Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
Comp . G . AV . AVheeler , substitute master of 73 , as J . Comp . G . McLeod was re-appointed as Scribe E , and Comp . Wm Donaldson nominated as Scribe N . The Treasurer , Comp Rogers , who has worthily held that post for many years , wished to be relieved iu consequence of his failing health , and Comp . T . Finder was recommended in his place . The Sojourners , AV . Andrew Bell , John Hughan , and D . McGhee ; AVm .
Jamieson , Janitor . Among the visitors were two companions from Michigan , 111 , R . Morrison and G . Ramsay , who are also K . T ., and members of 32 ° of the Ancient aud Accepted Rite . The Thetis Chapter , No . 122 . —This chapter held the usual monthly meeting on the 2 Sth ult ., but in consequence of the unavoidable absence from town of the first and second Principals , the election of officers was deferred till the Emergency Mooting , to be held on the 4 th instant . This is the youngest , but by no moans the weakest , chapter in Glasgow .
Notes On American Freemasonry.
NOTES ON AMERICAN FREEMASONRY .
From the report of the Committee on Foreign Corresspondence of the Grand Lodge of Iowa , we are enabled to make the following extracts , showing the position and advance of Masonry in the United States : — ALABAMA . " I am pleased to record that the progress of our glorious institution , in the interest of which we have this day assembled ,
is steadily upward and onward . It has increased the number of its members as fast as was desirable , the danger being that it will increase too fast , —not that too mauj good men and true will join us , but that , in a desire to swell our numbers , wo should fail to institute that right scrutiny into the character of applicants so necessary to prevent unworthy ones from becoming members . Experience has shown that it is much easier to reject unworthy applicants at the threshold , than to get rid of
them by the discipline of the lodge alter they have become members . "In times like these , of such wide-spread demoralisation , the world has a right to look to the Masonic institutions as among the most efficient means for the exercise of that moral power and influence that shall restore it to a healthy normal condition . The Mason who , instead of setting his face sternly against these evil tendenciesfalls into themand ' goes with the
multi-, , tude to do evil , ' forgets his mission , is false to his professsion , and brings reproach upon the institution from which he derives his distinction . If there ever was a time when every true Mason should endeavour , both by precept and example , to impress the moral precepts of our order upon those around him , the present is that time . "
Of the project to establish an orphans' home , ho says : — "Much was said at our last communication as to the propriety of our erecting an orphans' home , to be under the patronage and control of this Grand Lodge . I have given the subject some thought , and the result of my reflection is that it would be improper and highly injurious to tbe cause of Masonry for this Grand Lodge to levy any tax upon the brethren of the subordinate lodges for any such purpose . My past experience
as a member of this Grand Lodge for many years , has full y satisfied me that it is greatly desirable to let the subordinate lodges be the almoners of their own bounty , in respect of this , as of other benevolent enterprises . " " Let us look well to our helpless ones , who by the death of their parents are thrown as waifs upon an unfeeling world . But do not pen them up , as it were , in an asylum . Let me take one ,
and you take one , and another one — in short , all of us who are able to sustain them—into the bosom of their families , and make them feel that they have a home indeed , where they can be cheered by the warm sympathies of our wives and daughters , who aid us to train them up for usefulness here , and happiness hereafter . This is the true spirit of unostentatious Masonic charity . AA ould to God there was more of it !" The Grand Master favours the building of a Grand Masonic
Temple . The consideration of the prayer of the Grand Lodge of Quebec was postponed for a year . Number of Lodges , 374 ; Members , 10 , 985 .
