Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
candidate is continually omitted . As to inquiry being made respecting the moral character of those to be initiated , that is out of tho question . The only chance the Brethren have of knowing who is to be initiated , is when they see him enter the Lodge for that purpose . They receive no notice of a Lodge meeting ; they have only heard by chance that there is to be a making . The W . Master , in all probability , knows nothing about it ; an officer just left word at his house
that such was to be the case . The Secretary only knew of it two hours previously , and how could he be expected to write and issue cards to the Brethren in that time ? Who the candidate is , nobody knows ; this one thinks he is a friend of Brother A . ' s ; the next one that it is Mr . B ., who has always been speaking to Brother C . about joining the Lodge , and as he , Mr . B ., is going to Hull , he wishes to be made , as it will he so much cheaper to be made in Scotland than
in England . Brother D . thinks this must be the case ; and so , when all is ready , in comes the candidate , without ever having been nominated , proposed , ballotted for , or recommended . The minutes of the former meeting are not even read ; and unless the newly-made Brother wishes for a certificate , it is a chance if the Grand Lodge ever hear anything of the making , or see the five shillings and sixpence of the Initiation dues . We cannothoweverexpect
regu-, , larity , or even an approximation to anything like it , so long as the Grand Lodge is at no trouble to inquire into the working of the Lodges , or the manner in which they are conducted . Unfortunately her own example , which is much more effective than any precept , instructs the Brethren to do just as they please in their respective
Lodges with constitution , laws , and regulations ; and it is hut natural that the parent's example should be imitated by the children , and in some instances even exceeded . The Grand Lodge is indeed an indulgent parent , and her children take ample liberties on account of her kindness . It is true that she will sometimes turn round and administer a few stripes , when she thinks the ordinary Lodges are going too far—as in the case of the MASONIC CLUBS—and then her anger finds vent in a circular to her erring " bairns" couched in
, language as heartless as was ever penned by a superior , while dismissing a subordinate for faults , in which both equally participate . But can it be other than a difficult task for the Grand Lodge to attempt to improve the private Lodges , unless she first begins to show that she is in earnest , by rectifying the gross abuses which abundantly flourish within herself ? Unless she rectify her own offences , any advice she may tender to her daughters will come with
a bad grace , and as such , we fear , will be treated with that contempt , which their imperfect education ( through her own neglect ) , may lead her to expect . We will now briefly advert to a few points in the conduct of the Grand Lodge , to show how indifferent that body is to anything like improvement or consistency . We have no hall or place of meeting —not even a rented room—that we can call our own—naynot even
, , a closet that can hold the books of Dr . Morrison ' s library . Why ? Because , it is said , we cannot afford it ! But we pay two officers , a Secretary and Clerk , to carry on the business of the Grand Lodge , when there is not sufficient ivork for one to transact ! To furnish the necessary expences , and form a test of membership , in addition to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
candidate is continually omitted . As to inquiry being made respecting the moral character of those to be initiated , that is out of tho question . The only chance the Brethren have of knowing who is to be initiated , is when they see him enter the Lodge for that purpose . They receive no notice of a Lodge meeting ; they have only heard by chance that there is to be a making . The W . Master , in all probability , knows nothing about it ; an officer just left word at his house
that such was to be the case . The Secretary only knew of it two hours previously , and how could he be expected to write and issue cards to the Brethren in that time ? Who the candidate is , nobody knows ; this one thinks he is a friend of Brother A . ' s ; the next one that it is Mr . B ., who has always been speaking to Brother C . about joining the Lodge , and as he , Mr . B ., is going to Hull , he wishes to be made , as it will he so much cheaper to be made in Scotland than
in England . Brother D . thinks this must be the case ; and so , when all is ready , in comes the candidate , without ever having been nominated , proposed , ballotted for , or recommended . The minutes of the former meeting are not even read ; and unless the newly-made Brother wishes for a certificate , it is a chance if the Grand Lodge ever hear anything of the making , or see the five shillings and sixpence of the Initiation dues . We cannothoweverexpect
regu-, , larity , or even an approximation to anything like it , so long as the Grand Lodge is at no trouble to inquire into the working of the Lodges , or the manner in which they are conducted . Unfortunately her own example , which is much more effective than any precept , instructs the Brethren to do just as they please in their respective
Lodges with constitution , laws , and regulations ; and it is hut natural that the parent's example should be imitated by the children , and in some instances even exceeded . The Grand Lodge is indeed an indulgent parent , and her children take ample liberties on account of her kindness . It is true that she will sometimes turn round and administer a few stripes , when she thinks the ordinary Lodges are going too far—as in the case of the MASONIC CLUBS—and then her anger finds vent in a circular to her erring " bairns" couched in
, language as heartless as was ever penned by a superior , while dismissing a subordinate for faults , in which both equally participate . But can it be other than a difficult task for the Grand Lodge to attempt to improve the private Lodges , unless she first begins to show that she is in earnest , by rectifying the gross abuses which abundantly flourish within herself ? Unless she rectify her own offences , any advice she may tender to her daughters will come with
a bad grace , and as such , we fear , will be treated with that contempt , which their imperfect education ( through her own neglect ) , may lead her to expect . We will now briefly advert to a few points in the conduct of the Grand Lodge , to show how indifferent that body is to anything like improvement or consistency . We have no hall or place of meeting —not even a rented room—that we can call our own—naynot even
, , a closet that can hold the books of Dr . Morrison ' s library . Why ? Because , it is said , we cannot afford it ! But we pay two officers , a Secretary and Clerk , to carry on the business of the Grand Lodge , when there is not sufficient ivork for one to transact ! To furnish the necessary expences , and form a test of membership , in addition to