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Article MASONIC FREEDOM. ← Page 2 of 2 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Freedom.
selfishness , with its attendant evils , is as inconsistent with Freemasonry as hatred is to love , darkness to light . The contrast is invidious . Ideal freedom and harmony are almost syuonymous . All the sublime precepts of this
institution of ours are based upon the positive and acknowledged facts of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man . God , Grand Architect and Master Masou , and each individual and component part in the
association of Masons , unitedly work out their designs of the ultimate conception of his mind in the consummation of all things . Each man has his individual work to do , and he must not encroach on the domain of his fellow
Craftsman or the edifice must lack beauty and symmetry , and be insecure . Masonry recognises man as a moral and responsible being , endowed with all the responsibilities of progression .
Nor is an active being and permanency of condition possible . He must act either in the lino of duty , progress and ennoblement of character , or in sad deterioration of those characteristics which make him the lord of the creation of
an invisible God . There is nothing stationary in this vastly complex universe . Every created atom and molecule in restless procession advances in one vast phalanx towards the realisation of the inscrutable conception of a Master
mind , the Grand Master Mason of mind and matter . We observe the progression of matter in the growth of plants , animals and the stature of man , the formation of rocks , coal and gems and the development of low animal life to
a higher state of life and instinct . Yet the material creation is only the expression of the spiritual and invisible . The existence of the outward and tangible is conditional and limited by time , they flourish and die . Shall man
alone with bis keen insight into the laws of cause and effect be a dwarf incapable of further growth midst the development of creation ? Shall his servant , matter , which everywhere is subservient to his will , grow while
his growth is stunted by the perversity of his inclinations ? Shall she which he tramples under his foot , with which he builds his house , clothes his body , allays his hunger , "teach men knowledge ? " While sue advances in the
growth of devolopment shall man alone retrograde in the backward path of declination from virtue to vice ? Should such be the contemptuous ambition of any one , by
the very desire of his heart he has outlawed himself from the benefit of any society or organisation which has for its object the moral elevation of man , for by the terms of our obligation we are bound to support only worthy brother Masons .
Methinks it is one of the gross evils of the day for men to fly into the precincts of noblo institutions to hide their sins and crimes . One man clothes himself in the unsullied garments of the Prince of Peace to serve the devil . He
hopes by outside appearance to hide the guilfc of his soul , but the contrast between the immaculate livery he wears and his own inconsistent conduct brings the just contempt of less assuming men ( for by common consent all detest
inconsistency ) , and with d * rision they point at him the finger of scorn and call him a hypocrite . Another enters into the fraternal courts of Freemasonry , and with mock
humility binds himself under the most solemn vows to uphold its dignity by consistency in life and growth in virtue , but gives the lie to his solemn oath in his daily conduct of life . He boasts of the pure principles of
Masonry with loud gusto , but by the profanity of his lips , sincerity of purpose contradicts the words of his mouth . It is no wonder that men entertain misconceived ideas about our laudable assembly . They form their estimation of our conclave from the life-representation of its individual members . —Freemason ' s Repository .
Among the special features of the new volume of Little Folks Magazine , commencing with the January number , are : —A new serial story by Mrs . Molesworth , called " Little Mother Bunch j " another serial entitled " Red Feather : a tale of the American Front er , " by Edward S . Ellis ; a special series of papers describing "Child Life at the Conrts of Europe , " with full-page illustrations ol
royal children , trom authentic phot-graphs ; " " Legends and Rhymes of the Birds j" " From Seed to Blossom , " a series of chnts by Macule Symington ; full-pago fanciful illustrations by Walter Crane with verses appropriate to the various months , & c , & c . In the January number lull particulars are also printed of several new special prize competitions for 1889 , in which u large number of valuable prizes and medals are offered .
