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Article General Masonic Instructions. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE MASONIC "POET'S CORNER." Page 1 of 1 Article TEACHING IN LODGES OF INSTRUCTION. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
General Masonic Instructions.
sally forth as near perfection as human nature can attain and practice outside the lodge and force on a profane Avorld those duties they have been taught within its holy Avails . Thus baldly put , the impracticability of the Avhole scheme becomes apparent ; but argued out as our Bro .
Cramer so ably does , we are almost tempted to side Avith him . Our brother ' s obvious earnestness , the intensity of his feeling , the cogency of his reasoning as he leads us from point to point , carry us aAvay . The idea is magnificent , his ideal lodge , multiplied a thousand fold
throughout Europe , is grand in conception , and AVOUH ! prove a blessing to humanity . Let us by all means strive to make some slight approach to its perfection : but its complete realization is hopeless . We recognize in ihe book the
outpourings of a large , deep , philosophic and benevolent mind , and knowing to what a great extent it is representative of German freemasons io general , our respect for our brothers in the fatherland is greatly increased .
One chapter is de \ -oted to the exposition of the state of religious thought in England in the century preceding , and contemporaneous with the formation of our Grand Lodge , and from this description revealing a protracted study of English History , are dnvwii conclusions as to the motives
of the formation and constitution of modem J reemasonry , Avhich Ave are sorry to be unable to agree to . That the state of feeling depicted may have influenced the progress and development of the craft , is possible ; it could haA'e had small part in its actual origin . It is , liOAvever , the
view UOAV prevalent m Germany , and merits attention ; but the chapter is too long for translation in our pages . We are informed that it will probably appear in the July number of Ars Quatuor C ' oronatorum , Avhen it Avill meet the eyes and challenge the criticism of competent judges and students .
The Masonic "Poet's Corner."
THE MASONIC "POET'S CORNER . "
To the Editor of THE MASONIC STAB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . I find amongst ray Masonic archives another " lay " Avhich has been laying by ever since the air to which it was written was a popular one . I don't know what the air was . I should not think a very liA-ely one . It is not an AiR that is " apparent , " but it is one
that is " presumptive " of having been , once Avhistled in the streets , and which was probably ground on the organs of the period in which the A erses Avere written . At any rate , I think it may be Avorthy of being put—as I used to be when a naughty boy—in the " Corner . " Yours fraternally . 191 , Clapham Road . April 17 th . 188 ' . ) . FRIAR TUCK .
MASONS WILL NEVER LIVE THE DUPES TO GOLD .
Air— " Smile , Britannia . " ATTEND , attend the strains Ye Masons free , whilst I , To celebrate your fame , Your virtues sound on high ; Accepted Masons , free and bold , Will never live the dupes to gold .
Great Solomon , the king . Great architect of fame . Of whom all coasts did ring , Revered a Mason ' s name ; Like him , accepted , free , and bold , True wisdom we prefer to gold .
Since him . the great and wise Of e \ -ery age and clime , "With fame that never dies . Pursued the art sublime : Inspired by heaven , just and free , Have honoured much our mystery .
The glorious path of those , AVith heaven-born wisdom crowned , AVe every day discloses And tread on sacred ground ; A Mason , righteous , just and free , Or else not worthy Masonry .
MOURNING TOR TEE LATH REV . CANON PORTAL , M . A ., PAST GRAND MASTER OE MARK MASTER MASONS . His Royal Highness the Prince of AVales , as Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , the Coloniesand Dependencies of the British Crown , has directed
, that the several lodges under his jurisdiction in that degree shall be suitably draped in mourning for the late Most Worshipful Past Grand Master , the Rev . Canon Portal , M . A ., for a period of three months , and that all members of the Degree attending Mark Ledges shall also wear mourning for a like period .
Teaching In Lodges Of Instruction.
TEACHING IN LODGES OF INSTRUCTION .
( CoNCLumro EXTRACTS FROM THE Smith- African , Creewasni . ) limH WORD or two on the organization of Lodges of Instruction PA la may n ° k ^ ou ^ ° ^ Place i as a sequel to our article of last ? £ & K week . Brethren have very often the most shady ideas as lyliyi to the way of carrying on these institutions , and the English Constitutions do not help them much . A \ ith the
commendable desire for brevity which distinguishes that collection ot laws , all the regulations are compressed into four rules , and these say as little as possible . Rule 1 ;"> 8 tells its that no Lodge of Instruction shall be held without the sanction of a regular warranted Lodge , or by the special license of the G . M ., and that both the brethren receiving it and the lodge giving it are responsible that the mode
of working has received the sanction of the Grand Lodge . Rule l . V . ) orders that notices of the time and place of meeting shall be sent to the District Grand Secretary . Rule Kill directs that minutes shall be kept , and produced Avhen called for by the authorities . Rule 1 (! 1 gives power to the Regular Lodge to withdraw its sanction from the Ledge of Instruction if it sees fit .
