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Article DOES FREEMASONRY BENEFIT THE WORLD AT LARGE? ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE ROYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Does Freemasonry Benefit The World At Large?
cases of real distress , wo are averse to tho indiscriminate relief afforded by the hospitals of our great towns . Knowing as we do something of the private as well as the Masonic career of our correspondent , wo feel assured that lie would be amonsr the first to abandon his idea
were he to think that it might prove detrimental to the Craft . Wo think such would be the result , but should like to hear the opinion of any of our readers who may tako an interest in the matter . To establish a dispensary on a Masonic basis it would be necessary also to
form branches in the principal towns throughout tbe kingdom , for it must be remembered that Freemasonry is not local to London or any other part of the country , bnt
universal , and therefore that any charity formed m connection with it must be of similar extent , unless it be con . templated to limit the appeals also to the district , in which case the relief afforded would take moro the form of a local charity on a Masonic foundation than a Masonic institution .
The Lodge Of Benevolence.
THE LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
THE constitution and general working of the Lodge of Benevolence always has been , and we imagine must ever continue to be , a difficult subject for the Craft to deal with . It is impossible to please all , especially where the spending of public money is concerned , and , as a
consequence , the brethren interested in any particular ease are very apt to think their appeal has not been so liberally responded to as they considered it deserved , while others will not refrain from expressing their opinion that a larger grant had been made than the nature of the case warranted .
It has even been pointed out to us that the amount of a grant entirely depends on the opinion entertained of the proposer and seconder ; some brethren , it is urged , being sure of a large amount for every appeal they endorse , while others less known invariably get smaller grants .
This we consider is merely owing to the fact that those who frequently attend the meetings of the Lodge learn points which are likely to tell on their audience , or it may bo they are gifted with a readier flow of words , and are
able to carry their heavers away to an interest in the case for which they aro pleading , while the less experienced brother will fail to put all the facts of the case so forcibly before those assembled .
As at present constituted the Lodge of Benevolence is , in our opinion , in a position sufficiently strong to allow of these remarks being ignored . It cannot be said that the Lodge is unrepresentative of the Craft at large , or that it is the party of any one section of tho Order : it is in tho
power of every Lodgo to be represented at each meeting ; not , as might have been expected had any idea of private influence been contemplated by one particular member , but by any of the principal members of a Lodge , for , in the event of the Master being unable to attend , any one of the
Past Masters may represent him . Surely these provisions should be sufficient to prevent anything like a packed meeting , and should bo ample to secure an attendance large enough to form an unbiassed opinion on the merits of each case brought forward .
In times past the Fnnd of Benevolence , although providing for every worthy case that may have been brought forward , has gradually accumulated , until at the present time the balance reaches tlie splendid total of £ 50 , 000 . The way in which this fund is raised is so small a tax on
the brethren that few , if any , could wish for the annual contribution to be lowered , but then the question arises , how long is the fund to be allowed to accumulate , and at what sum is the line to be drawn ? It is a matter of congratulation to the Craft that tho trivial amount devoted to
Grand Lodge from each subscri ption to the cause of Charity should enable them not only to relieve every case that may present itself , but still leave a considerable balance year after year to be added to invested funds . Some time since Bro . Glabou gave notice of a motion in Grand
Lodge which , had it been settled , would have supplied an answer to these queries , but for Kome reason , best known by himself , he withdrew his proposition at the eleventh hour . The fact of the question having once been brought forward
naturally gave rise to a feeling somewhat akin to curiosity in many brethren , and thus it is that at the meeting of Grand Lodge , on Wednesday , wc find the question again coming under notice , but on this occasion we regret to say , in anything but a satisfactory manner .
The Lodge Of Benevolence.
It appears that the petition of a brother who has been most creditably associated with the Lodge of Freedom , No . 77 , fit Gravesend , and other Lodges in Kent , was lately considered by the Board of Benevolence , and , after discussion , a grant of £ 100 was recommended
for the approval of Grand Lodgo . There appears to have been a divided opinion at the Lodge of Benevolence at which this question was discussed , and among the minority we presume may be classed Bro . Joshua Nunn , who , on Wednesday , at Grand Lodge—being the elder
Vice-President of the Board—had to bring forward the recommendations of the Lodge of Benevolence for confirmation by those present . Among those , of course , was the vote to which he objected . Now , if this vote was as undeserved as Bro . Nunn would wish
us to suppose , it may reasonably bo imagined there were many members of Grand Lodge who would have drawn attention to it had they been asked , but for Bro . Nunn to officially recommend a grant , and then in his capacity as a private member of Grand Lodge to oppose it ,
we consider—to put it m a mild form—very bad taste . Had attention been directed to the case it wonld then have been easy for Bro . Nunn to explain his views , but to do so in what might be taken as a semi-official manner is certainly wrong on his part . From the remarks of somo of
the speakers we fear that the matter resolved itself into a personal one , and if allowed to serve as a precedent it will do away with all unanimity in Grand Lodge . Once let a difference of opinion such as this be
supported by Grand Lodge , and every grant that is made will be open to discussion , when , unless notice be previousl y given to call evidence , it will be impossible to form anything like a fair judgment .
