Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Objections To Masonry Answered.
First . That , though Masonry , in its origin and down through various stages of society , has been eminently calculated to promote the benefit of the Craft , yet , in the present state of man ' s social relations , the necessity of its existence has ceased , and consequently it remains , at best , a useless machinery , liable to be abused to mischief .
Second . That , in a republican government , secret associations are dangerous , as nurseries of political cabals ; and that Freemasonry may be cherished to the very mischievous ends contemplated in the objection . Third . The ceremonies of the lodge , as set forth in the admitted rituals of Masonry , may be regarded as treating sacred subjects with it
reverence . Fourth . That some of the tendencies of Masonic associations have been unfriendly to morals , by permitting too great asacrifice to its festivities . Fifth . That , as all men are bound to do good , and as society has provided by its legislative acts for the support of the utterly destitute , there is no necessity for the interference of Masonic benevolence as a special duty .
Sixth . That females are excluded from the communion of Masonry , while in all acts of kindness , in all associations of benevolence , and all the works of active Charity , the efficiency of their aid is acknowledged , and lhe promptness of their service is known to make doubly valuable the delicacy of its extension . Seventh . That , if there is any merit in this Fraternity of Freemasoiry ,
it is the duty of the Fraternity , as true philanthropists , to open the door of the lodge to every one , that all may share in its benefits . Eighth . That , whatever may be the good which Freemasonry proposes , every thing of which it is capable can be accomplished by religion ; and that , to establish a separate society for a special object , is to deny to religion a part of its power , and to deprive it of a portion of its legitimate exercise .
These my brethren , are some of the objections made to our Fraternity by men who would protest against any classification which would include them in the category of anti-Masons . I shall reply to each of them briefly . Most of you know that some of them are wholly unfounded , and all of jou feel that every one of them can be met satisfactorily to every Mason , I shall , therefore , spare much argument which I might deem necessary were I
addressing an audience of unitiated , and only present such prominent reasons as will serve to settle the minds of some brothers , and to supply them with simple answers to lhe queries of the unprejudiced . I scarcely know of any association—political , philanthrop ' c , or religijus —but comes in time to extend its relations , enlarge its influences , and thus to increase its machinery until all its characteristics are not visible at a
single glance . In such cases , those who would become participants of the benefits of the confraternity satisfy themselves of the general good tendency and proper objects of the association , and trust to the corresponding bearing of the minor portions . In associations for temporal objects , this taking a portion on trust is denominated confidence , in religious denominations , it is
faith . ; The unseen and the untold are judged of by the visible and the avowed , and the assent is given to the remainder with a species of reservation that there is to be no outrage of reason when reason is the standard ; no discrepancies discoverable between the present and the future revelation .
Something of this kind belongs to our Fraternity ; more of it , perhaps , than to any other institution of human origin . It has come down through so many ages by oral tradition , and is so extensive in its conclusions , that not all can understand the whole of its bearings , and the simple brother , judging by the excellence of that which he has acquired , of the appropriateness of all its patts , has not troubled himself to arrange arguments in defence of the operations of the institution in all its ramifications , but contents
himself with the knowledge that so much good as he sees existing must be incompatible with the evil charged , and that while he feels the weight of objections skilfully urged , he has no doubt that in the repositories of the Fraternity- there are answers to all objections , and that those who preside over the mysteries of the Craft know how to defend and sustain them . The first objection is , in substance , that the necessity for Masonry , if ihere ever was any , has ceased by the changes in society ; and that there is rather danger than profit in its machinery .
