arch Masonry was lo entorlain a philosophic indill ' oroiirc lo the snllorings of others , provided lliey did not allect ourselves , lie would remind him thai
his words would be recorded for publication , and he should look-, as an old and experienced Mason , with Considerable interest and curiosity for the remarkably profound p hilosophic utterances of Comp . Philbriek when they appeared in print , as the dicta of one of the most distinguished leaders ol " the Craft upon the true uses , intents , and moral influences of Royal Arch Masonry . Passing from that , he took for his own pari a less
philosophic view of this Order , and in proposing " The Health of the Officers , " he requested them not to take the playful irony of Comp . Philbrick too literally . He vvas disposed , as Comp . Philbriek was speaking , to feel quite sorry ' he was presiding" over a chapter which brought up young Masons in such an extremely heretical doctrine . I le had always been taught that Masonry , whatever il might mean , did not exactly mean that ; and he
should wish lo impress upon the minds of the companions thai they were npt to take too literally thc advice to regard with philosophic indifference the sufferings of others . He wanted sympathy himself al lhat moment , labouring as lie was under the difficulty of haying to speak after such a remarkable fli'dit of eloquence . I le had to thank Comp . Philbriek for a most
amusing speech , and it was a happy circuirstancc that he was in such good form and bristled with epigram . 'The way in which he bandied the remarks of ihe Grancl Registrar , with respect to the working of Comp . T ' enn in placing him ( Comp . Parkinson ) in the chair , being an intellectual treat , made it a perfect charm that a man should so delight in his calling as to give his best in his play hours .
Comp . PARKINSON then proposed " The Health of the Oflicers , and trusted that the chapter woultl have a prosperous voyage ; thai they would succeed him in the chair ; and that twenty years hence ihcy might look back on their Masonic career , and bc able lo say with perfect simplicity and sincerity that dinarg those twenty years they had not made an enemy or lost a friend .
Comp . W . R . NORRIS , in reply , said he trusted to fulfil the important oflice with which he had been entrusted wilh honour and credit . He and his brother officers would be most happy to obey the summons of the Most Kxcellent , and would assist him with their very best efforts in carrying out thc business ofthe chapter .
'The Janitor ' s least was given by Comp , Ciii'Rt u , and the proceedings terminated . Under the direction of Comp . John Read , P . Z . 7 J 0 , Miss Carrie Blackwell , Miss Maud l . onghiirsl , R . A . M .: Mrs . A . K . Read , Iiro . Iv . Dal / ell , Westminster Abbey ; Bro . A . !•' . Woodward , Christ ' s Hospital ; Pro . R . tie Lacy , St . Paul ' s Cathedral ; and Mr . A . Miller gave a beautiful selection of music during the evening .
Worshipful Masters.
WORSHIPFUL MASTERS .
BY HRO . T . II . VVIIYTKIIEAD . Freemasonry has maintained its high reputation for a great number of years , and within the last decade has made unprecedented progress , but it may safely be asserted that its present position is not to be compared to that which it might occupy if Worshipful Masters universally and conscientiously carried out the engagements that they enter into wlien they assume the
responsible position accorded to them by the suffrages of their brethren . Of the nearly two thousand members of the Craft annually installed in the chair under the Knglish Constitution , how many can we suppose properly realise the importance of the office they undertake , and how many , even if the realities of the task are known to them , are qualified to discharge them V 'To such questions it would be no pleasing task to give a faithful answer ; yet
to reflect on thc subject , might perhaps be benelicial , if by lhat means wc could hope to effect ' any improvement or amendmenl on the condition of things winch we see going on around us in Masonic life . As it used to be said of the old Napoleonic armies , that every soldier carried a field-marshal ' s baton in his knapsack , so it may be asserted lhat every Mason carries a gavel in his pocket ; but , as in the one case few
warriors are qualified to manoeuvre troops or conduct a campaign , so but few brethren possess the requisite qualifications for ruling anti governing a lodge . It is often said to a newly initiated candidate , when his health is proposed , that he must endeavour to render himself fit to take , in due course , thc Master ' s chair , ami the ambition to occupy that exalted position is highly laudable in every brother . Were il not for thc desire lo advance , and
to achieve the highest honours which a lodge has in its power to bestow upon any of its members , thc working of our lodges would soon come lo a standstill . It may also bc admitted that an equality of excellence can no more be expected from Masters of Lodges than from men in any other position in life . . Nevertheless , it is not unreasonable to look for a fair amount of knowledge , and a genuine endeavour to render himself competent , in every man who aspires to wear the jewel of a Worshipful Master .
