-
Articles/Ads
Article CORRESPONDENCE. ← Page 2 of 4 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
draw all yon havo said in favour of tho scheme , or in what , war it has outrun its original " modest dimensions . " I havo published two circulars with suggestions , and thoy havo never been altered , but tho following has been added : — To render assistance to the unsuccessful candidates for the benefit of existing Masonic Charities , and otherwise co-oporato in tho
dispensing of Masonic Charity . I may hero remind you I havo not had your notico of withdrawal , and I hope yon will alter your resolution—at least I will endeavonr to shako it . Yon aro aware all tho circulars havo contained simply suggestions , and brethren wero invited to co-oporato gjul oiler snggestions . Amongst tho few criticisms passed . I had tho
following : — " 1 . Tho objects as set forth aro a littlo too pretentions . " To this my reply has invariably been—Possibly thoy are , bnt thoy aro snggestions , and nothing will bo dono or decided upon till a Committee solocted at a public meeting is formod , and not oven then
acted upon till confirmed at another meoting . I was not so arrogant and egotistical a 3 to dictato what shonld bo done , but tho suggestions—which please again noto haro never been altered—met with favonr , as is proved by tho lists of supporters and tho very long lists of signatures exhibited at tho meoting , inclnding tho Most Worshipful
Grand Master , Pro and Deputy Grand Masters , as well as their Eoyal Highnossos Princes Arthur and Leopold , and tho Most Worshipfnl Grand Mastors of Scotland and Ireland , and many of tho highest in the Craft , recommending tho establishment of a Fund ; aud ifc has always boen my idea that whatever is decided upon shonld be after careful deliberation by a Committee sitting for tho
purpose . , " 2 . If yon havo funds enough assist tho unsuccessful ; " and amongst those who suggested this I will mention Sir Henry Edwards , E . W . P . G . M . West Yorkshire This I thonght a capital suggestion , and ifc was strengthened by the aotion taken by Bro . Clabon , when ifc was shown that , no matter
how worthy tho object , if the laws do not specify it to come within the range of assistance , the Board of Benevolence must not , no matter how much money they may havo , depart from one groove . Again , as to tho unfortunate discontent with tho action of another Committee—I do not wish to reopen a , case , which I am happy to see is at rest—as to the powers they possess in dispensing funds , whatever
the result of the appeal ; I will endeavonr to recommend that , from the first , clear lines shall bo laid down that in the event of a " surplus " it shall bo possible to disposo of ifc in necessitous cases , instead of in lavish grants on tho applicants . Another reason was that some feared , notably tho province of Warwick , that whatover moneys wero collected for tho Eoyal Masonio Pnpils' Assistance Fund would be at
the expense of tho other institutions , & c . This I deny in toto . Mr letter of last week explains my reasons , and as wo aro taught a , Mason's charity knows no bounds saro those of prudenco , I cannot but feel , with tho statistics I havo had , and which prove the average is about 2 s Gd ( surely a sum within the bounds ) per annum from every Mason to support the present requirements , there is plenty of room for
an appeal for further aid . Besides , it is well understood Masonry is not a benefit society , consequently , if proper precautions are taken in introducing " worthy " members , wo shonld not havo any difficulty in coping with cases of unforeseen calamity and misfortune ; thongh I fear we haro many examples of members being admitted for tho benefits . Tho other suggestion was " Qualifications . " Many ( I may
mention the suggestion is from a Past G . S . W . ) said let mo know tho " qualifications , " & o . Now it is well known somo will not giro withont some rotnrn , and qualifications can hurt no one , but may materially add to tho chances of obtaining subscriptions , besides which they will bo the means of preventing much dissatisfaction . I propose the uso of votes for tho appointment of Officers and Committee , and if done by
papers similar to those used by E . H . S . and similar Societies , ifc will enable ^ our Country Brethren to have a voice in tho matter ; and as tho Committee will of necessity be invested with great power , ifc is imperative all subscribers shonld havo a voice , and no doubt it will strengthen tho confidence of the Committee . Bnt let mo again add these aro only suggestions , and I must refer you to all my letters and circulars to confirm this , as I would not for a moment liko ifc to be
even thought I had a wish to dictate . _ You speak of " enlarged basis , " and that it ia proposed to grant sub . sidies to all unsuccessful Candidates . You surely cannot havo forgotten my letter in your last issue , in which I distinctly pointed out deserving . Again , is ifc not a gnarantee to all who fear tho money will be raised at tho expense of the existing Institutions , that tho fund is purely ono of "assistance , " and that rather than hurt the
existing Institutions , wo will to the utmost help not only tho necessitous cases after leaving the Schools , but also tho necessitous cases which for want of friends cannot bo taken into the Schools P And I would remind you of the great work yon aro advocating , viz ., the Charity Association ; do yon not hero try to bring forward tho most deserving and friendless , and to prevent waato of rotes .
