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Article THE OFFICE OF DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER. ← Page 2 of 2 Article EXPANSIVENESS OF FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article EXPANSIVENESS OF FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 1
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The Office Of District Deputy Grand Master.
in geometrical proportion with the flight of years , so that we can fancy a neglected Lodge might reach such a condition as scarcely to be recognisable as a Masonic
Lodge . It is always easy to go astray—any Lodge having a ghost of a chance will do it . Even the most careful officers are sometimes forgetful . Hence the importance of constant supervision and direction .
What , then , are the primary , imperative duties of a District Deputy Grand Master ? ( 1 ) To visit each Lodge in his jurisdiction at least once in every Masonic year . Nothing but sickness should
excuse one from the performance of this duty . The private business of the Deputy is no sufficient excuse . He should not have accepted the office if he could not find the leisure to perform its duties . To negleut this most
important of all duties is to discredit himself with his brethren , and to directly injure the portion of the Craft committed to his immediate care . Nothing injures in this matter like noglect .
( 2 ) At each visit the District Deputy has a number of duties to perform . His fraternal greeting of his brethren has a most happy effect . It places him en rapport with them . They are made ready to obey his behests . He goes
among them as their friend and brother , seeking to advance their highest interests . He is , in consequence , always gladly welcomed . Early in each Masonic year he should make these visits . Let him make them when " the
empire is peace , " rather than wait until , possibly , some difficulty has arisen , aud he has to officiate in the sometimes difficult role of a peace-maker . Once present , his first care should be to examine the minute book of the
Lodge , and see that both in matter of substance and form it is correct . This done , and the necessary corrections indicated , his next duty is to examine the work of the Lodge , as performed by the Officers , correct it , and , if time
permits , afterwards exemplify ir himself . This is all important . The opening aud closing should be made to conform to established usage , as should every other part of the ritual . Uniformity is important , because without it there
soon comes to be an infinite variety . The standard work should be insisted on and carefully taught—not the possible Masonry of some other jurisdiction , but the actual Masonry
of our own . To accomplish this , repeated visits may be necessary ; whatever time is required should be unselfishly devoted to the duty . The Craft demands it , and the Craft should have it .
Supplemental to his own diligent performance of official obligations , the District Deputy should , from time to time , seek to obtain a Grand Visitation from the Grand Master , accompanied by his Grand Officers . This always is
attended with the happiest results . It largely draws out the membership , it leads the officers to perfect themselves in the work , and it healthily stimulates the Lodges in all of their his-her activities .
Happy are the Grand Lodges which have an able , conscientious , active and self-sacrificing body of District Deputy Grand Masters . They are ornaments to Masonry .
They maintain its integrity , honour its Landmarks , insure fidelity to its usages and customs , and so supervise all . of the Labour of the Craftsmen that it redounds to their own credit , and promotes the best welfare of the Fraternity . — Keystone .
Expansiveness Of Freemasonry.
EXPANSIVENESS OF FREEMASONRY .
THE Masonic system has a marvellous breadth of teaching and application . It includes ideas and principles that relate to the whole conduct of life . Its ceremonies and symbolism signify manifold private duties and public
obligations . There is a wideuess to Masonic inculcations which no other system of merely human ori gin may claim to possess . It is the glory of our Institution , founded upon a system which covers such broad ranges of thought
and duty , that it cannot be held within the lines of a narrow , technical expression . The <; enius of Freemasonry demands diffusiveness ; its natural tendencies require not
only that there shall be a due expansion of its organic life , but that there shall be a broad , free application both of its princip les and spirit , that so the world at large may be helped to better things .
At the recent consecration of De Satton Lodge , No , 2144 , at Bowden , England , the orator of the occasion , Bro the Rev . E . Bigoe Bagot , in treating of the universality of Freemasonry , used the following suggestive illustration ;
Expansiveness Of Freemasonry.
' In the Arabian Nights we read of a fairy tent which a young prince brought hidden in a walnut shell to his father . Placed in the council chamber , it encanopied the king and his ministers . Taken into the courtyard , all the
household stood beneath its shade . Brought into the midst of the great plain outside the city , it spread its mighty awning all around until it gave shelter to a host . It had infinite flexibility , infinite expansiveness , and
infinite power of development . So it was with Masonry . It had covered Europe with its shadow ; it had found acceptance with east and west , with African and American tribes , and it was still spreading in the world , and it
operated unspent by its own divine and earnest vitality . " The reference and its application are alike appropriate . No other institution has such fitness for universal reception , or addresses itself with so much of force and blessing
to that one common human nature in which all nations and peoples have share . Its ministries are not limited to some one age or locality , to a special class of minds , or to some one phase of life and character . It is not bound by
social customs or national prejudices and peculiarities . It knows no sect or party as such , and it rises above everything that is narrow and technical in its enforcement of
grand truths which meet the wants of humanity everywhere , and the fulfilment of its mission to respect genuiue manhood wherever found .
