Brotherhood!
In that one word what sympathetic associations arise.
How the mind at once revels in benevolent reflections, and anticipates the felicity of that reciprocity of fraternal affection which links humanity together.
Brotherly love is a very sacred tie, that should always be deemed a holy bond, and one that will help us to bear each others burdens and share each others joys.
This is the basis upon which the brotherhood of Freemasons has been founded, and to extend its aims and principles is one of the great objects for which this Journal has been inaugurated.
The leading elements of power that should guide every association should be to awaken the human mind, and to give to men of all classes consciousness of their intellectual and moral power to communicate knowledge of a useful and quickening character, to encourage men in thinking with freedom and vigour, to inspire an ardent love of truth and justice.
All such associations are worthy of support and patronage; while such as are designed or adapted to depress the human intellect, to make it dependent and servile, to keep it where it is, to give a limited amount of knowledge, but not to give an impulse to the onward motion of men’s thoughts and aspirations.
All such unions, however benevolent their professions, should be regarded as among the foes of the community, and as obstructions to the welfare of society.
It is these kinds of clubs and unions which weaken in men the motives to exertion, which offer a bounty to idleness, and make beggary as profitable as labour.
On these social questions the present age admits and requires a more extensive teaching than formerly. An intellectual activity that shall be cheered by benevolence and social kindness, an active sympathy that shall know no alien, but become as far diffused as ” fancy’s wing can travel, oblivious of its own delight if aught that breathes is wretched.”
By the aid of brotherhood, we obtain a large intercourse with other minds, which cannot but become a valuable acquisition for the enlightenment and elevation of our own.
A more genial and generous spirit is wanted in the nation. We need reform in our political and social institutions, in our habits, our feelings and our characters.
Dark and fearful are the various contests that rage all around for wealth and power.
Far as the mental eye can sweep the social horizon, there is to be seen an amount of sin, sorrow, shame, and crime, that requires all the religious, moral and mental agencies to stem its onward progress, yet there is no need for despair.
Influences are at work that will subdue those evils if they cannot eradicate them. There may be in existence a vital power and energy which will hold on while the world continues, ever realizing larger amounts of happiness.
National spirit, allowed its free scope by institutions, is a pledge for such progress, which, for aught that appears, may be eternal and unbonded.
In the growing intelligence of the great masses of society, we have a promise of progress for our own country, and its influence upon the world.
A further sign of improvement is exhibited in the advance of more extended feelings of common interest among all the different grades of the industrial classes.
The gulfs of separation are not, by any means, so wide as they were. The identity of interests of the various orders, who live by trade and labour, is presenting itself to people’s minds in a more distinct light and impressive form than heretofore.
On every hand the great body of the people are more and more thinking for themselves, and cultivating their own powers and faculties.
The literary and social institutions that are rising everywhere throughout the land are so many centres of light and knowledge, radiating and exercising an useful and glorious influence, the value of which cannot be measured by the exact numbers of subscribers to these institutions, or the amount of funds raised.
These facts, therefore, should leave no doubt, or cast any gloom upon the minds of those who have faith in the ultimate destiny of an enlightened humanity.
Extract: The Freemason’s Chronicle, January 9, 1875
The Freemasons Chronicle, a weekly record of masonic intelligence, was first published 2nd January 1875 London, England as an independent weekly journal of masonic interest and continued for 27 years.
It should be the business of a journal devoted to the interests of the Order to attempt the removal of prejudices such as these, which, though they may have little perceptible influence upon the prosperity of the Fraternity, yet have the effect of preventing timid or ill-informed persons from enlisting under its banner.
It will not only attempt to keep pace with the growing literary requirements of the day, but it will seek to exhibit the Order to the non-Masonic world divested of its technical details, and clothed in the garb of Charity and Brotherly Love.
The questions of the hour, which exercise the minds of thoughtful men, will be handled freely and broadly, without any tinge of political or sectarian bias.
The memoranda of Masonic gatherings which will appear from week to week, will be full and accurate; and as free interchange of opinion is one of the best signs of life and vigour in any society, ample scope will be given for Correspondence on topics of interest to the Order.
If we may venture upon a new rendering of words which recent events have made memorable, we will say here, once and for all, that we will be keen men of business, and will spare no effort, consistent with honour, to achieve commercial success; but first, and before all things, we will prove to our brethren and the world that we are FREEMASONS.
