"Charity;" Is It "Giving?"

but the publican-brother had influence in his death to get votes—noi becaric his death had left his child necessitous—but because the " case " was known ; and the child is now held up as ono of many who . b it for Masonic charity , would be wanting a home aud training . When I see snch things , 1 g ive my money—that which I have to give t . charity—in directions where I know it will bo " thankfully received ,

and faithfully applied . " I am not singular in holding that " giving , " to be " charity , " must be discriminating ; for I know Lodges where tho view is gaining adherents . Of late years the princip les and intentions of Freemasonry have been perverted and misdirected , by almsgiving ( chiefly in votes ) being made the " First Principal , " in place of being an

" Assistant Sojourner . " By degrees , we shall come again to the true princip les . We shall have no split , as in France . OnrEnglish common sense will refuse to be guided by a few enthusiasts , eveu in chanty . We shall be guided in our true charity , by that widespread religion of both Hebrew and Gentile , which tells us in that Book of Books , to " consider " the poor . If we properly consider them , we

shall not tempt them , by the display of huge funds , to enter an Order whose primary objects are the cultivation of good fellowship among men of all creeds—best shown by all sitting down to one common table ; displaying , in the best form , hospitality , kindliness , and universal charity of heart . We have , iu these hard times , not too many opportnniies of cultivating the social pleasures under rule of

Master and Wardens , and if these opportunities are to be lost to us under the inspiration of grudging Brothers , who overlook the primary principles of the Graft , you will tumble the Craft into the mud , aud the large funds now produced will be lost . Let " UNION JACK , " Bro . Dick Radclyffe , ancl some others , turn their attention to the Book of Constitutions , and they will learn something . Even the omniscient " we " of vour columns , may find food for

reflection therein . Yours faithfully and fraternally , DEUX ETOILES .

Charity Stewards.

CHARITY STEWARDS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am sorry my letter ( published in your issue of 28 th September ) caused your correspondent " P . T . " to so far depart from the end we all have in view as to question my rendering of mere words . For this reason I never care to refer to any matter , either in Lodge or in a public journal , because , in the

one case ifc generally ends in some one taking general remarks as made against him personally , —not , as is intended , merely in support or otherwise of a proposition , —while on the other hand some correspondent airs his particular idea of the meaning of certain words , or something equally frivolous , which in no one way affects the main argument , and merely promotes discord . I will not again refer to

this or any other question which involves personality . My object always has been to promote , as far as in me lies , the welfare of our Charities , and they certainly cannot benefit through any personal arguments . As my remarks hitherto may not clearly show my views on this subject , I will briefly recount them , as so far expressed , bnt would

rather refer your readers to my letter in your issue of 21 at September . 1 st . I agree that Anniversary Festivals are necessary , bat I maintain that the rules , in so far as those of our Institutions are concerned , require revision . 2 nd . The advantages offered to brethren working for our Charities are inadequate . To each of these subjects considerable space has lately been

devoted in your valuable journal , with , up to the present time , in my opinion , a complete victory in favour of alteration . In fact , no one , so far as I remember , has yet said a word iu support of the present rules being maintained . Bro . Binckes's third letter , treating of " The Inadequate Return for Expenditure , " supports rather the idea of an alteration being

necessary . He points onfc thafc fifty lists snch as the one which forms the basis of his remarks would realise no less than 1 , 500 guineas . Then , I say , Why not do something to encourage such workers ? it is to them we look for systematic ancl continued support ; to the enthusiast of the day for exceptional and spasmodic contributions . As I have before stated , no rule shonld bo allowed to continue which can give offence to even one person likely to help the cause if it can be

Bo altered as to meet the objection , and hence it is I would advise a thorough discussion as to the best means to be adopted to lighten , if possible , the expenses of Stewardships . I feel snro that in this matter liberality would teud to increased returns ; aud if some concessions were made in the way of votes to brethren such as " A STI > WARD WHO HAS SERVED ONCE , " I believe they wonld prove a profitable investment . I remain , yours respectfully and fraternally , ALPHA .

