Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Pre-Requisites For Masonic Initiation.—No. I.
PRE-REQUISITES FOR MASONIC INITIATION . —No . I .
BY BRO . WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . A S all are aware , there are certain conditions to be complied with J ^* - preparatory to initiation into Freemasonry . There are the
written and unwritten laws of the Craft . Respecting the latter authorities differ ; and so , for that matter , as to the former . " Some say one thing and . some another ; " and , as both cannot be right , we are often treated to doses of Masonic jurisprudence , composed of allopathic proportions of assertions and homoeopathic quantities of
proof . Each party professes to appeal to the same sources for the confirmation of their principles , but evidently many look through different coloured glasses , during the process of investigation . Now , what really are the necessary prerequisites for initation ? What conditions should be observed by candidates for Freemasonry ? What
are the unalterable laws on the subject ? In answer , we shall find many curious , and frequently many antagonistic replies on consulting the authoritative [ or would be authoritative ] guides on the subject . Now , suppose we place these on one side for the time , and consider the enquiry in a rational lightquite apart from those
, who dogmatically say " this must be , " and " that should not be . " Also , suppose we shall rest content only with " chapter and verse " from the actual Laws of our Grand Lodge on the points at issue , or with known customs which , from long operation , have become as " Constitutions " of themselves .
1 . The " Constitutions " state very clearly and emphatically what rules must be observed as prerequisites for initiation . [ a . ] Regular proposition in open Lodge , and a ballot at the next regular meeting , save in cases of emergency , about which explicit instructions are given , and to respect which the Master is most
particularl y bound . Seven day ' s notice must be given to all the members in the latter case , and many of us Avish the same law prevailed as to the former . As it is now , the number of days' notice depends upon the by-laws of the Lodge , and as some are silent thereon , then the custom must be the rule ; andoh ! clear ! save us from the
, latter condition being the basis in some Lodges , for the notice to attend may not arrive long before the time of meeting ! B 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Pre-Requisites For Masonic Initiation.—No. I.
PRE-REQUISITES FOR MASONIC INITIATION . —No . I .
BY BRO . WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . A S all are aware , there are certain conditions to be complied with J ^* - preparatory to initiation into Freemasonry . There are the
written and unwritten laws of the Craft . Respecting the latter authorities differ ; and so , for that matter , as to the former . " Some say one thing and . some another ; " and , as both cannot be right , we are often treated to doses of Masonic jurisprudence , composed of allopathic proportions of assertions and homoeopathic quantities of
proof . Each party professes to appeal to the same sources for the confirmation of their principles , but evidently many look through different coloured glasses , during the process of investigation . Now , what really are the necessary prerequisites for initation ? What conditions should be observed by candidates for Freemasonry ? What
are the unalterable laws on the subject ? In answer , we shall find many curious , and frequently many antagonistic replies on consulting the authoritative [ or would be authoritative ] guides on the subject . Now , suppose we place these on one side for the time , and consider the enquiry in a rational lightquite apart from those
, who dogmatically say " this must be , " and " that should not be . " Also , suppose we shall rest content only with " chapter and verse " from the actual Laws of our Grand Lodge on the points at issue , or with known customs which , from long operation , have become as " Constitutions " of themselves .
1 . The " Constitutions " state very clearly and emphatically what rules must be observed as prerequisites for initiation . [ a . ] Regular proposition in open Lodge , and a ballot at the next regular meeting , save in cases of emergency , about which explicit instructions are given , and to respect which the Master is most
particularl y bound . Seven day ' s notice must be given to all the members in the latter case , and many of us Avish the same law prevailed as to the former . As it is now , the number of days' notice depends upon the by-laws of the Lodge , and as some are silent thereon , then the custom must be the rule ; andoh ! clear ! save us from the
, latter condition being the basis in some Lodges , for the notice to attend may not arrive long before the time of meeting ! B 2