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Article THE TIMES ON FREEMASONRY. ← Page 2 of 2 Article To THE EDITOR OF THE Times. Page 1 of 1 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 2 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Times On Freemasonry.
active fiwo ' ions of Master of the Lodge of Antiquity Prince Leopold will ce- tnir | y receive the thanks of all the Freemasons who glory in a Lodge which ia the centre of many venerable and cherished traditions of the craft .
To The Editor Of The Times.
To THE EDITOR OF THE Times .
SIR , —Your interesting article in Tlie Times of to-day on tho installs . tion of hia Royal Highness Prince Leopold as Master of the Lodge of Antiquity might have been forcibly supplemented by a statement made on the best authority afc the "Summer Festival" held at the
Alexandra Palace yesterday , at which I had the honour to preside . This statement was that no less a sum than £ 37 , 000 has been subscribed in three years in aid of that excellent institution , the Masonio Boys' School . " Bad times " appear to havo little influence npon Masonic Charities . The excellent management , tho liberal
education , and the wise moral discipline taught and enforced in this School have produced admirable results . I believe that in the Cambridge Examination 13 boys out of 14 passed in honours . I know thafc tbe Girls' School and the Benevolent Fund can make an equally satisfactory statement , and in a pecuniary sense ( for their funded
property together wonld exceed considerably £ 50 , 000 ) their status as charitable institutions is most remarkable . The Shibboleth of Freemasonry , like many ancient landmarks , may in these changing times pass away and be forgotten , but through all ages and all time the earnest endeavours of the Craffc to promote practical charity and useful benefience will be remembered to their honour . Your obedient servant , Eastou Lodge , Duumow , 26 th June . ROSSLYN .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . ill Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .
VIEWS ON CHARITY VOTING . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —With , doubtless , the great majority of yonr readers , I can easily understand the earnestness with which your reverend correspondent , Bro . R . J . Simpson , demurs to the " running commentary introduced by your reporter into tho few remarks " addressed to the brethren assembled at the consecration
of the Clapham Lodge . As the self-appointed champion in Masonic circles of an unpopular scheme of Charity voting , Bro . Simpson has had , and must expect to have , many opportunities for pleading a demurrer to the manner in which his views are received by unsympathetic and disapproving auditors . If , in season and out of season , ho will persist in airin "
his crotchet , he ought not to complain if he snccessfnlly provokes comment . If , further , in propounding his views he assumes an aggressive tone , and adopts the language of controversy , he ought not to ba surprised at a reception the reverse of favourable . I do not intend now fco discuss the merits of the scheme supported by Bro . Simpaon , contenting myself with tbe expression of an assured
belief thafc no efforts will render ifc acceptable to the Masonic Fraternity ; while I shrink from a contest with one who feels himself justified in conveying his sentiments in terms which , to say the least , are characterised by an entire absence of good taste . I pass over the sneering sarcasm contained in the allusion to tbe " two meetings , " and their comparative merits , for the purpose of
commending to the appreciation of your readers the exquisite delicacy of tho allusion to " Secretaries and Reporters . " Both aro , no doubt , bites noirs to your earnest and amiable correspondent , who " respectfully" denounces those who , " having the honesty of their convictions , dare to express th « m , " in opposition to his .
If the letter under notice is to be accepted as evidence of tho fairness and discretion of the clique into whose hands it is desired to transfer the privilege of selecting candidates from the largo and " ^ dependent body by which it is now exercised , I can but excTaim , — " The Lord preserve me from Sir Harry Vane ! "
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , „ , FBEDEKICK BINCKES . 7 fch July 1879 .
FREEMASONRY AND ITS CHARITIES
To tht Editor of the FBEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Although dissenting from some of his conclusions , I certainly consider thafc the compiler of the anal ysis of a part of the expenditure on the Girls' School during tho pasfc six years , -which occupied so large a portion of yonr space on the 21 st ultimo , has earned the warm thanks of subscribers for the informa .
tion he has given , in a form and to an extent to which they have hith erto been strangers ; and I should have been glad to admit , if it were possible to do so , that ho had fully met the desire for intelli . gible accounts . I expected your later issues would have contained a inrther contribution from the same source , in which the balances of income for tho same years would have been accounted for , and I still
Ar00302
hope this may bo forthcoming , in anticipation of a con-ocfc statement of accounts of tho Institution . Comparing those figures with the Treasurer ' s cash statement for 1878 , the amount expended in that year ( independent of loans from Bankers ) appears to havo been £ 6 , 675 in excess of tlio sums mentioned in tho Analysis , in reference to which it is remarked that new buildings , purchase of land , & c . & e .
