Skip to main content
Museum of Freemasonry

Masonic Periodicals Online

  • Explore
  • Advanced Search
  • Home
  • Explore
  • The Masonic Mirror
  • Oct. 1, 1855
  • Page 1
Current:

The Masonic Mirror, Oct. 1, 1855: Page 1

  • Back to The Masonic Mirror, Oct. 1, 1855
  • Print image
  • Articles/Ads
    Article UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL. Page 1 of 3 →
Page 1

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Uniformity Of Ritual.

UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL .

ONE would think , that nothing need be said , with respect to the advantages necessarily resulting from uniformity , in the ritual used in Masonic Lodges . The benefits perfect uniformity would confer upon tbe Order , are so numerous , and so obvious , that Ave really have to apologize for attempting to argue tbe point in the pages of this periodical . We do so , however , for two especial reasons : first , because , absiu-d though it may appear , there

are actually worthy and accomplished brethren amongst us ,- who think and speak lightly of that uniformity which others are labouring so hard to establish and sustain ; and secondly , because there are very many - Lodges—vastly more than is generally imagined—in which the brethren not only do not , but absolutely cannot Avork , according to the ritual and ceremonial , now sanctioned by the United Grand Lodge of England . A

ritual or ceremonial , accepted by the Craft with cheerfulness and cordiality , and authorized by the Grand Lodge , ought thenceforth to be rigidly adhered to , and guarded even against verbal deviations . The Craft would do well , in this regard , to imitate that jealousy of innovation or alteration , by means of which our ancient brethren , the Israelites , so long and so wondrously preserved the integrity of the text of the Volume of the Sacred

LUAV . Success in all those matters depends upon individual exertion . Every Brother should not only do his duty , but he should do it just as if the success of the whole affair depended entirely upon him . This is the spirit which Ave should like to see infused into the Craft generally , not in this matter alone , but in everything which is done , or can be done , to promote the extension and solidification of the Order .

It is easy for the experienced and observant brother , to see the thousands of modes by which words and phrases , creep into and corrupt our exquisitely chaste and beautiful ceremonial . We might give many illustrations of this , which it is not expedient to print . They will suggest themselves , in multitudes , to the experienced reader ' s mind . It is advisable , however ; to indicate one or two of themif onlfor the of showing

, y purpose the evil , and pointing out a remedy . Krst and foremost , then , amongst the causes of diversity , is the appointment of brethren to offices , who are not duly qualified for the positions to which they are elevated , by being minutely familiar with the rites , and ceremonies , in use amongst us . It is of no use concealing the fact ; ordinances

" sharp , " as they used to say in Queen Elizabeth ' s time , ought to be speedil y and sharply applied to this evil , in order at least to mitigate I I

“The Masonic Mirror: 1855-10-01, Page 1” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 28 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mir/issues/mmg_01101855/page/1/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL. Article 1
FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND. Article 4
MASONIC REMINISCENCES. Article 11
THE NEW CONSTITUTIONS OF THE FRENCH MASONS. Article 17
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. Article 21
LONDON LODGES. Article 24
PROVINCIAL LODGES. Article 25
ROYAL ARCH. Article 42
SCOTLAND. Article 43
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 50
SUMMARY OF SMEWS FOR SEPTEMBER. Article 53
NOTICES. Article 59
Page 1

