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Article FALLACIOUS VIEWS OF THE GRAFT. ← Page 3 of 4 →
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Fallacious Views Of The Graft.
languages . lhe only qualification necessary is to be a manrank , title , distinctions , arc nothing in the theory of Masonry , and it was by dwelling too exclusively on this cardinal truth that the vast secret associations of the lust age drew suspicion and discredit upon themselves . . Nevertheless , their aim was pure , and the philosophy which guided their aspirations and researches of the highest and noblest kind . Wc might learn much from our
predecessors , who , on the other hand , might perhaps have envied us our enlightened diligence and practical good sense . The societies of the present chii ' , though many in mime , are but one in purpose , since they aim at nothing but bettering the condition of those classes which civil and political institutions arc too apt to neglect , or SAveep past in their rapid and extensive movements . " With some of the remarks quoted above we have no cause
of disagreement . That the superior condition of modern society owes much to Freemasonry j ancl that the claims of the brotherhood are felt in every country ancl by every racethat the laws of the Order are observed by the Hindoo , tho Buddhist , aud the Mahommedan as well as by the Jew and the Christian—all this is well known and has been
acknowledged by the world at large with admiration and wonder from the earliest times . Other inferences ancl statements of the writer , however , are based upon incorrect data , and these ive will proceed briefly to notice . As far as our brethren themselves are concerned , this course is in a measure unnecessary ; but we are not unaware that this journal has
many readers who aro not Freemasons , and we think it belongs to our legitimate province to correct any erroneous impressions which may go forth respecting the institution , especially in a case when Ave know that the well intentionecl but unfounded statements are certain of a large circulation . In the first place—our contemporary , throughout his
remarks , considers the great institution of Freemasonry chiefly as the first in rank and the best of benefit or friendl y societies . Our institution bears no sort of resemblance to these societies , for an individual joins a , friendly or benefit association with the express purpose of making a provision for future misfortune , for sickness , or for old age , in which cases he has a just and lawful claim to pecuniary assistance from tho institution which he has contributed to support ; whereas no man can bo ini tiated into the antient Craft without
expressly declaring that in entering the body of Masons lie has no hope or expectation of gain or pecuniary reward , either immediate or remote ; without a total and solemn disclaimer of all motives of self-interest no man is allowed to bo made a Mason—ancl therefore it is not possible to show any resemblance between our Order ancl those provident societies
whicli are so justly praised in the article before us . It is quite true that Masonry may be termed a benevolent society iu one sense , because universal benevolence is inculcated by its precepts , but tho practice of charity aud good will is not to bo confined to the brotherhood—the wants ancl the iniserv of the stranger should be compassionated as well as those of
our own poor or unhappy . It is true that each Lodgo has to pay a stated sum for each of its members annually to a Fund of Benevolence through which is dispensed to the needy brother some part of the superfluity of his more fortunate comrades , but this is given and accepted as a free brotherly gift , ancl the reci pient has no stated claim
whatever upon the fund . Within the last century also , tho example of the numerous institutions for the education of the young has been followed by the Craft , who have thought fit to establish schools in winch the children of decayed or deceased brethren can receive an excellent education under the supervision of their lathers' fellow Masons . of
In none these can we trace any carrying out of the princi ple oi the benefit society ; and if there be any fancied resemblance , that is clue to modern improvements , and has nothing whatever to clo with the antient traditions and charges upon which freemasonry is based . Charity , in . fine , is highly valued among Masons , and strictly enjoined , but this virtue is but one of the handmaids that wait in the sublime Masonic temple .
