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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Literature.
While in attendance at our Grand Lodge at its last Communication , a brother sitting at my side listlessly turning over the pages of the printed tranactions of that body at it previous Communication , turned to me and remarked , " What does all this amount to ? " In reply I took the book from his hand , opened it at the foreign correspondence report and requested him to read a little in that part , and see if he . could find anything interesting . He did so , and became so interested that he did not hear his name read at
the roll-call ot lodge , and lost his vote . After the session I found him again , and asked if he found anything interesting in that book , and if it amounted to anything ? His reply was to the point , to say the least , and was : " What a fool I have been ' I had no idea there was anything in it
except dry correspondence , interesting only to the parties concerned . \ ou won't catch me making any such foolish statement again , " and when I saw him the next da }' , trying to beg from our Grand Secretary a few copies o f our Grand Lodge proceedings of previous years , I made up my mind that I never should . Now that brother is not the only one who has had , or still
has , the erroneous idea that Grand Lodge proceedings are worthless , or that Masonic literature is senseless stuff ; either from the fact of never having read it , or being incapable of appreciating it . The brother referred to is a splendid ritualistic worker . There is not a
position in the lodge which he cannot fill with skill , and as a ritualist he is as near perfection as it is possible for any man to be , yet in the one thing needful , a knowledge of Masonic literature , he is an ignoramus ; but if appearances are not deceitful , in one year from now that cannot be said of him .
The reports on foreign correspondence of those Grand Lodges which issue them , and fortunately the most of them do , are gotten up with a great deal of care and involve a vast amount of hard work . In fact , they are the cream of all the transactions of all other Grand Bodies condensed . The arguments and ideas presented embrace all there is of any importance , and , in fact , some things that are not , If one wishes to soar into the heavens of
rhetorical effect—gush—some call it , he finds it somewhere in them . If he wants sound logic , substantial facts , wit , sarcasm , explanations on any of the mooted questions of the day , and diversity of opinions on various subjects pertaining to the welfare of Masonry , they give it to him . In fact , it is but seldom that one finds such a variety of reading in any one book as is found within the covers of a report on foreign correspondence , yet how many of them are read ? Perhaps , not one in ten . Now , who is to blame ?
Certainly not the authors , for they do their level best ; nor the Grand Bodies themselves , for they issue them for the purpose of having them read . Then , it must be the brethren themselves ; and why is it so ? Because those who have never taken the pains to read them think they are void of interest ; but let me assure that class , if they will read only one of them they will be anxious enough for others , provided that they are inclined to sound reading , not trash .
Now there are some brethren who call themselves Masons , who make want of time an excuse for Masonic ignorance . I suppose street Arabs have the same excuse for their ignorance . That class , though , find plenty of time to read every silly love-sick book that comes in their way , where blood and thunder are the predominating features , but they have no time to devote to the perusal of the literature of an Institution that stands without a
peer , except the church of the Deity . Such a state of affairs is deplorable in the extreme . It is a burning shame as well as a lasting disgrace that there are so few ot the Masons in America who take interest in Masonic literature . Every little while we hear of some Masonic periodical succumbing to the pressure of want of patronage . New Jersey , for instance , with her 11 , 772 Masons , failed to give adequate support to even one Masonic journal ; and she is not the only jurisdiction having a
large membership that fails to do her duty towards extending Masonic knowledge . The New England States , for instance , with a membership of 78 , 170 , support , if I am not mistaken , only four Masonic periodicals . What a showing that is for the intellectuality of New England Masons ! Yet it is no worse for them than for those of the rest of the country , and , to use a Yankee phrase , " guess not quite so bad ' " It galls , yet it is an undeniable fact .
