Educational Fund For Jamaica.

EDUCATIONAL FUND FOR JAMAICA .

WE have received from Jamaica the preliminary prospectus of a Masonic Charity it is proposed to form there , under the title of the Masonic Educational Fund of Jamaica . We have been requested to mako tbo matter known to the brethren of the mother country , and we have much pleasure in placing the details before our readers , trusting

that the brethren of the far East will receive the support they deserve in carrying out their desired object . After referring to the general princip les of Freemasonry , the brethren of Jamaica point out that its great aim is Charity , and while they admit that theoretically tho Craft presents

much which calls for praise , practically , they urge , it appears to effect but little good in some places , among ¦ which they class their own colony . Having so far accused themselves of neglecting to properly discharge their Masonic

obligations , our brethren deserve tbe greater sympathy in their present attempt to remove the stigma which , they say , rests on the Craft in their district , for it is well known that in many respects they deserve to be complimented on their exemplification of the principles of true Brotherhood .

Having decided on making an effort to remove the stigma which attaches to them , the brethren of Jamaica naturally first sought an object to which they should devote their charity ; and we think they have acted wisely in determining to afford to the children of Masons the benefits of an education which the circumstances of their

parents , from unforeseen calamity , may render it impossible to provide . The object of the Fund is described as being to assist in the education of the children of Masons , who , on application to the General Committee , shall be

considered eligible . It is further stated in the Prospectus that it is not intended to form an independent single Masonic Educational School , but to provide , wholly or in part , for the education of a certain number of children of the

Masons of Lodges in Jamaica in one or other of the established schools in the colony . By this step the brethren will be able at once to start their work of fraternal relief , and by a judicious expenditure of funds

will be able to assist many cases ; while , if they had decided to found an independent school , some years must have elapsed before the needful funds would be forthcoming , and the other arrangements completed .

The names of the brethren who have already promised to support the foundation of the Fund are given with the prospectus , and comprise most of the influential Masons of the district , so that there is a fair prospect of an immediate start being made . At present , the efforts of the

founders are mainly occupied in securing promises of support , and it is proposed that , as soon as the requisite organisation is called into action , a brilliant Masonic Fete will be given in the Asylum grounds , when all the members

of the Provisional Working Committee , as well as the fraternity generally , will be urged individually and through tbe influence of their respective circles of private friends to aid in making the Fete financially a success .

The Committee have drawn up a proposed Code of Byelaws for the government of the Fund , which we give below . At this early date it may perhaps be somewhat out of place to make any comment on these proposed laws , but as we presume the Committee are seeking for the opinions of

their friends , we desire to offer a protest against law No . 9 . The adoption of this law , virtually limiting the benefits of the Fund to old residents of Jamaica , would , we think , be a great mistake . Surely our brethren there do not wish Freemasonry to lose . any of its cosmopolitan nature . We

are taught that the charity of a Freemason should know no bounds—so far as nationality or distance is concerned , and therefore why enforce a limit which , in years to come , might act most detrimentally to some whom the brethren would desire to aid . Other points in the proposed Code we may refer to at a later period . The following have been put forward b y the founders of the Fund as the

PEOPOSED BYE-LAWS .

1 . It consists of a Patron or Patrons , President , Vice-Presidents , Trustees , Treasurer , Secretary , and an unlimited number of Life Governors , and Annual Subscribers . 2 . The General Committee shall hold Special Meetings on and at such other titties as they may deem necessary , for the purpose of considering applications , and for fixing the days of election .

3 . The mode of Election is by means of Voting Papers issued b y the General Committee .

Educational Fund For Jamaica.

4 . Every sum of Five Shillings per annum subscribed to the Educational Fund gives the Subscriber one vote at a single election . 5 . A donation of Five Guineas , in one or more payments within twelve months , gives five votes for Life at every election , and con stitutes tho donor a Life Subscriber .

6 . A donation of Ten Guineas , in ono or more payments of not lesa than Five Guineas each , gives twelve votes for Lifo at every election , and constitutes the donor n Lifo Governor . 7 . A donation of Twenty Guineas , in one or moro payments of not less than Five Gnineas each , gives Twenty-fivo votos for Lifo at every election , and constitutes the donor a Vice-President .