and thereby ensure greater numbers of successful ? Eeally , Sir , I feel your solicitous appeal in this good cause ( L . M . C . A . ) shonld alone enlist your sympathies for the " enlarged basis "—which please again remember , like all othor objects mentioned in prospectus , is bnt a suggestion , and would be cut out by the committee if found unworth y and objectionable . As to tho "Benefit Society" question ,
juu Know my views , and I think a little more attention to the CnARKE should be urged upon all "W . M . ' s and Brethren proposing candidates . Our Charity shonld bo most complete—better givo our children los 3 education than leavo them to shift for themselves . -As to tho scheme falling through I am at a loss again to follow your reasoning . By reference to tho list of sunnortors von will
lt ° £ t ! Mosfc Worsui P « l Grand Masters and wore than half tbe Provinces support it ; besides you havo yourself admitted it 111 UI 1 ClCr m ° St favotlrilDlc auspices and gave ' ifc your support . Is it therefore all at once to collapse becanso otic simple suggestion has been made ( I refer to added Clause ) ? As to your praise , I am not insensible to your kindness and am glad you givo mo credit for per-
Correspondence.
severance ; but I must further add , and I am in duty bound to givo this assnrunco to my supporters , that until I have somo mnch stronger proof of tho " verdict " being undeniably against me , I shall consider my huniblo efforts pledged to carry on tho work which they support , and which I consider tho list of Patrons shows to bo undeniably tho reverse of adverse I may hero mention I havo had three withdrawals ,
two havo sinco not only approved bnt consented to acton Committee , whilo ono has promised to consider ; but I havo many additions . I really think this amply proves the reverse of yonr verdict ( I havo not mentioned yon in tho withdrawals as I havo not received it ) . As to your reasons for supporting it , havo tho objects you thonght worthy been withdrawn ? Beforo giving your ultimatum , why not first seo what
tho Committco appointed to consider tho schomo will propose . I cannot quite understand how P . M . can criticise tho list of subscriptions , as yon only publish them immediately abovo his letter—or is it an editorial comment ? Still to satisfy evon that section of tho pnblic , I may inform P . M . tho E . M . P . A . F . stands plodged to nothing . Tho money paid was banked and tho promises entered—henco tho
differonco in tho totals aud that is accounted for by tho fact that , until I know tho exact position tho Fund is to tako , I havo not urged monoy being sent . In answor to Bro . While ' s letter and hia report iu Time ? , as also letter in Times , which I presumo is his , as ifc immediately follows in your paper , and ifc ia no' ; customary for ono paper to copy anothor ' s letters—I do not find
it in tho FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE—I can only say I am sorry ho should think fit to curtail his report ; ifc would have been fairer not ; to havo suppressed any portion . However , no doubt Bro . While means well , although hia expressions aro not flattering , and I think scarcely in strict accordance with Masonic etiquette—still I will accept them as meant in no ill spirit , and I hope one day
to havo tho pleasuro of a chat . If Bro . While is champion to suppress an ovil , I am equally convinced tho E . M . P . A . F . will do but good . As to Lord Eosslyn loithdraiving , Bro . Whilo was present whon not only Lord Eosslyn , but Lords Skelmersdale and Brooke personally and in public accepted the office of Committeemen , and pledged themselves to work to assist tho Fund by
obtaining subscriptions , & c . As to tho organisation being " cut and dried , " I think your report oren will disprove this . Ifc will always be my aim to discountenance any " holo and corner" work or " clique . " As to the inconsistent remarks about " marriage portions , " & c . I can only feel Bro . Whilo i 3 attompting a joke at tho oxpenso of what Ihopowillbo a useful supplement to our Institutions . The attempt
to endow a paid Secretariat , and its attending charitable remarks , I will answer , without intonding any annoyance to our worthy brother , riz ., there aro other attribntes besides almsgiving that constitute " charity ; " and as a Past Master ho should teach this . I shall at all times be glad to explain anything respecting this scheme to Bro . While , and think ifc a pity ho did not call upon mo beforo
assailing mo in public . In reply to "P . M . 's" letter in the Times , I may mention I answered it , but unfortunately this , and , I hear , several other letters , were not inserted , showing how dangerous and one-sided a thing criticism and reports in newspapers are . The substance of my remarks was that , instead of sapping tho self-reliant and self-dependent spirit of " our pnpils , tho Eoyal Masonio
