Skip to main content
Museum of Freemasonry

Masonic Periodicals Online

  • Explore
  • Advanced Search
  • Home
  • Explore
  • The Freemason's Chronicle
  • Aug. 13, 1881
  • Page 2
  • ELLIOTT ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER, No. 1205.
Current:

The Freemason's Chronicle, Aug. 13, 1881: Page 2

  • Back to The Freemason's Chronicle, Aug. 13, 1881
  • Print image
  • Articles/Ads
    Article LODGE WORK AND CRAFT JOURNALISM. ← Page 2 of 2
    Article LODGE WORK AND CRAFT JOURNALISM. Page 2 of 2
    Article ELLIOTT ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER, No. 1205. Page 1 of 1
Page 2

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Lodge Work And Craft Journalism.

has described as the " stereotyped programme " of " the hulk of our Lodge meetings , " is my excuse for or palliation of the monotony and imperfections of Part I . Were the variety and efficiency of the latter on a par with those of the former , neither Bro . KLOTZ nor any one else would have

reason to find fault with the way in which we conduct our system of Masonry . Unfortunately , it is the laxity and imperfections of our Lodge work with which those who think Masonry is something more than an excuse for conviviality find fault so justly . The consequences , too , of

these shortcomings , have been rightly enough described by our Canadian brother . When the first novelty of being a Mason has passed away , brethren become indifferent , because they find themselves condemned to listen to and take part in the same forms and ceremonies always . Even

those who aspire to the East weary of the Craft when once they have attained the object of their ambition . The consequences of all is , that the Lodge has no attractions , and

the editors of those journals which are started for the purpose of advocating the interests of the Craft , are at their wits' end to fill their columns with the necessary quantum of matter .

Our attention was drawn a few days since to a number of photographs and sketches in the window of a shop in Oxford-street . Among them was one representing a poormiserable half-fledged bird , perched on a branch of a leafless tree in a pelting shower of rain . Underneath was written

the motto or device , " Come , gentle Spring , ethereal mildness , come ! " What this poor little scarecrow , with all its miserable surroundings is to the full-fledged , well-fed bird twittering joyously in some leafy arbour , or flitting about from tree to tree in the glorious sunshine , that

the work done in our Lodges is to the work that might , could , would , and should be done , if even a fair majority of our fellow Craftsmen had any sense of the reality of Freemasonry as a " progressive science . " We question if , as one of our correspondents suggests

elsewhere in the present number , many of the subjects which are discussed in Lodges abroad would find favour with English brethren . But can any more interesting study be imagined than that of the history of Freemasonry through the ages ? It is

not necessary that the subject should be dealt with very elaborately , except by those whom we will designate the experts and those ambitious of becoming such . How many are there who know anything about the Four Old Lodges , and how they set about establishing— " reviving , "

we believe , is the more fashionable word—the Grand Lodge of England ? Are there very many who can answer offhand and approximately- —say within a score of years of the actual date—when this happened ? What is known outside the limited circle of Masonic students , except

perhaps in the City of York itself , of the famous old Lodge of York and what became of it ? Some might imagine that by some impossible or incomprehensible means it got itself entangled in the mysteries of the so-called—and , be it added ,

miscalled—York -Rite , and was never more heard of . Others will say that , as there is supposed to have been a York Rite , there must have been Masonry , and therefore a Lodge or Lodges in York , but they cannot tell you or can tell you but little of the proceedings . The actual date of the

" Union " is constantly given in the Book of Constitutions , yet is there one in fifty brethren who knows what is meant by this " Union ; " what Masonic bodies were united ; and how there came to be separate and distinct systems of Masonry in this country , which it was considered

desirable should be amalgamated ? Is it too much to say that an occasional paper on some leading topic on the history of our Craft would be appreciated , not only for the insig ht into Masonic history it would be the means of imparting , but also as an agreeable relief from the

neverending monotony of what now passes under the general form of " Work ! " Here is one field of labour , about which but few brethren have ever troubled themselves , and yet

we venture to suggest there is none from which the members of a Lodge composed of ordinary well-informed men would , if a paper or two were now and then read , derive a fuller sense of gratification .

