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Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE ENSUING ELECTIONS TO THE BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS. Page 1 of 2 →
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Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents .
CHARITY STEWARDS AND CHARITY JEWELS
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIK AND BROTHER , —No one can , by any possibility , be more anxious than myself to bear willing and grateful testimony to the value of the services rendered to the Masonic Institutions by brethren who undertake the arduous and responsible duties of Stewards at the Anniversary Festivals . It is the intensity of this
feeling which induces mo to reply to the letter under the above heading , in your last number , signed " Regalia . " From a tolerably long experience I can adequately appreciate both the " commendable zeal , " by which , as a rule , tho Stewards are actuated , as well as the " sacrifice of personal ease and convenience , " absolutely necessary for a due performance of the duties involved
in the acceptance of a Stewardship . Further , I would give credence to no man who , with any knowledge of humanity , would dissent from your correspondent ' s axiom , " the expressed approbation of our fellow beings is exceedingly gratifying . " As an illustration of this is cited the " Honourable testimonial of Masonio Charity and Benevolence , instituted by H . R . H . Augustus Frederick Dnke of Sussex
M . W . Grand Master , "—commonly known as " Tho Charity Jewel" — "to be worn as a mark of distinction" ( pursues "Regalia" ) "by those who have served at least two Stewardships to either of the Charities . " Then follows the pertinent question , which , by the way , may be asked over and over again with reference to distinctions conferred outside , as well as within Freemasonry : — " Are those privileges
bestowed equitably upon the deserving , or indiscriminately distributed ? " My object in asking permission for space for a reply to your correspondent , is not to discuss this much vexed question of merit , but to point out that the premises upon which " Regalia " bases his complaints are not sound , and therefore , that many of his arguments cannot be sustained , e . g .:
—1 . The Charity Jewel is not conferred npon a Brother who serves certain Stewardships , and , therefore , there cannot be a question between the deserving and the undeserving . 2 . A Brother observing the stipulated conditions attached to tho institution of the " Honourable Testimonial , & c , " has tho privilege of wearing the Jewel by paying for it out of his own resources . 3 . Tho stipulated conditions ( not as at the date of institution , but
now in force ) are , the service of the Stewardship for each of two of the three institutions , and not " twice for either institution , " qualifying , at tho same time , for not less than a Life Governor , by a donation of ten guineas ( or ten pounds in the case of the Benevolent Institution ) , with the right to add a bar for the Stewardship for tho third Institution , or for a subsequent Stewardship for either of the two Institutions first served .
For these regulations the governing bodies of our three Institutions are in no way responsible . They are ordered to be observed by Grand Lodge , and the executives have ouly to see that they are complied with . Recognising , however , the varying merits or deserts of brethren actiug as Stewards , aud desirous to reward those who exert
themselves iu the discharge of their onerous duties , the following rule has been adopted by special courts of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , which await confirmation at the respective courts on the 10 th and 12 th of April , viz .: — " Every Steward making a donation , at an anniversary festival , if not less than ten gnineas , shall be entitled to additional votes at each election of girls / boys , as follows : For
the first stewardship , one additional vote ; for each subsequent stewardship , with a similar donation , two additional votes , with the following new law : —Every Steward , at the anniversary festival , who shall procure donations or subscriptions to the extent of not loss than fifty guineas , in addition to his personal donation , shall receive one additional vote at each election of girls / boys , and a
further extra vote for every additional sum of not less than fifty guineas . " This , it is hoped , will be a stimulus to activity , and , at the same time , be regai-ded as something in the shape of a reward for labour . The facta I have stated with regard to the conditions attached to the Charity Jewel , will , I think , answer much of tho remaining
portion of your correspondent ' s letter . There is one point , however , to which he gives prominence , and that is—tho practice , hitherto prevailing , more or less often , of the Secretary of an Institution assisting the weak list of a Steward by placing upon it donations paid direct to the office , without instructions as to their destination . Candidly , I admit , having regard to the exertions of Stewards as a
competitive body , the practice is indefensible . Unquestionably credit is obtained for work not done , and a brother who has never asked for a single donation , may , by tho means referred to , be placed in a position of proud pre-eminence as compared with a fellow Steward who has laboured strenuously , but without corresponding results .
