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ifipsiiic IllUSTRATEt ) .

Masonic Journalism

Masonic Journalism

IT is quite clear from the recent proceedings of Grand Lodge that Article 205 , B . C ., needs to be recast in some more explicit form than it is at present . In referring to the subject of the relations of the Press with the Craft we do not propose to discuss the appeal already disposed of by

Grand Lodge . That particular case is now a res clausa , and Grand Lodge has , by a majority of votes of those present , decided that an offence was committed and that an adequate penalty was inflicted , and the only Masonic course to be adopted by all concerned is to acquiesce , and we leave the

case in expressing a hope that the Grand Master may see lit to exercise his prerogative of clemency . But the question goes far beyond Bro . Massey . Article 205 says that nothing may be printed or published " which by the laws and regulations of Masonry is improper to be published . " Now , if Masonic journalism is to be subjected

to rigid censorship , it is highly desirable that Masonic writers should be protected by some clearer definition than Article 205 provides . At present the law is being made piecemeal . Every now and then the subject engages the attention of Grand Lodge and receives some fresh

illumination , and it is much to be desired that the whole matter should be well thrashed out . It might be claimed as a starting point that the Craft can by no possibility escape from the Press , and it may further be claimed that that fact is all in favour of the Craft . That being so , it is apparent

that Grand Lodge can only exercise any control over those journals that are published with official approval . Article 205 , in fact , provides for such approval being granted , for , if Masonic intelligence is to be published at all , it is . much better that it should be published with a clear sense of

responsibility and not by the anonymous writer in . the profane press . On behalf of Masonic journalism we may fairly claim that no writer in the columns of this , or of any other recognized periodical , wilfully violates Masonic tradition as far as Article 205 is concerned . It has been said that a

brother whose experience of the Craft qualifies him to be a Masonic journalist , should possess a Masonic instinct sensitive enough to keep him within due bounds . But we respectfully submit that when it is possible for a brother quite unwittingly to find himself in the meshes of the Masonic penal code , he ought not to be left entirely to instinct to keep him out .

Instinct , for instance , ought to warn the cyclist when he is approaching a dangerous hill , but none the less an Act of Parliament provides that danger boards shall be erected where necessary by the County Council . The Craft owes much to the Masonic press . We need only , refer to the magnificent support that is ungrudgingly

given to the Masonic Charities and to the enlightenment on the subject of Masonic history and antiquities which could be furnished in no other way . And we might further add that the most frequent and most valued contributors to the Masonic press are brethren whose names deservedly , stand

for all that is in truest accordance with the best traditions of the Craft . Is it not time , therefore , that there should be set up press landmarks ? Meanwhile , where are we ? We can only refer to res judicalae , and happily the instances in which Grand Lodge

has come into conflict with the printer are few and farbetween . Such as they are , however , they are instructive . Some twenty-four years ago , a brother who was concerned in an appeal , which he lost , wrote to the Press describing the proceedings and saying they were a " ridiculous farce , " and

very properly . he was suspended , but not so much on account of the publication as of the disrespect to the District Grand Master that was implied .

In 1870 Grand Lodge laid it down that a lodge summons , was not a document in the nature of a circular , but must be sent out as a letter . This question arose by reason of certain loclges using postcards for the purpose . In September , 188 3 , Grand Lodge negatived a suggestion that

its meetings should be announced by advertisement in various Masonic journals . It was held that to pay for such an announcement would be a constructive infringement of Article 205 , but at the same time it was clearly left to be inferred that such announcements might be printed as items

of information . Even though it be sent in a closed envelope the lodge summons is not always a privileged documeiit . ' When penal proceedings form part of the proposed business it sometimes happens that the offending brother's un-Masonic conduct is

described at length . A case of this kind led to a libel suit in the law courts . The unsuccessful litigant , who was cast in damages and costs , came to Grand Lodge with a request to be helped out , but was not successful , and Grand Lodge left it to be inferred that whilst the insertion of the name

of the brother whom it was proposed to exclude was essential , all that was further necessary was a reference to the article under which action was being taken .

The case just decided goes far beyond all these of course , but it only serves to emphasize the need for some extension of definition in Article 205 .