p. 117 | Due Form by J. H. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 29, 1874

“Due Form.”

By J. H. W.

IN reports of meetings it is frequently stated that they were opened in “due form.” What is the “due form” in opening religious meetings?

For the information of those who do not know how this expression came into use I will state that there are different forms of opening Masonic meetings. “Due form,” “ample form,” “due and ample form,” are different in grade. When reports are so made masonically, a mason at once knows in what manner the meeting was opened, and the rank of the presiding officer. But outside of the masonic ritual such expressions have no meaning. In a religious paper they may cause masons to smile, but they convey no information. Would it not be well to omit such expressions? J. H. W.