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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 3 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
in England , but should be relaxed in favour of foreign Lodges , where the vicissitudes of the public service often remove Brethren from a situation before such qualification can possibly be attained . 2 . To abrogate the law which makes it necessary for a Master to resign bis office at the expiration of two years , even when there is not another qualified member belonging to the Lodge . This places him on the horns of an unpleasant dilemmafor he must either continue to act in
, direct contra-posHkm to the established rules of the Grand Lodge , or he must close the Lodge till doomsday , for there is no hope of any appeal on the subject being attended to by the proper authority , or more correctly speaking , its constituted organ . 3 . To alter the rule which requires a month to elapse before a Brother can be advanced toahigh degree , which I think should only simply prescribe that not more than one degree shall be given to any Brother at the same
meeting , allowing a discretionary power with the Master to act in other respects as the emergency of the case may require . The present rule of one month between each degree should continue in force with regard to members who are permanent residents at the station , or in the district where the Lodge is held . 4 . To allow Lodges in India , and other foreign , ' stations , to „ make Masons at the age of eighteen yearsif such indulgence is at any time
, permitted in England by dispensation from the Grand Master . Applications are frequently made in this country for admission at this ^ age by worthy young men who are desirous to enter the Order , from a favourable opinion preconceived of the institution , a desire of knowledge , and , in many instances , an anxious wish to follow the revered injunction of a venerated parent in England . Opportunity for initiation is sometimes
difficult to be met with by public servants in India , and Lodges and individuals suffer much from the want of a discretionary power in the hands of the Master , who might , if called upon , satisfy the authorities in England , by a declaration signed by himself and the Wardens , that the departure from the general rule , either with respect to age , or the time of advancement to a higher degree , was called for by the emergency of the case , and that the party admitted under it was not a permanent resident of the station or district where the Lodge is held . These most
desirable relaxations of obstructive rules there is every reason to hope would quickly produce the most gratifying and important results in the increased prosperity and extended influence of our ancient and honourable fraternity ; and in the hope that wisdom from the GREAT ARCHITECT of the UNIVERSE may direct our Grand Master to the favourable consideration of these suggested improvements , which , I verily believe , are necessary to maintain the Lodges in foreign partsunder his rulein
, , continued strenyth and beauty . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , A ZETX , ANDER . [ A Zetlander too haplessly reiterates the wants caused by a reckless determination to offend and insult foreign Lodges under our constitution , by a disregard to the decencies of social order . We want new blood infused into the good old system—a new Grand Secretary—
pre viously granting a most liberal allowance to him of the "olden time ;" a Secretary for foreign correspondence , and a broom to sweep the Augean stable in Great Queen Street , so that it may become sweetened and purified : —nothing else will do . Touching the letter ; the Lodge did wrong to expel , it could only suspend , consequently a wrong sentence is null and void . A Master may hold his office until a successor be regu-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
in England , but should be relaxed in favour of foreign Lodges , where the vicissitudes of the public service often remove Brethren from a situation before such qualification can possibly be attained . 2 . To abrogate the law which makes it necessary for a Master to resign bis office at the expiration of two years , even when there is not another qualified member belonging to the Lodge . This places him on the horns of an unpleasant dilemmafor he must either continue to act in
, direct contra-posHkm to the established rules of the Grand Lodge , or he must close the Lodge till doomsday , for there is no hope of any appeal on the subject being attended to by the proper authority , or more correctly speaking , its constituted organ . 3 . To alter the rule which requires a month to elapse before a Brother can be advanced toahigh degree , which I think should only simply prescribe that not more than one degree shall be given to any Brother at the same
meeting , allowing a discretionary power with the Master to act in other respects as the emergency of the case may require . The present rule of one month between each degree should continue in force with regard to members who are permanent residents at the station , or in the district where the Lodge is held . 4 . To allow Lodges in India , and other foreign , ' stations , to „ make Masons at the age of eighteen yearsif such indulgence is at any time
, permitted in England by dispensation from the Grand Master . Applications are frequently made in this country for admission at this ^ age by worthy young men who are desirous to enter the Order , from a favourable opinion preconceived of the institution , a desire of knowledge , and , in many instances , an anxious wish to follow the revered injunction of a venerated parent in England . Opportunity for initiation is sometimes
difficult to be met with by public servants in India , and Lodges and individuals suffer much from the want of a discretionary power in the hands of the Master , who might , if called upon , satisfy the authorities in England , by a declaration signed by himself and the Wardens , that the departure from the general rule , either with respect to age , or the time of advancement to a higher degree , was called for by the emergency of the case , and that the party admitted under it was not a permanent resident of the station or district where the Lodge is held . These most
desirable relaxations of obstructive rules there is every reason to hope would quickly produce the most gratifying and important results in the increased prosperity and extended influence of our ancient and honourable fraternity ; and in the hope that wisdom from the GREAT ARCHITECT of the UNIVERSE may direct our Grand Master to the favourable consideration of these suggested improvements , which , I verily believe , are necessary to maintain the Lodges in foreign partsunder his rulein
, , continued strenyth and beauty . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , A ZETX , ANDER . [ A Zetlander too haplessly reiterates the wants caused by a reckless determination to offend and insult foreign Lodges under our constitution , by a disregard to the decencies of social order . We want new blood infused into the good old system—a new Grand Secretary—
pre viously granting a most liberal allowance to him of the "olden time ;" a Secretary for foreign correspondence , and a broom to sweep the Augean stable in Great Queen Street , so that it may become sweetened and purified : —nothing else will do . Touching the letter ; the Lodge did wrong to expel , it could only suspend , consequently a wrong sentence is null and void . A Master may hold his office until a successor be regu-