Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Educational Fund For The Province Of Devon.
be immediately put iu working order , subscriptions woutd | be collected , and children benefitted long before tho close of tho present year . There was no reason why they should not commence the work , and aid the children in all parts of Devonshire within tho next three months . Bro . Godtschalk seconded the resolution . Ho stated that tho mattoi
was first brought betoro tho province in 1 S 74 , and was negatived by a majority of one . Two years elapsed , and then it was intended to be brought before tho province upou the motion of Bro . Curtois , who reopened the local education question . Bro . Rogers , tho P . G . Secretary , however , ruled it out of order , holding that it could not bo pnt until the previous resolution of the province had been rescinded . Tho
promoters then put a notice on tho agenda paper to resciud the amendment . It came on afc Okohampton iu August last , and ho was happy to say that tho resolution was rescinded by a very largo majority . The matter could not bo carried further just then , owing to the circumstances stated , bnt the outcome was tho meeting of that day , and it was tho opinion of the promoters of the scheme that it
was highly desirable a system of local charity should bo started at once . Ifc was easily accomplished by a number of brothren pledging themselves to support tho movement . Already they had a certain linmber who had placed their names down as life governors and sub . scribers , and if thoso present would only come forward and promise subscriptions , thoy would at once pass a resolution to form a com
mittee ot life governors who would look after the interests of the surplus orphans whom they could not hope to relievo in tbe two great Charities in London . That tho schemo was absolutely necessary was plain if they ouly looked at the actual strength of tho province in voting for the admission of boys and girls in the London Schools . Thero was an election coming on iu April next ,
and at that election 2 , 000 votes were required to carry a case . The province of Devon had a voting power equal to 430 votes , being 250 for the Boys' und 180 for tho Girls' School , so that they must go at least five elections , or two and a half years , bofore they could carry a candidate on their own strength . At Exeter they had a candidate , who had stood six elections , and had recorded G 34 votes . He
managed to get 450 more , making up 1 , 100 votes . But it was nocessary to get 2 , 000 , and as ifc was the last election the boy could stand they had to get tho required number , or else all the votes which had been previously recorded would have been entirely thrown away . Bro . Gover and himself entered into a deal of correspondence , and the result was that on the morning of the election he found himself
in possession of the necessary 2 , 000 votes . During the election he found that 1 , 700 votes would carry his boy . Ho polled him 1 , 777 , in order to make sure , and the remaining 200 votes he utilised by lending to a Province in Wales , and they would have to he paid back to the Province of Devon afc a subsequent election . Bub he still had GOO borrowed votes to repay ; the Province of Devon only had 400 ,
so that it was 200 to tho bad , and before they could pay their debts aud accumulate another 2 , 000 , six half-yearly elections , or three years would elapse . With this ho would contrast the fact that they had ten poor orphans in the Province , children of brethren whom many of them had known , to whom , under existing circumstances , they conld not hold out a helping hand . If , however , they had a
local institution they could givo relief upon a small scale to those poor children . All groat schemes of charity had their origin in small means ; but they grew . The present Boys' School , the greatest Charity they had , was thirty years ago in just the position the ' present schemo was that day . Tu Cheshiro they had had a local institution for edncating orphans for tho last fifteen years , and during that time
thoy had educated , clothed , and advanced in life sixteen children each year , and they had done that entirely from the funds which had como from individual brethren and Lodges . So ifc was in Lancashire and in Yorkshire . In Cheshire , moreover , the cost had only been £ 7 per head . They bhrew no money away iu bricks and mortar , or highly paid officials . All tbe
work was done out of pure benevolence ; certain brethren took the matter iu hand , and the thing prospered . He was opposed to taking tho scheme to the Provincial Grand Lodge to bo settled . They could themselves afc once pub it in motion and could carry it on , and when they got several children they could go to the Provincial Grand Lodge and ask for £ 50 to carry the scheme onwards . But tho subscriptions
of brethren was all that was now wanted . The fund should come out of the pockets of individual brethren , and if they each gave only 5 s a year , they would havo plenty of funds to provide for deserving cases , and a largo surplus as well . The actual surplus to the credit of the Cheshire Local Education Fund was no less a sum than £ 4 , 000 , and they had not forgotten , and ho hoped the brethren of Devon
