Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports.
REPORTS .
The reports from the Boards of General Purposes and Benevolence Were read and confirmed , as also the annual report of the Royal Masonic Annuity Fund . The minutes of the Grand Lodge and Festival , held on the 25 th April , were read and confirmed , as also a list of the appointments of Grand Officers and Grand Stewards . A report was read from the Grand Superintendent of Works , stating that in his opinion the sum of 890 / . for the property on the south side of the Hall , was a fair and equitable amount .
GRANT OF ONE HUNDRED POUNDS TO WIDOWS , IN SMALL ANNUITIES . Bro . PHILIPE , in a very eloquent and lengthy address , proceeded with the motion of which he had given notice , that one hundred pounds per annum be given out of the funds of Grand Lodge towards the deserving Widows of Masons , and that the Board of General Purposes shall devise a plan for the distribution of the same . The arguments used in favour of his motion were well put and explained by Bro . Philipewho arranged
, and detailed his subject-matter with a forcible conviction . He observed that the two reasons why he limited the amount were , that a motion for 300 / . had been previously lost , and that the funds of the Grand Lodge at present could not well afford more . Bro . GOLDSWORTHY briefly seconded the motion . Bros . Dobie and Savage rose together . Bro . DOBIE proceeded to show that to pass such a vote as that proposed would be unjust—that it was
not correct in law to take from a fund appropriated to Masons to relieve Masons' Widows ; that if they did so they must first make provision for all the claimants on the funds , while but six out of forty candidates at the last election could have the relief granted to them from the barrenness of the fund ; that although a similar resolution , but for a larger grant , had been before now carried , it had been refused on confirmation ; that they already had pensioners whose income mi ght be endangered by
the establishment of a new charity , which this evidently was ; that though it was said this would complete the circle of masonic charity , he would defer that completion till he found it just and safe to do so . Bro . SAVAGE having given a notice of motion , by way of amendment , on this question , had risen immediately after it had been seconded , so that both , which were in reality one motion , might be argued together ; he had , however , given way to Bro . Dobie , and did not for one moment
regret it as it had given that brother an opportunity of opposing not only the amendment for encreasing the grant to two hundred pounds , but he had opposed the very principle ; this was entirely new doctrine . It had been conceded by every speaker and by every member of Grand Lodge many times ; and on the last occasion of this subject being debated , the most decided opponents admitted the desirableness of the principle , but the want of funds was assigned , with considerable regret indeed , as the
cause of its non-confirmation . Now it must be borne in mind that three hundred pounds was then asked for , and on the same evening an additional grant of two hundred pounds was asked for towards the Annuity Fund ; these two amounts of five hundred pounds were refused , because the income exceeded the expenditure by three hundred pounds only . They now proposed to deal with a portion of it , and from a question of figures they were suddenly startled b y the fundamental question , relief to the widows being mooted ; that such an argument was worthless was
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports.
REPORTS .
The reports from the Boards of General Purposes and Benevolence Were read and confirmed , as also the annual report of the Royal Masonic Annuity Fund . The minutes of the Grand Lodge and Festival , held on the 25 th April , were read and confirmed , as also a list of the appointments of Grand Officers and Grand Stewards . A report was read from the Grand Superintendent of Works , stating that in his opinion the sum of 890 / . for the property on the south side of the Hall , was a fair and equitable amount .
GRANT OF ONE HUNDRED POUNDS TO WIDOWS , IN SMALL ANNUITIES . Bro . PHILIPE , in a very eloquent and lengthy address , proceeded with the motion of which he had given notice , that one hundred pounds per annum be given out of the funds of Grand Lodge towards the deserving Widows of Masons , and that the Board of General Purposes shall devise a plan for the distribution of the same . The arguments used in favour of his motion were well put and explained by Bro . Philipewho arranged
, and detailed his subject-matter with a forcible conviction . He observed that the two reasons why he limited the amount were , that a motion for 300 / . had been previously lost , and that the funds of the Grand Lodge at present could not well afford more . Bro . GOLDSWORTHY briefly seconded the motion . Bros . Dobie and Savage rose together . Bro . DOBIE proceeded to show that to pass such a vote as that proposed would be unjust—that it was
not correct in law to take from a fund appropriated to Masons to relieve Masons' Widows ; that if they did so they must first make provision for all the claimants on the funds , while but six out of forty candidates at the last election could have the relief granted to them from the barrenness of the fund ; that although a similar resolution , but for a larger grant , had been before now carried , it had been refused on confirmation ; that they already had pensioners whose income mi ght be endangered by
the establishment of a new charity , which this evidently was ; that though it was said this would complete the circle of masonic charity , he would defer that completion till he found it just and safe to do so . Bro . SAVAGE having given a notice of motion , by way of amendment , on this question , had risen immediately after it had been seconded , so that both , which were in reality one motion , might be argued together ; he had , however , given way to Bro . Dobie , and did not for one moment
regret it as it had given that brother an opportunity of opposing not only the amendment for encreasing the grant to two hundred pounds , but he had opposed the very principle ; this was entirely new doctrine . It had been conceded by every speaker and by every member of Grand Lodge many times ; and on the last occasion of this subject being debated , the most decided opponents admitted the desirableness of the principle , but the want of funds was assigned , with considerable regret indeed , as the
cause of its non-confirmation . Now it must be borne in mind that three hundred pounds was then asked for , and on the same evening an additional grant of two hundred pounds was asked for towards the Annuity Fund ; these two amounts of five hundred pounds were refused , because the income exceeded the expenditure by three hundred pounds only . They now proposed to deal with a portion of it , and from a question of figures they were suddenly startled b y the fundamental question , relief to the widows being mooted ; that such an argument was worthless was