Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-07-06
Erom the Natioual FreeIuasOn.l
ErnFrV.lh NOT Dn EeE ?

EDa AEb I NJ AtS 47O -
1911, in a Lodge in England it having
transpired that some members had in
prudeutly been cOnversing on MasOnii
matters with those who were not con
nected with the fraternity, they were Sc
verely reprimanded 10y the Master, aut
told that the conduct of which tLey haC
been guilty was gross insult, not only
to Masons generally, but to that especia
Lodge in particular
We have been cold valuable Masoni,
information by nOn-MasOns, about ad
verse ballots, discussions in the Lodge
room, etc. No Lodge shOa,d hesitate 70
take action in such cases, under any spec
iUuS preteNt.
Men who cannot keep silence Ol
hocannOt keep our charitable as well a
our moral law, we have no use for. What
say our Brethren, shall there be a reform
and what Lodge will be the first to ac
upon the frequent and flagrant disregard
of solemn iujunctiOns
At Falmouth Lodge, 1871, it was stated
that a Brother had been guilty Of Unma
souic conduct, and his discipline was de
termined upon. The Senior Warden de-
livered the following charge iu laying
before the Lodge the grounds for eXpul
sion:
Right Worshipful Master and Breth
ren, ] am extremely sorry that ! fee
myself constrained, not only from the
imperiOus duty imposed on me by filling
the Office of Senior Warden Of thh
Lodge, but also from my attachment Il
or ancient and honorable Fraternity
and a strong autipathy to see its valuable
precepts, constitutions and maaim;
violated and its landmarks and usage'
encroached upon, to lay before you
worship ceTtaia charges against mem
Der of our respectable Lodge. 1t is very
far from my wish or intention unnects
saTily even to trouble your worship Ol
the Lodge on any triiiing or unim'
pOrtant matter, and much less is 1t my
object to state circumstances which
may at all appear to interrupt the cult
vatiOn Of brOtherly love, the fOuEda
tiou and cope-stone, the cement
and glOsv Of tbis ancient Fraternity, and
which ought TO sunsist among US; oul
when the established Constitutions Cfoul
Order and the general regulations of the
Graft, which have stood the test of ages,
are infringed, and our laws trampled un.
der foot, ] must confess that l feel Al in
diguatiOn which ] cannot conceal, and
I'm which case, indeed Ito use the words
Of the Bishop Of Landaff who is, be-
Hpve, a member Uf our society, "cOOl-
ness would be . crime.n Before, how.
ever, I make my cb" yge, ! conceive il
will not be impfOpei to state the author
tiles on which l ground my proceeding,
and which l imagine will amply bear
me out. The first / shall refer to, and
which is Of the highest utility in our ex-
cellent Book Of Constitutions" in
which are contained "The old charge
of the Free and Accepted Masons, col.
lected from their old records at the COM
mand Of the Grand Master, approved by
the Grand Lodge, and ordered TO be
printed in the first edition Of the "Coh-
stitutious, March 25, l722u-the fourth
section Of which, under the heading
Behavior in presence Of Strangers not
MasOns," l shall beg to state: " You
shall be cautious in your words and car
riage, that the most penetrating stran-
ger shall not be able to discover OF
find out what is not proper 70 be init
mated, and sometimes you shall divert
a discourse and manage it prudently for
the honor of the wOrshipful fraternity
/ shall also beg leave to state a part OF
the sixth section, viz: " Behavior to.
wards a strange Brother" a." You are
cautiously to examine him in such a
method as prudence shall direct You,
that you may not be imposed upon by
an ignorant, false pretender, who you
are TO reject with contempt and derisiOn,
and beware Of giving him any hints OF
knowledge" Thus far cur old charges,
the spirit OF which, and, indeed, very
nearly the words themselves, are trans
fused into our very wCrtdy, learned and
Drg1Fr.. ~ fHh on
the behavior Of Masons to be rehearsed
al closing the Lodge" given in his valu-
able and scientific Illustrations Of Ma
sourv." of which | shall make further
use. The first passage in this admirable
work shallTefer to Is contained in the
charge giy on initiation into Masonry,
and is as .Ollows: ain your outward
demeanor YOU are to avoid censure or
reproach, and beware Of all who may
artfully endeavOr to insinuate them
selves into your esteem, with a view to
betray your virtuOus resolutions, or make
YOU swerve from the principles OF the
Institution. Let not interest favor or
prejudice your integrity, or influence
YOU to be guilty Of a dishonOrable ae-
ton, but let your conduct be uniform,
and your department suitable to the dig
nifty OF the profession"
The next passage, in the charge given
on the initiation into the second degree,
in which the newly admitted fellOw-craft
Is directed strenuOusly TO support and
maintain the laws and regulations of the
Order. and in conclusion be is informed
that the duties thereiubefore mentioned
he is bound 10 observe by the most
sacred ties.u But l now proceed to q
much more important passage, contained
in the charge reiating to the third and
highest degree of Graft Masonry, author
ring a Brother in the character of q
Master Mason TO correct the errors aud
irregularities of brethren and fellows,
and gusrd them against a breach OF
fidelity. To improve the morals and
correct the manners Of men in society,
he Is told, should be his constant care,
and with such view he should always
recommend to interiors obedience and
submission; TO equals, courtesy and affa-
bility; to superiors, kindness and con-
deseensiOn; ; TO inculoate universal be-
nevolence; and by the regularity Of his
own behavior to afford the best example
for the conduct OF others. The ancient
landmarks Of the Order entrusted 10 his
care should be preserved sacred and in
viOlable, and never suffer an infringe
ment Of our rites, or q deviation from
established usage and custom. Duty,
honor and gratitude Dow bind you to be
faithful to every trust, to support with
becoming dignity your new character,
and to enforce 10y example and precept
the tenets of-the system. Let no mo-
tive, therefore, make you swerve from
your duty, violate your VOWS, or betray
your trust, but be true and faithful, and
Initiate the celebrated example Of that
celebrated artist whom you have repre-
sented. By this exemplary conduct you