We have seen many brethren who could prefix " Sir " to their names , who were as ignorant as new born babes as to the real origin of Masonry , aside from the traditions and allegorical illustrations of the degrees through which they had passed , and who expressed the utmost surprise , and I may say indignation when told that " Masonry is a system of morality , veiled iii allegory and illustrated by symbols ; " also , that there are many excellent
periodicals published , devoted to the interests of Masonry . Their views of Masonry seemed to be concentrated in the one idea of work , work , WORK , WORK . 1 almost tire of the sound of the name , as if the whole aim , intention and purpose of Masonry were in conferring degrees , increasing membersni p , and attending feasts , parades and Grand Lodge communications . I tell you , niy brethren , the bare ritualistic work of Masonry is but one of the least ° ' Us fundamental Darts . Its principals are subiects of endless thought .
jts symbols are well worth the serious contemplation of the brightest talent . Its history , from its formation through the dark ages , to its transformation horn Operative to Speculative Masonry , in 1717 , is yet mere guess-work , with twelve distinct theories to guess upon . Perhaps the word " guess " Jjjiy be a strong one to use , but what is not proven must be guess work .
were it not for such authors as Mackey , Morris , Hooper , Hughan , Moore , , or ' ' and others equally as talented who realise the vast importance of Masonic literature , we might well say that we are in perfect darknes , and nave no choice but that ol accepting the ritualistic work of Preston , Webb , Jj-ross , and their disciples , as literal facts . Are they literal facts ? Can ney be proven as such ? If so , when , where , and by whom ? But , bear 1
J mind that every act of Freemasonry ' s esoteric and exoteric work preff , ' t 0 tne mind truths and principles which are the very acme of per-1- J ?? ' a , 1 £ I which are best impressed upon our minds by the numerous lr aditi 0 ns of" its Degrees . j . "lackey ' s "Encyclopedia of Freemasonry" is a library in itself . Procure ;_ ' , '¦ y ° will be well repaid for the monev invested in it . Bro . Fort . too .
ma ' " . ' y History and Antiquities of Freemasonry , " throws light upon PonY suk l ccts > ailcI last , but by no means least , the reports on foreign corres-} j nceof our various Grand Bodies are replete with good things that 1 ; , ' au intellectual feast worth thousands in comparison to tile flash \ vf lhat is SO P revalcnt ' otlie " , SUcn brethren as Drummond , Parvin , Wheeler , Singleton , and fs with an equal ability , let fly their trenchant pens , then we who arc
Masonic Literature.
less informed stand one side and profit by their experience and learning . Were it not for that class of brethren who realise the vast importance of their work , we should remain in i gnorance and lose many a dainty morsel of intellectual food . For ourselves , we read all that we can get hold of , and then form our own conclusions . We read Masonic literature because we crave more light . We comment UIDOII the liter . irv nrnHnriir . n < : nf ntrW <; .
because we find that it puts a fresh impetus into our sluggish brain . We try to profit by our readings , and we think wc do , whether others think so or not . We find time , too , although we have to scratch to find bread and butter for the mouths dependent upon us . " Where there is a will there is a way ; " and having the will we are bound to have the way . We read all the proceedings of our Grand Bodies that we are able to beg , borrow andwell , we sometimes forget who we borrow of . We read them because we
would not be ignorant of what is going on in other jurisdictions to promote the best interests of our Institution . Although we find many things said and written that we wish were not ; many resolutions and bye-laws passed that do not coincide with our views , and which in our opinion do not follow out the ideas of brotherl y love and unity ; yet they present other men ' s ideas , and many of them show the Yankee cuteness of their framers to carry out their points .
In reading the reports on foreign correspondence we find many good points for or against important questions that have sprung up . We find , too , a vast diversity of opinions , and are enabled to forni our own with a greater degree of correctness than we otherwise could . Now , if the brethren would only think as we do , there would not be many copies of the Grand Lodge proceedings unused and unstudied , but unfortunately for themselves many of them do not . Again , we have many periodicals published in the
interest of Masonry , which are " good to have in the house . " They not only give us Masonic news before it is stale , but contain many choice bits of Masonic literature , history , facts , and the doings of our brethren in other places . We have many times heard brethren say that they could not afford it , or had not time to read them . " Can ' t afford it ! " Stop a moment and let us see whether you can or not . Now . the expense is from nine m
twenty-five cents a month , not quite a cent a day , for a first-class periodical which will give more sound , substantial reading than two-thirds of the trash that you do take , and that is published at a greater price . " Can ' t afford it ! " What a flimsy argument ? To illustrate : A short time since we asked a prominent brother Mason how many Masonic publications he was taking , and met with the hackneved answer . " None : can ' t afford it . " Nmv .
