Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Lessons Of The Great Fiasco.
sinuated , they were efforts to promote Christianity , then we say such efforts were undeniably un-Christian in character as even Catholics acknowledge , ancl unscrupulous attempts tc mislead
the public . The inculcation by example of malice and uncharitableness has been overlooked in the blind egotism of fanatical zeal , and the indelible records of unparalleled folly , such as the world has never known outside the Catholic Church , will never
be effaced . Truth from Catholics willing to save the disgrace had no chance for a hearing under the warning ' hush " ancl excited frenzy of priests . " Clinging to error as a dormant bat to a dead bough . " But there are lessons to lie learnt on both sides . Hacl English
Masons been guilty of the charges so freely hurled against them of Devil worship and other shocking monstrosities—suppose for a moment all had been true—what would have resulted from the Pope ' s action ? From his age and experience , did he really believe preaching against such horrid inventions would be so
efficacious that candidates would diminish and our lodges decay forthwith ? Why the Mason of 12 months' experience and regular attendance at his lodge could have improved upon such wisdom ! If the abominable ceremonies and practices existed , and , according to Catholic accounts , had existed for so long , Masons must
have been quite satisfied with them , so clearly the then members would not be affected . Was it then to arrest the extension of the Order by the influencing of new candidates , or was the whole thing a mere flaming advertisement for the Catholic Church in England ?
Well , we are not told , and fortunately we clo not much care to know , and the information might not be altogether reliable as orthodox , if given ; but the former has been a failure , and the latter worse : it has effectively closed the sympathies of thousands of English readers , instead of drawing them a step nearer
Catholicism . So much for the crusade as it affects the storming party . Now the besieged , already recognise two effects from the Catholic onslaught of the last two years . These have been ( 1 ) the curiosity of men who are not wanted in any lodge has been whetted ; and ( 2 ) many lodges have voluntarily set about
consolidating themselves by rectification of , and adding to , bylaws , for their better government ; neither of which results can be said to have been anticipated . But we gather further from these facts that the more outrageous the myths invented for our vilification henceforward , the more anxiety will be shown outside
lodges to partake of the mysterious within , and the more need there will be to exercise increased vigilance respecting the candidates of the future . In common with many influential brethren we regret this necessity should arise at all , although it is quite possible this feeling may not be understood in Rome .
In plain terms , Freemasonry is neither propagandist nor selfseeking ; but requires men likely to become Masons in heart , and not mere human representatives who , however desirable as . converts to fill a church , may be quite unfitted for an active and useful Masonic life .
In England we love our country and our Queen , God bless her ! and among those who rank under its banners , Freemasonry may well boast of thousands of men who at the call of duty would die for either . Its great heart is too much pre' occupied with humanitarian pursuits peculiarly its own , to find
time for narrow outside jealousies ; as it is , the Craft has enough to do without meddling with Churches , States , or Governments . ; But it neglects not one duty to its members on principle , viz ., that of inculcating due reverence to God , Charity to all men , and LOYALTY .
Supreme Grand Chapter.
SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .
THE RIGHT OK CERTAIN CRAFT OFFICERS TO CORRESPONDING RANK IN PROVINCIAL OR DISTRICT GRAND CHAPTER . It is not often that the Supreme Grand Chapter has such an interesting ancl important mailer before it as it had at the last
( May ) Quarterly Convocation , and it is to be regretted that thc eloquent speech of tlie Deputy ( irand Registrar should have so carried convocation away that the appeal of Comp . Coates was dismissed without a discussion , which might have led Comp . Horton Smith to re-consider his opinion .
The case , as stated by the Deputy Grand Registrar , is not at first sig ht easy to follow , but two points are clearl y brought out—¦
( a ) That he considered the appointment of a Provincial or District 'Grand Registrar was , under Regulation 43 , governed b y the same law as the appointment of ( irand Registrar under Regulation 30 ; and
Supreme Grand Chapter.