Those who look upon society in Europe , and in parts of America , and compare the past with the present , must acknowledge that immense changes have taken place in its ingredients and structure , and that all these changes have been _ for the general amelioration of the condition of man and the approximation of classes by the breaking down of artificial distinctions . The general rights of man , civil , political , and religious , are now better
understood and most gent rally acknowledged and admitted . Men in these portions of the world now stand more neatly on an equality than they once did , and the disparity of comforts and conveniences is almost as much diminished as is that of political position . How much Freemasonry his done towards this I pretend not to say ; it is not SJ much a part of my purpose to show how much good she really has wrought as to prove to you
now little evil she has done . I might , by proving that ever s-ince these ameliorations commenced in Europe , Freemasonry has been operative atn . mg those who promoted the good , and has been privately practiced or publicly avowed . By proving these things , which would be easy , I might , I say , assert a claim in behalf of Freemasonrv for much of the credit of producing the benefits which are said to render Freemasonry unnecessary ; and my tlaim
mi ght be strengthened by the exhibition of another fact , that the very rulers who have most withstood the progress of the ameliorations of our social condition are those who have evinced the most hostility to Freemasonry ; but we let that claim rest for the present , and proceed to consider '' gain the validity of the objection . Admitting all the change in society which is assertedand doing jusiice
, to all the active benevolence cherished and exhibited in this state ot things , th f'are t * lat ^ eY ^ ° ' nterf ere w'th the necessity of Freemasonry , thoug h they may , in some measure , change its mode of action . There 'eems no need for a man to set forth in the world , and in his pilgrimage ¦ ust to the kindness of a single association for aid . So many channels are "pen for travel and support , and dangers are so much diminished that it
. ay seldom happen that a Mason is found to apply to his brethren for aid , " counsel , or in funds . The intercourse between the frequented portions of ^ urope an ( j ^ g un jtecj Slates is so constant , and the mercantile relations j "jtimate , that the resort to the brotherhood must be rare , especially as r ?' eave this country for pecuniary benefits on the continent . But the , _ . [¦? . M not suppose an impossibility . Nor must we confine our id"as of 0
as . ^ * , l ^ asking of alms , or in the application lor pecuniary ben fi nCe " Countenance , advice , social intercourse , these are Masonic barb ' * ^ a , e as necessary in the most civilised as in the most oarous state of society . And how are these to be obtained , or how are
Objections To Masonry Answered.
the rare instances of pecuniary aid to be expected if lodges are to be closed because social life is improved , and the commoner has corns to dispute the right of government with the noble ? This is obvious . Masonry places her benefits above the distribution of alms . But suppose the amelioration of social life has diminished some of
the uses of Masonry so far as that amelioration extends—still we may inquire how much effect has it wrought ? How far does that amelioration extend ? Of the hundreds of millions of human beings on earth , how small , how very small a portion have yet been reached by this improvemeet ? How wide the field of Masonic usefulness , upon which the boasted operation of social perfection has yet wrought no effects .
Social life has yet scarcely much to boast of in much of Russ ' a ; Asia and Africa and the islands of the ocean may be improved , and only a ponion of our own contineut has been reached with that amelioration which is to dispense with any portion of the aid and assistance which Freemasonry is calculated to impart , and which it does impart .
But , like the most refined portions of civilisation , it will be found that even among them the principles of Freemasonry , or something like them , are required to accomplish the objects which they are proposed to reach . I need not tell you that as society becomes more and more civilised , it becomes more and more artificial , and certain rules derived from long habits acquire force far beyond any claim which may be set up , or by
want , or by suffering , pleading in the name of humanity . Something is required ; some new claim is necessary . A form of appeal that is special and particular—and that is found in Freemasonry—that has the power to break through the incrustations of social life , to overlook the barriers that have been raised by the circumstances of socieiy , and to secure circumstances which might not be otherwise obtained . I do not mean that it breaks down
the barriers of social life , that it confounds order and fuses the elements of society ; not at all ; it becomes , I assert , a means of procuring certain social and pecuniary advantages , which miffht be obtained , indeed , without it , but which is insured by its proper use . Beyond the pale of this artificial society , it has all the advantages which it might ever claim , and which do not seem to be denied by its opponents . There is a selfishness in the plea , that we
who are in this improved social condition are not called upon to sustain Masonry ; whose benefits seem to be chiefly for those not thus advantageously situated . I have , in some of my previous addresses , answered this objection ;—it is cold , selfish in its character and origin ; unlit for the consideration of a Mason ; unworthy the high philanthropy in which our Fraternity is maintained . To do good toothers islh ; object of Masons ;
and they must seek their reward in the delightful consciousness of attaining that object . They must then make the advantages of their social condition a means of usefulness to their brethren ; and while they bless God that they can enjoysocial , religious , and political liberty , and the abun dance of the good things of this life , they must not shut their hearts to the thought that , as Masons , they must consider their own fortunate condition as a means of aiding others less favourably situated . —Keystone .
Address Of Comp. J. Ross Robertson, M.E. Grand Z. Of The Grand Chapter Of Canada.
ADDRESS OF COMP . J . ROSS ROBERTSON , M . E . GRAND Z . OF THE GRAND CHAPTER OF CANADA .
The following is the essential portion of the address delivered at thc 3 8 th Annual Convocation by Comp . J . Ross Robertson , M . E . Grand Firs : Principal of the Grand Chapter of Canada ( Province ot Ontario ) , held in the Masonic Hall , Toronto , on the 16 th July .
