The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-08-11

The Grand Lodge Of Vermont assem-
bled in annual communication in Army
Hall, city of Burlington, on the 10th
of June, A. L. 1874, NJ. w. Park
Davis, Grand Master. R. W.. Henry
Clark, Grand Secretary.
The address of the Grand Master be-
gins with recognition of Deity, and
passes appropriately to notice of the
brethren who have died during the year
Among and chief of these is Bro. Will
liam Bridges, venerable and worthy
Mason, who retired from IL well-spent life
on the 18th of February, 1874. p. q.
NJ, Geo. NJ Hall passed from among
the walks of men. His funeral was con-
Quoted by the Grand Lodge in Emergent
communication.
We extract the following from the
Grand Masters address for the good Of
the Craft:
1t is sometimes found when an aspi-
rant for office has been defeated, the ma
jority of the lodge not approaching, ac
cording to his idea, his qualifications for
official position; or when some brother
in the exercise of his inviolable right of
the ballot has black-balleda favorite cam
didate; or when trial has resulted diff
ferently from what was expected and an
accused brother who was thought guilty
has been acquitted or was punished when
believed to be innocent; or when favor
tie scheme of any kind has been frustra-
ted. In such instances spirit of intol-
erance takes possession of the most
active of the brethren and cools their
zeal or turns it in the direction of doing
evil. And yet the brethren most exer-
cised by this spirit justify it upon Mason
ic grounds. They claim to be doing their
Masonic duty. Herein lies the great
danger. They think an evil has been
done, and the effect of their action is to
attempt its redress by doing another. A
little examination will demonstrate the
error. How often do we find brethren,
while protesting devotion to the interests
of the lodge, at the same time decry its
officers, if raised to official position
against their wishes, -foretell ruin to the
lodge in their hands, and refuse to attend
the communications under their rule
Thus they desert the lodge at the time
when-if their theory be true-it most
needs their presence and support. Again,
when black-ball has kept out favorite
candidate how often do brethren-under
the supposition that an injustice has been
done-attribute to some brother an i'm
proper motive in casting it, and in viola
ton of the secresy of the ballot attempt
to discover who cast it; or chagrined,
turn their backs upon the lodge; or in
spirit of retaliation seize upon the ballot
box to stop the lodge in revenge for the
disappointment they feel. Or sometimes
Masons fancying that a brother is not as
good a man as they, fearing to become con-
taminated, say they cannot sit in lodge
with him or grieved because brother
or a lodge has not bestowed charity as
they think masonry requires, they fail in
turn to exercise that noble charity which
is slow to anger and easy to forgive.
This spirit, in whatever form it exists,
or from whatever cause it arises, is not
in accordance with Masonic teachings.
1t has its origin, not in Masonry, but in
the depravity of human nature. 1t mars
but never harmonizes.
We commend the above to all Masons,
and submit that the matter referred to
exists in this State as we'll as In Vermont,
and have been and are now, the source
of many evils. To correct these evils,
for each Mason to correct himself, is an
imperative duty. Self-examination, hon
estly and prayerfully made, is more
profitable and more commendable than
the examination of others.
One of the Grand Masters decisions,
approved too and adopted by the Grand
Lodge, we cannot approve:
90 In case of a masonic trial, the wife
of an accused should not be admitted as
a witness, either for or against him."
We do not desire to discuss this mat
ter, but venture to suggest that the pro-
hibition above, involves the charge that
the wives of Masons would perjure them
selves for or against their husbands. To
this we cannot-we will not consent
Wives can refuse to testify, and cannot
be coereed. Brethren, review that de-
SAcAOH AS hSAASu anu UNNECESSARY.
The financial condition of the Grand
Lodge Is not good, and steps were taken
to improve it.
We find Vermont fully abreast of the
times in Masonic knowledge and zeal,
and congratulate the fraternity on the
fact that We discover in the proceedings
before us, so much in which we heartily
concur-so little from which we can hon.
estly dissent.
The report of the Committee on Cor |
respondence wasubmitted by Bro Henry |
CLARK, and Is good one, judici ously pre-
pared and highly instructive. Mississip- /
oi receives fraternal notice.
Entire membership, 10, No. of
Lodges 90,
NJ. W.. Nathan P. Bowman, Grand
Master; r.. W.. Henry Clark, Grand