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fellowship of the Craft . In this way we not only catch a glimpse of the internal economy of the Lodges in general at the period referred to , but we are permitted also to glance at the inner life of the G . L . itself . We are treated , furthermore , with a graphic sketch or two of
the modes of " refreshment" in those days . The cordiality , conviviality , ability , and true fraternity exhibited by our talented Brethren , appear to have furnished , what may be truly designated , " a feast of reason and a flow of soul , " quite equal to anything we can meet with , as a general rule , in the times which are passing
over us . Next we come to Bro . Noorthouck ' s Mastership , which aflbrds the Square an opportunity of reporting a very important discussion which took place between the W . M . and one of the Members of the Lodge , on ^ the necessity of secresy ,, the merits of the lectures , and many other topics of vital moment . This discussion is replete with facts and arguments which might be perused with advantage in the present day . .
, , The question of Masonic impostors has always attracted considerable attention . The pretended " revelations" have ever been a thorn in the sides of the weaker and less informed of the Brethren . But if a man confesses that the secrets he is unfolding he was bound to retain by a great and solemn obligation—if he confesses that he is perjuring himself by what he is now relating—does that confession
entitle him to credence in all that rashness , ignorance , and cupidity may lead him to assert ? How can such men be believed ? One of two things must inevitably be true respecting them . If they never were initiated , they are liars and impostors ; if they have been initiated , they are perjurers by their own admission ! Prom such
men , therefore , no society , which is founded as ours is , upon truth and justice , has aught to fear . If we be of man , we shall , assuredly , come to nought in due time ; but if we be of T . Q . A . O . T . IL , let those beware who seek to injure us .
One can imagine how the Square would whirl round upon his dexter limb , and frown out of the heart-face at the angle , when referring to Pinch and Lefranc ; and , truth to speak , he has to keep up a considerable amount of his sternness at a conversation which he relates to have taken place previous to the opening of the Lodge on
one occasion , in which an enthusiastic young Mason , of the name of Bell , entered into a long discussion with two of his Brethren , who unblushingly announced their preference for the " knife and fork degree , " and the secondary aspect in which they regarded all the rest . We fear that the sentiments of Bro . Bell ' s opponents are
somewhat too prevalent at the present moment for the real interests of our Praternity . There is too strong an attachment to charging , firing , and driving the piles ! Bro . Bell makes a very creditable figure in his arguments against his over-convivial Brethren ; his observations are characterised by a great deal of sound common sense , and cannot be too widely pondered by the Craft at the present moment . The effect of a candid perusal of this portion of the work
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Untitled Article
fellowship of the Craft . In this way we not only catch a glimpse of the internal economy of the Lodges in general at the period referred to , but we are permitted also to glance at the inner life of the G . L . itself . We are treated , furthermore , with a graphic sketch or two of
the modes of " refreshment" in those days . The cordiality , conviviality , ability , and true fraternity exhibited by our talented Brethren , appear to have furnished , what may be truly designated , " a feast of reason and a flow of soul , " quite equal to anything we can meet with , as a general rule , in the times which are passing
over us . Next we come to Bro . Noorthouck ' s Mastership , which aflbrds the Square an opportunity of reporting a very important discussion which took place between the W . M . and one of the Members of the Lodge , on ^ the necessity of secresy ,, the merits of the lectures , and many other topics of vital moment . This discussion is replete with facts and arguments which might be perused with advantage in the present day . .
, , The question of Masonic impostors has always attracted considerable attention . The pretended " revelations" have ever been a thorn in the sides of the weaker and less informed of the Brethren . But if a man confesses that the secrets he is unfolding he was bound to retain by a great and solemn obligation—if he confesses that he is perjuring himself by what he is now relating—does that confession
entitle him to credence in all that rashness , ignorance , and cupidity may lead him to assert ? How can such men be believed ? One of two things must inevitably be true respecting them . If they never were initiated , they are liars and impostors ; if they have been initiated , they are perjurers by their own admission ! Prom such
men , therefore , no society , which is founded as ours is , upon truth and justice , has aught to fear . If we be of man , we shall , assuredly , come to nought in due time ; but if we be of T . Q . A . O . T . IL , let those beware who seek to injure us .
One can imagine how the Square would whirl round upon his dexter limb , and frown out of the heart-face at the angle , when referring to Pinch and Lefranc ; and , truth to speak , he has to keep up a considerable amount of his sternness at a conversation which he relates to have taken place previous to the opening of the Lodge on
one occasion , in which an enthusiastic young Mason , of the name of Bell , entered into a long discussion with two of his Brethren , who unblushingly announced their preference for the " knife and fork degree , " and the secondary aspect in which they regarded all the rest . We fear that the sentiments of Bro . Bell ' s opponents are
somewhat too prevalent at the present moment for the real interests of our Praternity . There is too strong an attachment to charging , firing , and driving the piles ! Bro . Bell makes a very creditable figure in his arguments against his over-convivial Brethren ; his observations are characterised by a great deal of sound common sense , and cannot be too widely pondered by the Craft at the present moment . The effect of a candid perusal of this portion of the work