Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . 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 .

OUR NOBLE INSTITUTIONS

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAK SIE AND BROTHER , —We never seem to tire of proclaiming the grandeur of our Charitable Institutions , and if there was not a really solid reason for all this pride we should be justly accused of being the worst of modern Pharispes . As it is there is rather more

boasting than the results of our Charities warrant . It is admitted thafc the Craft has grown enormonsly during the last twenty years , and it may bo that many have been admitted who were not eligible in a pecuniary sen « p , and who early bpcotne claimants for help rather than supporters . Still the increase of contributions as the Festivals

roll round testify to the elasticity of the wealth possessed by the Croft at large , nnd the prevalence of the desire to meet the demands that are made upon the benevolence of the Fraternity . It would be folly to say that this elasticity should excuse all thought of prudence . On the other hand , it should bear a liberal construction . I believe

the experience of most people connected with charitable 'institutions leads to the conclusion that generosity in spending generally leads to liberality in contributing . The want of funds to meet existing en . gagements has always been a powerful agent by which to work upon the feelings of the benevolent , and although I shonld deprecate

the practice being carried to an unlimited extent , I think the Governors of our Royal Masonic Benevolent Institntion might very fairly enlarge their charity . They are the custodians of an Institution that appeals with wonderful power to the brethren . They hold the premier place in the affections of the Craft , and I believe that

they may rely upon being supported in any effort they may make in enlarging tho scope of their work . I read with pain the remarks you made in your last issne . Oat of 118 applicants to be able only to relieve 35—really only 28 , for six cases must be deferred—is a sad condition of things . It is not

creditable to the Order , and calls for immediate action . I quite agree with you that it would be desirable to secure each Steward as an annual subscriber to the Institution , and as this need not involve more than the contribution of 5 s per year I think the chairman of each Festival would not find it difficult to persuade hia colleagues to agree

to so reasonable a proposition . But I would go further , and say that a great effort should bo made lo induce every brother to become a yearly subforiber . Of course , many would refuse , but if a united attempt were made I am convinced that a goodly number would respond to the call , that the future of the old men and widows might

be mado brighter . IF all were to do their duty there would be no need to send any claimant empty away . With this fact staring the brethren in the face , nnd seeing that the minimum contribution ranges as low as 5 a , I do hope that a grand effort will ho made , so that the Benevolent Institution shall become to the full worthy of its grand purpose

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , OBSERVER .

Professions And Practice.

PROFESSIONS AND PRACTICE .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —It is our pride and boast that , in connection with the Craft of which we are members , no deserving caso is allowed to pass in which the benevolent principles of Freemasonry should not be exercised . It is enjoined npon us , moreover , that we should cast about us to ascertain whether there are not cases which

demand our sympathy , even though unsolicited , and in which a cheering word spoken , or simple act of kindness done , may be gratefully welcomed by the sufferer . There is no doubt much is done in this way to assuage tho sorrows of the distressed and afflicted , but whether the maxims so strongly insisted on in

Freemasonry , and so ostentatiously professed amongst certain classes of Masons , are practically applied at all times is very much open to question . Not many months ago I happened to be at an installation banquet , and on leaving the hall temporarily I was accosted by a wan-looking individual in the corridor , whom I afterwards found to

be a brother in distress . He told mo iu words which bore the impress of truth , that misfortune had suddenly overtaken him , and that having failed in business , ho had tried in vain to obtain employment , so that he and his family wero now literally on the verge of starvation . He pleaded that nothing but sheer destitution would have

impelled him to seek a Jit tie assistance at the hands of the brethren . I mentioned the circumstance to the Secretary and Almoner of the Lodge , who went outside and interviewed the " poor fellow , " but on being asked whether he had gianted him any relief ; reply was in the negative , although the " poor fellow's" credentials were snch

as that no fault could be found with them . In the next breath fresh bottles of champagne were ordered , and toast and song prevailed in the gaily-illuminated hall as the " poor fellow " silently wandered away in the cold and wet , on that chilly winter night .

Immediately I heard the poor brother could not—or was not—relieved from the Lodge funds , I and others who had heard his story went immediately in search of him , being convinced of the veracity of his statements and the deserving nature of his appeal . But he had

Professions And Practice.