wonld not forget , the claims of the great Charities of England . The Lodges would find tho funds for the great Charities , but individual brethren shonld come forward and support this scheme , which would give relief to the poor and distressed orphans of their deceased brethren throughout the Province . Bro . Metham pointed out that the number of Lodges in Cheshire
was smaller than in Devon . He also said it was proposed by tho scheme that the remaining parent or the friends of a selected candidate should receive so much money with which to educate the child , each of the children to live with its parent or friends . Tbe selection of the school would , in some degree , depend upon the voice of the committee , who would have a control over the expenditure of
its own funds by approving of tho school where the child was placed They would see that the money was properly expended as trust money . Bro . Gover : We will suppose the scheme established . A boy lives in Exeter . We know the position in life of his late father . We go to tho best school nearest where the parent lives . We arrange what we shall pay for schooling , aud we pay it . We find out a decenb tailor in
tho neighbourhood , and make a contract for the supply of clothes . Wo ask the Master of the nearest Lodge to see that the boy does not destroy his clothes , and that , he attends his school . That is the schemo . Bro . James asked whether ifc would not be an inducement for persons who were placed in humble circumstances in life , to scrape up a few pounds and obtain an entry into Masonry , so fchat > in case of
U-. eir decease , the responsibility of tkd future maintenance of thoir children would not press npon the mother . ! n hi . - ; <> p ' n u : i i . would be necessary to use their discretion very much nmro thnn they hitherto had done in seeing that , tho class of individual .- , vli , » m unh allowed to enter tho Masonic circle wore worthy t <> come among thoni . It was ouly by doing this that they could present it from
becoming a Benevolent Institution . Bro . Lynn remarked that lie would bo very glad if no man over joined Frcemasoury with a less worthy motive than tho future welfare of his children . Bro . Metham remarked tho suggestion was a worthy ono , that thoy should look more closely at tho men whom thoy admitted . But
ho did not , fear the scheme , if carried iuto effect , and tho principles of whioh ho entirely endorsed , would lead to men rushing iuto ifc for tho sake of benefiting thoir children . Very few would bo benefitted , and only tho really deserving cases would receivo help , so that mon would speedily find they wero wasting their money if thev ontorod Masonry solely witb an unworthy purpose .
Bro . Horton suggested that only the orphans of men who in their lives had subscribed to the fund should bo eligible . Bro . Metham : No Freemason would over agree to that . That would bo making it a Benefit Society at once . Bro . Latimer agreed , saying it was not the case elsewhere . He gave his cordial support to tho schemo , believing that ifc would prove
eminently successful . Ho had always thought that a vast deal of good might be done by tho education of orphan children near their own homes , and without removing them from the influenco of thenfamily or their friends . Family influence was of the highest value in the futuro life of a child , and by bringing a child up near its brothers and sisters they would do moro good than in separating them and making them individuals unconnected with
the family . On thoso grounds he gavo to his schemo his most cordial support . The motion was then put and carried unanimously . Bro . Rev . W . Whittley next moved : — " That a committee be appointed to carry out the scheme , and that they have power—first , to frame bye-laws ; second , to collect ; subscriptions and donations ; third , to receive applications for candidates ; and fourth , to call a meeting of Life Governors and Subscribers within throo
months , to appoint trustees , and if practicable to receive tho applications of candidates . " He remarked that what they now startod they intended to make a success , and he felt sure whoever might previously havo been averse to the scheme , as soon as they saw it floated and understood its real principles and its purposos would become its most ardeub supporters . Wherever such a scheme had
been floated success had been sure to follow , and he was certain ifc would be the case here . He would oppose any schemo which confinod its operations to any particular locality . But in this case the operations of tho organisation would reach any child in any part of the Province , and they would not have to mourn , as they had ofton now to mourn , the removal of the child
from the moral influences of home and mother . Then , see how much energy , monoy , and anxiety would be spared . See how tho energy and the money of tho Province was uselessly expended in seeking to obtain the entry of a single candidate , out of numbers of mauy worthy recipients . He felt sure they would carry out this schomo con amore , and that throughout the county there would be