ARKANSAS . The Grand Master in his annual address says : " But one short year has passed since then—a year filled up with only the ordinary incidents of human experience—but , alas ! what sad havoc has been mado in our ranks iu that short time . There is not , perhaps , one of us who has not felt the weiht of some disappointmentor the keen agony of some
g , great sorrow . Perhaps , across the threshold of some of our homes has fallen the dark shadow of the dread messenger's wing . It is meet , therefore , that we should dedicate and devote this brief moment to the sacred office of mingling our sympathies with these who have in any wise been afflicted or bereaved , and pour into their hearts the balm of consolation and relief . " Of the St . John ' s Masonic College , lie says : —
"It affords me great pleasure to announce that this protege of the Grand Lodge has a brighter prospect now than at anytime since tho close of our late civil war . A great many Grand bodies have previously made the attempt to establish a similar seat of learning in their respective jurisdictions and failed , they have been almost unanimous in predicting a similar result for our college . AA ithout stopping to inquire the cause for these failures , I think I express the unanimous verdict of this Grand body when I sssert that St . John ' s College is on a firm foundation . "
Nineteen dispensations for new Lodges are reported-The Grand Lodge of Quebec was recognised . Namber of Lodges , 202 ; Members , 9 , 324 . CALIFORNIA . Bro . L-. Pratt , Grand Master , thus reviews the Masonic progress of the year ( 1870 ) : " To Freemasonry the year has been sufficiently prosperous , as
prosperity is usually estimated . Members have been added in sufficient numbers , and the material strength of the fraternity , as strength is too oiten judged , has been in no degree impaired . But let us not deceive ourselves with these appearances . A mere increase of numbers is no cause of congratulation , and I repeat to you , as my solemn oonviction , what has been already said by the Grand Master of perhaps every jurisdiction on this continentthat if there is one thing whichmore than all others
, , combined , threatens the downfall of this patriarchal institution , it is its growing popularity . A rapid accession of indifferent members , a too cautious use of tho negative ballot , and a cowardly indisposition to apply Masonic discipline to those already in the fold—these aro the quicksands and bars on which Freemasonry may yet founder . Through these faults you are filling your ranks with unworthy members , inspired with no loftier ambition than to live in indolence upon the toil of their
brethren ; and following this , you have been compelled by the very principles of self-preservation to shift your personal obligations to your brethren , from yourselves individually , to the lodge in its collective capacity ; . ' and then permit the lodge in turn to set up an arbitrary aud offensive rule to shut off these drones whom your own folly and neglect have brought into your household . "
Dispensations were granted for seven new Lodges , in reporting which the Grand Master says : " Before granting any dispensation , I have required abundant evidence that the population in the vicinage was permanent and increasing ; that there was already , within convenient distance , abundant material whereof to build , without crippling any existing lodge ; that the petitioners were too remote from any lodge to be iu the enjoyment of Lodge privileges ; and that those having tbe enterprise in hand were fully imbued with the spirit of Masonry , and would take good care that no discredit would result from their labours . "
Upon tho subject of the Masonic Temple , he says : " I congratnkte you , my brethren , on the near completion of this splendid edifice in which we are to-day asseenibled . In spite of all obstacles and discouragements ; in the face of censure , cavilings , and a potent opposition , not always conducted in the most fraternal spirit ; by the persistent energy , the tenacious will and resolution of those who inspired the first
movement , and have since conducted it through every stage the good work has moved steadily forward to its completion . The temple has continued to grow apace , like its prototype of old , and stands to-day a fitting symbol of the solidity , the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
Comp . G . AV . AVheeler , substitute master of 73 , as J . Comp . G . McLeod was re-appointed as Scribe E , and Comp . Wm Donaldson nominated as Scribe N . The Treasurer , Comp Rogers , who has worthily held that post for many years , wished to be relieved iu consequence of his failing health , and Comp . T . Finder was recommended in his place . The Sojourners , AV . Andrew Bell , John Hughan , and D . McGhee ; AVm .
Jamieson , Janitor . Among the visitors were two companions from Michigan , 111 , R . Morrison and G . Ramsay , who are also K . T ., and members of 32 ° of the Ancient aud Accepted Rite . The Thetis Chapter , No . 122 . —This chapter held the usual monthly meeting on the 2 Sth ult ., but in consequence of the unavoidable absence from town of the first and second Principals , the election of officers was deferred till the Emergency Mooting , to be held on the 4 th instant . This is the youngest , but by no moans the weakest , chapter in Glasgow .
Notes On American Freemasonry.
NOTES ON AMERICAN FREEMASONRY .
From the report of the Committee on Foreign Corresspondence of the Grand Lodge of Iowa , we are enabled to make the following extracts , showing the position and advance of Masonry in the United States : — ALABAMA . " I am pleased to record that the progress of our glorious institution , in the interest of which we have this day assembled ,
is steadily upward and onward . It has increased the number of its members as fast as was desirable , the danger being that it will increase too fast , —not that too mauj good men and true will join us , but that , in a desire to swell our numbers , wo should fail to institute that right scrutiny into the character of applicants so necessary to prevent unworthy ones from becoming members . Experience has shown that it is much easier to reject unworthy applicants at the threshold , than to get rid of
them by the discipline of the lodge alter they have become members . "In times like these , of such wide-spread demoralisation , the world has a right to look to the Masonic institutions as among the most efficient means for the exercise of that moral power and influence that shall restore it to a healthy normal condition . The Mason who , instead of setting his face sternly against these evil tendenciesfalls into themand ' goes with the
multi-, , tude to do evil , ' forgets his mission , is false to his professsion , and brings reproach upon the institution from which he derives his distinction . If there ever was a time when every true Mason should endeavour , both by precept and example , to impress the moral precepts of our order upon those around him , the present is that time . "
Of the project to establish an orphans' home , ho says : — "Much was said at our last communication as to the propriety of our erecting an orphans' home , to be under the patronage and control of this Grand Lodge . I have given the subject some thought , and the result of my reflection is that it would be improper and highly injurious to tbe cause of Masonry for this Grand Lodge to levy any tax upon the brethren of the subordinate lodges for any such purpose . My past experience
as a member of this Grand Lodge for many years , has full y satisfied me that it is greatly desirable to let the subordinate lodges be the almoners of their own bounty , in respect of this , as of other benevolent enterprises . " " Let us look well to our helpless ones , who by the death of their parents are thrown as waifs upon an unfeeling world . But do not pen them up , as it were , in an asylum . Let me take one ,
and you take one , and another one — in short , all of us who are able to sustain them—into the bosom of their families , and make them feel that they have a home indeed , where they can be cheered by the warm sympathies of our wives and daughters , who aid us to train them up for usefulness here , and happiness hereafter . This is the true spirit of unostentatious Masonic charity . AA ould to God there was more of it !" The Grand Master favours the building of a Grand Masonic
Temple . The consideration of the prayer of the Grand Lodge of Quebec was postponed for a year . Number of Lodges , 374 ; Members , 10 , 985 .