In the case of Masons , as with the profane , some are born to greatness , some achieve greatness , and some have greatness thrust upon them . 'Thus we find brethren not infrequently placed in the chairs of lodges for thc simple reason that their high social position appears lo render them desirable in a prominent place , for the sake of the glory which they may shed upon the Order or the brethren associated with them . Occasionall y such
brethren are found to take a pleasure in the work entrusted to them , and to discharge it skilfully and faithfully . Under these circumstances all is well , and the Art prospers under their rule . At other times , and more frequently , they neg lect their legitimate duty , which is left lo be performed by others ; they exhibit no interest in the welfare of the lodge and the Craft , and they
prove a weakness rather than a strength to the Order . Masonry is happy in the possession of many brethren of the highest social rank , who shad lustre upon the craft , not so much from the fact of their being members of it but because they take a living and active interest in it * welfare , and do not hesitate lo give both time and labour to promote its welfare . Of those who achieve greatness in Masonry there are several kinds . We find the brother , for instance , whoso fitness to rule is so manifest from thc
Worshipful Masters.
outset , that the ink is scarcely dry upon his certificate before the members of his lodge have settled it in their minds that to bc governed b y him will be both a joy and an advantage . His natural qualifications for the position are patent to everyone , and his promotion is rapid . He enjoys a universal
popularity in his lodge ; he is a good ritualist ; he has mastered the laws of the Order ; he is proud of his lodge ; he pushes his researches into the history of Masonry , and creates in the minds of the brethren with whom he comes in contact an intelligent desire to elevate their minds , and lo find in their assemblies something more than merely pleasant social gat . herin «* s .
'Then there is the brother who , with ' no special . fitness for the office , works himself into the chair by dint of sheer hard labour . Me is amiable , perhaps , and worlhy , and his brethren feel lhat to disappoint him by passing him over woultl bc cruel , although they are perfectly aware , whilst giving him their voles , that they aro placing iii the chair one who will be tio credit to their reputation as a well-worked lod ge . Perhaps he has a poor delivery and little education , and the probable ' rcsult will be lhat neither he nor his brethren will feel his year lo have been profitable or satisfactory .
But even this type of Master is preferable to a third kind—the man who will always be at the top of the tree in everything , by hook or by crook ; who cares nothing at all about Masonry for itself , aiid only sets his heart on the chair for the sole object of being able to write P . M . after his name . Mc docs not scruple to canvass thc members for their votes , and will sometimes even
hold out bribes in the form of oflicers' collars . When once installed he is utterly carele ; s of his duties . I le will not be at the trouble to prepare himself for the ceremonies ; tlie attendances during his year are meagre ; his candidates are disappointed ; and he throws the lod ge back a couple of years , at least , in its progress .
Then we sometimes find cases in which brethren are pushed forward into the chair , not because ihcy desire or deserve it , but either because their friends desire to see them there , or for the reason that the lodge has no scope for selection . Sometimes in such cases thc event justifies the action . 'The
brother adapts himself to his unsought position , ami lintls a pleasure in the discharge of its duties ; but more frequently he feels the whole thing a burden and a nuisance , and , having got through his year in a perfunctory manner , is glad to get out of harness and revert to his previous position of a cypher .
1 hesc are only a few of the types of men whom wc see each year in our Masonic experience made rulers in the Craft ; and thnt there are great difficulties in the way of establishing ;\ more satisfactory condition of things , isas well known , as that the succession of rule's is not of as desirable a character as could be wished . In many men totally unqualified for the chair , but who aim for it , there seems to be a complete unconsciousness of ( heir unfitness .
