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Article THE FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY IN IREIAND. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY IN IREIAND. Page 2 of 2 Article THE FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY IN IREIAND. Page 2 of 2 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 2 →
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The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireiand.
a large portion of the executive power of the Order ; and that the attendance of those Provincial Grand Officers , who were entitled to a seat at the Board , could hardly be expected , when the loss of time , and the expenses involved
in a monthly visit to the metropolis are taken into account . The problem we have to solve is , how to secure an adequate and actual representative ot the provinces at the Dublin Board , without impairing the power , or weakening its
efficiency . It seems to me that the solution is a very simple one . In the first place , let the Provincial Representatives be , not " Provincial Grand Officers " who are usually appointed because of their social standing and position , as much as ,
or more than , because of their Masonic zeal and ability , but brethren elected by the Provincial members , either from those brethren subscribing to lodges in their district , or from brethren resident in Dublin , as may seem most fit and desirable .
By those means a full representation of the provinces can always be relied on . If a Province selects a brother resident in the country , to represent it , it can easily elect one whose time is sufficiently at his own disposal to enable him to attend regularly to his duties , and the expenses
attendant on his monthly visits to Dublin can of course be borne by the district he represents . If on the other hand , they choose to nominate a resident in Dublin , and there are few Provinces which do not possess several Dublin residents who were once members of provincial
lodges , the question is very much simplified as to the time required , and entirely disposed of as regards the expense . I would not of course wish to be understood as limiting the power of nominating a resident in Dublin as Provincial Representative to those who are , or have been ,
members of provincial lodges . Any brother eligible to represent a Dublin lodge should be eligible to represent a province , should a province think lit to appoint him to that office . It would be necessary to reduce the numbers of the Dublin Alembers of the Board if the above
arrangement were adopted , m about the proportion suggested in the new laws . By doing so there would be no danger of its being unwield y in numbers , as tire ; total would be less than as at present constituted , and the proportion of Dublin and Provincial Representatives would be very nearly balanced .
I would however be inclined to suggest that the mode of appointing the Dublin members should be somewhat different from that proposed . A better plan , I submit would be , to require each Dublin Lodge to send forward to Grand Lodge the names of two P . AI . ' s and from the total number so sent , let Grand Lodge elect by ballot , fifteen members to serve on the Board
Theelection could be so arranged asto time , as to enable the nominees of the Provincial Lodges to bc selected from the unelected brethren , if such should in any case be found desirable . By this means the Board of General Purposes might be made a more truly representative body ,
and the Order at large would probably have more confidence in its operations that would be atuined by the p lan proposed by the new laws . It must not be forgotten that the rulings of the Board must , in essential matters , be confirmed
by Grand Lodge before they can take effect . The powers of the Board are increased in some respects by the proposed new laws , but as thsrc L the right of appeal from their decision withn a certain time , this will most likel y be found an improvement in the administration .
THE CHARITIES OF THE ORDER . The official Charities of the Order are the Fund administered by the Committee of Charity and Inspection , the Female Orphan School , and the Male Orphan School . Tht latter institution does not figure in the proposed new laws ; but this is clearly
attributable to its very recent formation , and the omission will , cf course , be rectified in completing the new cede of laws . The Committee ot Charity and Inspection consists of the Grand Officers and the Masters for the rime being of the Dublin lodges . Their duty is rwofold . They form a board of inspection by which all the candidates passed by the
The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireiand.
subordinate Dublin lodges ( Grand Master ' s Lodge excepted ) must be approved of prior to initiation ; and they also administer certain funds provided for charitable purposes . The meetings of the Board are held twice in each month , the first on the day succeeding the meeting of Grand Lodge , and the second a
fortnight later . This la * -t meeting is for the purpose of approving candidates only , and the attendance is usually not " plethoric . '" At the first monthly meeting the charity funds are distributed , by usually a large board , the members subsequentl y dining together . It has been considered by some members of the Order that the dinner of this board could be
dispensed with ; but , on reflection , it will be found that such a change , would be most injudicious . In the first place , no advantage would accrue to the Charity Fund , as the Alasters' dinners are nearly paid for by special half-yearly dues exacted from the lodges for that particular purpose .
