Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Grand Lodge Of England, And The Representative System.
assist and bear their share in confirming the events , manners , and customs of the past , yet have such men as Stowe , who starved—Prynne , who lost his ears—De Foe , constantly prosecuted , and pages of other names that could be quoted , been treated not only with disdain , but met with every obloquy at the hands of their contemporaries . I suppose that the same sense of justice that actuated those oppressors , induces many now to treat in the way they were treated the contributors to the
Freemasons' Quarterly Review , nevertheless I hold the opinion that every man who records his opinions in that publication , does not only a service to the present Craft , but to every future member of it , by registering the state of the Society , and shewing the opinion entertained by the members themselves of it . Many an article that appears in the F . Q . R . must therefore be read not only as bearing on the present , but also on the future history of the Fraternity ; for that periodical will
live to future ages as the only record in England of the present Masonic times . 'I'he subject this treats of , as briefly as possible , is one perhaps as little known or understood out of Grand Lodge as any ; but highly important abroad , to the colonies , and to the provinces , when once started , and when thought upon , will no doubt be as readily remedied . What it is and what it should be will easily be comprehended ; the former from reading page 16 of the Book of Constitutionsor the
, governing Laws of Freemasonry , with which I commenced this article . AA'hat it is will be best gathered from reflecting upon the impossibility of carrying into effect the theory proposed to he acted upon , as will be shewn by referring to tbe numbers of the list of Lodges . In addition to those enumerated , we have in Grand Lodge representatives from foreign
Grand Lodges , who have been recognised or accepted b y the Grancl Master of England , who while they are generally chosen from one or other of the privileged to attend Grand Lodge , are not of necessity so , for a Brother not otherwise eligible to attend Grand Lodge might become so on being received as the representative of a foreign Grand Lodge . At present the representatives are Hamburgh , Ireland , Massachusetts , Texas , New York , and Switzerland . Holland has not
appointed , although the approbation has been obtained , ancl Prussia , for a time withdrawn , will be restored . To all reasonable minds the arrangement , as it stands , must appear perfectly satisfactory ; for not any system of representation can be fairer than the one which constitutes the elected Master of a Lodge one of the rulers in the Craft , who having the confidence of his Brethren , and the votes of the majority of the members of his Lodge before he can take
the chair , appoints his two AA ' ardens : thus the majority , and I hope in most cases the unanimous body at large become represented in Grancl Lodge . To a reflective mind that has seen the working of this arrangement it will not appear quite so perfect . It may be urged that it is
impossible to devise a better or more universal theory of representation in the Grand Lodge ; it is almost as perfect as the House of Commons after passing the Reform Bill ; every Freemason , whatever his degree , however rich or poor , whether a member of the largest or smallest Lodgewhether No . 1 or No . 780 , is sure of being represented—his interests are certain of being looked after—his Lodge or province is sure not to be coerced—his poor will be relieved , his petitioner ' s claim will be fairly represented , and made prominent with others—laws affecting him or his Lodge will not be passed without his representative being aware of what is going forward , no matter where his Lodge is situated . Stop—this perfec-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Grand Lodge Of England, And The Representative System.
assist and bear their share in confirming the events , manners , and customs of the past , yet have such men as Stowe , who starved—Prynne , who lost his ears—De Foe , constantly prosecuted , and pages of other names that could be quoted , been treated not only with disdain , but met with every obloquy at the hands of their contemporaries . I suppose that the same sense of justice that actuated those oppressors , induces many now to treat in the way they were treated the contributors to the
Freemasons' Quarterly Review , nevertheless I hold the opinion that every man who records his opinions in that publication , does not only a service to the present Craft , but to every future member of it , by registering the state of the Society , and shewing the opinion entertained by the members themselves of it . Many an article that appears in the F . Q . R . must therefore be read not only as bearing on the present , but also on the future history of the Fraternity ; for that periodical will
live to future ages as the only record in England of the present Masonic times . 'I'he subject this treats of , as briefly as possible , is one perhaps as little known or understood out of Grand Lodge as any ; but highly important abroad , to the colonies , and to the provinces , when once started , and when thought upon , will no doubt be as readily remedied . What it is and what it should be will easily be comprehended ; the former from reading page 16 of the Book of Constitutionsor the
, governing Laws of Freemasonry , with which I commenced this article . AA'hat it is will be best gathered from reflecting upon the impossibility of carrying into effect the theory proposed to he acted upon , as will be shewn by referring to tbe numbers of the list of Lodges . In addition to those enumerated , we have in Grand Lodge representatives from foreign
Grand Lodges , who have been recognised or accepted b y the Grancl Master of England , who while they are generally chosen from one or other of the privileged to attend Grand Lodge , are not of necessity so , for a Brother not otherwise eligible to attend Grand Lodge might become so on being received as the representative of a foreign Grand Lodge . At present the representatives are Hamburgh , Ireland , Massachusetts , Texas , New York , and Switzerland . Holland has not
appointed , although the approbation has been obtained , ancl Prussia , for a time withdrawn , will be restored . To all reasonable minds the arrangement , as it stands , must appear perfectly satisfactory ; for not any system of representation can be fairer than the one which constitutes the elected Master of a Lodge one of the rulers in the Craft , who having the confidence of his Brethren , and the votes of the majority of the members of his Lodge before he can take
the chair , appoints his two AA ' ardens : thus the majority , and I hope in most cases the unanimous body at large become represented in Grancl Lodge . To a reflective mind that has seen the working of this arrangement it will not appear quite so perfect . It may be urged that it is
impossible to devise a better or more universal theory of representation in the Grand Lodge ; it is almost as perfect as the House of Commons after passing the Reform Bill ; every Freemason , whatever his degree , however rich or poor , whether a member of the largest or smallest Lodgewhether No . 1 or No . 780 , is sure of being represented—his interests are certain of being looked after—his Lodge or province is sure not to be coerced—his poor will be relieved , his petitioner ' s claim will be fairly represented , and made prominent with others—laws affecting him or his Lodge will not be passed without his representative being aware of what is going forward , no matter where his Lodge is situated . Stop—this perfec-