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Article MILITARY MASONRY. ← Page 2 of 2
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Military Masonry.
addressiiig or in his conduct to a superior ; indeed ^ such an instance has never come under my own personal observation ; and their manner has invariably appeared more respectful ( if possible ) than before they were known as Masons . The tie between the two ranks is infinitely strengthened , and the appearance of Brethren occupying different relations of life , in the same Lodge , is a strong proof of the universality of the science .
Field Marshal Lord Combermere states ( and to his opinion ought to be attached some little importance ) , that during the period of his service he never yet met a bad soldier who was a Mason . This would justify , the belief that Masonry in the army does not detract
from its efficiency . It is a maxim admitting of no contradiction , that a good Mason must be a good man . The moral principles inculcated in the Graft degrees have a highly ennobling effect upon the minds of worthy men , and it may be safely said that the generality of military Masons act well up to them .
A vast number of persons , and , Iain sorry to say , many of them people of the highest intellectual abilities , are impressed with the idea that Masonic meetings are mere convivial assemblies , where the Brethren congregate to enjoy the good things of this life , and to chuckle at the notion of having made fools of the rest of the world . Should a newly-initiated Brother enlarge on the beauties of the
science , or the advantages that have accrued to him , he is compared to the fox who lost his tail in the trap , and was afterwards anxious to prevail upon the remainder of his species to part with theirs . The solemnity of our obligations they cannot understand ; the moral principles inculcated throughout they disbelieve : instead of our Order being held up as a pattern , it becomes with many a byword .
Could it % be proved , by the more general establishment of military Lodges , that Masonry was conducive to discipline and good order , it might be reasonably inferred that many non-Masons who at present display these unfounded prejudices , would be disposed to change their opinions . All that is wanted for this purpose is a fair trial , that the heads of departments might be convinced that no ill effects could ensue ; and Brethren , whether serving their Queen on the arid plains of India or in garrison at any of the more peaceful
colonies , would not be debarred from Masonic gatherings ; their knowledge of our hidden lore would be strengthened and increased ; and in addition , by fraternizing with Brethren of different nations and languages , they would better understand and appreciate the excellence of our system , and its manifold advantages , more especially in a foreign land . K . T .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Military Masonry.
addressiiig or in his conduct to a superior ; indeed ^ such an instance has never come under my own personal observation ; and their manner has invariably appeared more respectful ( if possible ) than before they were known as Masons . The tie between the two ranks is infinitely strengthened , and the appearance of Brethren occupying different relations of life , in the same Lodge , is a strong proof of the universality of the science .
Field Marshal Lord Combermere states ( and to his opinion ought to be attached some little importance ) , that during the period of his service he never yet met a bad soldier who was a Mason . This would justify , the belief that Masonry in the army does not detract
from its efficiency . It is a maxim admitting of no contradiction , that a good Mason must be a good man . The moral principles inculcated in the Graft degrees have a highly ennobling effect upon the minds of worthy men , and it may be safely said that the generality of military Masons act well up to them .
A vast number of persons , and , Iain sorry to say , many of them people of the highest intellectual abilities , are impressed with the idea that Masonic meetings are mere convivial assemblies , where the Brethren congregate to enjoy the good things of this life , and to chuckle at the notion of having made fools of the rest of the world . Should a newly-initiated Brother enlarge on the beauties of the
science , or the advantages that have accrued to him , he is compared to the fox who lost his tail in the trap , and was afterwards anxious to prevail upon the remainder of his species to part with theirs . The solemnity of our obligations they cannot understand ; the moral principles inculcated throughout they disbelieve : instead of our Order being held up as a pattern , it becomes with many a byword .
Could it % be proved , by the more general establishment of military Lodges , that Masonry was conducive to discipline and good order , it might be reasonably inferred that many non-Masons who at present display these unfounded prejudices , would be disposed to change their opinions . All that is wanted for this purpose is a fair trial , that the heads of departments might be convinced that no ill effects could ensue ; and Brethren , whether serving their Queen on the arid plains of India or in garrison at any of the more peaceful
colonies , would not be debarred from Masonic gatherings ; their knowledge of our hidden lore would be strengthened and increased ; and in addition , by fraternizing with Brethren of different nations and languages , they would better understand and appreciate the excellence of our system , and its manifold advantages , more especially in a foreign land . K . T .