gone—gone with sad thoughts , no doubt , upon the mockery of the so-called charitableness of the Craft , and of the fallability of all mundane institutions . It is all very well to preach benevolence , and to guard against imposture ; but it would be better far to curtail the luxuries of the fourth degree in such a case as I have mentioned

than to allow a burdened heart to bear away its silent sorrow , intensified by the indifferent coldness with which its urgent appeal had been received . I knew of another case in which a brother who , when in health , waa as active and popular aa any of the rest , and who afc times was the " merriest man in the company . " But he waa

overtaken with aflliotion , and just at the moment when a kindly visit would have cheered the heart and rendered less bitter the sting of adversity , where was the comfort and solace he had heard so much about in the Lodge-room . Ifc is all very well to send good wishes and exhortations to " bear up " under trial ; but without practical

and personal sympathy , it is on all fours with the Christian minister who leaves a tract and nothing else with a starving family . The brother to whom I refer expressed himself sorrowfully , thongh in no complaining mood , of the apathy and indifference of those whom he

had known as professedly so ardent in their advocacy of Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth ; and I fear many more such instances could be cited if one only took the trouble to look for them . It should not be so ; let us each « and all try to promote that active and personal interest in the welfare of our distressed and afflicted brother whioh is

enjoined upon ns by the principles we espouse on being admitted to a participation in the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , HARRY .

Statistics In Reference To The Late Elections.

STATISTICS IN REFERENCE TO THE LATE ELECTIONS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Once more I venture to trouble you with some statistics of the late Elections . By the result sheets I regret to see that two last application , cases have been unsuccessful . The one among the Girla was a first and last appeal , and as the

father appears to have done good service , I am surprised at the feeble effort made on his child ' s behalf , though this may in some measure be accounted for by the fact that both parents are living . It appears also there aro only two children in the family , and the parents are thought to have sufficient means to support them . If so , why did the Officers

nf the Lodge of Tranquillity put the child forward ?—or why did the Committee sanction the application ? If it is a case of desertion , or worse , all the more reason for lending a helping hand . The unsuc cessful boy , from East Lancashire , after no less than five applications , can onlv show 192 votes in his favour . There must have been some .

thing radically wrong for such a Province to have shut the lad out of the School . The nnmber of votes issued for the Girls was 36 , 515 ; there were polled on Saturday the llth April 32 , 674 , leaving 3 , 861 unaccounted for . A very unsatisfactory waste of strength , bufc in the case of the Boys it is worse . The number of votes issued was

49 , 890 ; there were polled on the 13 th April 42 , 933 ; leaving a balance of 6 , 957 lost . Thus , between the two , nearly 11 , 000 were thrown away . The votes carried , forward by each Institution are nearly equal , i . e ., Girls 5 , 701 , Boys 5 , 934 . A peculiar feature of the successful numbers of the Boys is the hiatus between the last but

two , and one of 503 and the last bufc one , and last of 303 . Now as to the candidates : 30 Girls , average age was 9 years 1 month j fathers ' average subscription 8 years 7 months . Only six of these are recorded as having assisted one or more of the Institutions . The average number in each family is within a fraction of 5 ; 23 of tho

candidates are dependent upon the mother alone , 2 have both parents living , and 5 neither . 44 Boys , average age is 9 years 2 months , fathers ' subscription 8 years 8 £ months ; of these 11 are recorded as having assisted the Institutions ; average family nearly 4 ; 39 are dependent on mothers , 2 on fathers , 1 on mother-in-law , 1 on both parents , and

1 without either parent . There is one successful candidate among the Girls , " Myrtle Speed , " who by reason of her age will nofc be eligible to be taken into fche School until August twelvemonth , and a boy , " F . Watkins , " from the same cause , until February next . Now this should not be . Ifc smacks of the " dog in the manger " policy .

If children are allowed to come forward at such an early age for election , and are successful , the highest on the unsuccessful list shonld meanwhile fill np the vacancy , and afc the election previous to the applicant reaching the proper ageless vacancies should be declared ; this , of course , would not apply when the Preparatory School is

ready , and tbe laws altered as to age of admission ; but at present it is unfair to those who are eligible . Unless a first and last case or cases should be presented before October there will be only one last chance among the Girls ac the next Election , and as the child in question carries forward over 1 , 400 votes , there will be little or no

doubt as to her success . Among the Boys , however , there are already four in that category , first " F . T . Davis , " ( a sixth application ) , and only 7 ! ! ! votes to his credit . Whose fault is this ? Surely not that of the lad , who perhaps is led on by false hopes . Is it the mother's ? She has four other children to provide for .

Surely that fact alone gives her a sufficient claim . Is it on account of her character ? If this be so , take the child from her . Ifc is nofc for us to visit the sins of the parents on the children . Or again , is Jit because she has ample means to support her children ? If so , withdraw the name , thafc ifc may no longer disgrace the paper .

The other three are London cases ; " Warner , " Ranelagh Lodge , No . 834 ; this will be a fifth application , with 238 votes , eight of which were polled the other day ( is nofc this a poor prospect ?); " Henshaw , " third application , Fortitude and Old Cumberland , No . 12 , with 719 votes : and " Astington , " second application , Old England Lodge , 1790 , with 275 votes . Now , what a plea-