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Article THE FREEMASON. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 2 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason.
four £ 30 , seven £ 25 , five £ 20 , one £ 15 , seven £ 10 , and ono £ 5 . Three cases were deferred . We have no doubt ourselves that the Board grants its votes with great care and discrimination , and with liberality , and that it will have full justification for its no doubt iarg -c votes of £ 250 and £ 200 .
* * BRO . J FAWCETT , P . G . M . for Durham , vvho has lately resigned his high office , is not only one of the oldest of our Prov . Grand Masters , thc father it may be said , but is one of the most respected of
Masons . In Durham , where his Masonic life has been spent , he is alike valued and regarded with the warmest feelings of admiration and respect . He has been always a most distinguished Mason , an able ruler , and a friendly and genial brother .
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY , who now succeeds him , is well known to many by thc warmness and kindness of his heart , to all and for all , and we feel quite sure that under his regime thc Province of Durham will alike prosper and progress .
* * WE present out readers to-day practically wilh a new issue of their old friend the Freemason . We trust that the change thus made in its arrangement
and appearance will be approved by all our very good brethren and kind patrons . We invoke the same fralernal goodwill which has cheered the past to accompany the onward progress of the Freemason .
* * * WE arc pleased to find that our efforts lo exclude ritual discussion from our pages meet with universal
approval . We feel quite sure that a great mistake has been committed in this free revelation of the technicalities of pure lodge work . Henceforth we will have " none of it . "
* * IN the New York Herald of February 16 th this year there was published a communication from Dr . J . A . WEISSE relative to a MS . of Madame BELZONI , with two curious Egyptian illustrations .
The original of that MS . is in the possession of Bro . W . J . K . WILD , now of London , and hc has , we understand , kindly placed it in the hands of thc Editor of the "Masonic Magazine" for
proper publication to the Craft . Wc arc informed that it will appear in the May number with coloured illustrations . Wc shall recur to the subject in our next .
* * IT is announced that our distinguished Brother the Lord Mayor , Sir FRANCIS WYATT TRUSCOTT , will be Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge for 1880-81 .
* * OTHER names are freely mentioned , but we think it best lo await more precise data . Some arc mere " canards , " as it is impossible to suppose lhat brethren who have onl y been a few years Masons can
be elevated to Grand Office , over the heads of their seniors , and distinguished b y services in Masonry . We never believe such statements ; they are generally put about by the persons themselves interested .
In our " young days , " alas , no more , twenty years of Masonic membership was the lowest qualification . Of course there arc Masonic exceptions to every rule .
* * * WE note some remarks in the New York Dispatch anent a leader of ours , and to which we will allude further next week . They require a little more attention than we can give lo them this .
• - * * WE have seen some remarks by a Bro . dishing , quoted by our good confrere Bro . Simons , in the New York Dispatch , " on dancing , " which we deem to be so utterly unsound in all respects that we shall call attention to them next week .
* * Quit contemporary , the Keystone , is very interesting as usual , and full of Masonic information . We are always pleased to find ourselves actively " en accord " with lhat admirable representative of American Masonic literature .
The East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.
THE EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
Thc annual report of this vcry useful Institution is now before us . It appears that during the past
year it has granted £ 118 14 s . 6 d . in payment of educational fees and clothing for twenty-two children elected in the Institution ; that it has also voted £ 20 for boys' advancement ; £ 72 in relief to poor
brethren and widows ; and £ 70 for relief for Almoners . Its receipts on the whole amounted to £ 1538 7 s . 2 d . ; its expenditure , including investments to the amount of £ 579 is ., to £ 889 14 s . 3 d ., and that it has a balance to next account of
£ 648 12 s . 1 id . Its investments bring it in £ 140 per annum , now to be increased . It received from Provincial Grand Lodge , for Girls' Educational Fund , £ 228 , and from lodges , chapters , and brethren in East Lancashire £ 380 ios .
One feature of its report is very striking , that in respect of -the " Almoners " they have investigated eighty-four cases during 1879 , as against sixty-three in 1878 , and sixty-two in 1 S 69 . Of these thirteen only were relieved — - seventy-one were itinerant
Masons . Please note this fact , kind readers all . The Liverpool Committee reported thirty-seven cases relieved and eight refused ; Leeds , thirtynine relieved and two refused ; Birmingham , thirtyseven cases relieved in six months : Bolton , nine
cases ; and Oldham , five . It seems that the "itinerants " have applied in two , three , four , and , in some instances , at five places . One applicant admitted having been
relieved at Sheffield , Bristol , Newton , Brecon , Leeds , Sunderland , York , Huddersfield , Preston , Accrington , Blackpool , Lytham , Southport , and Bacup . Have wc not said enough to point out the value of this report ancl the usefulness of such provincial associations ?
