-
Articles/Ads
Article FREEMASONRY AND ARCHITECTUEE. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry And Architectuee.
as representing the more zealous and influential brethren , has borne very unwelcomely ; andfor some months past it has been directing attention to the office and duties of Grand Superintendent , and closely watching the Provincial Grand Lodges , which have lately been holding their annual sittings . Their proceedings have been duly recorded , and each week some appointment of a Grand Superintendent has been gazetted , and his name duly set before the brethren . This went on very quietly for some time ; but
at length it has resulted in a commotion , for on the 22 d September the Freemasons' Magazine recorded the appointment by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the province of Worcestershire , of a Brother as Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works , in the details of the Grand Lodge proceedings . On the 29 th the Freemasons ' Magazine , in its architectural chapter , called attention to the fact , and significantly hinted " we hope he will be found zealous in the discharge of his duties , and that the Worcestershire Brethren will find work for Hni . "
This heralded the announcement in the next week that the worthy brother was not an architect , but a tailor ! The apathy in ¦ filling these appointments had been long unshaken , but when it was found that a tailor had been appointed Grand Superintendent of Works in one of the provinces , attention was awakened . Just as it happens in such cases , accidents never come alone , and the accident that gave the tailor the dignity gave to a '' well-known architect , Mr . William Wigginton , an inferior office in the Grand Lodge , affording a contrast by no means pleasing . The sensation has spread to
Worcestershire ; and it has been represented , in the consternation excited , that Mr . Wigginton wrote the articles in the Freemasons Magazine , which makes a little more scandal , but for wdiich there is not the least foundation . Now that the facts are known , it was not unnaturally considered that Mr . Wigginton was just the man for the office , and that a man of his energy and ability would be usefully employed in improving the decorations of the Lodges of his province , giving architectural lectures in the Lodges , assisting in architectural celebrations , and designing illuminations of diplomas and other provincial documents . 1
The FreemasonsMagazine has likewise found out that in the important province of Bengal , where are engineers and architects who have designed noble bridges , palaces , churches , and other public works—a homoeopathist has been appointed to the office of Provincial Grand Superintendent in India . With political changes , and the ravages of fever and death , there may be some excuse for a like nomination ; but little disposition is shown to countenance its imitation in Worcestershire .
The FreemasonsMagazine does not take up this case in simple reference to Mr . Wigginton , or even to Worcestershire , but as a part of a course of policy for rendering the influence of architecture more vital in the Masonic Craft at a period when Freemasonry is in a nourishing condition , and ' when this first part of its attributions , it is considered , merits serious attention . One of the first steps is to fill the Grand Superintendency with architects oi zeal , genius , and professional knowledge ; or , in default , with amateurs
possessing like qualifications— -the determination not to allow the dignity in any province , however small , to be a sinecure , but to assign such duties as shall give occupation to the incumbent and be of advantage to the Order . There can be little doubt , under these circumstances , that many of the present Superintendents will be removed , and that men of distinction will be put in their places , offering an additional inducement to architects to take part in an institution on which they have special claims , and which makes special claims on them . The office is likely henceforth to be treated as a professional reward and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry And Architectuee.
as representing the more zealous and influential brethren , has borne very unwelcomely ; andfor some months past it has been directing attention to the office and duties of Grand Superintendent , and closely watching the Provincial Grand Lodges , which have lately been holding their annual sittings . Their proceedings have been duly recorded , and each week some appointment of a Grand Superintendent has been gazetted , and his name duly set before the brethren . This went on very quietly for some time ; but
at length it has resulted in a commotion , for on the 22 d September the Freemasons' Magazine recorded the appointment by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the province of Worcestershire , of a Brother as Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works , in the details of the Grand Lodge proceedings . On the 29 th the Freemasons ' Magazine , in its architectural chapter , called attention to the fact , and significantly hinted " we hope he will be found zealous in the discharge of his duties , and that the Worcestershire Brethren will find work for Hni . "
This heralded the announcement in the next week that the worthy brother was not an architect , but a tailor ! The apathy in ¦ filling these appointments had been long unshaken , but when it was found that a tailor had been appointed Grand Superintendent of Works in one of the provinces , attention was awakened . Just as it happens in such cases , accidents never come alone , and the accident that gave the tailor the dignity gave to a '' well-known architect , Mr . William Wigginton , an inferior office in the Grand Lodge , affording a contrast by no means pleasing . The sensation has spread to
Worcestershire ; and it has been represented , in the consternation excited , that Mr . Wigginton wrote the articles in the Freemasons Magazine , which makes a little more scandal , but for wdiich there is not the least foundation . Now that the facts are known , it was not unnaturally considered that Mr . Wigginton was just the man for the office , and that a man of his energy and ability would be usefully employed in improving the decorations of the Lodges of his province , giving architectural lectures in the Lodges , assisting in architectural celebrations , and designing illuminations of diplomas and other provincial documents . 1
The FreemasonsMagazine has likewise found out that in the important province of Bengal , where are engineers and architects who have designed noble bridges , palaces , churches , and other public works—a homoeopathist has been appointed to the office of Provincial Grand Superintendent in India . With political changes , and the ravages of fever and death , there may be some excuse for a like nomination ; but little disposition is shown to countenance its imitation in Worcestershire .
The FreemasonsMagazine does not take up this case in simple reference to Mr . Wigginton , or even to Worcestershire , but as a part of a course of policy for rendering the influence of architecture more vital in the Masonic Craft at a period when Freemasonry is in a nourishing condition , and ' when this first part of its attributions , it is considered , merits serious attention . One of the first steps is to fill the Grand Superintendency with architects oi zeal , genius , and professional knowledge ; or , in default , with amateurs
possessing like qualifications— -the determination not to allow the dignity in any province , however small , to be a sinecure , but to assign such duties as shall give occupation to the incumbent and be of advantage to the Order . There can be little doubt , under these circumstances , that many of the present Superintendents will be removed , and that men of distinction will be put in their places , offering an additional inducement to architects to take part in an institution on which they have special claims , and which makes special claims on them . The office is likely henceforth to be treated as a professional reward and