-
Articles/Ads
Article THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY MAGAZINE. ← Page 3 of 19 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Magazine.
at one of those reasons . We will now offer a word of advice to the Brethren , who are so desirous of finding a remedy for neglect and imperfection , which , if taken in the spirit with which it is given , will , we believe , speedily obviate the difficulty complained of .
There is unquestionably much too great desire now-a-days on the part of the Fraternity to value numbers above quality . In the history of tlie Order there is no instance on record of so rapid an increase of initiations as has taken place within the last three years . But , if we examine the numbers , who are thus brought to light , w e shall find that very few indeed ever
give Masonry more than a passing thought , being simply content with using Lodge meetings as a vehicle for social intercourse . Of the many initiated , it is not at all an exaggeration to say , that scarcely one in ten ever takes the slightest trouble to make himself acquainted with the nature of the work , and that , in the event of their rising to the W . M . 's chairthey are quite
, satisfied , if they can manage to open and close without much hesitation or blundering . As to the important duties of the three degrees , they leave them to some P . M .,- who , always at his post , and delighted to possess a power , which gives him influence and authority , looks at last upon the privilege of being
perpetual acting W . M . as a right , and in some instances coerces his Brethren into compliance with his whims , because his services cannot be conveniently dispensed with . But is this as it should be ? If a man enters Masonry at all , he is bound to fulfil its duties , which do not consist in his paying his Lodge dues regularly , eating four or five excellent dinners in the year , and subscribing
his fifty , or ten , or one guinea to the several Masonic Institutions , which somewhat improperly are called CHARITIES . This may suit a social disposition , and be beneficial to the invaluable Institutions , which are the jewels of the Order ; but it is not to do good suit and service to the Craft , or to promote all its true ends and purposes . Every man who enters the Order is
bound , not only to strive to the utmost of his ability to act upon its eternal principles , but to become acquainted with every gradation of its work . Some , of course , will be more apt than others ; but in this , as well as in every other process of life , diligence will reap that reward , the hope of which invariably sweetens labour . We hold it as a positive duty that no man
ought ever to venture upon attaining to the dignity of the W . M . ' s chair , unless he can perform the duties of initiation , passing , and raising . He ought , most assuredly , to be able to work the sections , which is a more difficult exercise , too much going out of use , except in Lodges of Instruction—simply N 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Quarterly Magazine.
at one of those reasons . We will now offer a word of advice to the Brethren , who are so desirous of finding a remedy for neglect and imperfection , which , if taken in the spirit with which it is given , will , we believe , speedily obviate the difficulty complained of .
There is unquestionably much too great desire now-a-days on the part of the Fraternity to value numbers above quality . In the history of tlie Order there is no instance on record of so rapid an increase of initiations as has taken place within the last three years . But , if we examine the numbers , who are thus brought to light , w e shall find that very few indeed ever
give Masonry more than a passing thought , being simply content with using Lodge meetings as a vehicle for social intercourse . Of the many initiated , it is not at all an exaggeration to say , that scarcely one in ten ever takes the slightest trouble to make himself acquainted with the nature of the work , and that , in the event of their rising to the W . M . 's chairthey are quite
, satisfied , if they can manage to open and close without much hesitation or blundering . As to the important duties of the three degrees , they leave them to some P . M .,- who , always at his post , and delighted to possess a power , which gives him influence and authority , looks at last upon the privilege of being
perpetual acting W . M . as a right , and in some instances coerces his Brethren into compliance with his whims , because his services cannot be conveniently dispensed with . But is this as it should be ? If a man enters Masonry at all , he is bound to fulfil its duties , which do not consist in his paying his Lodge dues regularly , eating four or five excellent dinners in the year , and subscribing
his fifty , or ten , or one guinea to the several Masonic Institutions , which somewhat improperly are called CHARITIES . This may suit a social disposition , and be beneficial to the invaluable Institutions , which are the jewels of the Order ; but it is not to do good suit and service to the Craft , or to promote all its true ends and purposes . Every man who enters the Order is
bound , not only to strive to the utmost of his ability to act upon its eternal principles , but to become acquainted with every gradation of its work . Some , of course , will be more apt than others ; but in this , as well as in every other process of life , diligence will reap that reward , the hope of which invariably sweetens labour . We hold it as a positive duty that no man
ought ever to venture upon attaining to the dignity of the W . M . ' s chair , unless he can perform the duties of initiation , passing , and raising . He ought , most assuredly , to be able to work the sections , which is a more difficult exercise , too much going out of use , except in Lodges of Instruction—simply N 2