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wcwish in aspirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] j
THE ROYAL AIASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND . To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In Bro . Dick Radclylfe's long letter , which appeared in your last week ' s isssue , he says he cannot understand how " P . AL" could criticise the list of subscriptions ,
as you only published them immediardly above his letter , and he suggests that it is an editorial comment . Seeing that the list in question was published by him a week before it appeared in the columns of the Freemason , I fail to see thc point of his remarks , and I trust he will absolve me from the charge of prying into the editorial basket , and make the amende honourable to yourself . I would remind him , however , that in his desire to fix a
suspicion on the bona fides of thc writer he has altogether overlooked the question I asked , viz ., What liabilities had been incurred up to the date of meeting ? If by his statement , that the R . M . P . A . F . stands pledged tonothing , he means that the promoters have themselves paid all costs of printing , advertising , & c , up to this time , it is very liberal on their part , and the thanks of the subscribers are due to them . Yours fraternally , P . AL
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — After the correspondence , of a fearful character , whicii has been evoked under this head , you must look with a troubled eye upon any mention of the unborn bantling to which this name has been given . But , sir , you need not fear . " I must be brief , " for one thing , and , for another , I
should never attempt thc foll y of "answering" the painfully illogical , uncertain , and irrational communications which have appeared . It is sufficient to me that I have drawn out the fact , which is now patent to all , that behind the princely , the noble , and the worshipful patrons of the many-handed bantling to be brought into the world , behind even Bro . Radclyffe , there stands a " charitable" clique ,
whose idea of charity is , "Let us raise subscriptions ; others must be called upon to subscribe , in order that we may arrange how it shall be spent . " These eminently "charitable" persons , nominally belonging to a body whose members "are bound by peculiar ties to promote peace , cultivate harmony , and live in concord and brotherly love , " have thought fit to assail me in
the most violent terms , and they have not scrupled even to attempt injury to me in my profession . The slanders thus published are contained in a jiaper which claims to have " authority from Grand Lodge , " and the personal attack which has been made upon me is thc fruit of my late successful efforts to prevent theprinting of those matters which
Alasons are bound to hele , as well as of the proofs 1 have given that , for one , I will not allow the public or the Craft to be misled cither bythe subtle or the foolish , or , as is sometimes the case , by both together , without raising a word or two of warning . Al y motives in the matter must be apparent even to those who do not know me , and I am pressed into the service of combating folly and , cunning by the
Original Correspondence.
varying phases of this gigantic scheme , as well as by the abuse which has been levelled at me . Of Bro . Dick Radcyffe ' s sincerity I have not the slightest doubt ; but it is apparent that Bro . Radclyffe is ignorant of many things besides press work—and that he is ignorant of this is evident by his idea that a respectable paper would allow its reporter to back up his report by an anonymous letter—or that a daily paper could find space for a full
report of such matter as that meeting he refers to presented . Bro . Radcl yffe has much to learn even about charity and of the science of giving without doing more harm than good ; and his present proposals , if carried out , would do vast injury to many young minds , for its initiatory work would embark young boys on a beggintr letter career in soliciting votes to be helped by the " fund " ! " Bro . Radclyffe has , if he will look for them , examples without number uviyjiJJJJJJ L maiscrnmnaie
, ; y , uv evns causea oy giving , ana by ill-arranged charities , and , believing him to be sincere , I have desired to save him from the mortification which may come to him hereafter when he finds , as he assuredly will , that his energies have been devoted to raising money with the result of doing that which he never dreamt of doing and which no honest man would ever dream of doing . He is , though he may not see it , somewhat in the position of thc enthusiast in the Romish Churchas depicted by
Macau-, lay . In the name of the Church the enthusiastic religionist was clothed in sackcloth , girded with a rope , and sent forth to preach in her name . The Church profited by him ; but was not bound by his teachings or his tenets . So with the charitable wire-pullers behind Bro . Radclyffe . They have given him a pen , and they spur him on to the one end"Get subscriptions " from lodges , ladies , Masons , and the public . Work upon all ; but " get money . " An objection
