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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Ad00804

TO OUR READERS . THE FREEMASON is published -very Friday morning , price 3 d ., and cont ains the fullest and latest information relating to Freemasonry in every degree . Subscriptions , including Postage : — ,,,. „ . , r-, ^ i ?^ '„ f- India , China , Australia United Kingdom . Canada . ttic ^ Conti- Nc ' Zealand , & c . 13 s . 15 s . 6 d . 17 s . 6 d . Remittances may be made in Stamps , but Post Oliice Orders or Cheques are preferred , the former payable to GEORGE KENNING , Chief Office , London , the latter crossed London Joint Stock Bank

To Correspondence.

To Correspondence .

Owing to pressure on our columns the following stand over -. — Avon Lodge , No . 1633 , Manchester . Kirkdale Lodge , No . 1756 , Liverpool . Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 1507 . Cranbourne Lodge of Instruction , No . 15 S 0 , Hatfield . Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction , 1624 . Mount Calvary Chapter , A . and A . Rite . Rose of Sharon Senate K . H . P ., No . 6 , A . and P . Rite .

BOOKS , 8 zc , RECEIVED . "Broad Arrow , " "The Builder , " "The Pictorial World , " "The Whitehall Review , " "JewishChronicle , " "Citizen , " "Glass of Fashion , " "Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News " ( Christmas Number ) , " Allen ' s Indian Mail , " " Keystone , " "Hebrew Leader , " "Moore ' s Masonic Messenger . "

Ar00805

THE FREEMASON . SATURDAY , DEC . 4 , 1880 .

Ar00801

WE think that in the best interests of Masonic courtesy and comity , as well as for the patience of our readers , the controversy in our pages relative to the Ancient and Primitive Rite , versus the Ancient and Accepted Rite , had better cease . It is ,

however , but fair to observe and remember that the Ancient and Accepted Rite have taken no part in the discussion . They have thought it more compatible with dignity and propriety to preserve a rigid silence . Bro . SANDEMAN has been kind

enough to explain in our pages the object of a particular circular , and to state that it was solely addressed , clearly within his competence , to the chapters of his own body . We print this week one or two letters which had come in last week , and

then the discussion must close , and cannot be reopened , except as a dry matter of history under " Masonic Notes and Queries . " We think it well for ourselves to say that our remarks in our leader were written in answer

to Bro . HILL ' S appeal , who , though we differ from him and he from us , has very Masonically thanked us for our courtesy and fair play . We went out of our way to gratify a correspondent who asked us a simple and open question , but we had

no wish officially to pronouce an opinion on subjects naturally out of our range , except as we said as Masonic students of "facts" patent to and available for all alike . We are not , we think , called upon to notice some ingenious " cruxes " raised by

Bro . YARKER , and which , we have never even alluded to , and which from the position we took up are really nothing to the point . We are sorry if in what we have said we have ruffled any feelings or antagonized any cherished little vanities , but as

we were asked our opinion historically we gave it . And we repeat it , with all deference to Bro . YAR - KER and the friends of the Ancient and Primitive Rite , that whatever else may be alleged against the Ancient and Accepted Rite its date is clearly

older on every ground than that of the Ancient and Primitive Rite . But in saying this we express no opinion of the Ancient and Primitive Rite . And here , as far as we are officially concerned , the animated contest must close .

* * * OUR contemporary the New York Dispatch very kindly takes us somewhat to task for changing our " long essays " into " short notes , " but as he does 'is the honour at the same time of filling a column

ivith extracts from our paper and expressing his lgreement with them , We are not at all disposed to find fault with his " comments , " though we may not agree with his conclusions . His principal

complaint seems to be that it is not so easy to grasp the views we venture to propound in a brief " summary" as in a long "leader . " With all due deference to our kindl y confrfcre and critic ,

