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Article UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Uniformity Of Ritual.
UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL .
ONE would think , that nothing need be said , with respect to the advantages necessarily resulting from uniformity , in the ritual used in Masonic Lodges . The benefits perfect uniformity would confer upon tbe Order , are so numerous , and so obvious , that Ave really have to apologize for attempting to argue tbe point in the pages of this periodical . We do so , however , for two especial reasons : first , because , absiu-d though it may appear , there
are actually worthy and accomplished brethren amongst us ,- who think and speak lightly of that uniformity which others are labouring so hard to establish and sustain ; and secondly , because there are very many - Lodges—vastly more than is generally imagined—in which the brethren not only do not , but absolutely cannot Avork , according to the ritual and ceremonial , now sanctioned by the United Grand Lodge of England . A
ritual or ceremonial , accepted by the Craft with cheerfulness and cordiality , and authorized by the Grand Lodge , ought thenceforth to be rigidly adhered to , and guarded even against verbal deviations . The Craft would do well , in this regard , to imitate that jealousy of innovation or alteration , by means of which our ancient brethren , the Israelites , so long and so wondrously preserved the integrity of the text of the Volume of the Sacred
LUAV . Success in all those matters depends upon individual exertion . Every Brother should not only do his duty , but he should do it just as if the success of the whole affair depended entirely upon him . This is the spirit which Ave should like to see infused into the Craft generally , not in this matter alone , but in everything which is done , or can be done , to promote the extension and solidification of the Order .
It is easy for the experienced and observant brother , to see the thousands of modes by which words and phrases , creep into and corrupt our exquisitely chaste and beautiful ceremonial . We might give many illustrations of this , which it is not expedient to print . They will suggest themselves , in multitudes , to the experienced reader ' s mind . It is advisable , however ; to indicate one or two of themif onlfor the of showing
, y purpose the evil , and pointing out a remedy . Krst and foremost , then , amongst the causes of diversity , is the appointment of brethren to offices , who are not duly qualified for the positions to which they are elevated , by being minutely familiar with the rites , and ceremonies , in use amongst us . It is of no use concealing the fact ; ordinances
" sharp , " as they used to say in Queen Elizabeth ' s time , ought to be speedil y and sharply applied to this evil , in order at least to mitigate I I
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Uniformity Of Ritual.
UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL .
ONE would think , that nothing need be said , with respect to the advantages necessarily resulting from uniformity , in the ritual used in Masonic Lodges . The benefits perfect uniformity would confer upon tbe Order , are so numerous , and so obvious , that Ave really have to apologize for attempting to argue tbe point in the pages of this periodical . We do so , however , for two especial reasons : first , because , absiu-d though it may appear , there
are actually worthy and accomplished brethren amongst us ,- who think and speak lightly of that uniformity which others are labouring so hard to establish and sustain ; and secondly , because there are very many - Lodges—vastly more than is generally imagined—in which the brethren not only do not , but absolutely cannot Avork , according to the ritual and ceremonial , now sanctioned by the United Grand Lodge of England . A
ritual or ceremonial , accepted by the Craft with cheerfulness and cordiality , and authorized by the Grand Lodge , ought thenceforth to be rigidly adhered to , and guarded even against verbal deviations . The Craft would do well , in this regard , to imitate that jealousy of innovation or alteration , by means of which our ancient brethren , the Israelites , so long and so wondrously preserved the integrity of the text of the Volume of the Sacred
LUAV . Success in all those matters depends upon individual exertion . Every Brother should not only do his duty , but he should do it just as if the success of the whole affair depended entirely upon him . This is the spirit which Ave should like to see infused into the Craft generally , not in this matter alone , but in everything which is done , or can be done , to promote the extension and solidification of the Order .
It is easy for the experienced and observant brother , to see the thousands of modes by which words and phrases , creep into and corrupt our exquisitely chaste and beautiful ceremonial . We might give many illustrations of this , which it is not expedient to print . They will suggest themselves , in multitudes , to the experienced reader ' s mind . It is advisable , however ; to indicate one or two of themif onlfor the of showing
, y purpose the evil , and pointing out a remedy . Krst and foremost , then , amongst the causes of diversity , is the appointment of brethren to offices , who are not duly qualified for the positions to which they are elevated , by being minutely familiar with the rites , and ceremonies , in use amongst us . It is of no use concealing the fact ; ordinances
" sharp , " as they used to say in Queen Elizabeth ' s time , ought to be speedil y and sharply applied to this evil , in order at least to mitigate I I