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Article THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 2 Article THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
( Continued from page 533 . ) It will be taken for granted that men of the known experience of Bro . Crucefix and his coadjutors did not confine their labours in promoting the cause of the Asylum to Masonic circles . They knew well enough that outside help is an advantage , not so much , perhaps , from the actual good it may do as from the publicity it confers upon any such scheme . Even those
who may think lighlly of banquets , concerts , balls , bazaars , sermons , and such adventitious aids as are constantly being invoked on behalf of charity , must admit that they are productive of much benefit in the majority of cases , and it is not surprising that in turning over the pages of the Masonic journals of the time we should find suggestions in favour of some such means of help being adopted . The archives of the Institution make
similar disclosures , and the references to some proposal for organising a concert or ball in order to aid the funds are not infrequent . Thus , at the very outset , a theatrical entertainment was given at " the Theatre Royal English Opera House , " the day selected being the 29 th May , 1835 . Everything passed off most satisfactorily and the result helped materially to swell the fund that was being raised on account of the Asylum . On these
occasions it is not so much the performances which prove attractive as the circircumstances under which they are held . It would be most ungracious to criticise unfavourably services rendered in the cause of Charity , and place them on the same level with services professionally rendered , but if the artists fulfilled their part only one half as well as did our late Bro . Douglas Jerrold , of the Bank of England Lodge , when he wrote the address that was to be
delivered on this occasion , the audience must have had good reason to be gratified . So admirable indeed in our judgment is this brief but telling composition , that we have deemed it worthy of a place in this record , so that it may answer the two-fold purpose of a memento of the event it was written to serve as well as of its kindly and versatile author . In types we speak : by tokens , secret ways ,
We teach the wisdom of primeval days . To-night , ' tis true , no myst ' ry we rehearse , Yet , —hear a parable in homeliest verse . A noble ship lay found'ring in the main , The hapless victim of the hurricane ; Her crew—her passengers—with savage strife ,
Crowd on the boat that bears them on to life . They see the shore—again they press the strand—A happy spot— -a sunny , fertile land I But say—have all escaped the 'whelming wave?—Is no one left within a briny grave ? Some few old men , too weak to creep on deck ,
Lie in the ocean , coffin'd in the wreck . They had no child to pluck them from the tide , And so unaided—unremembered—died . But orphan babes are rescued from the sea By the strong arm of human sympathy . For in their looks—their heart-compelling tears—There speaks an eloquence denied to years .
The shipwreck'd men , inhabiting an isle Lovely and bright with bounteous nature ' s smile ; And richl y teeming with her fairest things , Ripe , luscious fruits , and medicinal springs , Must yet provide against the changing day—The night's dark dew—the noontime ' s scorching ray . For nature giving , still of man demands The cheerful industry of willing hands .
But some there are among our shipwreck'd crowd , Spent of their strength—by age , by sickness bow'd ; Forlorn old men in childhood ' s second birth , Poor , broken images of Adam ' s earth ! Of what avails the riches 'bout them thrown If wanting means to make one gift their own ? To him , what yields the juicy fruit sublime ,
Who sees the tree—but needs the strength to chime ? To him ivhat health can healing waters Bring , Who palsied is , and cannot reach the spring ? Must they then starve with plenty in their eye , Near health ' s own fountains must they groan and die ? Whilst in that isle , each beast may find a den , Shall no roof house our desolate old men ? There shall ' .
( To audience ) I see the builders' throng around , With line and rule prepar'd to mark the ground ; Nor lack there gentlest wishes , hands most fair , To join the master in his fervent prayer ; But , with instructive goodness , crowd to-night , Smiling approval of our solemn rite , The noblest daughters of this favour'd isle ,
And virtue labours , cheer'd by beauty ' s smile . The stone is laid—the temple is begun—Help ! and its walls will glitter in the sun . There , ' neath its roof , will charity assuage The clinging ills of poor depending age ; There , ' neath acacia boughs , will old men walk , And . calmly waiting death , with angels talk .
The result was that over ; £ ioo found its way into the coffers of the proposed Asylum , so that promoters and patrons alike had every reason to be pleased . A projected banquet , however , in furtherance of . the same object was postponed until , we presume , the details of the organisation were more perfect .
