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Article MASONIC DISCIPLINE AND THE RITUAL.—XXIII. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Discipline And The Ritual.—Xxiii.
It is difficult for brethren to imagine themselves bound together by the same chain , when the forging of it is dependent upon ignorance and incompetency . A large proportion of W . M . ' s are about as much fitted to occupy that position as the
Khau of Tartary is to fill the primacy . In order to entitle a brother to wear the jewel of a P . M . there ought to be some other qualification required , than what in in nine cases out of ten , is the mere farce of passing the chair .
Instead of the jewel representing the 47 th proposition of Euclid , that usually known as the " Pons Asiuorurn" would have been a more appropriate selection in many instances that have come under our ovv ? i observation . There is besides a g-ood
deal of quiet satire in presenting a man with a jewel , upon which is engraved a problem of geometry , when the recipient probably knows as much about that science as he does of the " black art . " Might we suggest , that as " Masonry is an art
founded on the principles of geometry , " it would not be asking too much of the candidates for its honours that they should be able to demonstrate
that they possess , at least , some elementary knowledge of the scieuce before they are decore , as our French friends term it ? It is not to be understood by this suggestion that no one but an able geometrical ! should wear the jewel , but it is
intended to signify that one who is totally ignorant of the principles , practice , propositions , aud applications of that ancient science should be excluded from receiving it . No good , earnest Mason who has the interest of the fraternity at heartis
, acquainted with the sections , and can work a lodge thoroughly , is ignorant of the principles and practical application of geometry , although he may never have heard of the problem in question , or
any other of a similar nature . It is not technical knowledge that is needed to render a brother eligible for distinction , but Masonic knowledge , and a sincere desire to use "the talents with which God has blessed him " for the benefit of the
Institution and the advantage of its members . The " obligation" being finished , it is a very common occurrence to witness the members of a lodge resume their seats . This is incorrect , ancl violates the general rule , which it is very easy for
any one to remember . This rule is , that when the candidate kneels , the brethren rise , and when the candidate rises , the brethren sit down . The brethren therefore should not resume their seats , until after the W . M . has pointed out to the
Initiate the emblematic lights in Masonry , and repeated the sentence which follows . The whole ceremony is frequently completely spoiled , and its solemnity and impressiveness destroyed by some of the brethren sitting down prematurely , while
others remain in a standing position . Before quitting the " obligation" we would take the opportunity of remarking that we have never witnessed its rehearsal , without noticing that but very few brethren appear to order correctly . We have
watched newly-initiated members glancing from one brother to the other , in the vain hope of making up their minds which they ought to copy . If brethren would only bear in mind that the " obligations" in the three degrees are note
" prayers , " and that they contain an allusion to penalty , they will have no difficulty in remembering what is the proper " sign " to show . A word from the W . M . would be quite sufficient to put the brethren d'accord in points like these , but
unfortunately that officer is frequently in the same dilemma himself , and is therefore unable to set them right , for fear he should make a blunder . He therefore very wisely leaves them alone , and the error is thus perpetuated on all subsequent occasions . In explaining the " three lesser lights , " a mistake is very often perpetrated . This arises from
the fact that the " point" of the explanation is not understood , nor the peculiar Masonic propriety of it perceived . The order of the position and that of the exposition is reversed , which is a well known Masonic facon do purler . The order is "East , south , and west ; sun , moon , and "W . M . " There is nothing
incongruous or uniutelh ' gble in this style of language . It is similar to that employed in geometry under the term " invertendo , " and is one of those " niceties " of the JRifrual to which we Ziave already alluded , and which we hope will always he retained . It is
particularly unfortunate that the parrot-like manner in which the working of a lodge is got up , altogether precludes the possibility of the brother either comprehending or appreciating the many beauties of the Ritual . They are oftentimes altogether omitted ,
slurred over , or delivered in such a manner that they become absurd , and pass from the sublime—which they really are—to the ridiculous—which they certainly are not . The transit is hut a step , and it is the commonest remark in the world that " extremes
meet . " " While no one would lament more than ourselves the incapacity of a W . M . to appreciate and to display the beauties of our ceremonial routine , yet it must not he imagined that on that account we should consider him unqualified for office . All that we contend for is that he should he able to do his work
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Discipline And The Ritual.—Xxiii.
