The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-01-22

other city Of like central location, and
that the Office Of the grand secretary
shall be permanently located in the city
selected.
When the Grand lodge convenes in
New Haven brethren from some parts
Of the state find it impossible to reach
that city in time for the opening, ex-
eept by leaving home on the preceding
day. More than this committees are
often hampered in their work because
of the ABSENCE of records and documents
Which are kept in the office of the grand
secretary, the need of which could not
be foreseen.
AS to the possible benefit accruing to
any city by reason of the Grand lodge
meeting there, confess my entire ig-
noranee, But, If there be any such adj
vantage, why should not other cities
also share it with Hartford and New
Haven? Or are we to continue oompla-
Gently travelling in the old rut which
was SO kindly provided for us by poll
ticians years ago, when our state in
dulged in the absurdity of two capitals?
1t strikes me that ordinary common
sense should impel us to select as the
place of our regular communications
SOHlG OHG Clty MtlSn 10 COiNGAllSIltly lo~
Gated and can furnish adequate facili-
ties for the transaction of the business
of the Grand lodge.
REFLECTIONS ON RELIGIOUS BE-
LIEF.
My official experience has furnished
me with texts for a few general re-
marks At an early period in my adj
ministration, it came to my knowledge
that internal dissensions of serious
nature had arisen in one Of our lodges.
This diseord which took the form of
combined race and religious strife, had
developed from a small beginning into
a magnitude which threatened to par
alyze the lodge, and to utterly destroy
it's Masonic usefulness. Through the
indiscretion Ito call it by no harsher
term) Of some brother or brethren, many
of the details were reported, more or
less accurately, in the newspapers. AL
though better counsel afterwards pre-
vailed and harmony was restored in the
lodge, we may profitably draw some
lessons from this occurrence.
In the first place, we should carefully
avoid the first word which could rea
sonably be construed as reflection
A mans creed is matter regarding
which he is responsible to God alone.
Failure to recognize this obvious truth
has, in the past, brought about some
Of the bloodiest and most causeess
wars in the history of man; wars
which, even at their conclusion left
the questions at issue In as indetermin-
ate state as at the beginning. Even
!, lo,r hon
| justly indignant when his religious be-
lief is ridiculed. Applicants for initia-
| ton into our fraternity are required to
avow no further religious faith than a
belief in God.
In explaining the tenets of our in
| stitution, we proudly declare that Ma
| sonry unites men of every country, sect
| and opinion In view of these facts, we
| grossly stultify ourselves if we make
unkind remarks regarding the differing
belief Of any Of our brethren. I be-
| lieve that it is entirely possible to be
Jealous in unfolding ones own peculiar
creed while, at the same time. giving
| full scope to that charity towards dis
senting beliefs which is the natural re-
suit of true brotherly love.
TOO MUCH PUBLICITY.
| The publishing in newspapers of mat
| tiers which should not be mentioned
| outside of the lodge is a great and APP
! parently growing evil. Even If any
| good could thereby be accomplished,
| and if the practice We're not contrary
to the letter and spirit of our obliga-
1 tions, it would still be one of doubtful
propriety. But when we consider the
| fact that in most instances it can serve
no purpose except to pander to NOR
bid craving for sensationalism and
! only brings our beloved institution
into disrepu.e, language fails to ade-
| quately express the contempt and de-
| tesla tion which should be felt for any
Mason who either directly or indirectly
aids and abets this usage.
If any Masonic offender should be
| severely disciplined, it is certainly he
| who publishes lodge transactions to
| the world, especially when by so doing
| he airs soiled linen in public. There is
| another aspect to this question. Sup
posing that the items published may
seem harmless in themselves, where
/ shall the line be drawn? Discussion
! may follow, which would lead to fur
| Their and further disclosure.
! This latter must soon reach a point
| which even the most thoughtless recog-
| .nizes as one beyond which he cannot
/ go without violating his VOWS. Thus
! the advantage Of the argument is left
! with the adversary, and the value of
! those truly Masonic virtues, silence
1 and circumspection, is again disas-
! trously taught by experience.
/ BLACKMAILING OF CANDIDATES..
The malicious Matchmaking of candi-
dates is a matter which, at intervals,
] arises to threaten the harmony of
lodges. Every brother should realize
/ the Importance and responsibility at
/ tached to the prerogatve which makes
i him the possible arbiter Of the Masonic
| destiny of fellow man. If he uses this
j high privilege as a means of venting
/ personal spite against worthy candi-
| date, who he knows would be in even
the least degree a factor in strength
ening our institution, he is certainly
| guilty Of cheating, wronging and de-
fraudlng the craft.
If he does so in revenge for a real
/ or fancied grievance against some 9th
er brother, his conduct is puerle and
| even more reprehensible On the other
hand, fully believe in the soundness
of the maxim that 'the lodge, and not
! the candidate should have the benefit
of any doubt" On the principle that
/ an ounce Of prevention is better than
l q po11pd of rl1rn II is sl1ra1y r,rafara bln