Page 1

1 Article
Page 2

Page 2

1 Article
Page 3

Page 3

1 Article
Page 4

Page 4

1 Article
Page 5

Page 5

1 Article
Page 6

Page 6

1 Article
Page 7

Page 7

1 Article
Page 8

Page 8

1 Article
Page 9

Page 9

1 Article
Page 10

Page 10

1 Article
Page 11

Page 11

1 Article
Page 12

Page 12

1 Article
Page 13

Page 13

1 Article
Page 14

Page 14

1 Article
Page 15

Page 15

1 Article
Page 16

Page 16

1 Article
Page 17

Page 17

2 Articles
Page 18

Page 18

1 Article
Page 19

Page 19

1 Article
Page 20

Page 20

1 Article
Page 21

Page 21

2 Articles
Page 22

Page 22

1 Article
Page 23

Page 23

1 Article
Page 24

Page 24

2 Articles
Page 25

Page 25

1 Article
Page 26

Page 26

1 Article
Page 27

Page 27

1 Article
Page 28

Page 28

1 Article
Page 29

Page 29

1 Article
Page 30

Page 30

1 Article
Page 31

Page 31

1 Article
Page 32

Page 32

1 Article
Page 33

Page 33

1 Article
Page 34

Page 34

1 Article
Page 35

Page 35

1 Article
Page 36

Page 36

1 Article
Page 37

Page 37

1 Article
Page 38

Page 38

1 Article
Page 39

Page 39

1 Article
Page 40

Page 40

1 Article
Page 41

Page 41

1 Article
Page 42

Page 42

2 Articles
Page 43

Page 43

1 Article
Page 44

Page 44

1 Article
Page 45

Page 45

1 Article
Page 46

Page 46

1 Article
Page 47

Page 47

1 Article
Page 48

Page 48

1 Article
Page 49

Page 49

1 Article
Page 50

Page 50

2 Articles
Page 51

Page 51

1 Article
Page 52

Page 52

1 Article
Page 53

Page 53

2 Articles
Page 54

Page 54

1 Article
Page 55

Page 55

1 Article
Page 56

Page 56

1 Article
Page 57

Page 57

1 Article
Page 58

Page 58

1 Article
Page 59

Page 59

2 Articles
Page 60

Page 60

1 Article
Page 1

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Uniformity Of Ritual.

UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL .

ONE would think , that nothing need be said , with respect to the advantages necessarily resulting from uniformity , in the ritual used in Masonic Lodges . The benefits perfect uniformity would confer upon tbe Order , are so numerous , and so obvious , that Ave really have to apologize for attempting to argue tbe point in the pages of this periodical . We do so , however , for two especial reasons : first , because , absiu-d though it may appear , there

are actually worthy and accomplished brethren amongst us ,- who think and speak lightly of that uniformity which others are labouring so hard to establish and sustain ; and secondly , because there are very many - Lodges—vastly more than is generally imagined—in which the brethren not only do not , but absolutely cannot Avork , according to the ritual and ceremonial , now sanctioned by the United Grand Lodge of England . A

ritual or ceremonial , accepted by the Craft with cheerfulness and cordiality , and authorized by the Grand Lodge , ought thenceforth to be rigidly adhered to , and guarded even against verbal deviations . The Craft would do well , in this regard , to imitate that jealousy of innovation or alteration , by means of which our ancient brethren , the Israelites , so long and so wondrously preserved the integrity of the text of the Volume of the Sacred

LUAV . Success in all those matters depends upon individual exertion . Every Brother should not only do his duty , but he should do it just as if the success of the whole affair depended entirely upon him . This is the spirit which Ave should like to see infused into the Craft generally , not in this matter alone , but in everything which is done , or can be done , to promote the extension and solidification of the Order .

It is easy for the experienced and observant brother , to see the thousands of modes by which words and phrases , creep into and corrupt our exquisitely chaste and beautiful ceremonial . We might give many illustrations of this , which it is not expedient to print . They will suggest themselves , in multitudes , to the experienced reader ' s mind . It is advisable , however ; to indicate one or two of themif onlfor the of showing

, y purpose the evil , and pointing out a remedy . Krst and foremost , then , amongst the causes of diversity , is the appointment of brethren to offices , who are not duly qualified for the positions to which they are elevated , by being minutely familiar with the rites , and ceremonies , in use amongst us . It is of no use concealing the fact ; ordinances

" sharp , " as they used to say in Queen Elizabeth ' s time , ought to be speedil y and sharply applied to this evil , in order at least to mitigate I I

  • Prev page
  • You're on page1
  • 2
  • 60
  • Next page
  • Accredited Museum Designated Outstanding Collection
  • LIBRARY AND MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1058497 / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025

  • Accessibility statement

  • Designed, developed, and maintained by King's Digital Lab

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Privacy & cookie policy