Having dwelt on matters personal to himself and on the important duty which had devolved upon him as Grand Z . of visiting and inspecting the chapters in the jurisdiction , Comp . ROHEKTSO . V proceeded , the firs : subjict that claimed his attention being " Proposals for Ne * Chapters , " his remarks on which were as follows :
The indifference displayed in many places to the interests of Capitular Masonry induces a hesitation in extending the woik by the issue of dispensaiions or of warrants to new chapters . Our printed records , with the roll of chapters scattered over all parts of the jurisdiction , are cxiernal evidences of internal welfare . And yet , it is an easy thing to have an army
on paper , with cannons on the ramparts and shot and shell stored ready for any emergency . But paper armies have vanished before to-day , and the sad lessons of defeat have shown that what is represented on paper mu- > t have material existence in the field . So it is with the work of Royal Arch Masonry . We may issue dispensations and establish chapters , but if the
workers arc only represented by names on the roll call , if the ofiicirs arc those who are on hand only at a church parade , an "At Home , " or an official muster , where Masonic millinery is the best thing in the ouilit , then is not a Grand First Principal justified in refusing to touch the button and give vitality to an organisation which would not reflect credit upon Masonic
life ? Along this line comes the question of reviving dormant warrants , in places other than those in which they were originally located . My personal experience in the writing of Masonic history has confirmed an opinion , uttered 20 years ago , that the removal of warrants from one part of the jurisdiction to the other , was not in harmony with the progressiveness which should mark Capitular Masonry .
The fee for a new chapter has been heretofore ^ 50 , a price not unreasonable , considering that the fee for the Capitular Degrees was ^ 20 . In order , however , to extend the work , consent was given to the re-issue of old warrants at the reduced fee of § 10 . This opened the gateway , and from the east and west , from the north and south of the jurisdiction , requests were made and petitions duly filed for the re-issue of warrants which had already seen service .
'lhe plea may have been in the interests of the Royal Arch , but marching alongside of this plea was the factor that it was n jt only a cheap way of establishing new chapters at a discount oi ^ 40 fro m the price of a new warrant , but also a scheme for obtaining an antiquity which had been earned by companions , whose bones would almost rattle in the churchyard at the thought of their Masonic memories being in the care of those who might or might not reflect credit upon their names .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Objections To Masonry Answered.
First . That , though Masonry , in its origin and down through various stages of society , has been eminently calculated to promote the benefit of the Craft , yet , in the present state of man ' s social relations , the necessity of its existence has ceased , and consequently it remains , at best , a useless machinery , liable to be abused to mischief .
Second . That , in a republican government , secret associations are dangerous , as nurseries of political cabals ; and that Freemasonry may be cherished to the very mischievous ends contemplated in the objection . Third . The ceremonies of the lodge , as set forth in the admitted rituals of Masonry , may be regarded as treating sacred subjects with it
reverence . Fourth . That some of the tendencies of Masonic associations have been unfriendly to morals , by permitting too great asacrifice to its festivities . Fifth . That , as all men are bound to do good , and as society has provided by its legislative acts for the support of the utterly destitute , there is no necessity for the interference of Masonic benevolence as a special duty .
Sixth . That females are excluded from the communion of Masonry , while in all acts of kindness , in all associations of benevolence , and all the works of active Charity , the efficiency of their aid is acknowledged , and lhe promptness of their service is known to make doubly valuable the delicacy of its extension . Seventh . That , if there is any merit in this Fraternity of Freemasoiry ,
it is the duty of the Fraternity , as true philanthropists , to open the door of the lodge to every one , that all may share in its benefits . Eighth . That , whatever may be the good which Freemasonry proposes , every thing of which it is capable can be accomplished by religion ; and that , to establish a separate society for a special object , is to deny to religion a part of its power , and to deprive it of a portion of its legitimate exercise .
These my brethren , are some of the objections made to our Fraternity by men who would protest against any classification which would include them in the category of anti-Masons . I shall reply to each of them briefly . Most of you know that some of them are wholly unfounded , and all of jou feel that every one of them can be met satisfactorily to every Mason , I shall , therefore , spare much argument which I might deem necessary were I
addressing an audience of unitiated , and only present such prominent reasons as will serve to settle the minds of some brothers , and to supply them with simple answers to lhe queries of the unprejudiced . I scarcely know of any association—political , philanthrop ' c , or religijus —but comes in time to extend its relations , enlarge its influences , and thus to increase its machinery until all its characteristics are not visible at a
single glance . In such cases , those who would become participants of the benefits of the confraternity satisfy themselves of the general good tendency and proper objects of the association , and trust to the corresponding bearing of the minor portions . In associations for temporal objects , this taking a portion on trust is denominated confidence , in religious denominations , it is
faith . ; The unseen and the untold are judged of by the visible and the avowed , and the assent is given to the remainder with a species of reservation that there is to be no outrage of reason when reason is the standard ; no discrepancies discoverable between the present and the future revelation .