for the sequel , and we pointed it out to him afterwards , too . Before he passed out of our sight his cigar bill would have paid for a good Masonic monthly for one year . He could afford to " stand treat , " but could not afford the same amount of money invested in something that would have been of lasting benefit to him . " Standing treat" gratified his appetite and diminished his nnrkfthnnl .-. whilp rrnnrl . emm / - ! M ^ cr ^ nl- lWn .... t ..-n ... ^ .. t . i jv / Lt iriajuuillll \ LdlUU 1
, j „ ,., ...... w * ^ w * -, .. > v . . . . WUUU have been the means of enlightening his befogged brain , and have furnished him with an intellectual treat . One passed oil in smoke and nothing was left but thc ^ ishes , while the other would have brought to his mind new ideas and facts that he had never before dreamt of . ' Now , which kind of
treating is the best ? . Surely there can be but one answer . We reminded bim afterwards that that " can ' t afford it " nonsense was "played out . " He admitted it , and to-day has several Masonic periodicals on his table . We have not the means at hand of knowing just how many publications there are devoted to Masonry ; but this much we do know , that any one of them is well worth double the amount of money asked for it .
Now , the brethren who say they cannot afford the price asked for any one of the Masonic publications , in the majority of instances , can , or at least do afford as much , if not more , for flash literature , which is devoid of either fact or principle . Yes , they can afford that , but . cannot afford to take a Masonic paper which has in it good , sound , substantial brain food on topics in which every Mason has the most vital interest . That class can afford to stand treat now and then , and to have a iolly good time with the bovs . but
are too awful poor to subscribe for a Masonic journal . Fie upon such Masons ; they don ' t know what Masonry is . They never go further than the outside shuck—never penetrate beyond the mere surface . Nine-tenths of the questions our Grand Masters are called upon to answer come from that class who would , if they could , appear to be learned Masons ; yet they are too poor , or too lazy , to read even the constitution and bye-laws of their own jurisdiction .
Then that nonsensical plea comes in , "haven't time . " Plenty of time to do anything your inclinations desire , but no time to read of Masonry ; plenty of time to retail choice bits of gossip , and to have a good time , but no time for the perusal of Masonic subjects ; plenty of time to air your profound ( ? ) learning in the iodge-room , but no time to back up your theories with facts or history ; plenty of time to devote to any other recreation that presents itself , but no time to improve the mind and store it with knowledge .
_ Although much has been said and done within the past twenty years to bring the Craft to a higher state of intellectual culture , there is plenty of room yet for improvement . One way to bring about that improvement is to patronise our Masonic publications to a greater extent than we do , and thus gladden the hearts of our editors and publishers by larger subscription lists , and conseauentlv secure even n hpliwr rlacc nf U «) mv „ .. I , I : —
tions . He are quite certain that Masonic editors have not the faculty of living without money , and must have cash as well as others . I trust my readers will not think I am writing in the interest of any particular publication , for I am not . It is for all of them if they wish it .
If any of the " can't afford it " or " haven ' t time " class should , through some mysterious dispensation , happen to read this , we are quite certain they will be " as mad as March hares . " Now , that is just what we want . If we can only get them mad they will give the subject some thought . Then we will have gained a point , and as one point gained leaves the field open for more , perhaps in the end this continual cant of " can ' t afford it" and " haven't time " will cease .
A word now to you , editors . Keep on in your good work-. Give us who do crave for more intellectual li ght , that for which we crave . Give us good , sound , substantial Masonic literature . Do not get discouraged because ' your subscription lists do not increase in the proportion that you wish , but " keep a stiff upper lip . " Remember that all Masons arc not drones . There arc
many who receive benefit from your publications and look forward to their coming with pleasure . Advocate those principles of our Institution that stand without peers . U p hold the right , and frown down the wrong , whether it be inside or oulbide of our mystic circle . All that the Craft want is to be woke up . Wake them up . Keep in your good work until the happy end is accomplished , and then , and not until then , can you rest upon your laurels . — Voice of Masonry ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Literature.