Ar00802

the change was not made unadvisedly or hastily . As far as the Freemason itself is concerned , it has been a complete success . Never at any previous period was its circulation so large at home and abroad as it is at present , and that circulation is

steadily increasing . We have had many expressions of approval and none of dissatisfaction . As we have before taken occasion to point out , long essays or leaders in an hebdomadal print like the Freemason seem in the present temper

of men and Masons to be too great a tax on the time , and attention , and patience of our readers . What they appear really most to desiderate are crisp , succinct , light , and straig htforward statements which they may grasp in a moment of mental

cogitation , and carry away with them in their memories . They cannot afford the time to read and master long articles , even the clearest and most logical ; while they can afford , and do afford , to run through and run over a periodical which gives

them at a glance the Masonic news of the week , the gist of passing controversies , or a sketch of Masonic history , archaeology , and aestheticism . It is a mistake to suppose that it is easier to write a short article than a long one . In one sense ,

indeed , it is easier , in that it takes up less space of type and less manual labour . But short articles which are inane and jejune will be read no more than long articles of the same calibre , and , therefore , to be worth

anything such articles must represent a careful condensation of thought and fact , or else they cease to be valuable , or even useful . It is amusing sometimes to note the difference between the writer who will spin out his words and cover a certain

amount of space , " willy nilly , " and the writer who seeks to put into the fewest possible words what he thinks he has to say to others . The one is all weakness , all " leather and prunella , "

beating ' of the wind , unconnected , incoherent , illogical ; the other presents to the reader in a few telling words all that he needs to know , or all that he cares to hear .

* * THOUGH wc are told that we have not done full justice to the important question of Masonic trade marks and Masonic circulars , we venture to be of opinion that we have dealt with it in the only

sensible and satisfactory manner . There is always a tendency in the human mind , and equally among Masons , to resist a dogmatic dealing with matters of controversy . We should only in the late case of the " Masonic Brand " have aided the astute

advertizer had we said more than we did say , though none are more alive than we are to the evil in the abstract and concrete of using Masonic emblems or organization for the mere purposes of trade . As a general rule , as we before showed ,

all such commodities have a " market price , and soon find their level . If they are not what they profess to be , if they are sold at 100 per cent , profit—if , professing to be something very superior , they are all the time something very

inferiorwhere they once succeed they never will be sought for a second time ; their sale is hindered and stopped , and they lose the market they improperly sought to obtain . This is a truth , of which we all know many examples in our various walks in life ,

and , therefore , we adhere to what we have already said on the matter , and leave it where it is . In such discussions "high falutin" of all kinds ought to be most strictly eschewed , as fine writing and frothy verbiage do more harm than good .

* * * WE must all be struck with the persistent " per" sonality " which Masonic discussions of all kinds , important and unimportant , general or local , habitually evoke and lay bare . There is ,

however , nothing surprising in the fact after all . Freemasons are but men , and men " in print " are different animals altogether to men " out of print . " The prudent become violent , the cold warm , the restrained , irrepressible , the moment

they indulge in the luxury of appearing in the press ; and it is a curious fact , however , we may explain it psychologically , that , whereas at home and in society we are often the most courteous and placid of beings , the first time we use our pens in

Ar00803

controversy we lose our temper , and become personal , aggressive , and abusive . Some of us will have been pained with some recent exhibitions of personality in our peaceful pages , and will be ready to say , "Why not exclude all such matter ? " It

is easier said than done , —far . It is almost impossible to excise passages from communications without destroying the pith and purport of the letter j and , week by week , we have that most disagreeable portion of an editor ' s work to

performto take out " passages " which are both " personal " and scandalous" in the highest degree , and might involve , if they appeared , the Freemason in an action for libel . There is only one thing to be said , that when our correspondents are interested

or excited they often write without gaugeing the exact force of their words , without measuring fully all they say , relying on the calmer judgment of the Editor to keep out what is improper to appear . We can only once more , therefore , impress upon

all our correspondents the absolute need of caution and control , in all they aver , in all they impute , and in all they repeat . It is one thing to be able to make a " telling hit , " or return a crushing

reply , it is quite another thing to do so . without any consideration for the feelings of others , our own Masonic principles , and the prestige and prosperity of Masonic journalism .

