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Article SERIOUS TRUTHS ← Page 2 of 2
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Serious Truths
Another formidable injury from this spirit of rivalry is the initiation of a class of men into the fraternity who bring , by their conduct , not only reproach upon themselves , but , upas like , inflict a withering blight upon the Order . The introduction in any community , of one bad man into our inner temple , will bring more discredit upon Masonry than the high character and benevolent acts of a dozen upright and worthy will
counterbalance . I have seen these evils so often and so palpable , that I must refer to them here in explanation of my unwillingness , in many instances , to consider a petition for dispensation favourably , unless I was satisfied it would not merely gratify the aspiring spirit of a few Masons in an isolated locality , but would advance the interests of the Craft generally . We find , in this connection , another indication to which I would direct your attention . It is a sort of Young Americanism that is becoming incorporated
into the practical workings of subordinate Lodges , a method of making Masons according to the principles of manifest destiny , as well as a hastiness of Lodge procedure ^ as if it was necessairy that everything should be controlled by the same laws which govern locomotion through the influence of steam , or the transmission of intelligence by the operation the telegraph . This is wrong in theory and dangerous in its practice . Masonry , it is true , in its practicalapplication is , to some extent , a
progressive institution ; its usages become modified to meet the customs and wants of the time . But to endeavour to incorporate into it any of the character and principles of modern institutions , not only detracts from its beauty , but inflicts a fatal wound upon its vitality . It is pre-eminently conservative in its character , has descended unimpaired by the revolutions of centuries , and old fogyish though its deriders may term it , yet the mirror is tarnished and it is no longer ancient Graft Masonry whenever
an innovation is incorporated . It knows no change , as regards her organic law , and this is so plainly elaborated in the ancient constitutions , as to admit of but few cases even of doubtful construction . In many Lodges scarcely an initiation occurs but is marked by a propulsive spirit , by being referred specially to the rules which govern cases of emergency . A man lives in the vicinity of a Lodge for years—suddenly determines to joinsends in his petition , has a vague idea of taking a short journey very soon
is accepted at once , and the next morning he comes out a regular Master Mason . His ideas of all the degrees are confused and indistinct , his impressions of the symbolic illustrations are vague and unimpressive , and instead of perceiving their beauties ^ he sees but little to engage his attention other than the gratification of an idle curiosity . We thus not only violate the fundamental principle in our organic law , but we assist in
placing in the great Masonic temple a rough ashlar , yet to be hewn , squared and numbered , and which does not harmonize with the beautiful proportions of the surrounding structure . Delay may be dangerous to other institutions , but never to Masonry , and by its judicious exercise we may frequently obviate most unpleasant consequences , and our annual communications he relieved of a great deal of unprofitable labour in investigation of cases of appeal from Lodge trials .
Advantages of Yirtue . —Every virtue gives a man a degree of felicity : honesty gives him a good report ; justice , estimation ; prudence , respect ; courtesy and munificence , universal affection : temperance confers on him health of hody , and fortitude such a steady and quiet mind as not to be moved whatever happens . — Johnson .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Serious Truths
Another formidable injury from this spirit of rivalry is the initiation of a class of men into the fraternity who bring , by their conduct , not only reproach upon themselves , but , upas like , inflict a withering blight upon the Order . The introduction in any community , of one bad man into our inner temple , will bring more discredit upon Masonry than the high character and benevolent acts of a dozen upright and worthy will
counterbalance . I have seen these evils so often and so palpable , that I must refer to them here in explanation of my unwillingness , in many instances , to consider a petition for dispensation favourably , unless I was satisfied it would not merely gratify the aspiring spirit of a few Masons in an isolated locality , but would advance the interests of the Craft generally . We find , in this connection , another indication to which I would direct your attention . It is a sort of Young Americanism that is becoming incorporated
into the practical workings of subordinate Lodges , a method of making Masons according to the principles of manifest destiny , as well as a hastiness of Lodge procedure ^ as if it was necessairy that everything should be controlled by the same laws which govern locomotion through the influence of steam , or the transmission of intelligence by the operation the telegraph . This is wrong in theory and dangerous in its practice . Masonry , it is true , in its practicalapplication is , to some extent , a
progressive institution ; its usages become modified to meet the customs and wants of the time . But to endeavour to incorporate into it any of the character and principles of modern institutions , not only detracts from its beauty , but inflicts a fatal wound upon its vitality . It is pre-eminently conservative in its character , has descended unimpaired by the revolutions of centuries , and old fogyish though its deriders may term it , yet the mirror is tarnished and it is no longer ancient Graft Masonry whenever
an innovation is incorporated . It knows no change , as regards her organic law , and this is so plainly elaborated in the ancient constitutions , as to admit of but few cases even of doubtful construction . In many Lodges scarcely an initiation occurs but is marked by a propulsive spirit , by being referred specially to the rules which govern cases of emergency . A man lives in the vicinity of a Lodge for years—suddenly determines to joinsends in his petition , has a vague idea of taking a short journey very soon
is accepted at once , and the next morning he comes out a regular Master Mason . His ideas of all the degrees are confused and indistinct , his impressions of the symbolic illustrations are vague and unimpressive , and instead of perceiving their beauties ^ he sees but little to engage his attention other than the gratification of an idle curiosity . We thus not only violate the fundamental principle in our organic law , but we assist in
placing in the great Masonic temple a rough ashlar , yet to be hewn , squared and numbered , and which does not harmonize with the beautiful proportions of the surrounding structure . Delay may be dangerous to other institutions , but never to Masonry , and by its judicious exercise we may frequently obviate most unpleasant consequences , and our annual communications he relieved of a great deal of unprofitable labour in investigation of cases of appeal from Lodge trials .
Advantages of Yirtue . —Every virtue gives a man a degree of felicity : honesty gives him a good report ; justice , estimation ; prudence , respect ; courtesy and munificence , universal affection : temperance confers on him health of hody , and fortitude such a steady and quiet mind as not to be moved whatever happens . — Johnson .