Provincial Charity Funds

in life . This admirable Institution , which has been the means of so much good being done , was established in 1830 , and each year since a ball in aid of its fnnds has been promoted by the Liverpool brethren , who in common with all Lancashire Freemasons aro noted for their liberality in matters of real and judicious charity . The accounts

for 1890 of th » Innitation to bo benefited by last night ' s ball are not yet to hand , but from the acconnt of the previous year it appears that a sum of £ 210 accrued from the fortieth annual ball , and a result similar to this has been attained year after year . It may ba stated that the totnl income during 188 D was £ 2460 18 s , being an

increase of nearlv £ G 0 O over the incomo of the preceding year . Of this amount £ 1500 wns derived from tho donations and subscriptions of brethren in the various Lodges in the Province of West Lancashire , £ 725 accruing as interest on invested capital . During the year the benefits of the Institution were extended to 213 children . OF

those 192 were on the educational fund , 17 wero on the combined fund , which not only educates but also clothes aud maintains the children , while in the case of five participants of the Charity money was expended in further advancing their prospect 3 in life . Ono great feature in this Charity is the cxtrsmo economy with which

the funds aro administered . Although over 200 children were recipients of its benefits no less a sum than £ 1171 was carried forward as a balance . The honorary secretaries , Bros . G . Broadbridge , J . Macnab , and T . H . VV . Walker , very naturally claim on behalf of tho Charity Committee an economy worthy of note by all administrators

of public Charities . The arrangement for this year ' s ball had been most carefully made and with most successful and satisfactory results hy a Committee headed by Bro . J . de Bels Adams , C . C ., under the banner of whose Lodj » e ( Sefton , No . 680 ) this year ' s ball is held , with Brother Dr . Thomas Clarke P . Prov . G . Reg . as the vice-chairman .

Owing to the illness of Brother A . H . Morocroft , C . C ., joint Secretary , tbe whole of tbe onerous and responsible secretarial duties have devolved upon Bro . E . R . Lathom P . M ., who has discharged them in tho most praiseworthy and efficient manner , while Bro . G . A . Harrndon , the Provincial Grand Treasurer , has acted with muoh

acceptation in the oapacity of Hon . Treasurer . There was an active bndy of over two hundred Steward ? , each of whom was presented W . ' th a handsome badge , the gift of Bro . Arthur J . J . Bamford , who was unable to be present owing to the recent death of his father , and it was largely owing to their efforts that the proceedings passed off

with so much eclat . The design of the badges is a square and compass , with an inscription on an encircling garter , and also bearing the Bamford crest . The Captain of Stewards was Bro . T . J . Jarman and tho Sub-Captain Bro . W . B . Sweetman , while Bro . J . J . Ramsay undertook the responsible duties of Wine Steward . The guests , who numbered nearly seven hundred , were received at the head of

the grand staircase by the Mayor and Miss Morgan , who were accompanied by Bros . J . de Bels Adams and Dr . J . W . Clarke . Dancing was enjoyed to the strains of Bro . George Ey ton ' s band , the small ballroom being reserved as usual for waltzing . Bro . H . M . Molyneux P . P . G . D . C , again made a thoroughly efficient Master of Ceremonies . Bro . Thos . Wood was entrusted with the catering arrangements , and the result justified the committee in their selection .

The facts as here set forth are so much better than any outside opinion which might be formed as to the benefits of tho Institution that we think it unnecessary to make any particular comment in regard to them . Wo cannot close , however , witbout another word of congratulation to

our Lancashire brethren , coupled with the sincere wish that the future of their estimable Charities may be as prosperous as has been their past , and that whatever the neods that may arise in their midst there will be sufficient sympathy shown to allow of help being given wherever it is wanted .

Masonic Claimants.

MASONIC CLAIMANTS .