Recent Articles: The Freemason's Chronicle
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Uncover the incredible story of how Masonry saved the life of a Crimean War foot soldier in this historical and masonic account. Through the first hand experience of a soldier engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat, witness the fateful encounter with a Russian Freemason that changed the course of his life. Learn how brotherhood and a deep dedication to the craft can lead to unforeseen and life-saving circumstances on the battlefield. |
The Freemason's Chronicle - Charges of a Freemason The secrets of Masonry are the exclusive property of the Craft, and can never be communicated to one who is a mere labourer and not an accepted Mason. Hence, no labourer, that is, one who has not been regularly initiated in a legal Lodge. Article first published in The Freemason's Chronicle, 27 November 1875 |
The Freemason's Chronicle - Prejudices Prejudices are partial judgments in favour of, or against certain persons or things, and, for convenience sake, may be ranged in two categories—those which are, comparatively speaking, harmless, and those which are harmful. Article first published in The Freemason's Chronicle, Oct. 2 1875. |
The Freemason's Chronicle - Cliques Is Freemasonry - a Clique ? Man has been defined as a gregarious animal, but in his highly civilised condition he is gregarious only to a limited extent. First published in The Freemason's Chronicle, Oct. 2 1875, addresses the same challenges then as now. |
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The Freemason's Chronicle - Charges Of A Freemason An interpretation of the "Charges of a Freemason", written Bro. Cornelius Moore and published in 1875, that introduce certain opinions that for some readers, will not sit well in contemporary times. - The Freemason's Chronicle, Sept. 11, 1875 |
On The Order Of The Temple And Its Doctrine. THE Order of the Temple is divided into two great classes, denominated respectively the Order of the Temple and the Eastern Order. The Eastern Order gave birth to the Order of the Temple, and in the course of time has become an appendage of the latter. It is in ancient Egypt that we find the cradle of the Eastern Order. The Freemason's Chronicle, Sept. 4, 1875 |
Order of Charles XIII of Sweden The following translation of the Manifesto of King JL Charles XIII of Sweden, on the occasion of his establishing the Masonic Order which bears his name, and of the Statutes of the said Order, may be interesting to our readers. The Freemason's Chronicle, Aug. 28, 1875 |
Most of our readers in the course of their experience, have doubtless met with enthusiastic brethren who take it for granted that a Mason can do no wrong. These enthusiasts are thoroughly convinced that the vast majority of those who join the Order are the most benevolent, the most moral, and the very noblest members of society. - The Freemason's Chronicle 10 July 1875 |
An article investigating the relationship between masonry and citizenship. Are the principles of Freemasonry aligned with the freemason's claim to be a better citizen of the world? The Freemason's Chronicle - 19 June 1875 |
A visitor must make clear his identity to the satisfaction of the Lodge he proposes to visit. More than once have we been asked to explain our views as to the reception of strangers in a Lodge. - The Freemason's Chronicle - 29 May 1875 |
Is there reason in the accusation that Masonic energy looks only to a course of good feeds, when we can point to such grand results as have been achieved in these latter years, both in respect of the extension of our Order ? - 1May 1875 |
Implementing Freemasonry's peculiar system of morality in our day to day business affairs was the topic of this article, Commercial Integrity, first published in The Freemason's Chronicle - 8 May 1875 |
Ridicule has been somewhat illogically described as the test of truth. If it were so, Freemasonry ought to have perished long since. Two press reports from May 1875 covering the |
There are many things which Freemasonry will do for a man in the way of opening his mind and giving him larger and kindlier views of life, but Freemasonry itself, cannot eradicate the natural bias of the disposition. |
There is, we fear, too marked a tendency in very many Lodges to hasten through its labours, with a view to entering, as soon as possible, upon the business of refreshment. - The Freemason's Chronicle 17th April, 1875 |
Another example that demonstrates that nothing really changes in Freemasonry. In an article the Types of Masonic Character published 145 years ago in The Freemason's Chronicle 10th April, 1875 |
A brief history on the relationship between the British Monarchy and the craft - The Freemason's Chronicle 20th March , 1875 |
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A review of the "Sketch for the History of the Dionysian Artificers," a fragment, by Hyppoli to Joseph Da Costa - This little work may be regarded as, so to speak, the Holy Grail of Masonry. |
Nothing really changes, an article Indifferent Masons, From Le Monde Maçonnique 1874. Translation published in The Freemason's Chronicle 20th February, 1875 |
In handling an intruder in the lodge, we endeavoured to show that a good Mason should be a gentleman, and a sincere man. The Freemason's Chronicle 20th February, 1875 |
Templar Masonry - a historical aspect of the Religious and Military Order of the Temple published in The Freemason's Chronicle 13th February, 1875 |
Secrecy perhaps the strongest objection urged by the enemies of the Masonic Order against its existence published in The Freemason's Chronicle 20th March 1875 |
Freemasonry In The United States during And After The Revolution We take a look at Freemasonry in the United States during and after the Revolution first published in The Freemason's Chronicle - February 6, 1875 |
We take a look at the archaeological connection with the Craft, first published in The Freemason's Chronicle - January 30, 1875 |
What it means to a Freemason to be a sincere man. Extract: first published in The Freemason's Chronicle - January 23, 1875 |
What it means to a Freemason to be a citizen of the world ? First published in The Freemason's Chronicle - January 16, 1875 |
Brotherhood! In that one word what sympathetic associations arise. First published in The Freemason's Chronicle - January 9, 1875 |
This opening article was written 145 years ago, yet it resonates with Freemasons today as it did then. First published in The Freemason's Chronicle, January 2, 1875, Issue 1 |
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