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Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.
" The Lodge of Benevolence , on the recommendation of the house committees of the Roynl Masonic Institution for Boys , and of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , respectively , may grant sums to aid children , who have been at such schools during the previous twelve months , in commencing
life . Providing always that the total amount so granted , in any one year , shall not exceed one-half of the surplus of the Fund of Benevolence for the previous year . No sum exceeding twenty pounds shall be appropriated for the benefit of any child , without the consent of Grand Lodge ; and such
consent , given at a quarterly communication , shall suffice without any further confirmation . " He was exceedingly anxious the children , on leaving the school , should get on well in the world , but he had great doubts whether Bro . Clabon had got the best scheme to promote his
object . When the scheme was orig inally proposed it was said , " Considering the large amount of the reserve fund of benevolence , and the annually increasing surplus of that fund , that no reason exists for continuing this accumulation , and that without diminishing the
principal of the reserve fund , the annual surplus may be ajsplied with advantage for the benefit of this generation . " As far as that went he could not agree with it that no reason existed for continuing this accumulation , for , as they were an increasing body , their responsibilities also were increasina . His Bro . Clabon had
expressed no doubt that the Grand Lodge was really competent to deal with the funds of the Board of Benevolence according to the articles of union ; but he knew not whether he was right , for articles of union did not go for much just now . ( Laughter ) . He felt strongly that the funds of the Board of Benevolence should bo
devoted to charity , and if they were to be applied to the support of their children , that ought to be done under the control of the Grand Lodge . His objection to Bro . Clabon ' s scheme was that he wanted to take two-thirds
of the surplus funds from the control of the Board of Benevolence , and give it to a body over whom thry had no control whatever . That was one of his objections to that part of the report iu which it was said that " the annual surplus might be applied with advantage for the benefit
of this generation . He did not think that it would be the best way to take one-third of the surplus to be invested for the use of the schools , as for years it would bo unappreciable to the few children leaving the schools , and it would be constantly varying in amount . He did not see
either why there should be devoted one-third to each of the schools , unless it was to prevent jealousy between them ; but he looked upon it as a one-sided measure , and saw no reason wh y a favour should be conceded to one side moro than another . He concluded by moving the
amendment ho had proposed . Bro . STUBBING disagreed with both propositions before the Lodge . His object was not to run a tilt with his learned Brother Clabon , who had , with great pains and assiduity , prepared tlio report which had been presented to the Grand
Lodge . That report had been prepared with great ability and research . He ( Bro . Stebbing ) would not go into the law of the case , as to whether or not they could send their children to the Universities ; but would contend that that was not the charity for which that fund was created , and
which would not serve the best interests ot Freemasonry . The Board of Benevolence onl y possessed the small sum of £ 27 , 000 , which ho looked upon as a reproach to Freemasonry . That was all the fund that was under the protection of Grand Lodge to relieve poor masons
and their widows , and the latter class could only knock once at their door . It was only the other day he heard that one small lodge in London had a benevolent fund of between £ 11 , 000 and £ 12 , 000 , whilst their poor chilrden wero looking forward at some future time for relief from a fund of £ 27 , 000 , which WM producing only
£ 1 , 500 a year . In his own town , a small one , they had a fund of benevolence which was upwards of . £ 1000 , but they had passed a resolution it should never be touched until it amounted to £ 2000 , and any calls in the meantime that had been made upon it they had paid out of their own pockets , tle did not think that the sum of . £ 27 , 000 was what the Lo-. lge of Benevolence
Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.
