THE MASONIC JOURNAL
{CommunicoXcd,
Ought the World Know It ?
Bro. Wilson ;—My attention }ias been
attracted by this question, which appear
ed in a late number of your paper. It is
a question which might. I think, with the
utmost propriety be discussed, and if
brought to the attention of the different
Grand Lodges, it might prove a material
benefit to the Order,—for in these latter
days, in my opinion, the transactions of
our Lodges are spoken of too heedlessly
before the world. Masonic Law on this
point, so far as my knowledge extends, is
not very explicit, and as it seems to be a
strong propensity with some to display
their Masonic knowledge in the columns
of newspapers, I would suggest that it
might be advisable for the Grand Lodges
to take this matter under consideration
and draw a dividing line between what
the world should know, and what it
should not know ; and let this line be
drawn so plainly that the Light-dispens
ing brethren may know how far they may
go, and no farther, I could cite you to
an instance, where Ithmk the bounds of
propriety were far overstepped, but will
not for the present.
It is enough to say here that the ten
dency is with some to go too far in this
matter, and this question suggests that
there should be a line Jrawm, a wall
erected, in order that the brethren who
feel disposed not to keep the world too
much in the dark, as to the transactions
of our Lodges, and the Symbols of the
Order, ma}' know where to stop, and it is
to be hoped, should this line be drawn or
this wall erected, that those who are so
afraid that odium and reproach will "be
brought upon the Order in consequence
of a failure to make known the transac
tions of our Lodges, will not attempt to
step over this line, batter down this wall,
or displace a brick in order to whisper to
the world I hat Brother A. has been tried
and expelled from the Lodge for ,
or to slip through the exuavation, a man
uscript of poetical aspiration on some
symbol of the Order. But to the Query.
Isl. A man is expelled for gross unma-
sonic conduct. Is it in keeping with
Masonic Law to allow such expulsion to
be made public to the world ? 2nd. Is
it in violation of any of the principles of
Masonry to publish an expulsion ? In
the editorial remarks upon this subject,
the ground is taken, that not only would
it not be improper to publish it, but high
ly proper that it should be done, in order
to save Masonry from discredit, If pub
licity is the shield by which Masonry is
to be protected I would ask the Brother
Editor why has not the Institution long
ago sunk into dishonor and oblivion? To
admit this would be to destroy one of
the principal sources of its vitality and
success; it would be placing a canker-
worm at its tap-root, which would des
troy the life of this beautiful tree, under
whose wide-spreading branches, so many
forlorn and weary travelers have found
shelter and repose. It would be a thrust
at that principle of the Institution which
has enabled it to withstand the lapse of
time, the ruthless Land of ignorance and
the devastations of war, and has caused
to. be transmitted through a succe-ssion of
ages, unimpaired, its most excellent
tenets.
Let us by all means exercise prudence
and discretion in the matter, for if you
a.llow an inch some will take an ell; and
if any of the private transactions of tlie
Lodge are allowed to be made public you
pave the way for all to be maae public.
I take it for granted that had such
publication been coiisidered beneficial to,
and productive of good to the Order, this
method would long ago have been sanc
tioned and adopted by our Grand Lodge,
and that it would have taken the trouble,
and undergone the expense of having
them heralded from the mountain to the
sea shore. As to what the Masonic Law is
in regard to expulsions I am ignorant,
but presume if it were not a violation for
them to be published, our newspapers
would sometimes have notices of them.
As to the second question I can only
say, that I believe it is a violation of the
principles of Masonry to publish to the
world any private transaction of the
Lodge, and I think if put to the test that
a large majority of the Masons in the
State would sustain the opinion, and I
am constrained to suggest, (w'ithout the
least desire to be officious,) that it might
be advisable as this matter has been
brought up, for the Grand Lodge (if it
has not already done so) to take such
action to set aside all doubts in regard to
it- Omega,
[Will reply next week.—Ed.J
It is true that some men will nevei
make themsel ves either true or intelligent
Masons. They from the beginning “go
it blind,” and they fail to comprehend
the elevating and advancing character of
the institution—consequently they never
grow into a living Masonic temple.
We meet some of these men in our trav
els. They take no Masonic paper, read
no Masonic literature, and in the general
way, it may be frankly said, that the
light that is in them is only darkness.
