-
Articles/Ads
Article MASONIC DAMPERS. Page 1 of 2 Article MASONIC DAMPERS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Dampers.
MASONIC DAMPERS .
THE popular idea of tlic present day seems to be to imagine that every one ancl each thing around us is quite different to what was known in the time of our forefathers—that period which so many writers love to describe as the " good old times . " It is true that in many respects there have been great and radical changes , ancl no doubt the present generation
presents many differences when compared with their ancestors of even a hundred years ago , but on the other hand there are many points of similarity , ancl we doubt if there is nearly so much distinction between the two periods as is generally supposed . It is very certain to our mind that the sect of the
" Dampers "—both Masonically and generally—is much the same now as it was then , and in support of this dictum we shall quote from the pages of a work which has recently come under our notice , and which is upwards of a hundred years old . Therein
we find a description of the " Sect of the Dampers , " and were it not for the fact that the title of the book bears the date 1787 , while there are other unmistakable signs of its age , we should hardly believe we were not reading a description of modern principles ancl
practices . It is very certain that in the work of " clamping , " at least , the world is very much the same to-day as it was then , ancl from the opening remarks of the writer referred to , and the evidence he adduces in his essay , it was much the same long
before his time . It is true our author does not make any particular reference in his work , so far as we have discovered , to the peculiar system and tenets of Freemasonry , but much of what he says is so applicable to the disciples of the Order as to convince us
that at heart he possessed many of the qualifications necessary for a good Mason . His remarks on this subject of "damping" are so good that we shall extract at length from them , and we hope that in doing
so we may be the means of removing a little of that superfluous dampness which pervades Freemasonry at times , as it does all other earthly organizations . There is a pretty numerous sect of philosophers in this kingdom , writes the authority already mentioned , whom I cannot describe by any apter denomination .
than that of Dampers . They are to be known in society by a sudden damp which they are sure to cause upon all companies where they enter . The human heart that comes within their atmosphere
never fails to be chilled ; and the quickest sense of feeling is as effectually benumbed as the touch is with the torpedo . As this sect is of very ancient
standing in the world , ancl has been taken notice of by several heathen writers , I have sometimes thought that it might originate in the school of Thales , who held water to be the first principle of all things . If
I were certain that this ancient philosopher always administered his water cold to his disciples I should incline to think the present sect of Dampers was
Masonic Dampers.
really a branch from the Thalesian root , for it is certain they make groat use of his first principle in the philosophy they practise . It is not necessary to look far around us to find
instances ol the Masonic Damper , and we think it would be difficult to give a better definition of the Sect than to say that they throw a dampness upon all companies where they enter . Their business in society seems to be to check the flights and sallies of
those volatile beings who are subject to be carried away by imagination and fancy , or , in other words , to act as a counterpoise against genius . Of the vices nf rna . nlrind thev take little notice , but thev are at _
„_ ww ^ „ j - ^ great pains to correct vanity . They have various receipts for curing this evil ; the ordinary method being to keep stern silence and an unmoved countenance in companies which are disposed to be
cheerful . The Masonic Damper will sit in Lodge and give unmistakable evidence of his utter indifference to all that is going on aroimd him . He will appear to know far better than the Worshipful Master or others
engaged m a ceremony , and his looks will evidence the contempt he feels towards them for the way in which they are working . At the banquet he maintains the same rigid indifference , and it often happens that his peculiar tactics stop or materially check the
festivities around him . Even at the period to which we have already referred—upwards of a hundred years ago—this section of the Dampers were distinguished by their cold water tendencies , and at the
present time it is sate to say that the most ardent members of the sect are those who in their great love for water strive to prevent others enjoying anything
else . We have never been opposed to those who drink nothing but water , so long as they keep their peculiar taste to themselves , but when a disciple of the so-called Temperance cause presses on all around him the -wickedness of indulging in stronger drinks , he becomes a nuisance , as much so as
would be the case if an habitual tippler urged on his hearers the benefits of following his example . Freemasonry teaches us the benefits of Temperance in all things , but in this respect we do not consider that Temperance implies total abstention , that is as much an excess as the opposite extreme , and in many cases its nractice gives proof of weakness : the total i
x y ~ x J abstainer being afraid to indulge temperately , lest he should take too much . These remarks do not of course apply in every case . There are some who choose to lay down certain laws for themselves , but
who take good care that they shall not cause discomfort or annoyance to their friends , who , unless they are very observant , would fail to notice anything unusual . Happily this class is in the ascendant , so
far as Freemasonry is concerned , ancl it is Only on rare occasions we come across one who makes himself a nuisance , or deserves the name of Damper .
