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Article THE MASONIC MIRROR. ← Page 2 of 6 →
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The Masonic Mirror.
assist them in erecting Masonic Halls or Lodge rooms , provided that proper security be given for the repayment of the principal , with interest , within a reasonable period . " He apprehended that the principle embodied iu that proposition wa . s a just and good one , for it was a wish dear to the heart of every Mason to see their meetings held in temples exclusively devoted to the celebration of their mysteries , and Masonry rescued from the association with the publichouse . Their principal object was , no doubt , to see the bead
quarters of the Order properly lodged , but as they had at present a large amount of funded property on which they were receiving something about 3 | - t ? cent , ho thought that if the brethren in tho country were desirous of meeting in Masonic temples of their own erection , Grand Lodge would be doing good service if it would aid them in so doing rather than allow any private individual to do so . At present the Board contented itself by asking Grand Lodge to approve the general principle , leaving it to the Board to draw a schemein conformity with which
up , Grand Lodge would be willing not to erect , but to assist in the erection of Masonic halls in the provinces . . It should be their duty to take care that their funds suffered no diminution , and that they received on all such advances as good interest as they could get elsewhere . AYith regard to this proposal , if acted upon , interfering with the changes contemplated in the building in which they were assembled , he did not think such would be the case ; but even if it did it would be better to wait for them than stay the endeavours of their country brethren to sever their
connection with the publiehouses , which were the last places in which the mysteries of the Order ought to be celebrated . He was convinced that nothing could tend more to maintain the high character aud reputation of the Craft than such a severance . He did not wish to say one word against those who as landlords of those houses pursued an honest calling , but amongst themselves the brethren well knew that they lost a large degree of credit by their assumed connection with such establishments . It should not , however , be understood that the Board thought
it proper that money should be advanced to every party that applied for it—no such tiling . They would have first to show that they had put their own shoulder to the wheel ; besides which , every application would have to be brought before Grand Lodge to be decided on its merits , the Board taking care to see that the security for the repayment of the money was a good one . In taking that course they would be acting wisely , judiciously , and legitimately . The only objection he had as yet heard to the proposal wasthat it did not go far enough for the brethren
, of the Southmolton Lodge , No . 610 , who had stated to him that they bad bought a freehold site , and built upon it a suitable temple , with proper accommodation for the Lodge and Chapter , and with apartments for tho Tyler , and owed upon it a debt of £ 250 , and they asked if they would be assisted in getting rid of that encumbrance . Now he had no hesitation in saying that Grand Lodge would be disposed to act with the greatest liberality , and advance the money on approved security , at all times taking care that the funds of the parent body suffered no
diminution . Bro . Locock AYebb seconded the resolution , in the principle of which he fully concurred . Bro . AA hitmore opposed the motion , as he had high legal authority for stating that as all the members of the Craft were proprietors of the fund which it was proposed should be laid out , there would be a difficulty iu reclaiming a loan made to any of them out of that fund . The }' could never do it . It would be just as easy to try and advance
astronomical science by making a railway to tho moon . The whole amount of the fund they had to lend out was only £ 10 , 000 , and they kuew nothing of the enthusiasm of the brethren in the country , when they thought that with that amount they would be able to meet the forty or fifty applications which would be made to them the moment it became known they were about to lend their money . He was sure the resolution if acted , on could not fail to lead to litigation , and give rise to great heartburnings in tho Craft . He had however to complain that
those who brought it forward had not given Grand Lodge some details with respect to bow and to what extent they were prepared to make these advances . He asked Grand Lodge to deal with the question not in any party spirit but . as each individual brother present would do in his own particular case . But if they were to lend out their money , where , bo would ask , were they to get funds to carry out the grand scheme of last year for the improvement of the building in which they were then assembled ?
