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  • Dec. 20, 1857
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The Masonic Observer, Dec. 20, 1857: Page 4

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Ar00401

one ; m endeavouring to discover the revolutionary tendencies of motions , apparently so innocent , yet which evoked the indignant opposition of the Executive . Well , we may be unwise in our wish that he had been admitted to a real debate . He is at least happily ignorant of that black and hideous conspiracy against the virtuous and the greatwhich would seem proved to demonstration

, by the tactics of so many purples , who with rapidity of conclusion and unanimity of resolve , characteristic , no doubt , of superior intelligence , are ever banded to crush all suggestions not of their own prompting . A man conversant , indeed , with our proceedings and history for the last eighteen monthsmiht distrust the

, g existence of treasons requiring such coercion . A Brother , remembering who struggled to save the lost provinces , might estimate , at its true value , the undisguised hostility to independence of thought . Does it arise ( he might ask ) from fear of future watchfulness ? Or is it assumed ( he might hint ) in revenge for past detection

and exposure ? "Tantame animis CEclestibus ira ?" But to a stranger ' s eyes such exhibitions were perhaps as well spared ; and this was done by the early departure of the Boyal visitor , whose short but hearty farewell speech gave earnest that , while in some lands still

Masonry may be reviled and persecuted , it will always fiud , where his influence avails , a sanctuary and a home . We feel assured that , however wide may be the differences ( and we deeply regret them ) between ourselves and some other Brethren on matters of Masonic policy , we express but the sentiments of the Craft at large in acknowledging with gratitude and reciprocity the esteem manifested towards the Freemasons of England by the visit of the future Son-in-law of our beloved Queen .

Ar00402

ADMISSION INTO MASONRY . —The following is an extract from an address by Bro . Chase to the G . L . of New Hampshire . "We are too apt to act as if we may and ought to receive every man that applies for admission , who is not openly and publicly an immoral or scandalous man . Some , whose habits were dangerously irregular , have been admitted , because they were ' good-hearted fellows , ' and perhaps Masonry would be the means of mending them . In such cases we forget the important fact that our Lod are notshould

ges , not , and cannot be moral reform associations . The ancient charges distinctly aver that only ' good men and true' should be permitted to gain an entrance within the veil of our tabernacle . Ours is a spiritual edifice , in the construction of which no rotten or crooked sticks , no rough , broken , cracked , stained , or superfluous cornered stones , should be allowed a place . Great care should be taken that their defects be found out before they have been removed from the mountain and the quarry , that our ' workmen be not impeded in

their labours by time wasted upon material wholly unfit for use . We should be extremely cautious that our ' partiality for our friend ' does not lead us to propose those who are unworthy of our confidence and respect , and whose admission will only work evil and trouble , and that continually . It is not enough that we know no hurt of a petitioner ; that we never heard anything against his moral character . The question should rather bo , do we know any good of him ? He should not be merely neutral in his morality and

goodness , but positively and actively a ' good and true man . ' These neutrals in the moral world are not fit subjects for Freemasonry . They only serve to swell our numbers at the expense of quality , and occupy room that might be , and should be filled by living stones . As they were out of the Order , so will they be in it— ' lukewarm , neither cold or hot , '—and we know that this was once deemed a grave charge , and sufficient to destroy a whole Church . Our honours were intended for worthy men , and worthy men alone , and they are safe in no other hands . No moral or mental hermaphrodite should ever be allowed among us , any more than one physically such . "

Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

[ Published by the permission of the M . W . the G . M ., upon the Publisher ' s responsibility for the accuracy of the report . " ] The usual Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge of England was held on the evening of the 2 nd ult , in the Freemasons ' Hall . The attendance of the Brethren was more numerous than , usual , it having been rumored that H . R . IL Prince Frederick William of Prussia had accepted the invitation of the M . W . the G . M ., and intended to honor Grand Lodge by his presence The Temple was fitted

up with great taste as a reception-room , and there the G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers awaited the arrival of the Prince . A little after eight , the procession entered the Hall , led hy the G . Tyler . The Grand Master and his Royal visitor walked side by side . So soon as the distinguished party reached the dais , the Brethren greeted H . K . H . with three lusty cheers , and the applause was continued for some minutes , H . R . H . bowing in recognition of the enthusiastic compliment paid to him . Bro . Sir Lucius Curtis , P . G . M . of Hants , acted as Deputy G . M . ; Bro . The Earl of Durham filled his

own chair as S . W . ; and Bro . Beadon , P . G . J . W ., officiated as J . W . There were also present : —Bros . Roxburgh , G . S . D ; Stephen Barton Wilson , G . J . D . ; Cos , G . C . ; Henderson , G . R . ; Nicholson , G . D . C . ; Chapman , Asst . G . D . C . ; Clarke , G . Sec ; Farnfield , Asst . G . Sec ; Havers , P . G . D . ; Spiers , P . G . S . B . ; and several other P . G . Officers . Bro . Maxwell C . Close , M . P ., was also present by special permission . Grand Lodge having been opened in solemn form , The M . W the GRAND MASTER said : Brethren , I am sure it will be a great leasure to youto hear H . E . H . Prince Frederick William of

p , Prussia express the gratification which he feels , at being so highly honored as he has been by the reception you have this evening given him . You are all aware that wo have for a long time contemplated an alliance with Prussia . We have now present in Grand Lodge a representative from that country . H . E . H . Prince Frederick William

was not long ago initiated into the mysteries of our Order ; and he lias expressed to me the gratification which it gives him to make acquaintance with the Grand Lodge of England , which lie this night honors by his presence amongst us . Brethren , you "will with pleasure attend to the Grand Director of Ceremonies . Bro . JENNINGS hereupon proclaimed in Grand Lodge the name and titles of the Prince , and called upon the Brethren to salute him as Master Masons with Seren . This order was complied with in hearty good earnest , with a precision in time truly astonishing , and which

seemed to astonish the illustrious visitor in whose honor it was done . H . E . H . Prince FREDERICK . WILLIAM of PRUSSIA : Brethren , allow me to express to you the pleasure which I feel , in being now present , for the first time , so happily among you . It is the first time I have been in this house , but my heart and the warmest feelings of my heart have always been among you , from the first time I had the lienor and happiness of being made a Freemason . ( Great applause . ) The GRAND SECRETARY then read the minutes of the last Quarterly Communication .

The M . W . the GRAND MASTER having put them for confirmation : W . Bro . BINCKES rose to propose an amendment . The M . W . the GRAND MASTER : Perhaps under the peculiar circumstances of the case , our being honored with the presence of H . E . H ., and the amendment of Bro . Binckes being likely to lead to some discussion , it would be as well to postpone the confirmation of the minutes to a later hour in the evening . ( Hear , hear . ) W . Bro . BINCKES entirely concurred , but presumed his right to move the amendment would not be prejudiced by the delay .

The M . W . the GRAND MASTER said , that when the minutes were put for confirmation , any Brother could move an amendment . He was onlv anxious for the " postponement of anything that might lead to a difference of opinion till after the retirement of H . K . H ., which would probably be before the end of the evening .

NOMINATION OF THE JI . W . G . M . W . Bro . SLIGHT rose to nominate the G . M . for re-election . Whatever differences of opinion mig ht have existed in G . L ., all wore agreed in gratitude to the G . M . for his services to the Craft , and -in their desire to see him again fill the chair which lie had now occupied for thirteen years . ( Hear , hear . )

THE INDIAN BELIEF FUND . The Most W . the G . M . rose and said—Brethren , I have now according to notice , to move , that , taking into consideration the numerous murders and barbarities committed by the Sepoys of Bengal upon the British inhabitants , and the great ' extent of distress and misery entailed upon their families—distress and misery scarcely paralleled in history—this Grand Lodge do grant the sum of £ 1000 to be paid out of the Fund of General Purposes , in aid of the voluntary fund now in the course of formation for tire relief of the sufferers . In