While in attendance at our Grand Lodge at its last Communication , a brother sitting at my side listlessly turning over the pages of the printed tranactions of that body at it previous Communication , turned to me and remarked , " What does all this amount to ? " In reply I took the book from his hand , opened it at the foreign correspondence report and requested him to read a little in that part , and see if he . could find anything interesting . He did so , and became so interested that he did not hear his name read at
the roll-call ot lodge , and lost his vote . After the session I found him again , and asked if he found anything interesting in that book , and if it amounted to anything ? His reply was to the point , to say the least , and was : " What a fool I have been ' I had no idea there was anything in it
except dry correspondence , interesting only to the parties concerned . \ ou won't catch me making any such foolish statement again , " and when I saw him the next da }' , trying to beg from our Grand Secretary a few copies o f our Grand Lodge proceedings of previous years , I made up my mind that I never should . Now that brother is not the only one who has had , or still
has , the erroneous idea that Grand Lodge proceedings are worthless , or that Masonic literature is senseless stuff ; either from the fact of never having read it , or being incapable of appreciating it . The brother referred to is a splendid ritualistic worker . There is not a
position in the lodge which he cannot fill with skill , and as a ritualist he is as near perfection as it is possible for any man to be , yet in the one thing needful , a knowledge of Masonic literature , he is an ignoramus ; but if appearances are not deceitful , in one year from now that cannot be said of him .
The reports on foreign correspondence of those Grand Lodges which issue them , and fortunately the most of them do , are gotten up with a great deal of care and involve a vast amount of hard work . In fact , they are the cream of all the transactions of all other Grand Bodies condensed . The arguments and ideas presented embrace all there is of any importance , and , in fact , some things that are not , If one wishes to soar into the heavens of
rhetorical effect—gush—some call it , he finds it somewhere in them . If he wants sound logic , substantial facts , wit , sarcasm , explanations on any of the mooted questions of the day , and diversity of opinions on various subjects pertaining to the welfare of Masonry , they give it to him . In fact , it is but seldom that one finds such a variety of reading in any one book as is found within the covers of a report on foreign correspondence , yet how many of them are read ? Perhaps , not one in ten . Now , who is to blame ?
Certainly not the authors , for they do their level best ; nor the Grand Bodies themselves , for they issue them for the purpose of having them read . Then , it must be the brethren themselves ; and why is it so ? Because those who have never taken the pains to read them think they are void of interest ; but let me assure that class , if they will read only one of them they will be anxious enough for others , provided that they are inclined to sound reading , not trash .
Now there are some brethren who call themselves Masons , who make want of time an excuse for Masonic ignorance . I suppose street Arabs have the same excuse for their ignorance . That class , though , find plenty of time to read every silly love-sick book that comes in their way , where blood and thunder are the predominating features , but they have no time to devote to the perusal of the literature of an Institution that stands without a
peer , except the church of the Deity . Such a state of affairs is deplorable in the extreme . It is a burning shame as well as a lasting disgrace that there are so few ot the Masons in America who take interest in Masonic literature . Every little while we hear of some Masonic periodical succumbing to the pressure of want of patronage . New Jersey , for instance , with her 11 , 772 Masons , failed to give adequate support to even one Masonic journal ; and she is not the only jurisdiction having a
large membership that fails to do her duty towards extending Masonic knowledge . The New England States , for instance , with a membership of 78 , 170 , support , if I am not mistaken , only four Masonic periodicals . What a showing that is for the intellectuality of New England Masons ! Yet it is no worse for them than for those of the rest of the country , and , to use a Yankee phrase , " guess not quite so bad ' " It galls , yet it is an undeniable fact .