Some of them have money to spend for
unmasonio beverages, while others pat
ronize every sort of a paper save a Ma
sonic.
That such men fall behind in the spirit
and intelligence and enterprise of Mason
ic life is not strange—for they have none
of the life or light of the Mystic Tie with
in them. Their Masonic education is but
primary, and yet, full of content, as they
are of ignorance, they only have a name
to live while they are dead.—Masonic
Advocate.
I. O^. F.
To the Past grand Bepresentatives and
Past Grand Officers of the B. W. Grand
Lodges of the United tStates:
Brothers: It having been determin
ed that an effort should be made to bring
together in connection with the annual
meeting of the R. W. Grand Lodge of the
United Stales, at Philadelphia, in Septem
ber nex*, every P. G. R. and P. G. Officer
of that body known to be living, the ven
erated and beloved Grand Secretary of
the Giand Lodge of the United States was
requested to appoint a committee of ar
rangements for the occasion, and he has
been pleased to designate the undersigned
to act in that capacity. In the perform
ance of a part oi the duty thus assigned
u.s, we beg leave to address you in relation
to this important subject.
The objects to be accomplished by the
contemplated meeting will at once readily
suggest themselves to your minds. We
may, however be permitted to say that the
coming together of the past members of
the Grand Lodge will result in reviving
ancient memories, in renewing friendships
formed in years gone by, -and in further
cementing the attachments and affection
ate regards resulting from the labors and
intercourse of earlier years. We hope
also, to see aroused the ardor in the work
of the order which marked the days of its
youth, and to apply to the times in which
we now live the experience gathered in
our lives. We trust also, that the meeting
may result in bringing into active use the
slumbering foroes still existingdnithose'of:
our number who may have lapsed into,
supineness or indifference in relation to
the progress of our noble institution. It
is proposed to make the occasion one of
brotherly re-union, and to mark it by
such ceremonies and observances as will
make it one of social enjoyment, and give
it an interest which may be remembered
with pleasure by those who may partici
pate therein. In addition to this, that
the occasion may be made to contribute
to the further good of our order, it is
proposed to form an endowment associa
tion, to be composed of P. G. Representa
tives and P. G. Officers. It is believed
that such an organization would result in
keeping alive the interest intheorder
among those who have received its highest
honors and retired from active labor in
the cause of Odd Fellowship; as it certain
ly will serve to bind more closely the past
members of the Grand lodge of the United
Btates, and secure the continued services,
for the benefit of theorder, of the brothers
who may from year to year, become past
members of that body.
To make the meeting such a success as
we desire & the occasion demands, as well
as to make it creditable and useful to the
order, your active co-operation is needed,
and above all, your attendance on the oc
casion is vital and indispensable. We
need not say how much the interest of the
occasion will be enhanced if the attend
ance of every P. G. Representative and P.
G. Officer can be secured.
We invite you, therefore, nay, we urge
you—wherever you maybe—to come up
to this grand convocation and participate
in its pleasures and benefits.
Fred. D. Stuart,
AV. R. Smith,
Erie J. Leech,
J. W. McQuiddy,
J. 0. Smith,
R. H. Morrison,
R. E. McNeely,
T. T, Smiley,
0. M. Busbee.
Hugh Latham,
Committee.
You will be kind enough to inform the
chairman of the committee, Fred. D. Stu
art, Washington, U. C„ at as early a day
as possible, whether yon intend to be pres
ent.
Directory.
6^rand Council op N. C.—C- VanOrs-
clell, oi* VVilmington, M. I. G. M.; D. W. Bain,
Raleigh, G. liecorder.
Grand Chapter of N. C.~Thos. S.
Keenan, Wilson, G. H. i\, D. W. Bain, Ral
eigh, G. tSecVy.
Grand Lodge of K. C.—Geo. W. Blount,
W ilson, G. W. Bain, Raleigh, G. Stci'ij.
Greensboro Council No. 3, R. & S. M.,
Greensboro N. C,—Thos. J. Sloan, 1\ /, M.,
S. E. Allen, Recorder.
Time of meeting: 4th ■Wednesday niglit of
each month.
