Free from Debt
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are now consecrated are launched by their Founders free of all FREE FROM DEBT liability, from a financial point of view, while many of the THE mere fact that Freemasons Lodges are closed to the older ones are returned year by year as " free from debt," outside world is in itself sufficient to create a feeling although several of them possess valuable assets, in the way of curiosity in the minds of a very large section of the of furniture, invested funds, or outstanding subscriptions ; and community, for whose especial delectation the more enterprising although it may be many years before all our Lodges can be sensational journalists attempt, from time to time, to lift the so described, we are convinced the rising generation of the veil that hides the working of our Brotherhood from the view Craft is even more embued with this laudable ambition than of the profane, with the result that exposures are provided, its immediate predecessors, and there is every reason to hope which are more or less appreciated in proportion to the and believe that the next decade will witness a marked imaginative colouring with which they are surrounded. improvement in this particular. It is most certainly a laudable At one time we hear of the awful iniquity of Freemasons, desire to be able to point to one's Lodge as a pattern in who are accused of toasting each other in satanic beverages regard to its financial position, and as there can be no from a hideous skull, or revelling in orgies more suited to question that such a boast has become one greatly in favour pandemonium then a meeting of civilised mortals of the among English Craftsmen, there are, as we have said, good nineteenth century ; or the detractors of Freemasonry tell the grounds for believing that the future will see an even greater world that the Society is banded together to overthrow all improvement than has been manifest in the immediate past. that is right and good, its members being bound to support The foundation of the crusade against indebtedness on and shield each other, no matter what horror may be the part of Lodges may be traced to the desire, already attempted, or what crime may have been committed. These referred to, that is almost general with Founders of new and similar stories come almost as regularly as the famous Lodges, to start with a clear balance sheet. This course " sea serpent " or the " giant gooseberry," and certainly entails a very considerable responsibility on those who take serve their turn to provoke a harmless smile on the part of the initiative in forming new Lodges, but, in our opinion, it those who, being members of the Fraternity, know as to its is the only principle on which additions to the roll of working, and can therefore guage the " exposures " at their Lodges should be permitted, unless it can be demonstrated . proper worth ; but the Masonic Order possesses another without the slightest shadow of a doubt , that a new Lodge is vulnerable spot, in the form of its financial arrangements, necessary in a quarter where there are not sufficient members and this is very often assailed by the detractors of Free- of the Order to pay the expenses of proper formation. In masonry, who are sometimes able to paint a really black that case a grant towards expenses might be made by Grand picture, with this item as the leading subject. Lodge, which would thus be called upon to decide by vote as In this particular Freemasons do not have to deal with to the necessity of the course proposed , and would consequently attacks from outside alone—there are many within the ranks remove any doubts as to the need for extension. of the Order who like to express themselves as to what they While it must be admitted that new Lodges are formed consider the correct method of dealing with Lodge Funds, for the general good of Freemasonry and the world at large, it and it must be admitted there are occasions when it seems must also be recognised that in a large number of instances necessary, as well as most desirable, to let outside light and they are promoted to gratif y the personal ambition, or suit the criticism shine on what is done privately in our Lodges. convenience of their Founders, and this being so the Those of our readers who knew the FBEEMASON 'S CHRONICLE preliminary expenses should be cleared by the Founders. in its younger days will probably remember the series of One of the greatest evils that can assail Freemasonry is " Balance Sheets " that were published in its pages, when indebtedness on the part of its Lodges, for as 3oon as a names and other means of identification were withheld, and a Lodge finds its exchequer empty, with claims outstanding for summary was given showing how the different Lodge funds of necessary expenses or luxuries, the natural proceeding seems the year were disbursed. to be to look around for Initiates, with the result that less There were many Brethren in those days who strongly care than usual is exercised ia their selection, and the outcome condemned the action of the CHBONICLE in thus publishing is that quality may be sacrificed , in order to put the funds in private affairs to the world, while others, as is natural, a better condition. commended what was done. It is not our desire to weigh the> It is certainly expecting too much to even suggest that pros and cons of this individual part of the subject, as it has- Grand Lodge should exercise any control over the spending little association with our present purpose, but we think it of Lodge Funds, in order to keep the Lodges within due will be admitted there is a healthier spirit among our Lodges bounds, but there is no harm in asking the authorities to now than was the case then, a very much larger number of exercise their power in connection with new Lodges, the the Brethren of to-day striving to render their Lodges " free Founders of which should be compelled to start fair, by from debt " than was customary in the days of long ago. subscribing among themselves such a sum a3 to launch their We might almost say that most of the new Lodges that bantling " free from debt." duties that had devolved upon him, and he should ever regard CONSECRATI ON: CLISSOLD LODGE. the jewel as a token of the esteem in which he was held by the THE consecration of a . new Lodge is always an interesting members. and important ceremony, but it was doubtless owing to The W.M. next proposed that the thanks of the Lodge the great popularity of Bro. William Mason Stiles, and to the should be offered to Bro. VV. VV. Hayworth for his present of the probably unique fact of the Grand Treasurer-elect being installed Officers Collars and Jewels, and to Bro. Robert Emery, who had as Master of a Lodge, that caused so large an assembly of Grand presented a very handsome box of Working Tools. The same to Officers and Brethren as met at the Eailway Station Hotel, be entered upon the Lodge minutes. Needless to say the pro- Highbury, N., on the 29th ult., on the occasion of the position was carried unanimously. consecration of the Clissold Lodge, No. 2551. There being no other business the Lodge was closed in perfect With commendable punctuality the Brethren assembled harmony, and the Brethren adjourned to the Banquet-Room , at half past four, and passed into the Lodge to receive the Grand where an excellent repast was served by Bro. P.M. Tuck. Officers appointed to perform the consecration ceremony, who Special notice must be given to the highly artistic menus and shortly after arrived. musical programmes, containing portraits of the Officers of the Bro. Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary presided , and Lodge, which were provided by Bro. Alfred H. Cooper the I.G., was assisted by the following Grand Officers :—Charles E. and which will doubtless be preserved as an interesting memento Keyser P.G.D. as S.W., J. H. Matthews P.D.G.D.C. as J.W., of the auspicious occasion. Upon the termination of the banquet Bey, J. Studholme Brownrigg P.G.C. as Chaplain, Frank the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured. Richardson P.G.D. as D.C, and C. F. Matier P.G.S.B. as I.G. Bro. Frank Richardson responded on behalf of the Grand The Founders of the Lodge were represented by Bros. W. Officers , and expressed : the pleasure it:had been to take part in M. Stiles Master designate, J. J. Lamigeon, R. Emery, C. F. so interesting a ceremony. He thought that all Grand Officers Hogard, W. W. Hayworth, T. Carleton, Alfred H. Cooper, Harry were only too ready to do any Masonic work to show their Townend , W. R. Itter, H. Kenney, S. Trevor Prince, Montague gratitude for their appointments. Hibberd, W. Hicklin , E. Warner, W. Wright, F. G. Street, G. The W.M., in giving the Consecrating Officer , said it was a. Elliott, C. H. Cox, W. B. Trick ; and among those present always a red letter day in the history of a Lodge when the Grand were Bros. Capt. T. C. Walls G.St.Br., George Read G.St.Br., Secretary paid them a visit, but to-day Bro. Letchworth had Edward Terry P.G.T., James Terry P.G.S.B., H. Sadler Grand brought their Lodge into existence, and it would ever be Tyler, H.