* * IT seems to us , from what we hear , that the best policy , in respect of the Boys' School , will be to appoint a " Committee to enquire into the possi" bility of increasing the existing buildings , " but

with full powers of consideration and freedom of action , unpledged to any particular course . It might be well to arrange to take a certain number of additional boys in after the April election , and to hire the needful accommodation for a " junior

" school or a " preparatory school , " until the larger building is ready . Grave objections exist , and will no doubt be stated , to the adoption in London of a " capitation grant" for school purposes alone . The one great point to be kept before

us is the long list of unsuccessful candidates , which , unless reduced in some way now , will in another half-year or so assume inordinate proportions , when it will be much more difficult , if not impossible , to deal with . As we ventured to remark

before , no other feelings or objections or petty jealousies should be allowed to obtrude themselves in the present discussion ; it should simply be

treated as a matter of duty and responsibility , affecting the best interests of the Boys' School , and the present and future welfare of many helpless orphans .

* * * OUR Publisher has determined this year , encouraged by the cheerful support of last , to issue a Christmas Freemason on the 10 th , and which will also appear as the supplement to the

usual Freemason of the 25 th ( Christmas Day ) this year . We trust that all our kind readers will approve of this friendly enterprise by giving the pleasant support of their hearty and cheerful patronage . It is believed , and not without good

reason , that the Christmas number will afford pleasure and gratification to a large circle of readers , will be welcomed by young and old ,

and will be an agreeable companion for the Christmas season , both in its literary merit , its artistic appearance , and its thoroughly Masonic tone .

* * WE hear indirectly that the Annual Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is fixed for the fourth Wednesday in February . We have no doubt that under the distinguished presidency of

Bro . SIR H . EDWARDS there will be a goodly gathering . We hear with pleasure that the list of the Stewards is a very long one already , and will no doubt be greatly augmented before the eventfu l day arrives .

* * As a proof how Masonic Charity interests and affects the Craft , we are also informed that the number of Stewards promised for the Girls' and Boys' School Festivals is unprecedently large .

“The Freemason: 1880-12-04, Page 8” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 4 Aug. 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_04121880/page/8/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
CONTENTS. Article 1
UNITED GRAND LODGE. Article 1
GRAND MARK LODGE. Article 2
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS. Article 3
EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT. Article 3
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE. Article 4
Obituary. Article 4
FUNERAL OF BRO. COLONEL PEARD. Article 5
Ireland. Article 5
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 5
Untitled Ad 8
To Correspondence. Article 8
Untitled Article 8
Untitled Article 8
Original Correspondence. Article 9
Reviews. Article 9
Masonic Notes and Queries. Article 9
Mark Masonry. Article 10
Red Cross of Constantine. Article 10
PIANOS FOR THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. Article 10
Literary, Art, and Antiquarian Notes. Article 10
Masonic and General Tidings. Article 10
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 11
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Untitled Ad 12
Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Article 12
Untitled Ad 12
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13 Articles
Page 8

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Ad00804

TO OUR READERS . THE FREEMASON is published -very Friday morning , price 3 d ., and cont ains the fullest and latest information relating to Freemasonry in every degree . Subscriptions , including Postage : — ,,,. „ . , r-, ^ i ?^ '„ f- India , China , Australia United Kingdom . Canada . ttic ^ Conti- Nc ' Zealand , & c . 13 s . 15 s . 6 d . 17 s . 6 d . Remittances may be made in Stamps , but Post Oliice Orders or Cheques are preferred , the former payable to GEORGE KENNING , Chief Office , London , the latter crossed London Joint Stock Bank

To Correspondence.

To Correspondence .

Owing to pressure on our columns the following stand over -. — Avon Lodge , No . 1633 , Manchester . Kirkdale Lodge , No . 1756 , Liverpool . Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 1507 . Cranbourne Lodge of Instruction , No . 15 S 0 , Hatfield . Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction , 1624 . Mount Calvary Chapter , A . and A . Rite . Rose of Sharon Senate K . H . P ., No . 6 , A . and P . Rite .

BOOKS , 8 zc , RECEIVED . "Broad Arrow , " "The Builder , " "The Pictorial World , " "The Whitehall Review , " "JewishChronicle , " "Citizen , " "Glass of Fashion , " "Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News " ( Christmas Number ) , " Allen ' s Indian Mail , " " Keystone , " "Hebrew Leader , " "Moore ' s Masonic Messenger . "

Ar00805

THE FREEMASON . SATURDAY , DEC . 4 , 1880 .

