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quarters of the globe have recently encountered—is it to be belieyed that they originate in any other source than entire ignorance of our tenets and professions ? Could they have arisen had these been understood and appreciated ? Moreover , as to details of management , if the interests of the body are universal , the greater is the necessity that the executive should be maintained in a condition of the
most perfect efficiency , and hence most ample is the justification of Masonswho take upon themselves to discuss whether the ruling powers properly fulfil the conditions required of them . We do not shut our eyes to the ungraciousness of the task of finding fault , especially when those against whom censure is to be directed are , by either their personal character or by the services they
have rendered , objects of regard and esteem . But past efficiency cannot be accepted in excuse for present incompetency , any more than the existence of abuses can be held as a valid plea for their continuance . "We are quite willing—nay , happy—to admit the value of services rendered in times past by some most distinguished officials , and to attest the advantages resulting from their exertions ; but , on the other hand , we are bound to maintain that the treatment of our
Canadian Brethren , as proved by their petition and memorial , and the complaints we constantly receive from Masons at home and in the colonies , prove the existence of gross and unpardonable neglect , and of a state of things that imperatively requires amendment . We had hoped , indeed , that the sullen endurance which ill
concealed the ever and anon outspoken dissatisfaction at his tenacity of office , would have induced Lord Zetland to have relinquished a charge which he is evidently incompetent to fill , or that some lingering spirit of independent pride , or conscientious recollection of his duty , would have won a few hours towards the maintenance of Masonic honour :
but sarcasm , ridicule , sneer , or invective , fall powerless before the love of patronage , and we therefore hail the announcement of an organization that will assuredly correct neglect , if it does not coerce efficiency , by shaming indifference into action .
The remarks of the Gr . M . at his installation , 31 st March last , prove incontestibly that there is no hope of redress from that quarter ; while the appointments of the Grand Officers on that occasion would seem to have been purposely made to exasperate the notoriously increasing spirit of discontent .
In alluding to this latter subject we may be blamed for interfering with the prerogative of the Gr . M ., still we disclaim any such intent , only advancing the fact as a proof of the evil ; but while we thus disclaim all idea of touching upon prerogative , we reserve to ourselves the right of criticizing its exercise , and in the selection of some of the
officers we fearlessly assert that the bestowal of honours has afforded satisfaction to none in the Craft save the recipients . Brethren who have laboured for years without fee or reward , who have given their time and expended their money to support our charities , and in endeavouring to extend their usefulness and efficiency , have been passed over in silence and their claims neglected ; whilst others have
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Untitled Article
quarters of the globe have recently encountered—is it to be belieyed that they originate in any other source than entire ignorance of our tenets and professions ? Could they have arisen had these been understood and appreciated ? Moreover , as to details of management , if the interests of the body are universal , the greater is the necessity that the executive should be maintained in a condition of the
most perfect efficiency , and hence most ample is the justification of Masonswho take upon themselves to discuss whether the ruling powers properly fulfil the conditions required of them . We do not shut our eyes to the ungraciousness of the task of finding fault , especially when those against whom censure is to be directed are , by either their personal character or by the services they
have rendered , objects of regard and esteem . But past efficiency cannot be accepted in excuse for present incompetency , any more than the existence of abuses can be held as a valid plea for their continuance . "We are quite willing—nay , happy—to admit the value of services rendered in times past by some most distinguished officials , and to attest the advantages resulting from their exertions ; but , on the other hand , we are bound to maintain that the treatment of our
Canadian Brethren , as proved by their petition and memorial , and the complaints we constantly receive from Masons at home and in the colonies , prove the existence of gross and unpardonable neglect , and of a state of things that imperatively requires amendment . We had hoped , indeed , that the sullen endurance which ill
concealed the ever and anon outspoken dissatisfaction at his tenacity of office , would have induced Lord Zetland to have relinquished a charge which he is evidently incompetent to fill , or that some lingering spirit of independent pride , or conscientious recollection of his duty , would have won a few hours towards the maintenance of Masonic honour :
but sarcasm , ridicule , sneer , or invective , fall powerless before the love of patronage , and we therefore hail the announcement of an organization that will assuredly correct neglect , if it does not coerce efficiency , by shaming indifference into action .
The remarks of the Gr . M . at his installation , 31 st March last , prove incontestibly that there is no hope of redress from that quarter ; while the appointments of the Grand Officers on that occasion would seem to have been purposely made to exasperate the notoriously increasing spirit of discontent .
In alluding to this latter subject we may be blamed for interfering with the prerogative of the Gr . M ., still we disclaim any such intent , only advancing the fact as a proof of the evil ; but while we thus disclaim all idea of touching upon prerogative , we reserve to ourselves the right of criticizing its exercise , and in the selection of some of the
officers we fearlessly assert that the bestowal of honours has afforded satisfaction to none in the Craft save the recipients . Brethren who have laboured for years without fee or reward , who have given their time and expended their money to support our charities , and in endeavouring to extend their usefulness and efficiency , have been passed over in silence and their claims neglected ; whilst others have