Continuing the subject , we are told that if tho Damper looks morose everybody wonders what the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Dampers.
MASONIC DAMPERS .
THE popular idea of tlic present day seems to be to imagine that every one ancl each thing around us is quite different to what was known in the time of our forefathers—that period which so many writers love to describe as the " good old times . " It is true that in many respects there have been great and radical changes , ancl no doubt the present generation
presents many differences when compared with their ancestors of even a hundred years ago , but on the other hand there are many points of similarity , ancl we doubt if there is nearly so much distinction between the two periods as is generally supposed . It is very certain to our mind that the sect of the
" Dampers "—both Masonically and generally—is much the same now as it was then , and in support of this dictum we shall quote from the pages of a work which has recently come under our notice , and which is upwards of a hundred years old . Therein
we find a description of the " Sect of the Dampers , " and were it not for the fact that the title of the book bears the date 1787 , while there are other unmistakable signs of its age , we should hardly believe we were not reading a description of modern principles ancl
practices . It is very certain that in the work of " clamping , " at least , the world is very much the same to-day as it was then , ancl from the opening remarks of the writer referred to , and the evidence he adduces in his essay , it was much the same long
before his time . It is true our author does not make any particular reference in his work , so far as we have discovered , to the peculiar system and tenets of Freemasonry , but much of what he says is so applicable to the disciples of the Order as to convince us
that at heart he possessed many of the qualifications necessary for a good Mason . His remarks on this subject of "damping" are so good that we shall extract at length from them , and we hope that in doing
so we may be the means of removing a little of that superfluous dampness which pervades Freemasonry at times , as it does all other earthly organizations . There is a pretty numerous sect of philosophers in this kingdom , writes the authority already mentioned , whom I cannot describe by any apter denomination .
than that of Dampers . They are to be known in society by a sudden damp which they are sure to cause upon all companies where they enter . The human heart that comes within their atmosphere
never fails to be chilled ; and the quickest sense of feeling is as effectually benumbed as the touch is with the torpedo . As this sect is of very ancient
standing in the world , ancl has been taken notice of by several heathen writers , I have sometimes thought that it might originate in the school of Thales , who held water to be the first principle of all things . If
I were certain that this ancient philosopher always administered his water cold to his disciples I should incline to think the present sect of Dampers was
Masonic Dampers.
really a branch from the Thalesian root , for it is certain they make groat use of his first principle in the philosophy they practise . It is not necessary to look far around us to find
instances ol the Masonic Damper , and we think it would be difficult to give a better definition of the Sect than to say that they throw a dampness upon all companies where they enter . Their business in society seems to be to check the flights and sallies of
those volatile beings who are subject to be carried away by imagination and fancy , or , in other words , to act as a counterpoise against genius . Of the vices nf rna . nlrind thev take little notice , but thev are at _
„_ ww ^ „ j - ^ great pains to correct vanity . They have various receipts for curing this evil ; the ordinary method being to keep stern silence and an unmoved countenance in companies which are disposed to be
cheerful . The Masonic Damper will sit in Lodge and give unmistakable evidence of his utter indifference to all that is going on aroimd him . He will appear to know far better than the Worshipful Master or others
engaged m a ceremony , and his looks will evidence the contempt he feels towards them for the way in which they are working . At the banquet he maintains the same rigid indifference , and it often happens that his peculiar tactics stop or materially check the
festivities around him . Even at the period to which we have already referred—upwards of a hundred years ago—this section of the Dampers were distinguished by their cold water tendencies , and at the
present time it is sate to say that the most ardent members of the sect are those who in their great love for water strive to prevent others enjoying anything
else . We have never been opposed to those who drink nothing but water , so long as they keep their peculiar taste to themselves , but when a disciple of the so-called Temperance cause presses on all around him the -wickedness of indulging in stronger drinks , he becomes a nuisance , as much so as
would be the case if an habitual tippler urged on his hearers the benefits of following his example . Freemasonry teaches us the benefits of Temperance in all things , but in this respect we do not consider that Temperance implies total abstention , that is as much an excess as the opposite extreme , and in many cases its nractice gives proof of weakness : the total i
x y ~ x J abstainer being afraid to indulge temperately , lest he should take too much . These remarks do not of course apply in every case . There are some who choose to lay down certain laws for themselves , but
who take good care that they shall not cause discomfort or annoyance to their friends , who , unless they are very observant , would fail to notice anything unusual . Happily this class is in the ascendant , so
far as Freemasonry is concerned , ancl it is Only on rare occasions we come across one who makes himself a nuisance , or deserves the name of Damper .
Continuing the subject , we are told that if tho Damper looks morose everybody wonders what the