( b ) That he considered that a companion entitled to be appointed to an officctakes that office and with it Past Grand rank , even although he may have never bcen appointed , or invested , or paid the fees ; and even if another companion may have been , though in error , appointed , invested , paid his fees , and done the work !
The first of these points affects the Royal Arch alone ; the second indirectly affects the whole Craft , inasmuch as the present Deputy Grand Registrar of the Royal Arch holds the same office
111 the Craft , and has , presumably , given his decision under the general regulation governing the Arch , in thc absence of an express Royal Arch regulation . ' by the rules of Craft Masonry .
As to the first of these we cannot hel p thinking that the " pernicious practice" which has grown up in the Punjab has grown up and taken deep root in more Provinces and Districts than onepossibly in more than the Deputy Grand Registrar is aware of . It may be that it is owing to the scarcity of Royal Arch Masons
in the Provinces , but whatever the cause it is a fact that an examination of some 15 to 20 Provincial Calendars taken at haphazard for various years has not disclosed a single case of the same brother holding the office in both Craft and Archwhilst in three Provinces adjoining whose calendars give lists
of the Past Grand Officers there does not seem to have been one case in the last 17 years . It would appear , therefore , unless there is a great lack of qualification , that there is a great ignorance on the part of Provincial Grand Superintendents or else that the reading of the Law now propounded is a new version .
But the matter does not stop here , and perhaps it will be best to quote the regulations which run : " 30 . The Grand Registrar of the Craft is to be Grand Registrar , if an installed First Principal .
" 43 . Provincial ancl District Grand Chapters are to be subjected to the same laws as are laid down for the government of the Supreme Chapter , so far as the same arc applicable , except when a different regulation is expressl y declared . "
This law , according to the Dep . G . Registrar , must be read as one with Law 30 , which would then read—30 . The ( Provincial—District ) Grand Registrar of the Craft is to be ( Provincial—District ) Grand Registrar , if an installed First Principal . If this is correct law we should have also to
read—28 . The Provincial—District)—Grand Secretarry is to be ( Provincial—District ) Grand Scribe E ., if an installed First Principal . 26 . The ( Provincial—District ) Deputy Grand Master , if a Present or Past First Principal of a chapter ( Reg . 37 ) is to be ( Provincial—District ) Second Grand Principal .
That this line of argument is correct will be seen if Regulations 24— " The First Grand Principal shall annually . . . . appoint the following Grand Officers . " 26 already quoted , and 31— "If any officer of the Grand Lodge , who , if otherwise duly qualified would take office in the Grand Chapter by virtue
of his office in the Grand Lodge , shall not be qualified to hold such corresponding office in the Grand Chapter , the First Grand Principal shall appoint some other companion to fill the vacant
oflice , except in the case of the Grand Treasurer , who shall be elected by the Grand Chapter "—be compared with Regulation " 36—Grand Superintendents are empowered to appoint the following Provincial or District Grand Officers .
As it is not to be supposed that the Grand Superintendent is free as to his officers from the laws which bind the First Grand Principal himself as to his . It seems , at least , open lo qnestion whether the (
Provincial-District ) ( irand Treasurer and Grand Superintendent must not be thc ( Provincial—District ) Grand Treasurer and ( Provincial—District ) Grand Master in the Craft—but these arc not quite so clear as the others .
By a reference to Grand Lodge Calendar it will be seen that in a large proportion ol cases—something like one in three or one in four , the ( Provincial—District ) Grand Secretary is not thc ( Provincial—District ) Grand Scribe E ., and it can hardly be that
in all these cases the ground is lack of qualification . On the whole , therefore , it is submitted that the Deputy G . Registrar ' s reading of the law is a new one , and is erroneous , and lhat Law 43 must nol be read as incorporating for a Province or District these limitations which entitle certain Grand
Lodge Officers ( if duly qualified ) to the corresponding offices in Grand Chapter . ' If it be correct , and especiall y if the second point be admitted , so many difficulties would arise from the existingstate of things that some legislation is required to settle the rights ofthe present and past holders of offices when the appointments have
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Lessons Of The Great Fiasco.
