-
Articles/Ads
Article THE GEA^D MASTEE A^ ← Page 5 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Gea^D Mastee A^
TO THIS EDITOR 01 THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . a Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you . " Sir and Brother , — -I have just read the letter in your Magazine of the 3 rd instant , relative to Mark Masonry , and signed D . E . A . T . N . " I cannot but think that if our brother north of the Tweed would act more
in the spirit of the sublime precept with which I have headed the few remarks I intend to make on his communication , he would not attempt to vilify his English Brethren , nor endeavour to hamper the efforts of those whose desire it is to preserve in its purity and integrity one of the most beautiful legends in Masonic history , and at the same time to forward the natural desire of English Mark Masters to unite under one English authority , to which they in their own country may confess allegiance , and from which they may expect counsel and support .
It is not my mtention to bandy words with D . R . A . T . N ., ^ and I shall therefore pass by , as simple impertiheneies , certain expressions not frequently to be found in the communications of gentlemen—such as self constituted , " " surreptitious , 'V Vspurious , " & c . If D . E . A . T . N . " had used argument instead of abtise , he might have taken up a position on more
creditable ground ; as it is , the old story of that person being in the wrong who , while arguing with another , first puts hin ^ elf int o a passion , is fully applicable to our angry brother of the north . I cannot do better than recommend him to recover his temper , and to cease railing at those earnest , conscientious Brethren , who endeavour to maintain and support that bond of union which will strengthen the Lodges throughout the world .
" D . E . A . T . N , " professes to know all about the history and origin of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters of England and Wales ; he appears to be totally ignorant of the causes which gave birth and vitality to that Lodge . I have good grounds for believing that , had it not been for the vacillation of the Grand Lodge of England , the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters would never have been formed . It must be in the recollection of most of your readers that at one quarterly communication the Grand Lodge accepted the jurisdiction over the Mark Degree , and on the following quarterly
communication declined to confirm that resolution . Now , sir , it is not in the habit of Englishmen to allow themselves to be played the fool with ; if circumstances should unfortunately place them in that predicament , they resent the insult , and as they generally possess both physically and mentally what is ordinarily called " pluck , " they pretty frequently succeed in getting the laugh on their own side , and very rarely fail in establishing their position . The Mark Masters of England have established their position .
Every idea must have an originator . It appeared to certain Brethren of this degree , on the refusal of the Grand Lodge to accept the responsibility of ruling over this very essential part of Craft Masonry , that it was absolutely necessary , in order to procure union amongst all Lodges working the Mark Master degree in England and Wales ancl the colonies and possessions of the British crown , to constitute a body possessing authority over
those Lodges , but to have no authoritative connection of any sort , character , or description , with any other degree whatever in Masonry . AVhy , sir , it is not possible to conceive for a moment that the Masons , the gentlemen of England—I believe the strongest and most influential body of men in existence—could hail from , or acknowledge , any other than English supremacy . AH and each of our English Brethren are So '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Gea^D Mastee A^
TO THIS EDITOR 01 THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . a Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you . " Sir and Brother , — -I have just read the letter in your Magazine of the 3 rd instant , relative to Mark Masonry , and signed D . E . A . T . N . " I cannot but think that if our brother north of the Tweed would act more
in the spirit of the sublime precept with which I have headed the few remarks I intend to make on his communication , he would not attempt to vilify his English Brethren , nor endeavour to hamper the efforts of those whose desire it is to preserve in its purity and integrity one of the most beautiful legends in Masonic history , and at the same time to forward the natural desire of English Mark Masters to unite under one English authority , to which they in their own country may confess allegiance , and from which they may expect counsel and support .
It is not my mtention to bandy words with D . R . A . T . N ., ^ and I shall therefore pass by , as simple impertiheneies , certain expressions not frequently to be found in the communications of gentlemen—such as self constituted , " " surreptitious , 'V Vspurious , " & c . If D . E . A . T . N . " had used argument instead of abtise , he might have taken up a position on more
creditable ground ; as it is , the old story of that person being in the wrong who , while arguing with another , first puts hin ^ elf int o a passion , is fully applicable to our angry brother of the north . I cannot do better than recommend him to recover his temper , and to cease railing at those earnest , conscientious Brethren , who endeavour to maintain and support that bond of union which will strengthen the Lodges throughout the world .
" D . E . A . T . N , " professes to know all about the history and origin of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters of England and Wales ; he appears to be totally ignorant of the causes which gave birth and vitality to that Lodge . I have good grounds for believing that , had it not been for the vacillation of the Grand Lodge of England , the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters would never have been formed . It must be in the recollection of most of your readers that at one quarterly communication the Grand Lodge accepted the jurisdiction over the Mark Degree , and on the following quarterly
communication declined to confirm that resolution . Now , sir , it is not in the habit of Englishmen to allow themselves to be played the fool with ; if circumstances should unfortunately place them in that predicament , they resent the insult , and as they generally possess both physically and mentally what is ordinarily called " pluck , " they pretty frequently succeed in getting the laugh on their own side , and very rarely fail in establishing their position . The Mark Masters of England have established their position .
Every idea must have an originator . It appeared to certain Brethren of this degree , on the refusal of the Grand Lodge to accept the responsibility of ruling over this very essential part of Craft Masonry , that it was absolutely necessary , in order to procure union amongst all Lodges working the Mark Master degree in England and Wales ancl the colonies and possessions of the British crown , to constitute a body possessing authority over
those Lodges , but to have no authoritative connection of any sort , character , or description , with any other degree whatever in Masonry . AVhy , sir , it is not possible to conceive for a moment that the Masons , the gentlemen of England—I believe the strongest and most influential body of men in existence—could hail from , or acknowledge , any other than English supremacy . AH and each of our English Brethren are So '