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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
matters not of what character or for what purpose assembled , thc power of Stewards to keep order after dinner is very small indeed . There are always too many present who seem to think eating and drinking the most important part of the day ' s business , and who , if called to order by a Steward , laugh in his face , and render confusion worse confounded by cries of " hear ! hear ¦ ' silence ! silence ! chair I chair ! " "Whatever a . Steward's duties may behis office is anything
, but a thankful or agreeable one . lie can do next to nothing , if unsupported by the CHAIR . The " suaviter in modo" may enable a chairman to "bear up against the clamour ivith the greatest urbanity and kindness , " but something more is due from him—he should show the " forbiter in re , " and with dignity and firmness go hand in hand with his , Stewards ; and if their united efforts fail in enforcing order , and stilling the Bacchanalsquit the chair with marked disapprobation .
, Such a , step would ensure future order and propriety . A third party want their duties laid before them ; that party is the company at large . Were I to tell any one of these offenders against the rules of good society that such behaviour is ungentlemanly , he would be highly indignant ; and although he will not suffer the speeches of others to be heard , would complain loudly if interrupted in his own address . To one ancl ail such offenders I " do to others as ye would that they should
say , do unto you . " The red apron—albeit a high distinction , and conferring rank for the year —is won by serving a very unthankful office , aud is usually well paid for . Ami the sooner certain Grand Steward ' s dinners are abolished the better ; or , at all events , let only those be called upon to pay
who like to partake of them . I recommend the advocates of these . useless dinners to read the observations of your able correspondent "Cato , " and they will find that our cause can be promoted by better means than " so much a year spent in eating and drinking . " Since the above was written , the adjourned meeting of Past and Present Grand Stewards has taken place , and a leading feature of the evening ' s business was tbe propriety of laying before the Most Worshipful Grand Master a respectful memorialrequesting that our present
, anomalous position may be altered , and tbat , after our year of office is expired , we may have a distinctive badge , and an assigned place in Grand Lodge , either on the Dais , or on the right and left of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , immediately below the Dais . In making these observations , I believe I express the sentiments of a very large portion of the Grand Stewards . It is not the addition of a little tinsel to our Masonic clothing which we covet ; but we feel this—we feel ,
that after evincing our desire to promote the best objects of Masonry by acting as Stewards to one or more of the charities—after serving a thankless year of office ( to say nothing of expense ) , ancl enjoying , during that period , the honour and rank attached to it—ive do feel it hard to be " reduced to the ranks . " The officers of Grand Lodge at the expiration of their term of office , are recognized ancl distinguished as PAST GRAND OFFICERS by their clothing and place in Grand Lodge
, and precedency in private Lodges : all we want is , to be allowed the same position at the expiration of our office , which we possess during its continuance . Let the Hospital of " Honourable Distinction" be 'open to all the worn-out officers who "have done the Masonic Staite good service . '' Let there be a dress and an undress , costume analogous to that of Past Grand Officers , leaving it to the option of indivi-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
matters not of what character or for what purpose assembled , thc power of Stewards to keep order after dinner is very small indeed . There are always too many present who seem to think eating and drinking the most important part of the day ' s business , and who , if called to order by a Steward , laugh in his face , and render confusion worse confounded by cries of " hear ! hear ¦ ' silence ! silence ! chair I chair ! " "Whatever a . Steward's duties may behis office is anything
, but a thankful or agreeable one . lie can do next to nothing , if unsupported by the CHAIR . The " suaviter in modo" may enable a chairman to "bear up against the clamour ivith the greatest urbanity and kindness , " but something more is due from him—he should show the " forbiter in re , " and with dignity and firmness go hand in hand with his , Stewards ; and if their united efforts fail in enforcing order , and stilling the Bacchanalsquit the chair with marked disapprobation .
, Such a , step would ensure future order and propriety . A third party want their duties laid before them ; that party is the company at large . Were I to tell any one of these offenders against the rules of good society that such behaviour is ungentlemanly , he would be highly indignant ; and although he will not suffer the speeches of others to be heard , would complain loudly if interrupted in his own address . To one ancl ail such offenders I " do to others as ye would that they should
say , do unto you . " The red apron—albeit a high distinction , and conferring rank for the year —is won by serving a very unthankful office , aud is usually well paid for . Ami the sooner certain Grand Steward ' s dinners are abolished the better ; or , at all events , let only those be called upon to pay
who like to partake of them . I recommend the advocates of these . useless dinners to read the observations of your able correspondent "Cato , " and they will find that our cause can be promoted by better means than " so much a year spent in eating and drinking . " Since the above was written , the adjourned meeting of Past and Present Grand Stewards has taken place , and a leading feature of the evening ' s business was tbe propriety of laying before the Most Worshipful Grand Master a respectful memorialrequesting that our present
, anomalous position may be altered , and tbat , after our year of office is expired , we may have a distinctive badge , and an assigned place in Grand Lodge , either on the Dais , or on the right and left of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , immediately below the Dais . In making these observations , I believe I express the sentiments of a very large portion of the Grand Stewards . It is not the addition of a little tinsel to our Masonic clothing which we covet ; but we feel this—we feel ,
that after evincing our desire to promote the best objects of Masonry by acting as Stewards to one or more of the charities—after serving a thankless year of office ( to say nothing of expense ) , ancl enjoying , during that period , the honour and rank attached to it—ive do feel it hard to be " reduced to the ranks . " The officers of Grand Lodge at the expiration of their term of office , are recognized ancl distinguished as PAST GRAND OFFICERS by their clothing and place in Grand Lodge
, and precedency in private Lodges : all we want is , to be allowed the same position at the expiration of our office , which we possess during its continuance . Let the Hospital of " Honourable Distinction" be 'open to all the worn-out officers who "have done the Masonic Staite good service . '' Let there be a dress and an undress , costume analogous to that of Past Grand Officers , leaving it to the option of indivi-