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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
wants of the Lodges in this country ; but as he has been mainly , if not altogether , connected with the Lodges in Calcutta , where , thanks to his zeal and services , a Provincial Grand Lodge has been established , he is perhaps not so acutely aware of the difficulties and neglect those Lodges labour under which do not enjoy that advantage . I will mention a few instances that have come under my own personal knowledge , and let him and you judge if it be any wonder that the Craft in foreign parts
be in a decayed and declining state . The only thing to be surprised at is that it exists at all , and it can only he said that it possesses , within itself , a vital and immortal principle , which enables it to flourish , though it is deprived of that health and vigour which it would doubtless attain unto , were it cherished , as it certainly ought to be , by its professed guardians and sustainers . I can vouch for the following instances of the gross neglect of the Officers of the Grand Lodge to whom the foreign
correspondence and the management of the affairs of foreign Lodges are entrusted , and the destructive consequences which must follow such disregard of our wants and appeals , will be evident to every one who is interested in the welfare of his Brethren in foreign parts . I have known a Lodge expel a Mason for public violation of its bylaws and the constitutions of the Order , and for conduct otherwise so reprehensibleas a man and a Masonthat a due regard for the character
, , and reputation of the Craft rendered it indispensable he should be excluded from any further participation in its privileges ; and though the case was fully brought to the notice of the Grand Lodge , and the attention of the Grand Secretary repeatedly called to it , no answer was ever returned , and the Lodge was left for years in the most uncomfortable position ; for though they had appealed to the highest authority ,
the Worshipful Master and Brethren had no opportunity of knowing if their proceedings had met with approbation ; or if they had , in their zeal for the honour of the Craft , exceeded the just bounds of benevolence and discretion . I have known a Lodge solicit a change in its name , point out errors and discrepancies in the engrossing of a warrant of constitution , which , as a legal instrument , was thereby made null and void . I have known a Lodge receive a number of certificates less than the
number applied for , and no explanation given why they were withheld . I have known a Lodge solicit the necessary sanction of the Grand Master for certain purposes specified in the Book of Constitutions . I have known a Lodge ask for assistance and information upon which its welfare and very existence depended ; but I cannot say I have ever known a single reference , on any subject , meet with the smallest notice or attentionin any of the instances I have citedor in very many similar
, , ones , I could as easily adduce . I have never seen a letter from the Grand Secretary ' s office exceeding six lines ; and the only thing that appears to come within the scope of its feeling and sympathy is comprised in the attractive and significant letters £ . s . d . I believe it is in contemplation to revise and modify the Book of Constitutions ; and I earnestly hope Bro . Grant , and others who know what is necessary to place foreign Lodges on a more effective footing
, will bestir themselves at this favourable opportunity to accomplish it . The following suggestions appear to be most desirable , and their adoption in the new code will , I am certain , be attended with the most beneficial effects . 1 . To repeal the rule which makes it indispensable to serve twelve months as Warden to qualify for the chair , which rule is very desirable
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
wants of the Lodges in this country ; but as he has been mainly , if not altogether , connected with the Lodges in Calcutta , where , thanks to his zeal and services , a Provincial Grand Lodge has been established , he is perhaps not so acutely aware of the difficulties and neglect those Lodges labour under which do not enjoy that advantage . I will mention a few instances that have come under my own personal knowledge , and let him and you judge if it be any wonder that the Craft in foreign parts
be in a decayed and declining state . The only thing to be surprised at is that it exists at all , and it can only he said that it possesses , within itself , a vital and immortal principle , which enables it to flourish , though it is deprived of that health and vigour which it would doubtless attain unto , were it cherished , as it certainly ought to be , by its professed guardians and sustainers . I can vouch for the following instances of the gross neglect of the Officers of the Grand Lodge to whom the foreign
correspondence and the management of the affairs of foreign Lodges are entrusted , and the destructive consequences which must follow such disregard of our wants and appeals , will be evident to every one who is interested in the welfare of his Brethren in foreign parts . I have known a Lodge expel a Mason for public violation of its bylaws and the constitutions of the Order , and for conduct otherwise so reprehensibleas a man and a Masonthat a due regard for the character
, , and reputation of the Craft rendered it indispensable he should be excluded from any further participation in its privileges ; and though the case was fully brought to the notice of the Grand Lodge , and the attention of the Grand Secretary repeatedly called to it , no answer was ever returned , and the Lodge was left for years in the most uncomfortable position ; for though they had appealed to the highest authority ,
the Worshipful Master and Brethren had no opportunity of knowing if their proceedings had met with approbation ; or if they had , in their zeal for the honour of the Craft , exceeded the just bounds of benevolence and discretion . I have known a Lodge solicit a change in its name , point out errors and discrepancies in the engrossing of a warrant of constitution , which , as a legal instrument , was thereby made null and void . I have known a Lodge receive a number of certificates less than the
number applied for , and no explanation given why they were withheld . I have known a Lodge solicit the necessary sanction of the Grand Master for certain purposes specified in the Book of Constitutions . I have known a Lodge ask for assistance and information upon which its welfare and very existence depended ; but I cannot say I have ever known a single reference , on any subject , meet with the smallest notice or attentionin any of the instances I have citedor in very many similar
, , ones , I could as easily adduce . I have never seen a letter from the Grand Secretary ' s office exceeding six lines ; and the only thing that appears to come within the scope of its feeling and sympathy is comprised in the attractive and significant letters £ . s . d . I believe it is in contemplation to revise and modify the Book of Constitutions ; and I earnestly hope Bro . Grant , and others who know what is necessary to place foreign Lodges on a more effective footing
, will bestir themselves at this favourable opportunity to accomplish it . The following suggestions appear to be most desirable , and their adoption in the new code will , I am certain , be attended with the most beneficial effects . 1 . To repeal the rule which makes it indispensable to serve twelve months as Warden to qualify for the chair , which rule is very desirable