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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Jan. 2, 1869
  • Page 11
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Jan. 2, 1869: Page 11

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    Article GRAND LODGE OF IOWA.—I. ← Page 2 of 2
    Article MASONIC DISCIPLINE.—V. Page 1 of 3 →
Page 11

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Grand Lodge Of Iowa.—I.

Speculative Masonry upon Operative ; 23 , Landmarks cannot be changed . The Moveable , we think , would be 1 , No lodgo can interfere in the business or another ; ancl 2 , That every Mason is amenable to the laws and

regulations of the Masonic Jurisdiction in which he lives . The rig ht of visitation is undoubtedly a landmark , but a lodge may , on certain occasions , refuse admittance , ancl in some countries has power of refusal under such circumstances as the

discussion of private matters , affecting laws and discipline , till such business is clone with . No lodge can interfere with another , but one lodge can report irregularities existing in another , and

when duly instructed by the Grand Lodge take charge of the offending ; but we very much doubt if a Mason , unless by affiliation , he comes under jurisdiction , can be held amenable to the laws of any Grand Lodge , but that from which he holds

his diploma . Should he commit an offence under an alien jurisdiction , the lodge , or Grand Lodge ' s proper course is to report him to the proper tribunal , who will sentence him according to the law of his mother Grand Lodge .

However , such questions are seldom or ever raised , and , doubtless , should one arise , the matter would be safe to be amicably arranged by the parties interested . LEGIS CODA .

Masonic Discipline.—V.

MASONIC DISCIPLINE . —V .

BY CEUX . To imagine that an exact identity in every portion of ritualistic phraseology could be ensured among the various lodges , would be a chemara , which we do not pretend to propose either to

ourselves or to our readers . We would as soon think of indulging' in the dream of the necromancer and the alchemist , and search for the philosopher's stone , the elixir vite , or the fabled waters of oblivion . It would be impossible , and moreover

to little purpose , if the more elegant foruM of speech were employed in some of the humbler lodges . A lodge composed of Masons in a comparatively humble sphere of life , however worthy they may be as men ancl brothers , cannot be

expected to be worked with the same freedom from grammatical mistakes , and errors of pronunciation , that is to be found in those , the members of which are men of rank and education . We shall have more to say upon this subject , when treating of

Masters and the manner in which they discharge their duties , There would be no difficulty in ensuring that absolute conformity to regulations , which ought to distinguish the circulars issued by every lodge , holding its warrant of constitution

from the United Grand Lodge . Nothing more would be required , so far as the notices of lodge meetings are concerned , than that the supreme authority should issue a standard form or model , to which that of every lodge should exactly

conform . With the exception of the peculiar device or motto of each respective lodge , aud the names of the candidates , initiates and craftsmen ancl their addresses and occupations , every notice would be a true copy of another . Any additions respecting

votes and resolutions to be passed by the brethren could of course be inserted without in any way infringing the principle we advocate . We have not the slightest hesitation in asserting , that unless the reins of Masonic Discipline be drawn tighter

than what they now are , we are in danger of being included in the category of associations which take for their basis and guidance , the epicurean motto of " Eat , Drink , and be Merry . "

With respect to the point to which we have alluded , as well as to numerous others to which we shall direct attention , it must not be supposed that we claim to lay down the law , or to assume to ourselves the prerogative of supreme arbitration .

The suggestions that we shall throw out , the alterations , or extensions that may seem to us calculated to benefit Freemasonry in general , ancl respective loclges in particular , are offered in a truly fraternal spirit , and in such we trust they will be received

ancl supported . The next particular , in which there is not the slightest reason that every lodge should not perfectly agree , is its constitution , that

is , the manner in which its officers are selected and appointed . This is not a question of personal ability , intellectual powers , or reteutiveness of memory . It is an absolute case of Masonic discipline , and calls for perfect unanimity throughout

the whole Craft . Every lodge may be regarded as a regiment , belonging to the same general army , presided over by the same supreme authority , and governed by the same laws . Imagine what the state of military discipline would be , if

promotion in the 24 th regiment was conferred upon a principle totally distinct from that in force in the 65 th or 76 th . Yet such is the state of Masonic discipline . There is but a very meagre provision

