The Wilmingtonian., 1884-09-06
MASONIC.


MS very iavorab.y, and we commend it to
thoughtful consideration. The point made,
that while q sufficient minority to establish
Lodge declines to surrender warrant, the
charter remains, is universally held in the
United States, and hence the Grand Lodges
of New South Wales and Victoria are emf
nently and thoroughly illegal and clandes-
tine. But read the article: The question
connected with the rights of II minority in a
Lodge is a very important one-so important
that it has for some time been "A leading law
of English Freemasonry. 1t sometimes
happens that Lodge is broken up by inter
nal disorder, the action of some unprnoipled
egotist, or of an active ''caucus." Maori
ties are not always right and very often are
altogether wrong. The injustice and the
equity remain very often with the minority
Under these circumstances the Grand Lodge
Of England, in its constitution, very wisely
safeguards the legitimate rights of the
minority, and especially is such provision
and protection needed when, in abnormal
movements abroad, the old Jurisdiction is
given up and u new jurisdiction is sought
after. The charter of the Lodge was origin
ally granted be it remembered, in faith of
the loyalty Of the petitioners to the English
Grand Lodge. In process of time that 10y
atty becomes wavering OF extinct, and it
seems almost matter of necessity and of
duty that the Interchangeable law of English
Freemasonry for many years should be
adhered to, and il there be minority still
wishful to stand by the charter, and uphold
connection with the warranting Grand
Lodge, the old law of English Freemasonry
should be invoked and upheld. Our distin-
guished Brother Whitehead asks us why we
used the words needless and baseess rea2oas
in respect ofa new AntipOdean Grand Lodge.
We reply we read the controversy and fol-
lowed the agitation carefully and the key
note of the strain which affected the English
Lodges out there was this: "Be indeperd-
ent-you will manage your own concerns,
and save for your own purpose a large
amount Of money which goes to England
for benevolent and other purposes"
We called attention to the specific allega-
ti0ns made proiessedly to fan the agitation
at the time, and our remarks and the vcr-
hiage complained of can be found in the files
Of the FrGemaSOR, so We need not repeat
them. Practically, in our opinion, large
number of Brethren were misled by state
ments which were without the slightest
foundation in fact. Like Bro. Whitehead,
we see the difficulty of governing distant
colonial bodies, but there is a right way and
a wrong way of doing everything, and we
have DO pretence to desert those loyal mem
bers of ours who, uDal!ured by excitement,
and uninlluenced by sophistry still adhere in
Masonic fealty TO the jurisdiction of the
Grand Lodge of England. The Book of
Constitutions makes special provision for
the minority question, and we ale forced to
adhere to laws wise in themselves, and
whose value and stability many passing
years have tested and proved, and which we
have only recently revised.
If There is minority in any English
Lodge which declines to give up the charter,
our authorities are compelled nOlentes
voientes by the law to uphold their privi-
legcs, and vindicate their rights. We are
not ourselves, like our old Grand Master,
Lord Zetland favorable to this intense null
n source of weakness instead of strength; a
stumbling block instead of a benefit to Free
masonry. They open door for personal
ambition and hurtful agitation. The little
brief authority, decorations ard rank, the
tinse grandeur of the hour, have great
attractions for many weak minds, and too
often these magnificent movements are the
y .l.,n Il
assume the appearance often of a deliberate
'tiob" to promote the advancement of some
particular parsonage, who had far better
have been left in his original insigniiicance
and obscurty. But as such movements
seem to be inevitable, all we have a fair
right to ask is that that the requirements OF
law, oIder and justice should be complied
with. Where for any reason, good or bad
or even no reason at all, for Truth does not
Always go with numbers, majority deter
mines in distant dependency to sever itsel
from the English Graud Lodge, all we cal
look to is that that majority is distinct ant
deliberate one. And then we yield to sucl
all expressed wish made in u proper way
But we are not forced to express on
approval of it, especially if we think we SET
in it signs of weakness or note the existence
of serious defects. Mushroom bodies hdv'
risen and disappeared before; even now thu
same process of disintegration and decay i
going on in organizations the creation o
yesterday; and, therefore, surely is it bu
wise and becoming and needlul on the par
of the Grand Lodge Of England, the mother