-
Articles/Ads
Article THE MASONIC MIIROR, ← Page 11 of 13 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Miiror,
because from the lateness of the hour it was thought that there would not be time for it to come on as an original motion . Of those two propositions I certainly prefer the latter . ( Hear , hear . ) The motion itself , in its present shape , goes to deprive the Grand Master of a portion of that power with which yon have deliberately invested him , and it goes so far as to render possible an adjournment of Grand Lodge from day to day after the assemblage of a Quarterly
Communication . This is turning Grand Lodge from its specific objects into a mere Masonic Barliament . Would it be for the benefit of the Craft to carry such a motion ? ( Cries of no , no , and hear , hear . ) Suppose the business not to be transacted at one meeting , and Grand : Lodge were to be adjourned for a week or ten days , or a month , could ydii expect the country Brethren to remain in town during that period in order to go on with the business not disposed of ? Is it not
better to let matters stand as they are , and appeal to the Grand Master to hold a Grand Lodge of Emergency ? The Grand Master has that authority , and no Grand Master has ever yet been found to use it contrary tothe Constitutions , and we have no right to expect that the present Grand Master or any future Grand Master will do so . ( Cheers . ) You had far better do this than resort , especially at the present moment , to a change , the necessity of which has really not been shown . I would be the last in the world to interfere with the fullest
and the freest discussion . ( Hear . ) I do not care if the motions are 220 in number instead of 22 . ( Applause . ) When the pressure of business demands it , I would be one of the first to call onthe Grand Masterto-morrow , and ^ ask him to fix a day for a Grand Lodge of Emergency ( cheers ) , and if , the necessity being shown , he did not choose to do it > then , not till then , I would propose to transfer the power of calling such Lodges to Grand Lodge itself . ( Applause ' . ) But do not let us rashly alter our fundamental laws . ( Hear . ) I have perceived with great regret ,
that since I last attended Grand Lodge , though it is deprecated by very many of the Brethren , a party feeling is beginning to be exhibited amongst us . ( Hear , ) I do implore the Brethren , as they value the influence of Grand Lodge from one end of the country to the other , to let " party " be the last word which is found in our vocabulary . ( Cheers . ) It is not Masonic . Let us keep Grand Lodge , as the root of Masonry , wholesome , and all its branches throughout the country will remain in a healthy condition . ( Cheers . )
Bro . Mason briefly replied that he did not believe Grand Lodge would ever adjourn on frivolous pretences . ( Hear . ) The Grand Master said : Before I put the question , I think it due to Grand Lodge to state my opinion both on the motion and on the amendment . ( Hear , hear . ) It has been said that Grand Lodge would never adjourn without just cause , but let me ask of any Brother or member , if Brethren ever expressed a wish in vain to the Grand Master to summon a special Grand Lodge ? ( Hear , hear . ) Certainly , since I have held this chair I have never refused to do so , and
I look on this motion as a vote of want of confidence in me . ( Loud cries of no , no . ) If carried , it will induce Brethren to bring forward numbers of motions not absolutely required for the good of the Craft ; and Grand Lodge would be continually adjourned for the purpose of discussing them . I believe that Grand Lodge would become a Masonic Parliament , and that we should not have Quarterly Communications , but weekly meetings , and perhaps oftener than that . Would this , I ask , be fair to Brethren who live 200 or 300 miles away ? ( Hear , hear . ) Could you ask them to come up once a fortnight to adjourned G-rand Lodges ?