To tha Editor of the ;? IIEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —i have been anxiously locking forward to Bro . Binckes ' s fourth letter ou this subject , which is of far too grout importance to be allowed to drop for want of a little thuuglitlul di--cussion . I know , of course , that his timo ia fully occupied , that

hehas bis various Committees to attend , and that ho is also here , iher .-, and everywhere , doing all in Ida power to get Stewards and otbeis to support his School . But great things are expected from greai men , unci " Our Hercules " is ouo in whom we look for herculean labours , among which can hardly be included the task of writing » UQtb ? r le . tt . ef , Wy & £ r ° » BiuekiH somebody el § e , peopte mi g ht

Charity Stewards.

irrive afc the conclusion thafc" ALPHA " or another person among your correspondents had proved too ranch for him , bat this is ont of the question . So I trust you , Bro . Editor , will exert your powers of persuasion on Bro . Binckes , aud induce him to forward that promised letter , so long and so anxiously expected by , Yours fraternally , TOOTSICUMS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The circular letter in last issue of the CHRONICLE , from Bro . Dick Radclyffe , informing the Craft if they did this , and if tbey did that , such and such would be the result . These remarks offer not a single new idea , and are somewhat inflated , and unlikely to produce much good from Masons generally , whatever effect

they may have on the Brethren of Sc . John s , No . 209 . In reality , our Bro . Radclyffe says plainly , I have screwed my courage to the point of Stewardship for two of tho Charities ; now , after this sacrifice on my part , it really is your boanden duty to pat your names on my list for at least so-and-so . I fear the Craft as a body will not take kindly to the stylo adopted ,

and thafc oar brothers belief and assurance thafc each individual appealed to will dispose of a book of his tickets ( " if ho relies on such sure support " ) will meet with disappointment . This disposal of ticket business has been done again and again , and nearly to death . The worthy brother , energetic enough in print , but wanting a deal of help , if he means business , and intends getting amounts on his lists

worthy the big flourish he commences his Stewardship with , should remember thab the issue of circular letters containing oft-told platitudes and impossible facts , with well worn theories , thafc won't work —about every brother selling a book of his tickets—is mere moonshine , and leads to no material result . Rather should a Steward who means work , one having the welfare

of the Charities afc heart , personally visit Lodge after Lodge , bringing before its members ( of course , by permission of the W . M . ) the claims of the Institutions whoso cause he is advocating , and point out the good done and doing ; ancl not alone by once stating tho case . Tho facts culled from the published records of the Charities are all sufficient to move the hearts of good Masons . The Craft require no

taunting ; a'personal reminder put to a Lodge or Chapter , with tact and discretion , has many times been followed by a vote of ten guineas ; at other times , when the cash has not been voted then and there , a promise has been given to take the matter into consideration at a future meeting ; faith has been kept the money has been voted , the Steward for the Institution has been favoured with instructions to

place such an amount on his list . All this means—Time , Work , and Money ; but , on the principle if a thing is worth doing , ' tis worth doiug well , a personal appearance is more valuable than a hundredweight of papers or letters , with which Lodges and brethren get inundated . Our Charities have their years of prosperity , and also those

of depression , —this is the natural sequence of the country ' s commercial success , or tho reverse for the time being ; bat the vast pro * gress these Institutions have made , the immense good accomplished and doiug , bars the words " reproach " or " disgrace , " as applied to the Craft iu their voluntary and generous support given to the Charities . Our Institutions are not suing in forma pauperis for aid ) they bnt ask the Craft to support ancl maiutain what they have

created ; aud never will thafc appeal be made in vain , spite of mere expression of individual opinion . Should , unfortunately , an extraordinary effort at any time bo required on behalf of one or all the Charities , my belief is , the app -al would ment , with a generous ami liberal response ; unsparing hands would give , and subscriptions wonld bn received , not only from the body at homd , but trom the English Craft throughout the world . Yours fraternally , CHARLES GODTSCHALK P . M . 70 and 1255 .

To the Editor of the FKEEMASON ' S CHKONICLB DEAR . SIR AND BROTHER , — Will you permit me to call further attention to a very excellent proposition made by Bro . Dick Radclyffe in his letter which appeared in your journal of last week . Bro . Radclyffe very properly observes , with regard to the Charity

Elections , " Let it be understood that all candidates who have been subscribing members should take precedence at elections . " The force of this suggestion will be readily admitted by those who have studied the summaries of candidates published from time to time in the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE , where you have repeatedly referred to the few applications which possessed the recommendation that the

candidate had been , mindful of the chums of our Institutions in his clays of prosperity . The performance of this duty ought undoubtedly to be remembered , should calamity or misfortune overtake the subscriber , and there are several plans by which this could be effected , if the Committees now revising the Laws were to take them into consideration .

Perhaps the simplest arrangement would be tho issue of additional votes at each election , according toan agreed scale , to such candidates as possessed the claim of having been charity subscribers . Possibly . u invitation from yon to Bro . Radclyffe , or to some of the many

orethren who interest themselves iu onr Institutions , would be met by Hie preparation of a scheme which would cummend itself to the Committees , at , d result in a due recognition of i he principle that those who uavo a .-sisstei others should have special consideration in the hour ti mei . Yours faithfully and fraternally ,

C . P , 30 ft October 1878 ,