Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brother Clabon's Proposed Alterations In The Book Of Constitutions Affecting The Fund Of Benevolence.
every Freemason in the country , the more humble ho may be the more likely the matter is to become one of personal hardship to him , therefore , it is not only to members of Grand Lodge that we must look for support but to the entire Craft , ' for we should remember—a clause frequently overlooked—Sec . 21 , "Of private
lodges , " tells us : — " The mujority of the members of a lodge , when congregated , have the privilege of giving instructions to their Master , the immediate P ,- --t Master , and Wardens , before the meeting of the Grand Lodge ; because such officers are their representatives , and are supposed to
¦ speak their sentiments . " And if the brethren , not yet eligible to sit in Grand Lodge , do but study their own interests , they will depute their lodge officers to offer such a hearty opposition to the scheme , that the proposed scheme of confiscation will have to be abandoned for ever .
And now I will prove that the Committee have promulgated a most wicked falsehood . They say " That no reason exists for " continuing this accumulation . " I say it does exist and to break in upon it is to dissolve the Grand Lodge of England . By the XYIIIth Article of Union , between the
reconciled Grand Lodges—on tho 1 st of December , 1813—it is there expressly stipulated : — "The fund , appropriated to the objects of Masonic Benevolence , shall not be infringed on for any purpose , but sha ! be kept strictly and solely devoted to Charity , and pains shall be taken to increase the same . "
By this XVTIIth . Article of Union I have proved my case . If after this , Bro . Clabon aud his Committee dare to confiscate one penny of tho heritage of their poorer brethren , they will assuredly have to answer for their misdeeds , to two higher tribunals than the Grand Lodge of England , the one an English Court of Equity , the
other that last great assize held by him who is the light of the world , where those only shall stand who " See that such as are in need and necessity have right , " for St . John tells us , " He that loveth his brother abideth in the light . "
Having given these extracts from Bro . Cooke ' s letter , we must defer on the present occasion entering further into the question , but we feel assured that the more the subject is ventilated and the better the scheme is understood , the less
chance there will be of its being carried into effect , notwithstanding the cool indifference about such matters too often exhibited by the brethren who sit below the dais when projects emanating from Grand Officers are brought forward .
THE good deeds of the depsivtcd ave kept constantly hoforo our eyes as brig-lit examples for our imitation . These good deeds , like guiding stars , induce us to constantly turn oar eyes upwards to that sacred summit , that pre-eminent and celestial lieaven where virtue , truth , and wisdom reign .
Freemasonry In Portugal.
FREEMASONRY IN PORTUGAL .
3 . —THE LODGE COSMOPOLITE . By DNALXO .
The meetino's of the Grand Orient of Lusitana , and of the lodges of Lisbon , are held at 43 , Rua Novo do Carino , which , from its central position , is one of the most convenient situations iu the city .
This being our first visit to Portugal , we were complete strangers to the brethren in Lisbon , but rel ying on our credentials , we presented ourselves without hesitation at the door of the Masonic temple . Nor was our confidence misplaced , for
the ri ght hand of fellowship was so cordially extended to us , that in a few moments we felt comp letely at home with our newly-found friends . After an exchange of greetings with the brethren in the ante-room , we were presented to Bro .
Lallemant , the Venerable of the Cosmopolite , the Jodg-e whoste members were to assemble that evening . Having a few minutes to wait before the opening of the lodge , we made a brief survey of the rooms devoted to Masonic purposes .
The arrangements of the chamber of reflection , and those of a room used for a ceremonial of the Eose Croix , seemed particularly appropriate . The T yler ' s room was garnished with racks filled with the swords , which , in this rite , form a
portion of the clothing of every brother . The walls of this room were hung with large shields ,, emblematical of the seven degrees , several large busts on pedestals , added to the effect . The only entrance to the lodge room is through this chamber .