a firmer and stronger bond than ever before existed , even by all the beloved ties of their Freemasonry . He had received letters from several brethren in different parts of the Province , whilst many others had promised subscriptions as soon as it was started . If the spirit of tho resolution was agreed to , the Institution would commence that day , and tho work of education would in a very short
time be in actual operation . Bro . Latimer seconded the motion , saying the scheme bad always had his most hearty conenrrence . By keeping children and educat ' n ? them amonst their relatives , they could do much more good than by co-operating with the whole of England , and sometimes finding themselves in competition with the rest of England . That being the case ,
and having many more orphans than they could hope to benefit , he thought by the scheme propounded that day they could really meet the wants of widows of brethren generally in connection with this Provinco . Ho felt that children could bo educated afc least one-half of £ 50 , and if there were a thousand subscribers of per 5 s in the county of Devon , they would raise a fund sufficient to meet the wants of the
province , and fairly and properly educate the children who might come under their notice . He had no doubt from the expressions at the meeting , representing as they did tho Lodges in all parts of Devon , that it would meet with the cordial support of the province generally . Bro . Godtschalk romarked that they would continue to utilise their
votes to the London Schools , but ifc was for their surplus candidates that they required this local fund . The better class of candidates , who were thus assisted , they would seek to get ultimately elected into tho great Charities in London . The resolution was agreed to with unanimity , and the following brethren were appointed on tho Committeo : —Bros . L . P . Metham
Gover , Joliffe , I . Latimer , Stone , Jones , Lemon , W . Whittley , Godtschalk , V . Bird , E . A . Davies , W . G . Rogers , R . Lose , W . Quick , W . Deny , J . Lynn , Stocker , Carter , Vicary , D . Box , J . Ingle , Murch , Evens , and the W . M . of any Lodge iu the Province , or his representative ; V . Bird Treasurer , Gover Secretary , and Cnrteis Hon . Trustee .
Bro . Metham announced that they already had seven or eight life governors , and at least fifty subscribers . Bro . Gover also announced a contribution of £ 100 , on tho part of St . John ' s Lodge , and £ 50 on tho part of Lodgo Harmony .
It was determined to name the fund after tho Province , aud tho proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to Bro . Metham for presiding . A subscription list ; was opeued iu tho room , aud thu majority of those present attached their names for various sums . — Western Daily Mercury ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Educational Fund For The Province Of Devon.
be immediately put iu working order , subscriptions woutd | be collected , and children benefitted long before tho close of tho present year . There was no reason why they should not commence the work , and aid the children in all parts of Devonshire within tho next three months . Bro . Godtschalk seconded the resolution . Ho stated that tho mattoi
was first brought betoro tho province in 1 S 74 , and was negatived by a majority of one . Two years elapsed , and then it was intended to be brought before tho province upou the motion of Bro . Curtois , who reopened the local education question . Bro . Rogers , tho P . G . Secretary , however , ruled it out of order , holding that it could not bo pnt until the previous resolution of the province had been rescinded . Tho
promoters then put a notice on tho agenda paper to resciud the amendment . It came on afc Okohampton iu August last , and ho was happy to say that tho resolution was rescinded by a very largo majority . The matter could not bo carried further just then , owing to the circumstances stated , bnt the outcome was tho meeting of that day , and it was tho opinion of the promoters of the scheme that it
was highly desirable a system of local charity should bo started at once . Ifc was easily accomplished by a number of brothren pledging themselves to support tho movement . Already they had a certain linmber who had placed their names down as life governors and sub . scribers , and if thoso present would only come forward and promise subscriptions , thoy would at once pass a resolution to form a com
mittee ot life governors who would look after the interests of the surplus orphans whom they could not hope to relievo in tbe two great Charities in London . That tho schemo was absolutely necessary was plain if they ouly looked at the actual strength of tho province in voting for the admission of boys and girls in the London Schools . Thero was an election coming on iu April next ,
and at that election 2 , 000 votes were required to carry a case . The province of Devon had a voting power equal to 430 votes , being 250 for the Boys' und 180 for tho Girls' School , so that they must go at least five elections , or two and a half years , bofore they could carry a candidate on their own strength . At Exeter they had a candidate , who had stood six elections , and had recorded G 34 votes . He
managed to get 450 more , making up 1 , 100 votes . But it was nocessary to get 2 , 000 , and as ifc was the last election the boy could stand they had to get tho required number , or else all the votes which had been previously recorded would have been entirely thrown away . Bro . Gover and himself entered into a deal of correspondence , and the result was that on the morning of the election he found himself