But ; our ceremonies and ritual , the former of which arc necessarily repeated at short intervals in our regular Lodges , while both are the subject of endless repetition in our Lodges of Instruction , can nothing else be done witli these than repeat them ? Are there no brethren wit ! . zeal enough to induce them , and haying zeal , the ability

Lodge Work And Craft Journalism.

to occasionally favour their fellow members of the Lodge with some exposition of this or that ceremony , or the force and meaning of this or that section of a lecture ? We are constantly being told that our ceremonies are imposing and onr ritual is remarkable for its beauty , and there is no

question as to the strict justice of these statements . Yet for all their beauty and impressiveness no one ever seems to concern himself much about them . A literal rendering is about tbe limit even of the most zealous brother ' s ambition , and yet they are beautiful , and our brethren , are they

not zealous and honourable , both as men and Masons ? We are very far from wishing to see the order of things seriously disturbed . For instance , none would experience a deeper sense of regret than we should if any serious disturbance of our

ritual and ceremonies were even proposed , much less carried out . But it is impossible we can shut our eyes to the fact that Masonry suffers terribly from the monotony of its proceedings . The majority of our Lodges of Instrnction are mere make-believes , and the regular Lodges afford

little , if any , variety in the work that is done from one year ' s end to another , and during successive years . What , perhaps , is the most surprising feature about Freemasonry is that , in spite of these drawbacks , it still continues to flourish , and almost every year sees some increase in the

number of those " who are received into its ranks . This shows a wonderful amount of vitality in our dear old Craft , while lukewarmness on the part of its votaries and the active hatred and hostility of its declared enemies have

no effect whatever on its popularity and stability . How much more popular and stable would it not become if some changes were made in our Lodge work in the direction we have indicated ?

Masonic Literature , or rather let us limit our remarks to what we are most concerned with , Masonic Journalism , of necessity , suffers from this apathy in the Lodges . Monotony in Lodge work breeds monotony in the Lodge report ,

and it is as correct to say there is a stereotyped form of the latter as there is a stereotyped programme of the former . Consequently when we know how little variety there is in Lodge work , we have great reason to wonder , and even feel gratified , that our Craft literature is so readable .

The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of the Province of Berks and Oxon . of which R . W . Bro . the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Jersey is P . G . Master , and V . W . Bro . Charles Stephens Deputy Provincial Grand Master , will assemble at

Abingdon , under the banner of the Abbey Lodge , No . 225 ( W . Bro . J . T . Morland P . P . G . D . W . M . ) , on Tuesday , the 30 th day of August 1881 , when and where all Grand Officers of the Province ( Present and Past ) , and

Worshipfnl Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and Overseers of private Lodges , are summoned to attend , and by permission all regularly registered Mark Master Masons are invited to be present . The Committee of General Purposes will meet

in the Abbey Lodge Room , at One o clock p . m . precisely , to audit the accounts of the Provincial Grand Treasurer , and to transact any other business requiring their attention . The Provincial Grand Lodge will assemble in the Abbey

Council Chamber at Three o ' clock p . m ., and be close tyled punctually at half-past Three , when the business of the Province will be transacted . By command of the Rig ht Worshipful Provincial Grand Mark Master Mason , THOS . J . PULLEY P . M . G . S . D . Provincial Grand Mark Secretary .

On production of the summons , first and second class return tickets at reduced fares will be issued at the following Stations on the Great Western Railway , viz .: —Paddington , Slough , Maidenhead , Thame , Reading , Basingstoke , Newbury , Didcot , Oxford , and Witney .

Elliott Royal Arch Chapter, No. 1205.

ELLIOTT ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER , No . 1205 .

The Annnal Convocation of this Chapter was held on 3 rd met ., at the Metham Masonic Hall , Stonehouse , when , by special dispensation from the M . E . Snperintendent , Ex-Companion Huffh Cameron was installed aa Z ., and Ex-C » mpanion T . E . Peek a 3 H ., Bx-Companion T . Gibbons was also installed as J . The Board of Installed Principals was composed of Comps J . B . Gover , T . Goodall , I . Gidley , E . Aitken Davies , J . H . Lord . The other Officers elected

•n- appointed were : —Companions D . Cross P . Z . Treasurer , G . Perkins S . E ., W . H . Hunt S . N ., W . H . Lister P . S ., J . Hayward 1 st A . S ., W . N . Foreman 2 nd A . S ., Thomas Gidley Jan . A Committee was appointed to revise the bye-laws , and the Chap ter laving been closed , the Companions adjourned to the adjacent rooms or refreshment , and , under the able presidency of Companion Oameron , whose health was , together with the other Principals , especially honoured , a pleasant and instructive hour wt * spent .

