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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Jan. 1, 1870
  • Page 4
  • ADDRESS TO OUR READERS.
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Jan. 1, 1870: Page 4

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    Article ADDRESS TO OUR READERS. ← Page 2 of 2
Page 4

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Address To Our Readers.

in so short a space of time—about three hours only , once in three months , being devoted to Masonic legislation . True , it may be said that the committees iu reality carry on the work , and settle many trivial affairs , with which there is no necessity to occupy the time of the Grand Lodge , but these committees are compelled to adopt many expedients to prevent business coming before them and before Grand Lodge , though there are many subjects of weighty consideration which require to be brought before both . Under the present regulations any business not completed at the appointed time has to stand over for three months . This surely is not as it should be , and we must learn a lesson from our American and Continental brethren , who keep their Grand Lodges open , on adjournment from day to day , until the business is concluded .

However unpalatable these remarks may prove to the powers that be , many great changes in this and in other matters in connection with the administration of Grand Lodge business must ere long be adopted , as have other reforms , which in years gone by were persistently advocated in this MAGAZINE , and at the time brought upon the heads of its conductors the wrath of many of the Grand Lodge Officers .

Agam , we call attention to the meagre accounts of the business aone , and the paucity of information which is doled out to the brethren concerning the doings at head quarters . While possessing a Grand Secretary who is indefatigable in the performance of his duties , with a reputation , not confined to this country , for business qualifications , it is perfectly clear that somewhere great obstructiveness prevails . That great reforms are needed in the secretarial department of the Grand Lodge is a fact which has now become patent . Whilst the Grand Orient of France issued

a "Bulletin Official" of the proceedings at its recent Council , consisting of 128 octavo pages , and some of the American Grand Lodges handsome volumes of 300 or 400 closely printed pages annually , the Grand Lodge of England issues a pamphlet , neither much larger nor better in appearance than a penny song book .

The consideration of the subject of Uniformity of Ritual , which we had hoped would have received due deliberation , has been shelved , but there are true hearted and persistent brethren who will , we have no doubt , pursue the matter to the end , and they may rest assured of our assistance on every occasion . Although the matter has been deferred on the ground of an objection , on the part of brethren occupying seats on the dais , to some of the proposed members of the committee , we fear that the real objection arose from a disposition to shirk the duty , many being unwilling or unable to devote

the necessary time , if not the literary talent . It was a subject of observation at the last Quarterly Communication by brethren below the dais , how few of those who raised the objection were proficient in anything more than the ordinary duties of conferring the three degrees , many being perfectly unable even to repeat the beautiful lectures incident to those degrees . Beyond this , internal dissension seemed to prevail amongst those nominated , and it was even stated , that some sought appointment on the committee with the avowed intention of preventing the accomplishment of the objects of the promoters of the movement .

Our Masonic Charites are steadily prospering , but there is yet much to be done . It can hardly be said that their work is entirely satisfactory , till every worthy and needy applicant is provided for . Still the result of the past year is magnificent . The collections at the festivals have footed up the following large amounts ; The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution £ 3 , 266 14 s . ; The Boys' School £ 9 , 741 , and the Girl ' s School £ 4 , 050 lis ., making a total of nearly £ 17 , 000 collected at the three festivals , in addition to the ordinary sources of income . Were this alone the good that resulted from the work of Masonry , what a conclusive argument against the denunciations of its detractors .

The more general use of music in our ceremonies , an attractive and impressive feature , is occupying largely the attention of many of the brethren . The recent improvements in the construction of the harmonium enables every lodge to possess one at a trifling expense , and there are few lodges in which a brother cannot be found , of sufficient musical ability , who would willingly give his services . To forward this desirable end , we have given in our pages , from time to time , portions of the necessary music for use in the Craft and Mark degrees , which are also published separately , in a convenient form for lodge use .

Before the close of another volume , the new postal rate for newspapers will come into operation , by which the expense of postage on the MAGAZINE will be reduced one half . Of this our subscribers will receive the full benefit , and we hope in consequence , a large accession to the number of our supporters . We would respectfully urge on our many kind and devoted friends to assist us in extending the sphere of our usefulness , by inducing those brethren who are not on our list to forward their names . With this help , and the increased facilities which will be placed at our command , we shall be enabled to keep our journal up to the high standard of excellence we have ever strived to maintain .