ARKANSAS . The Grand Master in his annual address says : " But one short year has passed since then—a year filled up with only the ordinary incidents of human experience—but , alas ! what sad havoc has been mado in our ranks iu that short time . There is not , perhaps , one of us who has not felt the weiht of some disappointmentor the keen agony of some
g , great sorrow . Perhaps , across the threshold of some of our homes has fallen the dark shadow of the dread messenger's wing . It is meet , therefore , that we should dedicate and devote this brief moment to the sacred office of mingling our sympathies with these who have in any wise been afflicted or bereaved , and pour into their hearts the balm of consolation and relief . " Of the St . John ' s Masonic College , lie says : —
"It affords me great pleasure to announce that this protege of the Grand Lodge has a brighter prospect now than at anytime since tho close of our late civil war . A great many Grand bodies have previously made the attempt to establish a similar seat of learning in their respective jurisdictions and failed , they have been almost unanimous in predicting a similar result for our college . AA ithout stopping to inquire the cause for these failures , I think I express the unanimous verdict of this Grand body when I sssert that St . John ' s College is on a firm foundation . "
Nineteen dispensations for new Lodges are reported-The Grand Lodge of Quebec was recognised . Namber of Lodges , 202 ; Members , 9 , 324 . CALIFORNIA . Bro . L-. Pratt , Grand Master , thus reviews the Masonic progress of the year ( 1870 ) : " To Freemasonry the year has been sufficiently prosperous , as
prosperity is usually estimated . Members have been added in sufficient numbers , and the material strength of the fraternity , as strength is too oiten judged , has been in no degree impaired . But let us not deceive ourselves with these appearances . A mere increase of numbers is no cause of congratulation , and I repeat to you , as my solemn oonviction , what has been already said by the Grand Master of perhaps every jurisdiction on this continentthat if there is one thing whichmore than all others
, , combined , threatens the downfall of this patriarchal institution , it is its growing popularity . A rapid accession of indifferent members , a too cautious use of tho negative ballot , and a cowardly indisposition to apply Masonic discipline to those already in the fold—these aro the quicksands and bars on which Freemasonry may yet founder . Through these faults you are filling your ranks with unworthy members , inspired with no loftier ambition than to live in indolence upon the toil of their
brethren ; and following this , you have been compelled by the very principles of self-preservation to shift your personal obligations to your brethren , from yourselves individually , to the lodge in its collective capacity ; . ' and then permit the lodge in turn to set up an arbitrary aud offensive rule to shut off these drones whom your own folly and neglect have brought into your household . "
Dispensations were granted for seven new Lodges , in reporting which the Grand Master says : " Before granting any dispensation , I have required abundant evidence that the population in the vicinage was permanent and increasing ; that there was already , within convenient distance , abundant material whereof to build , without crippling any existing lodge ; that the petitioners were too remote from any lodge to be iu the enjoyment of Lodge privileges ; and that those having tbe enterprise in hand were fully imbued with the spirit of Masonry , and would take good care that no discredit would result from their labours . "
Upon tho subject of the Masonic Temple , he says : " I congratnkte you , my brethren , on the near completion of this splendid edifice in which we are to-day asseenibled . In spite of all obstacles and discouragements ; in the face of censure , cavilings , and a potent opposition , not always conducted in the most fraternal spirit ; by the persistent energy , the tenacious will and resolution of those who inspired the first
movement , and have since conducted it through every stage the good work has moved steadily forward to its completion . The temple has continued to grow apace , like its prototype of old , and stands to-day a fitting symbol of the solidity , the