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  • June 20, 1858
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The Masonic Observer, June 20, 1858: Page 4

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Ar00400

positions in life , and especially in schools supported by eleemosynary aid this is the case . In dealing with establishments of this class , the difficulties glanced at , as connected with education , at once become apparent . Not that we for one moment regard these difficulties as insuperablethough we venture to say they are

consid-, erably more formidable in the cases of institutions where the care of female children is exclusively undertaken . The branches of employment open to females are so few , and these generally so overstocked , that the risk incurred by those who swell the lists of candidates for " genteel occupation " is no slight one , lest the

disappointment which is too often the lot of such , result in consequences which cannot be contemplated without a shudder . We have been drawn into a consideration of this question by the perusal of the " Educational Report " lately issued by order of the Quarterly Court of the

Royal Freemasons' Girls' School . Our object is not to impede the efforts of those who have taken a prominent part in this matter , but merely to point out some of the difficulties by which the question is surrounded . From what we know of the brethren whose names are appended to the report , we cannot for one moment believe that these difficulties have escaped their attention , or that they have not received due consideration at thenhands . Conceding as we do that in our school there

are some children whose parents have occupied an elevated position in society , it certainly seems out just that their education should be , in some degree , commensurate with that position to which it is hoped they may be restored . We observe that the principle of selection is referred to , and also that allusion is made to a slight charge for the benefits recommended . Our

opinion is decidedly in favor of a plan based upon these systems . The adoption of such a plan , and the strict adherence to the recommendation in the report , not to interfere materially with the present excellent industrial training of the children , would remove any scruples we may entertain as to the advisability of the suggested

addition . As the status of the children improves , improve the education if you will ; but while we have under our roof the children of brethren in the humble walks of life , don ' t unfit them for the performance of those duties which they are , in all probability , destined to discharge . Let us not be misunderstood : our ' s is

a word of caution , not of discouragement . We have every confidence in those who have undertaken the charge of this matter ; we cordially wish them success , and we fervently hope that their exertions may tend to the prosperity of our noble institution . We have no hesitation in recommending the report

to the consideration of our readers ; whatever may be their opinions there is much valuable information contained in it , and it will repay perusal .

Ar00401

WE had occasion this time last year to draw attention to the unblushing effrontery with which the principal appointments in . Grand Lodge were prostituted

to political purposes : we are sorry to be compelled to recur to this very scandalous subject . Last year the sin was one of commission . To serve the interests of the whig clique , a young nobleman was appointed S . G . W ., who was entirely unknown in the Craft , and was not even of the Masonic standing which the Book of

Constitutions tells us is a necessary condition for that office . This year , a still more flagrant act of omission has been perpetrated , and for the same reason . We will venture to say , that if a ballot had been taken throughout England for the most fitting person to be nominated S . G . W ., the unanimous voice

of the Craft—with the exception of the clique—would have decided in favour of the Earl of CARNARVON . Why then was that distinguished Brother not appointed ? We believe for two reasons—first , that he has sought for the approbation of the Craft , rather than of the

clique who dispense its patronage ; that he has advocated the rights of the Canadians , and of the English provinces , in place of bowing down in meek submission before the Executive . And secondly , that he has the misfortune not to belong to that political party to whom Masonry was kindly committed as an heir-loom bhis

y late lamented R . H . the Duke of SUSSEX . Are the Craft content that this state of things should continue ? Will they submit to be the mere bauble of an effete oligarchy , and to have all those excluded from their offices who might interfere with the perpetuity of Whi g Grand Mastership ?

That Grand Masters are apt to abuse the trust reposed in them , in this respect , is evidenced by the fact that the Grand Wardens are elected , by the Grand Lodges of Scotland , Ireland , and Canada ; we should be sorry to find the same course necessitated here by the misconduct of the Executive . We have no fault to find with the Brethren who have been selected to fill these

offices for the present year . They are both the nominees of the D . G . M . ; one , the W . M . of the select Lodge to which his lordshi p belongs ; the other , his lordship ' s cousin ; but for which happy genealogical fact , we suspect that the worthy brother ' s merits , which are by no means inconsiderable , would have gone for some time

longer without recognition . It was scarcely to he expected that there should not be a " Dowb " or two to be taken care of ; we may congratulate ourselves that it is no worse . The root of the whole mischief , and of many other mischiefsis thisthat the G . M . relies upon the support

, , , not of the country , but of the London Lodges who compose G . L ., and are mostly holders , or expectants of the purple . Till this is rectified by his election by the Craft , and not by London Masons only , we must submit to the present abuses . If voting papers were sent to each

Lodge , with the names of the candidates for the Grand Mastership , the election would be a reality , in place of a sham , and the G . M . would be really the appointment of the whole Craft , and not of London only as at present .

