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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Feb. 20, 1869
  • Page 4
  • MASONIC DISCIPLINE.—XII.
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Feb. 20, 1869: Page 4

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Masonic Discipline.—Xii.

placed , as it were , in loco parentis , to be in a great measure oblivious to the obligations entailed upon thorn ? Can it be right for them to bo so derelict , so lax in the discharge of the trust reposed in them , as literally to allow those confided to their

vigilance and protection , to follow their own devices , and to drift like stray waifs upon the troubled waters of discord , discrepancy , and uncertainty ? When one comes to reflect upon the origin of the numerous discrepancies that exist in the

working of different lodges , it is easy to trace them all to one cause , namely , the absence of any absolutely recognised standard or acknowledged model . There is , moreover , unfortunately , a blind fanaticism prevalent among many of the instructors , or

those who are regarded as authorities upon the ritual , the ceremonies , and the whole working in general of lodges , that does more to perpetuate the evil , than if the actual differences of opinion were multiplied a hundred fold . It will be found

that in the majority of instances , where two different opinions are expressed , it is very rare that any shadow of a reason can be advanced for the

validity of either . Upon interrogation , the usual answer is , that " it is so—how , or why it is so , we do not know ; but so it is , aud that ' s all about it ,. " Now , no one more readily admits than ourselves , that this is the true and proper auswer to a great

many questions of a purely Masonic character . What other answer could be given if it were demanded why the obligations of the E . A ., F . C ., or M . M . are what they are ? The rites aud ceremonies belonging to a fraternity coeval with the creation of

the firmament , are beyond all interrogatory jurisdiction . They stand above the reach of human inquisition . Like the will of the Omnipotent Creator—immutable aud eternal—they come not

within the narrow sphere of mundane criticism . The nature of their origin , and the mystery of their creation , are lost in the oblivion of ages ; their secrets are not to be fathomed by the rules of logic nor by the wiles of sophistry . But while we

recognise the correctness of the ipse dixit reply to the great truths and mysteries of the Craft , we confess that iu many instances it proves a lamentable failure , and only serves to indicate one of two things , or perhaps both . It tends to demonstrate

either that the opinion or statement is incorrect , or that the person advancing it , is unable to support it , and , as frequently hajjpens , really knows nothing about it . It will scarcely bo believed that we have known the grossest grammatical blunders—the

most ridiculous perversions of the vernacular defeuded , upon no other grounds than those of " it is so . 55 It is equivalent to the notorious pontifical non possumus . The effect of such "instruction upon a man of education , even on a comparatively

limited scale , requires no comment . What must it be on others who have the good fortune to be thoroughly educated , as gentlemen and professional men ? In spite of whatever may be asserted to the contrary , we maintain that any portion of the ritual which is couched in terms ,

involving an absolute violation of the rules of grammar and common sense is wrong , aud should be altered by authority , so as to obviate all chance of its provoking an involuntary smile , either of incredulity or contempt , upon the faces of the audience .

The education of the members of the Craft , requires to be taken in hand at once by those who are conscientiously responsible for the welfare and progress of Freemasonry . Instances of this kind could , we regret to assert , be multiplied almost

ad infinitum , and when we treat hereafter more especially of the ritual , its beauties and defects , they will be jjointed out , so far as can be consistently done , to the uninitiated world at large who are not Masons .

Assuming , therefore , as the basis of our plan , that the supreme authority is bound conscientiously and morally to " take up " the question of the educational improvement of the Craft in general , let us now fill in the details of the proposed project . In

the first place , it is essential that a lodge of instruction should be held , under the sanction of Grand Lodge , in which candidates for the certificates of proficiency , alluded to in a former article , would be the officers . There would be no

difficulty , in a city like our mighty metropolis , where there is abundance of Masonic energy and ability in appointing , honoris causa , five or six , or more , principal instructors , or rather Professors of Freemasonry . As the presence of one of these is all

that would be required at a time , it would be an easy matter to hold the lodge of instruction once a week , with the exception , perhaps , of one or two of the ordinary summer vacation months . These are details that present no obstacle to a z'eady

adjustment hereafter , provided the essential points be once agreed t to . This Lodge of Instruction , which [ might be appropriately designated by the addition of the title of " Grand / ' would have a candidate W . M ., candidate principal , and candidate assistant officers . Iu addition , the greater portion .

