Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
our own experience of this necessity is increased every month , by witnessing in London , at the Board of Benevolence , the lamentable results of the want of forethought in those who , having entered Masonry , appear so frequently to have neglected the opportunities of profiting by life assurance ; for it must be confessed that the applicants to the fund are by no means confined to those who commenced life in flip humbler walk of
society , but who were even born with better expectations . In the examination of cases , however , we have often found that life-policies have been effected , but have been necessaril y mortgaged , or otherwise surrendered to meet the present emergency which adversity demands . We make this comment in justice to such as who becoming unfortunate , are too often visited with the charge of criminal neglect . We have had some correspondence on the subject of the Circular , and
in consequence we feel bound to enter into some observations , which we trust will be taken in good part . The circular states that the Association is to be under the patronage of the Grand Master of Scotland , and other influential Masons . In our humble opinion , before such a suggestion , " infuturo" was published and circulated , something like the " as in presenti , " would have been more satisfactory ; in plain terms , has the Grand Master given his consent , or has he not ? if he has , such consent should have been stated , it would have given confidence : if he has not , the circular is premature at the least .
The list of the Provisional Committee contains many names of the highest consideration ; but will such noblemen and gentlemen take an active part , and embark their money , if they will not , of what use are the names ; here in London we have been cheated by names recorded in connection with ASSURANCE and other companies , which , when the delinquent parties also in connection have rendered it necessary to look for higher authority , it has been found that patrons and honorary
presidents have , proved an ignis fatuus—a . vox et preterea . nihil . Before the affair is even parturient , for we presume the association is as . yet but , in embryo , we hope such ample and honorable provision will be made , for its , support , that the object will not proye abortive . We feel a jealousy in matters Masonic , and have sometimes thought it strange there should be so little given in charity by the Grand Lodge of Scotland . In London more is given to Scottish Masons alone in a yearthan is
, distributed by their own Grand Lodge in a like period of time—e . g ., last year by their own printed amount , the sura of . 4 , 41 was all that thepoor Brethren received , not tlie price of two Scottish : Warranrs . Now either the mode of raising the charity fund is inoperative , . or the necessity for any such fund can , hardly exist ; yet w & can ' u ' o ^ arrive at ' the . latter conclusion , from our knowledge that Scottish Brethren so often apply to the English fund .,.,, ; ,, ' ,,,, ,.., ; . ' ,,,,...
Should not then the first business be to set , about a general fund for charitable purposes , rather , than . to commence a business speculation ? Some years since a ' project was afoot to establish in Edinburgh a school for the children of . Masons ., What has , become , of that project ; has it been " shipwrecked" on the black waters of idleness and oblivion ? It is said that a little money was raised for educational purposes , and that a child or two is taught the ABC somewhere ; but has any meeting been called , and who knows any thing about the business ? We pause for an answer . We do not say that the present plan is not plausible , and may not do
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
our own experience of this necessity is increased every month , by witnessing in London , at the Board of Benevolence , the lamentable results of the want of forethought in those who , having entered Masonry , appear so frequently to have neglected the opportunities of profiting by life assurance ; for it must be confessed that the applicants to the fund are by no means confined to those who commenced life in flip humbler walk of
society , but who were even born with better expectations . In the examination of cases , however , we have often found that life-policies have been effected , but have been necessaril y mortgaged , or otherwise surrendered to meet the present emergency which adversity demands . We make this comment in justice to such as who becoming unfortunate , are too often visited with the charge of criminal neglect . We have had some correspondence on the subject of the Circular , and
in consequence we feel bound to enter into some observations , which we trust will be taken in good part . The circular states that the Association is to be under the patronage of the Grand Master of Scotland , and other influential Masons . In our humble opinion , before such a suggestion , " infuturo" was published and circulated , something like the " as in presenti , " would have been more satisfactory ; in plain terms , has the Grand Master given his consent , or has he not ? if he has , such consent should have been stated , it would have given confidence : if he has not , the circular is premature at the least .
The list of the Provisional Committee contains many names of the highest consideration ; but will such noblemen and gentlemen take an active part , and embark their money , if they will not , of what use are the names ; here in London we have been cheated by names recorded in connection with ASSURANCE and other companies , which , when the delinquent parties also in connection have rendered it necessary to look for higher authority , it has been found that patrons and honorary
presidents have , proved an ignis fatuus—a . vox et preterea . nihil . Before the affair is even parturient , for we presume the association is as . yet but , in embryo , we hope such ample and honorable provision will be made , for its , support , that the object will not proye abortive . We feel a jealousy in matters Masonic , and have sometimes thought it strange there should be so little given in charity by the Grand Lodge of Scotland . In London more is given to Scottish Masons alone in a yearthan is
, distributed by their own Grand Lodge in a like period of time—e . g ., last year by their own printed amount , the sura of . 4 , 41 was all that thepoor Brethren received , not tlie price of two Scottish : Warranrs . Now either the mode of raising the charity fund is inoperative , . or the necessity for any such fund can , hardly exist ; yet w & can ' u ' o ^ arrive at ' the . latter conclusion , from our knowledge that Scottish Brethren so often apply to the English fund .,.,, ; ,, ' ,,,, ,.., ; . ' ,,,,...
Should not then the first business be to set , about a general fund for charitable purposes , rather , than . to commence a business speculation ? Some years since a ' project was afoot to establish in Edinburgh a school for the children of . Masons ., What has , become , of that project ; has it been " shipwrecked" on the black waters of idleness and oblivion ? It is said that a little money was raised for educational purposes , and that a child or two is taught the ABC somewhere ; but has any meeting been called , and who knows any thing about the business ? We pause for an answer . We do not say that the present plan is not plausible , and may not do