Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
appeared in a recent number of the Masonic Quarterly , and the additional arguments advanced by our consistent friend and warm supporter , the venerable and much esteemed Grand Master of Vermont , will at once observe how much I was mistaken in my supposition , and will at the same time be pleased to learn that the more closely our past history is criticised and examined , the more thoroughly and
completely will the correctness of our position be established . In evidence of the truth of this position , I cannot deny myself the pleasure of directing your atttention to the masterly and unanswerable arguments brought to bear on the subject by the Most Worshipful Master ofthe Grand Lodge of Florida , in his able report as chairman of the committee of foreign correspondence .
e < Among the important Masonic events of the past year , one has recently transpired which must excite a thrill of pleasure and elicit an expression of satisfaction and delight in every true Masonic heart on this continent . The unhappy divisions Avhich for so many years have kept apart our brethren in the state of New York , and Avhich have been a cause of reproach to our noble Order , now no longer
exists . The demon of discord has been vanquished , and peace , love , and harmony reign triumphant ; the warm grasp of brotherhood has been cordially given and received , and the Masons of that state are again united under one banner . May theirunion be perpetual ! And may the memory of their past differences only remain as air additional incitement to increased exertions in the great and glorious cause for which we are all associated .
" I have much pleasure in announcing for the information of tho Grand Lodge , that in the many official visits which I have made during my term of office to our subordinate Lodges , I found a large majority of them in a highly flourishing and satisfactory condition . But , at the same time , truth compels me to add that all were not in an equally prosperous state . In some few instances I heard with regret that the regular communications were not well attended ; that it was often
with difficulty that a sufficient number of Brethren could be got together to enable the Lodge to proceed with the work ; and that a general apathy and want of interest was displayed by the members of these Lodges . On investigating the cause which had led to this strange and unnatural state of affairs , I found that it originated invariably in a careless and inefficient administration of the business of the Lodge . Members had been permitted to become lamely in arrears for dues ; the Lodges Members had been permitted to become largely in arrears for dues ;
the liabilities of the Lodge remained unliquidated ; the by-laws were allowed to be broken with impunity ; and the general discipline ofthe Order Avas not strictly enforced . This painful state of affairs can only be remedied by a more rigid adherence to the rules of the Order , and by the exercise of a stricter adherence to discipline on the part of those in authority ; and I would earnestly entreat the officers of such Lodges , if there be any now present , if they have any regard for Masonry , if they love the Order and are really desirous that it should flourish , to
reflect more seriously upon their duties and obligations ; for as their position in the Craft is exalted , so are their responsibilities great . To become the Master of a Lodge should be the ambition of every Brother , and to discharge Avith efficiency and zeal the duties of that important office , should be his most anxious desire . These duties are not confined to the mere repetition of a few phrases learned by rote , but he should bo able to instruct the Craft , not only as to the meaning and .
origin of our ceremonies , hut also to explain to them the philosophy which is veiled in its allegories and illustrated by its symbols . He should be able also to convince his Brethren that all science and all art , legitimately directed , are but lines that radiate towards the great "I AM ; " that the sciences arc the media by which avc arc led to contemplate the goodness , wisdom and power of the Great Architect of the universe ; and that arts are the modes we have developed ol
expressing our sense and admiration of tho wondrous glories of our Almighty Father which are scattered around us . The Master of a , Lodge should also in his life and in his conversation he a model for his Brethren to admire and imitate , and should himself practise out of the Lodge those great moral doctrines and virtues which he inculcates within its Avails , lie should bo punctual and methodical in all things , and both by his character and conduct , command the respect , the esteem and good-will of all men . For , as the Maxtor is supreme in hi . s Lodge , and distinguished from his position in the Craft , so should ho also bo distinguished
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
appeared in a recent number of the Masonic Quarterly , and the additional arguments advanced by our consistent friend and warm supporter , the venerable and much esteemed Grand Master of Vermont , will at once observe how much I was mistaken in my supposition , and will at the same time be pleased to learn that the more closely our past history is criticised and examined , the more thoroughly and
completely will the correctness of our position be established . In evidence of the truth of this position , I cannot deny myself the pleasure of directing your atttention to the masterly and unanswerable arguments brought to bear on the subject by the Most Worshipful Master ofthe Grand Lodge of Florida , in his able report as chairman of the committee of foreign correspondence .
e < Among the important Masonic events of the past year , one has recently transpired which must excite a thrill of pleasure and elicit an expression of satisfaction and delight in every true Masonic heart on this continent . The unhappy divisions Avhich for so many years have kept apart our brethren in the state of New York , and Avhich have been a cause of reproach to our noble Order , now no longer
exists . The demon of discord has been vanquished , and peace , love , and harmony reign triumphant ; the warm grasp of brotherhood has been cordially given and received , and the Masons of that state are again united under one banner . May theirunion be perpetual ! And may the memory of their past differences only remain as air additional incitement to increased exertions in the great and glorious cause for which we are all associated .
" I have much pleasure in announcing for the information of tho Grand Lodge , that in the many official visits which I have made during my term of office to our subordinate Lodges , I found a large majority of them in a highly flourishing and satisfactory condition . But , at the same time , truth compels me to add that all were not in an equally prosperous state . In some few instances I heard with regret that the regular communications were not well attended ; that it was often
with difficulty that a sufficient number of Brethren could be got together to enable the Lodge to proceed with the work ; and that a general apathy and want of interest was displayed by the members of these Lodges . On investigating the cause which had led to this strange and unnatural state of affairs , I found that it originated invariably in a careless and inefficient administration of the business of the Lodge . Members had been permitted to become lamely in arrears for dues ; the Lodges Members had been permitted to become largely in arrears for dues ;
the liabilities of the Lodge remained unliquidated ; the by-laws were allowed to be broken with impunity ; and the general discipline ofthe Order Avas not strictly enforced . This painful state of affairs can only be remedied by a more rigid adherence to the rules of the Order , and by the exercise of a stricter adherence to discipline on the part of those in authority ; and I would earnestly entreat the officers of such Lodges , if there be any now present , if they have any regard for Masonry , if they love the Order and are really desirous that it should flourish , to
reflect more seriously upon their duties and obligations ; for as their position in the Craft is exalted , so are their responsibilities great . To become the Master of a Lodge should be the ambition of every Brother , and to discharge Avith efficiency and zeal the duties of that important office , should be his most anxious desire . These duties are not confined to the mere repetition of a few phrases learned by rote , but he should bo able to instruct the Craft , not only as to the meaning and .
origin of our ceremonies , hut also to explain to them the philosophy which is veiled in its allegories and illustrated by its symbols . He should be able also to convince his Brethren that all science and all art , legitimately directed , are but lines that radiate towards the great "I AM ; " that the sciences arc the media by which avc arc led to contemplate the goodness , wisdom and power of the Great Architect of the universe ; and that arts are the modes we have developed ol
expressing our sense and admiration of tho wondrous glories of our Almighty Father which are scattered around us . The Master of a , Lodge should also in his life and in his conversation he a model for his Brethren to admire and imitate , and should himself practise out of the Lodge those great moral doctrines and virtues which he inculcates within its Avails , lie should bo punctual and methodical in all things , and both by his character and conduct , command the respect , the esteem and good-will of all men . For , as the Maxtor is supreme in hi . s Lodge , and distinguished from his position in the Craft , so should ho also bo distinguished