sinuated , they were efforts to promote Christianity , then we say such efforts were undeniably un-Christian in character as even Catholics acknowledge , ancl unscrupulous attempts tc mislead
the public . The inculcation by example of malice and uncharitableness has been overlooked in the blind egotism of fanatical zeal , and the indelible records of unparalleled folly , such as the world has never known outside the Catholic Church , will never
be effaced . Truth from Catholics willing to save the disgrace had no chance for a hearing under the warning ' hush " ancl excited frenzy of priests . " Clinging to error as a dormant bat to a dead bough . " But there are lessons to lie learnt on both sides . Hacl English
Masons been guilty of the charges so freely hurled against them of Devil worship and other shocking monstrosities—suppose for a moment all had been true—what would have resulted from the Pope ' s action ? From his age and experience , did he really believe preaching against such horrid inventions would be so
efficacious that candidates would diminish and our lodges decay forthwith ? Why the Mason of 12 months' experience and regular attendance at his lodge could have improved upon such wisdom ! If the abominable ceremonies and practices existed , and , according to Catholic accounts , had existed for so long , Masons must
have been quite satisfied with them , so clearly the then members would not be affected . Was it then to arrest the extension of the Order by the influencing of new candidates , or was the whole thing a mere flaming advertisement for the Catholic Church in England ?
Well , we are not told , and fortunately we clo not much care to know , and the information might not be altogether reliable as orthodox , if given ; but the former has been a failure , and the latter worse : it has effectively closed the sympathies of thousands of English readers , instead of drawing them a step nearer
Catholicism . So much for the crusade as it affects the storming party . Now the besieged , already recognise two effects from the Catholic onslaught of the last two years . These have been ( 1 ) the curiosity of men who are not wanted in any lodge has been whetted ; and ( 2 ) many lodges have voluntarily set about
consolidating themselves by rectification of , and adding to , bylaws , for their better government ; neither of which results can be said to have been anticipated . But we gather further from these facts that the more outrageous the myths invented for our vilification henceforward , the more anxiety will be shown outside
lodges to partake of the mysterious within , and the more need there will be to exercise increased vigilance respecting the candidates of the future . In common with many influential brethren we regret this necessity should arise at all , although it is quite possible this feeling may not be understood in Rome .
In plain terms , Freemasonry is neither propagandist nor selfseeking ; but requires men likely to become Masons in heart , and not mere human representatives who , however desirable as . converts to fill a church , may be quite unfitted for an active and useful Masonic life .
In England we love our country and our Queen , God bless her ! and among those who rank under its banners , Freemasonry may well boast of thousands of men who at the call of duty would die for either . Its great heart is too much pre' occupied with humanitarian pursuits peculiarly its own , to find
time for narrow outside jealousies ; as it is , the Craft has enough to do without meddling with Churches , States , or Governments . ; But it neglects not one duty to its members on principle , viz ., that of inculcating due reverence to God , Charity to all men , and LOYALTY .
Supreme Grand Chapter.
SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .
THE RIGHT OK CERTAIN CRAFT OFFICERS TO CORRESPONDING RANK IN PROVINCIAL OR DISTRICT GRAND CHAPTER . It is not often that the Supreme Grand Chapter has such an interesting ancl important mailer before it as it had at the last
( May ) Quarterly Convocation , and it is to be regretted that thc eloquent speech of tlie Deputy ( irand Registrar should have so carried convocation away that the appeal of Comp . Coates was dismissed without a discussion , which might have led Comp . Horton Smith to re-consider his opinion .
The case , as stated by the Deputy Grand Registrar , is not at first sig ht easy to follow , but two points are clearl y brought out—¦
( a ) That he considered the appointment of a Provincial or District 'Grand Registrar was , under Regulation 43 , governed b y the same law as the appointment of ( irand Registrar under Regulation 30 ; and
Supreme Grand Chapter.