The course taken by Bro . G . P . Britten and others , who combined to make the vote excessive in order that it should be discussed by Grand Lodge , is certainly open to question . If he or any other brother is desirous of getting the opinion
of Grand Lodge on any subject it certainly can be obtained in a straightforward manner , recourse shonld never be had to side influences , which however worth y in themselves , cannot fail but to lead to confusion , if not to open rupture .
It is quite right that a certain form should be observed in confirming tho grants of the Lodge of Benevolence when they exceed a given sum ; but as the Craft places the
distribution of the charity fund m the hands of the members of that Lodge , it would be very unfair if every action they took was to be open to reversal because it did not happen to be favoured by a minority at a previous meeting .
The Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.
THE ROYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND .
THE preliminary arrangements that are being made by tbe founders of this Fund to start it on a firm basis are rapidly approaching completion . It is wished that every Province may be represented by one or other of its principal members on the first circular that
is to be sent out , and with this object in view , strenuous efforts are being made to bring the scheme under the notice of the rulers of the various Masonic sub-divisions of the country . The success that has been
met with is far in excess of what was contemplated , bnt still there are several districts from whence no replies have as yet been received . We hope in our next issue to furnish a list of those who have already given their
approval , but meantime we cordially ask our friends to join us in the movement . We may mention that our respected Brother the Rev . C . J . Martyn , Past Grand Chaplain , Deputy Prov . G . M . Suffolk , & c
has kindly consented to act as Treasurer of the Fond pro tern . Any contributions to him ( addressed , tho Rectory , Long Melford ) , or to cither of the Secretaries , will bo thankfull y received and duly acknowledged . Cheques may be crossed " Bank of England . "
HOLT . OWAY ' S 1 ' iLr . s AXI > OLVTMEXT . —If theso remedies ho taken anil used regularly during the summer months , the liver will act regularly , and so tlie chance of levers anrl complaints of that character occurring will bo much diminshod . and very likely altogether avert'd . These valuable remedies promote skin action , and thus preserve tho delicate internal structures from congestions and inflammation , liy carrying from the system in this manner , and al- 'o by the bowels , any noxious matters which may have found their way into the blood . This is aiding nature in her efforts , and is consonant , with reason and common sense , for if nature ' s effort * to throw off disease ho interfered with by injudicious treatment , mischief instead of good will ensue .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Does Freemasonry Benefit The World At Large?
cases of real distress , wo are averse to tho indiscriminate relief afforded by the hospitals of our great towns . Knowing as we do something of the private as well as the Masonic career of our correspondent , wo feel assured that lie would be amonsr the first to abandon his idea
were he to think that it might prove detrimental to the Craft . Wo think such would be the result , but should like to hear the opinion of any of our readers who may tako an interest in the matter . To establish a dispensary on a Masonic basis it would be necessary also to
form branches in the principal towns throughout tbe kingdom , for it must be remembered that Freemasonry is not local to London or any other part of the country , bnt
universal , and therefore that any charity formed m connection with it must be of similar extent , unless it be con . templated to limit the appeals also to the district , in which case the relief afforded would take moro the form of a local charity on a Masonic foundation than a Masonic institution .
The Lodge Of Benevolence.
THE LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
THE constitution and general working of the Lodge of Benevolence always has been , and we imagine must ever continue to be , a difficult subject for the Craft to deal with . It is impossible to please all , especially where the spending of public money is concerned , and , as a
consequence , the brethren interested in any particular ease are very apt to think their appeal has not been so liberally responded to as they considered it deserved , while others will not refrain from expressing their opinion that a larger grant had been made than the nature of the case warranted .
It has even been pointed out to us that the amount of a grant entirely depends on the opinion entertained of the proposer and seconder ; some brethren , it is urged , being sure of a large amount for every appeal they endorse , while others less known invariably get smaller grants .
This we consider is merely owing to the fact that those who frequently attend the meetings of the Lodge learn points which are likely to tell on their audience , or it may bo they are gifted with a readier flow of words , and are
able to carry their heavers away to an interest in the case for which they aro pleading , while the less experienced brother will fail to put all the facts of the case so forcibly before those assembled .
As at present constituted the Lodge of Benevolence is , in our opinion , in a position sufficiently strong to allow of these remarks being ignored . It cannot be said that the Lodge is unrepresentative of the Craft at large , or that it is the party of any one section of tho Order : it is in tho
power of every Lodgo to be represented at each meeting ; not , as might have been expected had any idea of private influence been contemplated by one particular member , but by any of the principal members of a Lodge , for , in the event of the Master being unable to attend , any one of the
Past Masters may represent him . Surely these provisions should be sufficient to prevent anything like a packed meeting , and should bo ample to secure an attendance large enough to form an unbiassed opinion on the merits of each case brought forward .