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1869-01-02, Page 11” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 10 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_02011869/page/11/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
Untitled Article 2
ADDRESS TO OUR READERS. Article 3
INDEX. Article 5
MASONIC PERSECUTION.—I. Article 9
GRAND LODGE OF IOWA.—I. Article 10
MASONIC DISCIPLINE.—V. Article 11
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS. Article 13
CHAPTER XII. Article 14
CHIPS OF FOREIGN ASHLER. Article 16
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 17
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 19
ANTIQUITY OF CHRISTMAS GAMES. Article 20
MASONIC MEMS. Article 21
METROPOLITAN. Article 21
PROVINCIAL. Article 22
SCOTLAND. Article 24
CHANNEL ISLANDS. Article 25
MARK MASONRY. Article 25
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 25
RED CROSS OF ROME AND CONSTANTINE. Article 25
MASONIC LIFEBOAT FUND. Article 25
MASONIC FESTIVITIES. Article 26
REVIEWS. Article 27
FUNERAL OF THE LATE BRO. JAMES CHALMERS WITH MASONIC HONOURS. Article 27
Obituary. Article 28
METROPOLITAN LODGE MEETINGS, ETC., FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 9TH, 1869. Article 28
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 28
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Grand Lodge Of Iowa.—I.

Speculative Masonry upon Operative ; 23 , Landmarks cannot be changed . The Moveable , we think , would be 1 , No lodgo can interfere in the business or another ; ancl 2 , That every Mason is amenable to the laws and

regulations of the Masonic Jurisdiction in which he lives . The rig ht of visitation is undoubtedly a landmark , but a lodge may , on certain occasions , refuse admittance , ancl in some countries has power of refusal under such circumstances as the

discussion of private matters , affecting laws and discipline , till such business is clone with . No lodge can interfere with another , but one lodge can report irregularities existing in another , and

when duly instructed by the Grand Lodge take charge of the offending ; but we very much doubt if a Mason , unless by affiliation , he comes under jurisdiction , can be held amenable to the laws of any Grand Lodge , but that from which he holds

his diploma . Should he commit an offence under an alien jurisdiction , the lodge , or Grand Lodge ' s proper course is to report him to the proper tribunal , who will sentence him according to the law of his mother Grand Lodge .

However , such questions are seldom or ever raised , and , doubtless , should one arise , the matter would be safe to be amicably arranged by the parties interested . LEGIS CODA .

Masonic Discipline.—V.

MASONIC DISCIPLINE . —V .

BY CEUX . To imagine that an exact identity in every portion of ritualistic phraseology could be ensured among the various lodges , would be a chemara , which we do not pretend to propose either to

ourselves or to our readers . We would as soon think of indulging' in the dream of the necromancer and the alchemist , and search for the philosopher's stone , the elixir vite , or the fabled waters of oblivion . It would be impossible , and moreover

to little purpose , if the more elegant foruM of speech were employed in some of the humbler lodges . A lodge composed of Masons in a comparatively humble sphere of life , however worthy they may be as men ancl brothers , cannot be

expected to be worked with the same freedom from grammatical mistakes , and errors of pronunciation , that is to be found in those , the members of which are men of rank and education . We shall have more to say upon this subject , when treating of

Masters and the manner in which they discharge their duties , There would be no difficulty in ensuring that absolute conformity to regulations , which ought to distinguish the circulars issued by every lodge , holding its warrant of constitution

from the United Grand Lodge . Nothing more would be required , so far as the notices of lodge meetings are concerned , than that the supreme authority should issue a standard form or model , to which that of every lodge should exactly

conform . With the exception of the peculiar device or motto of each respective lodge , aud the names of the candidates , initiates and craftsmen ancl their addresses and occupations , every notice would be a true copy of another . Any additions respecting

votes and resolutions to be passed by the brethren could of course be inserted without in any way infringing the principle we advocate . We have not the slightest hesitation in asserting , that unless the reins of Masonic Discipline be drawn tighter

than what they now are , we are in danger of being included in the category of associations which take for their basis and guidance , the epicurean motto of " Eat , Drink , and be Merry . "

With respect to the point to which we have alluded , as well as to numerous others to which we shall direct attention , it must not be supposed that we claim to lay down the law , or to assume to ourselves the prerogative of supreme arbitration .

The suggestions that we shall throw out , the alterations , or extensions that may seem to us calculated to benefit Freemasonry in general , ancl respective loclges in particular , are offered in a truly fraternal spirit , and in such we trust they will be received

ancl supported . The next particular , in which there is not the slightest reason that every lodge should not perfectly agree , is its constitution , that

is , the manner in which its officers are selected and appointed . This is not a question of personal ability , intellectual powers , or reteutiveness of memory . It is an absolute case of Masonic discipline , and calls for perfect unanimity throughout

the whole Craft . Every lodge may be regarded as a regiment , belonging to the same general army , presided over by the same supreme authority , and governed by the same laws . Imagine what the state of military discipline would be , if

promotion in the 24 th regiment was conferred upon a principle totally distinct from that in force in the 65 th or 76 th . Yet such is the state of Masonic discipline . There is but a very meagre provision

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