Let me assure yon that it is witn no wish to render myself unduly prominent that I have taken the opportunity of replying to your correspondent ' s letter . Without the slightest knowledge of who he rnay be , I recognise in him one thoroughly imbued with real energy
and conscientiousness . Lef him bear in tnitid the wonderful difference between our Charitable Anniversaries now and fifteen years ago ; let him understand the difficulties we have to contend with , into the particulars of which I do not care now to enter ; let him believe in the earnest desire , on the part of the executive of
Correspondence.
each Institution , to give not only every credit , but all possible reward , to tho brethren who , year by year , so cheerfully come forward to maintain tho prestige of " Masonic Charity ; " and let him , while —not without justification , perhaps—criticising both the mode and the modicum of reward , cheer himself with two considerations , tho
one ( almost using his own words ) , the gratification derived from welldoing , the other , "Everything comes to him who waits . " On the important question raised by your correspondent , there is much more to be said , but this letter has reached its limit .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , FREDERICK BINCKES , Secretary , Royal Masonio Institution for Boys . London , 29 th March 1875 .
The Ensuing Elections To The Boys' And Girls' Schools.
THE ENSUING ELECTIONS TO THE BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS .
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHUONICXE . SIR , —I have seen , in last week's number of your contemporary , the Freemason , a letter from Bro . Hughan , in which ho analyses tho claims of the seventy-nine candidates—thirty-ono girls and fortyeight boys—at the approaching elections , to fill the twenty-ono vacancies—thirteen girls and eight boys—in tho Royal Masonic
Institutions for Boys and Girls . Now I am aware Bro . Hughan is a most energetic and one of the most active-minded members of our Order . What he says , therefore , is—apart from all ordinary considerations of courtesy—not lightly to be regarded . Yet , I submit , with due respect for his eminence as a Craftsman , that the principle ou which he has conducted his analysis is most emphatically wrong , while the
conclusion he apparently suggests is most unfortunate . I will first give the substance of his letter , premising that I accept his figures unreservedly . He gives his readers to understand that the result of his scrutiny of tho voting papers is to the following effect . Of the thirty-one girl candidates , one has applied twice before , two once , eighteen
apply now for the first time . Twenty-six are fatherless , one motherless , two parentless , two have parents still living . The average period for which the fathers subscribed to Grand Lodge ( or theii Lodge ) is nine years , but one had been a member for one year only , one for not three years , seventeen for less than nine years . The subscriptions of " the average nine years' members with their
initiation fees would , " he reckons , " cover the cost of tho maintenance of the candidates if all were elected for about six months . " Again two only of the fathers subscribed to the Masonic Charities , and " four aro said to have subscribed through their Lodges , whatever that may mean . " A similar scrutiny in respect of tho forty-eight boy candidates has this result : —1 st application twenty , 2 nd eleven , 3 rd ten ,
4 th two , 5 th two , 7 th two , 8 th one . Fatherless forty , parentless six , two have their parents still living . Tho fathers of forty-five subscribed , on an average , during eight and a half years , but only six contributed to our charities . Their average contributions , together with their initiation fees , would suffice to maintain tho forty-eight candidates for about four months . Thus , " out of seventy-nine
candidates for twenty-one vacancies in the Royal Masonic Institutions for girls and boys , the fathers of only eight of the children subscribed to either of the Masonic Charities during their lifetime , or presumed prosperity , and their average subscriptions and fees together , contributed to their Lodges for all purposes , would scarcely pay for tho maintenanco of one of each of their children at either of the institu .