Bro . Stebbing inquired if Grand Lodge had at present the power of lending money on freehold property . Bro . Havers replied in tho affirmative . Bro . Stebbing would not in a factious spirit press any amendment to the resolution , although he regarded it as very injurious to the best interests of Masonry ^ besides , it was unnecessary , if Grand Lodge bad at present the power of investing its money in mortgage on freehold property . " . without sending over England to build Masonic halls , which were for adv
sure to get into disuse , aud become bad security any money . iucvcl upon them . Speaking of his province , he knew that in the small , towns Masonry was very ephemeral in its popularity . AYhile that popularity lasted the brethren were enthusiastic in regard to the Craft , and were ready to build Masonic halls , but when that spirit died away the halls came to be unused , and fell iu value as security for the money advanced upon them . The Masonic hall at Lymington had not been used for Masonic purposes for the last twenty-three years . Tn Christchureh too maguificen hall had been allowed to get into disuse , while the Lodge
which built it had removed to Bournmouth , aud was in a State of decay . In the large towns , like Southampton , Portsmouth , or Portsea , the brethren were numerous enough to build the halls at their own expense and keep thorn clear of debt ; or if there was a sign of their being allowed to fall in desuetude , there was always some wealthy brother at hand to step in and prevent it ; but in small towns , where there were not men of that character , they would be sure to have continual clamour , and speaking prophetically , bo would say that if they now encouraged the of these hallsin ten time not of
erection of a large number , years ono them would bo in / use for Masonic purposes . Then when the parties borrowing defaulted , Grand Lodge would have to appear iu the courts , and thus Masonry / would be dragged before the country in a manner most offensive . Every one too knew that it was impossible to touch parchment without getting into a sea of troubles ; and for himself he had to say , that although in all building speculations he acted with all possible care and caution , be had not been out of Chancery for the last twenty years . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) He had nothing more to say than to implore Grand Lodge not to stimulate small Lodges—m which their members knew less of Masonry than of building speculations—to
rush into the erection of Masonic halls . Bro . McEntire said that one would think from his observations that Bro . AAliitrnorehad not taken the trouble to read the resolution which he opposed , for if he had he would have seen that it was not proposed to lend any monev except on good and ample security . He would also remind him with respect to the difficulty in reclaiming the money to which he referred on the authority of some great unknown lawyer , that the with which it proposed to deal was not invested m the
money was name of Grand Lodge , but in that of trustees who would be the parties to the loan , and who could enforce its repayment . That disposed of the legal part of the question . The opposition of Bro . Stebbing , however , rested on the ground of . expediency , and he mentioned large towns where the brethren were numerous and wealthy enough to build halls at their own expense , and it was therefore clear that those towns would not get any of the money of Grand Lodge as they did not want it }; wished to advance
but he considered it rig ht that when provincial Lodges Freemasonry and separate it from all connection with the publichouse , thev ought to have the countenance and support of Grand Lodge , provided only the funds of the Board of General Purposes were not jeopardized . AV'ho know but if in those towns where , as stated by Bro . Stebbing , the balls had fallen iu desuetude , Grand Lodge had originally helped the undertakings , that help might not have kept alive the Masonic enthusiasm of the brethren . The Deputy Grand Master in putting the resolution for confirmation , stated that he fully concurred in the views of the Board of General
Purposes in regard to the matter . The resolution was then carried by a large majority . The President of the Board of General Purposes then moved , " Ihafc in future the brother presiding at the General Committee shall not receive , nor shall the Grand Secretary record , auy nomination , except it be iu writing signed by a member of the Grand Lodge , in which the names of the candidates , together with the numbers of their respective Lod and whether Masters or Past Mastersshall be specified . "
ges , , This was seconded by Bro . Symontls , and unanimously approved of . The Deputy Grand Master , in putting the motion for the adoption of the report , called attention to the paragraph , in reference to tho spurious Lodge at Stratford , and gave it as his opinion , that under the provisions of the 30 th George III ., it was an illegal assembly . That act excepted the regular Masonic Lodges , but required that the members should be registered with the clerk of the peace , and he would advise
them to fulfil the law in every respect . COLONIAL HOARD . The President of the Colonial Board , in moving the adoption of the report of that Board , congratulated Grand Lodge on the settlement of the Victorian question with regard to the foes , and at the expression of the warm attachment of tho brethren of A ictoria to the mother Grand Lodge . The report was then adopted without opposition . made to the
A grant of , C 50 was then , on . the motion of Bro . Barrett inmates of the Masonic Asylum , at Croydon , for the purchase of coals , & c , during tho winter , after which Grand Lodge was dosed in ample form , and adjourned to the first AA ' ednesday in March next ,
TUB BOYS SCHOOL . AT the General Committee of this institution , on ' Saturday last , Bro . Hopwood presiding—it was resolved to confirm the decision ot the House Committee , and give notice to the second master to terminate his engagement—there appearing to be no likelihood of . his dissatisfaction with bis position being overcome . It was also resolved , on tho motion of Bro . Symondsthat the House Committee should apply to
, some gentleman having experience in tuition and in the inspection of schools , to organize the school and lay down a proper scheme of education to be adopted—having regard to the position in life the boys were likely to fill on leaving the school . As we know many of our subscribers are engaged in the scholastic profession , with a view of obtaining as much information upon tho subject as possible , we publish the
scheme of education as agreed to by the present masters of the school : — Tho first master to superintend the first and second classes of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Mirror.