“The Masonic Observer: 1857-12-20, Page 4” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 24 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mob/issues/mob_20121857/page/4/.
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Ar00401

one ; m endeavouring to discover the revolutionary tendencies of motions , apparently so innocent , yet which evoked the indignant opposition of the Executive . Well , we may be unwise in our wish that he had been admitted to a real debate . He is at least happily ignorant of that black and hideous conspiracy against the virtuous and the greatwhich would seem proved to demonstration

, by the tactics of so many purples , who with rapidity of conclusion and unanimity of resolve , characteristic , no doubt , of superior intelligence , are ever banded to crush all suggestions not of their own prompting . A man conversant , indeed , with our proceedings and history for the last eighteen monthsmiht distrust the

, g existence of treasons requiring such coercion . A Brother , remembering who struggled to save the lost provinces , might estimate , at its true value , the undisguised hostility to independence of thought . Does it arise ( he might ask ) from fear of future watchfulness ? Or is it assumed ( he might hint ) in revenge for past detection

and exposure ? "Tantame animis CEclestibus ira ?" But to a stranger ' s eyes such exhibitions were perhaps as well spared ; and this was done by the early departure of the Boyal visitor , whose short but hearty farewell speech gave earnest that , while in some lands still

Masonry may be reviled and persecuted , it will always fiud , where his influence avails , a sanctuary and a home . We feel assured that , however wide may be the differences ( and we deeply regret them ) between ourselves and some other Brethren on matters of Masonic policy , we express but the sentiments of the Craft at large in acknowledging with gratitude and reciprocity the esteem manifested towards the Freemasons of England by the visit of the future Son-in-law of our beloved Queen .

Ar00402

ADMISSION INTO MASONRY . —The following is an extract from an address by Bro . Chase to the G . L . of New Hampshire . "We are too apt to act as if we may and ought to receive every man that applies for admission , who is not openly and publicly an immoral or scandalous man . Some , whose habits were dangerously irregular , have been admitted , because they were ' good-hearted fellows , ' and perhaps Masonry would be the means of mending them . In such cases we forget the important fact that our Lod are notshould

ges , not , and cannot be moral reform associations . The ancient charges distinctly aver that only ' good men and true' should be permitted to gain an entrance within the veil of our tabernacle . Ours is a spiritual edifice , in the construction of which no rotten or crooked sticks , no rough , broken , cracked , stained , or superfluous cornered stones , should be allowed a place . Great care should be taken that their defects be found out before they have been removed from the mountain and the quarry , that our ' workmen be not impeded in

their labours by time wasted upon material wholly unfit for use . We should be extremely cautious that our ' partiality for our friend ' does not lead us to propose those who are unworthy of our confidence and respect , and whose admission will only work evil and trouble , and that continually . It is not enough that we know no hurt of a petitioner ; that we never heard anything against his moral character . The question should rather bo , do we know any good of him ? He should not be merely neutral in his morality and

goodness , but positively and actively a ' good and true man . ' These neutrals in the moral world are not fit subjects for Freemasonry . They only serve to swell our numbers at the expense of quality , and occupy room that might be , and should be filled by living stones . As they were out of the Order , so will they be in it— ' lukewarm , neither cold or hot , '—and we know that this was once deemed a grave charge , and sufficient to destroy a whole Church . Our honours were intended for worthy men , and worthy men alone , and they are safe in no other hands . No moral or mental hermaphrodite should ever be allowed among us , any more than one physically such . "

Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

[ Published by the permission of the M . W . the G . M ., upon the Publisher ' s responsibility for the accuracy of the report . " ] The usual Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge of England was held on the evening of the 2 nd ult , in the Freemasons ' Hall . The attendance of the Brethren was more numerous than , usual , it having been rumored that H . R . IL Prince Frederick William of Prussia had accepted the invitation of the M . W . the G . M ., and intended to honor Grand Lodge by his presence The Temple was fitted

up with great taste as a reception-room , and there the G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers awaited the arrival of the Prince . A little after eight , the procession entered the Hall , led hy the G . Tyler . The Grand Master and his Royal visitor walked side by side . So soon as the distinguished party reached the dais , the Brethren greeted H . K . H . with three lusty cheers , and the applause was continued for some minutes , H . R . H . bowing in recognition of the enthusiastic compliment paid to him . Bro . Sir Lucius Curtis , P . G . M . of Hants , acted as Deputy G . M . ; Bro . The Earl of Durham filled his

own chair as S . W . ; and Bro . Beadon , P . G . J . W ., officiated as J . W . There were also present : —Bros . Roxburgh , G . S . D ; Stephen Barton Wilson , G . J . D . ; Cos , G . C . ; Henderson , G . R . ; Nicholson , G . D . C . ; Chapman , Asst . G . D . C . ; Clarke , G . Sec ; Farnfield , Asst . G . Sec ; Havers , P . G . D . ; Spiers , P . G . S . B . ; and several other P . G . Officers . Bro . Maxwell C . Close , M . P ., was also present by special permission . Grand Lodge having been opened in solemn form , The M . W the GRAND MASTER said : Brethren , I am sure it will be a great leasure to youto hear H . E . H . Prince Frederick William of

p , Prussia express the gratification which he feels , at being so highly honored as he has been by the reception you have this evening given him . You are all aware that wo have for a long time contemplated an alliance with Prussia . We have now present in Grand Lodge a representative from that country . H . E . H . Prince Frederick William

was not long ago initiated into the mysteries of our Order ; and he lias expressed to me the gratification which it gives him to make acquaintance with the Grand Lodge of England , which lie this night honors by his presence amongst us . Brethren , you "will with pleasure attend to the Grand Director of Ceremonies . Bro . JENNINGS hereupon proclaimed in Grand Lodge the name and titles of the Prince , and called upon the Brethren to salute him as Master Masons with Seren . This order was complied with in hearty good earnest , with a precision in time truly astonishing , and which

seemed to astonish the illustrious visitor in whose honor it was done . H . E . H . Prince FREDERICK . WILLIAM of PRUSSIA : Brethren , allow me to express to you the pleasure which I feel , in being now present , for the first time , so happily among you . It is the first time I have been in this house , but my heart and the warmest feelings of my heart have always been among you , from the first time I had the lienor and happiness of being made a Freemason . ( Great applause . ) The GRAND SECRETARY then read the minutes of the last Quarterly Communication .

The M . W . the GRAND MASTER having put them for confirmation : W . Bro . BINCKES rose to propose an amendment . The M . W . the GRAND MASTER : Perhaps under the peculiar circumstances of the case , our being honored with the presence of H . E . H ., and the amendment of Bro . Binckes being likely to lead to some discussion , it would be as well to postpone the confirmation of the minutes to a later hour in the evening . ( Hear , hear . ) W . Bro . BINCKES entirely concurred , but presumed his right to move the amendment would not be prejudiced by the delay .

The M . W . the GRAND MASTER said , that when the minutes were put for confirmation , any Brother could move an amendment . He was onlv anxious for the " postponement of anything that might lead to a difference of opinion till after the retirement of H . K . H ., which would probably be before the end of the evening .

NOMINATION OF THE JI . W . G . M . W . Bro . SLIGHT rose to nominate the G . M . for re-election . Whatever differences of opinion mig ht have existed in G . L ., all wore agreed in gratitude to the G . M . for his services to the Craft , and -in their desire to see him again fill the chair which lie had now occupied for thirteen years . ( Hear , hear . )

THE INDIAN BELIEF FUND . The Most W . the G . M . rose and said—Brethren , I have now according to notice , to move , that , taking into consideration the numerous murders and barbarities committed by the Sepoys of Bengal upon the British inhabitants , and the great ' extent of distress and misery entailed upon their families—distress and misery scarcely paralleled in history—this Grand Lodge do grant the sum of £ 1000 to be paid out of the Fund of General Purposes , in aid of the voluntary fund now in the course of formation for tire relief of the sufferers . In

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