This may arise cither from their ignorance of the duties which devolve upon every holder of the office , or merel y from . 1 possession of thai self-conceit which induces sonic men to think themselves competent for any position that they can possibl y attain to . It is quite certain that many a man who accepts the oflice of ' Worshi pful Master woultl shrink from doing so if he thoroughly realised the duties he undertook , and the genuine importance of
the responsibilities of the situation . ( n weak lodges , and especially in very small towns , there is often a special difficulty in obtaining a succession of suitable Masters : and thc description of such lodges , once given as " wanning pans for the manufacture of Past Masters , " has in il a most unpalateable amount of truth . The irregular attendance , and too often entire absence from lodge meetings of the best educated members , is a general cause of rcniplaint ,
especially in the provinces ; but a moment ' s rellccticn would remove any feeling oT surprise al such a state of affairs , for il is unreasonable to expect men of learning and ability , even to a moderate extent , to patiently attend night after night for the purpose of listening to deliberate assaults tipon the integrity of the Queen ' s Knglish , a familiar ritual grossl y abused , and to join at a subsequent free-and-easy where Masonic subjects scent usually lobe
regarded as " shop , " and therefore to lie seduou-ly avoided . Unless to lodge gatherings can be imparted some element more intelligent than mere ritual , even when well delivered , it is useless to expect to enlist the genuine interest of men of talent . In these days of bustle and work al high pressure there is no time for trilling , and unless some sign of progress is visibb , Masonry is but a dry morsel to the man who feels that he must , to keep up wil ' i ihe limes , make some daily advancement in knowledge .
Regardetl from the intelligent side , the German system seems to have many advantages over ours . 'There thc W . M . is selected for his high mental eiidownments and educational training , and is re-elected year after year , sometimes for a hug period , whilst the other members are content to occupy tlie minor chairs iu their turn . Of course , in one sense , this is not the way lo popularise Masonry , but rather to keep il select ; and , I he re fore ,
if the accession of vast numbers bc ihe great aim and object of thc Craft the ( Jerman plan is not to be recommended . The question to be decided is -are mere numbers lo be regarded as strength ' . ' Many of our best Masons will say not , and that in extending as rapidly as we are doing we are sowing thc seeds of dissolution , lt is true thai vve are wealthy , that our
Charities are large and vigorous ; but is it not possible lhat in advertising our ^ jood works , as we do in the public press , we are reducing ourselves to the condition of a mere benefit and mutual insurance society , and that numbers are now entering our portals for no other purpose than lo share , or that their families may share , in the supposed substantial benefits of our Order .
The increase of fees has been advocated by some as a step in the right direction , or as a check upon the influx of candidates . A very much larger fee for warrants , and a doubling ol the minimum initiation fee , would unquestionably have a considerable effect on the future , and would most likely sound the death knell of many lodges thai ought never to have been warranted . But better than all legislative or artificial remedies is the one in the hands
of thc brethren themselves . If members of lodges could only bc brought to realize the true dignity and high importance ol Masonry , the chairs of our lodges would not so often bc occupied hy unsuitable brethren . If Masons had the honour and reputation of their lodges .-it heart they would not imperil them by entrusting them to insecure hands . And lastly , if candidates took to heart ( he lessons of humility and dependence which are so early
inculcated , the bulk of them would hesitate before aspiring to , or at any rale , undertaking , an oflice for which a very moderate amount ol honest reflection would satisfy them that they were utterly unfilled , or at best , very partially qualified . A better class of masters would induce a higher order of candidates , and instead of finding- the mo re intelligent of our members
contenting themselves with the payment of an annual subscription and absenting themselves from lodge meetings , we should sec our Order taking a much higher stand amongst our social institutions , attractive to men of culture , and not sought after by the v ain nnd idle man , nor regarded solely as one method of killing lime or an excuse for conviviality .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Universal Chapter, No. 181.