tions for six months . Now , I maintain the principle of this scrutiny is erroneous , while the inference Bro . ITughan , I presnme , would have us draw—namely , that those candidates aro the most eligible , whose fathers contributed to our charities , is most unfortunate . Nay more , it is illogical and directly at variance with all past experience . Let me try to
demonstrate these propositions . Assuming , of course , the equal ability to contribute to our charities of the fathers of all these 79 candidates , then , cceteris paribus , I admit Bro . Hughan is right . But I will ask him or any man , Is this likely , in tho case of so considerable a number of candidates , whom the mere accident of a common adversity has brought together
into this particular class of applicants for relief ? Shall we find even tv ; o cases of this , or any other set of candidates , more or fewer , in which the grounds of the applications are the same or even similar ? By which I understand—whose fathers , being of equal rank socially , having equal means , and only equal claims upon those means , were thus able to contribute eqnall j' to our institutions . Shall we not
rather find something like the following among the fathers of these candidates ? And first , as to means . A few perhaps wore rich enough to become life governors or life subscribers , or occasionally annual subscribers , to one or more of our charities . A still greater number were able to contribute au Decisional half-guinea or five shillings , which helped to swell tho stewards' lists at the annual
festivals . Of the rest , the majority were unable , while a narrow margin—writing of Masons , I suppose it to be a narrow one—wore unwilling to contribute . But assuming them to be equal in respect of means , I pass next to tho question of position . We shall find some were gentlemen , some professional men , some commercial men , somo wholesale and some retail tradesmen , some clerks , while a few perhaps belonged to the mechanic clnss . Now , it is beyond dispute
that the demands on a gentleman ' s purse aro greater than on a tradesman ' s , on a tradesman ' s greater than ou a mechanic ' s . What is a necessary to a gentleman , is a lnxnry ti a trader ; what a necessary to a trader , is a lnxnry to the mechanic . Take , for instance , the case of two men , one an officer in tho army , the other a tradesman , and each possessing an income of £ 500 per annum . Tho former will be pinched fur means , while the latter ia comparatively
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents .
CHARITY STEWARDS AND CHARITY JEWELS
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIK AND BROTHER , —No one can , by any possibility , be more anxious than myself to bear willing and grateful testimony to the value of the services rendered to the Masonic Institutions by brethren who undertake the arduous and responsible duties of Stewards at the Anniversary Festivals . It is the intensity of this
feeling which induces mo to reply to the letter under the above heading , in your last number , signed " Regalia . " From a tolerably long experience I can adequately appreciate both the " commendable zeal , " by which , as a rule , tho Stewards are actuated , as well as the " sacrifice of personal ease and convenience , " absolutely necessary for a due performance of the duties involved
in the acceptance of a Stewardship . Further , I would give credence to no man who , with any knowledge of humanity , would dissent from your correspondent ' s axiom , " the expressed approbation of our fellow beings is exceedingly gratifying . " As an illustration of this is cited the " Honourable testimonial of Masonio Charity and Benevolence , instituted by H . R . H . Augustus Frederick Dnke of Sussex
M . W . Grand Master , "—commonly known as " Tho Charity Jewel" — "to be worn as a mark of distinction" ( pursues "Regalia" ) "by those who have served at least two Stewardships to either of the Charities . " Then follows the pertinent question , which , by the way , may be asked over and over again with reference to distinctions conferred outside , as well as within Freemasonry : — " Are those privileges
bestowed equitably upon the deserving , or indiscriminately distributed ? " My object in asking permission for space for a reply to your correspondent , is not to discuss this much vexed question of merit , but to point out that the premises upon which " Regalia " bases his complaints are not sound , and therefore , that many of his arguments cannot be sustained , e . g .:
—1 . The Charity Jewel is not conferred npon a Brother who serves certain Stewardships , and , therefore , there cannot be a question between the deserving and the undeserving . 2 . A Brother observing the stipulated conditions attached to tho institution of the " Honourable Testimonial , & c , " has tho privilege of wearing the Jewel by paying for it out of his own resources . 3 . Tho stipulated conditions ( not as at the date of institution , but
now in force ) are , the service of the Stewardship for each of two of the three institutions , and not " twice for either institution , " qualifying , at tho same time , for not less than a Life Governor , by a donation of ten guineas ( or ten pounds in the case of the Benevolent Institution ) , with the right to add a bar for the Stewardship for tho third Institution , or for a subsequent Stewardship for either of the two Institutions first served .
