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  • April 1, 1876
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The Masonic Magazine, April 1, 1876: Page 13

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    Article LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 4 →
Page 13

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

Lights And Shadows Of Scottish Freemasonry.

consecrated these lodges to the purposes of freemasonry . And what are the purposes of freemasonry ? A binding of men together for their mutual welfare , and for the advancement of every social , moral , and intellectual virtue . A constant endeavour to show to the Avorld at largeby giving

, many practical exemplifications of the greatest of all virtues—charity , that the name " Freemason " is not an empty nor a boastful title ; a keeping before the minds of its adherents the great principles of equity and justice , and so to regulate

their lives as to live in the favour of God and man ; a careful looking after the interest of the Avidow and orphan j an earnest striving to hasten the coming of the time when there shall be neither wars nor rumour of Avars , but Avhen peace on earth and goodwill towards all men shall make a naradise of a land that has been the scene

of many a bitter conflict . These are some of the purposes of Freemasonry , and it is such desires Avhich Ave earnestly pray animate the breasts of all who appear before us in search of masonic instruction . And

yet , taking into consideration the unseemly proceedings but too often witnessed inside our lodge rooms , we might be tempted to infer that there are other purposes of freemasonry Avhich at first we were hardly aware of . Drinking ! Surely that is one , that is a something Avhich Ave are quite

accustomed to see , go almost where we may , be the lodge room in the city or in the country . Drinking ! and the three great li ghts of the Crafts lying openly in your midst . Drinking ! and a newlyinitiated brother looking on in wonderment

and feeling constrained to join in your revelry . Is this one of the purposes of freemasonry ? Ask yourselves the question . Comic songs and ribald jesting inside the sacred walls ; toasting and maudlin speechif ying . Are these and such as these

among the true great purposes of freemasonry , or are many of its best ends to be gained by such means ? Ask yourselves the question and you will have each one of you but one answer : —No ! no ! distinctly and emphatically , no ! The effect of a continuance of such customs will be to lower the Craft in the estimation of those Avhom

we ought to wish would think well of it , and greatly tend to wards its utter demoralization . Then why tolerate them any longer 1

Is it because they have been banded down to you from time immemorial , is it because they are relics of times about which the less said the better ? This is the age of progress , and though our constitutions and our workings shall stand as unchanged in the future as they have done in the pastour

, surroundings ought to keep pace Avith the advancement of modern times . Away with such proceedings , aAvay Avith them . They are eating into the heart of the Craft , and may ultimately sink it . Does it help to raise it in the estimation of society to

know that such things are 1 Does it offer any further inducement to Avell-doing careful young men to join its ranks and lend their influence towards the furtherina of

its greatest aims ? Does it elevate the morality or strengthen the hands of its members ? Ask yourselves the questions and tell us what are your answers . Husbands do you Avant your Avives to . think well of the order for which you profess such admirationand for the meetings of which

, you leave the attractions of home with such unvarying regularity ? If you do you will strike a blow at this evil . HOAV do you Avant to feel that Avhen your mothers see you dressed and ready to attend the meetings of your respective lodgesthey

experi-, ence no fear that you are going into the way of temptation , knoAving that those whom you will meet are they Avho will be examples to Avhom you might look with profit and pleasure ? If you do will you lend your aid to remove this obstruction

in the path of progress 1 Brothers , if you confide your sisters to the care of a Freemason do you want to feel assured that he is one who Avill love , honour , and esteem her 1 Men and brethren , do you want to be able to give the lie direct to all who taunt you with such things ; do you want

to drive out from among you something ignoble and debasing ; do you want to prevent the name " Freemason " ever becoming synonymous with the word "Drunkard ?" If you do , then raise your hands and your voices and hurl out the de-vil that is lurking

in your midst . It grieves us to think that did necessity require we could give many instances of the baneful effects of this pernicious system , and we make no unfounded nor unsubstantiated charge Avhen we say it has much to answer for . Men whom we have ourselves come in contact Avith have