represent an important increase in capital . Where is the Capital Account ? Tho suggestion , that a perusal of tho figures and calculations will satisfy your readers as to the management of the Schools , I shonld have preferred to leave for individual consideration , had there nofc been a direct reference to my previous letters in which I havo com .
plained of tho want of proper accounts , not of expenditure on the children , but the " herring having been trailed across tho scent , " perhaps yon will allow mo to follow for a abort distance , first asking your readers to note tho object of tho Institution as stated in the Laws by which it is governed . Law II . " OBJECT . To receive under its protection , and to maintain , clothe , and educate the
daughters of Freemasons of every religions denomination , under tho English Constitution , who from alteration of circumstances arising froth the death , illness , or misfortune of their fathers , are rednced to a position requiring the benefits of the Institution . " Amongst the items of extra expenditure in 187 S is £ 163 17 a , " solicitor ' s charges . " Can any one seriously contend that this is a
legitimate payment out of tho funds collected for the charitable purpose set forth in tho Law above quoted ? Could any Steward bo found to canvass for subscriptions on the plea that upwards of one hundred and sixty-three pounds wore to bo paid to a solicitor ? Would any subscriber consider he was practising charity in contributing for snch a purpose ? I can only conceive replies in the negative ; and
to any opposite answer should be tempted to respond in the language of one who never erred , " It is nofc meet to take the children ' s bread and to cast it nnto tho dogs . " It may be that the recipient of this large sum contemplates returning tho amount by making an unprecedented donation , taking high rank and acquiring prestige as a
munificent benefactor to tho Institution . This might , to somo extent , palliate his share in the transaction , bnt to thoso who have sanctioned such a misapplication of charity funds , would ifc bo too harsh to say , " Never more be officer of mine " ? Again , take tho following items : —
1875 . Stewards' visit £ 23 7 0 1876 . Do . do . and gratuities to workmen ... 42 2 9 1876 . Votes of thanks to Stewards , three years ... 71 0 6 1877 . Stewards' visit and gratuities to workmen ... 32 1 0 1877 . Votes of thanks to Stewards 33 2 0 1878 . Do . do . do 29 15 0 Total £ 231 8 3
And read tho following extract from official announcement : — "EXPENSES ATTENDINO STEWARDSHIPS . Tho total amount collected at tho Festivals of this Institution being exclusively devoted to the funds of the Charity " ( tho italics are official ) " tho Stewards ( irrespective of their individual donations to tlio Institution ) aro called npon for certain expenses incidental to tho Festival . " "N . B . All
sums received , whether donations or subscriptions , arc added to tho Funds of tho Institution wrrnoi . T ANY OKOI : CTION WHATEVER" ( tho capitals are official ) . Is it satisfactory , then , for thoso who havo served tho office of Steward , paid their fees for expenses , and agreed to a vote disposing of a surplus after the payment of all charges , to find that amount—much more than sufficient to support and educate
an additional inmate—has boon charged against the funds of tho School ? Is this tho object for which subscriptions were given ? Is this Charity ? Is ifc consistent with the official invitations to subscribe ? Many other charges are , more or less , irregular , bnfc I leave them to return to my original subject—acconnts . Public subscriptions
havo been invited and received for a charitable object ; the disbursement of the funds collected is a public question . Feed the children —expensively if yon will ; clothe them—extravagantly if subscribers desiro it ; edncate them—there is no fear you will do this too well ; and liberally reward those to whose care they are entrusted . Money has been , and will be , freely subscribed for the children , to bo expended in accordance with the Laws of the Institution ; but
Committees must fully recognise tho fact thafc they aro dealing with trust funds , and that as Trustees they must discharge thoir duty to tho Craffc and to the public . This they will not have done until they havo put an end to illegal expenditure , and published intelligible accounts and clear balanco sheets of tho funds entrusted to their keeping . Yours truly and fraternally , H . 2 nd July 1879 .
" A DAY IN THE COUNTRY . "
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . Silt , —Last year somo of your readers wero led generously to help us provide for nearly 500 poor boys and girls who attend the Hackney Juvenile Mission a day ' s excursion into the country . This year the manager hopes to be able to take somo 300 children
for a clay in July or August , and I shonld bo glad if your readers will again aid practically by sending donations to either Mr . John Newman , Hon . Manager , 117 Cheapside , E . O . ; Mr . H . M . Heath , ¦ 1 St . Thomas ' s-road , Hackney ; or to Yours obediently , ATHRO ALFRED KNIGHT . 71 King Edward's . road , South Hackney , London , E ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Times On Freemasonry.
active fiwo ' ions of Master of the Lodge of Antiquity Prince Leopold will ce- tnir | y receive the thanks of all the Freemasons who glory in a Lodge which ia the centre of many venerable and cherished traditions of the craft .
