Charity Appeals From Non-Subscribers.

CHARITY APPEALS FROM NON-SUBSCRIBERS .

IT not infrequently happens that those who are . called upon to dispense Masonic Charity are brought face to face with the fact that the applicants never seemed to have a thought for the poor and distressed of the Craft until they

found themselves in distressed circumstances . Then they were ready with an appeal , and hoped to arouse the feelings of the Craft on their own behalf . The question very naturally

arises , are those who have never contributed a farthing from their own pocket to assist others , eligible for relief in the time of their own misfortune ?

The subject has been thrashed out on more than one oecasion in connection with the great Charitable Institutions of the Order , and we are pleased to say that in their case true Masonic feeling has been allowed to prevail , the opinion

being that all are equal in Freemasonry , and being so are alike entitled to sympathy and assistance if in want , and deserving of it , irrespective of what they have personally done on behalf of others in years gone by . This is the broad

principle that should prevail under such circumstances , and we believe any ordinary thinker would be able to convince himself to that effect , if he cared to sink all personalities and consider the matter in its fullest extent , as concerning the whole Brotherhood of Freemasonry . It is not usual for members of the Craft to look into the

past actions of candidates for initiation , before putting their name to the ballot , it being sufficient to know that they are good men in the ordinary acceptation of the term ; and on the same principle it should not be necessary to consider all

the actions of a Brother Mason before deciding to give him the benefit of Masonic assistance . It is far better to believe that all are equally deserving , and if one Brother has not

done so much , publicly , as his fellows , to imagine that he has not had similar opportunities , or been equally provided with the means of helping others .

Besides all this we must not forget that perhaps the Masons who do the most on behalf of their less fortunate

companions make the least show . They may prefer to do good by stealth , give in silence , or dispense true fraternal assistance in such a way as to prevent the world knowing what is going on . Are we to exclude all such members of

our Fraternity from Masonic Benevolence should they some day find themselves in want ? and give instead to the Brother who , with all the ostentation and show that was possible , subscribed perhaps five or ten guineas to some fund where

his name was permanently recorded as a supporter of Masonic benevolence , and whose one act in the cause of charit y was perhaps afterwards regretted , and never repeated ? That would be a serious mistake , and even if only for the

purpose of guarding against such a contingency the Craft should never attempt to limit its Benevolence to those who , in more prosperous days , gave publicly of their means in order to help in the relief of distress in others .

Charity Appeals From Non-Subscribers.

Then , again , we must not forget that to make the benefits of Freemasonry in this particular only available for those Brethren who had previously shown a charitable disposition towards others , would place the Order on a par

with an ordinary Benefit Society , without any of the safeguards or restrictions imposed in their management , and this would be so opposed to the principles of the Craft as to

make such a proposition almost unworthy of consideration , and yet the subject is one , as we have already urged , that is frequently discussed , and is one in regard to which very much may be urged on either side .

In another part of our present issue we record the proceedings at a meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , held at Plymouth on the 21 st inst ., when considerable discussion ensued in

regard to this particular feature . It was pointed out that it often happened Lodges did not recognise their obligation to contribute to this local fund , in fact , quietly ignored it , until they found themselves in a position to require its help ;

and a strong feeling was expressed that the Committee should have a discretionary power to reject nominations from non-contributing Lodges , which suggestion will come on for formal consideration at the Annual meeting on Tuesday next , a

notice of motion on the subject being given for that assembly . We think we have said enough to show our Devonshire Brethren what we consider their duty in this particular case . No doubt it is very galling to see Lodges and Brethren

claiming , and often receiving , the benefit of charity funds in the promotion of which they displayed little or no interest ; but on the other hand it would be unwise , if not unjust , to deny them admission on such a basis ; for it may be remembered

that although they may appeal without having previously contributed , they cannot derive any benefits—where those benefits are secured by competitive elections—without having

done much , either in their own name , or by friends who , for some reason ' or another , are content to transfer their rights and privileges to them for the time being .

It is in this connection we find the advantage of the system of election that prevails in association with the majority of our Benevolent funds . It is true the most deserving cases may not be elected , but on the well-known

principle that those who pay the piper have the right to order the tune , it is very certain that those who are considered the most deserving by the subscribers themselves must obtain the prizes ; that is to say , by securing the

largest number of proxies they clearly prove themselves to be the popular candidates in the eyes of those who subscribed the money . For this reason , if for no other , there should be no harsh restrictions in the direction proposed , as to who are

to be deemed eligible . If the candidates have not personally shown interest in the work there is no knowing what they may have done indirectly , or how far they may have influenced others to render assistance . It is very certain they cannot secure the coveted benefits without proxies , earned by