Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports.
would only now implore of Grand Lodge to support them with spirit and honour , and disenthral themselves from the too obvious charge of selfishness . He should vote for the larger sum . Bro . BEADEN begged they would not be led away by the eloquent and powerful address of Bro . Crucefix . If it was only a question of relief to widows , he was satisfied that few dissentients could be found ; but it was a pure matter of figureswhich the last speaker had altogether
, avoided , and made an appeal on behalf of widows which did his talent and feeling credit ; but however those might have the advantage who spoke for the widow , on the other side , those who took a more businesslike , and , he believed , a more correct view , would be borne out by investigation . They had not the money to part with for such a purpose , and if the money was forthcoming , they were bound in honour and justice to devote it to annuities for deserving brethren . He could not forget they
were unable to relieve the proper applicants , and their balance in fortunate years , with grants to boot , did not exceed an average of 300 / ., and they had as yet only a very limited number of annuitants . The M . W . G . M . was about to address the Grand Lodge . Bro . Philipe wished to know if he was to reply afterwards . The G . M . resumed his seat . Bro . PHILIPE then very ably reviewed the whole of the arguments that had been used , and said the principle had been before now fully
admitted by votes of Grand Lodge , that on confirmation similar motions had been rejected , but there was always a reason for it , which did not now apply . They had an overplus of 300 / ., of which he proposed to deal with one hundred onl y , and in which he was fully justified , for by carrying the lesser sum to the satisfaction of all , they would be enabled in time , at least he hoped so , to entertain an improvement to any extent . Bro . Philipe then reviewed the objections of those who disapproved of any present assistance to the widowand animadverted somewhat
, caustically on the suggestion to grant them aid when there should be no brethren remaining to require such . His objections to the larger sum were simply that the present balance in hand might not be found to continue as large , and that by postponement , that question hereafter might admit of more conclusive necessity . The GRAND MASTER opposed , at the present state of the revenue , the granting of any certain or fixed sum to widows—it was an
interference with the existing regulations of the Fund of Benevolence . He should not oppose a specific fund for widows , but could not support either the original motion or the amendment . The amendment was then put—for 32 , against 50 . Lost by IS . After which the original motion—for 50 , against 45 . Carried by a majority of 5 . Bro . PHILIPE proposed , that it be referred to the Board of General Purposes to devise a plan to carry the motion into effect . Carried .
AS TO ALTERATION IN THE RITUAL . Bro . SCARBOROUGH was then called upon to proceed with his motion : he requested that the notice mi ght be read , which was , that a committee of nine members , five of whom to be grand officers , be appointed to consider if any and what alteration might advantageously be made in the ceremonial ritual of Masonry , and was about to address Grand Lodge , ( having waited while , a conversation was going on between the Grand Master and Grand Officers , ) when
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports.
would only now implore of Grand Lodge to support them with spirit and honour , and disenthral themselves from the too obvious charge of selfishness . He should vote for the larger sum . Bro . BEADEN begged they would not be led away by the eloquent and powerful address of Bro . Crucefix . If it was only a question of relief to widows , he was satisfied that few dissentients could be found ; but it was a pure matter of figureswhich the last speaker had altogether
, avoided , and made an appeal on behalf of widows which did his talent and feeling credit ; but however those might have the advantage who spoke for the widow , on the other side , those who took a more businesslike , and , he believed , a more correct view , would be borne out by investigation . They had not the money to part with for such a purpose , and if the money was forthcoming , they were bound in honour and justice to devote it to annuities for deserving brethren . He could not forget they
were unable to relieve the proper applicants , and their balance in fortunate years , with grants to boot , did not exceed an average of 300 / ., and they had as yet only a very limited number of annuitants . The M . W . G . M . was about to address the Grand Lodge . Bro . Philipe wished to know if he was to reply afterwards . The G . M . resumed his seat . Bro . PHILIPE then very ably reviewed the whole of the arguments that had been used , and said the principle had been before now fully
admitted by votes of Grand Lodge , that on confirmation similar motions had been rejected , but there was always a reason for it , which did not now apply . They had an overplus of 300 / ., of which he proposed to deal with one hundred onl y , and in which he was fully justified , for by carrying the lesser sum to the satisfaction of all , they would be enabled in time , at least he hoped so , to entertain an improvement to any extent . Bro . Philipe then reviewed the objections of those who disapproved of any present assistance to the widowand animadverted somewhat
, caustically on the suggestion to grant them aid when there should be no brethren remaining to require such . His objections to the larger sum were simply that the present balance in hand might not be found to continue as large , and that by postponement , that question hereafter might admit of more conclusive necessity . The GRAND MASTER opposed , at the present state of the revenue , the granting of any certain or fixed sum to widows—it was an
interference with the existing regulations of the Fund of Benevolence . He should not oppose a specific fund for widows , but could not support either the original motion or the amendment . The amendment was then put—for 32 , against 50 . Lost by IS . After which the original motion—for 50 , against 45 . Carried by a majority of 5 . Bro . PHILIPE proposed , that it be referred to the Board of General Purposes to devise a plan to carry the motion into effect . Carried .
AS TO ALTERATION IN THE RITUAL . Bro . SCARBOROUGH was then called upon to proceed with his motion : he requested that the notice mi ght be read , which was , that a committee of nine members , five of whom to be grand officers , be appointed to consider if any and what alteration might advantageously be made in the ceremonial ritual of Masonry , and was about to address Grand Lodge , ( having waited while , a conversation was going on between the Grand Master and Grand Officers , ) when