To The Editor Of The Times.
To THE EDITOR OF THE Times .
SIR , —Your interesting article in Tlie Times of to-day on tho installs . tion of hia Royal Highness Prince Leopold as Master of the Lodge of Antiquity might have been forcibly supplemented by a statement made on the best authority afc the "Summer Festival" held at the
Alexandra Palace yesterday , at which I had the honour to preside . This statement was that no less a sum than £ 37 , 000 has been subscribed in three years in aid of that excellent institution , the Masonio Boys' School . " Bad times " appear to havo little influence npon Masonic Charities . The excellent management , tho liberal
education , and the wise moral discipline taught and enforced in this School have produced admirable results . I believe that in the Cambridge Examination 13 boys out of 14 passed in honours . I know thafc tbe Girls' School and the Benevolent Fund can make an equally satisfactory statement , and in a pecuniary sense ( for their funded
property together wonld exceed considerably £ 50 , 000 ) their status as charitable institutions is most remarkable . The Shibboleth of Freemasonry , like many ancient landmarks , may in these changing times pass away and be forgotten , but through all ages and all time the earnest endeavours of the Craffc to promote practical charity and useful benefience will be remembered to their honour . Your obedient servant , Eastou Lodge , Duumow , 26 th June . ROSSLYN .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . ill Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .
VIEWS ON CHARITY VOTING . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —With , doubtless , the great majority of yonr readers , I can easily understand the earnestness with which your reverend correspondent , Bro . R . J . Simpson , demurs to the " running commentary introduced by your reporter into tho few remarks " addressed to the brethren assembled at the consecration
of the Clapham Lodge . As the self-appointed champion in Masonic circles of an unpopular scheme of Charity voting , Bro . Simpson has had , and must expect to have , many opportunities for pleading a demurrer to the manner in which his views are received by unsympathetic and disapproving auditors . If , in season and out of season , ho will persist in airin "
his crotchet , he ought not to complain if he snccessfnlly provokes comment . If , further , in propounding his views he assumes an aggressive tone , and adopts the language of controversy , he ought not to ba surprised at a reception the reverse of favourable . I do not intend now fco discuss the merits of the scheme supported by Bro . Simpaon , contenting myself with tbe expression of an assured
belief thafc no efforts will render ifc acceptable to the Masonic Fraternity ; while I shrink from a contest with one who feels himself justified in conveying his sentiments in terms which , to say the least , are characterised by an entire absence of good taste . I pass over the sneering sarcasm contained in the allusion to tbe " two meetings , " and their comparative merits , for the purpose of
commending to the appreciation of your readers the exquisite delicacy of tho allusion to " Secretaries and Reporters . " Both aro , no doubt , bites noirs to your earnest and amiable correspondent , who " respectfully" denounces those who , " having the honesty of their convictions , dare to express th « m , " in opposition to his .
If the letter under notice is to be accepted as evidence of tho fairness and discretion of the clique into whose hands it is desired to transfer the privilege of selecting candidates from the largo and " ^ dependent body by which it is now exercised , I can but excTaim , — " The Lord preserve me from Sir Harry Vane ! "
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , „ , FBEDEKICK BINCKES . 7 fch July 1879 .
FREEMASONRY AND ITS CHARITIES
To tht Editor of the FBEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Although dissenting from some of his conclusions , I certainly consider thafc the compiler of the anal ysis of a part of the expenditure on the Girls' School during tho pasfc six years , -which occupied so large a portion of yonr space on the 21 st ultimo , has earned the warm thanks of subscribers for the informa .
tion he has given , in a form and to an extent to which they have hith erto been strangers ; and I should have been glad to admit , if it were possible to do so , that ho had fully met the desire for intelli . gible accounts . I expected your later issues would have contained a inrther contribution from the same source , in which the balances of income for tho same years would have been accounted for , and I still
Ar00302
hope this may bo forthcoming , in anticipation of a con-ocfc statement of accounts of tho Institution . Comparing those figures with the Treasurer ' s cash statement for 1878 , the amount expended in that year ( independent of loans from Bankers ) appears to havo been £ 6 , 675 in excess of tlio sums mentioned in tho Analysis , in reference to which it is remarked that new buildings , purchase of land , & c . & e .