Now none of these are very definite . Rule 158 dees not fix very closely the responsibility of correct working upon anyone , and again it is very doubtful w-hat is meant by " a mode of working which has received the sanction of the Grand Lodge . '' Unless the original commission forming the Board which eventually became the Unions Emulation Lodge of Instruction is to be considered as
fixing the fiat of Grand Lodge upon the Emulation working , we do not know quite what is meant . We ourselves think that Emulation can fairly lay claim to the official sanction , but the Constitutions do not say so . In fact no machinery whatever is provided to ensure the preservation of a correct exemplification of ritual , according to authorised form . The ir > Sth Rule is altogether too loose in its
wording to be of any effect Avhatever . And as regards the constitution of Lodges of Instruction , the powers of their officers , the requisites for membership and the like , the Constitutions are entirely silent . The rules governing lodges have , in fact , grown out of a supposed consensus of opinion , but as this consensus has not always expressed itself in identical forms , the practices of
different lodges vary somewhat widely . But as a general rule it is understood that no one below the rank of M . M . can bo present ; that no brother can b ? admitted without a ballot , either when proposed or at the subsequent meeting ; that only subscribing members of a Private Lodge are eligible to join a Lodge of Instruction , that a small subscription shall be paid .: nl that a Preceptor
and a Secretary shall be appointed annually , and other officers at each regular meeting . It is unfortunate that the Constitutions in no sense recognise such an officer as a '' Preceptor , " and yet the need of such a permanent official has been everywhere felt . The Lodges of Instruction have therefore had to legislate for him after their own way . lie is generally elected annually by open proposition
and show of hands , sometimes by ballot , and it is generally understood that he is re-elected ad vita in or as long as he may desire , unless he proves incompetent or obnoxious . It has been ruled officially that any M . M . can be appointed Preceptor , but w e have not heard of any lodge appointing anyone below the rank of an Installed Master , and wc trust we never shall . The Secretary
is another more or less permanent official . In some lodges he is elected , in others appointed by the Preceptor . The latter we hold to be the more correct plan , as following the analogy of the Private Lodge , to the AV . M . of which , as chief executive officer , the Preceptor undoubtedly corresponds . This matter is , however , of very little import . The W . M . and other officers ate merely
appointed for ritual purposes , lhey have nothing to do with the business management of the lodge . The AV . M . opens and closes , of course , but outside lodge he is a cypher . He signs no cheques , convenes no meetings , issues no summonses . It is even doubtful whether he ought to sign the minutes , although in this case the usual rule that whoever is in the chair should perform this function
is a wise one . The AV . M . is in most lodges elected at each meeting for the next . In wme , however , both the AV . M . and the junior officers are appointed by the Preceptor . Where the AV . M . is elected , the junior officers are appointed by him . In any case , however , a regular rotation is observed , each officer taking his turn at promotion meeting by meeting . Regular minutes should always
be carefully kept , and a small subscription should bo charged , sufficient to cover the expense of stationery and the Tyler ' s fees . Some Lodges exact this as an annual payment : others levy a small sum on the members present at each meeting . The former plan is simpler and more exact . It should be clearly understood that in arranging work the authority of the Preceptor is absolutely
despotic . Unless everyone admits this nothing whatever can be done . AVith perfect obedience , and with a genial , erudite , and exact Preceptor a Lodge of Instruction may be , not only a means of steadily advancing in Masonic knowledge , but an opportunity for very pleasant Masonic intercourse , more especially if the ritual and the lectures are illustrated by such running comments as may serve
to render them interesting and mtelrgtble . Supposing our typical Lodge of Instruction formed after the methods detailed in previous article ; or after any other methods , so long as they be sufficiently satisfactory , Ave will just say a word or two as to manner of utilising the time at our disposal so as to procure the best results in the communication of Masonic
knowledge . A . certain amount of system is requisite in this as well as in every other department of mundane activity . First and foremost , we may premise by saying that , so far as the acquirement of the ritual is concerned , instruction work should be carried on in the same manner as w e are told to feed invalids , " a little and often . '
Instruction meetings should not be long , and th'jy should be held at frequent intervals . Of course it is difficult to get brethren to attend , but if the meetings are strictly kept within the limits of brevity , the difficulty will to some extent diminish , and what remains of it must be resolutely faced if there is any desire for
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
General Masonic Instructions.
sally forth as near perfection as human nature can attain and practice outside the lodge and force on a profane Avorld those duties they have been taught within its holy Avails . Thus baldly put , the impracticability of the Avhole scheme becomes apparent ; but argued out as our Bro .
