Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Our ^
or any other of these fratermties . On the contrary , we know well enough that they act as bonds of social inters classes ; and , what is still better , they afford material relief in times of sickness and distress , and in the hour Pf bereavement . We hope they may long flourish , and we are ready to welcome them and their
processions in proper p laces ¦• but we make a strong objection totheir being allowed any participation in the functions of Masonry ; and the more , because , however innocently intended , their presence in mimic paraphernalia admits of misconstruction , to the serious detriment of the Itasonic Craft .
We are not aware that the Odd Fellow or the other institutions Have by themselves or their members , done anything remarkable for philosophy , science , or literature ; but ; at any rate , we are perfectly Well aAyare that they have no poiinexipn with architecture , and that their presence at architectural ^ in attendance , is neither essential nor desirable .
This seems to us so clear , as a matter of principle , that we can but apply it to the general practice on public-occasions at home , in the colonies , and th in procession ^ of all kinds in whicli Masonry has not , as in laying a foundatio n stone , or opening a building ; a special and distinctive call to attendance . The result is , as pur readers know , that in nearly
eve ^ programme ' 9 ? such a procession , the Masons are mixed up Avith the Odd Fellows , Foresters , Druids , Rechabites , United Americans , male and female , United Irishmen , and even with Orangemen , and march withtrade societies and trades unions . In fact , there is a recognised place provided for them , and which they are content to take for the sake of displaying aprons ^ colours , arid banners . Those
who care about this display cannot have a very high appreciation of tlie value of Masonry . Indeed , as Masonry does not depend for its propagation or exercise on such proceedings , it is a matter of sacrifice to dut y , ^ ther than otherwise , which induces a Mason of wellconstituted mind to make any public display of his attributes or his practices ; such a sacrifice is legitimately made at afuneral or at an Architectural ceremonial .
It may be very desirable , on some occasions , to show respect to some eminent Mason in authority , or some eminent philanthropist , as Miss Nightingale , for instance , by taking part in a procession , but the dignity of the Order should be rightly cared for in its place in the procession , and in its avoidance of juxtaposition with mimics . Lodges
should npt lightly take part in processions , as our Brethren do m the United States , Canada , and Australia ; they should be heedful that the occasion is Masonic , and even then , as we have observed , their absence will be more beneficial to the Craft than their presence , if any derogation results from their association with illegitimate institutions .
The grand procession at Edinburgh , which we have described and the Illustrated Times has depicted , maintained , or rather enhanced , the prestige of Masonry . In that procession there was not mere paraphernalia , imposing as that might be , but four thousand men , re-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Our ^
or any other of these fratermties . On the contrary , we know well enough that they act as bonds of social inters classes ; and , what is still better , they afford material relief in times of sickness and distress , and in the hour Pf bereavement . We hope they may long flourish , and we are ready to welcome them and their
processions in proper p laces ¦• but we make a strong objection totheir being allowed any participation in the functions of Masonry ; and the more , because , however innocently intended , their presence in mimic paraphernalia admits of misconstruction , to the serious detriment of the Itasonic Craft .
We are not aware that the Odd Fellow or the other institutions Have by themselves or their members , done anything remarkable for philosophy , science , or literature ; but ; at any rate , we are perfectly Well aAyare that they have no poiinexipn with architecture , and that their presence at architectural ^ in attendance , is neither essential nor desirable .
This seems to us so clear , as a matter of principle , that we can but apply it to the general practice on public-occasions at home , in the colonies , and th in procession ^ of all kinds in whicli Masonry has not , as in laying a foundatio n stone , or opening a building ; a special and distinctive call to attendance . The result is , as pur readers know , that in nearly
eve ^ programme ' 9 ? such a procession , the Masons are mixed up Avith the Odd Fellows , Foresters , Druids , Rechabites , United Americans , male and female , United Irishmen , and even with Orangemen , and march withtrade societies and trades unions . In fact , there is a recognised place provided for them , and which they are content to take for the sake of displaying aprons ^ colours , arid banners . Those
who care about this display cannot have a very high appreciation of tlie value of Masonry . Indeed , as Masonry does not depend for its propagation or exercise on such proceedings , it is a matter of sacrifice to dut y , ^ ther than otherwise , which induces a Mason of wellconstituted mind to make any public display of his attributes or his practices ; such a sacrifice is legitimately made at afuneral or at an Architectural ceremonial .
It may be very desirable , on some occasions , to show respect to some eminent Mason in authority , or some eminent philanthropist , as Miss Nightingale , for instance , by taking part in a procession , but the dignity of the Order should be rightly cared for in its place in the procession , and in its avoidance of juxtaposition with mimics . Lodges
should npt lightly take part in processions , as our Brethren do m the United States , Canada , and Australia ; they should be heedful that the occasion is Masonic , and even then , as we have observed , their absence will be more beneficial to the Craft than their presence , if any derogation results from their association with illegitimate institutions .
The grand procession at Edinburgh , which we have described and the Illustrated Times has depicted , maintained , or rather enhanced , the prestige of Masonry . In that procession there was not mere paraphernalia , imposing as that might be , but four thousand men , re-