-
Articles/Ads
Article CORRESPONDENCE. ← Page 4 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
TO TNE EDITOE OP TNE FREEMASONS' QUAETEELT MAGAZINE . DEAR SIB AND BEOTIIEII , — I PELT the greatest pleasure in reading the first article in your last number of the Freemasons' Quarterly Magazine ; the sentiments it contains are precisely what I have long entertained myselfand
, have often expressed , both in open Lodge and in private conversations . There can he no doubt that admissions to this ancient and holy Order are too easily attainable by the curious , or by those Avho , in their ignorance of its real worth , only consider it as an excellent vehicle for the enjoyment of creature comforts and good table felloAvship ; that we do not sufficiently attend to the necessity of the
tongue of good report having been not only heard , but loudly heard , in the candidate ' s favour ; that we propose a man , Avho at the time we may conscientiously think , from our limited acquaintance with him , is a most fit and proper person , but who on further inquiry and knoAvledge , and that perhaps when it is too late , he having been admitted to our mysteries , is not found to be quite such as we could wish . As a Past MasterI know there are those I have myself
, admitted into the Craft , others again to AAdiose advancement in the higher grades I have been instrumental ; but if the time were to come over again , I should certainly now decline receiving them ; not that the most scrupulous could find anything flagrant , or even questionably wrong in their conduct as men and Masons , yet they
have that apathy and lukewarmness in the cause , with such a total want of energetic search after knowledge , that are not compatible with so perfect and beautiful a system as ours is found to be by those who have studied it well , and discovered how intimatel y it is interwoven with religion ancl good works , proving , though they confess it not , that the result is not what they anticipated before their admission . I hope and believe the days are now passed when
the sensual delights of the table Avere the chief ties that united Masons ; such were not necessary in the ORIGINAL state of the Craft , and in these enlightened days something more than this is required to satisfy the intelligent beings AVIIO , in our system , can find ample scope for intellectual enjoyments , and the attainment of useful knowledge , which must necessarily acid to the good character
of man in social life ; and I believe , we shall find among the rising generation of Masons , that private character is more cared for than formerly . I do not pretend to find a complete remedy for this evil . Time alone and an improved class of men can effect this ; but still I think , that if the attention of those hi gh in office , the Provincial Grand Masters in particularwere directed to the subjectand that
, , they would enforce the necessity of a more strict examination , I would even say , of a considerable probation , previous to admission , by all the Lodges under their control , and in their various provinces , much might be done to improve the Order . All the Lodges , IIOAVever , must be unanimous in this , or else a candidate anxious for admission , if he be requested to wait by one Lodge , and is instantly
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
TO TNE EDITOE OP TNE FREEMASONS' QUAETEELT MAGAZINE . DEAR SIB AND BEOTIIEII , — I PELT the greatest pleasure in reading the first article in your last number of the Freemasons' Quarterly Magazine ; the sentiments it contains are precisely what I have long entertained myselfand
, have often expressed , both in open Lodge and in private conversations . There can he no doubt that admissions to this ancient and holy Order are too easily attainable by the curious , or by those Avho , in their ignorance of its real worth , only consider it as an excellent vehicle for the enjoyment of creature comforts and good table felloAvship ; that we do not sufficiently attend to the necessity of the
tongue of good report having been not only heard , but loudly heard , in the candidate ' s favour ; that we propose a man , Avho at the time we may conscientiously think , from our limited acquaintance with him , is a most fit and proper person , but who on further inquiry and knoAvledge , and that perhaps when it is too late , he having been admitted to our mysteries , is not found to be quite such as we could wish . As a Past MasterI know there are those I have myself
, admitted into the Craft , others again to AAdiose advancement in the higher grades I have been instrumental ; but if the time were to come over again , I should certainly now decline receiving them ; not that the most scrupulous could find anything flagrant , or even questionably wrong in their conduct as men and Masons , yet they
have that apathy and lukewarmness in the cause , with such a total want of energetic search after knowledge , that are not compatible with so perfect and beautiful a system as ours is found to be by those who have studied it well , and discovered how intimatel y it is interwoven with religion ancl good works , proving , though they confess it not , that the result is not what they anticipated before their admission . I hope and believe the days are now passed when
the sensual delights of the table Avere the chief ties that united Masons ; such were not necessary in the ORIGINAL state of the Craft , and in these enlightened days something more than this is required to satisfy the intelligent beings AVIIO , in our system , can find ample scope for intellectual enjoyments , and the attainment of useful knowledge , which must necessarily acid to the good character
of man in social life ; and I believe , we shall find among the rising generation of Masons , that private character is more cared for than formerly . I do not pretend to find a complete remedy for this evil . Time alone and an improved class of men can effect this ; but still I think , that if the attention of those hi gh in office , the Provincial Grand Masters in particularwere directed to the subjectand that
, , they would enforce the necessity of a more strict examination , I would even say , of a considerable probation , previous to admission , by all the Lodges under their control , and in their various provinces , much might be done to improve the Order . All the Lodges , IIOAVever , must be unanimous in this , or else a candidate anxious for admission , if he be requested to wait by one Lodge , and is instantly