Cramer so ably does , we are almost tempted to side Avith him . Our brother ' s obvious earnestness , the intensity of his feeling , the cogency of his reasoning as he leads us from point to point , carry us aAvay . The idea is magnificent , his ideal lodge , multiplied a thousand fold
throughout Europe , is grand in conception , and AVOUH ! prove a blessing to humanity . Let us by all means strive to make some slight approach to its perfection : but its complete realization is hopeless . We recognize in ihe book the
outpourings of a large , deep , philosophic and benevolent mind , and knowing to what a great extent it is representative of German freemasons io general , our respect for our brothers in the fatherland is greatly increased .
One chapter is de \ -oted to the exposition of the state of religious thought in England in the century preceding , and contemporaneous with the formation of our Grand Lodge , and from this description revealing a protracted study of English History , are dnvwii conclusions as to the motives
of the formation and constitution of modem J reemasonry , Avhich Ave are sorry to be unable to agree to . That the state of feeling depicted may have influenced the progress and development of the craft , is possible ; it could haA'e had small part in its actual origin . It is , liOAvever , the
view UOAV prevalent m Germany , and merits attention ; but the chapter is too long for translation in our pages . We are informed that it will probably appear in the July number of Ars Quatuor C ' oronatorum , Avhen it Avill meet the eyes and challenge the criticism of competent judges and students .
The Masonic "Poet's Corner."
THE MASONIC "POET'S CORNER . "
To the Editor of THE MASONIC STAB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . I find amongst ray Masonic archives another " lay " Avhich has been laying by ever since the air to which it was written was a popular one . I don't know what the air was . I should not think a very liA-ely one . It is not an AiR that is " apparent , " but it is one
that is " presumptive " of having been , once Avhistled in the streets , and which was probably ground on the organs of the period in which the A erses Avere written . At any rate , I think it may be Avorthy of being put—as I used to be when a naughty boy—in the " Corner . " Yours fraternally . 191 , Clapham Road . April 17 th . 188 ' . ) . FRIAR TUCK .
MASONS WILL NEVER LIVE THE DUPES TO GOLD .
Air— " Smile , Britannia . " ATTEND , attend the strains Ye Masons free , whilst I , To celebrate your fame , Your virtues sound on high ; Accepted Masons , free and bold , Will never live the dupes to gold .
Great Solomon , the king . Great architect of fame . Of whom all coasts did ring , Revered a Mason ' s name ; Like him , accepted , free , and bold , True wisdom we prefer to gold .
Since him . the great and wise Of e \ -ery age and clime , "With fame that never dies . Pursued the art sublime : Inspired by heaven , just and free , Have honoured much our mystery .
The glorious path of those , AVith heaven-born wisdom crowned , AVe every day discloses And tread on sacred ground ; A Mason , righteous , just and free , Or else not worthy Masonry .
MOURNING TOR TEE LATH REV . CANON PORTAL , M . A ., PAST GRAND MASTER OE MARK MASTER MASONS . His Royal Highness the Prince of AVales , as Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , the Coloniesand Dependencies of the British Crown , has directed
, that the several lodges under his jurisdiction in that degree shall be suitably draped in mourning for the late Most Worshipful Past Grand Master , the Rev . Canon Portal , M . A ., for a period of three months , and that all members of the Degree attending Mark Ledges shall also wear mourning for a like period .
Teaching In Lodges Of Instruction.
TEACHING IN LODGES OF INSTRUCTION .
( CoNCLumro EXTRACTS FROM THE Smith- African , Creewasni . ) limH WORD or two on the organization of Lodges of Instruction PA la may n ° k ^ ou ^ ° ^ Place i as a sequel to our article of last ? £ & K week . Brethren have very often the most shady ideas as lyliyi to the way of carrying on these institutions , and the English Constitutions do not help them much . A \ ith the
commendable desire for brevity which distinguishes that collection ot laws , all the regulations are compressed into four rules , and these say as little as possible . Rule 1 ;"> 8 tells its that no Lodge of Instruction shall be held without the sanction of a regular warranted Lodge , or by the special license of the G . M ., and that both the brethren receiving it and the lodge giving it are responsible that the mode
of working has received the sanction of the Grand Lodge . Rule l . V . ) orders that notices of the time and place of meeting shall be sent to the District Grand Secretary . Rule Kill directs that minutes shall be kept , and produced Avhen called for by the authorities . Rule 1 (! 1 gives power to the Regular Lodge to withdraw its sanction from the Ledge of Instruction if it sees fit .