Ar00801

WE think that in the best interests of Masonic courtesy and comity , as well as for the patience of our readers , the controversy in our pages relative to the Ancient and Primitive Rite , versus the Ancient and Accepted Rite , had better cease . It is ,

however , but fair to observe and remember that the Ancient and Accepted Rite have taken no part in the discussion . They have thought it more compatible with dignity and propriety to preserve a rigid silence . Bro . SANDEMAN has been kind

enough to explain in our pages the object of a particular circular , and to state that it was solely addressed , clearly within his competence , to the chapters of his own body . We print this week one or two letters which had come in last week , and

then the discussion must close , and cannot be reopened , except as a dry matter of history under " Masonic Notes and Queries . " We think it well for ourselves to say that our remarks in our leader were written in answer

to Bro . HILL ' S appeal , who , though we differ from him and he from us , has very Masonically thanked us for our courtesy and fair play . We went out of our way to gratify a correspondent who asked us a simple and open question , but we had

no wish officially to pronouce an opinion on subjects naturally out of our range , except as we said as Masonic students of "facts" patent to and available for all alike . We are not , we think , called upon to notice some ingenious " cruxes " raised by

Bro . YARKER , and which , we have never even alluded to , and which from the position we took up are really nothing to the point . We are sorry if in what we have said we have ruffled any feelings or antagonized any cherished little vanities , but as

we were asked our opinion historically we gave it . And we repeat it , with all deference to Bro . YAR - KER and the friends of the Ancient and Primitive Rite , that whatever else may be alleged against the Ancient and Accepted Rite its date is clearly

older on every ground than that of the Ancient and Primitive Rite . But in saying this we express no opinion of the Ancient and Primitive Rite . And here , as far as we are officially concerned , the animated contest must close .

* * * OUR contemporary the New York Dispatch very kindly takes us somewhat to task for changing our " long essays " into " short notes , " but as he does 'is the honour at the same time of filling a column

ivith extracts from our paper and expressing his lgreement with them , We are not at all disposed to find fault with his " comments , " though we may not agree with his conclusions . His principal

complaint seems to be that it is not so easy to grasp the views we venture to propound in a brief " summary" as in a long "leader . " With all due deference to our kindl y confrfcre and critic ,

Ar00802

the change was not made unadvisedly or hastily . As far as the Freemason itself is concerned , it has been a complete success . Never at any previous period was its circulation so large at home and abroad as it is at present , and that circulation is

steadily increasing . We have had many expressions of approval and none of dissatisfaction . As we have before taken occasion to point out , long essays or leaders in an hebdomadal print like the Freemason seem in the present temper

of men and Masons to be too great a tax on the time , and attention , and patience of our readers . What they appear really most to desiderate are crisp , succinct , light , and straig htforward statements which they may grasp in a moment of mental

cogitation , and carry away with them in their memories . They cannot afford the time to read and master long articles , even the clearest and most logical ; while they can afford , and do afford , to run through and run over a periodical which gives

them at a glance the Masonic news of the week , the gist of passing controversies , or a sketch of Masonic history , archaeology , and aestheticism . It is a mistake to suppose that it is easier to write a short article than a long one . In one sense ,

indeed , it is easier , in that it takes up less space of type and less manual labour . But short articles which are inane and jejune will be read no more than long articles of the same calibre , and , therefore , to be worth

anything such articles must represent a careful condensation of thought and fact , or else they cease to be valuable , or even useful . It is amusing sometimes to note the difference between the writer who will spin out his words and cover a certain

amount of space , " willy nilly , " and the writer who seeks to put into the fewest possible words what he thinks he has to say to others . The one is all weakness , all " leather and prunella , "

beating ' of the wind , unconnected , incoherent , illogical ; the other presents to the reader in a few telling words all that he needs to know , or all that he cares to hear .