Something of this kind belongs to our Fraternity ; more of it , perhaps , than to any other institution of human origin . It has come down through so many ages by oral tradition , and is so extensive in its conclusions , that not all can understand the whole of its bearings , and the simple brother , judging by the excellence of that which he has acquired , of the appropriateness of all its patts , has not troubled himself to arrange arguments in defence of the operations of the institution in all its ramifications , but contents
himself with the knowledge that so much good as he sees existing must be incompatible with the evil charged , and that while he feels the weight of objections skilfully urged , he has no doubt that in the repositories of the Fraternity- there are answers to all objections , and that those who preside over the mysteries of the Craft know how to defend and sustain them . The first objection is , in substance , that the necessity for Masonry , if ihere ever was any , has ceased by the changes in society ; and that there is rather danger than profit in its machinery .
Those who look upon society in Europe , and in parts of America , and compare the past with the present , must acknowledge that immense changes have taken place in its ingredients and structure , and that all these changes have been _ for the general amelioration of the condition of man and the approximation of classes by the breaking down of artificial distinctions . The general rights of man , civil , political , and religious , are now better
understood and most gent rally acknowledged and admitted . Men in these portions of the world now stand more neatly on an equality than they once did , and the disparity of comforts and conveniences is almost as much diminished as is that of political position . How much Freemasonry his done towards this I pretend not to say ; it is not SJ much a part of my purpose to show how much good she really has wrought as to prove to you
now little evil she has done . I might , by proving that ever s-ince these ameliorations commenced in Europe , Freemasonry has been operative atn . mg those who promoted the good , and has been privately practiced or publicly avowed . By proving these things , which would be easy , I might , I say , assert a claim in behalf of Freemasonrv for much of the credit of producing the benefits which are said to render Freemasonry unnecessary ; and my tlaim
mi ght be strengthened by the exhibition of another fact , that the very rulers who have most withstood the progress of the ameliorations of our social condition are those who have evinced the most hostility to Freemasonry ; but we let that claim rest for the present , and proceed to consider '' gain the validity of the objection . Admitting all the change in society which is assertedand doing jusiice
, to all the active benevolence cherished and exhibited in this state ot things , th f'are t * lat ^ eY ^ ° ' nterf ere w'th the necessity of Freemasonry , thoug h they may , in some measure , change its mode of action . There 'eems no need for a man to set forth in the world , and in his pilgrimage ¦ ust to the kindness of a single association for aid . So many channels are "pen for travel and support , and dangers are so much diminished that it
. ay seldom happen that a Mason is found to apply to his brethren for aid , " counsel , or in funds . The intercourse between the frequented portions of ^ urope an ( j ^ g un jtecj Slates is so constant , and the mercantile relations j "jtimate , that the resort to the brotherhood must be rare , especially as r ?' eave this country for pecuniary benefits on the continent . But the , _ . [¦? . M not suppose an impossibility . Nor must we confine our id"as of 0
as . ^ * , l ^ asking of alms , or in the application lor pecuniary ben fi nCe " Countenance , advice , social intercourse , these are Masonic barb ' * ^ a , e as necessary in the most civilised as in the most oarous state of society . And how are these to be obtained , or how are
Objections To Masonry Answered.
the rare instances of pecuniary aid to be expected if lodges are to be closed because social life is improved , and the commoner has corns to dispute the right of government with the noble ? This is obvious . Masonry places her benefits above the distribution of alms . But suppose the amelioration of social life has diminished some of
the uses of Masonry so far as that amelioration extends—still we may inquire how much effect has it wrought ? How far does that amelioration extend ? Of the hundreds of millions of human beings on earth , how small , how very small a portion have yet been reached by this improvemeet ? How wide the field of Masonic usefulness , upon which the boasted operation of social perfection has yet wrought no effects .
Social life has yet scarcely much to boast of in much of Russ ' a ; Asia and Africa and the islands of the ocean may be improved , and only a ponion of our own contineut has been reached with that amelioration which is to dispense with any portion of the aid and assistance which Freemasonry is calculated to impart , and which it does impart .