“The Masonic Observer: 1858-06-20, Page 4” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 24 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mob/issues/mob_20061858/page/4/.
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GRAND LODGE. Article 6
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PROPOSED ARTICLES OF UNION BETWEEN THE GRAND LODGES ' OF CANADA. Article 15
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BOYS' SCHOOL. Article 19
FREEMASONS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Article 19
MALE ANNUITANTS. Article 19
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS FROM LODGES, AND SALARIES PAID FROM THE YEAR 1839 TO 1857, BOTH INCLUSIVE. Article 19
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Ar00400

positions in life , and especially in schools supported by eleemosynary aid this is the case . In dealing with establishments of this class , the difficulties glanced at , as connected with education , at once become apparent . Not that we for one moment regard these difficulties as insuperablethough we venture to say they are

consid-, erably more formidable in the cases of institutions where the care of female children is exclusively undertaken . The branches of employment open to females are so few , and these generally so overstocked , that the risk incurred by those who swell the lists of candidates for " genteel occupation " is no slight one , lest the

disappointment which is too often the lot of such , result in consequences which cannot be contemplated without a shudder . We have been drawn into a consideration of this question by the perusal of the " Educational Report " lately issued by order of the Quarterly Court of the

Royal Freemasons' Girls' School . Our object is not to impede the efforts of those who have taken a prominent part in this matter , but merely to point out some of the difficulties by which the question is surrounded . From what we know of the brethren whose names are appended to the report , we cannot for one moment believe that these difficulties have escaped their attention , or that they have not received due consideration at thenhands . Conceding as we do that in our school there

are some children whose parents have occupied an elevated position in society , it certainly seems out just that their education should be , in some degree , commensurate with that position to which it is hoped they may be restored . We observe that the principle of selection is referred to , and also that allusion is made to a slight charge for the benefits recommended . Our

opinion is decidedly in favor of a plan based upon these systems . The adoption of such a plan , and the strict adherence to the recommendation in the report , not to interfere materially with the present excellent industrial training of the children , would remove any scruples we may entertain as to the advisability of the suggested

addition . As the status of the children improves , improve the education if you will ; but while we have under our roof the children of brethren in the humble walks of life , don ' t unfit them for the performance of those duties which they are , in all probability , destined to discharge . Let us not be misunderstood : our ' s is

a word of caution , not of discouragement . We have every confidence in those who have undertaken the charge of this matter ; we cordially wish them success , and we fervently hope that their exertions may tend to the prosperity of our noble institution . We have no hesitation in recommending the report

to the consideration of our readers ; whatever may be their opinions there is much valuable information contained in it , and it will repay perusal .

Ar00401

WE had occasion this time last year to draw attention to the unblushing effrontery with which the principal appointments in . Grand Lodge were prostituted

to political purposes : we are sorry to be compelled to recur to this very scandalous subject . Last year the sin was one of commission . To serve the interests of the whig clique , a young nobleman was appointed S . G . W ., who was entirely unknown in the Craft , and was not even of the Masonic standing which the Book of

Constitutions tells us is a necessary condition for that office . This year , a still more flagrant act of omission has been perpetrated , and for the same reason . We will venture to say , that if a ballot had been taken throughout England for the most fitting person to be nominated S . G . W ., the unanimous voice

of the Craft—with the exception of the clique—would have decided in favour of the Earl of CARNARVON . Why then was that distinguished Brother not appointed ? We believe for two reasons—first , that he has sought for the approbation of the Craft , rather than of the

clique who dispense its patronage ; that he has advocated the rights of the Canadians , and of the English provinces , in place of bowing down in meek submission before the Executive . And secondly , that he has the misfortune not to belong to that political party to whom Masonry was kindly committed as an heir-loom bhis

y late lamented R . H . the Duke of SUSSEX . Are the Craft content that this state of things should continue ? Will they submit to be the mere bauble of an effete oligarchy , and to have all those excluded from their offices who might interfere with the perpetuity of Whi g Grand Mastership ?

That Grand Masters are apt to abuse the trust reposed in them , in this respect , is evidenced by the fact that the Grand Wardens are elected , by the Grand Lodges of Scotland , Ireland , and Canada ; we should be sorry to find the same course necessitated here by the misconduct of the Executive . We have no fault to find with the Brethren who have been selected to fill these

offices for the present year . They are both the nominees of the D . G . M . ; one , the W . M . of the select Lodge to which his lordshi p belongs ; the other , his lordship ' s cousin ; but for which happy genealogical fact , we suspect that the worthy brother ' s merits , which are by no means inconsiderable , would have gone for some time

longer without recognition . It was scarcely to he expected that there should not be a " Dowb " or two to be taken care of ; we may congratulate ourselves that it is no worse . The root of the whole mischief , and of many other mischiefsis thisthat the G . M . relies upon the support

, , , not of the country , but of the London Lodges who compose G . L ., and are mostly holders , or expectants of the purple . Till this is rectified by his election by the Craft , and not by London Masons only , we must submit to the present abuses . If voting papers were sent to each

Lodge , with the names of the candidates for the Grand Mastership , the election would be a reality , in place of a sham , and the G . M . would be really the appointment of the whole Craft , and not of London only as at present .

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