-
Articles/Ads
Article MASONIC MISSIONS. Page 1 of 11 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Missions.
MASONIC MISSIONS .
No . XXII .-JUNE 1 , 1859 .
THE task we have undertaken , of examining the present state of Masonry and promoting its progress , is not a pleasant one , for it is a matter of certainty that we shall find defects ancl omissions , which it is our business to point out with a view to their being made good ; we thereby lay ourselves open to much grumbling and some .
illwill , and the thanks Ave get will not compensate us , for gratitude is seldom so active in its manifestations as dislike . If , however , we are either to regard the rebuffs we meet with , or allow reward to influence us , then we shall never accomplish the labours we have undertaken , and we must abandon a path of duty in which we have already
followed a career of usefulness , and in which the promise is great . The position of the reformer in Masonry cannot be a pleasant one at first , whether in a Lodge or in the more public duties we perform . The brother who sets himself to reform a Lodge has this against him at first , that he is an innovator , because by attempting to bring any
practice back to the landmarks , he innovates on a cherished course of abuse ; all those who have indulged in abuse are opposed to innovation , and so the young or newly joined brother begins his work . Perhaps he stands up alone to propose gome reform of self indulgence , meets with no seconder , and is snubbed by his elders and betters ; but he has done part of his work , for some of the old members do happen
to know that he is right , and refresh their memory as to the evidence , and some of the younger members not yet wedded to abuse for the sake of abuse , and mindful of principle , see the truth of what has been said and proposed—one or two urge that the motion shall be brought forward again , seconders are not wanting , and a respectable
minority is polled . But the time has come that " the harmony of the Lodge , " which has reigned for so many years , is disturbed , some brother of good VOLi VI . 3 T
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Missions.
MASONIC MISSIONS .
No . XXII .-JUNE 1 , 1859 .
THE task we have undertaken , of examining the present state of Masonry and promoting its progress , is not a pleasant one , for it is a matter of certainty that we shall find defects ancl omissions , which it is our business to point out with a view to their being made good ; we thereby lay ourselves open to much grumbling and some .
illwill , and the thanks Ave get will not compensate us , for gratitude is seldom so active in its manifestations as dislike . If , however , we are either to regard the rebuffs we meet with , or allow reward to influence us , then we shall never accomplish the labours we have undertaken , and we must abandon a path of duty in which we have already
followed a career of usefulness , and in which the promise is great . The position of the reformer in Masonry cannot be a pleasant one at first , whether in a Lodge or in the more public duties we perform . The brother who sets himself to reform a Lodge has this against him at first , that he is an innovator , because by attempting to bring any
practice back to the landmarks , he innovates on a cherished course of abuse ; all those who have indulged in abuse are opposed to innovation , and so the young or newly joined brother begins his work . Perhaps he stands up alone to propose gome reform of self indulgence , meets with no seconder , and is snubbed by his elders and betters ; but he has done part of his work , for some of the old members do happen
to know that he is right , and refresh their memory as to the evidence , and some of the younger members not yet wedded to abuse for the sake of abuse , and mindful of principle , see the truth of what has been said and proposed—one or two urge that the motion shall be brought forward again , seconders are not wanting , and a respectable
minority is polled . But the time has come that " the harmony of the Lodge , " which has reigned for so many years , is disturbed , some brother of good VOLi VI . 3 T