ON FREEMASONRY, AS REGARDS ITS UNBOUNDED INFLUENCE ON THE MORAL AND SOCIAL CONDITION OF MAN. BY THE REV. GEORGE OLIVER, D. D. EDITORIAL PRÆCOGNITION. "Cave ne titubes."-PERSIUS. "Those dayes are nowe changed; the skill of logicians is exercised in caveling; the cunning of fencers applied to quareling; they think themselves no schollers if they be not able to find out a knotte in every rushe; these no men, if for stirring of a strawe they prove not their nature uppon some bodies fleshe. Every Duns will be a carper, every Dicke Swashe a common cutter."-THE SCHOOLE OF ABUse. "Nessum la muova Que star non possa con Orlando à prova."-ARIOSTO. "He's in his fit now and does not talk after the wisest. He shall taste of my bottle; if he have never drunk afore, it will go near to remove his fit; if I can recover him, and keep him tame, I will not take too much for him; he shall pay for him that hath him, and that soundly."-SHAKESPERE. These "James, be kind enough to reach me that box of magnum pens. trashy things miss fire every other stroke, and are not worth a rush. are in baste to write an introduction to the Doctor's paper for our September number." This was addressed to an ancient friend, or rather protogée of ours; an experienced Mason of long standing, who has been reduced by unavoidable misfortunes to place himself under our wing. In truth, James is an excellent fellow, though he has his little foibles; but even they "lean to virtue's side." He is a privileged person, speaks his mind freely, and we are fain to confess that we have often profitted by his suggestions. On the present occasion, he handed over the box with such a knowing look of intelligence that we were quite certain he had something particular to say; and therefore, laying aside our pen, we disposed ourselves to listen. "Excuse me, sir," said James, "but if you can spare a few moments, I should like to have the benefit of your opinion on a subject which is floating on the surface of my mind, and I cannot, for the life of me, make either head or tail of it." "Well, James, if our humble opinion will be of any service to you, it shall not be witheld." "Thank you, sir. What I want to ask you is, that if a man should advertise himself as a public lecturer on astronomy, geology, or any other science, without having read a single author who had written on the subject, what should you think of him?" 66 Why, we should think him either an idiot or a madman." "Well, I have some such ideas myself. But, sir, this is not all. If it should so happen that a professor of divinity in one of our universities should tell his hearers that he had never studied the subject further than a VOL. VI. K K page or two in Watts' Scripture Catechism, and that this was the extent of his reading in divinity, what would he deserve?" 66 Why, to be kicked out as an impudent impostor." "Right. We will suppose further that one of her Majesty's ministers should proclaim, from his place in the House of Commons, that he bad never read a single page of either history or political economy, and that he entertained the utmost contempt for such a course of study,-what then?" "We should say, in such a case, that the duty which her Majesty owes to her people, would oblige her to dismiss him from office, lest, by his ignorance and incapacity, he should involve the country in some great calamity." "Then, sir-excuse me-perhaps you think that some degree of qualification is necessery to enable a public man to hold any high official situation?" Certainly. absurd question." We are surprised, James, that you should ask such an "And yet, sir, if you look into the details of Freemasonry, of which you are the public director, you will find that your rule does not hold good." "How is that, sir? Men cannot be permitted to hold high offices in our noble Order without the necessary qualifications. They must have been initiated, passed, and raised, at the least." "And is that all?" By no means. They ought to be perfectly acquainted with the Lodge Lectures, and the ceremonies of the Order- "And read?" "Yes, and read; that they may become versed in its poetry and philosophy, as well as to acquire a competent knowledge of its laws and constitutions. Else how can they be qualified to regulate the discipline of the lodges ?" "Take care what you say, sir, or I shall catch you tripping. Will you have the goodness to tell me what is the duty of the officers of Grand Lodge ?" "To assist the Grand Master in its government." 66 They ought, therefore, to have a perfect knowledge of the minutiae of the system." Certainly; for in the absence of such a knowledge they would be incompetent to hold the office." "And how is that knowledge to be acquired?" "By a regular attendance on the duties of their lodge; by passing honourably through all its offices; and by reading and reflection in private." "Now, sir, I have you; for in your own reports we find many Grand Officers publicly declaring, at successive Grand Lodges, that they had not complied with these requisitions; that they had never studied the subject at all; and that they had not even read the Freemasons' Quarterly Review,' which is the only accredited organ of the Order in these dominions; and without a knowledge of its contents, I am sure no one can understand the real nature and design of our noble institution. And therefore it follows that your theory is Utopian, and not adapted to the refinement of the times in which we live. A man is capable, now-a-days, of holding a dignified office, although professedly ignorant of the first principles of the science he undertakes to explain; and a grave professor, like any street-preacher, may thus, by virtue of the cramming process, flourish away at his ease, even though he be ignorant of his A B C. Now, if I were a masonic legislator, I would frame a series of examination questions, embracing every important point of doctrine, discipline, history, philosophy, and law; for how can a man be qualified to regulate the details of an institution about which he professedly knows nothing. I would have every Grand Officer understand distinctly what is a landmark and what is not,-for there appears, as we may gather from some recent disclosures, a most lamentable ignorance on this important point. Such a course would have a tendency to silence some of those worthy brethren who plume themselves on their want of masonic knowledge. 