( b ) That he considered that a companion entitled to be appointed to an officctakes that office and with it Past Grand rank , even although he may have never bcen appointed , or invested , or paid the fees ; and even if another companion may have been , though in error , appointed , invested , paid his fees , and done the work !
The first of these points affects the Royal Arch alone ; the second indirectly affects the whole Craft , inasmuch as the present Deputy Grand Registrar of the Royal Arch holds the same office
111 the Craft , and has , presumably , given his decision under the general regulation governing the Arch , in thc absence of an express Royal Arch regulation . ' by the rules of Craft Masonry .
As to the first of these we cannot hel p thinking that the " pernicious practice" which has grown up in the Punjab has grown up and taken deep root in more Provinces and Districts than onepossibly in more than the Deputy Grand Registrar is aware of . It may be that it is owing to the scarcity of Royal Arch Masons
in the Provinces , but whatever the cause it is a fact that an examination of some 15 to 20 Provincial Calendars taken at haphazard for various years has not disclosed a single case of the same brother holding the office in both Craft and Archwhilst in three Provinces adjoining whose calendars give lists
of the Past Grand Officers there does not seem to have been one case in the last 17 years . It would appear , therefore , unless there is a great lack of qualification , that there is a great ignorance on the part of Provincial Grand Superintendents or else that the reading of the Law now propounded is a new version .
But the matter does not stop here , and perhaps it will be best to quote the regulations which run : " 30 . The Grand Registrar of the Craft is to be Grand Registrar , if an installed First Principal .
" 43 . Provincial ancl District Grand Chapters are to be subjected to the same laws as are laid down for the government of the Supreme Chapter , so far as the same arc applicable , except when a different regulation is expressl y declared . "
This law , according to the Dep . G . Registrar , must be read as one with Law 30 , which would then read—30 . The ( Provincial—District ) Grand Registrar of the Craft is to be ( Provincial—District ) Grand Registrar , if an installed First Principal . If this is correct law we should have also to
read—28 . The Provincial—District)—Grand Secretarry is to be ( Provincial—District ) Grand Scribe E ., if an installed First Principal . 26 . The ( Provincial—District ) Deputy Grand Master , if a Present or Past First Principal of a chapter ( Reg . 37 ) is to be ( Provincial—District ) Second Grand Principal .
That this line of argument is correct will be seen if Regulations 24— " The First Grand Principal shall annually . . . . appoint the following Grand Officers . " 26 already quoted , and 31— "If any officer of the Grand Lodge , who , if otherwise duly qualified would take office in the Grand Chapter by virtue
of his office in the Grand Lodge , shall not be qualified to hold such corresponding office in the Grand Chapter , the First Grand Principal shall appoint some other companion to fill the vacant
oflice , except in the case of the Grand Treasurer , who shall be elected by the Grand Chapter "—be compared with Regulation " 36—Grand Superintendents are empowered to appoint the following Provincial or District Grand Officers .
As it is not to be supposed that the Grand Superintendent is free as to his officers from the laws which bind the First Grand Principal himself as to his . It seems , at least , open lo qnestion whether the (
Provincial-District ) ( irand Treasurer and Grand Superintendent must not be thc ( Provincial—District ) Grand Treasurer and ( Provincial—District ) Grand Master in the Craft—but these arc not quite so clear as the others .
By a reference to Grand Lodge Calendar it will be seen that in a large proportion ol cases—something like one in three or one in four , the ( Provincial—District ) Grand Secretary is not thc ( Provincial—District ) Grand Scribe E ., and it can hardly be that
in all these cases the ground is lack of qualification . On the whole , therefore , it is submitted that the Deputy G . Registrar ' s reading of the law is a new one , and is erroneous , and lhat Law 43 must nol be read as incorporating for a Province or District these limitations which entitle certain Grand
Lodge Officers ( if duly qualified ) to the corresponding offices in Grand Chapter . ' If it be correct , and especiall y if the second point be admitted , so many difficulties would arise from the existingstate of things that some legislation is required to settle the rights ofthe present and past holders of offices when the appointments have