Pupils' Assistance Fund was to aid . " From Bro . While's point of view , ifc appears a boy with father or guardian stands in a bad position and at a disadvantage . I have always felt sympathy for a fatherless boy or girl , and with what " weig ht" they commenced their " race of life . " My cxporieneo has taught mo that boys and girls leaving school aro then at tho mosfc critical time of life ,
and a friend to givo advico then is often tho finger-post of success . Tho cases the Eoyal Masonio Pupils' Assistance Fund attempfcto assist will be thoso without means or friends , and without being " Quixotic , " ib can do much in giving advice . Watching progress , keeping register of brethren willing to fill vacancies in their business or public offices , assisting tho sick , and , without encouraging
indolence or sapping self-reliance , assisting our children at a critical time . If Bro . While's assertions are correct , then every father stands in hia son ' s way . To conclude , I fear I havo taken up too much of your valnable space ; still , as the subject ia an important one , I hope you will allow me to wind up with one or two remarks which tend to
prove the Fund will do good . 1 . Lord Leigh and others—advocacy as to scholarships . 2 . Bros . Clabon and Hogg—repeated motions in Grand Lodgo to obtain part of tho Fnud 3 of Benevolence , and at the time of the Lifeboat grant as a thanksgiving offering for our M . W . Grand Master's return from India ib was then one of tho suggestions to endow
a similar fund . 3 . The efforts of Bro . Jacob 3 and Staffordshire brethren to perpetnate Lord Shrewsbury ' s memory by creating an Assistance Fund ; and , lastly , tho action of tho Supreme Council aud many individual
brethren in supporting separate cases . I think , Dear Sir aud Brother , I have a strong case , and beg to assuro you , until I can hear bettor reasons , I shall continue to exert the zeal and energy yon so kindly notico with redoubled vigour in what I consider so good a cause .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , DICK EADCLYITK .
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . 135 Loughborough-road , W . C . 24 th March 1880 . DEAR . SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho insinuation of your correspondent "SEISRIC , " that tho report in the Sunday Times and the letter in the . Times signed " P . M . " were written by mo is unfounded . I havo seen tho letter , and that is all I know about it ; tho former I haro
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
draw all yon havo said in favour of tho scheme , or in what , war it has outrun its original " modest dimensions . " I havo published two circulars with suggestions , and thoy havo never been altered , but tho following has been added : — To render assistance to the unsuccessful candidates for the benefit of existing Masonic Charities , and otherwise co-oporato in tho
dispensing of Masonic Charity . I may hero remind you I havo not had your notico of withdrawal , and I hope yon will alter your resolution—at least I will endeavonr to shako it . Yon aro aware all tho circulars havo contained simply suggestions , and brethren wero invited to co-oporato gjul oiler snggestions . Amongst tho few criticisms passed . I had tho
following : — " 1 . Tho objects as set forth aro a littlo too pretentions . " To this my reply has invariably been—Possibly thoy are , bnt thoy aro snggestions , and nothing will bo dono or decided upon till a Committee solocted at a public meeting is formod , and not oven then
acted upon till confirmed at another meoting . I was not so arrogant and egotistical a 3 to dictato what shonld bo done , but tho suggestions—which please again noto haro never been altered—met with favonr , as is proved by tho lists of supporters and tho very long lists of signatures exhibited at tho meoting , inclnding tho Most Worshipful
Grand Master , Pro and Deputy Grand Masters , as well as their Eoyal Highnossos Princes Arthur and Leopold , and tho Most Worshipfnl Grand Mastors of Scotland and Ireland , and many of tho highest in the Craft , recommending tho establishment of a Fund ; aud ifc has always boen my idea that whatever is decided upon shonld be after careful deliberation by a Committee sitting for tho
purpose . , " 2 . If yon havo funds enough assist tho unsuccessful ; " and amongst those who suggested this I will mention Sir Henry Edwards , E . W . P . G . M . West Yorkshire This I thonght a capital suggestion , and ifc was strengthened by the aotion taken by Bro . Clabon , when ifc was shown that , no matter