On 22 nd June , 1835 , was held at Radley ' s Hotel , New Bridge-street , Blackfriars , the first meeting of subscribers , the following being the brethren present , namely : Bros . R . T . Crucefix , who was unanimously voted into the chair , Z . Watkins , R . Field , George Henekey , W . L . Wright , Richard Cooper , Henry O'Brien , T . J . Hollands , John Beebie , Charles B . Teague , James Lee , J . Whitmore , George Reid , Wm . Farnfield , John Canham ,
sen ., William Sansum , Henry Rowe , Edward Pitt , John Morshall , J . H . Clark , Edward Evans , and George Price . As a matter of course it devolved on Bro . Crucefix as his first duty to explain the motives which actuated them in the establishment of a new Charity . His remarks , so far as they appear to have been recorded , were general in their character , and dealt mainly with the expectations of support the promoters had been
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
led to form . About the most salient features in his statement were ( 1 ) that from " a census of the lodges in London and of about 70 lodges in the country , " and having made allowance for brethren belonging to more than one lodge , it was reckoned that " if each subscribing member would for three years subscribe voluntaril y one half-penny per diem , —or in round numbers sixteen shillings per annum , at least /'[ o . ooo would be
raised . " It was further reckoned that the collection of such a sum " would cover the outlay for at least twenty Freemasons , and for a larger number if it should not be thought prudent that the erection should in its architectural design be of a costly nature . " As regards an endowment fund that was to be partly by voluntary contributions and partly by other modes which might
commend themselves to their judgment , while great expectations might justly be formed of the support that would be forthcoming from " the nobility and the Grand Oflicers , " from the assistance that would be rendered by the ladies , and from foreign lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of England . He also announced that on his application the Earl of Durham , D . G . M ., and Bro . W . W . Prescott , the Grand Treasurer , had consented to act as
trustees . The meeting then set itself to the task of passing a series of resolutions , several of which , however , were non-confirmed , or , at all events , had , of necessity , to be reconsidered and revised . These resolutions included , among others , one appointing certain brethren "a Committee , with power to add to their number , to act * ad interim ' in superintendence of affairs in
conjunction with the Trustees and Treasurer . The following constituted the Committee , namely : Bros . Jos . Copeland Bell , John Begbie , Robert T , Crucefix , Richard Cooper , John H . Clark , Edward Evans , Robert Field , William Farnfield , George Henekey , Thomas John Hollands , James Lee , Henry O'Brien , George Price , Edward Pitt , George Reid , Henry Rowe , VV . Sansum , Z . Watkins , William Wright , John Whitmore , and J . P .
Acklam . " Of these Bros . Crucefix , J . C . Bell , Henekey , Rowe , Field , and Watkins were appointed a sub-committee to "prepare a memorial to H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , M . W . G . M ., soliciting his powerful aid in the cause of the Aged and Decayed Freemasons' Asylum , and humbly offering to the acceptance of his Royal Highness the dignified office of President of the Institution—such memorial to be subjected to the approbation
of a general Committee . " Thanks were offered to the Earl of Durham , and Bro . W , W . Prescott for their kindness in accepting the position of Trustee . Bro . Crucefix was constituted a Trustee and also Treasurer , and in the latter capacity received authority to convene meetings whenever he deemed it desirable . Bros . Henry Rowe and John Begbie were requested to act as Collectors , and Bros . Farnfield and Edward Pitt as
joint honorary Secretaries , they " having in the most handsome manner volunteered their services . " It was also resolved that a donation of 50 guineas and upwards should constitute the donor a Vice-President ; 20 guineas a Life Governor ; 10 guineas a Life Subscriber ; two guineas a Governor ; and one guinea a Subscriber ; while as regards lodges , those
giving 50 guineas became entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Life Governor ; those which contributed 20 guineas received the same privileges , but for a period of 25 years only ; and those contributing 10 guineas to the privileges ol a subscriber for 14 years . An inaugural Festival , which , however , as has been noted already , did not take place , was fixed for the 31 st July , and Messrs . Grotc , Prescott , and Grote were chosen to act as Bankers to the Institution .
