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Article CORRESPONDENCE. ← Page 2 of 3 →
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Correspondence.
pendence on a greater circulation . Allow me to give an instance . At one time , about five years ago , it was proposed to reduce the price to three pence , ancl a lodge with which I was connected determined , when the change should he made to have one copy for every twelve members . The proposition was not carried
into effect , nor the determination which was based upon it . Secondly , yonr correspondents are interested in an enlarged circulation , because they naturally desire to have more readers , and ween they enter upon discussions are anxious to elicit the opinions of a greater number of the brethrenwhich cannot be the
, case unless the questions eome before them during perusal of the Magazine . I can bear witness that a failure in obtaining replies to interesting queries is often a great disappointment . Thirdly , the readers of the Magazine have a great interest in its prosperity and successas the onlmeans of obtaining current
, y Masonic intelligence , since it must cause an increase in the staff of good writers , and render the attainment of their object , namely , a greater store of information more complete . Bro . Cooner ' s idea of " small leaflets , settim ? forth
the object , claims , etc ., of the Magazine , " is a good one , and well worthy of your consideration , for my own inquiries lead me to the conclusion that the veryexistence of it is unknown to a large majority of our brethren . After all , however , I return to a point I have several times urged in your columns , for
desultory efforts , however well-directed and useful for a time , are not permanently efficacious . I refer to the appointment and regular payment by Grand Lodge of skilled Masons , who should travel about ; as they do in America , inspect lodges , and make formal reports to some body having authority , and the con'
fidence of Grand Lodge , such as the Board of General Purposes . This would tend to ensure skill , intelligence , system , sustained efforts , accuracy and uniformity in ritual , forms , and ceremonies , correction of irregularities , proper places of meeting , as referred to by your correspondent who signs himself a Prov .
G . officer , to which might be appended the promotion of the circulation of the Magazine . The interest you naturally have in this matter will , I trust , induce you to pardon the length of my communication , and to believe me to he . Yours faithfully and fraternally , II . II . Totnes , Sept . 9 th , 1 SG 7 .
FEEEMASONEY IN JEESEY . TO IHE EDITOR 01 ? THE IIVEEMASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIMOH . DEAR SIR AXD BROTHER ,- —Having for some years had an intimate acquaintance with the Province of Jersey , and thereby become thoroughly acquainted with the discredit which attaches to the
Craft there , owing to the manner in which it is governed ; having , moreover , now ceased to reside in the district , I look anxiously for the reports of the meetings of certain of the ' lodges , the members of which , as far as possible , repudiate the acts and authority of the chief rulerwhile at tho same time
, careful not to do anything contrary to the Book of Constitutions . Your columns have contained a record of the resignation of the D . Prov . G . M ' , notwithstanding the respect with which he is regarded , in consequence of what was considered to be a breach
of faith , and also of the compliment paid him on the occasion by a public Masonic dinner in his honom ' . Since that period a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge has been held , and under all circumstances I have reason to believe that an account of the proceedings would be most interesting to many of your
readers , who carefully watch all Masonic intelligence from Jersey . No doubt the resolutions then passed are curious , and the appointments to oflice equally so , especially to such as know the relative merits of the brethren , who have been honoured with the purple , though it is another question how far they do honour
to the rank they hold , for it is understood that the Masons of highest character and worth refuse to accept any position under the present rule . For some years your columns have contained copious accounts of meetings , lectures , addresses , and other matters in Jersey , but no notice of this Provincial Grand Lodge ,
held a month ago has been given . AVhat is your reporter about ? It may he that he is ashamed of the exposure , but the whole Craft is interested in the circumstances , as its character has greatly suffered in that district . The authorities having refused on one pretence or another to listen to petitions for a change , and even for iuquryi with a view to it , exhibiting an apathy which is inexplicable , I see no alternative than making : the discreditable state of affairs known , in the
hope that public opinion will thus ultimately be brought to bear upon it . In vain do the Masters of lodges and writers on Freemasonry uphold it as a pure system of morals , in the face of proceedings of an opposite character prevailing for years , and their continued existence , unchecked and in opposition to
local efforts for release , certainly proves that there is something rotten in the government of the Craft in this country . I say , without hesitation , that were the Masons of Jersey to submit quietly to all they have had to witness and endure , I would withdraw from tlie Craft altogetheras not worthy of regard
, , and affording proof of the hollowness of our professions , but I know that a better spirit prevails among them , thae they lament deeply their sad position , and have recently done all in their power to show their disapproval ; therefore hope still exists , though long deferredsince the time for a change must comenow
, , that more resolution is manifested than was displayed a few years ago , when the lowest point of degradation , though foreseen , seemed still remote , but is now probably near at hand . Pray , Bro . Editor , look up your Channel Isles reporter , and beg him to afford us the information
desired . Yours faithfully and fraternally , P . M . Sept . Gth , 18 G 7 .