in possession of the necessary 2 , 000 votes . During the election he found that 1 , 700 votes would carry his boy . Ho polled him 1 , 777 , in order to make sure , and the remaining 200 votes he utilised by lending to a Province in Wales , and they would have to he paid back to the Province of Devon afc a subsequent election . Bub he still had GOO borrowed votes to repay ; the Province of Devon only had 400 ,
so that it was 200 to tho bad , and before they could pay their debts aud accumulate another 2 , 000 , six half-yearly elections , or three years would elapse . With this ho would contrast the fact that they had ten poor orphans in the Province , children of brethren whom many of them had known , to whom , under existing circumstances , they conld not hold out a helping hand . If , however , they had a
local institution they could givo relief upon a small scale to those poor children . All groat schemes of charity had their origin in small means ; but they grew . The present Boys' School , the greatest Charity they had , was thirty years ago in just the position the ' present schemo was that day . Tu Cheshiro they had had a local institution for edncating orphans for tho last fifteen years , and during that time
thoy had educated , clothed , and advanced in life sixteen children each year , and they had done that entirely from the funds which had como from individual brethren and Lodges . So ifc was in Lancashire and in Yorkshire . In Cheshire , moreover , the cost had only been £ 7 per head . They bhrew no money away iu bricks and mortar , or highly paid officials . All tbe
work was done out of pure benevolence ; certain brethren took the matter iu hand , and the thing prospered . He was opposed to taking tho scheme to the Provincial Grand Lodge to bo settled . They could themselves afc once pub it in motion and could carry it on , and when they got several children they could go to the Provincial Grand Lodge and ask for £ 50 to carry the scheme onwards . But tho subscriptions
of brethren was all that was now wanted . The fund should come out of the pockets of individual brethren , and if they each gave only 5 s a year , they would havo plenty of funds to provide for deserving cases , and a largo surplus as well . The actual surplus to the credit of the Cheshire Local Education Fund was no less a sum than £ 4 , 000 , and they had not forgotten , and ho hoped the brethren of Devon
wonld not forget , the claims of the great Charities of England . The Lodges would find tho funds for the great Charities , but individual brethren shonld come forward and support this scheme , which would give relief to the poor and distressed orphans of their deceased brethren throughout the Province . Bro . Metham pointed out that the number of Lodges in Cheshire
was smaller than in Devon . He also said it was proposed by tho scheme that the remaining parent or the friends of a selected candidate should receive so much money with which to educate the child , each of the children to live with its parent or friends . Tbe selection of the school would , in some degree , depend upon the voice of the committee , who would have a control over the expenditure of
its own funds by approving of tho school where the child was placed They would see that the money was properly expended as trust money . Bro . Gover : We will suppose the scheme established . A boy lives in Exeter . We know the position in life of his late father . We go to tho best school nearest where the parent lives . We arrange what we shall pay for schooling , aud we pay it . We find out a decenb tailor in
tho neighbourhood , and make a contract for the supply of clothes . Wo ask the Master of the nearest Lodge to see that the boy does not destroy his clothes , and that , he attends his school . That is the schemo . Bro . James asked whether ifc would not be an inducement for persons who were placed in humble circumstances in life , to scrape up a few pounds and obtain an entry into Masonry , so fchat > in case of
U-. eir decease , the responsibility of tkd future maintenance of thoir children would not press npon the mother . ! n hi . - ; <> p ' n u : i i . would be necessary to use their discretion very much nmro thnn they hitherto had done in seeing that , tho class of individual .- , vli , » m unh allowed to enter tho Masonic circle wore worthy t <> come among thoni . It was ouly by doing this that they could present it from
becoming a Benevolent Institution . Bro . Lynn remarked that lie would bo very glad if no man over joined Frcemasoury with a less worthy motive than tho future welfare of his children . Bro . Metham remarked tho suggestion was a worthy ono , that thoy should look more closely at tho men whom thoy admitted . But
ho did not , fear the scheme , if carried iuto effect , and tho principles of whioh ho entirely endorsed , would lead to men rushing iuto ifc for tho sake of benefiting thoir children . Very few would bo benefitted , and only tho really deserving cases would receivo help , so that mon would speedily find they wero wasting their money if thev ontorod Masonry solely witb an unworthy purpose .
