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Article THE NEW YEAR. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The New Year.
' 4 public satisfactorily . "W e wish , indeed , that the reward attendant upon the exertions we have lavished to render this Magazine deserving of success , was adequate to the measure of proof we possess that we have laboured unmitigatedly and strenuously . Still we hail gratefully the acceptable evidence given by an increasing circulation that our efforts have been somewhat appreciated . One circumstance is
especially gratifying , namely the determined encouragement given to the Magazine , the moment the liberty of publication appeared to be impugned . In one province , no sooner was a Brother—a most energetic and deserving Mason—snubbed for his manly vindication of the freedom of the Masonic press , than a rapid increase of subscribers to this Periodical proved the sympathy felt with him in his
struggle , whilst the opposing authority incurred a severe castigation from the American press , whose- every fibre vibrates with us in the vindication of true liberty of opinion . The best way to defy publicity , is to disarm it , by a fair , upright , generous discharge of duty ; for sure we are that it is not the honest man that dreadeth the light , but the malefactor , lest his deeds should be reproved . To check , therefore , or even to attempt to check the publication of Masonic affairs .
is as futile as the endeavour of any one to do so must be suicidal ; the opposition has already led to our success , and will assuredly , as heretofore , if attempted , tend to the opponent ' s discomfiture . We thank , however , our numerous friends ^ especially of Worcestershire and Staffordshire , for their noble assistance ; let them remember that when true to us , they are only true to themselves , their own libertv , and their own Masonic exaltation . mi /
Ours , indeed , is somewhat a thankless task ; for whilst all the benefits of the concluding year are owing to the publicity given to abuses by this Magazine , we ourselves are the last to participate in the result . So , whilst Canada has been supported , and the longcherished abuses in Grand Lodge routed up to their very centre , we have been sufferers in pocket , as well as time and trouble . But the Masonic principle is to look beyond ; and it is , therefore , our
determination to persevere in the same impartial course we have adopted , of upholding the rights of the poorest Lodge , or the weakest Brother , against illegal abuse , or systematized neglect . Nothing can be further from our intention than to disregard authority , engender strife , or malign officials ; but if authority veil utter incompetency ,
it must be disregarded ; if improvement and the rights of the Brotherhood cannot be maintained without strife , why then strive wc shall , yet in all charity ; and if officials prove themselves inadequate to their duties , and with one hand open to take money , have the other too paralyzed to acknowledge the receipt of it , for many years , why
then out such officials must go , no matter how closely they adhere to their emoluments ; and if we are asked our motive for this action , it is that , though we venerate age much , we love the glory and grand development of true Masonry far more . A deal lias been done towards improvement in our Masonic constitution daring the last year , hut more remains to be done before
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The New Year.
' 4 public satisfactorily . "W e wish , indeed , that the reward attendant upon the exertions we have lavished to render this Magazine deserving of success , was adequate to the measure of proof we possess that we have laboured unmitigatedly and strenuously . Still we hail gratefully the acceptable evidence given by an increasing circulation that our efforts have been somewhat appreciated . One circumstance is
especially gratifying , namely the determined encouragement given to the Magazine , the moment the liberty of publication appeared to be impugned . In one province , no sooner was a Brother—a most energetic and deserving Mason—snubbed for his manly vindication of the freedom of the Masonic press , than a rapid increase of subscribers to this Periodical proved the sympathy felt with him in his
struggle , whilst the opposing authority incurred a severe castigation from the American press , whose- every fibre vibrates with us in the vindication of true liberty of opinion . The best way to defy publicity , is to disarm it , by a fair , upright , generous discharge of duty ; for sure we are that it is not the honest man that dreadeth the light , but the malefactor , lest his deeds should be reproved . To check , therefore , or even to attempt to check the publication of Masonic affairs .
is as futile as the endeavour of any one to do so must be suicidal ; the opposition has already led to our success , and will assuredly , as heretofore , if attempted , tend to the opponent ' s discomfiture . We thank , however , our numerous friends ^ especially of Worcestershire and Staffordshire , for their noble assistance ; let them remember that when true to us , they are only true to themselves , their own libertv , and their own Masonic exaltation . mi /
Ours , indeed , is somewhat a thankless task ; for whilst all the benefits of the concluding year are owing to the publicity given to abuses by this Magazine , we ourselves are the last to participate in the result . So , whilst Canada has been supported , and the longcherished abuses in Grand Lodge routed up to their very centre , we have been sufferers in pocket , as well as time and trouble . But the Masonic principle is to look beyond ; and it is , therefore , our
determination to persevere in the same impartial course we have adopted , of upholding the rights of the poorest Lodge , or the weakest Brother , against illegal abuse , or systematized neglect . Nothing can be further from our intention than to disregard authority , engender strife , or malign officials ; but if authority veil utter incompetency ,
it must be disregarded ; if improvement and the rights of the Brotherhood cannot be maintained without strife , why then strive wc shall , yet in all charity ; and if officials prove themselves inadequate to their duties , and with one hand open to take money , have the other too paralyzed to acknowledge the receipt of it , for many years , why
then out such officials must go , no matter how closely they adhere to their emoluments ; and if we are asked our motive for this action , it is that , though we venerate age much , we love the glory and grand development of true Masonry far more . A deal lias been done towards improvement in our Masonic constitution daring the last year , hut more remains to be done before