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1881-08-13, Page 2” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 24 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_13081881/page/2/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
LODGE WORK AND CRAFT JOURNALISM. Article 1
ELLIOTT ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER, No. 1205. Article 2
SERMONISING IN MASONRY. Article 3
PROVINCE OF MIDDLESEX. Article 4
PROVINCE OF ESSEX. Article 4
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 6
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. Article 6
LODGE WORK. Article 6
COMMITTEE METTING OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL. Article 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
THE THEATRES. &c. Article 7
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVON. Article 8
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT. Article 11
METROPOLITAN LODGE OF INSTRUCTION, No. 1507. Article 11
Untitled Ad 11
Untitled Ad 11
Untitled Ad 11
DIARY FOR THE WEEK. Article 12
GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND. Article 12
NEW ZEALAND. Article 13
Untitled Ad 13
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Page 1

Page 1

2 Articles
Page 2

Page 2

3 Articles
Page 3

Page 3

2 Articles
Page 4

Page 4

3 Articles
Page 5

Page 5

2 Articles
Page 6

Page 6

4 Articles
Page 7

Page 7

5 Articles
Page 8

Page 8

15 Articles
Page 9

Page 9

2 Articles
Page 10

Page 10

2 Articles
Page 11

Page 11

6 Articles
Page 12

Page 12

3 Articles
Page 13

Page 13

4 Articles
Page 14

Page 14

11 Articles
Page 15

Page 15

13 Articles
Page 16

Page 16

13 Articles
Page 2

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Lodge Work And Craft Journalism.

has described as the " stereotyped programme " of " the hulk of our Lodge meetings , " is my excuse for or palliation of the monotony and imperfections of Part I . Were the variety and efficiency of the latter on a par with those of the former , neither Bro . KLOTZ nor any one else would have

reason to find fault with the way in which we conduct our system of Masonry . Unfortunately , it is the laxity and imperfections of our Lodge work with which those who think Masonry is something more than an excuse for conviviality find fault so justly . The consequences , too , of

these shortcomings , have been rightly enough described by our Canadian brother . When the first novelty of being a Mason has passed away , brethren become indifferent , because they find themselves condemned to listen to and take part in the same forms and ceremonies always . Even

those who aspire to the East weary of the Craft when once they have attained the object of their ambition . The consequences of all is , that the Lodge has no attractions , and

the editors of those journals which are started for the purpose of advocating the interests of the Craft , are at their wits' end to fill their columns with the necessary quantum of matter .

Our attention was drawn a few days since to a number of photographs and sketches in the window of a shop in Oxford-street . Among them was one representing a poormiserable half-fledged bird , perched on a branch of a leafless tree in a pelting shower of rain . Underneath was written

the motto or device , " Come , gentle Spring , ethereal mildness , come ! " What this poor little scarecrow , with all its miserable surroundings is to the full-fledged , well-fed bird twittering joyously in some leafy arbour , or flitting about from tree to tree in the glorious sunshine , that

the work done in our Lodges is to the work that might , could , would , and should be done , if even a fair majority of our fellow Craftsmen had any sense of the reality of Freemasonry as a " progressive science . " We question if , as one of our correspondents suggests

elsewhere in the present number , many of the subjects which are discussed in Lodges abroad would find favour with English brethren . But can any more interesting study be imagined than that of the history of Freemasonry through the ages ? It is

not necessary that the subject should be dealt with very elaborately , except by those whom we will designate the experts and those ambitious of becoming such . How many are there who know anything about the Four Old Lodges , and how they set about establishing— " reviving , "

we believe , is the more fashionable word—the Grand Lodge of England ? Are there very many who can answer offhand and approximately- —say within a score of years of the actual date—when this happened ? What is known outside the limited circle of Masonic students , except

perhaps in the City of York itself , of the famous old Lodge of York and what became of it ? Some might imagine that by some impossible or incomprehensible means it got itself entangled in the mysteries of the so-called—and , be it added ,

miscalled—York -Rite , and was never more heard of . Others will say that , as there is supposed to have been a York Rite , there must have been Masonry , and therefore a Lodge or Lodges in York , but they cannot tell you or can tell you but little of the proceedings . The actual date of the

" Union " is constantly given in the Book of Constitutions , yet is there one in fifty brethren who knows what is meant by this " Union ; " what Masonic bodies were united ; and how there came to be separate and distinct systems of Masonry in this country , which it was considered

desirable should be amalgamated ? Is it too much to say that an occasional paper on some leading topic on the history of our Craft would be appreciated , not only for the insig ht into Masonic history it would be the means of imparting , but also as an agreeable relief from the

neverending monotony of what now passes under the general form of " Work ! " Here is one field of labour , about which but few brethren have ever troubled themselves , and yet

we venture to suggest there is none from which the members of a Lodge composed of ordinary well-informed men would , if a paper or two were now and then read , derive a fuller sense of gratification .

