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Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —Some of your correspondents have lately busied themselves in denouncing what are termed " cliques" in Masonic Lodges . If the evil exist , I think they would be much better employed in devising a remedy , than in publishing it to the world . I am persuaded the cure is within themselves . Those who judge of a Masonic Lodge from the refreshment-board , will be led to form a very erroneous estimate of it , as it is here only that unanimity prevails , and individual exertions are co-operative . In every other department , those who will , may . The whole management of Lodge affairs is left to a few who
[ The Editor does not hold himself responsible for any opinions entertained by Correspondents . ^
MASONIC CLIQUES
duly appreciate their advantages , and thus what are called " cliques' are unavoidably formed , through the supineness of those who are the very first , to denounce them . If every member would , as he ought , take an interest in the management of his Lodge , and endeavour to promote its prosperity , —in short , if every Brother would do his duty , —there would be no " cliques . " If those who do act thus are to be stigmatized , the sooner every Masonic Lodge becomes a " clique" the better . The Craft might lose considerably in number , —in every other point the gain would be immense . The " clique" are almost always the only working bees of a Lodge ; the others are but drones , who neither appreciate the advantages of Freemasonry nor profit by it .
I am persuaded this is the true view of the matter , and I submit it for the consideration of your correspondents in a truly Masonic spirit . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , Very truly , Oldham , 18 th March , 1856 . P . Z ., No . 344 .
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRKOR . Sir and Brother , —I have read with some surprise a letter in your last number signed " Justitia , " on the subject of Masonic cliques . The Brother alluded to as an example , or victim , is well known in the city in which he resides , and the description given of him is too plain to be mistaken as to his identity . I , at once , bear my testimony to the correctness of his memory in getting up the lectures , & c . I also concur in the remark that preferment ought to be the reward of merit ; but
" Justitia " is particularly unhappy in his selection of an example . I will tell you how that principle is carried out in the Lodge in which the Brother alluded to occupied the chair for two years . At the last appointment of officers , a Brother was placed in the S . W . chair who had only been initiated fifteen months , and raised barely or a little less than one year , who had served no previous office whatever , over the heads of other brethren who had worked their way step by step with great zeal ,
diligence , and perseverance , in the Lodge . Why was this preference shown ? "Was it that the Brother chosen was more fitted , or that he had displayed a greater amount of knowledge or Masonic merit ? No ; it was a reward for his having assisted this same Brother to establish a Camp of Knights Templar in direct opposition to , and in utter defiance of , the Supreme Grand Commander , who is also
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —Some of your correspondents have lately busied themselves in denouncing what are termed " cliques" in Masonic Lodges . If the evil exist , I think they would be much better employed in devising a remedy , than in publishing it to the world . I am persuaded the cure is within themselves . Those who judge of a Masonic Lodge from the refreshment-board , will be led to form a very erroneous estimate of it , as it is here only that unanimity prevails , and individual exertions are co-operative . In every other department , those who will , may . The whole management of Lodge affairs is left to a few who
[ The Editor does not hold himself responsible for any opinions entertained by Correspondents . ^
MASONIC CLIQUES
duly appreciate their advantages , and thus what are called " cliques' are unavoidably formed , through the supineness of those who are the very first , to denounce them . If every member would , as he ought , take an interest in the management of his Lodge , and endeavour to promote its prosperity , —in short , if every Brother would do his duty , —there would be no " cliques . " If those who do act thus are to be stigmatized , the sooner every Masonic Lodge becomes a " clique" the better . The Craft might lose considerably in number , —in every other point the gain would be immense . The " clique" are almost always the only working bees of a Lodge ; the others are but drones , who neither appreciate the advantages of Freemasonry nor profit by it .
I am persuaded this is the true view of the matter , and I submit it for the consideration of your correspondents in a truly Masonic spirit . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , Very truly , Oldham , 18 th March , 1856 . P . Z ., No . 344 .
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRKOR . Sir and Brother , —I have read with some surprise a letter in your last number signed " Justitia , " on the subject of Masonic cliques . The Brother alluded to as an example , or victim , is well known in the city in which he resides , and the description given of him is too plain to be mistaken as to his identity . I , at once , bear my testimony to the correctness of his memory in getting up the lectures , & c . I also concur in the remark that preferment ought to be the reward of merit ; but
" Justitia " is particularly unhappy in his selection of an example . I will tell you how that principle is carried out in the Lodge in which the Brother alluded to occupied the chair for two years . At the last appointment of officers , a Brother was placed in the S . W . chair who had only been initiated fifteen months , and raised barely or a little less than one year , who had served no previous office whatever , over the heads of other brethren who had worked their way step by step with great zeal ,
diligence , and perseverance , in the Lodge . Why was this preference shown ? "Was it that the Brother chosen was more fitted , or that he had displayed a greater amount of knowledge or Masonic merit ? No ; it was a reward for his having assisted this same Brother to establish a Camp of Knights Templar in direct opposition to , and in utter defiance of , the Supreme Grand Commander , who is also