mO THE DEAF . —A Person cured of Deafness aud noises in the J . head of 23 year 8 * standing by a simple remedy , will send a description of it » BB to any Person Who applies to NIOHOLSOIT , 21 Bedford-sq ., London , W . C .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications ,
THE MASONIC CHARITIES
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICIE . DBAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The excellent arfcioles whioh appeared in your issues of 7 th September and 27 th Ootober ought to be regarded as timely words of warning , not as " arousing fears of despondenoy and distrust . " This is a progressive age : to stand still
is to be left behind , but onr glorious Masonio Charities have nothing to fear if salutary suggestions are received in a proper spirit , and endeavours made to correct flagrant defects . It is well known that one or two antiquated Masons—nndnly impressed with Metropolitan importance—think they oonld get on
very well without the help of the Provinces . But , surely , these are only insignificant units compared with the great multitude of London brethren who ( to use your own words ) would regard with regret and alarm " the withdrawal of Provincial support from the London Institutions . "
There can be no doubt that several of the larger Provinces are establishing their own Educational and Benevolent Institutions , and as a natural consequence that part of the contributions which have hitherto gone to support the three Eoyal MaBonio Institutions will be diverted to found and enrioh several smaller looal Charities . Bat
it must be remembered that whilst a portion of the funds are thus diverted , the London Institutions are at the same time relieved of a number of candidates . The benefits afforded by the great central Institutions being much greater than our looal Charities can bestow , it wonld seem advisable that we , in the Provinces , should
regard the Royal Educational Institutions as a higher sohool for eligible boys and girls , and our rioh Benevolent Institution as an asylum for brethren whose needs our local funds are insufficient to supply satisfactorily . Certainly it would not tend to the credit of the Order if our
glorious Institutions—those temples built by Freemasons of former ages—were allowed to snfEer penury or decay . But to my mind there is no fear of this if the management be judicious and the administration not extravagant . Provincial brethren onght to be regarded as partners in these great ooncerns . Let all feelings of
opposition or estrangement between London and Provincial Brethren be banished , and rest assured there is sufficient opulence and benevolence in our antient and honourable Order to support both looal institutions and the three glorious Charities which justifiably evoke the pride of Freemasons .
It seems difficult to understand why the Educational Institutions should be constantly attacked whilst the Benevolent is allowed to escape the notice of censorious critics . It should always be borne in mind that the Educational Institutions have large establishments to support , as well as an expensive tutorial staff , and the recent attack
upon the Boys School proves that anything like parsimony , or anything that can be construed into harshness in the application of knowledge , will subject them to vilification and angry abuse . Again , the benefits derived from these Institutions are to a great extent developed in the future , whilst the benefits derived from the
Benevolent are present and palpable . It may ba that , with regard to benefits distributed in coin of the realm aud immediately realisable , recipients and their friends do not scrutinise too carefully the
expenses of conveyance or the filterings of the preoious metal between the donors aod the recipients . Yet if the accounts presented to the Court of Governors on 18 th May 1888 are critically examined , no one oan wonder that there exists a feeling of disoontent in the Provinces .
The Benevolent Institution being divided into two Branches the accounts are also divided , but for the purpose of our examination they are given together , as on top of next page . The Report of the Committee of Management says : — "The audited statement of accounts for the year ended March * 1888 is
appended . It has been compiled with the utmost care , and has undergone a rigorous examination by the Audit Committee before being finally approved and passed , and the Committee of Management is confident the Governors and Subscribers , on inspecting it , will find the funds of the Institution have been administered with a
due regard to economy . Let us pass over the item , Jubilee Gratuities £ 335 , for the Audit Committee do not tell us who received the gratuities , althongh I see in your artiole of 27 th Ootober you call attention to the fact that the General Committee of the Institution for Girls deci led to expend the
sum of one hundred guineas in order to present the staff and pupils with a medal or badge to celebrate the Centenary . Moreover , as Jubilees do not come every year , ono may regard this as exceptiona ' , not annual , expenditure . But we cannot so readily admit the " due regard to economy , " when we find that the Collector received
£ 639 15 s 8 d for commission on the amount contributed to the funds of this Institution . Neither of the other Institutions p * iys anything to a Collector . Last year the amount contribute ;! to the Institution for Girls amounted to £ 50 , 000 , yet no Collector was employed , and n it one penny was paid lor commission . It would seem that there
can be little need for the services of a Col lector to the Benevolent , because the retnrns are more solid , and substantial contributions will be more readily subscribed to this than to either of the other Institntions . Experience proves that an eloquent and efficient Secretary makes the be-t Collector . It is not supposed thit the efforts of the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Freedom.