is raised that a fourth Alasonic Charity is not wanted , and they answer , this is not to be one ; but , at the same time , they proceed to lay out the organisation for one , without , however , as yet , making provisionfor the paid Secretary . They are asked for the " purposes" of the Charity , and they present "objects . " They cry "No , no , " when I speak of these objects , and Bro . Radcl y ffe says these are their "suggestions . " Lord Rosslyn , Lord Skelmersdale ,
and all vvithdraw from these " objects . " The " objects " arc derided even in face of the proposers , and ' no one has a word to say for them . When I speak of them in detail they are termed "monstrous exaggerations . " Yet , sir , you may mark this extraordinary fact—that , in face of these denials and withdrawals , only as late as last Saturday these derided , discredited , and discarded " objects " are set forth , with the Royal , lordly , and
worshipful names placed in full array , as if there were no doubt of the sanction which they give to this thing of mysterious parentage ; and Bro . Dick Radclylfe's name is , moreover , signed to an announcement asking for support to a four days' fancy fair and bazaar (!) to be applied to the benefit of this non-fourth Alasonic Charity . Thus we have Bro . Dick Radclyffe at one and the same time holding forth the purposes of his proposed charity as the " obiects" ofthe
charity , and mildly repudiating them as mere suggestions . Is there a second "Dick Radclyffe , " the second acontradiction of the first ? Is the mystery solved b y the suggestion that Bro . Dick Radcl y ffe does not know his own mind ? or have we to take it that while Bro . Dick Radclyffe is the nominal mouthpiece , he has behind him , and behind the Royal , lordly , and worshipful gentlemen , some vvho are making use of those in front for certain peculiar purposes
and aims ? We shall see , but Bro . Radclyffe , though using many words , has not cleared the view of things . I say to the Craft , and to the public ( vvho are appealed to for aid ) , that until more is known of the purpose of the "fund" and the organisation which will direct it , contributions should be withheld , however high in position and well meaning may be those in front . If His Royal Highness Prince Leopold should preside at any future meeting on
behalf of the fund , it will probably be suggested to him that the necessity of a " supplementary charity" should first be proved , and its purposes clearly set forth , and not left to be invented afterwards—that before active steps are taken to create a charity in His Royal Highness ' s name this preliminary step should be taken : the impartial Charity Organisation Society , of which His Royal Highness is the head , shall make inquiry into the needs of the boys in the
Royal Alasonic Boys School , whose pupils are to have this new lottery created for them ; there must first be shown the want , and then formed some better scheme than a lottery which purposes to give to luck y ones , vvho can secure by pertinacious begging letter writing a majority of votes ( not to the necessitous ' or meritorious ) , various rights and privileges , from tools being found to commence trade to the prizes of university training , purchase of businesses , and
" obtaining" " commissions in the army and navy . " Before the public and the Craft are askedf to subscribe to this proposed lottery we must know the necessity of the class for whom this elaborate "Assistance Fund" is nominally sought to be created . I shall ask this everywhere with all possible energy , and if the necessity should be found to exist , the result will be beneficial . If otherwise the "fund" will remain where it now is , "in the clouds . "
I am , Sir , yours faithfully and fraternally , JOHN WHILE , P . AL 22 S . P . S . As there have been so many denials and misstatements regarding the " objects , " and as the very " charitable " people connected with the "fund" have not ventured to ask you to publish their circular , it may be as well to lay before your readers the following excerpt , and the publication will enlighten the minds of those vvho have
rashly given their names . " Royal Alasonic Pupil's Assistance Fund—Objects . "The main objects of the fund are"To provide situations for the pupils on their . leaving the Alasonic Schools . "To watch their progress , and offer aid and advice where needful . "To advance small amounts to aid in the purchase of
tools , outfits , and , later in life , goodwills of businesses , & c . "To establish scholarships , and otherwise support pupils at the Universities and other public schools , or assist boys who ' may desire to enter the Army or Navy , and aid them in obtaining commissions . "Generally to watch over the future of the pupils , and
help them in securing success . " To render assistance to the unsuccessful candidates for the benefits of the existing Alasonic Charities . " And otherwise co-operate in the dispensing of Masonic charity . " [ We only publish this letter on our correspondent's appeal forjfair play , but the discussion must now cease . —Ed . ]
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason.
four £ 30 , seven £ 25 , five £ 20 , one £ 15 , seven £ 10 , and ono £ 5 . Three cases were deferred . We have no doubt ourselves that the Board grants its votes with great care and discrimination , and with liberality , and that it will have full justification for its no doubt iarg -c votes of £ 250 and £ 200 .