MASONIC EEPOETING . TO THE EDITOE OF THE FREEMASONS * MAGAZINE AND MASONIC 1 II 2 B 01 I . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Some few weeks ago I noticed in the Magazine , a letter under the above heading , drawing attention to the illegality , under the English Constitutionof publishing the reports of
, Masonic meetings , & c , in the columns of local newspapers , and as I agreed in the main with the opinions expressed , I am glad to see that the powerful pen of our esteemed Bro . D . Murray Lyon , in his letter on " The Magazine in Scotland , " has now been exerted in the same direction .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
pendence on a greater circulation . Allow me to give an instance . At one time , about five years ago , it was proposed to reduce the price to three pence , ancl a lodge with which I was connected determined , when the change should he made to have one copy for every twelve members . The proposition was not carried
into effect , nor the determination which was based upon it . Secondly , yonr correspondents are interested in an enlarged circulation , because they naturally desire to have more readers , and ween they enter upon discussions are anxious to elicit the opinions of a greater number of the brethrenwhich cannot be the
, case unless the questions eome before them during perusal of the Magazine . I can bear witness that a failure in obtaining replies to interesting queries is often a great disappointment . Thirdly , the readers of the Magazine have a great interest in its prosperity and successas the onlmeans of obtaining current
, y Masonic intelligence , since it must cause an increase in the staff of good writers , and render the attainment of their object , namely , a greater store of information more complete . Bro . Cooner ' s idea of " small leaflets , settim ? forth
the object , claims , etc ., of the Magazine , " is a good one , and well worthy of your consideration , for my own inquiries lead me to the conclusion that the veryexistence of it is unknown to a large majority of our brethren . After all , however , I return to a point I have several times urged in your columns , for
desultory efforts , however well-directed and useful for a time , are not permanently efficacious . I refer to the appointment and regular payment by Grand Lodge of skilled Masons , who should travel about ; as they do in America , inspect lodges , and make formal reports to some body having authority , and the con'
fidence of Grand Lodge , such as the Board of General Purposes . This would tend to ensure skill , intelligence , system , sustained efforts , accuracy and uniformity in ritual , forms , and ceremonies , correction of irregularities , proper places of meeting , as referred to by your correspondent who signs himself a Prov .
G . officer , to which might be appended the promotion of the circulation of the Magazine . The interest you naturally have in this matter will , I trust , induce you to pardon the length of my communication , and to believe me to he . Yours faithfully and fraternally , II . II . Totnes , Sept . 9 th , 1 SG 7 .
FEEEMASONEY IN JEESEY . TO IHE EDITOR 01 ? THE IIVEEMASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIMOH . DEAR SIR AXD BROTHER ,- —Having for some years had an intimate acquaintance with the Province of Jersey , and thereby become thoroughly acquainted with the discredit which attaches to the
Craft there , owing to the manner in which it is governed ; having , moreover , now ceased to reside in the district , I look anxiously for the reports of the meetings of certain of the ' lodges , the members of which , as far as possible , repudiate the acts and authority of the chief rulerwhile at tho same time
, careful not to do anything contrary to the Book of Constitutions . Your columns have contained a record of the resignation of the D . Prov . G . M ' , notwithstanding the respect with which he is regarded , in consequence of what was considered to be a breach
of faith , and also of the compliment paid him on the occasion by a public Masonic dinner in his honom ' . Since that period a meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge has been held , and under all circumstances I have reason to believe that an account of the proceedings would be most interesting to many of your
readers , who carefully watch all Masonic intelligence from Jersey . No doubt the resolutions then passed are curious , and the appointments to oflice equally so , especially to such as know the relative merits of the brethren , who have been honoured with the purple , though it is another question how far they do honour
to the rank they hold , for it is understood that the Masons of highest character and worth refuse to accept any position under the present rule . For some years your columns have contained copious accounts of meetings , lectures , addresses , and other matters in Jersey , but no notice of this Provincial Grand Lodge ,
held a month ago has been given . AVhat is your reporter about ? It may he that he is ashamed of the exposure , but the whole Craft is interested in the circumstances , as its character has greatly suffered in that district . The authorities having refused on one pretence or another to listen to petitions for a change , and even for iuquryi with a view to it , exhibiting an apathy which is inexplicable , I see no alternative than making : the discreditable state of affairs known , in the
hope that public opinion will thus ultimately be brought to bear upon it . In vain do the Masters of lodges and writers on Freemasonry uphold it as a pure system of morals , in the face of proceedings of an opposite character prevailing for years , and their continued existence , unchecked and in opposition to
local efforts for release , certainly proves that there is something rotten in the government of the Craft in this country . I say , without hesitation , that were the Masons of Jersey to submit quietly to all they have had to witness and endure , I would withdraw from tlie Craft altogetheras not worthy of regard
, , and affording proof of the hollowness of our professions , but I know that a better spirit prevails among them , thae they lament deeply their sad position , and have recently done all in their power to show their disapproval ; therefore hope still exists , though long deferredsince the time for a change must comenow
, , that more resolution is manifested than was displayed a few years ago , when the lowest point of degradation , though foreseen , seemed still remote , but is now probably near at hand . Pray , Bro . Editor , look up your Channel Isles reporter , and beg him to afford us the information
desired . Yours faithfully and fraternally , P . M . Sept . Gth , 18 G 7 .
MASONIC EEPOETING . TO THE EDITOE OF THE FREEMASONS * MAGAZINE AND MASONIC 1 II 2 B 01 I . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Some few weeks ago I noticed in the Magazine , a letter under the above heading , drawing attention to the illegality , under the English Constitutionof publishing the reports of
, Masonic meetings , & c , in the columns of local newspapers , and as I agreed in the main with the opinions expressed , I am glad to see that the powerful pen of our esteemed Bro . D . Murray Lyon , in his letter on " The Magazine in Scotland , " has now been exerted in the same direction .