selfishness , with its attendant evils , is as inconsistent with Freemasonry as hatred is to love , darkness to light . The contrast is invidious . Ideal freedom and harmony are almost syuonymous . All the sublime precepts of this
institution of ours are based upon the positive and acknowledged facts of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man . God , Grand Architect and Master Masou , and each individual and component part in the
association of Masons , unitedly work out their designs of the ultimate conception of his mind in the consummation of all things . Each man has his individual work to do , and he must not encroach on the domain of his fellow
Craftsman or the edifice must lack beauty and symmetry , and be insecure . Masonry recognises man as a moral and responsible being , endowed with all the responsibilities of progression .
Nor is an active being and permanency of condition possible . He must act either in the lino of duty , progress and ennoblement of character , or in sad deterioration of those characteristics which make him the lord of the creation of
an invisible God . There is nothing stationary in this vastly complex universe . Every created atom and molecule in restless procession advances in one vast phalanx towards the realisation of the inscrutable conception of a Master
mind , the Grand Master Mason of mind and matter . We observe the progression of matter in the growth of plants , animals and the stature of man , the formation of rocks , coal and gems and the development of low animal life to
a higher state of life and instinct . Yet the material creation is only the expression of the spiritual and invisible . The existence of the outward and tangible is conditional and limited by time , they flourish and die . Shall man
alone with bis keen insight into the laws of cause and effect be a dwarf incapable of further growth midst the development of creation ? Shall his servant , matter , which everywhere is subservient to his will , grow while
his growth is stunted by the perversity of his inclinations ? Shall she which he tramples under his foot , with which he builds his house , clothes his body , allays his hunger , "teach men knowledge ? " While sue advances in the
growth of devolopment shall man alone retrograde in the backward path of declination from virtue to vice ? Should such be the contemptuous ambition of any one , by
the very desire of his heart he has outlawed himself from the benefit of any society or organisation which has for its object the moral elevation of man , for by the terms of our obligation we are bound to support only worthy brother Masons .
Methinks it is one of the gross evils of the day for men to fly into the precincts of noblo institutions to hide their sins and crimes . One man clothes himself in the unsullied garments of the Prince of Peace to serve the devil . He
hopes by outside appearance to hide the guilfc of his soul , but the contrast between the immaculate livery he wears and his own inconsistent conduct brings the just contempt of less assuming men ( for by common consent all detest
inconsistency ) , and with d * rision they point at him the finger of scorn and call him a hypocrite . Another enters into the fraternal courts of Freemasonry , and with mock
humility binds himself under the most solemn vows to uphold its dignity by consistency in life and growth in virtue , but gives the lie to his solemn oath in his daily conduct of life . He boasts of the pure principles of
Masonry with loud gusto , but by the profanity of his lips , sincerity of purpose contradicts the words of his mouth . It is no wonder that men entertain misconceived ideas about our laudable assembly . They form their estimation of our conclave from the life-representation of its individual members . —Freemason ' s Repository .
Among the special features of the new volume of Little Folks Magazine , commencing with the January number , are : —A new serial story by Mrs . Molesworth , called " Little Mother Bunch j " another serial entitled " Red Feather : a tale of the American Front er , " by Edward S . Ellis ; a special series of papers describing "Child Life at the Conrts of Europe , " with full-page illustrations ol
royal children , trom authentic phot-graphs ; " " Legends and Rhymes of the Birds j" " From Seed to Blossom , " a series of chnts by Macule Symington ; full-pago fanciful illustrations by Walter Crane with verses appropriate to the various months , & c , & c . In the January number lull particulars are also printed of several new special prize competitions for 1889 , in which u large number of valuable prizes and medals are offered .