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1869-02-20, Page 4” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 13 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_20021869/page/4/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
SKETCHES OF NOTABLE MASONIC WORKS. Article 1
MASONIC DISCIPLINE.—XII. Article 3
THE SEPULCHRE OF SOLOMON, KING OF ISRAEL. Article 5
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS. Article 6
FUNERAL ORATION. Article 8
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 9
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 11
BRO. FINDEL AND BRO. MORRIS. Article 12
Untitled Article 12
MASONIC MEMS. Article 12
METROPOLITAN. Article 13
PROVINCIAL. Article 14
ROYAL ARCH. Article 18
MARK MASONRY. Article 18
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 18
MASONIC FESTIVITIES. Article 19
Obituary. Article 19
PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. Article 19
MEETINGS OF THE LEARNED SOCIETIES. Article 20
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 20
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Masonic Discipline.—Xii.

placed , as it were , in loco parentis , to be in a great measure oblivious to the obligations entailed upon thorn ? Can it be right for them to bo so derelict , so lax in the discharge of the trust reposed in them , as literally to allow those confided to their

vigilance and protection , to follow their own devices , and to drift like stray waifs upon the troubled waters of discord , discrepancy , and uncertainty ? When one comes to reflect upon the origin of the numerous discrepancies that exist in the

working of different lodges , it is easy to trace them all to one cause , namely , the absence of any absolutely recognised standard or acknowledged model . There is , moreover , unfortunately , a blind fanaticism prevalent among many of the instructors , or

those who are regarded as authorities upon the ritual , the ceremonies , and the whole working in general of lodges , that does more to perpetuate the evil , than if the actual differences of opinion were multiplied a hundred fold . It will be found

that in the majority of instances , where two different opinions are expressed , it is very rare that any shadow of a reason can be advanced for the

validity of either . Upon interrogation , the usual answer is , that " it is so—how , or why it is so , we do not know ; but so it is , aud that ' s all about it ,. " Now , no one more readily admits than ourselves , that this is the true and proper auswer to a great

many questions of a purely Masonic character . What other answer could be given if it were demanded why the obligations of the E . A ., F . C ., or M . M . are what they are ? The rites aud ceremonies belonging to a fraternity coeval with the creation of

the firmament , are beyond all interrogatory jurisdiction . They stand above the reach of human inquisition . Like the will of the Omnipotent Creator—immutable aud eternal—they come not

within the narrow sphere of mundane criticism . The nature of their origin , and the mystery of their creation , are lost in the oblivion of ages ; their secrets are not to be fathomed by the rules of logic nor by the wiles of sophistry . But while we

recognise the correctness of the ipse dixit reply to the great truths and mysteries of the Craft , we confess that iu many instances it proves a lamentable failure , and only serves to indicate one of two things , or perhaps both . It tends to demonstrate

either that the opinion or statement is incorrect , or that the person advancing it , is unable to support it , and , as frequently hajjpens , really knows nothing about it . It will scarcely bo believed that we have known the grossest grammatical blunders—the

most ridiculous perversions of the vernacular defeuded , upon no other grounds than those of " it is so . 55 It is equivalent to the notorious pontifical non possumus . The effect of such "instruction upon a man of education , even on a comparatively

limited scale , requires no comment . What must it be on others who have the good fortune to be thoroughly educated , as gentlemen and professional men ? In spite of whatever may be asserted to the contrary , we maintain that any portion of the ritual which is couched in terms ,

involving an absolute violation of the rules of grammar and common sense is wrong , aud should be altered by authority , so as to obviate all chance of its provoking an involuntary smile , either of incredulity or contempt , upon the faces of the audience .

The education of the members of the Craft , requires to be taken in hand at once by those who are conscientiously responsible for the welfare and progress of Freemasonry . Instances of this kind could , we regret to assert , be multiplied almost

ad infinitum , and when we treat hereafter more especially of the ritual , its beauties and defects , they will be jjointed out , so far as can be consistently done , to the uninitiated world at large who are not Masons .

Assuming , therefore , as the basis of our plan , that the supreme authority is bound conscientiously and morally to " take up " the question of the educational improvement of the Craft in general , let us now fill in the details of the proposed project . In

the first place , it is essential that a lodge of instruction should be held , under the sanction of Grand Lodge , in which candidates for the certificates of proficiency , alluded to in a former article , would be the officers . There would be no

difficulty , in a city like our mighty metropolis , where there is abundance of Masonic energy and ability in appointing , honoris causa , five or six , or more , principal instructors , or rather Professors of Freemasonry . As the presence of one of these is all

that would be required at a time , it would be an easy matter to hold the lodge of instruction once a week , with the exception , perhaps , of one or two of the ordinary summer vacation months . These are details that present no obstacle to a z'eady

adjustment hereafter , provided the essential points be once agreed t to . This Lodge of Instruction , which [ might be appropriately designated by the addition of the title of " Grand / ' would have a candidate W . M ., candidate principal , and candidate assistant officers . Iu addition , the greater portion .

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