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Article MASONRY IN SCOTLAND. ← Page 6 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry In Scotland.
Grand Lodge itself is frequently opened and closed , has astonished not only many good Masons , but even those who are novices , who are frequently led to say , that they are not astonished at the careless manner , in which regular Lodges are opened and closed , when the heads of the body are so remiss , and , to add further , that the parties engaged must care but very little for the honour of the Craftor else they would surely make a point to be more perfect in
, a matter so simple . From so many unqualified Brethren being admitted as Proxy Masters or Brothers , they are of little use , except to vote on tho side of the select party in the Grand Lodge for the time being , and , I am sorry to say , much party spirit arises in consequence . Such a state of tilings cannot but obtain , until such time as the Brethren of the country Lodges throughout Scotland come forward and appoint
Brethren to represent them who are known to be zealous in the cause , and willing to give their time and attendance at the stated meetings ; instead of which , they now appoint any Brother who may be named to them , without satisfying themselves as to his standing or qualifications in Masonry , or whether he will serve them faithfully , and the consequence is , that very many who have been so appointed , never attend after the second or third meeting , except to carry forward the particular views of some interested Brother . So regardless , in fact , are they of their own interest—although every Lodge receives yearly a list ofthe members of the Grand Lodge , and
must perceive that many of those inserted are either in foreign countries or out of Scotland , —yet they are not at the least trouble to appoint others . There are about one thousand members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; and yet , out of this number , seldom more than ninety to one hundred attend its meetings , and even this number is now dwindling down , so that at the present time , I believe I am correct in saying , there are no more than fifty or sixty who are virtually members ; and this delightful consummation of affairs has
been brought about by one individual—it is stated , but I believe erroneously—for the purpose of getting rid of some troublesome spirits , who are constantly opposing the views of a very select few , of which I understand he forms one ; I do not vouch for the truth of this statement , for , take him all in all , he is a worthy man , and one who has done good service to the state by introducing many to the Craft . * * * * * f
This Brother tabled a motion some time ago , to the effect that every Brother belonging to the Grancl Lodge of Scotland should be ta . - s . eA five shillings yearly for the honour of being a member , and as a test of membership . By the aid of his friends , this singular motion was carried ; but it was then asked by those who were opposed to it , what was to be done with the five shillings . The Grand Lodge not being able to decide the question , it was remitted to the Grand
Committee , who in their wisclom agreed that it should form a fund for building a Grand Lodge room , and with that decision , they said they were quite convinced the Brethren , one and all , would agree , and willingly contribute to this design . They , however , have been
+ "We have felt it advisable to omit a portion of -what follows in this " Communication , " as being of a nature too personal for publication . —ED , F . M . Q . M . and R .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry In Scotland.
Grand Lodge itself is frequently opened and closed , has astonished not only many good Masons , but even those who are novices , who are frequently led to say , that they are not astonished at the careless manner , in which regular Lodges are opened and closed , when the heads of the body are so remiss , and , to add further , that the parties engaged must care but very little for the honour of the Craftor else they would surely make a point to be more perfect in
, a matter so simple . From so many unqualified Brethren being admitted as Proxy Masters or Brothers , they are of little use , except to vote on tho side of the select party in the Grand Lodge for the time being , and , I am sorry to say , much party spirit arises in consequence . Such a state of tilings cannot but obtain , until such time as the Brethren of the country Lodges throughout Scotland come forward and appoint
Brethren to represent them who are known to be zealous in the cause , and willing to give their time and attendance at the stated meetings ; instead of which , they now appoint any Brother who may be named to them , without satisfying themselves as to his standing or qualifications in Masonry , or whether he will serve them faithfully , and the consequence is , that very many who have been so appointed , never attend after the second or third meeting , except to carry forward the particular views of some interested Brother . So regardless , in fact , are they of their own interest—although every Lodge receives yearly a list ofthe members of the Grand Lodge , and
must perceive that many of those inserted are either in foreign countries or out of Scotland , —yet they are not at the least trouble to appoint others . There are about one thousand members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; and yet , out of this number , seldom more than ninety to one hundred attend its meetings , and even this number is now dwindling down , so that at the present time , I believe I am correct in saying , there are no more than fifty or sixty who are virtually members ; and this delightful consummation of affairs has
been brought about by one individual—it is stated , but I believe erroneously—for the purpose of getting rid of some troublesome spirits , who are constantly opposing the views of a very select few , of which I understand he forms one ; I do not vouch for the truth of this statement , for , take him all in all , he is a worthy man , and one who has done good service to the state by introducing many to the Craft . * * * * * f
This Brother tabled a motion some time ago , to the effect that every Brother belonging to the Grancl Lodge of Scotland should be ta . - s . eA five shillings yearly for the honour of being a member , and as a test of membership . By the aid of his friends , this singular motion was carried ; but it was then asked by those who were opposed to it , what was to be done with the five shillings . The Grand Lodge not being able to decide the question , it was remitted to the Grand
Committee , who in their wisclom agreed that it should form a fund for building a Grand Lodge room , and with that decision , they said they were quite convinced the Brethren , one and all , would agree , and willingly contribute to this design . They , however , have been
+ "We have felt it advisable to omit a portion of -what follows in this " Communication , " as being of a nature too personal for publication . —ED , F . M . Q . M . and R .