represent an important increase in capital . Where is the Capital Account ? Tho suggestion , that a perusal of tho figures and calculations will satisfy your readers as to the management of the Schools , I shonld have preferred to leave for individual consideration , had there nofc been a direct reference to my previous letters in which I havo com .
plained of tho want of proper accounts , not of expenditure on the children , but the " herring having been trailed across tho scent , " perhaps yon will allow mo to follow for a abort distance , first asking your readers to note tho object of tho Institution as stated in the Laws by which it is governed . Law II . " OBJECT . To receive under its protection , and to maintain , clothe , and educate the
daughters of Freemasons of every religions denomination , under tho English Constitution , who from alteration of circumstances arising froth the death , illness , or misfortune of their fathers , are rednced to a position requiring the benefits of the Institution . " Amongst the items of extra expenditure in 187 S is £ 163 17 a , " solicitor ' s charges . " Can any one seriously contend that this is a
legitimate payment out of tho funds collected for the charitable purpose set forth in tho Law above quoted ? Could any Steward bo found to canvass for subscriptions on the plea that upwards of one hundred and sixty-three pounds wore to bo paid to a solicitor ? Would any subscriber consider he was practising charity in contributing for snch a purpose ? I can only conceive replies in the negative ; and
to any opposite answer should be tempted to respond in the language of one who never erred , " It is nofc meet to take the children ' s bread and to cast it nnto tho dogs . " It may be that the recipient of this large sum contemplates returning tho amount by making an unprecedented donation , taking high rank and acquiring prestige as a
munificent benefactor to tho Institution . This might , to somo extent , palliate his share in the transaction , bnt to thoso who have sanctioned such a misapplication of charity funds , would ifc bo too harsh to say , " Never more be officer of mine " ? Again , take tho following items : —
1875 . Stewards' visit £ 23 7 0 1876 . Do . do . and gratuities to workmen ... 42 2 9 1876 . Votes of thanks to Stewards , three years ... 71 0 6 1877 . Stewards' visit and gratuities to workmen ... 32 1 0 1877 . Votes of thanks to Stewards 33 2 0 1878 . Do . do . do 29 15 0 Total £ 231 8 3
And read tho following extract from official announcement : — "EXPENSES ATTENDINO STEWARDSHIPS . Tho total amount collected at tho Festivals of this Institution being exclusively devoted to the funds of the Charity " ( tho italics are official ) " tho Stewards ( irrespective of their individual donations to tlio Institution ) aro called npon for certain expenses incidental to tho Festival . " "N . B . All
sums received , whether donations or subscriptions , arc added to tho Funds of tho Institution wrrnoi . T ANY OKOI : CTION WHATEVER" ( tho capitals are official ) . Is it satisfactory , then , for thoso who havo served tho office of Steward , paid their fees for expenses , and agreed to a vote disposing of a surplus after the payment of all charges , to find that amount—much more than sufficient to support and educate
an additional inmate—has boon charged against the funds of tho School ? Is this tho object for which subscriptions were given ? Is this Charity ? Is ifc consistent with the official invitations to subscribe ? Many other charges are , more or less , irregular , bnfc I leave them to return to my original subject—acconnts . Public subscriptions
havo been invited and received for a charitable object ; the disbursement of the funds collected is a public question . Feed the children —expensively if yon will ; clothe them—extravagantly if subscribers desiro it ; edncate them—there is no fear you will do this too well ; and liberally reward those to whose care they are entrusted . Money has been , and will be , freely subscribed for the children , to bo expended in accordance with the Laws of the Institution ; but
Committees must fully recognise tho fact thafc they aro dealing with trust funds , and that as Trustees they must discharge thoir duty to tho Craffc and to the public . This they will not have done until they havo put an end to illegal expenditure , and published intelligible accounts and clear balanco sheets of tho funds entrusted to their keeping . Yours truly and fraternally , H . 2 nd July 1879 .
" A DAY IN THE COUNTRY . "
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . Silt , —Last year somo of your readers wero led generously to help us provide for nearly 500 poor boys and girls who attend the Hackney Juvenile Mission a day ' s excursion into the country . This year the manager hopes to be able to take somo 300 children
for a clay in July or August , and I shonld bo glad if your readers will again aid practically by sending donations to either Mr . John Newman , Hon . Manager , 117 Cheapside , E . O . ; Mr . H . M . Heath , ¦ 1 St . Thomas ' s-road , Hackney ; or to Yours obediently , ATHRO ALFRED KNIGHT . 71 King Edward's . road , South Hackney , London , E ,