how worthy tho object , if the laws do not specify it to come within the range of assistance , the Board of Benevolence must not , no matter how much money they may havo , depart from one groove . Again , as to tho unfortunate discontent with tho action of another Committee—I do not wish to reopen a , case , which I am happy to see is at rest—as to the powers they possess in dispensing funds , whatever
the result of the appeal ; I will endeavonr to recommend that , from the first , clear lines shall bo laid down that in the event of a " surplus " it shall bo possible to disposo of ifc in necessitous cases , instead of in lavish grants on tho applicants . Another reason was that some feared , notably tho province of Warwick , that whatover moneys wero collected for tho Eoyal Masonio Pnpils' Assistance Fund would be at
the expense of tho other institutions , & c . This I deny in toto . Mr letter of last week explains my reasons , and as wo aro taught a , Mason's charity knows no bounds saro those of prudenco , I cannot but feel , with tho statistics I havo had , and which prove the average is about 2 s Gd ( surely a sum within the bounds ) per annum from every Mason to support the present requirements , there is plenty of room for
an appeal for further aid . Besides , it is well understood Masonry is not a benefit society , consequently , if proper precautions are taken in introducing " worthy " members , wo shonld not havo any difficulty in coping with cases of unforeseen calamity and misfortune ; thongh I fear we haro many examples of members being admitted for tho benefits . Tho other suggestion was " Qualifications . " Many ( I may
mention the suggestion is from a Past G . S . W . ) said let mo know tho " qualifications , " & o . Now it is well known somo will not giro withont some rotnrn , and qualifications can hurt no one , but may materially add to tho chances of obtaining subscriptions , besides which they will bo the means of preventing much dissatisfaction . I propose the uso of votes for tho appointment of Officers and Committee , and if done by
papers similar to those used by E . H . S . and similar Societies , ifc will enable ^ our Country Brethren to have a voice in tho matter ; and as tho Committee will of necessity be invested with great power , ifc is imperative all subscribers shonld havo a voice , and no doubt it will strengthen tho confidence of the Committee . Bnt let mo again add these aro only suggestions , and I must refer you to all my letters and circulars to confirm this , as I would not for a moment liko ifc to be
even thought I had a wish to dictate . _ You speak of " enlarged basis , " and that it ia proposed to grant sub . sidies to all unsuccessful Candidates . You surely cannot havo forgotten my letter in your last issue , in which I distinctly pointed out deserving . Again , is ifc not a gnarantee to all who fear tho money will be raised at tho expense of the existing Institutions , that tho fund is purely ono of "assistance , " and that rather than hurt the
existing Institutions , wo will to the utmost help not only tho necessitous cases after leaving the Schools , but also tho necessitous cases which for want of friends cannot bo taken into the Schools P And I would remind you of the great work yon aro advocating , viz ., the Charity Association ; do yon not hero try to bring forward tho most deserving and friendless , and to prevent waato of rotes .
and thereby ensure greater numbers of successful ? Eeally , Sir , I feel your solicitous appeal in this good cause ( L . M . C . A . ) shonld alone enlist your sympathies for the " enlarged basis "—which please again remember , like all othor objects mentioned in prospectus , is bnt a suggestion , and would be cut out by the committee if found unworth y and objectionable . As to tho "Benefit Society" question ,
juu Know my views , and I think a little more attention to the CnARKE should be urged upon all "W . M . ' s and Brethren proposing candidates . Our Charity shonld bo most complete—better givo our children los 3 education than leavo them to shift for themselves . -As to tho scheme falling through I am at a loss again to follow your reasoning . By reference to tho list of sunnortors von will
lt ° £ t ! Mosfc Worsui P « l Grand Masters and wore than half tbe Provinces support it ; besides you havo yourself admitted it 111 UI 1 ClCr m ° St favotlrilDlc auspices and gave ' ifc your support . Is it therefore all at once to collapse becanso otic simple suggestion has been made ( I refer to added Clause ) ? As to your praise , I am not insensible to your kindness and am glad you givo mo credit for per-
Correspondence.