That the history of Freemasonry yet remains to be Avritten , and of Freemasonry much earlier than the last century , we cordially agree ; there being no work of extent and value commensurate Avith the subject in existence , as far as Ave are aware . Considering the number of learned and able men ivho have adorned our Craft , Ave are free to confess that Ave
consider this as someAvhat remarkable . Certain it is , however , that all AVC have to show iu the place of a history of Freemasonry is a bald record of official transactions for less than two centuries , ancl the early and interesting incidents of the Craft in this country are overlooked and almost forgottenw'hilc they are overlaid with , absurd interpolations
, and even fictions , disbelieved by the brethren , ancl ridiculed by the enemies of the Order . Our contemporary should bo informed , however , that "cognate" associations to Freemasonry clo not , and never have existed . The royal art stands alone and unapproachable ; nothing in the least degree similar has ever been known in the history ofthe world ; nor is it ;
probable the intelligence of man will eA'er produce a rival to it . The numerous political secret societies of the last century were totally unmasonic in their bearing and in their objects , though many profligate adventurers were bold enough to make use of Masonic titles ancl even to incorporate some of the preliminary forms of our ritual in their short lived
associations ? ' Some brethren more ambitious than sagacious , iu the time ofthe banished Stuart princes , endeavoured to make converts to the cause of tho Avhite rose among Masonic Lodges , in . Scotland particularly , and men hig h in the Order known to-be Jacobites , n'crc it is said plied hard with entreaties to use their efforts to convert the Masonic
orsrauization into a political engine . This it AVUS evident AVIIS totally impossible , ancl these intrigues met Avith their inevitable discomfiture , since the grand princip les of the Order are fixed and unalterable , and the institution AVOUIC ! cease to be Masonic as soon as its members consented to devote themsolves to any other labour than that marked out for them by
its antient laws and constitutions . The great French revolution produced , doubtless , after an interregnum of bloodshed and misery , results Avhich conduced to the progress of liberty ancl enlightenment ; but AVC cannot admit herein any comparison to the doctrines of Freemasonry , whicli aims at tho improvement of tho human race by peaceful means , aud is
opposed to violence . Again , though Freemasonry teaches that all men are on a level as regards their common humanity , it has never interfered Avith social gradations of rank , nor are any rights of individuals traditional or real , interfered with by the teaching of our Craft . A remarkable statement is made by our contemporary on the correctness or fallacy of ivhich AVC confess ourselves unable to give an opinion . He asserts that the Odd Fellows ,
Druids , and Foresters , have succeeded in vmopagating tho principles of their institutions throughout the Continent . Wo have , it is true , but scanty knowledge of these bodies , ancl are quite unacquainted with their proceedings ; but Ave certainly were under the impression that their operations ivere confined to England and the United States . With the remarks in the article before us on the advantages to the
industrious classes of friendly provident societies , Ave entirely concur ; AVO should be glad to see them increased in number and efficiency . Our contemporary ' s remarks upon the rites of Masonry are ingenious , and upon the ivholo fair enough , as a matter of theory—though such expressions as "jargon" and "
mummery" jar somewhat upon our cars . As to the recommendation to inquire into the , history of Masonry in the past age , wo have ample reason for believing that , little was clone during that period to raise the character of the Order , or to extent ! its influence . On the contrary , have the records of many mischievous attempts at innovation and corruption , from which insidious proceedings Masonry undoubtedly suffered at the close of tho last century , and by which her
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Fallacious Views Of The Graft.
languages . lhe only qualification necessary is to be a manrank , title , distinctions , arc nothing in the theory of Masonry , and it was by dwelling too exclusively on this cardinal truth that the vast secret associations of the lust age drew suspicion and discredit upon themselves . . Nevertheless , their aim was pure , and the philosophy which guided their aspirations and researches of the highest and noblest kind . Wc might learn much from our
predecessors , who , on the other hand , might perhaps have envied us our enlightened diligence and practical good sense . The societies of the present chii ' , though many in mime , are but one in purpose , since they aim at nothing but bettering the condition of those classes which civil and political institutions arc too apt to neglect , or SAveep past in their rapid and extensive movements . " With some of the remarks quoted above we have no cause
of disagreement . That the superior condition of modern society owes much to Freemasonry j ancl that the claims of the brotherhood are felt in every country ancl by every racethat the laws of the Order are observed by the Hindoo , tho Buddhist , aud the Mahommedan as well as by the Jew and the Christian—all this is well known and has been
acknowledged by the world at large with admiration and wonder from the earliest times . Other inferences ancl statements of the writer , however , are based upon incorrect data , and these ive will proceed briefly to notice . As far as our brethren themselves are concerned , this course is in a measure unnecessary ; but we are not unaware that this journal has
many readers who aro not Freemasons , and we think it belongs to our legitimate province to correct any erroneous impressions which may go forth respecting the institution , especially in a case when Ave know that the well intentionecl but unfounded statements are certain of a large circulation . In the first place—our contemporary , throughout his
remarks , considers the great institution of Freemasonry chiefly as the first in rank and the best of benefit or friendl y societies . Our institution bears no sort of resemblance to these societies , for an individual joins a , friendly or benefit association with the express purpose of making a provision for future misfortune , for sickness , or for old age , in which cases he has a just and lawful claim to pecuniary assistance from tho institution which he has contributed to support ; whereas no man can bo ini tiated into the antient Craft without
expressly declaring that in entering the body of Masons lie has no hope or expectation of gain or pecuniary reward , either immediate or remote ; without a total and solemn disclaimer of all motives of self-interest no man is allowed to bo made a Mason—ancl therefore it is not possible to show any resemblance between our Order ancl those provident societies
whicli are so justly praised in the article before us . It is quite true that Masonry may be termed a benevolent society iu one sense , because universal benevolence is inculcated by its precepts , but tho practice of charity aud good will is not to bo confined to the brotherhood—the wants ancl the iniserv of the stranger should be compassionated as well as those of
our own poor or unhappy . It is true that each Lodgo has to pay a stated sum for each of its members annually to a Fund of Benevolence through which is dispensed to the needy brother some part of the superfluity of his more fortunate comrades , but this is given and accepted as a free brotherly gift , ancl the reci pient has no stated claim
whatever upon the fund . Within the last century also , tho example of the numerous institutions for the education of the young has been followed by the Craft , who have thought fit to establish schools in winch the children of decayed or deceased brethren can receive an excellent education under the supervision of their lathers' fellow Masons . of
In none these can we trace any carrying out of the princi ple oi the benefit society ; and if there be any fancied resemblance , that is clue to modern improvements , and has nothing whatever to clo with the antient traditions and charges upon which freemasonry is based . Charity , in . fine , is highly valued among Masons , and strictly enjoined , but this virtue is but one of the handmaids that wait in the sublime Masonic temple .
