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Article PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS . ← Page 6 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Present State Of Affairs .
come again ?—Yes , if whipped up ; and they must be well whipped , to keep with the pack . We now take the other question . Many have read with much surprise articles in the public press touching an address in which an illustrious member
of our Order some months since thought fit to indulge . He therein committed a serious fault , which as yet remains unexplained ; for it is not possible to consider as explanation the deprecatory suggestion that we should not be led away by " an exaggerated sense of propriety , " to give to such an
address the severity of Masonic reprehension . Alas , for Freemasonry ! that those to whom its destinies are confided for the holiest purposes , should not only lack the honesty to admit a fault , but should condescend to promise explanation from time to time , and yet , breaking the word of
promise on a subject so important , come without hesitation into the Masonic court , listen to the invocation to the Deity on behalf of Charity , and yet set at nought her dictates by becoming a despotic advocate against that principle .
On the 19 th of March , the Grand Master of Masons , in a vast assembly , where perhaps not twenty Masons were pre ^ sent , very coolly and deliberately pledged the whole Craft to certain views of a relig ious and political nature . Now we by our ancient charges being " resolved against all
politics , " and being desirous to prevent all dissension upon the important question of relig ion , declare that no such topics shall under any circumstances be entertained ; consequently this declaration of the Grand Master was totally at variance with his obligation , and the deliverance of such sentiments
by him was likely to subvert the existence of the Order itself . Have any measures been taken to bring such conduct before the Grand Lodge ? No ! it appears he may do wrong with impunity . It cannot be said there is no law ; for even the Grand Master can be dealt with by Constitutions , p . 31 ,
art . 11 . " If the Grand Master should abuse his power , ancl render himself unworthy of the obedience of the Lodges , he shall be subjected to some new regulation , to be dictated by
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Present State Of Affairs .
come again ?—Yes , if whipped up ; and they must be well whipped , to keep with the pack . We now take the other question . Many have read with much surprise articles in the public press touching an address in which an illustrious member
of our Order some months since thought fit to indulge . He therein committed a serious fault , which as yet remains unexplained ; for it is not possible to consider as explanation the deprecatory suggestion that we should not be led away by " an exaggerated sense of propriety , " to give to such an
address the severity of Masonic reprehension . Alas , for Freemasonry ! that those to whom its destinies are confided for the holiest purposes , should not only lack the honesty to admit a fault , but should condescend to promise explanation from time to time , and yet , breaking the word of
promise on a subject so important , come without hesitation into the Masonic court , listen to the invocation to the Deity on behalf of Charity , and yet set at nought her dictates by becoming a despotic advocate against that principle .
On the 19 th of March , the Grand Master of Masons , in a vast assembly , where perhaps not twenty Masons were pre ^ sent , very coolly and deliberately pledged the whole Craft to certain views of a relig ious and political nature . Now we by our ancient charges being " resolved against all
politics , " and being desirous to prevent all dissension upon the important question of relig ion , declare that no such topics shall under any circumstances be entertained ; consequently this declaration of the Grand Master was totally at variance with his obligation , and the deliverance of such sentiments
by him was likely to subvert the existence of the Order itself . Have any measures been taken to bring such conduct before the Grand Lodge ? No ! it appears he may do wrong with impunity . It cannot be said there is no law ; for even the Grand Master can be dealt with by Constitutions , p . 31 ,
art . 11 . " If the Grand Master should abuse his power , ancl render himself unworthy of the obedience of the Lodges , he shall be subjected to some new regulation , to be dictated by