severance ; but I must further add , and I am in duty bound to givo this assnrunco to my supporters , that until I have somo mnch stronger proof of tho " verdict " being undeniably against me , I shall consider my huniblo efforts pledged to carry on tho work which they support , and which I consider tho list of Patrons shows to bo undeniably tho reverse of adverse I may hero mention I havo had three withdrawals ,
two havo sinco not only approved bnt consented to acton Committee , whilo ono has promised to consider ; but I havo many additions . I really think this amply proves the reverse of yonr verdict ( I havo not mentioned yon in tho withdrawals as I havo not received it ) . As to your reasons for supporting it , havo tho objects you thonght worthy been withdrawn ? Beforo giving your ultimatum , why not first seo what
tho Committco appointed to consider tho schomo will propose . I cannot quite understand how P . M . can criticise tho list of subscriptions , as yon only publish them immediately abovo his letter—or is it an editorial comment ? Still to satisfy evon that section of tho pnblic , I may inform P . M . tho E . M . P . A . F . stands plodged to nothing . Tho money paid was banked and tho promises entered—henco tho
differonco in tho totals aud that is accounted for by tho fact that , until I know tho exact position tho Fund is to tako , I havo not urged monoy being sent . In answor to Bro . While ' s letter and hia report iu Time ? , as also letter in Times , which I presumo is his , as ifc immediately follows in your paper , and ifc ia no' ; customary for ono paper to copy anothor ' s letters—I do not find
it in tho FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE—I can only say I am sorry ho should think fit to curtail his report ; ifc would have been fairer not ; to havo suppressed any portion . However , no doubt Bro . While means well , although hia expressions aro not flattering , and I think scarcely in strict accordance with Masonic etiquette—still I will accept them as meant in no ill spirit , and I hope one day
to havo tho pleasuro of a chat . If Bro . While is champion to suppress an ovil , I am equally convinced tho E . M . P . A . F . will do but good . As to Lord Eosslyn loithdraiving , Bro . Whilo was present whon not only Lord Eosslyn , but Lords Skelmersdale and Brooke personally and in public accepted the office of Committeemen , and pledged themselves to work to assist tho Fund by
obtaining subscriptions , & c . As to tho organisation being " cut and dried , " I think your report oren will disprove this . Ifc will always be my aim to discountenance any " holo and corner" work or " clique . " As to the inconsistent remarks about " marriage portions , " & c . I can only feel Bro . Whilo i 3 attompting a joke at tho oxpenso of what Ihopowillbo a useful supplement to our Institutions . The attempt
to endow a paid Secretariat , and its attending charitable remarks , I will answer , without intonding any annoyance to our worthy brother , riz ., there aro other attribntes besides almsgiving that constitute " charity ; " and as a Past Master ho should teach this . I shall at all times be glad to explain anything respecting this scheme to Bro . While , and think ifc a pity ho did not call upon mo beforo
assailing mo in public . In reply to "P . M . 's" letter in the Times , I may mention I answered it , but unfortunately this , and , I hear , several other letters , were not inserted , showing how dangerous and one-sided a thing criticism and reports in newspapers are . The substance of my remarks was that , instead of sapping tho self-reliant and self-dependent spirit of " our pnpils , tho Eoyal Masonio
Pupils' Assistance Fund was to aid . " From Bro . While's point of view , ifc appears a boy with father or guardian stands in a bad position and at a disadvantage . I have always felt sympathy for a fatherless boy or girl , and with what " weig ht" they commenced their " race of life . " My cxporieneo has taught mo that boys and girls leaving school aro then at tho mosfc critical time of life ,
and a friend to givo advico then is often tho finger-post of success . Tho cases the Eoyal Masonio Pupils' Assistance Fund attempfcto assist will be thoso without means or friends , and without being " Quixotic , " ib can do much in giving advice . Watching progress , keeping register of brethren willing to fill vacancies in their business or public offices , assisting tho sick , and , without encouraging
indolence or sapping self-reliance , assisting our children at a critical time . If Bro . While's assertions are correct , then every father stands in hia son ' s way . To conclude , I fear I havo taken up too much of your valnable space ; still , as the subject ia an important one , I hope you will allow me to wind up with one or two remarks which tend to
prove the Fund will do good . 1 . Lord Leigh and others—advocacy as to scholarships . 2 . Bros . Clabon and Hogg—repeated motions in Grand Lodgo to obtain part of tho Fnud 3 of Benevolence , and at the time of the Lifeboat grant as a thanksgiving offering for our M . W . Grand Master's return from India ib was then one of tho suggestions to endow
a similar fund . 3 . The efforts of Bro . Jacob 3 and Staffordshire brethren to perpetnate Lord Shrewsbury ' s memory by creating an Assistance Fund ; and , lastly , tho action of tho Supreme Council aud many individual
brethren in supporting separate cases . I think , Dear Sir aud Brother , I have a strong case , and beg to assuro you , until I can hear bettor reasons , I shall continue to exert the zeal and energy yon so kindly notico with redoubled vigour in what I consider so good a cause .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , DICK EADCLYITK .
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . 135 Loughborough-road , W . C . 24 th March 1880 . DEAR . SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho insinuation of your correspondent "SEISRIC , " that tho report in the Sunday Times and the letter in the . Times signed " P . M . " were written by mo is unfounded . I havo seen tho letter , and that is all I know about it ; tho former I haro