Those monthly dinners are , moreover , useful in bringing together , in a social manner , brethren who might otherwise form but slight acquaintances ; and no charge of extravagance can well be brought against them , as , while they are " full and plenty" in their providing , they are free
from that costly profusion that swells the price of our " installation" banquets to absurd proportions ; and they set an example of " refreshment meetings , " that mi g ht well be imitated by the individual lodges . The fund at the disposal of the Charity Board
is an exceedingly meagre one . For a long series of years past it has been limited to eight pounds monthly ; and when the number of applications—in nearl y every instance deserving ones—are taken into consideration , it will be seen that the funds available are miserably
inadequate . There is , at present , an endeavour to " strengthen the hands" of the committee , by obtaining subscriptions from the various lodges , in addition to the grant from Grand Lodge ; and several of the subordinate lodges have intimated thoir willingness to contribute annuallv suns ,
that in the aggregate , would swell the fund to a more commensurate amount . The new laws seek to impose on the various lodges in Ireland a capitation tax of one shilling annually for each subscribing member , to be especially applied to the Charity Fund .
I am sorry to know that our Provincial brethren intend to oppose this trifling impost , I believe on the ground that they object to give to a body located in Dublin the administration of funds levied generally on the Order . It should , however , be borne in mind that very few
of the applications are from Dublin brethren or their dependants , and that full consideiation is given to each case , no matter from what quarter the application comes , a principle most properly extended under the proposed new law by enabling the board to relieve applicants holding
under 1 'oreign . Grand Lodges . Ihe existing rule rendering eligible for relief only those claiming under the Irish constitution . Practicall y the effect of the existing system is , that when a case is favourably considered by ths board of charity , the sum granted is so small
as to be of little real permanent use . The largest grant in their power to make , is a sum of five pounds to any individual at any one time . A larger grant , in the rare instance where it is recommended , must be made directly from the Grand Lodge funds , on a regular notice of motion to that effect . When a case dews arise that
calls for the exercise of their relieving power to the full extent , the sum left from the monthly grant , viz ., three pounds , is quite insufficient to meet the other calls on their consideration , which must be either dismissed , held over , or relieved by grants , which if the subject was not
so painful , would be absolutely ludicrous in their attenuation . Another injurious effect of their inability to cope with the urgency of cases presented is , that a grant from the board of charity being recognised as a proof ol the deserving nature of the application , those who have received but a
small and most inadequate measure of rvlief are induced to try and increase that measure by an appeal to the individual lodges , who usually respond very fairly to really worthy cases , and thus in some instances , unfortunately a systematic " begging" for relief is initiated and en-
The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireiand.
couraged , the result being , as can be well understood , most demoralising and injurious to the funds and interests of the Order . There is no doubt that there is room for considerable improvement in the administration of such portion of the funds of the order as are devoted to charitable
purposes , and I believe onr brethren in other parts of the world are far in advance of us in the system , by which they test the genuiness of all applications , and the worthiness of all applicants , and , having ascertained that worth , by thc promptitude and liberality with which those claims are
met . Niggardliness is not onr national feeling , and I am sure if onr machinery woiked equally well , we would not be behind any other branch ofthe sreat Alasonic family in " relieving the distresses , soothing the afflictions , and in all things doing unto others as we would they should do to us . "
Meanwhile , let ns do the best we can with what we have , and not let petty local jealousies stand in the way of making our means of usefulness in some degree proportioned to the wealth and position of the Order to which wc have the houmir to belong .