The minutes that immediately follow relate to the festival which did not take place and need not therefore be dwelt upon further than for the purpose of stating that Bros . George Price was invited to act as President ; J . G . Bell , as Vice-President ; Henekey , as Treasurer ; and Henry Rowe , as Secretary of the Board of Stewards ; while the Earl of Durham was solicited
to occupy the position of chairman on the occasion . His Lordship , however , appears to have on the first instance acceded to this request , but shortly afterwards to have reconsidered his determination , as the following letter addressed to Bro . Crucefix and dated " Cowes , July 9 th , 1835 , " will show ••—Dear Sir and Brother , —
When I consented to become a Trustee of the new Masonic Charity and to preside at the dinner , I , of course , presumed that the whole proceeding had received the sanction and approbation of his Royal Highness the Grand Master , lt is therefore with real surprise and regret that I find , from a communication with his Royal Highness , that such is not the case . You will see the impropriety—nay , the impossibility—of my interfering at all in the matter . As his Royal Highness's Deputy 1 am bound to obey hi 1 commands , and , as his Royal Highness ' s attached servant , to respect his feelings and attend to his wishes .
As I am in daily expectation of the arrival here of the ship of war which is li take me from this country on the embassy to which I have been appointed , I shall have no opportunity of corresponding with you on the subject ; but I earnestly recommend you , and all who are engaged with you in the laudable object of charity , to take no steps without the full approval of the Grand Master . With the best wishes for the welfare and prosperity of the Craft ,
I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly , ( Signed ) DURHAM , D . G . M ,, & c . R . T . Crucefix , Esq ., M . D . This was certainly not the gravest of the disappointments which the promoters of the scheme met with at the outset of their proceedings . To what cause due it is immaterial , but there is no doubt that some among the principal
and active members of the Committee must , in the earlier stage of their labours , have done something in the shape of offence against his Royal Highness , the Grand Master ' s sense of his own personal dignity and that of the position he had held for so many years . There is no appearance of unwillingness on his part to give the subject of establishing an Asylum for Aged and Decayed Masons all the consideration so important a proposal deserved , nor in any of the letters and memorials addressed to his Royal
Highness on the subject is there apparent anything but the most profound respect for both him and the position he occupied ; indeed the language in which he is approached would appear to be almost fulsome in its character . But the idea that any number of brethren should have met together and constituted themselves into an organisation without waiting for the authority of the Grand Master , and , still further , that they should have taken upon themselves to address circular letters to lodges and brethren , to arrange theatrical benefits , and to propose an inaugural banquet at which thu-u
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
( Continued from page 533 . ) It will be taken for granted that men of the known experience of Bro . Crucefix and his coadjutors did not confine their labours in promoting the cause of the Asylum to Masonic circles . They knew well enough that outside help is an advantage , not so much , perhaps , from the actual good it may do as from the publicity it confers upon any such scheme . Even those
who may think lighlly of banquets , concerts , balls , bazaars , sermons , and such adventitious aids as are constantly being invoked on behalf of charity , must admit that they are productive of much benefit in the majority of cases , and it is not surprising that in turning over the pages of the Masonic journals of the time we should find suggestions in favour of some such means of help being adopted . The archives of the Institution make
similar disclosures , and the references to some proposal for organising a concert or ball in order to aid the funds are not infrequent . Thus , at the very outset , a theatrical entertainment was given at " the Theatre Royal English Opera House , " the day selected being the 29 th May , 1835 . Everything passed off most satisfactorily and the result helped materially to swell the fund that was being raised on account of the Asylum . On these
occasions it is not so much the performances which prove attractive as the circircumstances under which they are held . It would be most ungracious to criticise unfavourably services rendered in the cause of Charity , and place them on the same level with services professionally rendered , but if the artists fulfilled their part only one half as well as did our late Bro . Douglas Jerrold , of the Bank of England Lodge , when he wrote the address that was to be
delivered on this occasion , the audience must have had good reason to be gratified . So admirable indeed in our judgment is this brief but telling composition , that we have deemed it worthy of a place in this record , so that it may answer the two-fold purpose of a memento of the event it was written to serve as well as of its kindly and versatile author . In types we speak : by tokens , secret ways ,
We teach the wisdom of primeval days . To-night , ' tis true , no myst ' ry we rehearse , Yet , —hear a parable in homeliest verse . A noble ship lay found'ring in the main , The hapless victim of the hurricane ; Her crew—her passengers—with savage strife ,
Crowd on the boat that bears them on to life . They see the shore—again they press the strand—A happy spot— -a sunny , fertile land I But say—have all escaped the 'whelming wave?—Is no one left within a briny grave ? Some few old men , too weak to creep on deck ,
Lie in the ocean , coffin'd in the wreck . They had no child to pluck them from the tide , And so unaided—unremembered—died . But orphan babes are rescued from the sea By the strong arm of human sympathy . For in their looks—their heart-compelling tears—There speaks an eloquence denied to years .
