The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 10 - Conclusion
The reader goes on stating that before the Indiana Masons were aware of the
"secret efforts and influence at work," they were "completely in the hands of the
Philistines," the latter being a metaphor for traitors, throwing the system all over
according to their own interpretation of the matter. This offended Indiana Mason
complains that his Grand Lodge and Grand Treasury were "controlled and
governed by a resident of Kentucky," and that he and his Indiana brethren could
only "allow this mania to run its course" and await the further outcome.
MASTER sounds a little paranoid when stating that "[y]oung men, queer men,
and strange men, were perambulating the State, teaching as by authority what
they called the Webb Work," whereas the experienced men and "fathers in
Masonry" were ridiculed and silenced. 2082
He then refers to the recent session of his Grand Lodge and quotes the report
of the committee on Uniformity of Work, the main statement of which having
been that a so-called examination lecture was "recommended" to the several
Lodges in this jurisdiction to conform their work by "as near as possible," and
that such Lodges "as may desire it" may be furnished with a competent instructor
of "this jurisdiction." 2083 MASTER lays the stress on the voluntary character of
this ritualistic feature, and equally underlines the fact that his jurisdiction will
recruit its instructor from among its own ranks. He even proposes his Deputy
Grand Master as qualified for this ritualistic instruction and states that, "[i]t can
not be in better hands, and if left to his sound discretion, uninfluenced by any
one, I feel quite sure we shall have no more difficulty." 2084
In its last passage this letter to the editor shows clearly that the Masons had
lost the overview of the entire conception, the Masonic work, while lending their
ears to the "noise and twaddle" 2085 about too many new kinds of "improved"
rituals:
The committee say nothing about Webb Work, nor Webb-Preston-
Work, nor Webb-Preston-Morris Work, nor indeed any work, but
simply the "examination lecture;" and even that is only recommended!
Lodges may use it or not, as they may see proper [...].
But the adoption of this carefully and judiciously worded report, puts an
end to charlatanism and humbuggery. We are now thrown back on first
principles; on the work of Masonry - not on Webb work, Cross work,
Reed work, or Morris work; but Masonic work. 2086
We think this last admonishment, that the essential is the "Masonic work,"
not the Webb, Cross, Reed, Morris, or any other work, apt to conclude this
chapter on the universality of Masonry.
2082 Ibid.
2083 Ibid, p. 110.
2084 Ibid, p. 111.
2085 Ibid.
2086 Ibid, p. 110/111.