But ; our ceremonies and ritual , the former of which arc necessarily repeated at short intervals in our regular Lodges , while both are the subject of endless repetition in our Lodges of Instruction , can nothing else be done witli these than repeat them ? Are there no brethren wit ! . zeal enough to induce them , and haying zeal , the ability

Lodge Work And Craft Journalism.

to occasionally favour their fellow members of the Lodge with some exposition of this or that ceremony , or the force and meaning of this or that section of a lecture ? We are constantly being told that our ceremonies are imposing and onr ritual is remarkable for its beauty , and there is no

question as to the strict justice of these statements . Yet for all their beauty and impressiveness no one ever seems to concern himself much about them . A literal rendering is about tbe limit even of the most zealous brother ' s ambition , and yet they are beautiful , and our brethren , are they

not zealous and honourable , both as men and Masons ? We are very far from wishing to see the order of things seriously disturbed . For instance , none would experience a deeper sense of regret than we should if any serious disturbance of our

ritual and ceremonies were even proposed , much less carried out . But it is impossible we can shut our eyes to the fact that Masonry suffers terribly from the monotony of its proceedings . The majority of our Lodges of Instrnction are mere make-believes , and the regular Lodges afford

little , if any , variety in the work that is done from one year ' s end to another , and during successive years . What , perhaps , is the most surprising feature about Freemasonry is that , in spite of these drawbacks , it still continues to flourish , and almost every year sees some increase in the

number of those " who are received into its ranks . This shows a wonderful amount of vitality in our dear old Craft , while lukewarmness on the part of its votaries and the active hatred and hostility of its declared enemies have

no effect whatever on its popularity and stability . How much more popular and stable would it not become if some changes were made in our Lodge work in the direction we have indicated ?

Masonic Literature , or rather let us limit our remarks to what we are most concerned with , Masonic Journalism , of necessity , suffers from this apathy in the Lodges . Monotony in Lodge work breeds monotony in the Lodge report ,

and it is as correct to say there is a stereotyped form of the latter as there is a stereotyped programme of the former . Consequently when we know how little variety there is in Lodge work , we have great reason to wonder , and even feel gratified , that our Craft literature is so readable .

The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of the Province of Berks and Oxon . of which R . W . Bro . the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Jersey is P . G . Master , and V . W . Bro . Charles Stephens Deputy Provincial Grand Master , will assemble at

Abingdon , under the banner of the Abbey Lodge , No . 225 ( W . Bro . J . T . Morland P . P . G . D . W . M . ) , on Tuesday , the 30 th day of August 1881 , when and where all Grand Officers of the Province ( Present and Past ) , and

Worshipfnl Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and Overseers of private Lodges , are summoned to attend , and by permission all regularly registered Mark Master Masons are invited to be present . The Committee of General Purposes will meet

in the Abbey Lodge Room , at One o clock p . m . precisely , to audit the accounts of the Provincial Grand Treasurer , and to transact any other business requiring their attention . The Provincial Grand Lodge will assemble in the Abbey

Council Chamber at Three o ' clock p . m ., and be close tyled punctually at half-past Three , when the business of the Province will be transacted . By command of the Rig ht Worshipful Provincial Grand Mark Master Mason , THOS . J . PULLEY P . M . G . S . D . Provincial Grand Mark Secretary .

On production of the summons , first and second class return tickets at reduced fares will be issued at the following Stations on the Great Western Railway , viz .: —Paddington , Slough , Maidenhead , Thame , Reading , Basingstoke , Newbury , Didcot , Oxford , and Witney .

Elliott Royal Arch Chapter, No. 1205.

ELLIOTT ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER , No . 1205 .

The Annnal Convocation of this Chapter was held on 3 rd met ., at the Metham Masonic Hall , Stonehouse , when , by special dispensation from the M . E . Snperintendent , Ex-Companion Huffh Cameron was installed aa Z ., and Ex-C » mpanion T . E . Peek a 3 H ., Bx-Companion T . Gibbons was also installed as J . The Board of Installed Principals was composed of Comps J . B . Gover , T . Goodall , I . Gidley , E . Aitken Davies , J . H . Lord . The other Officers elected

•n- appointed were : —Companions D . Cross P . Z . Treasurer , G . Perkins S . E ., W . H . Hunt S . N ., W . H . Lister P . S ., J . Hayward 1 st A . S ., W . N . Foreman 2 nd A . S ., Thomas Gidley Jan . A Committee was appointed to revise the bye-laws , and the Chap ter laving been closed , the Companions adjourned to the adjacent rooms or refreshment , and , under the able presidency of Companion Oameron , whose health was , together with the other Principals , especially honoured , a pleasant and instructive hour wt * spent .

  • Prev page
  • 1
  • You're on page2
  • 3
  • 16
  • Next page
  • Accredited Museum Designated Outstanding Collection
  • LIBRARY AND MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1058497 / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025

  • Accessibility statement

  • Designed, developed, and maintained by King's Digital Lab

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Privacy & cookie policy