-
Articles/Ads
Article Monthly Masonic Summary. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Monthly Masonic Summary.
Monthly Masonic Summary .
WE have very little to record except the steady growth of Freemasonry at home Every week tells us of new Lodges and Masonic work , and it is clear now that we have lighted on a very successful period of Masonic extension . How far such rapid increase of numbers is eventually to benefit Freemasonry in England is , as we have often pointed out before , a reiy open question indeed . There can he little doubt , humanly speaking , that such increase must cut both ways , as they say , for the advantage
or the disadvantage of our Order . If in one sense the prestige of Freemasonry seems increased and elevated by this common tribute of regard and admiration from the outward world ; on the other hand , its moral greatness may be affected by this " surplusage " of numerical addition , which in itself has many elements of weakness and decay . What we mean to say in plain words is this , a large number of applicants are seeking our privileges for the great material benefits which English Freemasonry now possesses and holds out . We are therefore preparing for ourselves heavier claims and graver responsibilities . . .
There seems to he a lowering of our standard alike of social position and social condition , and this " rush " of eager candidates we fear will eventually constitute a " burden " on our charitable resources . For we may observe that even now Freemasonry seems to behold this somewhat alarming fact , that with each increase of our charitahle efforts there comes at once an increase of claimants for relief . And this growth of overwhelming claims , partly real and partly factitious , seems to outstrip altogether our
means of meeting it—the demands on our Schools especially . AVhat will he our statewill be our position in the future , constitute just now anxious questions for all thinking Masons ; hut ours , therefore , like that of our contemporary , the Freemason , must be a voice of warning and deprecation . Let us not throw open the doors of our Lodges too hastil y let us be careful and circumspect , and let us not admit candidates wholesale or in an haphazard way .
Abroad the position of Freemasonry is very unsatisfactory , and , in our opinion , unsafe . But we will not tire our readers with a repetition of regrets or fears . Time will show whether we are right or wrong iu our desponding anticipations . Bro . Terry opens the ball for the R . M . Benevolent Institution Anniversary with two hundred Stewards . We wish him , and the excellent Institution of which he is tho hard-working and intelligent Secretary , all possible success . AVe shall allude to it in die March number . ? n
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Monthly Masonic Summary.
Monthly Masonic Summary .
WE have very little to record except the steady growth of Freemasonry at home Every week tells us of new Lodges and Masonic work , and it is clear now that we have lighted on a very successful period of Masonic extension . How far such rapid increase of numbers is eventually to benefit Freemasonry in England is , as we have often pointed out before , a reiy open question indeed . There can he little doubt , humanly speaking , that such increase must cut both ways , as they say , for the advantage
or the disadvantage of our Order . If in one sense the prestige of Freemasonry seems increased and elevated by this common tribute of regard and admiration from the outward world ; on the other hand , its moral greatness may be affected by this " surplusage " of numerical addition , which in itself has many elements of weakness and decay . What we mean to say in plain words is this , a large number of applicants are seeking our privileges for the great material benefits which English Freemasonry now possesses and holds out . We are therefore preparing for ourselves heavier claims and graver responsibilities . . .
There seems to he a lowering of our standard alike of social position and social condition , and this " rush " of eager candidates we fear will eventually constitute a " burden " on our charitable resources . For we may observe that even now Freemasonry seems to behold this somewhat alarming fact , that with each increase of our charitahle efforts there comes at once an increase of claimants for relief . And this growth of overwhelming claims , partly real and partly factitious , seems to outstrip altogether our
means of meeting it—the demands on our Schools especially . AVhat will he our statewill be our position in the future , constitute just now anxious questions for all thinking Masons ; hut ours , therefore , like that of our contemporary , the Freemason , must be a voice of warning and deprecation . Let us not throw open the doors of our Lodges too hastil y let us be careful and circumspect , and let us not admit candidates wholesale or in an haphazard way .
Abroad the position of Freemasonry is very unsatisfactory , and , in our opinion , unsafe . But we will not tire our readers with a repetition of regrets or fears . Time will show whether we are right or wrong iu our desponding anticipations . Bro . Terry opens the ball for the R . M . Benevolent Institution Anniversary with two hundred Stewards . We wish him , and the excellent Institution of which he is tho hard-working and intelligent Secretary , all possible success . AVe shall allude to it in die March number . ? n