But , like the most refined portions of civilisation , it will be found that even among them the principles of Freemasonry , or something like them , are required to accomplish the objects which they are proposed to reach . I need not tell you that as society becomes more and more civilised , it becomes more and more artificial , and certain rules derived from long habits acquire force far beyond any claim which may be set up , or by
want , or by suffering , pleading in the name of humanity . Something is required ; some new claim is necessary . A form of appeal that is special and particular—and that is found in Freemasonry—that has the power to break through the incrustations of social life , to overlook the barriers that have been raised by the circumstances of socieiy , and to secure circumstances which might not be otherwise obtained . I do not mean that it breaks down
the barriers of social life , that it confounds order and fuses the elements of society ; not at all ; it becomes , I assert , a means of procuring certain social and pecuniary advantages , which miffht be obtained , indeed , without it , but which is insured by its proper use . Beyond the pale of this artificial society , it has all the advantages which it might ever claim , and which do not seem to be denied by its opponents . There is a selfishness in the plea , that we
who are in this improved social condition are not called upon to sustain Masonry ; whose benefits seem to be chiefly for those not thus advantageously situated . I have , in some of my previous addresses , answered this objection ;—it is cold , selfish in its character and origin ; unlit for the consideration of a Mason ; unworthy the high philanthropy in which our Fraternity is maintained . To do good toothers islh ; object of Masons ;
and they must seek their reward in the delightful consciousness of attaining that object . They must then make the advantages of their social condition a means of usefulness to their brethren ; and while they bless God that they can enjoysocial , religious , and political liberty , and the abun dance of the good things of this life , they must not shut their hearts to the thought that , as Masons , they must consider their own fortunate condition as a means of aiding others less favourably situated . —Keystone .
Address Of Comp. J. Ross Robertson, M.E. Grand Z. Of The Grand Chapter Of Canada.
ADDRESS OF COMP . J . ROSS ROBERTSON , M . E . GRAND Z . OF THE GRAND CHAPTER OF CANADA .
The following is the essential portion of the address delivered at thc 3 8 th Annual Convocation by Comp . J . Ross Robertson , M . E . Grand Firs : Principal of the Grand Chapter of Canada ( Province ot Ontario ) , held in the Masonic Hall , Toronto , on the 16 th July .
Having dwelt on matters personal to himself and on the important duty which had devolved upon him as Grand Z . of visiting and inspecting the chapters in the jurisdiction , Comp . ROHEKTSO . V proceeded , the firs : subjict that claimed his attention being " Proposals for Ne * Chapters , " his remarks on which were as follows :
The indifference displayed in many places to the interests of Capitular Masonry induces a hesitation in extending the woik by the issue of dispensaiions or of warrants to new chapters . Our printed records , with the roll of chapters scattered over all parts of the jurisdiction , are cxiernal evidences of internal welfare . And yet , it is an easy thing to have an army
on paper , with cannons on the ramparts and shot and shell stored ready for any emergency . But paper armies have vanished before to-day , and the sad lessons of defeat have shown that what is represented on paper mu- > t have material existence in the field . So it is with the work of Royal Arch Masonry . We may issue dispensations and establish chapters , but if the
workers arc only represented by names on the roll call , if the ofiicirs arc those who are on hand only at a church parade , an "At Home , " or an official muster , where Masonic millinery is the best thing in the ouilit , then is not a Grand First Principal justified in refusing to touch the button and give vitality to an organisation which would not reflect credit upon Masonic
life ? Along this line comes the question of reviving dormant warrants , in places other than those in which they were originally located . My personal experience in the writing of Masonic history has confirmed an opinion , uttered 20 years ago , that the removal of warrants from one part of the jurisdiction to the other , was not in harmony with the progressiveness which should mark Capitular Masonry .
The fee for a new chapter has been heretofore ^ 50 , a price not unreasonable , considering that the fee for the Capitular Degrees was ^ 20 . In order , however , to extend the work , consent was given to the re-issue of old warrants at the reduced fee of § 10 . This opened the gateway , and from the east and west , from the north and south of the jurisdiction , requests were made and petitions duly filed for the re-issue of warrants which had already seen service .
'lhe plea may have been in the interests of the Royal Arch , but marching alongside of this plea was the factor that it was n jt only a cheap way of establishing new chapters at a discount oi ^ 40 fro m the price of a new warrant , but also a scheme for obtaining an antiquity which had been earned by companions , whose bones would almost rattle in the churchyard at the thought of their Masonic memories being in the care of those who might or might not reflect credit upon their names .