The Masonic Institution drives some stakes deeply clown , and draws firmly certain lines that fix its character md work ; but all this does not interfere with that catholicity and large-heartedness which belong to its expression .
Whatever rules may be laid down and precise tormulBs adopted , whatever limits may be appointed for the specific exercise of Masonic virtues and obligations , it should yet be remembered that the great , underlying princip les oi the
Fraternity have a bearing upon the world at large , and in their natural diffusiveness must contribute an influence of help aud blessing to mankind . It is a matter of just pride to all true Craftsmen that the Masonic system can be
interpreted and applied in this broad way , and that its beneficent fruits may be gathered from so many branches . The spirit and sentiment of Freemasonry are finding expression in many organisations , permeating many- of the
enterprises and movements of these later days , aud thus there is being accomplished a mig htier and more blessed work than is shown by any numerical or financial exhibit . —Freemasons' Repository .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
THE GRAND TREASURERSHIP .
To the Editor of the Freemason s Chronicle . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —An announcement was made in one of the City Journals last week that it was proposed th ;> t I should bo pat in nomination for the office of Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year . In consequence of the solicitation of many friends in the
Craft I had to some extent given my consent thereto , and a large measure of support was promised in that event . But for the take of avoiding as far as possible a contest which at the present moment might be objectionable I have asked my friends to defer their kind interest antil the next period of election when , I shall do myself the honour to offer myself in the manner they propose .
Yours faithfully and fraternally , ALBERT J . AI / THAN . City Steam Works , Barbican , 1 st December 1886 .
ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE GIRLS' SCHOOL HOUSE COMMITTEE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CIIRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I sincerely trust that at the next election , for this or any other sort , that the House Committee of t ! io Girls' School will feel themselves competent to manage their own aff . iirs , without calling in the aid of the myrmidons of the luv . I
have every respect aud esteem for those necessary evils the police , to whom we are so largely indebted for the peace and security in which we live , but I consider it nothing less than an insult to the brethren generally to markedly show them they are so unruly
and misbehaved that it is necessary to call in the assistance of tho men in blue to keep them in order . Robert's place is' outside the house , to keep cowans out ; not insif ' e , to dictate to the member . - * of Masonic or other bodies . If there must be distinctive aid , why not employ the Commissionaires ? Yours fraternally , P . M . 1607-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Office Of District Deputy Grand Master.
in geometrical proportion with the flight of years , so that we can fancy a neglected Lodge might reach such a condition as scarcely to be recognisable as a Masonic
Lodge . It is always easy to go astray—any Lodge having a ghost of a chance will do it . Even the most careful officers are sometimes forgetful . Hence the importance of constant supervision and direction .
What , then , are the primary , imperative duties of a District Deputy Grand Master ? ( 1 ) To visit each Lodge in his jurisdiction at least once in every Masonic year . Nothing but sickness should
excuse one from the performance of this duty . The private business of the Deputy is no sufficient excuse . He should not have accepted the office if he could not find the leisure to perform its duties . To negleut this most
important of all duties is to discredit himself with his brethren , and to directly injure the portion of the Craft committed to his immediate care . Nothing injures in this matter like noglect .
( 2 ) At each visit the District Deputy has a number of duties to perform . His fraternal greeting of his brethren has a most happy effect . It places him en rapport with them . They are made ready to obey his behests . He goes
among them as their friend and brother , seeking to advance their highest interests . He is , in consequence , always gladly welcomed . Early in each Masonic year he should make these visits . Let him make them when " the
empire is peace , " rather than wait until , possibly , some difficulty has arisen , aud he has to officiate in the sometimes difficult role of a peace-maker . Once present , his first care should be to examine the minute book of the
Lodge , and see that both in matter of substance and form it is correct . This done , and the necessary corrections indicated , his next duty is to examine the work of the Lodge , as performed by the Officers , correct it , and , if time
permits , afterwards exemplify ir himself . This is all important . The opening aud closing should be made to conform to established usage , as should every other part of the ritual . Uniformity is important , because without it there
soon comes to be an infinite variety . The standard work should be insisted on and carefully taught—not the possible Masonry of some other jurisdiction , but the actual Masonry
of our own . To accomplish this , repeated visits may be necessary ; whatever time is required should be unselfishly devoted to the duty . The Craft demands it , and the Craft should have it .
Supplemental to his own diligent performance of official obligations , the District Deputy should , from time to time , seek to obtain a Grand Visitation from the Grand Master , accompanied by his Grand Officers . This always is
attended with the happiest results . It largely draws out the membership , it leads the officers to perfect themselves in the work , and it healthily stimulates the Lodges in all of their his-her activities .