on the head of the chapter , and as one ofthe visitors he most heartily thanked thc companions for the kind reception they had accorded the visitors , wishing the companions and their successors all that prosperity which this happy day seemed to foretoken , and which he trusted the Universal Chapter might long exist lo enjoy . . _
" Comp . PARKINSON , in proposing the "Health of llie Officers , " said he did not know whether Comp . Philbriek ever corrected proofs of his speeches , for it might be quite useful if he did , otherwise ii might possibly appear to the uninitiated somewhat anomalous to hi . told that thcessen . -col Royal Arch Masonry was lo entorlain a philosophic indill ' oroiirc lo the snllorings of others , provided lliey did not allect ourselves , lie would remind him thai
his words would be recorded for publication , and he should look-, as an old and experienced Mason , with Considerable interest and curiosity for the remarkably profound p hilosophic utterances of Comp . Philbriek when they appeared in print , as the dicta of one of the most distinguished leaders ol " the Craft upon the true uses , intents , and moral influences of Royal Arch Masonry . Passing from that , he took for his own pari a less
philosophic view of this Order , and in proposing " The Health of the Officers , " he requested them not to take the playful irony of Comp . Philbrick too literally . He vvas disposed , as Comp . Philbriek was speaking , to feel quite sorry ' he was presiding" over a chapter which brought up young Masons in such an extremely heretical doctrine . I le had always been taught that Masonry , whatever il might mean , did not exactly mean that ; and he
should wish lo impress upon the minds of the companions thai they were npt to take too literally thc advice to regard with philosophic indifference the sufferings of others . He wanted sympathy himself al lhat moment , labouring as lie was under the difficulty of haying to speak after such a remarkable fli'dit of eloquence . I le had to thank Comp . Philbriek for a most
amusing speech , and it was a happy circuirstancc that he was in such good form and bristled with epigram . 'The way in which he bandied the remarks of ihe Grancl Registrar , with respect to the working of Comp . T ' enn in placing him ( Comp . Parkinson ) in the chair , being an intellectual treat , made it a perfect charm that a man should so delight in his calling as to give his best in his play hours .
Comp . PARKINSON then proposed " The Health of the Oflicers , and trusted that the chapter woultl have a prosperous voyage ; thai they would succeed him in the chair ; and that twenty years hence ihcy might look back on their Masonic career , and bc able lo say with perfect simplicity and sincerity that dinarg those twenty years they had not made an enemy or lost a friend .
Comp . W . R . NORRIS , in reply , said he trusted to fulfil the important oflice with which he had been entrusted wilh honour and credit . He and his brother officers would be most happy to obey the summons of the Most Kxcellent , and would assist him with their very best efforts in carrying out thc business ofthe chapter .
'The Janitor ' s least was given by Comp , Ciii'Rt u , and the proceedings terminated . Under the direction of Comp . John Read , P . Z . 7 J 0 , Miss Carrie Blackwell , Miss Maud l . onghiirsl , R . A . M .: Mrs . A . K . Read , Iiro . Iv . Dal / ell , Westminster Abbey ; Bro . A . !•' . Woodward , Christ ' s Hospital ; Pro . R . tie Lacy , St . Paul ' s Cathedral ; and Mr . A . Miller gave a beautiful selection of music during the evening .
Worshipful Masters.
WORSHIPFUL MASTERS .
BY HRO . T . II . VVIIYTKIIEAD . Freemasonry has maintained its high reputation for a great number of years , and within the last decade has made unprecedented progress , but it may safely be asserted that its present position is not to be compared to that which it might occupy if Worshipful Masters universally and conscientiously carried out the engagements that they enter into wlien they assume the
responsible position accorded to them by the suffrages of their brethren . Of the nearly two thousand members of the Craft annually installed in the chair under the Knglish Constitution , how many can we suppose properly realise the importance of the office they undertake , and how many , even if the realities of the task are known to them , are qualified to discharge them V 'To such questions it would be no pleasing task to give a faithful answer ; yet
to reflect on thc subject , might perhaps be benelicial , if by lhat means wc could hope to effect ' any improvement or amendmenl on the condition of things winch we see going on around us in Masonic life . As it used to be said of the old Napoleonic armies , that every soldier carried a field-marshal ' s baton in his knapsack , so it may be asserted lhat every Mason carries a gavel in his pocket ; but , as in the one case few
warriors are qualified to manoeuvre troops or conduct a campaign , so but few brethren possess the requisite qualifications for ruling anti governing a lodge . It is often said to a newly initiated candidate , when his health is proposed , that he must endeavour to render himself fit to take , in due course , thc Master ' s chair , ami the ambition to occupy that exalted position is highly laudable in every brother . Were il not for thc desire lo advance , and
to achieve the highest honours which a lodge has in its power to bestow upon any of its members , thc working of our lodges would soon come lo a standstill . It may also bc admitted that an equality of excellence can no more be expected from Masters of Lodges than from men in any other position in life . . Nevertheless , it is not unreasonable to look for a fair amount of knowledge , and a genuine endeavour to render himself competent , in every man who aspires to wear the jewel of a Worshipful Master .
