Compass
Point GA – In a
recent development, the Restoration Union for Freemasonic Yesteryear Accuracy
(RUfFYA) reported it had finally found the source of the flaw that has caused more trouble for the
Fraternity than any other. The flaw was
spotted by a lone Society archivist, Brother Ibe A. Stickler, who discovered it while
combing through some old proof copy manuscript editing notes thought long lost.
“It was right there all along!” Stickler
exclaimed, "Hidden under reams of unpassed legislation." When asked what caused the
error, he said, “No one took the time to properly proof read it and the error
got fixed into our Charges for near 300 years!”
‘It’s truly embarrassing when you
think about it”, Grand Line Officer Right Worshipful Grant N. Syte said with a
sigh. “It would have prevented so many problems with empowered members taking
liberties with heavily biased ruling, inane decisions, and poorly supported edicts.” He added, “This one small overlooked copy
editing error has cause far too much unnecessary stress and friction for the
Craft.” Taking a deep breath, he added, “And
to think, all of it could have been avoided had we simply educated our people
from the beginning and owned our mistake.”
What was the error? What could have caused the Society so many
problems over the years? Brother Stickler had
this to say, “From what little information we have to go on, it happened when a
Fraternity copy clerk, unschooled in the 7 liberal arts and sciences, didn’t follow directions.” He went on to say, “It was he who ignored
Anderson’s editing note and published the Constitutions with error intact. Had the clerk not ignored that one note, the
Craft would not have to tolerate stupid people taking liberties that degrade our beloved
Society.”
What was in Anderson’s ignored editing note? Well, according to the bold red letters on
the original manuscript in the Charge section on page 50 entitled, “I. Concerning GOD and RELIGION”, it’s clearly written, “NO! NO! NO! This first
sentence should read, ‘…if he rightly
understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Theist nor a religious Libertine.’
This section is not about men we want to keep out! It's about men already within the Craft! Please
fix this!”
Brother Syte was overheard to
say, “It’s most unfortunate that Anderson didn’t catch the editing error till
his Constitutions had already gone to press and were delivered to the general assembly.
I’m certain he would have had it corrected had he realized the problems it would eventually
cause the Craft.”
F&S,
Brother John S. Nagy
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