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Article THE CONDITION OF SCOTCH MASONRY. ← Page 4 of 6 →
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The Condition Of Scotch Masonry.
system , —a system , be it remembered , which our Brethren beyond the Tweed ALONE persist in maintaining , though the authorities of the Grand Lodge must linow that it is reprobated throughout the world , and that in no part ofthe universe where Freemasonry exists , is the Society at such a low ebb as amongst themselves , and nowhere so thoroughly ised and avoided
desp by the popular world . Why is it , too , that there is no accredited interchange of mutual good feeling and fraternal reciprocity between the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland , but that the latter country persists in setting the " landmarks" ofthe Order , in this respect , at defiance ? Ireland has its representatives
on both sides ofthe Channel , —Prussia extends its Brotherly sentiments to _ England by a similar arrangement , —Hamburgh—high in Masonic intelligence , and deeply impressed with Brotherl y love—is proud to send and receive intelligent Brethren as its organs of communication . Switzerland also enjoys friendly intercourse with Great Britain ; Texas , too , has its representative ; and , from the other side of the broad Atlantic , the State of Massachusetts maintains an
intercourse , with England . France , we have reason to believe , will , ere long , be added to this manifestation of Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty . Yet Scotland is in the unhappy position of alienation , and continues without a representation in the Grand Lodge of England ; she remains nearly alone in this painful distinction , because she is
selfwilled and obstinate ; because those who would advance she hinders , and those who are in favour of " progress" she looks upon and treats as innovators and revolutionists . Thus , Scotland scarcely " stands where it did , " as far as Masonry is concerned ; for , having stood still so long , it has retrograded ; till at length , in the language of that immortal bard , whose sentiments suit every case and circumstance of life , it may be said , —
"Alas ! poor country ; Almost afraid to know itself ! It cannot Be call'd our mother , but our grave : where nothing But who knows nothing , is once seen to smile . Where sighs , and groans , and shrieks , that rent the air , Are made , not marled ; where violent sorrow seems A modern ecstasy ; the dead man ' s knell
Js there scarce ask'd , for who ; and good men ' s lives Expire before the flowers in their caps , Dying , or ere they sicken . "' *
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Condition Of Scotch Masonry.
system , —a system , be it remembered , which our Brethren beyond the Tweed ALONE persist in maintaining , though the authorities of the Grand Lodge must linow that it is reprobated throughout the world , and that in no part ofthe universe where Freemasonry exists , is the Society at such a low ebb as amongst themselves , and nowhere so thoroughly ised and avoided
desp by the popular world . Why is it , too , that there is no accredited interchange of mutual good feeling and fraternal reciprocity between the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland , but that the latter country persists in setting the " landmarks" ofthe Order , in this respect , at defiance ? Ireland has its representatives
on both sides ofthe Channel , —Prussia extends its Brotherly sentiments to _ England by a similar arrangement , —Hamburgh—high in Masonic intelligence , and deeply impressed with Brotherl y love—is proud to send and receive intelligent Brethren as its organs of communication . Switzerland also enjoys friendly intercourse with Great Britain ; Texas , too , has its representative ; and , from the other side of the broad Atlantic , the State of Massachusetts maintains an
intercourse , with England . France , we have reason to believe , will , ere long , be added to this manifestation of Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty . Yet Scotland is in the unhappy position of alienation , and continues without a representation in the Grand Lodge of England ; she remains nearly alone in this painful distinction , because she is
selfwilled and obstinate ; because those who would advance she hinders , and those who are in favour of " progress" she looks upon and treats as innovators and revolutionists . Thus , Scotland scarcely " stands where it did , " as far as Masonry is concerned ; for , having stood still so long , it has retrograded ; till at length , in the language of that immortal bard , whose sentiments suit every case and circumstance of life , it may be said , —
"Alas ! poor country ; Almost afraid to know itself ! It cannot Be call'd our mother , but our grave : where nothing But who knows nothing , is once seen to smile . Where sighs , and groans , and shrieks , that rent the air , Are made , not marled ; where violent sorrow seems A modern ecstasy ; the dead man ' s knell
Js there scarce ask'd , for who ; and good men ' s lives Expire before the flowers in their caps , Dying , or ere they sicken . "' *