Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
able to himself , and highly gratifying to the lodge ; he was made an excellent Mason by having received the degrees in the proper manner , and he has since this , been for some time in America , where he has not only acquitted himself as a good brother , but in such a manner as to gain the approbation of the Craft , in that quarter of the world . This would not have been the case , had he received the three degrees as is usual hereall in one night . It will be for the benefit of the lod and
, ge , it will raise the character of the brethren in this quarter , if the St . Nicholas Lodge carries out this resolution , which I consider will tend much to the advantage of the members themselves . There is one thing connected with Masonry in Aberdeen , which I think very much of , and it is the low fees which are charged ; this has a tendency to increase the benefits of the institution , if the work was only carried out as it should be ; as I consider the hih fees charged bsome lod as a great
g y ges , barrier in the way of extending the principles of the Craft , some of the lodges charging as much as twenty pounds for the three degrees . The R . W . MASTER requested Bro . Rettie , of St . Machar ' s Lodge , to express his opinion upon the merits of this question . Bro . RETTIE , S . W . St . Machar ' s . —Right Worshipful Master and brethren . I did not anticipate that I should be called upon to make any remark upon this subject when I entered the lodge this eveningand
, I have to thank you for your kindness . I came to listen to the discussion , and I fear that I would detain the meeting too long , were I to give you my opinion on this question as I would wish . It has given me much pleasure to attend here this evening , and I have to add , that it gave me very great pleasure when informed some time since , that such a
recommendation had been made to the Lodge of St . Nicholas . I did not think that it would have come about so early , although I have always urged the necessity of such a step whenever I had an opportunity , as I have considered that it is the first thing that should be done by those who wish Masonry to prosper in this city , if they wish to carry on the work in such a manner as to raise the character of the Craft here . As to the propriety of such a measure there cannot be the least doubt ; it will be of the greatest advantage to all concernedboth with regard to
, the working of the lodge , and the superior character for masonic proficiency of those whom you initiate . Some years ago , when I used to visit St . Nicholas Lodge , I'have seen four or six candidates all entered , passed , and raised , in one evening , in a manner , to say the least of it , highly discreditable to the masonic body . Did those candidates get any instruction or information ? No , it was impossible from the way in which they were initiated that they could get any benefit—they were as
much Masons as a piece of wood ; they might rely upon their instructors , but they were just as ignorant as themselves . Although I speak in this way of St . Nicholas Lodge , do not think that I blame it , and none of the other lodges—I include them all—their manner of working was equally careless and deserving of censure . And what is the fact ? Of the great number who were initiated in St . Nicholas Lodge at that time , how many are there who now take an interest in masonic matters ?
the answer must be , that there are very few . And is it to he wondered at ? I consider that it is very natural , and that it is very easily explained why there are so few . They were urged to come and be made Masons ; they were made as you know ; they got no information from their instructors ; after a visit or two to the lodge their curiosity was satisfied ; they saw the same careless proceedings over and over again , and , as was
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
able to himself , and highly gratifying to the lodge ; he was made an excellent Mason by having received the degrees in the proper manner , and he has since this , been for some time in America , where he has not only acquitted himself as a good brother , but in such a manner as to gain the approbation of the Craft , in that quarter of the world . This would not have been the case , had he received the three degrees as is usual hereall in one night . It will be for the benefit of the lod and
, ge , it will raise the character of the brethren in this quarter , if the St . Nicholas Lodge carries out this resolution , which I consider will tend much to the advantage of the members themselves . There is one thing connected with Masonry in Aberdeen , which I think very much of , and it is the low fees which are charged ; this has a tendency to increase the benefits of the institution , if the work was only carried out as it should be ; as I consider the hih fees charged bsome lod as a great
g y ges , barrier in the way of extending the principles of the Craft , some of the lodges charging as much as twenty pounds for the three degrees . The R . W . MASTER requested Bro . Rettie , of St . Machar ' s Lodge , to express his opinion upon the merits of this question . Bro . RETTIE , S . W . St . Machar ' s . —Right Worshipful Master and brethren . I did not anticipate that I should be called upon to make any remark upon this subject when I entered the lodge this eveningand
, I have to thank you for your kindness . I came to listen to the discussion , and I fear that I would detain the meeting too long , were I to give you my opinion on this question as I would wish . It has given me much pleasure to attend here this evening , and I have to add , that it gave me very great pleasure when informed some time since , that such a
recommendation had been made to the Lodge of St . Nicholas . I did not think that it would have come about so early , although I have always urged the necessity of such a step whenever I had an opportunity , as I have considered that it is the first thing that should be done by those who wish Masonry to prosper in this city , if they wish to carry on the work in such a manner as to raise the character of the Craft here . As to the propriety of such a measure there cannot be the least doubt ; it will be of the greatest advantage to all concernedboth with regard to
, the working of the lodge , and the superior character for masonic proficiency of those whom you initiate . Some years ago , when I used to visit St . Nicholas Lodge , I'have seen four or six candidates all entered , passed , and raised , in one evening , in a manner , to say the least of it , highly discreditable to the masonic body . Did those candidates get any instruction or information ? No , it was impossible from the way in which they were initiated that they could get any benefit—they were as
much Masons as a piece of wood ; they might rely upon their instructors , but they were just as ignorant as themselves . Although I speak in this way of St . Nicholas Lodge , do not think that I blame it , and none of the other lodges—I include them all—their manner of working was equally careless and deserving of censure . And what is the fact ? Of the great number who were initiated in St . Nicholas Lodge at that time , how many are there who now take an interest in masonic matters ?
the answer must be , that there are very few . And is it to he wondered at ? I consider that it is very natural , and that it is very easily explained why there are so few . They were urged to come and be made Masons ; they were made as you know ; they got no information from their instructors ; after a visit or two to the lodge their curiosity was satisfied ; they saw the same careless proceedings over and over again , and , as was