8 . Similar privileges aro acquired by Lodges of tho Colony , on pay . ment of double the above amonnts . 9 . No applicant shall bo eligible for election unless the Father has

been for at least three years a Subscribing Member of some Regular Lodge in Jamaica , and be a subscriber of at least Five Shillings per annum to this Fund for the samo period , unless the Father shall have died before tho inauguration of this Fund .

10 . No ohild shall be admitted to the benefits of this Fund who is under or above years of age , nor continue a recipient after the age of 11 . No candidate shall bo placed on the list until approved of by the General Committee .

12 . Every petitioner shall produce a certificate , signed by tho Master and Seoretary of the Lodgo of which the father has been a subscribing member , together with a certificate or satisfactory proof of the date of the birth of the applicant .

13 . A list of all approved candidates , together with suoh particulars as the General Committee may deem necessary , shull be sent by the Secretary to every subscriber at least days before tho day of election .

14 . As a condition of a grant from the Fund , a quarterly report of the progress , conduct and health of overy child assisted by this Fund , shall be required from the head of the educational establishment where the child is placed , and the General Committee shall take suoh other steps as may be practicable , for ascertaining the progress mado by the child .

lo . The General Committee shall havo the power to increase , decrease , or rescind at any time , any grant in aid , if in their opinion it be deemed desirable to do so . 16 . A bye-law will be prepared , showing the mode of election to a sent in tho General Committee , and the qualifications which are

necessary therefor , say to be confinea to the Life Subscribers , Life Governors , and Vice-Presidents . In the case of a Lodge subscribing snch a sum as will qualify for a Life Subscriber , Lifo Governor , or Vice-President , the Lodgo to elect annually a representative for a seat on the General Committee .

"How To Rule And Govern A Lodge."

"HOW TO RULE AND GOVERN A LODGE . "

FROM THE "MASONIO RKVIEW . "

THIS excessivo hot wave wo aro just at this time passing through , brings up the thought , that , perhaps , if a little attention were given it , the cause of a very largo proportion of the difficult matters that have to be met and overcome in our Lodge organizations might be discovered . Nature in her efforts to counteract tho deleterious influences with which mankind appear to be surrounded , no doubt does much , but

then she cannot do all . A sudden change in the atmosphere occurs , nature becomes weakoned , if not wholly exhanstod , in her efforts to maintain a proper equilibrium throughout the system , and , in conse . qnence , we become moro or less bilious , feel irritable , ill-natured and all out of sorts , and in no proper frame of mind to transact the business in our Lodge rooms , in that cool , calm and deliberative

manner which the precepts of Masonry enjoin . Under circnmstnnces like these—and they frequently occur in our assemblies , especially where our Lodge rooms are not sufficiently ventilated—if the W . Master is not an experienced hand at the business , with a cool head on his shoulders , we are very apt to have a little excitement , and perhaps hot contention , with some un .

brotherly feelings boforo the meeting is over , oat of which como contention and trouble that frequently take time to heal up and reconcile . Again , the Master may feel a little out of sorts , and not quite competent to govern himself , much less his Lodge , and then a muss is apt to occur before tbo business is through . In one of onr Lodges , a few years since , at a time when the hot

wave—as it is sometimes called—was passing over the section of country , tho Lodge meetings came . Tho members assembled , but ib soon became evident that many of them did not feel as pleasant as was desirable . Among the first business preseuted for consideration was some half-dozen applications for advancement . Of courso the ballot was severally passed , and every last one rejected by from two

to six negative votes . Here was tronblo , you may bo suro , and it required a cool head and steady hand to guide the Lodge safely through . Excitement ran high , and soon became hot as the atmosphere in which they wero sweltering . Each demanded to know why his particular friend had been rejected . Fortunately , however , the Master , who was an

experienced hand in his place , and knew how to keep himself in order at such times , promptly ruled all such matters out of order , and would allow no such inquiries to come before the Lodge . When , by a little vigorous use of the gavel he had got matters quieted , he arose , and in a pleasant manner aud tone of voice remarked that ho thought they had just finished a most magnifi-