'Not Fortune's worshipper-' I am now quoting a poet who was greatly esteemed in my youthful days, although not much read at the present time— 'Not Fortune's worshipper, nor Fashion's fool, And thought a lie in verse or prose the same.'"-POPE. 66 And our friend James, having delivered himself of this sententious conclusion, chuckled inwardly, as though he had achieved some wonderful and unexpected discovery. And," he continued, "there is another notable circumstance, which may be called a purple mystery, for it exceeds my comprehension altogether. How is it possible that the brethren who are in the habit of denouncing the Freemasons' Quarterly Review,' from their places in Grand Lodge, in language which is neither masonic nor gentlemanly, on the plea that its reports are garbled and consequently false, (for they are too prudent to advance any other objection to a periodical which has rendered such abundant services to the holy cause of Masonry,)-after repeated declarations that they have never read a single number-should be so intimately acquainted with the contents? And one excellent brother, in proof of his assertion that the reports are garbled and false, candidly confesses that although he had never read it, he had once or twice seen the cover! What a wonderful versatility of intellect a man must possess who is capable of pronouncing an opinion on the merits or demerits of a publication by an inspection of the cover! It is a sort of moral mesmerism, and would well become a follower of Joseph Balsamo. And our intelligent brother is not a solitary instance of this amazing perspicacity. We fortunately possess many others, who, strange to tell, after all their denunciations of a book they never read, arrive at the sapient conclusion, under a new phasis, that the reports on the whole are tolerably correct." See F. Q. R., 1847, p. 184, and 1848, p. 178.) James now took the F. Q. R. for 1848, and turning to page 250, read the following passage from a speech in Grand Lodge, which is quite refreshing, after the above avowals of helpless ignorance:-" W. Bro. Whitmore thought every Mason bound to express an opinion on such a subject. He held the proud position of Secretary to an institution (the Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons), which had often been named in Grand Lodge, and in that capacity he had been in the habit of receiving from Australia, India, China, and other parts, letters and donations on behalf of this charity, and could state that these donations had been principally produced by the perusal of the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review." He thought that the brother who commanded the authors to stand forth might have spared his satire, and not have denounced a publication which he believed was of vast importance to the whole masonic world. He had ample opportunities of knowing that the Masons of the provinces were highly indebted to the publication.' James was now in his element; for if ever there was an enthusiastic admirer of a periodical work, it was this excellent man in his predeliction for the F. Q. R., which he was wont to say, he considered, in its sphere, the most useful journal ever published; an opinion with which we cordially agree. He went on:-"Hear what Bro. Nash adds to the above (p. 249)— It was not to be denied that propositions took place in Grand Lodge which should be made known to the Masons of the provinces; but were such always made known to them? How was the subject of the proposed alteration of fees made known to the provinces? It was by means of the F. Q. R.; that stirred up the Masons of England, and caused them to come up here in a body for the purpose of voting on the occasion, and they did so principally from the way in which the subject was treated in that periodical. And Dr. Crucefix congratulated the mover of the motion respecting the F. Q. R., on the mode in which he had brought it forward; but while that worthy brother had deprecated the practice, he had conferred a compliment on the publication." (Page 248). "Yes, sir," added the enthusiast, "and it was a compliment, and the most delicate compliment that could possibly have been paid to this important masonic journal. Dr. Crucefix established the Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons chiefly by its assistance; which has at length triumphed over all opposition; and a noble building is on the eve of being erected, which will form a monument to this energetic Freemason, and propagate and eternize his fame so long as the world shall endure. The Benevolent Annuity Fund emanated from his exertions in behalf of the Asylum; and it is also indebted for its existence to the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review." James was now fairly mounted on his hobby, and