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Article FREEMASONRY IN GERMANY. ← Page 5 of 10 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In Germany.
a distance . Just UOAV , at the time of the Jesuitical attacks on us , it may be frequently observed that the profane have a desire to see the object of Freemasonry expressed in a definite manner , free from all misrepresentation and
vagueness . That the German Grand Lodges , notwithstanding the peculiarities distinguishing the one from the other , might very Avell jointly undertake the editing of the wished for instruction is
sufficiently evident from the circumstance alone of their having already agreed on general principles ; and a publication on the form , spirit , and nature of Freemasonry would in the main be only an interpretation of , and commentary on ,
those general principles . It is precisely this established agreement on the principle Avhich . induces us to hope that our motion will be adopted . Already at the annual meeting at Hamm , in 1864 , we spoke on behalf of the adequate
instruction of aspirants previous to their reception ; but our proposal was only put in the shape of a resolution , and was consequently a half measure , which accordingly remained Avithout effect .
It is a very striking phenomenon that , with all our boasting of the cosmpolitan tendency of our Craft , Ave have nevertheless , in many respects , retained much of the most narrow-minded particularism . As a prominent example I may
quote the affiliation fees . If at the present time Ave pay for the admission to a lodge and for the promotion to the grade of Master Mason
about 100 thalers , it is indeed nominally the same sum that was paid years ago ; nay , considering the depreciation of the currency since then , the amount is certainly much less than in former times ; nevertheless , it appears to be a sufficient
compensation for what the lodge in general has to offer us , seeing that for the particular advantages of our membership of it Ave pay other rather considerable fees besides . In general the lodge offers us no other advantage but that of opening for us a scene of action
where , provided Ave have the inclination and impulse Avithin ourselves , and have the good fortune of meeting with some sympathetic men , Ave can better cultivate the higher interests of life than in ordinary surroundings . But it is onl y
real members of a lodge AVIIO can display as Freemasons the right activit y iu themselves and others . . Now it is a fact that there are everywhere brethren AVIIO , living at great distances from their own lodgenevertheless do not join as
, real member that of their place of abode , because they have long since paid for their admission to the Craft , and the membership of a particular lodge has not hitherto appeared valuable enough to themreadily to make pecuniary sacrifices
to it in these dear times . It is mostl y public functionaries who are often under the sad necessity of being isolated or permanently visiting brethren ; but that class counts among it many intelligent menAvhose closer connection
, with another lodge and fruitful cooperation is thus precluded by the tollbar of the affiliation fees . No one will assert that the funds of
many lodges stand in need of the receipts from affiliations . Perhaps Ave may next year be able to throAV a light on the financial condition of the lodges ; meanwhile , every one will understand that it is better for the lodge to gain au
active member Avithout the affiliation fees—paying , of course , his full annual subscription—than for a brother belonging to another lodge to remain isolated or a permanent visitor , consequently paying nothing or little , and even
unable to undertake an office . Let , therefore , the Grand Lodges see to this grievance , and declare , by Avay of a supplementary clause , that the laAV forbidding brothers not to separate from their lodges Avithout a cogent reason is
intended to prevent only the careless abandonment of membership , but not to debar any one from joining another lodge in consequence of a change of residence . The repeal of the affiliation fees ( exclusive of the actual cost ) , joined to this supplementary clause ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In Germany.
a distance . Just UOAV , at the time of the Jesuitical attacks on us , it may be frequently observed that the profane have a desire to see the object of Freemasonry expressed in a definite manner , free from all misrepresentation and
vagueness . That the German Grand Lodges , notwithstanding the peculiarities distinguishing the one from the other , might very Avell jointly undertake the editing of the wished for instruction is
sufficiently evident from the circumstance alone of their having already agreed on general principles ; and a publication on the form , spirit , and nature of Freemasonry would in the main be only an interpretation of , and commentary on ,
those general principles . It is precisely this established agreement on the principle Avhich . induces us to hope that our motion will be adopted . Already at the annual meeting at Hamm , in 1864 , we spoke on behalf of the adequate
instruction of aspirants previous to their reception ; but our proposal was only put in the shape of a resolution , and was consequently a half measure , which accordingly remained Avithout effect .
It is a very striking phenomenon that , with all our boasting of the cosmpolitan tendency of our Craft , Ave have nevertheless , in many respects , retained much of the most narrow-minded particularism . As a prominent example I may
quote the affiliation fees . If at the present time Ave pay for the admission to a lodge and for the promotion to the grade of Master Mason
about 100 thalers , it is indeed nominally the same sum that was paid years ago ; nay , considering the depreciation of the currency since then , the amount is certainly much less than in former times ; nevertheless , it appears to be a sufficient
compensation for what the lodge in general has to offer us , seeing that for the particular advantages of our membership of it Ave pay other rather considerable fees besides . In general the lodge offers us no other advantage but that of opening for us a scene of action
where , provided Ave have the inclination and impulse Avithin ourselves , and have the good fortune of meeting with some sympathetic men , Ave can better cultivate the higher interests of life than in ordinary surroundings . But it is onl y
real members of a lodge AVIIO can display as Freemasons the right activit y iu themselves and others . . Now it is a fact that there are everywhere brethren AVIIO , living at great distances from their own lodgenevertheless do not join as
, real member that of their place of abode , because they have long since paid for their admission to the Craft , and the membership of a particular lodge has not hitherto appeared valuable enough to themreadily to make pecuniary sacrifices
to it in these dear times . It is mostl y public functionaries who are often under the sad necessity of being isolated or permanently visiting brethren ; but that class counts among it many intelligent menAvhose closer connection
, with another lodge and fruitful cooperation is thus precluded by the tollbar of the affiliation fees . No one will assert that the funds of
many lodges stand in need of the receipts from affiliations . Perhaps Ave may next year be able to throAV a light on the financial condition of the lodges ; meanwhile , every one will understand that it is better for the lodge to gain au
active member Avithout the affiliation fees—paying , of course , his full annual subscription—than for a brother belonging to another lodge to remain isolated or a permanent visitor , consequently paying nothing or little , and even
unable to undertake an office . Let , therefore , the Grand Lodges see to this grievance , and declare , by Avay of a supplementary clause , that the laAV forbidding brothers not to separate from their lodges Avithout a cogent reason is
intended to prevent only the careless abandonment of membership , but not to debar any one from joining another lodge in consequence of a change of residence . The repeal of the affiliation fees ( exclusive of the actual cost ) , joined to this supplementary clause ,