mO THE DEAF . —A Person cured of Deafness aud noises in the J . head of 23 year 8 * standing by a simple remedy , will send a description of it » BB to any Person Who applies to NIOHOLSOIT , 21 Bedford-sq ., London , W . C .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications ,
THE MASONIC CHARITIES
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICIE . DBAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The excellent arfcioles whioh appeared in your issues of 7 th September and 27 th Ootober ought to be regarded as timely words of warning , not as " arousing fears of despondenoy and distrust . " This is a progressive age : to stand still
is to be left behind , but onr glorious Masonio Charities have nothing to fear if salutary suggestions are received in a proper spirit , and endeavours made to correct flagrant defects . It is well known that one or two antiquated Masons—nndnly impressed with Metropolitan importance—think they oonld get on
very well without the help of the Provinces . But , surely , these are only insignificant units compared with the great multitude of London brethren who ( to use your own words ) would regard with regret and alarm " the withdrawal of Provincial support from the London Institutions . "
There can be no doubt that several of the larger Provinces are establishing their own Educational and Benevolent Institutions , and as a natural consequence that part of the contributions which have hitherto gone to support the three Eoyal MaBonio Institutions will be diverted to found and enrioh several smaller looal Charities . Bat
it must be remembered that whilst a portion of the funds are thus diverted , the London Institutions are at the same time relieved of a number of candidates . The benefits afforded by the great central Institutions being much greater than our looal Charities can bestow , it wonld seem advisable that we , in the Provinces , should
regard the Royal Educational Institutions as a higher sohool for eligible boys and girls , and our rioh Benevolent Institution as an asylum for brethren whose needs our local funds are insufficient to supply satisfactorily . Certainly it would not tend to the credit of the Order if our
glorious Institutions—those temples built by Freemasons of former ages—were allowed to snfEer penury or decay . But to my mind there is no fear of this if the management be judicious and the administration not extravagant . Provincial brethren onght to be regarded as partners in these great ooncerns . Let all feelings of
opposition or estrangement between London and Provincial Brethren be banished , and rest assured there is sufficient opulence and benevolence in our antient and honourable Order to support both looal institutions and the three glorious Charities which justifiably evoke the pride of Freemasons .
It seems difficult to understand why the Educational Institutions should be constantly attacked whilst the Benevolent is allowed to escape the notice of censorious critics . It should always be borne in mind that the Educational Institutions have large establishments to support , as well as an expensive tutorial staff , and the recent attack
upon the Boys School proves that anything like parsimony , or anything that can be construed into harshness in the application of knowledge , will subject them to vilification and angry abuse . Again , the benefits derived from these Institutions are to a great extent developed in the future , whilst the benefits derived from the
Benevolent are present and palpable . It may ba that , with regard to benefits distributed in coin of the realm aud immediately realisable , recipients and their friends do not scrutinise too carefully the
expenses of conveyance or the filterings of the preoious metal between the donors aod the recipients . Yet if the accounts presented to the Court of Governors on 18 th May 1888 are critically examined , no one oan wonder that there exists a feeling of disoontent in the Provinces .
The Benevolent Institution being divided into two Branches the accounts are also divided , but for the purpose of our examination they are given together , as on top of next page . The Report of the Committee of Management says : — "The audited statement of accounts for the year ended March * 1888 is
appended . It has been compiled with the utmost care , and has undergone a rigorous examination by the Audit Committee before being finally approved and passed , and the Committee of Management is confident the Governors and Subscribers , on inspecting it , will find the funds of the Institution have been administered with a
due regard to economy . Let us pass over the item , Jubilee Gratuities £ 335 , for the Audit Committee do not tell us who received the gratuities , althongh I see in your artiole of 27 th Ootober you call attention to the fact that the General Committee of the Institution for Girls deci led to expend the
sum of one hundred guineas in order to present the staff and pupils with a medal or badge to celebrate the Centenary . Moreover , as Jubilees do not come every year , ono may regard this as exceptiona ' , not annual , expenditure . But we cannot so readily admit the " due regard to economy , " when we find that the Collector received
£ 639 15 s 8 d for commission on the amount contributed to the funds of this Institution . Neither of the other Institutions p * iys anything to a Collector . Last year the amount contribute ;! to the Institution for Girls amounted to £ 50 , 000 , yet no Collector was employed , and n it one penny was paid lor commission . It would seem that there
can be little need for the services of a Col lector to the Benevolent , because the retnrns are more solid , and substantial contributions will be more readily subscribed to this than to either of the other Institntions . Experience proves that an eloquent and efficient Secretary makes the be-t Collector . It is not supposed thit the efforts of the