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Article GOERESPONI)ENCE. ← Page 4 of 4
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Goeresponi)Ence.
Grand Deacon , the proposition for making him & fast Grand Deacon , was equivalent to calling a square a triangle , or a triangle a square . The condensed report of these observations appearing in your number of the 9 th of June , represents me to have stated , that to confer on Bro Chapman the rank of Past Grand Deacon when he had never been a Grand Deacon , " would stamp a lie on Ms forehead . "
Now , worshipful sir , I must confess that on perusing the report I was shocked at such an expression being attributed to me , and I appeal with perfect confidence to your kindness for an opportunity of disavowing the use of an epithet which can seldom be uttered with perfect propriety , and ought never to be used except on the greatest necessity . Admiring that courage which enables men to express their convictions
at the call of duty , unpalatable as that exercise of duty may occasionally be to themselves arid disagreeable to others , and appreciating the freedom of speech permissible in our excellent Order , I cannot forget that courtesy and gentlemanly conduct are requisite to sustain the dignity of every assemblage , and ought to be characteristic of the Craft I am sure , will coincide in the opinion that arguments should be strong , and language temperate .
The firmness , courtesy , and gentlemanly bearing of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , cannot but sooner or later be reflected on the Craft in general ; and if , in the exercise of the privilege of addressing the Grand Lodge with boldness dictated by the love of truth , I should seem at any tine to forget the pattern before me , I hope the Brethren will charitably attribute my language not to intentional discourtesy , but to some bewildering oversight , for I would not willingly and needle ssly offend anyone .
I must repeat , then , that I did not utter , either wholly or in part , the sentence to which I refer , and Which I have marked above in inverted
commas . This explanation being suggested by regard for the feelings of Brethren who are justly held in high esteem , I beg that you will do me the favour to let it appear in the pages of your valuable Magazine . I am , Worshipful Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally ,
61 , Sydney-street , Brampton , James Mason , P . M . No . 168 . 19 th June , 1858 . [ There is certainly a slight error in the words as reported , though not to the extent the letter of Bro . Mason would imply . The words used were , "he would bear a lie upon his breast . " It is probable that Bro . Mason never intended to use the expression , but that he did so we are positive . — Ed . F . M . l
The TRUE PATRIOT . —He who diffuses the most happiness , and mitigates the most distress within his own circle , is undoubtedly the best friend to his country and to the world ; since nothing more is necessary than for all men to imitate his conduct , to make the greatest part of the misery of the world cease in a moment . While the passion , then , of some is to shine , of some to govern , and of others to accumulate , let one great passion alone inflame our breasts—the passion which reason ratifies , which conscience approves , which Heaven inspires—that of being and of doing good . — Robert Hall
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Goeresponi)Ence.
Grand Deacon , the proposition for making him & fast Grand Deacon , was equivalent to calling a square a triangle , or a triangle a square . The condensed report of these observations appearing in your number of the 9 th of June , represents me to have stated , that to confer on Bro Chapman the rank of Past Grand Deacon when he had never been a Grand Deacon , " would stamp a lie on Ms forehead . "
Now , worshipful sir , I must confess that on perusing the report I was shocked at such an expression being attributed to me , and I appeal with perfect confidence to your kindness for an opportunity of disavowing the use of an epithet which can seldom be uttered with perfect propriety , and ought never to be used except on the greatest necessity . Admiring that courage which enables men to express their convictions
at the call of duty , unpalatable as that exercise of duty may occasionally be to themselves arid disagreeable to others , and appreciating the freedom of speech permissible in our excellent Order , I cannot forget that courtesy and gentlemanly conduct are requisite to sustain the dignity of every assemblage , and ought to be characteristic of the Craft I am sure , will coincide in the opinion that arguments should be strong , and language temperate .
The firmness , courtesy , and gentlemanly bearing of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , cannot but sooner or later be reflected on the Craft in general ; and if , in the exercise of the privilege of addressing the Grand Lodge with boldness dictated by the love of truth , I should seem at any tine to forget the pattern before me , I hope the Brethren will charitably attribute my language not to intentional discourtesy , but to some bewildering oversight , for I would not willingly and needle ssly offend anyone .
I must repeat , then , that I did not utter , either wholly or in part , the sentence to which I refer , and Which I have marked above in inverted
commas . This explanation being suggested by regard for the feelings of Brethren who are justly held in high esteem , I beg that you will do me the favour to let it appear in the pages of your valuable Magazine . I am , Worshipful Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally ,
61 , Sydney-street , Brampton , James Mason , P . M . No . 168 . 19 th June , 1858 . [ There is certainly a slight error in the words as reported , though not to the extent the letter of Bro . Mason would imply . The words used were , "he would bear a lie upon his breast . " It is probable that Bro . Mason never intended to use the expression , but that he did so we are positive . — Ed . F . M . l
The TRUE PATRIOT . —He who diffuses the most happiness , and mitigates the most distress within his own circle , is undoubtedly the best friend to his country and to the world ; since nothing more is necessary than for all men to imitate his conduct , to make the greatest part of the misery of the world cease in a moment . While the passion , then , of some is to shine , of some to govern , and of others to accumulate , let one great passion alone inflame our breasts—the passion which reason ratifies , which conscience approves , which Heaven inspires—that of being and of doing good . — Robert Hall