I had intended going , at some length , into the working of our Schools , but the subject suggests so many points for consideration that I prefer merely touching on it here , possibly reserving for a future opportunity more detailed expression of opinion on various points incidentally
involved . In a general way , both Institutions are admirably managed , and the time is , I think , rapidly approaching when our Boys' School will be placed on the same footing as its older companion , the Girls' School , by having a "local habitation " as well as name . While however
we have reason to rejoice at the success of both Institutions , so far , I do not think we ought to be very jubilant over them till we can proclaim to friends and foes alike , that the ballot for admission of candidates no longer exists , that every deserving case obtains admission as a right ,
a result that would be easily attainable if they received that general support they so much deserve , a result that the numbers , intelligence , respectability , and wealth of our ancient Order justify us in expecting . J OSEPH IT . WOODWORTH , P . M . Commercial Lodge , 245 , Dublin .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
THE ORDER OFTHE TEMPLE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , Will you allow me , through the medium of your excellent paper , to express my full concurrence with the opinions of my friend , Bro . Hughan , and Bro . " H . H . " Knight Templarism ,
if not Masonic , is simply something with which , we , as Masons , have nothing to do , and we should uphold our dignity as Masons best , by now repudiating all connection with a soeiely wiichhas first usurped a chivalrious title , and to support that , made wse of . Freemasonry v \ s a bolster . I
cannot help thinking that the best interest of our order will be served by cutting olf all such excrescences as the quasi-Masonic Chivalric Orders . I am convinced the best friends of Masonry will agree that they . ire quite unnecessary , and frequently most injurious to legitimate Craft
Masonry . I believe with Bro . Hughan that many Freemasons will , now the Alasonic prefix is most properly abandoned , rather leave the racks than act a lie by claiming to be tha lineal descendants of the original Knights Templar . An immense amount of research has been given , and
a great deal of unnecessary ancl useless erudition wasted in the endeavour to establish such a claim . I cannot agree with " Devoniensis " ( Alay roth ) who thinks that all the Crur-aler Knights were Freemasons . Indeed it is most fervently to be hoped that they were not , and in fact they behaved in numerous instances , so disgracefully and
un-Masonically , one to the other , as to prove they were not all Masons . Bro . "Devoniensis " believes himself a lineal descendant ofthe ancient Knights Templar , and would not disconnect the modern order from Alasonry , because , the R . A . is to a certain extent a guarantee of the eligibility for the candidate . I take that it may in a measure be a guarantee for his respectability .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireiand.
a large portion of the executive power of the Order ; and that the attendance of those Provincial Grand Officers , who were entitled to a seat at the Board , could hardly be expected , when the loss of time , and the expenses involved
in a monthly visit to the metropolis are taken into account . The problem we have to solve is , how to secure an adequate and actual representative ot the provinces at the Dublin Board , without impairing the power , or weakening its
efficiency . It seems to me that the solution is a very simple one . In the first place , let the Provincial Representatives be , not " Provincial Grand Officers " who are usually appointed because of their social standing and position , as much as ,
or more than , because of their Masonic zeal and ability , but brethren elected by the Provincial members , either from those brethren subscribing to lodges in their district , or from brethren resident in Dublin , as may seem most fit and desirable .
By those means a full representation of the provinces can always be relied on . If a Province selects a brother resident in the country , to represent it , it can easily elect one whose time is sufficiently at his own disposal to enable him to attend regularly to his duties , and the expenses
attendant on his monthly visits to Dublin can of course be borne by the district he represents . If on the other hand , they choose to nominate a resident in Dublin , and there are few Provinces which do not possess several Dublin residents who were once members of provincial
lodges , the question is very much simplified as to the time required , and entirely disposed of as regards the expense . I would not of course wish to be understood as limiting the power of nominating a resident in Dublin as Provincial Representative to those who are , or have been ,
members of provincial lodges . Any brother eligible to represent a Dublin lodge should be eligible to represent a province , should a province think lit to appoint him to that office . It would be necessary to reduce the numbers of the Dublin Alembers of the Board if the above
arrangement were adopted , m about the proportion suggested in the new laws . By doing so there would be no danger of its being unwield y in numbers , as tire ; total would be less than as at present constituted , and the proportion of Dublin and Provincial Representatives would be very nearly balanced .