assist them in erecting Masonic Halls or Lodge rooms , provided that proper security be given for the repayment of the principal , with interest , within a reasonable period . " He apprehended that the principle embodied iu that proposition wa . s a just and good one , for it was a wish dear to the heart of every Mason to see their meetings held in temples exclusively devoted to the celebration of their mysteries , and Masonry rescued from the association with the publichouse . Their principal object was , no doubt , to see the bead
quarters of the Order properly lodged , but as they had at present a large amount of funded property on which they were receiving something about 3 | - t ? cent , ho thought that if the brethren in tho country were desirous of meeting in Masonic temples of their own erection , Grand Lodge would be doing good service if it would aid them in so doing rather than allow any private individual to do so . At present the Board contented itself by asking Grand Lodge to approve the general principle , leaving it to the Board to draw a schemein conformity with which
up , Grand Lodge would be willing not to erect , but to assist in the erection of Masonic halls in the provinces . . It should be their duty to take care that their funds suffered no diminution , and that they received on all such advances as good interest as they could get elsewhere . AYith regard to this proposal , if acted upon , interfering with the changes contemplated in the building in which they were assembled , he did not think such would be the case ; but even if it did it would be better to wait for them than stay the endeavours of their country brethren to sever their
connection with the publiehouses , which were the last places in which the mysteries of the Order ought to be celebrated . He was convinced that nothing could tend more to maintain the high character aud reputation of the Craft than such a severance . He did not wish to say one word against those who as landlords of those houses pursued an honest calling , but amongst themselves the brethren well knew that they lost a large degree of credit by their assumed connection with such establishments . It should not , however , be understood that the Board thought
it proper that money should be advanced to every party that applied for it—no such tiling . They would have first to show that they had put their own shoulder to the wheel ; besides which , every application would have to be brought before Grand Lodge to be decided on its merits , the Board taking care to see that the security for the repayment of the money was a good one . In taking that course they would be acting wisely , judiciously , and legitimately . The only objection he had as yet heard to the proposal wasthat it did not go far enough for the brethren
, of the Southmolton Lodge , No . 610 , who had stated to him that they bad bought a freehold site , and built upon it a suitable temple , with proper accommodation for the Lodge and Chapter , and with apartments for tho Tyler , and owed upon it a debt of £ 250 , and they asked if they would be assisted in getting rid of that encumbrance . Now he had no hesitation in saying that Grand Lodge would be disposed to act with the greatest liberality , and advance the money on approved security , at all times taking care that the funds of the parent body suffered no
diminution . Bro . Locock AYebb seconded the resolution , in the principle of which he fully concurred . Bro . AA hitmore opposed the motion , as he had high legal authority for stating that as all the members of the Craft were proprietors of the fund which it was proposed should be laid out , there would be a difficulty iu reclaiming a loan made to any of them out of that fund . The }' could never do it . It would be just as easy to try and advance
astronomical science by making a railway to tho moon . The whole amount of the fund they had to lend out was only £ 10 , 000 , and they kuew nothing of the enthusiasm of the brethren in the country , when they thought that with that amount they would be able to meet the forty or fifty applications which would be made to them the moment it became known they were about to lend their money . He was sure the resolution if acted , on could not fail to lead to litigation , and give rise to great heartburnings in tho Craft . He had however to complain that
those who brought it forward had not given Grand Lodge some details with respect to bow and to what extent they were prepared to make these advances . He asked Grand Lodge to deal with the question not in any party spirit but . as each individual brother present would do in his own particular case . But if they were to lend out their money , where , bo would ask , were they to get funds to carry out the grand scheme of last year for the improvement of the building in which they were then assembled ?