THE number of claimants who ask for aid on the score of relationship to deceased Masons ia not only large , but furnishes a subject most fruitful , and often quite as painful . It has been my sad experience for years to have

to meet aud deal with this class of persons . Within a very brief period a letter came to me from the widow of one who was once an active and zealous member of the

Fraternity . The writer Baid : — " My husband was a member of the Lodge at , and died there . I desire admission into tho Masonio Home as his widow . " As Chairman of the "Home Committee" it was my

duty to investigate the claim of the applicant . I did this by examining the returns of the Lodge mentioned by the writer of the communication referred to . I found the name of the deceased party , beginning away back in the

early history of the Lodge . He bad remained a member for years . I followed up my investigations until a certain year , when the sad fact met me , " Suspended for nonpayment of dues , " with the day and year given . Tracing

tho history of the Lodge through the returns up to tho date of death indicated by the widow , I found no reinstatement of the deceased . The brother had allowed himself to be suspended for non-payment of Lodge dues . Years after he was called away from hia family , and died

Masonic Claimants.

without Masonic recognition . His widow , knowing nothing of tho nature of our laws , and the disabilities under which Masons may place themselves , supposed that her husband was a Mason when he died , and that sho would be entitled to aid when needed . "Now , when want

presses upon her , she calls upon the Fraternity and must be told , " Your husband was not a Mason in good standing when he died . " She cannot understand that , and is

deeply wounded , both at the fact of his loss of standing among the brethren , and her failure to gain that help she had been told would readily come when the cry of the widow was heard .

Comment upon the action of Masons who thus forfeit the protection needed for their families will do no good in such cases , because they have passed beyond censure or criticism . If the living could be reached and influenced by a rehearsal of these painful incidents , I would try to

stir the hearts of delinquent Masons , and warn them of the danger growing out of their neglect of duty to those who are taught by tbem to expect protection when they are called away . How often have I been told by widows and orphaned ones of the language of husbands and fathers ,

" If ever you need help , call on the Masons . " The Masonic Fraternity cannot help and relieve everybody . Hence we must have methods by which to regulate and determine applications . And when claims are tested , the failure to

recognise those who are not entitled to assistance , owing to neglect on the part of husbands and fathers , will bring down on us a storm of cenauro and sometimes bitter denunciation .

A bereaved family stood in my presence with a complete outfit of documents , such aa diplomas and dimita from Lodge , Chapter , and Commandery , and exhibited all tho paraphernalia worn by tbe loved dead in other years . They claimed recognition and help . The documents , dimits , & c ,

sbowed that the departed had been non-affiliated for more than twenty years . Of course , the applicants were told they had no claim . But they could not understand why . " He was always a good Mason and faithful member of the Order , " was the plea of the family . Oh , if such as thus

neglect to keep up tbeir connection with the Fraternity could witness these scenes through which I have been called to pass , and hear the sad utterances of grief and disappointment common on these occasions , the living would repent and the dead wonld mourn .

Another class of persons claim recognition , and feel greatly offended at being denied any favours . A Mason ' s widow changes her relations to the Fraternity by marrying again , thereby being no longer the widow of a Mason . She is widowed a second time , or her husband turns out to

be a nobody , and sho falls back upon her first claim , and seeks relief from tho Fraternity . "My husband wns a Mason . " Yes , but he could not extend his Masonic lease over your life , after you cut yourself off from that benefit , and married another man . Masonry is not transferable . Then you should see her get mad , and abuse the Craft .

An application was made to me a few days ago for the admission of an aged widow into the Masonic Home . The applicant bad no basis for ber claim except that her fatber

was a Mason in another State . She had married a profane , and as his widow now sought admission into an institution designed for the benefit of widows and orphans of deceased Masons who were members of Missouri Lodges .

These are but a tythe of the cases falling under my notice through the years . They are mentioned , not for the pleasure there is in writing such sad tbiugs , but to serve a

purpose . Let the living know and remember that if neglect takes the place of duty in Masonry , no benefit can accrue to themselves or to their families . —John V . Vincil , in Masonic Constellation .

A Word In Season

A WORD IN SEASON

AN American Masonic contemporary says : — " A Mason who haB no use for a Masonic paper or periodical has no use for Masonic intelligence . Having eyes he will not see nor learn anything Masonic . " The

editor who penned this cannot be wholly accused of anxiety to sell his paper . It is indisputable that Masonry like other institutions should support the organs devoted to its interest . Otherwise how can tho Craft be said to be represented ? Another American contemporary , the Keystone , gives