galloped away at railroad pace. The floodgates of his eloquence being thus unfolded, we began to fear that the torrent would never stop; and we regretted it, because we had other work in hand. But fortunately for ourselves he was interrupted by a rap! rap! at the door. 66 Letters, sir." "Now then, James, for business. Open them, and if any be important, read them aloud." "The first is from York, sir, and very short." (Reads). QueryHow did it happen that Dr. Crucefix's motion respecting an annual grant to the indigent widows of deceased brethren-one of the most noble propositions ever submitted to the consideration of a deliberative body-was carried at one Grand Lodge, and lost at the next?" "Pshaw! do not mention the subject, if you love me. It is one of the secrets of Grand Lodge, which, for the credit of Masonry, ought to remain untouched. The measure is certain to be carried in the end; for if the interesting claims of the widow be rejected-farewell Freemasonry. Lay it aside, and open that bulky letter with two blue stamps and the Liverpool post mark." "Ha! poetry! 'Beef and Cabbage; or, the Masonic Wife.' An old legend in Ingoldsbian verse. (Reads)-hm-hm-hm. This is droll. Listen to a single passage— But her husband return'd from the meetings so civil, That she scarcely could think their employment was evil; But then there's a secret-she does'nt like that, And she said to her husband-'I'll know it, that's flat; And so you may tell me without more ado; For if you're rebellious, I'll make you to rue; I'll mulet you, my honey, Of your pocket money; Your belly I'll pine Of both meat and wine, And I'll ring in your ear What you've reason to fear, On the duty of husbands, a nice curtain lecture; By night and by day You shall hear what I say; Like a dog I will bay, For all you're so gay; And into you lay, As I very well may, My ten scratchers, to pay For your obstinate way Of refusing the prayer of your wife and protector.' But for all her harping, And carping, And sharping, Bro. B's integrity could not be moved,'" &c. &c. "But the thing is too long. Let me see, why it would occupy six of our pages. We must report in our Notice to Correspondents-under consideration." "Xgbu b qkuz ku kr ugbu Mnsc Yfumboe enfr onu cfqfoc no gkr nxo ktcklfou korufbc ne afkoh htkefe az ugf unsutntr qnmkdz ne koufsfrute lfo. Gf xntmc ugfo dbssz ntu Esfflbrnosz ko kun qfsefdukno, boc afdnlf ugf Inru qnqtmbs H L ugf nsefs gbr ftfs ionxo." "It is a consummation devoutly to be wished. Go on," "The next is an article by Cato." "Lay Cato aside for insertion. His papers are always sensible and to the purpose. Any more?" "Yes, a letter from Bath. The writer naively says- What a fuss some brethren make about garbled reports of speeches in the F. Q. R.! The fact appears to be, that in the scramble for honours they are willing to support propositions which their better judgment is ashamed of, and then they are offended because their advocacy is disseminated amongst the fraternity. [Rather severe that, James whispered.] Let them take the manly, straight forward part, and respect the sacred cause of charity, and we shall hear no more about garbled reports." "A hit! a very palpable hit! All this confusion arises out of the radical error of endeavouring to manage a democratical institution on aristocratical principles. But go on." "We have also a letter signed A GRIMSBY MASON,' containing some severe reflections respecting the attack made by the D. G. M. on Dr. Crucefix at a recent Grand Lodge. It is rather lengthy-shall I mark it for insertion?" By no means; the Doctor would never forgive us. His dignified position would be compromised by thus resenting an affront; and we will therefore give his lordship a lesson of courtesy and tolerance, which we hope will be of service to him in future." "Here is one more, signed OCRINIUS. Shall I read it ?" "If you please." "To the Editor. My dear Sir,-It was an unfortunate day for Masonry when the important landmark of a month's interval between the degrees was overthrown by a fiat of the Grand Lodge, on the unstable ground of expediency. If the sacred boundaries of the Order are thus liable to removal at every one's pleasure, what becomes of that fundamental law of Masonry which forms the basis of our institution, as promulgated by the first Grand Lodge of England in 1723, that it is not in the power of any man, or body of men, to make any alteration or innovation in the Order? We have in this province a great extent of coast, and initiate many sea-faring men in our lodges; but we never experienced any inconvenience from the old law, although I entertain serious doubts whether we shall not be greatly incommoded by the operation of the new one. Our ancient brethren had such a horror of this jumbling of degrees, that they did not allow a private lodge to give more than one degree to any candidate without a dispensation, which was very seldom granted; reserving to the Grand Lodge alone the power of conferring the two others, at such distance of time as the Grand Master, in his discretion, should think fit. What will be the end of these innovations it may be impossible to predict. The foundation stone is loosened; and if it be entirely removed, the altar will be overthrown, the sacred structure demolished, and the genuine Mason, with tears in his eyes and sorrow in his heart, may exclaim, ICHABOD-the glory of Masonry is departed! The subject is well worthy the attention of the fraternity at large, if they wish that English Masonry shall maintain the high position which it now occupies in the estimation of mankind." |