For these regulations the governing bodies of our three Institutions are in no way responsible . They are ordered to be observed by Grand Lodge , and the executives have ouly to see that they are complied with . Recognising , however , the varying merits or deserts of brethren actiug as Stewards , aud desirous to reward those who exert
themselves iu the discharge of their onerous duties , the following rule has been adopted by special courts of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , which await confirmation at the respective courts on the 10 th and 12 th of April , viz .: — " Every Steward making a donation , at an anniversary festival , if not less than ten gnineas , shall be entitled to additional votes at each election of girls / boys , as follows : For
the first stewardship , one additional vote ; for each subsequent stewardship , with a similar donation , two additional votes , with the following new law : —Every Steward , at the anniversary festival , who shall procure donations or subscriptions to the extent of not loss than fifty guineas , in addition to his personal donation , shall receive one additional vote at each election of girls / boys , and a
further extra vote for every additional sum of not less than fifty guineas . " This , it is hoped , will be a stimulus to activity , and , at the same time , be regai-ded as something in the shape of a reward for labour . The facta I have stated with regard to the conditions attached to the Charity Jewel , will , I think , answer much of tho remaining
portion of your correspondent ' s letter . There is one point , however , to which he gives prominence , and that is—tho practice , hitherto prevailing , more or less often , of the Secretary of an Institution assisting the weak list of a Steward by placing upon it donations paid direct to the office , without instructions as to their destination . Candidly , I admit , having regard to the exertions of Stewards as a
competitive body , the practice is indefensible . Unquestionably credit is obtained for work not done , and a brother who has never asked for a single donation , may , by tho means referred to , be placed in a position of proud pre-eminence as compared with a fellow Steward who has laboured strenuously , but without corresponding results .
Let me assure yon that it is witn no wish to render myself unduly prominent that I have taken the opportunity of replying to your correspondent ' s letter . Without the slightest knowledge of who he rnay be , I recognise in him one thoroughly imbued with real energy
and conscientiousness . Lef him bear in tnitid the wonderful difference between our Charitable Anniversaries now and fifteen years ago ; let him understand the difficulties we have to contend with , into the particulars of which I do not care now to enter ; let him believe in the earnest desire , on the part of the executive of
Correspondence.
each Institution , to give not only every credit , but all possible reward , to tho brethren who , year by year , so cheerfully come forward to maintain tho prestige of " Masonic Charity ; " and let him , while —not without justification , perhaps—criticising both the mode and the modicum of reward , cheer himself with two considerations , tho
one ( almost using his own words ) , the gratification derived from welldoing , the other , "Everything comes to him who waits . " On the important question raised by your correspondent , there is much more to be said , but this letter has reached its limit .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , FREDERICK BINCKES , Secretary , Royal Masonio Institution for Boys . London , 29 th March 1875 .
The Ensuing Elections To The Boys' And Girls' Schools.
THE ENSUING ELECTIONS TO THE BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS .
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHUONICXE . SIR , —I have seen , in last week's number of your contemporary , the Freemason , a letter from Bro . Hughan , in which ho analyses tho claims of the seventy-nine candidates—thirty-ono girls and fortyeight boys—at the approaching elections , to fill the twenty-ono vacancies—thirteen girls and eight boys—in tho Royal Masonic
Institutions for Boys and Girls . Now I am aware Bro . Hughan is a most energetic and one of the most active-minded members of our Order . What he says , therefore , is—apart from all ordinary considerations of courtesy—not lightly to be regarded . Yet , I submit , with due respect for his eminence as a Craftsman , that the principle ou which he has conducted his analysis is most emphatically wrong , while the
conclusion he apparently suggests is most unfortunate . I will first give the substance of his letter , premising that I accept his figures unreservedly . He gives his readers to understand that the result of his scrutiny of tho voting papers is to the following effect . Of the thirty-one girl candidates , one has applied twice before , two once , eighteen
apply now for the first time . Twenty-six are fatherless , one motherless , two parentless , two have parents still living . The average period for which the fathers subscribed to Grand Lodge ( or theii Lodge ) is nine years , but one had been a member for one year only , one for not three years , seventeen for less than nine years . The subscriptions of " the average nine years' members with their
initiation fees would , " he reckons , " cover the cost of tho maintenance of the candidates if all were elected for about six months . " Again two only of the fathers subscribed to the Masonic Charities , and " four aro said to have subscribed through their Lodges , whatever that may mean . " A similar scrutiny in respect of tho forty-eight boy candidates has this result : —1 st application twenty , 2 nd eleven , 3 rd ten ,
4 th two , 5 th two , 7 th two , 8 th one . Fatherless forty , parentless six , two have their parents still living . Tho fathers of forty-five subscribed , on an average , during eight and a half years , but only six contributed to our charities . Their average contributions , together with their initiation fees , would suffice to maintain tho forty-eight candidates for about four months . Thus , " out of seventy-nine
candidates for twenty-one vacancies in the Royal Masonic Institutions for girls and boys , the fathers of only eight of the children subscribed to either of the Masonic Charities during their lifetime , or presumed prosperity , and their average subscriptions and fees together , contributed to their Lodges for all purposes , would scarcely pay for tho maintenanco of one of each of their children at either of the institu .
tions for six months . Now , I maintain the principle of this scrutiny is erroneous , while the inference Bro . ITughan , I presnme , would have us draw—namely , that those candidates aro the most eligible , whose fathers contributed to our charities , is most unfortunate . Nay more , it is illogical and directly at variance with all past experience . Let me try to
demonstrate these propositions . Assuming , of course , the equal ability to contribute to our charities of the fathers of all these 79 candidates , then , cceteris paribus , I admit Bro . Hughan is right . But I will ask him or any man , Is this likely , in tho case of so considerable a number of candidates , whom the mere accident of a common adversity has brought together
into this particular class of applicants for relief ? Shall we find even tv ; o cases of this , or any other set of candidates , more or fewer , in which the grounds of the applications are the same or even similar ? By which I understand—whose fathers , being of equal rank socially , having equal means , and only equal claims upon those means , were thus able to contribute eqnall j' to our institutions . Shall we not
rather find something like the following among the fathers of these candidates ? And first , as to means . A few perhaps wore rich enough to become life governors or life subscribers , or occasionally annual subscribers , to one or more of our charities . A still greater number were able to contribute au Decisional half-guinea or five shillings , which helped to swell tho stewards' lists at the annual
festivals . Of the rest , the majority were unable , while a narrow margin—writing of Masons , I suppose it to be a narrow one—wore unwilling to contribute . But assuming them to be equal in respect of means , I pass next to tho question of position . We shall find some were gentlemen , some professional men , some commercial men , somo wholesale and some retail tradesmen , some clerks , while a few perhaps belonged to the mechanic clnss . Now , it is beyond dispute
that the demands on a gentleman ' s purse aro greater than on a tradesman ' s , on a tradesman ' s greater than ou a mechanic ' s . What is a necessary to a gentleman , is a lnxnry ti a trader ; what a necessary to a trader , is a lnxnry to the mechanic . Take , for instance , the case of two men , one an officer in tho army , the other a tradesman , and each possessing an income of £ 500 per annum . Tho former will be pinched fur means , while the latter ia comparatively