Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Valedictory Address To Our Readers , For The Year 1839.
the venturous hope , and no other encouragement dawned upon that hope but what arose from stringent necessity . We felt that in these general times of stirring excitement , Freemasonry had no organ whereby its opinions and its occasions might be faithfully represented . We were alone in our thoughts .
Ages had passed without the attempt having been made * . Occasionally the "Book of Constitutions" was revised ; and some zealous Brother , —as Dalcho , or Smith , illustrated the " grand principles" by general remarks . Preston , —the indefatigable Preston , —left as legacy his Masonic reputation secured by his " Guide , " which the philosopher that
of om- craft f has re-edited with those emendations have made it a standard work of inestimable value . Yet there was no " organ . " WE took counsel with ourselves in this difficulty , and we came forth—but without any herald of our intentions by previous announcements ; and whthus ? Ohfor the best reason . Had we asked
y , very permission , it might have been refused ; and , if refused , we could not very well have acted in opposition to the negative . So we boldly struck up our Masonic pibroch ; and the very walls echoed our pardonable daring . That we were right is clearly proved ; and what was then our fear is now our boast . We feared the possibility
that we mig ht incautiously fail to please , by falling into some of the errors occasioned by want of tact ; and that we might be blinded by self-love , instead of acquiring wisdom by the way . Our boast is , that however we have lacked wisdom , we have not disregarded generosity . Our business was not to check levity or vice , but to speak truth with frankness .
The enquirer will demand what good has resulted from our experiment . Let him judge , say we . Six years ago , and the deliberations of Grand Lodge were a sealed book;—now the page is unfolded , — and the hig hest authorities have testified to the mighty change which deliberation has effected . Six years ago , and dormant warrants were p lentiful even
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Valedictory Address To Our Readers , For The Year 1839.
the venturous hope , and no other encouragement dawned upon that hope but what arose from stringent necessity . We felt that in these general times of stirring excitement , Freemasonry had no organ whereby its opinions and its occasions might be faithfully represented . We were alone in our thoughts .
Ages had passed without the attempt having been made * . Occasionally the "Book of Constitutions" was revised ; and some zealous Brother , —as Dalcho , or Smith , illustrated the " grand principles" by general remarks . Preston , —the indefatigable Preston , —left as legacy his Masonic reputation secured by his " Guide , " which the philosopher that
of om- craft f has re-edited with those emendations have made it a standard work of inestimable value . Yet there was no " organ . " WE took counsel with ourselves in this difficulty , and we came forth—but without any herald of our intentions by previous announcements ; and whthus ? Ohfor the best reason . Had we asked
y , very permission , it might have been refused ; and , if refused , we could not very well have acted in opposition to the negative . So we boldly struck up our Masonic pibroch ; and the very walls echoed our pardonable daring . That we were right is clearly proved ; and what was then our fear is now our boast . We feared the possibility
that we mig ht incautiously fail to please , by falling into some of the errors occasioned by want of tact ; and that we might be blinded by self-love , instead of acquiring wisdom by the way . Our boast is , that however we have lacked wisdom , we have not disregarded generosity . Our business was not to check levity or vice , but to speak truth with frankness .
The enquirer will demand what good has resulted from our experiment . Let him judge , say we . Six years ago , and the deliberations of Grand Lodge were a sealed book;—now the page is unfolded , — and the hig hest authorities have testified to the mighty change which deliberation has effected . Six years ago , and dormant warrants were p lentiful even