-
Articles/Ads
Article PRE-REQUISITES FOR MASONIC INITIATION. Page 1 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Pre-Requisites For Masonic Initiation.
PRE-REQUISITES FOR MASONIC INITIATION .
BY BRO . WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . No . II . "YX 7 HILST on the subject of the ballot , I should like to say that
* * some Lodges provide in their by-laws that the declaration as to the ballot , when more than one candidate is proposed , is not to be made until after all have been voted , for , and then the W . Master simply states that each candidate " is , " or " is not , " elected . I cannot speak too strongly against those who seek to penetrate the secrecy of the
ballot when it is adverse ; and who use all means in their power , however un-Masonic , to detect those who " blacJc-balled . " Certainly , if any brother who voted adversely likes to acknowledge the fact , he himself only is to blame ; but those who used the " white balls " ought not to proclaim their action in the matter , as that would only be a
sure way of discovering the negative voters . In the long run , " three black balls " will be found better than a smaller number to cause the exclusion of candidates , and tend to prevent the improper action by any one discontented unhappy and jealous brother , whose membership is a misfortune for all concerned .
[/ . ] A point of importance which hitherto has been neglected , but is in the proposed revision of the "Book of Constitutions , " in a small degree noticed , has reference to rejected candidates , and their reproposition in the same lodge . A s it is now , a rejected candidate may be re-proposed the next regular meeting after being " blackballed ! "
Some by-laws provide for a year to elapse , and surely three months at least should pass before the proposition for such an one can be again entertained . Doubtless sometimes , eligible gentlemen have been rejected by members who ought themselves to have been rejected at first , as candidates ; brethren , who for the sake of some petty spite ,
vote against propositions of the very highest character , and who maliciously prevent the admission " of good men and true " into our Society , simply because they take that form to manifest their dislike to candidates , their superiors often in every sense , morally and intellectually . When three persist in so doing , and keep their own counsel , we are powerless to prevent their blackballing ; but whenever they state to others , their intention to " black ball" from umoorthy
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Pre-Requisites For Masonic Initiation.
PRE-REQUISITES FOR MASONIC INITIATION .
BY BRO . WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . No . II . "YX 7 HILST on the subject of the ballot , I should like to say that
* * some Lodges provide in their by-laws that the declaration as to the ballot , when more than one candidate is proposed , is not to be made until after all have been voted , for , and then the W . Master simply states that each candidate " is , " or " is not , " elected . I cannot speak too strongly against those who seek to penetrate the secrecy of the
ballot when it is adverse ; and who use all means in their power , however un-Masonic , to detect those who " blacJc-balled . " Certainly , if any brother who voted adversely likes to acknowledge the fact , he himself only is to blame ; but those who used the " white balls " ought not to proclaim their action in the matter , as that would only be a
sure way of discovering the negative voters . In the long run , " three black balls " will be found better than a smaller number to cause the exclusion of candidates , and tend to prevent the improper action by any one discontented unhappy and jealous brother , whose membership is a misfortune for all concerned .
[/ . ] A point of importance which hitherto has been neglected , but is in the proposed revision of the "Book of Constitutions , " in a small degree noticed , has reference to rejected candidates , and their reproposition in the same lodge . A s it is now , a rejected candidate may be re-proposed the next regular meeting after being " blackballed ! "
Some by-laws provide for a year to elapse , and surely three months at least should pass before the proposition for such an one can be again entertained . Doubtless sometimes , eligible gentlemen have been rejected by members who ought themselves to have been rejected at first , as candidates ; brethren , who for the sake of some petty spite ,
vote against propositions of the very highest character , and who maliciously prevent the admission " of good men and true " into our Society , simply because they take that form to manifest their dislike to candidates , their superiors often in every sense , morally and intellectually . When three persist in so doing , and keep their own counsel , we are powerless to prevent their blackballing ; but whenever they state to others , their intention to " black ball" from umoorthy