* * THOUGH wc are told that we have not done full justice to the important question of Masonic trade marks and Masonic circulars , we venture to be of opinion that we have dealt with it in the only

sensible and satisfactory manner . There is always a tendency in the human mind , and equally among Masons , to resist a dogmatic dealing with matters of controversy . We should only in the late case of the " Masonic Brand " have aided the astute

advertizer had we said more than we did say , though none are more alive than we are to the evil in the abstract and concrete of using Masonic emblems or organization for the mere purposes of trade . As a general rule , as we before showed ,

all such commodities have a " market price , and soon find their level . If they are not what they profess to be , if they are sold at 100 per cent , profit—if , professing to be something very superior , they are all the time something very

inferiorwhere they once succeed they never will be sought for a second time ; their sale is hindered and stopped , and they lose the market they improperly sought to obtain . This is a truth , of which we all know many examples in our various walks in life ,

and , therefore , we adhere to what we have already said on the matter , and leave it where it is . In such discussions "high falutin" of all kinds ought to be most strictly eschewed , as fine writing and frothy verbiage do more harm than good .

* * * WE must all be struck with the persistent " per" sonality " which Masonic discussions of all kinds , important and unimportant , general or local , habitually evoke and lay bare . There is ,

however , nothing surprising in the fact after all . Freemasons are but men , and men " in print " are different animals altogether to men " out of print . " The prudent become violent , the cold warm , the restrained , irrepressible , the moment

they indulge in the luxury of appearing in the press ; and it is a curious fact , however , we may explain it psychologically , that , whereas at home and in society we are often the most courteous and placid of beings , the first time we use our pens in

Ar00803

controversy we lose our temper , and become personal , aggressive , and abusive . Some of us will have been pained with some recent exhibitions of personality in our peaceful pages , and will be ready to say , "Why not exclude all such matter ? " It

is easier said than done , —far . It is almost impossible to excise passages from communications without destroying the pith and purport of the letter j and , week by week , we have that most disagreeable portion of an editor ' s work to

performto take out " passages " which are both " personal " and scandalous" in the highest degree , and might involve , if they appeared , the Freemason in an action for libel . There is only one thing to be said , that when our correspondents are interested

or excited they often write without gaugeing the exact force of their words , without measuring fully all they say , relying on the calmer judgment of the Editor to keep out what is improper to appear . We can only once more , therefore , impress upon

all our correspondents the absolute need of caution and control , in all they aver , in all they impute , and in all they repeat . It is one thing to be able to make a " telling hit , " or return a crushing

reply , it is quite another thing to do so . without any consideration for the feelings of others , our own Masonic principles , and the prestige and prosperity of Masonic journalism .

* * IT seems to us , from what we hear , that the best policy , in respect of the Boys' School , will be to appoint a " Committee to enquire into the possi" bility of increasing the existing buildings , " but

with full powers of consideration and freedom of action , unpledged to any particular course . It might be well to arrange to take a certain number of additional boys in after the April election , and to hire the needful accommodation for a " junior

" school or a " preparatory school , " until the larger building is ready . Grave objections exist , and will no doubt be stated , to the adoption in London of a " capitation grant" for school purposes alone . The one great point to be kept before

us is the long list of unsuccessful candidates , which , unless reduced in some way now , will in another half-year or so assume inordinate proportions , when it will be much more difficult , if not impossible , to deal with . As we ventured to remark

before , no other feelings or objections or petty jealousies should be allowed to obtrude themselves in the present discussion ; it should simply be

treated as a matter of duty and responsibility , affecting the best interests of the Boys' School , and the present and future welfare of many helpless orphans .

* * * OUR Publisher has determined this year , encouraged by the cheerful support of last , to issue a Christmas Freemason on the 10 th , and which will also appear as the supplement to the

usual Freemason of the 25 th ( Christmas Day ) this year . We trust that all our kind readers will approve of this friendly enterprise by giving the pleasant support of their hearty and cheerful patronage . It is believed , and not without good

reason , that the Christmas number will afford pleasure and gratification to a large circle of readers , will be welcomed by young and old ,

and will be an agreeable companion for the Christmas season , both in its literary merit , its artistic appearance , and its thoroughly Masonic tone .

* * WE hear indirectly that the Annual Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is fixed for the fourth Wednesday in February . We have no doubt that under the distinguished presidency of

Bro . SIR H . EDWARDS there will be a goodly gathering . We hear with pleasure that the list of the Stewards is a very long one already , and will no doubt be greatly augmented before the eventfu l day arrives .

* * As a proof how Masonic Charity interests and affects the Craft , we are also informed that the number of Stewards promised for the Girls' and Boys' School Festivals is unprecedently large .

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