The shipwreck'd men , inhabiting an isle Lovely and bright with bounteous nature ' s smile ; And richl y teeming with her fairest things , Ripe , luscious fruits , and medicinal springs , Must yet provide against the changing day—The night's dark dew—the noontime ' s scorching ray . For nature giving , still of man demands The cheerful industry of willing hands .
But some there are among our shipwreck'd crowd , Spent of their strength—by age , by sickness bow'd ; Forlorn old men in childhood ' s second birth , Poor , broken images of Adam ' s earth ! Of what avails the riches 'bout them thrown If wanting means to make one gift their own ? To him , what yields the juicy fruit sublime ,
Who sees the tree—but needs the strength to chime ? To him ivhat health can healing waters Bring , Who palsied is , and cannot reach the spring ? Must they then starve with plenty in their eye , Near health ' s own fountains must they groan and die ? Whilst in that isle , each beast may find a den , Shall no roof house our desolate old men ? There shall ' .
( To audience ) I see the builders' throng around , With line and rule prepar'd to mark the ground ; Nor lack there gentlest wishes , hands most fair , To join the master in his fervent prayer ; But , with instructive goodness , crowd to-night , Smiling approval of our solemn rite , The noblest daughters of this favour'd isle ,
And virtue labours , cheer'd by beauty ' s smile . The stone is laid—the temple is begun—Help ! and its walls will glitter in the sun . There , ' neath its roof , will charity assuage The clinging ills of poor depending age ; There , ' neath acacia boughs , will old men walk , And . calmly waiting death , with angels talk .
The result was that over ; £ ioo found its way into the coffers of the proposed Asylum , so that promoters and patrons alike had every reason to be pleased . A projected banquet , however , in furtherance of . the same object was postponed until , we presume , the details of the organisation were more perfect .
On 22 nd June , 1835 , was held at Radley ' s Hotel , New Bridge-street , Blackfriars , the first meeting of subscribers , the following being the brethren present , namely : Bros . R . T . Crucefix , who was unanimously voted into the chair , Z . Watkins , R . Field , George Henekey , W . L . Wright , Richard Cooper , Henry O'Brien , T . J . Hollands , John Beebie , Charles B . Teague , James Lee , J . Whitmore , George Reid , Wm . Farnfield , John Canham ,
sen ., William Sansum , Henry Rowe , Edward Pitt , John Morshall , J . H . Clark , Edward Evans , and George Price . As a matter of course it devolved on Bro . Crucefix as his first duty to explain the motives which actuated them in the establishment of a new Charity . His remarks , so far as they appear to have been recorded , were general in their character , and dealt mainly with the expectations of support the promoters had been
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
led to form . About the most salient features in his statement were ( 1 ) that from " a census of the lodges in London and of about 70 lodges in the country , " and having made allowance for brethren belonging to more than one lodge , it was reckoned that " if each subscribing member would for three years subscribe voluntaril y one half-penny per diem , —or in round numbers sixteen shillings per annum , at least /'[ o . ooo would be
raised . " It was further reckoned that the collection of such a sum " would cover the outlay for at least twenty Freemasons , and for a larger number if it should not be thought prudent that the erection should in its architectural design be of a costly nature . " As regards an endowment fund that was to be partly by voluntary contributions and partly by other modes which might
commend themselves to their judgment , while great expectations might justly be formed of the support that would be forthcoming from " the nobility and the Grand Oflicers , " from the assistance that would be rendered by the ladies , and from foreign lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of England . He also announced that on his application the Earl of Durham , D . G . M ., and Bro . W . W . Prescott , the Grand Treasurer , had consented to act as
trustees . The meeting then set itself to the task of passing a series of resolutions , several of which , however , were non-confirmed , or , at all events , had , of necessity , to be reconsidered and revised . These resolutions included , among others , one appointing certain brethren "a Committee , with power to add to their number , to act * ad interim ' in superintendence of affairs in
conjunction with the Trustees and Treasurer . The following constituted the Committee , namely : Bros . Jos . Copeland Bell , John Begbie , Robert T , Crucefix , Richard Cooper , John H . Clark , Edward Evans , Robert Field , William Farnfield , George Henekey , Thomas John Hollands , James Lee , Henry O'Brien , George Price , Edward Pitt , George Reid , Henry Rowe , VV . Sansum , Z . Watkins , William Wright , John Whitmore , and J . P .