Happy are the Grand Lodges which have an able , conscientious , active and self-sacrificing body of District Deputy Grand Masters . They are ornaments to Masonry .
They maintain its integrity , honour its Landmarks , insure fidelity to its usages and customs , and so supervise all . of the Labour of the Craftsmen that it redounds to their own credit , and promotes the best welfare of the Fraternity . — Keystone .
Expansiveness Of Freemasonry.
EXPANSIVENESS OF FREEMASONRY .
THE Masonic system has a marvellous breadth of teaching and application . It includes ideas and principles that relate to the whole conduct of life . Its ceremonies and symbolism signify manifold private duties and public
obligations . There is a wideuess to Masonic inculcations which no other system of merely human ori gin may claim to possess . It is the glory of our Institution , founded upon a system which covers such broad ranges of thought
and duty , that it cannot be held within the lines of a narrow , technical expression . The <; enius of Freemasonry demands diffusiveness ; its natural tendencies require not
only that there shall be a due expansion of its organic life , but that there shall be a broad , free application both of its princip les and spirit , that so the world at large may be helped to better things .
At the recent consecration of De Satton Lodge , No , 2144 , at Bowden , England , the orator of the occasion , Bro the Rev . E . Bigoe Bagot , in treating of the universality of Freemasonry , used the following suggestive illustration ;
Expansiveness Of Freemasonry.
' In the Arabian Nights we read of a fairy tent which a young prince brought hidden in a walnut shell to his father . Placed in the council chamber , it encanopied the king and his ministers . Taken into the courtyard , all the
household stood beneath its shade . Brought into the midst of the great plain outside the city , it spread its mighty awning all around until it gave shelter to a host . It had infinite flexibility , infinite expansiveness , and
infinite power of development . So it was with Masonry . It had covered Europe with its shadow ; it had found acceptance with east and west , with African and American tribes , and it was still spreading in the world , and it
operated unspent by its own divine and earnest vitality . " The reference and its application are alike appropriate . No other institution has such fitness for universal reception , or addresses itself with so much of force and blessing
to that one common human nature in which all nations and peoples have share . Its ministries are not limited to some one age or locality , to a special class of minds , or to some one phase of life and character . It is not bound by
social customs or national prejudices and peculiarities . It knows no sect or party as such , and it rises above everything that is narrow and technical in its enforcement of
grand truths which meet the wants of humanity everywhere , and the fulfilment of its mission to respect genuiue manhood wherever found .
The Masonic Institution drives some stakes deeply clown , and draws firmly certain lines that fix its character md work ; but all this does not interfere with that catholicity and large-heartedness which belong to its expression .
Whatever rules may be laid down and precise tormulBs adopted , whatever limits may be appointed for the specific exercise of Masonic virtues and obligations , it should yet be remembered that the great , underlying princip les oi the
Fraternity have a bearing upon the world at large , and in their natural diffusiveness must contribute an influence of help aud blessing to mankind . It is a matter of just pride to all true Craftsmen that the Masonic system can be
interpreted and applied in this broad way , and that its beneficent fruits may be gathered from so many branches . The spirit and sentiment of Freemasonry are finding expression in many organisations , permeating many- of the
enterprises and movements of these later days , aud thus there is being accomplished a mig htier and more blessed work than is shown by any numerical or financial exhibit . —Freemasons' Repository .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
THE GRAND TREASURERSHIP .
To the Editor of the Freemason s Chronicle . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —An announcement was made in one of the City Journals last week that it was proposed th ;> t I should bo pat in nomination for the office of Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year . In consequence of the solicitation of many friends in the
Craft I had to some extent given my consent thereto , and a large measure of support was promised in that event . But for the take of avoiding as far as possible a contest which at the present moment might be objectionable I have asked my friends to defer their kind interest antil the next period of election when , I shall do myself the honour to offer myself in the manner they propose .
Yours faithfully and fraternally , ALBERT J . AI / THAN . City Steam Works , Barbican , 1 st December 1886 .
ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE GIRLS' SCHOOL HOUSE COMMITTEE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CIIRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I sincerely trust that at the next election , for this or any other sort , that the House Committee of t ! io Girls' School will feel themselves competent to manage their own aff . iirs , without calling in the aid of the myrmidons of the luv . I
have every respect aud esteem for those necessary evils the police , to whom we are so largely indebted for the peace and security in which we live , but I consider it nothing less than an insult to the brethren generally to markedly show them they are so unruly
and misbehaved that it is necessary to call in the assistance of tho men in blue to keep them in order . Robert's place is' outside the house , to keep cowans out ; not insif ' e , to dictate to the member . - * of Masonic or other bodies . If there must be distinctive aid , why not employ the Commissionaires ? Yours fraternally , P . M . 1607-