Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00500
been the means of introducing irregular practices into some of our oivn colonies * but , generally speaking , each of our colonial Lodges has its OAA' 11 hall . * The number of toAvns in those places in which Masonry is free and pure , is above a hundred , and most probably reaches one hundred and
fifty . The number of Lodges belonging to such towns is probabl y nofc beloAv two hundred and fifty . We leave the enemies of Masonic purity to ponder these facts . Let them decide whether they will support the cause of Masonic truth or abandon an order into the true faith of which they have never been initiated ¦ or rather their initiation is an empt y form—for no Lodge can admit to more than outward forms those whose souls
remain impure . As a further comment on the facts we have recorded , we shall refer to fche case of the conversion of Birmingham to the cause of truth b y a few pious Masons . Eight years since , every Lodge in Birmingham held its meetings at a tavern ; at present , tAvo onl y out of six adhere to that evil practice .
The first to abandon the system Avas the HOAVC , established in 1851 by a few zealous brethren , who keenly felt the disgrace which attaches to the fraternity through its uniform association in popular opinion with revelling and excess . The HOAVB Lodge has often been derisivel y styled the " non-banqueting Lodge , " but this is altogether a -misrepresentation , for the founders of it professed no asceticism ; they simply
resolved that tavern meetings should be abandoned , and that the sums subscribed for legitimate Masonie purposes should be applied to Masonic purposes only , such of the members as chose to indulge in festivities , themselves defraying the expense ; a resolve which they have scrupulously and even fastidiously adhered to , not one farthinghaving been alienated from the Lodge funds for the pleasures of tho table .
Giving to the difficulty of procuring a place better adapted to their purpose , the Lodge , for several years , submitted to indescribable annoyances and privations in a small inconvenient building , over a canal wharf , rather than compromise their princi ple by resorting to a tavern ; but , in 1856 , having purchased the lease for thirty-six years of a commodious house in Newhall-street , they erected in the rear
of it a lofty Lodge room and banqueting room , each thirty-seven feet by nineteen , together Avith suitable offices ; the old part of the building being , appropriated to the Secretary ' s and committee rooms , as well as to the accommodation of the T yler , his wife and servant , who have tlie care of the premises ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00500
been the means of introducing irregular practices into some of our oivn colonies * but , generally speaking , each of our colonial Lodges has its OAA' 11 hall . * The number of toAvns in those places in which Masonry is free and pure , is above a hundred , and most probably reaches one hundred and
fifty . The number of Lodges belonging to such towns is probabl y nofc beloAv two hundred and fifty . We leave the enemies of Masonic purity to ponder these facts . Let them decide whether they will support the cause of Masonic truth or abandon an order into the true faith of which they have never been initiated ¦ or rather their initiation is an empt y form—for no Lodge can admit to more than outward forms those whose souls
remain impure . As a further comment on the facts we have recorded , we shall refer to fche case of the conversion of Birmingham to the cause of truth b y a few pious Masons . Eight years since , every Lodge in Birmingham held its meetings at a tavern ; at present , tAvo onl y out of six adhere to that evil practice .
The first to abandon the system Avas the HOAVC , established in 1851 by a few zealous brethren , who keenly felt the disgrace which attaches to the fraternity through its uniform association in popular opinion with revelling and excess . The HOAVB Lodge has often been derisivel y styled the " non-banqueting Lodge , " but this is altogether a -misrepresentation , for the founders of it professed no asceticism ; they simply
resolved that tavern meetings should be abandoned , and that the sums subscribed for legitimate Masonie purposes should be applied to Masonic purposes only , such of the members as chose to indulge in festivities , themselves defraying the expense ; a resolve which they have scrupulously and even fastidiously adhered to , not one farthinghaving been alienated from the Lodge funds for the pleasures of tho table .
Giving to the difficulty of procuring a place better adapted to their purpose , the Lodge , for several years , submitted to indescribable annoyances and privations in a small inconvenient building , over a canal wharf , rather than compromise their princi ple by resorting to a tavern ; but , in 1856 , having purchased the lease for thirty-six years of a commodious house in Newhall-street , they erected in the rear
of it a lofty Lodge room and banqueting room , each thirty-seven feet by nineteen , together Avith suitable offices ; the old part of the building being , appropriated to the Secretary ' s and committee rooms , as well as to the accommodation of the T yler , his wife and servant , who have tlie care of the premises ,