Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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V ¦ Freemasons' MagmimYmd taken him into account , he would have ~ vege tated as G-rand Superintendent for years . The whole case is too strong a commentary on the Book of Constitutions , showing how , in many cases , it is out of keeping with the present state of society and the advancement of the Craft ; and on the administration of the laws
which enables small cliques to dominate Prov . Grand Lodges and distribute offices , reckless of qualification . It must necessarily follow tinder such a system that the insignificant members of the several cliques are endowed with honours , and that many of the worthiest members of the local Lodges are left unnoticed . What is it to the Prov . Grand Lodge of Worcestershire , that there are architects in the several Lodges , men of
consideration in their profession , of ability and zeal—what is it to that Grand Lodge that there are many of high worldly attainments and of great Masonic knowledge whose presence would confer a lustre on the Prov . Grand Lo dge as Registrars , Directors of Ceremonies , and other offices ¦? We are sorry to say that the members of reigning cliques have too often very little regard for any high moral considerations ; and
this is why in many provinces , notwithstanding the great general advancement of Masonry , the Grand Lodge is a mere annual fair for collars and aprons , and the Lodges are languishing so that considerable towns are without a Lodge , or with a warrant alone—the last symbol of a dying Lodge . It is on account of such things that the moment a zealous Grand Master is appointed to a province
Masonry revives , Lodges are resuscitated in the various towns , and a great accession of members follows . We say that Masonry has no business to revive , because it has no business to die out j but it is where there is a Grand Master who is a nullity , or a Prov . Gimnd Lodge is conducted by incapables and intriguers ; that Masonry does die
outbecause the pure spirit of Masonry cannot maintain its life m temples that are contaminated . No high associations can be maintained in vigour amidst the unison of cliques and intriguers , and men of noble mind feel an unwillingness to persevere in labours which are counteracted by such immoral influences .
A purgation of the Provincial Grand Lodges is urgently required , if Masonry is to be represented as an institution engaged in the pursuit of the moral sciences—of philosophy and the arts . Men whose mental endowments do not qualify them to hold the chair of a Lodge , and who ought not to be seen outside the walls of their Lodges as known Masons , are paraded in provincial dignities before the public from time to time , because they readily pay the fees , and have men of their
own class to put them in nomination . This is a state of affairs which , though it lasted while Masonry was more obscure , cannot continue in this day , when public attention , having been more closely called to Masonry , a vigorous scrutiny of those holding prominent office will be maintained by the public . Let us consider what must be the feeling of a man who , anxious for initiation—from the high aspirations he has for the cultivation , in the temple of philosophy , of the noble sciencesfinds that the celebrants and high priests are none other than swim >
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
\- M^
V ¦ Freemasons' MagmimYmd taken him into account , he would have ~ vege tated as G-rand Superintendent for years . The whole case is too strong a commentary on the Book of Constitutions , showing how , in many cases , it is out of keeping with the present state of society and the advancement of the Craft ; and on the administration of the laws
which enables small cliques to dominate Prov . Grand Lodges and distribute offices , reckless of qualification . It must necessarily follow tinder such a system that the insignificant members of the several cliques are endowed with honours , and that many of the worthiest members of the local Lodges are left unnoticed . What is it to the Prov . Grand Lodge of Worcestershire , that there are architects in the several Lodges , men of
consideration in their profession , of ability and zeal—what is it to that Grand Lodge that there are many of high worldly attainments and of great Masonic knowledge whose presence would confer a lustre on the Prov . Grand Lo dge as Registrars , Directors of Ceremonies , and other offices ¦? We are sorry to say that the members of reigning cliques have too often very little regard for any high moral considerations ; and
this is why in many provinces , notwithstanding the great general advancement of Masonry , the Grand Lodge is a mere annual fair for collars and aprons , and the Lodges are languishing so that considerable towns are without a Lodge , or with a warrant alone—the last symbol of a dying Lodge . It is on account of such things that the moment a zealous Grand Master is appointed to a province
Masonry revives , Lodges are resuscitated in the various towns , and a great accession of members follows . We say that Masonry has no business to revive , because it has no business to die out j but it is where there is a Grand Master who is a nullity , or a Prov . Gimnd Lodge is conducted by incapables and intriguers ; that Masonry does die
outbecause the pure spirit of Masonry cannot maintain its life m temples that are contaminated . No high associations can be maintained in vigour amidst the unison of cliques and intriguers , and men of noble mind feel an unwillingness to persevere in labours which are counteracted by such immoral influences .
A purgation of the Provincial Grand Lodges is urgently required , if Masonry is to be represented as an institution engaged in the pursuit of the moral sciences—of philosophy and the arts . Men whose mental endowments do not qualify them to hold the chair of a Lodge , and who ought not to be seen outside the walls of their Lodges as known Masons , are paraded in provincial dignities before the public from time to time , because they readily pay the fees , and have men of their
own class to put them in nomination . This is a state of affairs which , though it lasted while Masonry was more obscure , cannot continue in this day , when public attention , having been more closely called to Masonry , a vigorous scrutiny of those holding prominent office will be maintained by the public . Let us consider what must be the feeling of a man who , anxious for initiation—from the high aspirations he has for the cultivation , in the temple of philosophy , of the noble sciencesfinds that the celebrants and high priests are none other than swim >