Bro . Horton suggested that only the orphans of men who in their lives had subscribed to the fund should bo eligible . Bro . Metham : No Freemason would over agree to that . That would bo making it a Benefit Society at once . Bro . Latimer agreed , saying it was not the case elsewhere . He gave his cordial support to tho schemo , believing that ifc would prove
eminently successful . Ho had always thought that a vast deal of good might be done by tho education of orphan children near their own homes , and without removing them from the influenco of thenfamily or their friends . Family influence was of the highest value in the futuro life of a child , and by bringing a child up near its brothers and sisters they would do moro good than in separating them and making them individuals unconnected with
the family . On thoso grounds he gavo to his schemo his most cordial support . The motion was then put and carried unanimously . Bro . Rev . W . Whittley next moved : — " That a committee be appointed to carry out the scheme , and that they have power—first , to frame bye-laws ; second , to collect ; subscriptions and donations ; third , to receive applications for candidates ; and fourth , to call a meeting of Life Governors and Subscribers within throo
months , to appoint trustees , and if practicable to receive tho applications of candidates . " He remarked that what they now startod they intended to make a success , and he felt sure whoever might previously havo been averse to the scheme , as soon as they saw it floated and understood its real principles and its purposos would become its most ardeub supporters . Wherever such a scheme had
been floated success had been sure to follow , and he was certain ifc would be the case here . He would oppose any schemo which confinod its operations to any particular locality . But in this case the operations of tho organisation would reach any child in any part of the Province , and they would not have to mourn , as they had ofton now to mourn , the removal of the child
from the moral influences of home and mother . Then , see how much energy , monoy , and anxiety would be spared . See how tho energy and the money of tho Province was uselessly expended in seeking to obtain the entry of a single candidate , out of numbers of mauy worthy recipients . He felt sure they would carry out this schomo con amore , and that throughout the county there would be
a firmer and stronger bond than ever before existed , even by all the beloved ties of their Freemasonry . He had received letters from several brethren in different parts of the Province , whilst many others had promised subscriptions as soon as it was started . If the spirit of tho resolution was agreed to , the Institution would commence that day , and tho work of education would in a very short
time be in actual operation . Bro . Latimer seconded the motion , saying the scheme bad always had his most hearty conenrrence . By keeping children and educat ' n ? them amonst their relatives , they could do much more good than by co-operating with the whole of England , and sometimes finding themselves in competition with the rest of England . That being the case ,
and having many more orphans than they could hope to benefit , he thought by the scheme propounded that day they could really meet the wants of widows of brethren generally in connection with this Provinco . Ho felt that children could bo educated afc least one-half of £ 50 , and if there were a thousand subscribers of per 5 s in the county of Devon , they would raise a fund sufficient to meet the wants of the
province , and fairly and properly educate the children who might come under their notice . He had no doubt from the expressions at the meeting , representing as they did tho Lodges in all parts of Devon , that it would meet with the cordial support of the province generally . Bro . Godtschalk romarked that they would continue to utilise their
votes to the London Schools , but ifc was for their surplus candidates that they required this local fund . The better class of candidates , who were thus assisted , they would seek to get ultimately elected into tho great Charities in London . The resolution was agreed to with unanimity , and the following brethren were appointed on tho Committeo : —Bros . L . P . Metham
Gover , Joliffe , I . Latimer , Stone , Jones , Lemon , W . Whittley , Godtschalk , V . Bird , E . A . Davies , W . G . Rogers , R . Lose , W . Quick , W . Deny , J . Lynn , Stocker , Carter , Vicary , D . Box , J . Ingle , Murch , Evens , and the W . M . of any Lodge iu the Province , or his representative ; V . Bird Treasurer , Gover Secretary , and Cnrteis Hon . Trustee .
Bro . Metham announced that they already had seven or eight life governors , and at least fifty subscribers . Bro . Gover also announced a contribution of £ 100 , on tho part of St . John ' s Lodge , and £ 50 on tho part of Lodgo Harmony .
It was determined to name the fund after tho Province , aud tho proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to Bro . Metham for presiding . A subscription list ; was opeued iu tho room , aud thu majority of those present attached their names for various sums . — Western Daily Mercury ,