Acklam . " Of these Bros . Crucefix , J . C . Bell , Henekey , Rowe , Field , and Watkins were appointed a sub-committee to "prepare a memorial to H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , M . W . G . M ., soliciting his powerful aid in the cause of the Aged and Decayed Freemasons' Asylum , and humbly offering to the acceptance of his Royal Highness the dignified office of President of the Institution—such memorial to be subjected to the approbation
of a general Committee . " Thanks were offered to the Earl of Durham , and Bro . W , W . Prescott for their kindness in accepting the position of Trustee . Bro . Crucefix was constituted a Trustee and also Treasurer , and in the latter capacity received authority to convene meetings whenever he deemed it desirable . Bros . Henry Rowe and John Begbie were requested to act as Collectors , and Bros . Farnfield and Edward Pitt as
joint honorary Secretaries , they " having in the most handsome manner volunteered their services . " It was also resolved that a donation of 50 guineas and upwards should constitute the donor a Vice-President ; 20 guineas a Life Governor ; 10 guineas a Life Subscriber ; two guineas a Governor ; and one guinea a Subscriber ; while as regards lodges , those
giving 50 guineas became entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Life Governor ; those which contributed 20 guineas received the same privileges , but for a period of 25 years only ; and those contributing 10 guineas to the privileges ol a subscriber for 14 years . An inaugural Festival , which , however , as has been noted already , did not take place , was fixed for the 31 st July , and Messrs . Grotc , Prescott , and Grote were chosen to act as Bankers to the Institution .
The minutes that immediately follow relate to the festival which did not take place and need not therefore be dwelt upon further than for the purpose of stating that Bros . George Price was invited to act as President ; J . G . Bell , as Vice-President ; Henekey , as Treasurer ; and Henry Rowe , as Secretary of the Board of Stewards ; while the Earl of Durham was solicited
to occupy the position of chairman on the occasion . His Lordship , however , appears to have on the first instance acceded to this request , but shortly afterwards to have reconsidered his determination , as the following letter addressed to Bro . Crucefix and dated " Cowes , July 9 th , 1835 , " will show ••—Dear Sir and Brother , —
When I consented to become a Trustee of the new Masonic Charity and to preside at the dinner , I , of course , presumed that the whole proceeding had received the sanction and approbation of his Royal Highness the Grand Master , lt is therefore with real surprise and regret that I find , from a communication with his Royal Highness , that such is not the case . You will see the impropriety—nay , the impossibility—of my interfering at all in the matter . As his Royal Highness's Deputy 1 am bound to obey hi 1 commands , and , as his Royal Highness ' s attached servant , to respect his feelings and attend to his wishes .
As I am in daily expectation of the arrival here of the ship of war which is li take me from this country on the embassy to which I have been appointed , I shall have no opportunity of corresponding with you on the subject ; but I earnestly recommend you , and all who are engaged with you in the laudable object of charity , to take no steps without the full approval of the Grand Master . With the best wishes for the welfare and prosperity of the Craft ,
I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly , ( Signed ) DURHAM , D . G . M ,, & c . R . T . Crucefix , Esq ., M . D . This was certainly not the gravest of the disappointments which the promoters of the scheme met with at the outset of their proceedings . To what cause due it is immaterial , but there is no doubt that some among the principal
and active members of the Committee must , in the earlier stage of their labours , have done something in the shape of offence against his Royal Highness , the Grand Master ' s sense of his own personal dignity and that of the position he had held for so many years . There is no appearance of unwillingness on his part to give the subject of establishing an Asylum for Aged and Decayed Masons all the consideration so important a proposal deserved , nor in any of the letters and memorials addressed to his Royal
Highness on the subject is there apparent anything but the most profound respect for both him and the position he occupied ; indeed the language in which he is approached would appear to be almost fulsome in its character . But the idea that any number of brethren should have met together and constituted themselves into an organisation without waiting for the authority of the Grand Master , and , still further , that they should have taken upon themselves to address circular letters to lodges and brethren , to arrange theatrical benefits , and to propose an inaugural banquet at which thu-u