I would however be inclined to suggest that the mode of appointing the Dublin members should be somewhat different from that proposed . A better plan , I submit would be , to require each Dublin Lodge to send forward to Grand Lodge the names of two P . AI . ' s and from the total number so sent , let Grand Lodge elect by ballot , fifteen members to serve on the Board
Theelection could be so arranged asto time , as to enable the nominees of the Provincial Lodges to bc selected from the unelected brethren , if such should in any case be found desirable . By this means the Board of General Purposes might be made a more truly representative body ,
and the Order at large would probably have more confidence in its operations that would be atuined by the p lan proposed by the new laws . It must not be forgotten that the rulings of the Board must , in essential matters , be confirmed
by Grand Lodge before they can take effect . The powers of the Board are increased in some respects by the proposed new laws , but as thsrc L the right of appeal from their decision withn a certain time , this will most likel y be found an improvement in the administration .
THE CHARITIES OF THE ORDER . The official Charities of the Order are the Fund administered by the Committee of Charity and Inspection , the Female Orphan School , and the Male Orphan School . Tht latter institution does not figure in the proposed new laws ; but this is clearly
attributable to its very recent formation , and the omission will , cf course , be rectified in completing the new cede of laws . The Committee ot Charity and Inspection consists of the Grand Officers and the Masters for the rime being of the Dublin lodges . Their duty is rwofold . They form a board of inspection by which all the candidates passed by the
The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireiand.
subordinate Dublin lodges ( Grand Master ' s Lodge excepted ) must be approved of prior to initiation ; and they also administer certain funds provided for charitable purposes . The meetings of the Board are held twice in each month , the first on the day succeeding the meeting of Grand Lodge , and the second a
fortnight later . This la * -t meeting is for the purpose of approving candidates only , and the attendance is usually not " plethoric . '" At the first monthly meeting the charity funds are distributed , by usually a large board , the members subsequentl y dining together . It has been considered by some members of the Order that the dinner of this board could be
dispensed with ; but , on reflection , it will be found that such a change , would be most injudicious . In the first place , no advantage would accrue to the Charity Fund , as the Alasters' dinners are nearly paid for by special half-yearly dues exacted from the lodges for that particular purpose .
Those monthly dinners are , moreover , useful in bringing together , in a social manner , brethren who might otherwise form but slight acquaintances ; and no charge of extravagance can well be brought against them , as , while they are " full and plenty" in their providing , they are free
from that costly profusion that swells the price of our " installation" banquets to absurd proportions ; and they set an example of " refreshment meetings , " that mi g ht well be imitated by the individual lodges . The fund at the disposal of the Charity Board
is an exceedingly meagre one . For a long series of years past it has been limited to eight pounds monthly ; and when the number of applications—in nearl y every instance deserving ones—are taken into consideration , it will be seen that the funds available are miserably
inadequate . There is , at present , an endeavour to " strengthen the hands" of the committee , by obtaining subscriptions from the various lodges , in addition to the grant from Grand Lodge ; and several of the subordinate lodges have intimated thoir willingness to contribute annuallv suns ,
that in the aggregate , would swell the fund to a more commensurate amount . The new laws seek to impose on the various lodges in Ireland a capitation tax of one shilling annually for each subscribing member , to be especially applied to the Charity Fund .
I am sorry to know that our Provincial brethren intend to oppose this trifling impost , I believe on the ground that they object to give to a body located in Dublin the administration of funds levied generally on the Order . It should , however , be borne in mind that very few
of the applications are from Dublin brethren or their dependants , and that full consideiation is given to each case , no matter from what quarter the application comes , a principle most properly extended under the proposed new law by enabling the board to relieve applicants holding
under 1 'oreign . Grand Lodges . Ihe existing rule rendering eligible for relief only those claiming under the Irish constitution . Practicall y the effect of the existing system is , that when a case is favourably considered by ths board of charity , the sum granted is so small
as to be of little real permanent use . The largest grant in their power to make , is a sum of five pounds to any individual at any one time . A larger grant , in the rare instance where it is recommended , must be made directly from the Grand Lodge funds , on a regular notice of motion to that effect . When a case dews arise that
calls for the exercise of their relieving power to the full extent , the sum left from the monthly grant , viz ., three pounds , is quite insufficient to meet the other calls on their consideration , which must be either dismissed , held over , or relieved by grants , which if the subject was not
so painful , would be absolutely ludicrous in their attenuation . Another injurious effect of their inability to cope with the urgency of cases presented is , that a grant from the board of charity being recognised as a proof ol the deserving nature of the application , those who have received but a
small and most inadequate measure of rvlief are induced to try and increase that measure by an appeal to the individual lodges , who usually respond very fairly to really worthy cases , and thus in some instances , unfortunately a systematic " begging" for relief is initiated and en-
The Future Of Freemasonry In Ireiand.