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1870-01-01, Page 4” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 26 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_01011870/page/4/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
Untitled Article 2
ADDRESS TO OUR READERS. Article 3
INDEX. Article 5
Untitled Article 9
THE MARK DEGREE. Article 9
SOCIAL INFLUENCE OF MASONRY. Article 9
THE HAUGHFOOT LODGE AND SPECULATIVE MASONRY. Article 11
HOW I SPENT MY FIVE WEEKS' LEAVE. Article 12
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 15
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 16
ROYAL ARCH MASONRY. Article 16
BRO. ELIAS ASHMOLE. Article 17
Untitled Article 18
MASONIC MEMS. Article 18
Craft Masonry. ENGLISH CONSTITUTION Article 18
PROVINCIAL. Article 18
Untitled Article 20
SCOTTISH CONSTITUTION. Article 21
ROYAL ARCH. Article 22
MARK MASONRY. Article 22
THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES. Article 23
PRESENTATION TO BRO . W. H. CROOKE, PROV. G. S. DURHAM, SUNDERLAND. Article 26
Poetry. Article 27
SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK. Article 27
LIST OF LODGE, MEETINGS, &c., FOR WEEK ENDING 8TH JANUARY, 1870. Article 27
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 28
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Address To Our Readers.

in so short a space of time—about three hours only , once in three months , being devoted to Masonic legislation . True , it may be said that the committees iu reality carry on the work , and settle many trivial affairs , with which there is no necessity to occupy the time of the Grand Lodge , but these committees are compelled to adopt many expedients to prevent business coming before them and before Grand Lodge , though there are many subjects of weighty consideration which require to be brought before both . Under the present regulations any business not completed at the appointed time has to stand over for three months . This surely is not as it should be , and we must learn a lesson from our American and Continental brethren , who keep their Grand Lodges open , on adjournment from day to day , until the business is concluded .

However unpalatable these remarks may prove to the powers that be , many great changes in this and in other matters in connection with the administration of Grand Lodge business must ere long be adopted , as have other reforms , which in years gone by were persistently advocated in this MAGAZINE , and at the time brought upon the heads of its conductors the wrath of many of the Grand Lodge Officers .

Agam , we call attention to the meagre accounts of the business aone , and the paucity of information which is doled out to the brethren concerning the doings at head quarters . While possessing a Grand Secretary who is indefatigable in the performance of his duties , with a reputation , not confined to this country , for business qualifications , it is perfectly clear that somewhere great obstructiveness prevails . That great reforms are needed in the secretarial department of the Grand Lodge is a fact which has now become patent . Whilst the Grand Orient of France issued

a "Bulletin Official" of the proceedings at its recent Council , consisting of 128 octavo pages , and some of the American Grand Lodges handsome volumes of 300 or 400 closely printed pages annually , the Grand Lodge of England issues a pamphlet , neither much larger nor better in appearance than a penny song book .

The consideration of the subject of Uniformity of Ritual , which we had hoped would have received due deliberation , has been shelved , but there are true hearted and persistent brethren who will , we have no doubt , pursue the matter to the end , and they may rest assured of our assistance on every occasion . Although the matter has been deferred on the ground of an objection , on the part of brethren occupying seats on the dais , to some of the proposed members of the committee , we fear that the real objection arose from a disposition to shirk the duty , many being unwilling or unable to devote

the necessary time , if not the literary talent . It was a subject of observation at the last Quarterly Communication by brethren below the dais , how few of those who raised the objection were proficient in anything more than the ordinary duties of conferring the three degrees , many being perfectly unable even to repeat the beautiful lectures incident to those degrees . Beyond this , internal dissension seemed to prevail amongst those nominated , and it was even stated , that some sought appointment on the committee with the avowed intention of preventing the accomplishment of the objects of the promoters of the movement .

Our Masonic Charites are steadily prospering , but there is yet much to be done . It can hardly be said that their work is entirely satisfactory , till every worthy and needy applicant is provided for . Still the result of the past year is magnificent . The collections at the festivals have footed up the following large amounts ; The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution £ 3 , 266 14 s . ; The Boys' School £ 9 , 741 , and the Girl ' s School £ 4 , 050 lis ., making a total of nearly £ 17 , 000 collected at the three festivals , in addition to the ordinary sources of income . Were this alone the good that resulted from the work of Masonry , what a conclusive argument against the denunciations of its detractors .

The more general use of music in our ceremonies , an attractive and impressive feature , is occupying largely the attention of many of the brethren . The recent improvements in the construction of the harmonium enables every lodge to possess one at a trifling expense , and there are few lodges in which a brother cannot be found , of sufficient musical ability , who would willingly give his services . To forward this desirable end , we have given in our pages , from time to time , portions of the necessary music for use in the Craft and Mark degrees , which are also published separately , in a convenient form for lodge use .

Before the close of another volume , the new postal rate for newspapers will come into operation , by which the expense of postage on the MAGAZINE will be reduced one half . Of this our subscribers will receive the full benefit , and we hope in consequence , a large accession to the number of our supporters . We would respectfully urge on our many kind and devoted friends to assist us in extending the sphere of our usefulness , by inducing those brethren who are not on our list to forward their names . With this help , and the increased facilities which will be placed at our command , we shall be enabled to keep our journal up to the high standard of excellence we have ever strived to maintain .

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