Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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herds . It is in vain that a man of the highest character is at hand as his introducer , when he sees the fruits of the system , without any reasonable argument that can be adduced to alter his convictions j for
lie cannot believe nien to be endowed with unknown piety and goodness who are known to the world to be vain empty and ignorant quibblers and brawlers , men whose presence in the Order might be pardoned from motives of charity , but for whose promotion there can be no reasonable excuse .
This condition of things is partly owing to the organization of English Masonry , which , working upon the three symbolic degrees , admits a P . M ., without reference to his intellectual or moral endowments , to high administrative functions ; and at the same time thereby deprives the practice of the high and philosophical degrees of their due reward and encouragement .
In the Magazine it has been too often shown how unsatisfactory is the condition of Prov . Grand Lodges ; but it is not so easy to point out an objectionable appointment of Prov . G . W . or Prov . G . D ., unless on technical grounds under the Constitutions , and many of our remonstrances have , therefore , been wanting in fulness of effect . But this Worcestershire case is such a notorious example of the state of affairs ,
even under such good men as the G . M . of the province in question , that it will serve as a lesson to Prov . Grand Lodges to set their houses in order . In the hurry scurry of mixing up a Grand Lodge and a local Lodge , and in the desire in too many instances to let the important personage who officiates as Prov . G . M . get away as early as he can , a list of nominations is made out , without thought and without regard to the consequences j but were Prov . Grand Lodges more frequently
held , there would be a better knowledge of the state of the . province , and a better acquaintance with the members , and their qualifications for office . As it is , the tailor Superintendent of Works may be asked no questions till this time twelvemonth , and he may hold his unenviable dignity without feeling the rightful consequences of his temerity . We are still far from being assured that there are not Grand Organists who are tinkers and cannot play , and Grand . Registrars who are butchers , and have never seen the Book of Constitutions .
It is not that we object to a man on account of his trade , or in disesteem of his trade , but we object with regard to his qualifications , and the feet that his nomination in preference to men professionally qualified , requires close examination . With regard to this very offica of Grand Superintendent of Works , we think there would be no harm
m appointing a zealous amateur or architectural clergyman—such men as John Ruskin , or Beresford Hope , M . P ., for instance , in preference to an inferior professional man who would neglect the duties . To appoint , however , a tailor , who has exhibited no skill in the art , who " 1 «¦»»•» «¦ _ r
has published no works on architecture , is an act in defiance of all , prudence , and we sincerely hope notice will be taken of it in the Grand Lodge of England , as it richly deserves . It is high time some Check should be exercised in such appointments , and that men should 2 x 2 <'
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
\- M^
herds . It is in vain that a man of the highest character is at hand as his introducer , when he sees the fruits of the system , without any reasonable argument that can be adduced to alter his convictions j for
lie cannot believe nien to be endowed with unknown piety and goodness who are known to the world to be vain empty and ignorant quibblers and brawlers , men whose presence in the Order might be pardoned from motives of charity , but for whose promotion there can be no reasonable excuse .
This condition of things is partly owing to the organization of English Masonry , which , working upon the three symbolic degrees , admits a P . M ., without reference to his intellectual or moral endowments , to high administrative functions ; and at the same time thereby deprives the practice of the high and philosophical degrees of their due reward and encouragement .
In the Magazine it has been too often shown how unsatisfactory is the condition of Prov . Grand Lodges ; but it is not so easy to point out an objectionable appointment of Prov . G . W . or Prov . G . D ., unless on technical grounds under the Constitutions , and many of our remonstrances have , therefore , been wanting in fulness of effect . But this Worcestershire case is such a notorious example of the state of affairs ,
even under such good men as the G . M . of the province in question , that it will serve as a lesson to Prov . Grand Lodges to set their houses in order . In the hurry scurry of mixing up a Grand Lodge and a local Lodge , and in the desire in too many instances to let the important personage who officiates as Prov . G . M . get away as early as he can , a list of nominations is made out , without thought and without regard to the consequences j but were Prov . Grand Lodges more frequently
held , there would be a better knowledge of the state of the . province , and a better acquaintance with the members , and their qualifications for office . As it is , the tailor Superintendent of Works may be asked no questions till this time twelvemonth , and he may hold his unenviable dignity without feeling the rightful consequences of his temerity . We are still far from being assured that there are not Grand Organists who are tinkers and cannot play , and Grand . Registrars who are butchers , and have never seen the Book of Constitutions .
It is not that we object to a man on account of his trade , or in disesteem of his trade , but we object with regard to his qualifications , and the feet that his nomination in preference to men professionally qualified , requires close examination . With regard to this very offica of Grand Superintendent of Works , we think there would be no harm
m appointing a zealous amateur or architectural clergyman—such men as John Ruskin , or Beresford Hope , M . P ., for instance , in preference to an inferior professional man who would neglect the duties . To appoint , however , a tailor , who has exhibited no skill in the art , who " 1 «¦»»•» «¦ _ r
has published no works on architecture , is an act in defiance of all , prudence , and we sincerely hope notice will be taken of it in the Grand Lodge of England , as it richly deserves . It is high time some Check should be exercised in such appointments , and that men should 2 x 2 <'