That the history of Freemasonry yet remains to be Avritten , and of Freemasonry much earlier than the last century , we cordially agree ; there being no work of extent and value commensurate Avith the subject in existence , as far as Ave are aware . Considering the number of learned and able men ivho have adorned our Craft , Ave are free to confess that Ave
consider this as someAvhat remarkable . Certain it is , however , that all AVC have to show iu the place of a history of Freemasonry is a bald record of official transactions for less than two centuries , ancl the early and interesting incidents of the Craft in this country are overlooked and almost forgottenw'hilc they are overlaid with , absurd interpolations
, and even fictions , disbelieved by the brethren , ancl ridiculed by the enemies of the Order . Our contemporary should bo informed , however , that "cognate" associations to Freemasonry clo not , and never have existed . The royal art stands alone and unapproachable ; nothing in the least degree similar has ever been known in the history ofthe world ; nor is it ;
probable the intelligence of man will eA'er produce a rival to it . The numerous political secret societies of the last century were totally unmasonic in their bearing and in their objects , though many profligate adventurers were bold enough to make use of Masonic titles ancl even to incorporate some of the preliminary forms of our ritual in their short lived
associations ? ' Some brethren more ambitious than sagacious , iu the time ofthe banished Stuart princes , endeavoured to make converts to the cause of tho Avhite rose among Masonic Lodges , in . Scotland particularly , and men hig h in the Order known to-be Jacobites , n'crc it is said plied hard with entreaties to use their efforts to convert the Masonic
orsrauization into a political engine . This it AVUS evident AVIIS totally impossible , ancl these intrigues met Avith their inevitable discomfiture , since the grand princip les of the Order are fixed and unalterable , and the institution AVOUIC ! cease to be Masonic as soon as its members consented to devote themsolves to any other labour than that marked out for them by
its antient laws and constitutions . The great French revolution produced , doubtless , after an interregnum of bloodshed and misery , results Avhich conduced to the progress of liberty ancl enlightenment ; but AVC cannot admit herein any comparison to the doctrines of Freemasonry , whicli aims at tho improvement of tho human race by peaceful means , aud is
opposed to violence . Again , though Freemasonry teaches that all men are on a level as regards their common humanity , it has never interfered Avith social gradations of rank , nor are any rights of individuals traditional or real , interfered with by the teaching of our Craft . A remarkable statement is made by our contemporary on the correctness or fallacy of ivhich AVC confess ourselves unable to give an opinion . He asserts that the Odd Fellows ,
Druids , and Foresters , have succeeded in vmopagating tho principles of their institutions throughout the Continent . Wo have , it is true , but scanty knowledge of these bodies , ancl are quite unacquainted with their proceedings ; but Ave certainly were under the impression that their operations ivere confined to England and the United States . With the remarks in the article before us on the advantages to the
industrious classes of friendly provident societies , Ave entirely concur ; AVO should be glad to see them increased in number and efficiency . Our contemporary ' s remarks upon the rites of Masonry are ingenious , and upon the ivholo fair enough , as a matter of theory—though such expressions as "jargon" and "
mummery" jar somewhat upon our cars . As to the recommendation to inquire into the , history of Masonry in the past age , wo have ample reason for believing that , little was clone during that period to raise the character of the Order , or to extent ! its influence . On the contrary , have the records of many mischievous attempts at innovation and corruption , from which insidious proceedings Masonry undoubtedly suffered at the close of tho last century , and by which her