^Chorazin Chapter, No. 13, Greensboro,
N. C.—T'lios. J. Sloan, High Rriest, J. N.
Nelson, Secretary.
Time ot meeting: 3rd Friday night of each
month.
Greensboro, Lodge. 76, Greensboro, N.
C.—,S C. Dodson, W. M. J. W. Dick, Secre-
tury. Time of Regular Communication, First
Saturday in January, March, May, July,
September and November, at 10 o’clock a. m.,
am] on Firt Saturday in each other month at
night.
'Elmwood Lodge, No. 246, Greensboro,
N. 0.—J. A. Odell, W. M.. Jno. Chamberlain,
Secretary.
Time of Regular Communications: second
Saturday night of each montli.
JOHN CHAMBERLAIN
GREENSBORO, N. C.
DEALER IN
Fine Watches, Jewelry,
STERLING SILVER. & PLATED-WARE,
Fine Spectacles,
And evei'ytiiing else ia my line.
0®" Special attention given to repairing
and timing of Fine Watclies and Regulators.
All work done and all goods sold hy me is
guaranteed, to he as represented.
HAIU CHAIXS, H.UU .lEWKlRY. DI.UIOXDS
AXlr .*I,L KIMIS OE KlMi .7HWELKY,
GOLD .iXD SILYEU M A'l CH
CASES, etc., etc.
THE MANUFACTURE OF 18 CARAT
ENGAGEMENT & AVEDDING
RINGS A SPECIALTY.
Mt macuinery and other appliances for
making the different parts of Watches, is per
haps the most extensive in the State, conse
quently I can guarantee that any part of a
watcli or clock can be replaced with tlie ut
most facility.
04^ I GUAKANTYiE that my work will com
pare fiivorably ill eflieieucy and finish witli
any hr the land.
JO«N CHASIBERLAIN,
City Jeweler-,
28- Greensboro, N. 0.
THE NATIONAL HOTEL,
Delightfully situated,
RALEIGH, N. C.
A New House. F.ine Rooms, Well
iiished and Fitted up in the lie.st Style.
Bath-Rooms ami Water-Closets on
Floor. Billiard Saloon in Basement.
G S. BROIVN, Proiirietor,
1" Jno. ^V. Kerr, Clcr
Fnr-
eaeli
TATES’
Book
boro, ,
MRS. S. M. SMITH’S
BOARDING HOUS E,
Middle Street, one door below Patterson’s
Grocery Store,
NEW BEENE, N C.
JAS. SLOAN’S SONS,
GREENSBORO, N. G.,
GENERAL MERCHANDISE,
Lime, Cement and Pla.=ter, Phosphates aud
Agricultural Implements a Specially.
EUGENE ECKEI,,
Druggist and Pharmacist,
Greensboro, N. C.
Personal attention to compounding I’re-
scriptious at all hours—d.ay or night. 2—3
j^rettsmIth;
Life & Fire Insurance Agent,
Greensboro, N. C.
Repre.'C.'.ts the Metropoettan LiFEofNen
A'ork, the inauguratorof the two most popula
and equitable plans of Life Insurance,
THE RESERVE ENDOWMENT
and
THE RESERVE DIVIDEND PLANS.
Eveiy-pledge of this company is plainly
written out, and the firll responsibility o! tl.e
Company and assured defined, the Policy
of the Metropolitan slioukl be read hefm e
a Policy in any other Company is accepted.
Observe the following Original and Charac
teristic Provisions of this Comiiany:
Its nays oi grace, from one month to six, de
termined by the age of the Policy..
Its conti'iuance fi-omoiie jnsurcklperiod to
another without increase of p emiuni.
Its Reserve Dividend Fundrsonsidei-ed; as a
deposit at an interest; for the payment of fu
ture premiums.
Its Specific Guarantees of Dividends and
gnrrender Value,
Its Incontestable Clause, operating, fmu.i the
pay tiK nt of the first premiimi.
The amount explicitly slated to be
PAID IN DEATH.
Tlie amount e.xplicitly stated to be
RAID IN LIFE.
Also represents several First-Class Fire Com-
pardes, in which risks will be writien on al
classes ofihsurable property, aiidon the imet
tavorable terms.
5—
it
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