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Article UNIFORMITY OF WORKING. Page 1 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Uniformity Of Working.
¦ UMFOBMITY OE WORKING .
V It is a somewhat startling fact that during the past year upwards of four thousand certificates were issued from the Grand Secretary ' s office , for newly made Masons under the English jurisdiction . It wouldindeed be strange if amongst so many men there were nob some of the highest intellectual attainments , who can seek out for themselves the evidences of the basis upon which our fabric stands , and the source from whence our beautiful ceremonies are derived . But
that cannot be the case with the large majority of our initiates , for even if they had the ability , the inclination , and the power of research necessary for such studies , the employments of life woiild prevent their exercising them sufficiently to satisfy themselves on the many points which they would find radiating from every difficulty they attempted to unravel . And what does our present practice of Freemasonry do to assist them ? Upon entering into the Order , the
Brethren are informed that Masonry is of high antiquity , unchanged and unchangeable . Ere long , the young and zealous Brother visits sister Lodges or Lodges of Instruction , where he hears and sees different modes of working our ceremonials and illustrating their connection with those ancient historical events which we profess to typify ; and the promulgator of each system loudly declares that the one which he teaches is the purest and best . Under these circumstances can we wonder if the Brother becomes confused , if not
altogether sceptical as to the oneness of our institution . These differences of procedure have been allowed to go on for years without remark from any authoritative body ; but with the increased activity which has of late sprung up in our Lodges , and the large accessions daily making to the number of our members , they have excited considerable discussion , and it appears to be the general impression that the time has arrived when all differences of ritual should be put
an end to . At page 62 of the Book of Constitutions , we read , " All Lodges are particularly bound to observe the same usages and customs ; every deviation therefore from the established mode of working is highly improper , and cannot be justified or countenanced . In order to preserve this uniformity , and to cultivate a good understanding among Freemasons , some members of every Lodge should be deputed to visit other Lodges as often as may be convenient . ''
Now the first question which naturally suggests itself to every Brother , after seeing the two systems worked , or hearing , as he is sure to do , that there is a difference between them , is—which is the established mode—and how he is to ascertain its correctness ? Those
who like ourselves have been many years in Ereemasonry may remember that in their younger days they were informed that the Grand Stewards' Lodge—being exclusively composed of Master Masons , and having even power to confer degrees—was established for pre-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Uniformity Of Working.
¦ UMFOBMITY OE WORKING .
V It is a somewhat startling fact that during the past year upwards of four thousand certificates were issued from the Grand Secretary ' s office , for newly made Masons under the English jurisdiction . It wouldindeed be strange if amongst so many men there were nob some of the highest intellectual attainments , who can seek out for themselves the evidences of the basis upon which our fabric stands , and the source from whence our beautiful ceremonies are derived . But
that cannot be the case with the large majority of our initiates , for even if they had the ability , the inclination , and the power of research necessary for such studies , the employments of life woiild prevent their exercising them sufficiently to satisfy themselves on the many points which they would find radiating from every difficulty they attempted to unravel . And what does our present practice of Freemasonry do to assist them ? Upon entering into the Order , the
Brethren are informed that Masonry is of high antiquity , unchanged and unchangeable . Ere long , the young and zealous Brother visits sister Lodges or Lodges of Instruction , where he hears and sees different modes of working our ceremonials and illustrating their connection with those ancient historical events which we profess to typify ; and the promulgator of each system loudly declares that the one which he teaches is the purest and best . Under these circumstances can we wonder if the Brother becomes confused , if not
altogether sceptical as to the oneness of our institution . These differences of procedure have been allowed to go on for years without remark from any authoritative body ; but with the increased activity which has of late sprung up in our Lodges , and the large accessions daily making to the number of our members , they have excited considerable discussion , and it appears to be the general impression that the time has arrived when all differences of ritual should be put
an end to . At page 62 of the Book of Constitutions , we read , " All Lodges are particularly bound to observe the same usages and customs ; every deviation therefore from the established mode of working is highly improper , and cannot be justified or countenanced . In order to preserve this uniformity , and to cultivate a good understanding among Freemasons , some members of every Lodge should be deputed to visit other Lodges as often as may be convenient . ''
Now the first question which naturally suggests itself to every Brother , after seeing the two systems worked , or hearing , as he is sure to do , that there is a difference between them , is—which is the established mode—and how he is to ascertain its correctness ? Those
who like ourselves have been many years in Ereemasonry may remember that in their younger days they were informed that the Grand Stewards' Lodge—being exclusively composed of Master Masons , and having even power to confer degrees—was established for pre-