We have seen many brethren who could prefix " Sir " to their names , who were as ignorant as new born babes as to the real origin of Masonry , aside from the traditions and allegorical illustrations of the degrees through which they had passed , and who expressed the utmost surprise , and I may say indignation when told that " Masonry is a system of morality , veiled iii allegory and illustrated by symbols ; " also , that there are many excellent
periodicals published , devoted to the interests of Masonry . Their views of Masonry seemed to be concentrated in the one idea of work , work , WORK , WORK . 1 almost tire of the sound of the name , as if the whole aim , intention and purpose of Masonry were in conferring degrees , increasing membersni p , and attending feasts , parades and Grand Lodge communications . I tell you , niy brethren , the bare ritualistic work of Masonry is but one of the least ° ' Us fundamental Darts . Its principals are subiects of endless thought .
jts symbols are well worth the serious contemplation of the brightest talent . Its history , from its formation through the dark ages , to its transformation horn Operative to Speculative Masonry , in 1717 , is yet mere guess-work , with twelve distinct theories to guess upon . Perhaps the word " guess " Jjjiy be a strong one to use , but what is not proven must be guess work .
were it not for such authors as Mackey , Morris , Hooper , Hughan , Moore , , or ' ' and others equally as talented who realise the vast importance of Masonic literature , we might well say that we are in perfect darknes , and nave no choice but that ol accepting the ritualistic work of Preston , Webb , Jj-ross , and their disciples , as literal facts . Are they literal facts ? Can ney be proven as such ? If so , when , where , and by whom ? But , bear 1
J mind that every act of Freemasonry ' s esoteric and exoteric work preff , ' t 0 tne mind truths and principles which are the very acme of per-1- J ?? ' a , 1 £ I which are best impressed upon our minds by the numerous lr aditi 0 ns of" its Degrees . j . "lackey ' s "Encyclopedia of Freemasonry" is a library in itself . Procure ;_ ' , '¦ y ° will be well repaid for the monev invested in it . Bro . Fort . too .
ma ' " . ' y History and Antiquities of Freemasonry , " throws light upon PonY suk l ccts > ailcI last , but by no means least , the reports on foreign corres-} j nceof our various Grand Bodies are replete with good things that 1 ; , ' au intellectual feast worth thousands in comparison to tile flash \ vf lhat is SO P revalcnt ' otlie " , SUcn brethren as Drummond , Parvin , Wheeler , Singleton , and fs with an equal ability , let fly their trenchant pens , then we who arc
Masonic Literature.
less informed stand one side and profit by their experience and learning . Were it not for that class of brethren who realise the vast importance of their work , we should remain in i gnorance and lose many a dainty morsel of intellectual food . For ourselves , we read all that we can get hold of , and then form our own conclusions . We read Masonic literature because we crave more light . We comment UIDOII the liter . irv nrnHnriir . n < : nf ntrW <; .
because we find that it puts a fresh impetus into our sluggish brain . We try to profit by our readings , and we think wc do , whether others think so or not . We find time , too , although we have to scratch to find bread and butter for the mouths dependent upon us . " Where there is a will there is a way ; " and having the will we are bound to have the way . We read all the proceedings of our Grand Bodies that we are able to beg , borrow andwell , we sometimes forget who we borrow of . We read them because we
would not be ignorant of what is going on in other jurisdictions to promote the best interests of our Institution . Although we find many things said and written that we wish were not ; many resolutions and bye-laws passed that do not coincide with our views , and which in our opinion do not follow out the ideas of brotherl y love and unity ; yet they present other men ' s ideas , and many of them show the Yankee cuteness of their framers to carry out their points .
In reading the reports on foreign correspondence we find many good points for or against important questions that have sprung up . We find , too , a vast diversity of opinions , and are enabled to forni our own with a greater degree of correctness than we otherwise could . Now , if the brethren would only think as we do , there would not be many copies of the Grand Lodge proceedings unused and unstudied , but unfortunately for themselves many of them do not . Again , we have many periodicals published in the
interest of Masonry , which are " good to have in the house . " They not only give us Masonic news before it is stale , but contain many choice bits of Masonic literature , history , facts , and the doings of our brethren in other places . We have many times heard brethren say that they could not afford it , or had not time to read them . " Can ' t afford it ! " Stop a moment and let us see whether you can or not . Now . the expense is from nine m
twenty-five cents a month , not quite a cent a day , for a first-class periodical which will give more sound , substantial reading than two-thirds of the trash that you do take , and that is published at a greater price . " Can ' t afford it ! " What a flimsy argument ? To illustrate : A short time since we asked a prominent brother Mason how many Masonic publications he was taking , and met with the hackneved answer . " None : can ' t afford it . " Nmv .
