Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-08-09
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE.
Selection of Omcers.

Within the body of the Lodge Ma
sonic instruction Is becoming an exceed.
ingIy scarce article. As the applicants
increase it gradually diminishes, until
now, at least in this jurisdiction, it is
whitfield down to the little end Of moth
ing. " The literature of Freemasonry,
says the Rev. J. n McJilton, presents
a theme for consideration which claims
the interest of every intelligent Crafts
man, and yet the Masters Of our Lodges
who ought to be fully impressed with
the importance of this fact. either en-
tirely neglect it, or take such a limited
view of it as to make the attempt to con-
vey information ridiculous. Some there
are within our knowledge, We regret tC
say it, who seem to consider that their
time is too precious to be employed other
than in repeating like parrots the pre-
scribed rituals in the Lodge the real
intent and meaning whereof they hardly
comprehend; and others, again, who are
absolutely too lazy and indolent to de-
vote one evening a month, or even a
quarter, in illustrating the symbols OF
the Order, teaching lessons of morality
or, in fact, communicating that informa-
ton which every initiate is entitled to
and ought to have knowledge of. In
q brochure which has recently been is
sued, and whose author visited our
Lodges prior to 1850-51, says, in writ
ing to the Representative of the Grand
Lodge of New York at the Grand Lodge
Of SaxOny, " in all the Lodges which |
have visited, l have observed, to use a
mild phrase, such lack of comprehen-
sion Of the mission of Masonry, that I
have witnessed the meetings with aston
ishment, and turned away from them in
sadness and utter disappointment" This
picture is not too highly colored, for out
Of the more than one hundred Lodges
in the city of New York, there is but
One-Atlantic Lodge-that has a His
tOrical Society attached to it. The truth
Is, our Lodges are too much given to
forms, which are nothing but the types
Of purposes and principles, which latter
are the body and soul of Masonry: and
the officers, as general thing, consider
that being able to perform the eeremo-
MES of initiation and advancement ac-
cOrding to the prescribed ritual, which
almost yearly is remodelled, and being
letter perfect in the lectures attached To
the same, is all that is required, and that
it is Of little consequence even that
these ceremonies should be repeated
otherwise than with rapidity, and with
out any emotional expression whatever.
This state Of facts cannot be denied
indeed, 1t Is deplored by members of the
Graft who expect something more than
motley mixture Of scriptural texts.
moral sentences, prayers, legends with
out any historical basis, and puerile def
nitions, which are often at variance with
the culture of this enlightened age. and
with the aesthetic sense of educated men
lacking unity Of argument; and causing
searchers after real light to gradually
cease their attendance for more congo /
NAL pursuits. And yet these latter are
the very persons, in q great measure. to
blame by such neglect of duty. which |
they cOyenanted to perform. The rem
edy is in their own hands and if they
will but do their part, and demand at |
the hands Of their fellow membersI that
justice should be done, the majority will |
be found ready and willing to second
their efforts, and by the selection of COM
petent and jealous Masters and other Of
6eers, gradually but surely accomplish
the great object. 1t is an outrage. a
gross wrong and an insult to the Frater-
nifty to elect Brethren to Offices who are
to discharge all their duties.
No language can be too strong to censure
'r condemn a practice SO injurious in its
Effects, not only to the Lodge, but to the
raft generally for it is the election of
ueh representatives to the Grand Lodge ,
which leads In that body to nine-tenths /
f the senseless and frivolous debates ,
Ehieh occupy its time and squander its
unds. The ritual they know as a school !
10Y does his lesson, bat of the history ,
or philosophy Of Masonry, !
hey are in state Of blissful Ito them)
ignorance. As the season of the wear 1
as now arrived when members of our .
lodges will be called upon to select Of
GERS for the year to come, we would y
call their attention TO the re- Z
possibilities which rests upon them Of
taking such aehoice as will reflect credit
pom themselves and their Lodges. and 9
he Order, ] wish them 10 bear In p,;,a :.