“The Masonic Magazine: 1876-04-01, Page 13” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 10 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmg/issues/mmg_01041876/page/13/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
Monthly Masonic Summary. Article 1
SONNET. Article 1
THE WILSON MANUSCRIPT CONSTITUTION. Article 2
AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF MASTER AND FREE MASONS. Article 7
AIMEE. Article 11
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY. Article 11
LINES Article 14
THE ANTI-MASONIC VICAR Article 15
TO A SNOWDROP Article 17
"MILKLAT "—THE CITY OF REFUGE. Article 18
ODDS AND ENDS OF WIT AND HUMOUR. Article 19
CONTEMPORARY LETTERS ON THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. Article 24
ORATION Article 26
THE OLD FOLKS' PARTY. Article 28
BENEFIT MANKIND. Article 32
CURIOSITIES OF THE POST OFFICE. Article 32
THE WOMEN OF OUR TIME. Article 34
BRO. DANIEL COXE—THE FATHER OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA. Article 36
THE ORIGIN AND REFERENCES OF THE HERMESIAN SPURIOUS FREEMASONRY. Article 39
HALF-WAY DOIN'S. Article 42
GODFREY HIGGINS ON FREEMASONRY. Article 43
THE SITE OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE DISCOVERED. Article 44
NOTES ON LITERATURE, SCIENCE AND ART. Article 46
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Lights And Shadows Of Scottish Freemasonry.

consecrated these lodges to the purposes of freemasonry . And what are the purposes of freemasonry ? A binding of men together for their mutual welfare , and for the advancement of every social , moral , and intellectual virtue . A constant endeavour to show to the Avorld at largeby giving

, many practical exemplifications of the greatest of all virtues—charity , that the name " Freemason " is not an empty nor a boastful title ; a keeping before the minds of its adherents the great principles of equity and justice , and so to regulate

their lives as to live in the favour of God and man ; a careful looking after the interest of the Avidow and orphan j an earnest striving to hasten the coming of the time when there shall be neither wars nor rumour of Avars , but Avhen peace on earth and goodwill towards all men shall make a naradise of a land that has been the scene

of many a bitter conflict . These are some of the purposes of Freemasonry , and it is such desires Avhich Ave earnestly pray animate the breasts of all who appear before us in search of masonic instruction . And

yet , taking into consideration the unseemly proceedings but too often witnessed inside our lodge rooms , we might be tempted to infer that there are other purposes of freemasonry Avhich at first we were hardly aware of . Drinking ! Surely that is one , that is a something Avhich Ave are quite

accustomed to see , go almost where we may , be the lodge room in the city or in the country . Drinking ! and the three great li ghts of the Crafts lying openly in your midst . Drinking ! and a newlyinitiated brother looking on in wonderment

and feeling constrained to join in your revelry . Is this one of the purposes of freemasonry ? Ask yourselves the question . Comic songs and ribald jesting inside the sacred walls ; toasting and maudlin speechif ying . Are these and such as these

among the true great purposes of freemasonry , or are many of its best ends to be gained by such means ? Ask yourselves the question and you will have each one of you but one answer : —No ! no ! distinctly and emphatically , no ! The effect of a continuance of such customs will be to lower the Craft in the estimation of those Avhom

we ought to wish would think well of it , and greatly tend to wards its utter demoralization . Then why tolerate them any longer 1

Is it because they have been banded down to you from time immemorial , is it because they are relics of times about which the less said the better ? This is the age of progress , and though our constitutions and our workings shall stand as unchanged in the future as they have done in the pastour

, surroundings ought to keep pace Avith the advancement of modern times . Away with such proceedings , aAvay Avith them . They are eating into the heart of the Craft , and may ultimately sink it . Does it help to raise it in the estimation of society to

know that such things are 1 Does it offer any further inducement to Avell-doing careful young men to join its ranks and lend their influence towards the furtherina of

its greatest aims ? Does it elevate the morality or strengthen the hands of its members ? Ask yourselves the questions and tell us what are your answers . Husbands do you Avant your Avives to . think well of the order for which you profess such admirationand for the meetings of which

, you leave the attractions of home with such unvarying regularity ? If you do you will strike a blow at this evil . HOAV do you Avant to feel that Avhen your mothers see you dressed and ready to attend the meetings of your respective lodgesthey

experi-, ence no fear that you are going into the way of temptation , knoAving that those whom you will meet are they Avho will be examples to Avhom you might look with profit and pleasure ? If you do will you lend your aid to remove this obstruction

in the path of progress 1 Brothers , if you confide your sisters to the care of a Freemason do you want to feel assured that he is one who Avill love , honour , and esteem her 1 Men and brethren , do you want to be able to give the lie direct to all who taunt you with such things ; do you want

to drive out from among you something ignoble and debasing ; do you want to prevent the name " Freemason " ever becoming synonymous with the word "Drunkard ?" If you do , then raise your hands and your voices and hurl out the de-vil that is lurking

in your midst . It grieves us to think that did necessity require we could give many instances of the baneful effects of this pernicious system , and we make no unfounded nor unsubstantiated charge Avhen we say it has much to answer for . Men whom we have ourselves come in contact Avith have

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