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Article MASONIC IMPOSTORS. ← Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Impostors.
If such wandering- vagabonds have ever "been made Masons , tney are prostituting it most shamefully ; for a Mason is taught to be industrious , and to strive to gain an honest living by the sweat of his brow . But we do not bolievo thoy are Masons , for there is no Lodge in the world that would permit her members to go forth into tho world to beg from door to door , so long as tho means of relieving their necessities were left . ' * ' When such persons come along , give them work , or assist them to find work , give them victuals and lod ging , and nothing more . It is wrong to sign passports for them from one Lodge to another , for many are deceived thereby . If the beggar be really a Mason in distress , ho has another passport to the hearts and pockets of the Fraternity more powerful than all tho written recommendations he could carry . ' "
A nuisance similar to this has for some time past been growing in London , and requires the immediate attention of the Masonic authorities . It is not merely that , month after month , cases of Brethren asking for pecuniary aid find their way to the Board of Benevolence , which , when thoroughly sifted—as they invariably are by the dispensers of that Masonic
fund—are too generally found to be undeserving of attention , or of the slightest consideration , —but the houses of wellknown Brethren are beset , particularly by foreigners , who are loud in their demands , and most impertinent if the help they claim be not immediately given to them . As a general rule —as in all other cases of mendicancy—it is a great mistake
to give money to such applicants . In nine cases out of ten , these , upon inquiry , will be found to be—if not unworthy Masons—nothing better than impostors , who , having laid hold of a foreign certificate , and obtained some idea of a sign or a pass-word , thrust themselves into the houses of the Brethren , to their great annoyance , and to the discomfort of the members of their families .
Doubtless many worthy foreign Masons are at this time in England whose cases , if examined , would be found to be deplorable , and to whom the extension of the hand of benevolence would be indeed an act of mercy ; but the greatest discrimination is required in investigating the particulars connected with their distress , and in seeing that the relief
afforded to them is not instantly swallowed up by claims outstanding against them , or by their own imprudence . Where , however , one deserving case meets the consideration of the Brethren , nineteen undeserving instances will come before them ; and , therefore , the time has assuredly arrived when imposition should be tracked and exposed , and the innocent and deserving be emancipated from the injury , which they cannot but suffer by the abuse of true benevolence , which has become almost proverbial .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Impostors.
If such wandering- vagabonds have ever "been made Masons , tney are prostituting it most shamefully ; for a Mason is taught to be industrious , and to strive to gain an honest living by the sweat of his brow . But we do not bolievo thoy are Masons , for there is no Lodge in the world that would permit her members to go forth into tho world to beg from door to door , so long as tho means of relieving their necessities were left . ' * ' When such persons come along , give them work , or assist them to find work , give them victuals and lod ging , and nothing more . It is wrong to sign passports for them from one Lodge to another , for many are deceived thereby . If the beggar be really a Mason in distress , ho has another passport to the hearts and pockets of the Fraternity more powerful than all tho written recommendations he could carry . ' "
A nuisance similar to this has for some time past been growing in London , and requires the immediate attention of the Masonic authorities . It is not merely that , month after month , cases of Brethren asking for pecuniary aid find their way to the Board of Benevolence , which , when thoroughly sifted—as they invariably are by the dispensers of that Masonic
fund—are too generally found to be undeserving of attention , or of the slightest consideration , —but the houses of wellknown Brethren are beset , particularly by foreigners , who are loud in their demands , and most impertinent if the help they claim be not immediately given to them . As a general rule —as in all other cases of mendicancy—it is a great mistake
to give money to such applicants . In nine cases out of ten , these , upon inquiry , will be found to be—if not unworthy Masons—nothing better than impostors , who , having laid hold of a foreign certificate , and obtained some idea of a sign or a pass-word , thrust themselves into the houses of the Brethren , to their great annoyance , and to the discomfort of the members of their families .
Doubtless many worthy foreign Masons are at this time in England whose cases , if examined , would be found to be deplorable , and to whom the extension of the hand of benevolence would be indeed an act of mercy ; but the greatest discrimination is required in investigating the particulars connected with their distress , and in seeing that the relief
afforded to them is not instantly swallowed up by claims outstanding against them , or by their own imprudence . Where , however , one deserving case meets the consideration of the Brethren , nineteen undeserving instances will come before them ; and , therefore , the time has assuredly arrived when imposition should be tracked and exposed , and the innocent and deserving be emancipated from the injury , which they cannot but suffer by the abuse of true benevolence , which has become almost proverbial .