* * BRO . J FAWCETT , P . G . M . for Durham , vvho has lately resigned his high office , is not only one of the oldest of our Prov . Grand Masters , thc father it may be said , but is one of the most respected of
Masons . In Durham , where his Masonic life has been spent , he is alike valued and regarded with the warmest feelings of admiration and respect . He has been always a most distinguished Mason , an able ruler , and a friendly and genial brother .
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY , who now succeeds him , is well known to many by thc warmness and kindness of his heart , to all and for all , and we feel quite sure that under his regime thc Province of Durham will alike prosper and progress .
* * WE present out readers to-day practically wilh a new issue of their old friend the Freemason . We trust that the change thus made in its arrangement
and appearance will be approved by all our very good brethren and kind patrons . We invoke the same fralernal goodwill which has cheered the past to accompany the onward progress of the Freemason .
* * * WE arc pleased to find that our efforts lo exclude ritual discussion from our pages meet with universal
approval . We feel quite sure that a great mistake has been committed in this free revelation of the technicalities of pure lodge work . Henceforth we will have " none of it . "
* * IN the New York Herald of February 16 th this year there was published a communication from Dr . J . A . WEISSE relative to a MS . of Madame BELZONI , with two curious Egyptian illustrations .
The original of that MS . is in the possession of Bro . W . J . K . WILD , now of London , and hc has , we understand , kindly placed it in the hands of thc Editor of the "Masonic Magazine" for
proper publication to the Craft . Wc arc informed that it will appear in the May number with coloured illustrations . Wc shall recur to the subject in our next .
* * IT is announced that our distinguished Brother the Lord Mayor , Sir FRANCIS WYATT TRUSCOTT , will be Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge for 1880-81 .
* * OTHER names are freely mentioned , but we think it best lo await more precise data . Some arc mere " canards , " as it is impossible to suppose lhat brethren who have onl y been a few years Masons can
be elevated to Grand Office , over the heads of their seniors , and distinguished b y services in Masonry . We never believe such statements ; they are generally put about by the persons themselves interested .
In our " young days , " alas , no more , twenty years of Masonic membership was the lowest qualification . Of course there arc Masonic exceptions to every rule .
* * * WE note some remarks in the New York Dispatch anent a leader of ours , and to which we will allude further next week . They require a little more attention than we can give lo them this .
• - * * WE have seen some remarks by a Bro . dishing , quoted by our good confrere Bro . Simons , in the New York Dispatch , " on dancing , " which we deem to be so utterly unsound in all respects that we shall call attention to them next week .
* * Quit contemporary , the Keystone , is very interesting as usual , and full of Masonic information . We are always pleased to find ourselves actively " en accord " with lhat admirable representative of American Masonic literature .
The East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.
THE EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
Thc annual report of this vcry useful Institution is now before us . It appears that during the past
year it has granted £ 118 14 s . 6 d . in payment of educational fees and clothing for twenty-two children elected in the Institution ; that it has also voted £ 20 for boys' advancement ; £ 72 in relief to poor
brethren and widows ; and £ 70 for relief for Almoners . Its receipts on the whole amounted to £ 1538 7 s . 2 d . ; its expenditure , including investments to the amount of £ 579 is ., to £ 889 14 s . 3 d ., and that it has a balance to next account of
£ 648 12 s . 1 id . Its investments bring it in £ 140 per annum , now to be increased . It received from Provincial Grand Lodge , for Girls' Educational Fund , £ 228 , and from lodges , chapters , and brethren in East Lancashire £ 380 ios .
One feature of its report is very striking , that in respect of -the " Almoners " they have investigated eighty-four cases during 1879 , as against sixty-three in 1878 , and sixty-two in 1 S 69 . Of these thirteen only were relieved — - seventy-one were itinerant
Masons . Please note this fact , kind readers all . The Liverpool Committee reported thirty-seven cases relieved and eight refused ; Leeds , thirtynine relieved and two refused ; Birmingham , thirtyseven cases relieved in six months : Bolton , nine
cases ; and Oldham , five . It seems that the "itinerants " have applied in two , three , four , and , in some instances , at five places . One applicant admitted having been
relieved at Sheffield , Bristol , Newton , Brecon , Leeds , Sunderland , York , Huddersfield , Preston , Accrington , Blackpool , Lytham , Southport , and Bacup . Have wc not said enough to point out the value of this report ancl the usefulness of such provincial associations ?