Bro . Stebbings : I live 100 miles distant , and I'll come up once a week , if necessary , my lord . ( Loud laughter , and cheers . ) Thp Grand Master : I live in a part of the country whence the Brethren would think it a great hardship to come up even once a month . It would show a great want of confidence in me ( no , no ) , and even were I to disregard that want of
confidence , which I could not , I should , under the circumstances , feel quite incompetent to continue in my present position ; and I do not believe that you could get any nobleman or gentleman largely connected in the country , in important affairs , to undertake on such terms the office I have now the honour to fill , if the motion were carried . The motion was then put and lost .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Miiror,
because from the lateness of the hour it was thought that there would not be time for it to come on as an original motion . Of those two propositions I certainly prefer the latter . ( Hear , hear . ) The motion itself , in its present shape , goes to deprive the Grand Master of a portion of that power with which yon have deliberately invested him , and it goes so far as to render possible an adjournment of Grand Lodge from day to day after the assemblage of a Quarterly
Communication . This is turning Grand Lodge from its specific objects into a mere Masonic Barliament . Would it be for the benefit of the Craft to carry such a motion ? ( Cries of no , no , and hear , hear . ) Suppose the business not to be transacted at one meeting , and Grand : Lodge were to be adjourned for a week or ten days , or a month , could ydii expect the country Brethren to remain in town during that period in order to go on with the business not disposed of ? Is it not
better to let matters stand as they are , and appeal to the Grand Master to hold a Grand Lodge of Emergency ? The Grand Master has that authority , and no Grand Master has ever yet been found to use it contrary tothe Constitutions , and we have no right to expect that the present Grand Master or any future Grand Master will do so . ( Cheers . ) You had far better do this than resort , especially at the present moment , to a change , the necessity of which has really not been shown . I would be the last in the world to interfere with the fullest
and the freest discussion . ( Hear . ) I do not care if the motions are 220 in number instead of 22 . ( Applause . ) When the pressure of business demands it , I would be one of the first to call onthe Grand Masterto-morrow , and ^ ask him to fix a day for a Grand Lodge of Emergency ( cheers ) , and if , the necessity being shown , he did not choose to do it > then , not till then , I would propose to transfer the power of calling such Lodges to Grand Lodge itself . ( Applause ' . ) But do not let us rashly alter our fundamental laws . ( Hear . ) I have perceived with great regret ,
that since I last attended Grand Lodge , though it is deprecated by very many of the Brethren , a party feeling is beginning to be exhibited amongst us . ( Hear , ) I do implore the Brethren , as they value the influence of Grand Lodge from one end of the country to the other , to let " party " be the last word which is found in our vocabulary . ( Cheers . ) It is not Masonic . Let us keep Grand Lodge , as the root of Masonry , wholesome , and all its branches throughout the country will remain in a healthy condition . ( Cheers . )
Bro . Mason briefly replied that he did not believe Grand Lodge would ever adjourn on frivolous pretences . ( Hear . ) The Grand Master said : Before I put the question , I think it due to Grand Lodge to state my opinion both on the motion and on the amendment . ( Hear , hear . ) It has been said that Grand Lodge would never adjourn without just cause , but let me ask of any Brother or member , if Brethren ever expressed a wish in vain to the Grand Master to summon a special Grand Lodge ? ( Hear , hear . ) Certainly , since I have held this chair I have never refused to do so , and
I look on this motion as a vote of want of confidence in me . ( Loud cries of no , no . ) If carried , it will induce Brethren to bring forward numbers of motions not absolutely required for the good of the Craft ; and Grand Lodge would be continually adjourned for the purpose of discussing them . I believe that Grand Lodge would become a Masonic Parliament , and that we should not have Quarterly Communications , but weekly meetings , and perhaps oftener than that . Would this , I ask , be fair to Brethren who live 200 or 300 miles away ? ( Hear , hear . ) Could you ask them to come up once a fortnight to adjourned G-rand Lodges ?
Bro . Stebbings : I live 100 miles distant , and I'll come up once a week , if necessary , my lord . ( Loud laughter , and cheers . ) Thp Grand Master : I live in a part of the country whence the Brethren would think it a great hardship to come up even once a month . It would show a great want of confidence in me ( no , no ) , and even were I to disregard that want of
confidence , which I could not , I should , under the circumstances , feel quite incompetent to continue in my present position ; and I do not believe that you could get any nobleman or gentleman largely connected in the country , in important affairs , to undertake on such terms the office I have now the honour to fill , if the motion were carried . The motion was then put and lost .