for the sequel , and we pointed it out to him afterwards , too . Before he passed out of our sight his cigar bill would have paid for a good Masonic monthly for one year . He could afford to " stand treat , " but could not afford the same amount of money invested in something that would have been of lasting benefit to him . " Standing treat" gratified his appetite and diminished his nnrkfthnnl .-. whilp rrnnrl . emm / - ! M ^ cr ^ nl- lWn .... t ..-n ... ^ .. t . i jv / Lt iriajuuillll \ LdlUU 1
, j „ ,., ...... w * ^ w * -, .. > v . . . . WUUU have been the means of enlightening his befogged brain , and have furnished him with an intellectual treat . One passed oil in smoke and nothing was left but thc ^ ishes , while the other would have brought to his mind new ideas and facts that he had never before dreamt of . ' Now , which kind of
treating is the best ? . Surely there can be but one answer . We reminded bim afterwards that that " can ' t afford it " nonsense was "played out . " He admitted it , and to-day has several Masonic periodicals on his table . We have not the means at hand of knowing just how many publications there are devoted to Masonry ; but this much we do know , that any one of them is well worth double the amount of money asked for it .
Now , the brethren who say they cannot afford the price asked for any one of the Masonic publications , in the majority of instances , can , or at least do afford as much , if not more , for flash literature , which is devoid of either fact or principle . Yes , they can afford that , but . cannot afford to take a Masonic paper which has in it good , sound , substantial brain food on topics in which every Mason has the most vital interest . That class can afford to stand treat now and then , and to have a iolly good time with the bovs . but
are too awful poor to subscribe for a Masonic journal . Fie upon such Masons ; they don ' t know what Masonry is . They never go further than the outside shuck—never penetrate beyond the mere surface . Nine-tenths of the questions our Grand Masters are called upon to answer come from that class who would , if they could , appear to be learned Masons ; yet they are too poor , or too lazy , to read even the constitution and bye-laws of their own jurisdiction .
Then that nonsensical plea comes in , "haven't time . " Plenty of time to do anything your inclinations desire , but no time to read of Masonry ; plenty of time to retail choice bits of gossip , and to have a good time , but no time for the perusal of Masonic subjects ; plenty of time to air your profound ( ? ) learning in the iodge-room , but no time to back up your theories with facts or history ; plenty of time to devote to any other recreation that presents itself , but no time to improve the mind and store it with knowledge .
_ Although much has been said and done within the past twenty years to bring the Craft to a higher state of intellectual culture , there is plenty of room yet for improvement . One way to bring about that improvement is to patronise our Masonic publications to a greater extent than we do , and thus gladden the hearts of our editors and publishers by larger subscription lists , and conseauentlv secure even n hpliwr rlacc nf U «) mv „ .. I , I : —
tions . He are quite certain that Masonic editors have not the faculty of living without money , and must have cash as well as others . I trust my readers will not think I am writing in the interest of any particular publication , for I am not . It is for all of them if they wish it .
If any of the " can't afford it " or " haven ' t time " class should , through some mysterious dispensation , happen to read this , we are quite certain they will be " as mad as March hares . " Now , that is just what we want . If we can only get them mad they will give the subject some thought . Then we will have gained a point , and as one point gained leaves the field open for more , perhaps in the end this continual cant of " can ' t afford it" and " haven't time " will cease .
A word now to you , editors . Keep on in your good work-. Give us who do crave for more intellectual li ght , that for which we crave . Give us good , sound , substantial Masonic literature . Do not get discouraged because ' your subscription lists do not increase in the proportion that you wish , but " keep a stiff upper lip . " Remember that all Masons arc not drones . There arc
many who receive benefit from your publications and look forward to their coming with pleasure . Advocate those principles of our Institution that stand without peers . U p hold the right , and frown down the wrong , whether it be inside or oulbide of our mystic circle . All that the Craft want is to be woke up . Wake them up . Keep in your good work until the happy end is accomplished , and then , and not until then , can you rest upon your laurels . — Voice of Masonry ,