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wcwish in aspirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] j
THE ROYAL AIASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND . To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In Bro . Dick Radclylfe's long letter , which appeared in your last week ' s isssue , he says he cannot understand how " P . AL" could criticise the list of subscriptions ,
as you only published them immediardly above his letter , and he suggests that it is an editorial comment . Seeing that the list in question was published by him a week before it appeared in the columns of the Freemason , I fail to see thc point of his remarks , and I trust he will absolve me from the charge of prying into the editorial basket , and make the amende honourable to yourself . I would remind him , however , that in his desire to fix a
suspicion on the bona fides of thc writer he has altogether overlooked the question I asked , viz ., What liabilities had been incurred up to the date of meeting ? If by his statement , that the R . M . P . A . F . stands pledged tonothing , he means that the promoters have themselves paid all costs of printing , advertising , & c , up to this time , it is very liberal on their part , and the thanks of the subscribers are due to them . Yours fraternally , P . AL
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — After the correspondence , of a fearful character , whicii has been evoked under this head , you must look with a troubled eye upon any mention of the unborn bantling to which this name has been given . But , sir , you need not fear . " I must be brief , " for one thing , and , for another , I
should never attempt thc foll y of "answering" the painfully illogical , uncertain , and irrational communications which have appeared . It is sufficient to me that I have drawn out the fact , which is now patent to all , that behind the princely , the noble , and the worshipful patrons of the many-handed bantling to be brought into the world , behind even Bro . Radclyffe , there stands a " charitable" clique ,
whose idea of charity is , "Let us raise subscriptions ; others must be called upon to subscribe , in order that we may arrange how it shall be spent . " These eminently "charitable" persons , nominally belonging to a body whose members "are bound by peculiar ties to promote peace , cultivate harmony , and live in concord and brotherly love , " have thought fit to assail me in
the most violent terms , and they have not scrupled even to attempt injury to me in my profession . The slanders thus published are contained in a jiaper which claims to have " authority from Grand Lodge , " and the personal attack which has been made upon me is thc fruit of my late successful efforts to prevent theprinting of those matters which
Alasons are bound to hele , as well as of the proofs 1 have given that , for one , I will not allow the public or the Craft to be misled cither bythe subtle or the foolish , or , as is sometimes the case , by both together , without raising a word or two of warning . Al y motives in the matter must be apparent even to those who do not know me , and I am pressed into the service of combating folly and , cunning by the
Original Correspondence.
varying phases of this gigantic scheme , as well as by the abuse which has been levelled at me . Of Bro . Dick Radcyffe ' s sincerity I have not the slightest doubt ; but it is apparent that Bro . Radclyffe is ignorant of many things besides press work—and that he is ignorant of this is evident by his idea that a respectable paper would allow its reporter to back up his report by an anonymous letter—or that a daily paper could find space for a full
report of such matter as that meeting he refers to presented . Bro . Radcl yffe has much to learn even about charity and of the science of giving without doing more harm than good ; and his present proposals , if carried out , would do vast injury to many young minds , for its initiatory work would embark young boys on a beggintr letter career in soliciting votes to be helped by the " fund " ! " Bro . Radclyffe has , if he will look for them , examples without number uviyjiJJJJJJ L maiscrnmnaie
, ; y , uv evns causea oy giving , ana by ill-arranged charities , and , believing him to be sincere , I have desired to save him from the mortification which may come to him hereafter when he finds , as he assuredly will , that his energies have been devoted to raising money with the result of doing that which he never dreamt of doing and which no honest man would ever dream of doing . He is , though he may not see it , somewhat in the position of thc enthusiast in the Romish Churchas depicted by
Macau-, lay . In the name of the Church the enthusiastic religionist was clothed in sackcloth , girded with a rope , and sent forth to preach in her name . The Church profited by him ; but was not bound by his teachings or his tenets . So with the charitable wire-pullers behind Bro . Radclyffe . They have given him a pen , and they spur him on to the one end"Get subscriptions " from lodges , ladies , Masons , and the public . Work upon all ; but " get money . " An objection
