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Article COLON IAI. ← Page 3 of 4 →
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Colon Iai.
Mason must feel alive to the fact that the differences which exist in the workings of the several parent Grand Lodges is detrimental to the true interests of Masonry in their colonial dependencies . In the Province of New Brunswick , for instance , there are Lodges hailing from the Grand Lodges of Eng-lnnd , Ireland , and Scotland , all differing slightly in their mode of working , but yet the essential parts are the same . Now , it does not need any lengthy arguments of ours to show to
the Craftsmen generally the difficulty which arises from this state of things . Indeed , we might point to a variety of causes by which the progress of our timehonoured Institution is retarded . The difference in working is not the only or the principal cause which prompts us to think of the present and glance at the future . The length of time which elapses before decisions can be had upon questions which sometimes seriously affect the dearest interests of the Craft , is one of the many reasons which might be adduced to sbow that the present mode of
government is pregnant with many ills , and not calculated to give satisfaction to the Provincial Brethren . We will cite one more instance of the evils which exist , and then allow the good sense of the Brethren to supply the remainder . Without further comment we will proceed to view the case . The large amounts which have annually to be forwarded to the parent bodies for various services , keep the Lodges in the colonies with ( to use a vulgarism ) their noses continually to the grindstone , and thus virtually destroy their usefulness , so far as carrying out
many of the prime objects of the organization in the places were they are more immediately located . What an amount of good might be accomplished with the surplus money which has yearly to be sent away . It is true that much good is accomplished by or with it even now , but the beneficial influence of the money thus appropriated is felt here indirectly . How many orphan-schools , and such only like charitable and philanthropic institutions might we not have erected in our midst ; and what an incalculable amount of good would thus be accomplished ?
Some may say , ' How is it that you cannot now direct your energies to such undertakings , and thereby alleviate the condition of at least some portion of suffering humanity V Alas ! our energies are paralyzed ^ and our strength financially is entirely gone . Already the burden is more than we can bear—taxed as we are to the very utmost , in order to support the parent Grand Lodges , and yet compelled to spend the scanty remnant which remains to support and uphold a Provincial dynasty , it becomes apparent to the observant eye , that to
accomplish any such laudable designs would require more powerful means than we are capable of bringing in force . The question will then necessarily follow , * Why , if this state of things is the cause of your depressed condition , and your inability to exhibit the beneficent objects of the association , do you not seek for or apply a remedy V It is to this we would now direct your attention—to the consideration of which we would ask you to give heed for a short time . Our opinions may not comprise the universal feeling among the Craft in the Lower Provinces , for we
know full well that there are some who , rather than give up place and power , and advance with the enlightenment of the age , would sacrifice every feeling of independence and every desire to improve the condition of the Fraternity ; hut we are convinced that the day is not far distant when the views which we entertain in regard to the subject will reign predominant in the mind of every intelligent Mason in the colonies . Again , we ask , what is the remedy ? Need we paint it in letters of dazzling brilliancy , need we proclaim it in the higbways and upon
the housetops before it can be comprehended by the Brethren—we think not . It will only be necessary to point you to Canada for an example . The Brethren there have at last almost unanimously felt a disposition to be up and doing . It was no doubt hard for the parent Grand Lodges to allow such a large number of Lodges as there are in that Province to pass from their control , thus entailing a heavy loss , financially speaking ; but , notwithstanding all this , Necessity ' s stern
law must be obeyed ; the link which extended across the broad Atlantic has been snapped asunder , and the Masons of Canada have sallied forth under the bluo canopy of heaven , and with the banners of Truth and Justice gaily floating on tho breeze , they fear not the efforts of the oppressor , and freely welcome all who feel disposed to fraternize with them . May we be permitted , then , to predict a similar future for the Lower Provinces ? We believe there will be hut few dissentient TOb . III . G T
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colon Iai.
Mason must feel alive to the fact that the differences which exist in the workings of the several parent Grand Lodges is detrimental to the true interests of Masonry in their colonial dependencies . In the Province of New Brunswick , for instance , there are Lodges hailing from the Grand Lodges of Eng-lnnd , Ireland , and Scotland , all differing slightly in their mode of working , but yet the essential parts are the same . Now , it does not need any lengthy arguments of ours to show to
the Craftsmen generally the difficulty which arises from this state of things . Indeed , we might point to a variety of causes by which the progress of our timehonoured Institution is retarded . The difference in working is not the only or the principal cause which prompts us to think of the present and glance at the future . The length of time which elapses before decisions can be had upon questions which sometimes seriously affect the dearest interests of the Craft , is one of the many reasons which might be adduced to sbow that the present mode of
government is pregnant with many ills , and not calculated to give satisfaction to the Provincial Brethren . We will cite one more instance of the evils which exist , and then allow the good sense of the Brethren to supply the remainder . Without further comment we will proceed to view the case . The large amounts which have annually to be forwarded to the parent bodies for various services , keep the Lodges in the colonies with ( to use a vulgarism ) their noses continually to the grindstone , and thus virtually destroy their usefulness , so far as carrying out
many of the prime objects of the organization in the places were they are more immediately located . What an amount of good might be accomplished with the surplus money which has yearly to be sent away . It is true that much good is accomplished by or with it even now , but the beneficial influence of the money thus appropriated is felt here indirectly . How many orphan-schools , and such only like charitable and philanthropic institutions might we not have erected in our midst ; and what an incalculable amount of good would thus be accomplished ?
Some may say , ' How is it that you cannot now direct your energies to such undertakings , and thereby alleviate the condition of at least some portion of suffering humanity V Alas ! our energies are paralyzed ^ and our strength financially is entirely gone . Already the burden is more than we can bear—taxed as we are to the very utmost , in order to support the parent Grand Lodges , and yet compelled to spend the scanty remnant which remains to support and uphold a Provincial dynasty , it becomes apparent to the observant eye , that to
accomplish any such laudable designs would require more powerful means than we are capable of bringing in force . The question will then necessarily follow , * Why , if this state of things is the cause of your depressed condition , and your inability to exhibit the beneficent objects of the association , do you not seek for or apply a remedy V It is to this we would now direct your attention—to the consideration of which we would ask you to give heed for a short time . Our opinions may not comprise the universal feeling among the Craft in the Lower Provinces , for we
know full well that there are some who , rather than give up place and power , and advance with the enlightenment of the age , would sacrifice every feeling of independence and every desire to improve the condition of the Fraternity ; hut we are convinced that the day is not far distant when the views which we entertain in regard to the subject will reign predominant in the mind of every intelligent Mason in the colonies . Again , we ask , what is the remedy ? Need we paint it in letters of dazzling brilliancy , need we proclaim it in the higbways and upon
the housetops before it can be comprehended by the Brethren—we think not . It will only be necessary to point you to Canada for an example . The Brethren there have at last almost unanimously felt a disposition to be up and doing . It was no doubt hard for the parent Grand Lodges to allow such a large number of Lodges as there are in that Province to pass from their control , thus entailing a heavy loss , financially speaking ; but , notwithstanding all this , Necessity ' s stern
law must be obeyed ; the link which extended across the broad Atlantic has been snapped asunder , and the Masons of Canada have sallied forth under the bluo canopy of heaven , and with the banners of Truth and Justice gaily floating on tho breeze , they fear not the efforts of the oppressor , and freely welcome all who feel disposed to fraternize with them . May we be permitted , then , to predict a similar future for the Lower Provinces ? We believe there will be hut few dissentient TOb . III . G T