Bro . Stebbing inquired if Grand Lodge had at present the power of lending money on freehold property . Bro . Havers replied in tho affirmative . Bro . Stebbing would not in a factious spirit press any amendment to the resolution , although he regarded it as very injurious to the best interests of Masonry ^ besides , it was unnecessary , if Grand Lodge bad at present the power of investing its money in mortgage on freehold property . " . without sending over England to build Masonic halls , which were for adv
sure to get into disuse , aud become bad security any money . iucvcl upon them . Speaking of his province , he knew that in the small , towns Masonry was very ephemeral in its popularity . AYhile that popularity lasted the brethren were enthusiastic in regard to the Craft , and were ready to build Masonic halls , but when that spirit died away the halls came to be unused , and fell iu value as security for the money advanced upon them . The Masonic hall at Lymington had not been used for Masonic purposes for the last twenty-three years . Tn Christchureh too maguificen hall had been allowed to get into disuse , while the Lodge
which built it had removed to Bournmouth , aud was in a State of decay . In the large towns , like Southampton , Portsmouth , or Portsea , the brethren were numerous enough to build the halls at their own expense and keep thorn clear of debt ; or if there was a sign of their being allowed to fall in desuetude , there was always some wealthy brother at hand to step in and prevent it ; but in small towns , where there were not men of that character , they would be sure to have continual clamour , and speaking prophetically , bo would say that if they now encouraged the of these hallsin ten time not of
erection of a large number , years ono them would bo in / use for Masonic purposes . Then when the parties borrowing defaulted , Grand Lodge would have to appear iu the courts , and thus Masonry / would be dragged before the country in a manner most offensive . Every one too knew that it was impossible to touch parchment without getting into a sea of troubles ; and for himself he had to say , that although in all building speculations he acted with all possible care and caution , be had not been out of Chancery for the last twenty years . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) He had nothing more to say than to implore Grand Lodge not to stimulate small Lodges—m which their members knew less of Masonry than of building speculations—to
rush into the erection of Masonic halls . Bro . McEntire said that one would think from his observations that Bro . AAliitrnorehad not taken the trouble to read the resolution which he opposed , for if he had he would have seen that it was not proposed to lend any monev except on good and ample security . He would also remind him with respect to the difficulty in reclaiming the money to which he referred on the authority of some great unknown lawyer , that the with which it proposed to deal was not invested m the
money was name of Grand Lodge , but in that of trustees who would be the parties to the loan , and who could enforce its repayment . That disposed of the legal part of the question . The opposition of Bro . Stebbing , however , rested on the ground of . expediency , and he mentioned large towns where the brethren were numerous and wealthy enough to build halls at their own expense , and it was therefore clear that those towns would not get any of the money of Grand Lodge as they did not want it }; wished to advance
but he considered it rig ht that when provincial Lodges Freemasonry and separate it from all connection with the publichouse , thev ought to have the countenance and support of Grand Lodge , provided only the funds of the Board of General Purposes were not jeopardized . AV'ho know but if in those towns where , as stated by Bro . Stebbing , the balls had fallen iu desuetude , Grand Lodge had originally helped the undertakings , that help might not have kept alive the Masonic enthusiasm of the brethren . The Deputy Grand Master in putting the resolution for confirmation , stated that he fully concurred in the views of the Board of General
Purposes in regard to the matter . The resolution was then carried by a large majority . The President of the Board of General Purposes then moved , " Ihafc in future the brother presiding at the General Committee shall not receive , nor shall the Grand Secretary record , auy nomination , except it be iu writing signed by a member of the Grand Lodge , in which the names of the candidates , together with the numbers of their respective Lod and whether Masters or Past Mastersshall be specified . "
ges , , This was seconded by Bro . Symontls , and unanimously approved of . The Deputy Grand Master , in putting the motion for the adoption of the report , called attention to the paragraph , in reference to tho spurious Lodge at Stratford , and gave it as his opinion , that under the provisions of the 30 th George III ., it was an illegal assembly . That act excepted the regular Masonic Lodges , but required that the members should be registered with the clerk of the peace , and he would advise
them to fulfil the law in every respect . COLONIAL HOARD . The President of the Colonial Board , in moving the adoption of the report of that Board , congratulated Grand Lodge on the settlement of the Victorian question with regard to the foes , and at the expression of the warm attachment of tho brethren of A ictoria to the mother Grand Lodge . The report was then adopted without opposition . made to the
A grant of , C 50 was then , on . the motion of Bro . Barrett inmates of the Masonic Asylum , at Croydon , for the purchase of coals , & c , during tho winter , after which Grand Lodge was dosed in ample form , and adjourned to the first AA ' ednesday in March next ,
TUB BOYS SCHOOL . AT the General Committee of this institution , on ' Saturday last , Bro . Hopwood presiding—it was resolved to confirm the decision ot the House Committee , and give notice to the second master to terminate his engagement—there appearing to be no likelihood of . his dissatisfaction with bis position being overcome . It was also resolved , on tho motion of Bro . Symondsthat the House Committee should apply to
, some gentleman having experience in tuition and in the inspection of schools , to organize the school and lay down a proper scheme of education to be adopted—having regard to the position in life the boys were likely to fill on leaving the school . As we know many of our subscribers are engaged in the scholastic profession , with a view of obtaining as much information upon tho subject as possible , we publish the
scheme of education as agreed to by the present masters of the school : — Tho first master to superintend the first and second classes of