The walls of the ante-room were covered with inscrip tions , showing the names of the Grand Lodges ancl Orients in correspondence with the Grand Orient of Lusitana ; this st yle of ornamentation seemed jaeculiarly effective . The Master of Ceremonies now sought us out , and under his escort we adjourned to the lodge
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brother Clabon's Proposed Alterations In The Book Of Constitutions Affecting The Fund Of Benevolence.
every Freemason in the country , the more humble ho may be the more likely the matter is to become one of personal hardship to him , therefore , it is not only to members of Grand Lodge that we must look for support but to the entire Craft , ' for we should remember—a clause frequently overlooked—Sec . 21 , "Of private
lodges , " tells us : — " The mujority of the members of a lodge , when congregated , have the privilege of giving instructions to their Master , the immediate P ,- --t Master , and Wardens , before the meeting of the Grand Lodge ; because such officers are their representatives , and are supposed to
¦ speak their sentiments . " And if the brethren , not yet eligible to sit in Grand Lodge , do but study their own interests , they will depute their lodge officers to offer such a hearty opposition to the scheme , that the proposed scheme of confiscation will have to be abandoned for ever .
And now I will prove that the Committee have promulgated a most wicked falsehood . They say " That no reason exists for " continuing this accumulation . " I say it does exist and to break in upon it is to dissolve the Grand Lodge of England . By the XYIIIth Article of Union , between the
reconciled Grand Lodges—on tho 1 st of December , 1813—it is there expressly stipulated : — "The fund , appropriated to the objects of Masonic Benevolence , shall not be infringed on for any purpose , but sha ! be kept strictly and solely devoted to Charity , and pains shall be taken to increase the same . "
By this XVTIIth . Article of Union I have proved my case . If after this , Bro . Clabon aud his Committee dare to confiscate one penny of tho heritage of their poorer brethren , they will assuredly have to answer for their misdeeds , to two higher tribunals than the Grand Lodge of England , the one an English Court of Equity , the
other that last great assize held by him who is the light of the world , where those only shall stand who " See that such as are in need and necessity have right , " for St . John tells us , " He that loveth his brother abideth in the light . "
Having given these extracts from Bro . Cooke ' s letter , we must defer on the present occasion entering further into the question , but we feel assured that the more the subject is ventilated and the better the scheme is understood , the less
chance there will be of its being carried into effect , notwithstanding the cool indifference about such matters too often exhibited by the brethren who sit below the dais when projects emanating from Grand Officers are brought forward .
THE good deeds of the depsivtcd ave kept constantly hoforo our eyes as brig-lit examples for our imitation . These good deeds , like guiding stars , induce us to constantly turn oar eyes upwards to that sacred summit , that pre-eminent and celestial lieaven where virtue , truth , and wisdom reign .
Freemasonry In Portugal.
FREEMASONRY IN PORTUGAL .
3 . —THE LODGE COSMOPOLITE . By DNALXO .
The meetino's of the Grand Orient of Lusitana , and of the lodges of Lisbon , are held at 43 , Rua Novo do Carino , which , from its central position , is one of the most convenient situations iu the city .
This being our first visit to Portugal , we were complete strangers to the brethren in Lisbon , but rel ying on our credentials , we presented ourselves without hesitation at the door of the Masonic temple . Nor was our confidence misplaced , for
the ri ght hand of fellowship was so cordially extended to us , that in a few moments we felt comp letely at home with our newly-found friends . After an exchange of greetings with the brethren in the ante-room , we were presented to Bro .
Lallemant , the Venerable of the Cosmopolite , the Jodg-e whoste members were to assemble that evening . Having a few minutes to wait before the opening of the lodge , we made a brief survey of the rooms devoted to Masonic purposes .
The arrangements of the chamber of reflection , and those of a room used for a ceremonial of the Eose Croix , seemed particularly appropriate . The T yler ' s room was garnished with racks filled with the swords , which , in this rite , form a
portion of the clothing of every brother . The walls of this room were hung with large shields ,, emblematical of the seven degrees , several large busts on pedestals , added to the effect . The only entrance to the lodge room is through this chamber .
The walls of the ante-room were covered with inscrip tions , showing the names of the Grand Lodges ancl Orients in correspondence with the Grand Orient of Lusitana ; this st yle of ornamentation seemed jaeculiarly effective . The Master of Ceremonies now sought us out , and under his escort we adjourned to the lodge