In the case of Masons , as with the profane , some are born to greatness , some achieve greatness , and some have greatness thrust upon them . 'Thus we find brethren not infrequently placed in the chairs of lodges for thc simple reason that their high social position appears lo render them desirable in a prominent place , for the sake of the glory which they may shed upon the Order or the brethren associated with them . Occasionall y such
brethren are found to take a pleasure in the work entrusted to them , and to discharge it skilfully and faithfully . Under these circumstances all is well , and the Art prospers under their rule . At other times , and more frequently , they neg lect their legitimate duty , which is left lo be performed by others ; they exhibit no interest in the welfare of the lodge and the Craft , and they
prove a weakness rather than a strength to the Order . Masonry is happy in the possession of many brethren of the highest social rank , who shad lustre upon the craft , not so much from the fact of their being members of it but because they take a living and active interest in it * welfare , and do not hesitate lo give both time and labour to promote its welfare . Of those who achieve greatness in Masonry there are several kinds . We find the brother , for instance , whoso fitness to rule is so manifest from thc
Worshipful Masters.
outset , that the ink is scarcely dry upon his certificate before the members of his lodge have settled it in their minds that to bc governed b y him will be both a joy and an advantage . His natural qualifications for the position are patent to everyone , and his promotion is rapid . He enjoys a universal
popularity in his lodge ; he is a good ritualist ; he has mastered the laws of the Order ; he is proud of his lodge ; he pushes his researches into the history of Masonry , and creates in the minds of the brethren with whom he comes in contact an intelligent desire to elevate their minds , and lo find in their assemblies something more than merely pleasant social gat . herin «* s .
'Then there is the brother who , with ' no special . fitness for the office , works himself into the chair by dint of sheer hard labour . Me is amiable , perhaps , and worlhy , and his brethren feel lhat to disappoint him by passing him over woultl bc cruel , although they are perfectly aware , whilst giving him their voles , that they aro placing iii the chair one who will be tio credit to their reputation as a well-worked lod ge . Perhaps he has a poor delivery and little education , and the probable ' rcsult will be lhat neither he nor his brethren will feel his year lo have been profitable or satisfactory .
But even this type of Master is preferable to a third kind—the man who will always be at the top of the tree in everything , by hook or by crook ; who cares nothing at all about Masonry for itself , aiid only sets his heart on the chair for the sole object of being able to write P . M . after his name . Mc docs not scruple to canvass thc members for their votes , and will sometimes even
hold out bribes in the form of oflicers' collars . When once installed he is utterly carele ; s of his duties . I le will not be at the trouble to prepare himself for the ceremonies ; tlie attendances during his year are meagre ; his candidates are disappointed ; and he throws the lod ge back a couple of years , at least , in its progress .
Then we sometimes find cases in which brethren are pushed forward into the chair , not because ihcy desire or deserve it , but either because their friends desire to see them there , or for the reason that the lodge has no scope for selection . Sometimes in such cases thc event justifies the action . 'The
brother adapts himself to his unsought position , ami lintls a pleasure in the discharge of its duties ; but more frequently he feels the whole thing a burden and a nuisance , and , having got through his year in a perfunctory manner , is glad to get out of harness and revert to his previous position of a cypher .