is raised that a fourth Alasonic Charity is not wanted , and they answer , this is not to be one ; but , at the same time , they proceed to lay out the organisation for one , without , however , as yet , making provisionfor the paid Secretary . They are asked for the " purposes" of the Charity , and they present "objects . " They cry "No , no , " when I speak of these objects , and Bro . Radcl y ffe says these are their "suggestions . " Lord Rosslyn , Lord Skelmersdale ,
and all vvithdraw from these " objects . " The " objects " arc derided even in face of the proposers , and ' no one has a word to say for them . When I speak of them in detail they are termed "monstrous exaggerations . " Yet , sir , you may mark this extraordinary fact—that , in face of these denials and withdrawals , only as late as last Saturday these derided , discredited , and discarded " objects " are set forth , with the Royal , lordly , and
worshipful names placed in full array , as if there were no doubt of the sanction which they give to this thing of mysterious parentage ; and Bro . Dick Radclylfe's name is , moreover , signed to an announcement asking for support to a four days' fancy fair and bazaar (!) to be applied to the benefit of this non-fourth Alasonic Charity . Thus we have Bro . Dick Radclyffe at one and the same time holding forth the purposes of his proposed charity as the " obiects" ofthe
charity , and mildly repudiating them as mere suggestions . Is there a second "Dick Radclyffe , " the second acontradiction of the first ? Is the mystery solved b y the suggestion that Bro . Dick Radcl y ffe does not know his own mind ? or have we to take it that while Bro . Dick Radclyffe is the nominal mouthpiece , he has behind him , and behind the Royal , lordly , and worshipful gentlemen , some vvho are making use of those in front for certain peculiar purposes
and aims ? We shall see , but Bro . Radclyffe , though using many words , has not cleared the view of things . I say to the Craft , and to the public ( vvho are appealed to for aid ) , that until more is known of the purpose of the "fund" and the organisation which will direct it , contributions should be withheld , however high in position and well meaning may be those in front . If His Royal Highness Prince Leopold should preside at any future meeting on
behalf of the fund , it will probably be suggested to him that the necessity of a " supplementary charity" should first be proved , and its purposes clearly set forth , and not left to be invented afterwards—that before active steps are taken to create a charity in His Royal Highness ' s name this preliminary step should be taken : the impartial Charity Organisation Society , of which His Royal Highness is the head , shall make inquiry into the needs of the boys in the
Royal Alasonic Boys School , whose pupils are to have this new lottery created for them ; there must first be shown the want , and then formed some better scheme than a lottery which purposes to give to luck y ones , vvho can secure by pertinacious begging letter writing a majority of votes ( not to the necessitous ' or meritorious ) , various rights and privileges , from tools being found to commence trade to the prizes of university training , purchase of businesses , and
" obtaining" " commissions in the army and navy . " Before the public and the Craft are askedf to subscribe to this proposed lottery we must know the necessity of the class for whom this elaborate "Assistance Fund" is nominally sought to be created . I shall ask this everywhere with all possible energy , and if the necessity should be found to exist , the result will be beneficial . If otherwise the "fund" will remain where it now is , "in the clouds . "
I am , Sir , yours faithfully and fraternally , JOHN WHILE , P . AL 22 S . P . S . As there have been so many denials and misstatements regarding the " objects , " and as the very " charitable " people connected with the "fund" have not ventured to ask you to publish their circular , it may be as well to lay before your readers the following excerpt , and the publication will enlighten the minds of those vvho have
rashly given their names . " Royal Alasonic Pupil's Assistance Fund—Objects . "The main objects of the fund are"To provide situations for the pupils on their . leaving the Alasonic Schools . "To watch their progress , and offer aid and advice where needful . "To advance small amounts to aid in the purchase of
tools , outfits , and , later in life , goodwills of businesses , & c . "To establish scholarships , and otherwise support pupils at the Universities and other public schools , or assist boys who ' may desire to enter the Army or Navy , and aid them in obtaining commissions . "Generally to watch over the future of the pupils , and
help them in securing success . " To render assistance to the unsuccessful candidates for the benefits of the existing Alasonic Charities . " And otherwise co-operate in the dispensing of Masonic charity . " [ We only publish this letter on our correspondent's appeal forjfair play , but the discussion must now cease . —Ed . ]