It is difficult for brethren to imagine themselves bound together by the same chain , when the forging of it is dependent upon ignorance and incompetency . A large proportion of W . M . ' s are about as much fitted to occupy that position as the
Khau of Tartary is to fill the primacy . In order to entitle a brother to wear the jewel of a P . M . there ought to be some other qualification required , than what in in nine cases out of ten , is the mere farce of passing the chair .
Instead of the jewel representing the 47 th proposition of Euclid , that usually known as the " Pons Asiuorurn" would have been a more appropriate selection in many instances that have come under our ovv ? i observation . There is besides a g-ood
deal of quiet satire in presenting a man with a jewel , upon which is engraved a problem of geometry , when the recipient probably knows as much about that science as he does of the " black art . " Might we suggest , that as " Masonry is an art
founded on the principles of geometry , " it would not be asking too much of the candidates for its honours that they should be able to demonstrate
that they possess , at least , some elementary knowledge of the scieuce before they are decore , as our French friends term it ? It is not to be understood by this suggestion that no one but an able geometrical ! should wear the jewel , but it is
intended to signify that one who is totally ignorant of the principles , practice , propositions , aud applications of that ancient science should be excluded from receiving it . No good , earnest Mason who has the interest of the fraternity at heartis
, acquainted with the sections , and can work a lodge thoroughly , is ignorant of the principles and practical application of geometry , although he may never have heard of the problem in question , or
any other of a similar nature . It is not technical knowledge that is needed to render a brother eligible for distinction , but Masonic knowledge , and a sincere desire to use "the talents with which God has blessed him " for the benefit of the
Institution and the advantage of its members . The " obligation" being finished , it is a very common occurrence to witness the members of a lodge resume their seats . This is incorrect , ancl violates the general rule , which it is very easy for
any one to remember . This rule is , that when the candidate kneels , the brethren rise , and when the candidate rises , the brethren sit down . The brethren therefore should not resume their seats , until after the W . M . has pointed out to the
Initiate the emblematic lights in Masonry , and repeated the sentence which follows . The whole ceremony is frequently completely spoiled , and its solemnity and impressiveness destroyed by some of the brethren sitting down prematurely , while
others remain in a standing position . Before quitting the " obligation" we would take the opportunity of remarking that we have never witnessed its rehearsal , without noticing that but very few brethren appear to order correctly . We have
watched newly-initiated members glancing from one brother to the other , in the vain hope of making up their minds which they ought to copy . If brethren would only bear in mind that the " obligations" in the three degrees are note
" prayers , " and that they contain an allusion to penalty , they will have no difficulty in remembering what is the proper " sign " to show . A word from the W . M . would be quite sufficient to put the brethren d'accord in points like these , but
unfortunately that officer is frequently in the same dilemma himself , and is therefore unable to set them right , for fear he should make a blunder . He therefore very wisely leaves them alone , and the error is thus perpetuated on all subsequent occasions . In explaining the " three lesser lights , " a mistake is very often perpetrated . This arises from
the fact that the " point" of the explanation is not understood , nor the peculiar Masonic propriety of it perceived . The order of the position and that of the exposition is reversed , which is a well known Masonic facon do purler . The order is "East , south , and west ; sun , moon , and "W . M . " There is nothing
incongruous or uniutelh ' gble in this style of language . It is similar to that employed in geometry under the term " invertendo , " and is one of those " niceties " of the JRifrual to which we Ziave already alluded , and which we hope will always he retained . It is
particularly unfortunate that the parrot-like manner in which the working of a lodge is got up , altogether precludes the possibility of the brother either comprehending or appreciating the many beauties of the Ritual . They are oftentimes altogether omitted ,
slurred over , or delivered in such a manner that they become absurd , and pass from the sublime—which they really are—to the ridiculous—which they certainly are not . The transit is hut a step , and it is the commonest remark in the world that " extremes
meet . " " While no one would lament more than ourselves the incapacity of a W . M . to appreciate and to display the beauties of our ceremonial routine , yet it must not he imagined that on that account we should consider him unqualified for office . All that we contend for is that he should he able to do his work