In times past the Fnnd of Benevolence , although providing for every worthy case that may have been brought forward , has gradually accumulated , until at the present time the balance reaches tlie splendid total of £ 50 , 000 . The way in which this fund is raised is so small a tax on
the brethren that few , if any , could wish for the annual contribution to be lowered , but then the question arises , how long is the fund to be allowed to accumulate , and at what sum is the line to be drawn ? It is a matter of congratulation to the Craft that tho trivial amount devoted to
Grand Lodge from each subscri ption to the cause of Charity should enable them not only to relieve every case that may present itself , but still leave a considerable balance year after year to be added to invested funds . Some time since Bro . Glabou gave notice of a motion in Grand
Lodge which , had it been settled , would have supplied an answer to these queries , but for Kome reason , best known by himself , he withdrew his proposition at the eleventh hour . The fact of the question having once been brought forward
naturally gave rise to a feeling somewhat akin to curiosity in many brethren , and thus it is that at the meeting of Grand Lodge , on Wednesday , wc find the question again coming under notice , but on this occasion we regret to say , in anything but a satisfactory manner .
The Lodge Of Benevolence.
It appears that the petition of a brother who has been most creditably associated with the Lodge of Freedom , No . 77 , fit Gravesend , and other Lodges in Kent , was lately considered by the Board of Benevolence , and , after discussion , a grant of £ 100 was recommended
for the approval of Grand Lodgo . There appears to have been a divided opinion at the Lodge of Benevolence at which this question was discussed , and among the minority we presume may be classed Bro . Joshua Nunn , who , on Wednesday , at Grand Lodge—being the elder
Vice-President of the Board—had to bring forward the recommendations of the Lodge of Benevolence for confirmation by those present . Among those , of course , was the vote to which he objected . Now , if this vote was as undeserved as Bro . Nunn would wish
us to suppose , it may reasonably bo imagined there were many members of Grand Lodge who would have drawn attention to it had they been asked , but for Bro . Nunn to officially recommend a grant , and then in his capacity as a private member of Grand Lodge to oppose it ,
we consider—to put it m a mild form—very bad taste . Had attention been directed to the case it wonld then have been easy for Bro . Nunn to explain his views , but to do so in what might be taken as a semi-official manner is certainly wrong on his part . From the remarks of somo of
the speakers we fear that the matter resolved itself into a personal one , and if allowed to serve as a precedent it will do away with all unanimity in Grand Lodge . Once let a difference of opinion such as this be
supported by Grand Lodge , and every grant that is made will be open to discussion , when , unless notice be previousl y given to call evidence , it will be impossible to form anything like a fair judgment .
The course taken by Bro . G . P . Britten and others , who combined to make the vote excessive in order that it should be discussed by Grand Lodge , is certainly open to question . If he or any other brother is desirous of getting the opinion
of Grand Lodge on any subject it certainly can be obtained in a straightforward manner , recourse shonld never be had to side influences , which however worth y in themselves , cannot fail but to lead to confusion , if not to open rupture .
It is quite right that a certain form should be observed in confirming tho grants of the Lodge of Benevolence when they exceed a given sum ; but as the Craft places the
distribution of the charity fund m the hands of the members of that Lodge , it would be very unfair if every action they took was to be open to reversal because it did not happen to be favoured by a minority at a previous meeting .
The Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.
THE ROYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND .
THE preliminary arrangements that are being made by tbe founders of this Fund to start it on a firm basis are rapidly approaching completion . It is wished that every Province may be represented by one or other of its principal members on the first circular that
is to be sent out , and with this object in view , strenuous efforts are being made to bring the scheme under the notice of the rulers of the various Masonic sub-divisions of the country . The success that has been
met with is far in excess of what was contemplated , bnt still there are several districts from whence no replies have as yet been received . We hope in our next issue to furnish a list of those who have already given their
approval , but meantime we cordially ask our friends to join us in the movement . We may mention that our respected Brother the Rev . C . J . Martyn , Past Grand Chaplain , Deputy Prov . G . M . Suffolk , & c
has kindly consented to act as Treasurer of the Fond pro tern . Any contributions to him ( addressed , tho Rectory , Long Melford ) , or to cither of the Secretaries , will bo thankfull y received and duly acknowledged . Cheques may be crossed " Bank of England . "
HOLT . OWAY ' S 1 ' iLr . s AXI > OLVTMEXT . —If theso remedies ho taken anil used regularly during the summer months , the liver will act regularly , and so tlie chance of levers anrl complaints of that character occurring will bo much diminshod . and very likely altogether avert'd . These valuable remedies promote skin action , and thus preserve tho delicate internal structures from congestions and inflammation , liy carrying from the system in this manner , and al- 'o by the bowels , any noxious matters which may have found their way into the blood . This is aiding nature in her efforts , and is consonant , with reason and common sense , for if nature ' s effort * to throw off disease ho interfered with by injudicious treatment , mischief instead of good will ensue .