1 hesc are only a few of the types of men whom wc see each year in our Masonic experience made rulers in the Craft ; and thnt there are great difficulties in the way of establishing ;\ more satisfactory condition of things , isas well known , as that the succession of rule's is not of as desirable a character as could be wished . In many men totally unqualified for the chair , but who aim for it , there seems to be a complete unconsciousness of ( heir unfitness .
This may arise cither from their ignorance of the duties which devolve upon every holder of the office , or merel y from . 1 possession of thai self-conceit which induces sonic men to think themselves competent for any position that they can possibl y attain to . It is quite certain that many a man who accepts the oflice of ' Worshi pful Master woultl shrink from doing so if he thoroughly realised the duties he undertook , and the genuine importance of
the responsibilities of the situation . ( n weak lodges , and especially in very small towns , there is often a special difficulty in obtaining a succession of suitable Masters : and thc description of such lodges , once given as " wanning pans for the manufacture of Past Masters , " has in il a most unpalateable amount of truth . The irregular attendance , and too often entire absence from lodge meetings of the best educated members , is a general cause of rcniplaint ,
especially in the provinces ; but a moment ' s rellccticn would remove any feeling oT surprise al such a state of affairs , for il is unreasonable to expect men of learning and ability , even to a moderate extent , to patiently attend night after night for the purpose of listening to deliberate assaults tipon the integrity of the Queen ' s Knglish , a familiar ritual grossl y abused , and to join at a subsequent free-and-easy where Masonic subjects scent usually lobe
regarded as " shop , " and therefore to lie seduou-ly avoided . Unless to lodge gatherings can be imparted some element more intelligent than mere ritual , even when well delivered , it is useless to expect to enlist the genuine interest of men of talent . In these days of bustle and work al high pressure there is no time for trilling , and unless some sign of progress is visibb , Masonry is but a dry morsel to the man who feels that he must , to keep up wil ' i ihe limes , make some daily advancement in knowledge .
Regardetl from the intelligent side , the German system seems to have many advantages over ours . 'There thc W . M . is selected for his high mental eiidownments and educational training , and is re-elected year after year , sometimes for a hug period , whilst the other members are content to occupy tlie minor chairs iu their turn . Of course , in one sense , this is not the way lo popularise Masonry , but rather to keep il select ; and , I he re fore ,
if the accession of vast numbers bc ihe great aim and object of thc Craft the ( Jerman plan is not to be recommended . The question to be decided is -are mere numbers lo be regarded as strength ' . ' Many of our best Masons will say not , and that in extending as rapidly as we are doing we are sowing thc seeds of dissolution , lt is true thai vve are wealthy , that our
Charities are large and vigorous ; but is it not possible lhat in advertising our ^ jood works , as we do in the public press , we are reducing ourselves to the condition of a mere benefit and mutual insurance society , and that numbers are now entering our portals for no other purpose than lo share , or that their families may share , in the supposed substantial benefits of our Order .
The increase of fees has been advocated by some as a step in the right direction , or as a check upon the influx of candidates . A very much larger fee for warrants , and a doubling ol the minimum initiation fee , would unquestionably have a considerable effect on the future , and would most likely sound the death knell of many lodges thai ought never to have been warranted . But better than all legislative or artificial remedies is the one in the hands
of thc brethren themselves . If members of lodges could only bc brought to realize the true dignity and high importance ol Masonry , the chairs of our lodges would not so often bc occupied hy unsuitable brethren . If Masons had the honour and reputation of their lodges .-it heart they would not imperil them by entrusting them to insecure hands . And lastly , if candidates took to heart ( he lessons of humility and dependence which are so early
inculcated , the bulk of them would hesitate before aspiring to , or at any rale , undertaking , an oflice for which a very moderate amount ol honest reflection would satisfy them that they were utterly unfilled , or at best , very partially qualified . A better class of masters would induce a higher order of candidates , and instead of finding- the mo re intelligent of our members
contenting themselves with the payment of an annual subscription and absenting themselves from lodge meetings , we should sec our Order taking a much higher stand amongst our social institutions , attractive to men of culture , and not sought after by the v ain nnd idle man , nor regarded solely as one method of killing lime or an excuse for conviviality .