couraged , the result being , as can be well understood , most demoralising and injurious to the funds and interests of the Order . There is no doubt that there is room for considerable improvement in the administration of such portion of the funds of the order as are devoted to charitable
purposes , and I believe onr brethren in other parts of the world are far in advance of us in the system , by which they test the genuiness of all applications , and the worthiness of all applicants , and , having ascertained that worth , by thc promptitude and liberality with which those claims are
met . Niggardliness is not onr national feeling , and I am sure if onr machinery woiked equally well , we would not be behind any other branch ofthe sreat Alasonic family in " relieving the distresses , soothing the afflictions , and in all things doing unto others as we would they should do to us . "
Meanwhile , let ns do the best we can with what we have , and not let petty local jealousies stand in the way of making our means of usefulness in some degree proportioned to the wealth and position of the Order to which wc have the houmir to belong .
I had intended going , at some length , into the working of our Schools , but the subject suggests so many points for consideration that I prefer merely touching on it here , possibly reserving for a future opportunity more detailed expression of opinion on various points incidentally
involved . In a general way , both Institutions are admirably managed , and the time is , I think , rapidly approaching when our Boys' School will be placed on the same footing as its older companion , the Girls' School , by having a "local habitation " as well as name . While however
we have reason to rejoice at the success of both Institutions , so far , I do not think we ought to be very jubilant over them till we can proclaim to friends and foes alike , that the ballot for admission of candidates no longer exists , that every deserving case obtains admission as a right ,
a result that would be easily attainable if they received that general support they so much deserve , a result that the numbers , intelligence , respectability , and wealth of our ancient Order justify us in expecting . J OSEPH IT . WOODWORTH , P . M . Commercial Lodge , 245 , Dublin .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
THE ORDER OFTHE TEMPLE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , Will you allow me , through the medium of your excellent paper , to express my full concurrence with the opinions of my friend , Bro . Hughan , and Bro . " H . H . " Knight Templarism ,
if not Masonic , is simply something with which , we , as Masons , have nothing to do , and we should uphold our dignity as Masons best , by now repudiating all connection with a soeiely wiichhas first usurped a chivalrious title , and to support that , made wse of . Freemasonry v \ s a bolster . I
cannot help thinking that the best interest of our order will be served by cutting olf all such excrescences as the quasi-Masonic Chivalric Orders . I am convinced the best friends of Masonry will agree that they . ire quite unnecessary , and frequently most injurious to legitimate Craft
Masonry . I believe with Bro . Hughan that many Freemasons will , now the Alasonic prefix is most properly abandoned , rather leave the racks than act a lie by claiming to be tha lineal descendants of the original Knights Templar . An immense amount of research has been given , and
a great deal of unnecessary ancl useless erudition wasted in the endeavour to establish such a claim . I cannot agree with " Devoniensis " ( Alay roth ) who thinks that all the Crur-aler Knights were Freemasons . Indeed it is most fervently to be hoped that they were not , and in fact they behaved in numerous instances , so disgracefully and
un-Masonically , one to the other , as to prove they were not all Masons . Bro . "Devoniensis " believes himself a lineal descendant ofthe ancient Knights Templar , and would not disconnect the modern order from Alasonry , because , the R . A . is to a certain extent a guarantee of the eligibility for the candidate . I take that it may in a measure be a guarantee for his respectability .