Now none of these are very definite . Rule 158 dees not fix very closely the responsibility of correct working upon anyone , and again it is very doubtful w-hat is meant by " a mode of working which has received the sanction of the Grand Lodge . '' Unless the original commission forming the Board which eventually became the Unions Emulation Lodge of Instruction is to be considered as
fixing the fiat of Grand Lodge upon the Emulation working , we do not know quite what is meant . We ourselves think that Emulation can fairly lay claim to the official sanction , but the Constitutions do not say so . In fact no machinery whatever is provided to ensure the preservation of a correct exemplification of ritual , according to authorised form . The ir > Sth Rule is altogether too loose in its
wording to be of any effect Avhatever . And as regards the constitution of Lodges of Instruction , the powers of their officers , the requisites for membership and the like , the Constitutions are entirely silent . The rules governing lodges have , in fact , grown out of a supposed consensus of opinion , but as this consensus has not always expressed itself in identical forms , the practices of
different lodges vary somewhat widely . But as a general rule it is understood that no one below the rank of M . M . can bo present ; that no brother can b ? admitted without a ballot , either when proposed or at the subsequent meeting ; that only subscribing members of a Private Lodge are eligible to join a Lodge of Instruction , that a small subscription shall be paid .: nl that a Preceptor
and a Secretary shall be appointed annually , and other officers at each regular meeting . It is unfortunate that the Constitutions in no sense recognise such an officer as a '' Preceptor , " and yet the need of such a permanent official has been everywhere felt . The Lodges of Instruction have therefore had to legislate for him after their own way . lie is generally elected annually by open proposition
and show of hands , sometimes by ballot , and it is generally understood that he is re-elected ad vita in or as long as he may desire , unless he proves incompetent or obnoxious . It has been ruled officially that any M . M . can be appointed Preceptor , but w e have not heard of any lodge appointing anyone below the rank of an Installed Master , and wc trust we never shall . The Secretary
is another more or less permanent official . In some lodges he is elected , in others appointed by the Preceptor . The latter we hold to be the more correct plan , as following the analogy of the Private Lodge , to the AV . M . of which , as chief executive officer , the Preceptor undoubtedly corresponds . This matter is , however , of very little import . The W . M . and other officers ate merely
appointed for ritual purposes , lhey have nothing to do with the business management of the lodge . The AV . M . opens and closes , of course , but outside lodge he is a cypher . He signs no cheques , convenes no meetings , issues no summonses . It is even doubtful whether he ought to sign the minutes , although in this case the usual rule that whoever is in the chair should perform this function
is a wise one . The AV . M . is in most lodges elected at each meeting for the next . In wme , however , both the AV . M . and the junior officers are appointed by the Preceptor . Where the AV . M . is elected , the junior officers are appointed by him . In any case , however , a regular rotation is observed , each officer taking his turn at promotion meeting by meeting . Regular minutes should always
be carefully kept , and a small subscription should bo charged , sufficient to cover the expense of stationery and the Tyler ' s fees . Some Lodges exact this as an annual payment : others levy a small sum on the members present at each meeting . The former plan is simpler and more exact . It should be clearly understood that in arranging work the authority of the Preceptor is absolutely
despotic . Unless everyone admits this nothing whatever can be done . AVith perfect obedience , and with a genial , erudite , and exact Preceptor a Lodge of Instruction may be , not only a means of steadily advancing in Masonic knowledge , but an opportunity for very pleasant Masonic intercourse , more especially if the ritual and the lectures are illustrated by such running comments as may serve
to render them interesting and mtelrgtble . Supposing our typical Lodge of Instruction formed after the methods detailed in previous article ; or after any other methods , so long as they be sufficiently satisfactory , Ave will just say a word or two as to manner of utilising the time at our disposal so as to procure the best results in the communication of Masonic
knowledge . A . certain amount of system is requisite in this as well as in every other department of mundane activity . First and foremost , we may premise by saying that , so far as the acquirement of the ritual is concerned , instruction work should be carried on in the same manner as w e are told to feed invalids , " a little and often . '
Instruction meetings should not be long , and th'jy should be held at frequent intervals . Of course it is difficult to get brethren to attend , but if the meetings are strictly kept within the limits of brevity , the difficulty will to some extent diminish , and what remains of it must be resolutely faced if there is any desire for