onght to be , and he said at the last Grand Lodge that as large numbers were then joining their Order they brought larger claims upon them . The surplus of the Board of Benevolence iu 1867
was . £ 2 , 200 , whilst in 1863 it was only £ 1 , 200 , thereby dropping down £ 1000 , although the receipts were greater than in the former year ; the surplus being diminished by the extra claims of distressed masons and their widows . He
would ask them to let the words of Bro . Clabon sink deep in their hearts when he said that a part of his proposition was to further educate girls of sixteen years of age . He would ask the brethren how many of their own children were removed from educational studies before they
arrived at sixteen years of age . As it was , parents then knew that their children were in schools were they would receive a good education , and they generally took care to provide something for them , although they could not all send them to the Universities . ( Hear , hear , and
laughter . ) He did not think they would go to the Universities , but they would receive a good education . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . Clabon had said that if they provided too much for old Masons they would induce men to come into Masonry , but on that point he joined issue with
him , for men did not come into Masonry with such objects . They come into it with hi gh hopes and feelings , seeking a position in the world , and did not come into it , as was suggested , for the purpose of asking the charity ot the Grand Lodge . He trusted that they would
not make their schools so rich as to dazzle the eyes of men , and induce them to join Masonry , so that in five or ten years they would be able to send their sons to the Universities . ( -Sbar , hear . ) Why , if they did that it would he a good thing for a young man with a family to join them , with a prospect in four or five years
ot having the whole of his family educated at the Universities , at the expense of the Craft . Let him expose another fallacy of Bro . Clabon ' s , when he said this surplus fund would be devoted to charity . It might be Bro . Clabon ' s reading of charity , but it was not his ( Bro . Stebbing ) . To help the poor old Mason and the poor old woman in their hour of distress was to him
( Bro . Stebbing ) more like real charity fhear , hear ) than in spending their money in further educating children after they had arrived at sixteen years of age . The clause of the Articles of Union referred to , said " that this fund should not bo infringed on for any purpose , but should be kept
strictly and solely devoted to charity ; and pains shall be taken to increase the same . " He ( Bro . Stebbing ) challenged him upon that proposition , as Bro . Clabon had set it forth it would never be increased If they took one-third of the surplus for the Boys' School , and another third for
tho Girls' School , they would never be able to increase the fund ofthe Royal Benevolent Institution for the old men and women , who would go away from an election disappointed , and who would wait in deep anxiety often fatal , as to whether they would be elected in the next year ,
or continue in that hope which makcth the heart sick . Thoy would be spending their funds in pampering youth , whilst tho old mi ght waste away through anxiety from year toyear . und at lastdiein despair . That might be going on , as he said from
year to year , whilst the young wonld be sent to tho universities , lie wished further to call the attention ofthe brethren to one or two things , for Bro . Clabon had said he would touch but the surplus of the Benevolent Fund , and he was anxious to uso his exact words , lie said that
no necessity exists for continuing the accumulation without diminishing the principal of the reserved fund , the annual surplus may be applied with advantage for the benefit of this generation . Now , without referring to the law regarding that proposition , as it was always his desire to call things by their proper
name—to call a spade a spado— and it was not in his nature to offer offence to any one , he would ask whether that proposition was an honest one . Who provided the Fund of Benevolence ? Not the present generation , for it had conic down to them from years past—from the time of the union , when a £ -1 , 000 or £ 5 , 000 was devoted to benevolence , and that sum had
Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.
been added to slowly , from year to year During his Lordships reign in the Craft there had been a rapid increase in numbers , and there might be said to be a plethora of money , but it was their great charities that bound them together . Their origin was concert , and Freemasonrv was a
great institution , but it was their noble charities that bound them to each other . Still , they might not always be so prosperous , for those who had just come among them mi ght become a legacy upon them , and therefore they ought to make a provision for some time to come after them . He was inclined to be liberal to the
schools , but he trusted that while they were supported they would not rob the fund for those who would come after them . He hoped the fund would go on increasing , and in that spirit
he should move an amendment he had placed on the paper , for the purpose of stopping that unworthy object . ( Loud cheering . Bro . GREGORY spoke in favour of the ori ginal motion .
Bro . JOHN HAVERS opposed the motion and said that £ 27 , 000 was not too large a sum to meet a rainy day , for a time of adversity might come upon them . If they once gave a sum to any charity , however badly it mi ght be used , they could not take it back again . It was said
that men entered their society for the purpose of making themselves " more extensively serviceable to their fellow creatures ; " but the princi ple would be reversed and they would make their fellow creatures more extensively serviceable to them , if they held out a bait to them that their
children would not only bo well taken care of whilst they were in the school , but would receive a handsome sum on quitting it . That would be a great inducement to many to come amongst them , for the purpose of receiving those benefits
which would be open to them . Col . L . COLE opposed the motion Bro . CLABON said a few words in reply , and the Earl of Limerick consented to withdraw his amendment .
Bro . STEM RING moved the following amendment : — " That in the opinion of this Grand Lod ge , it is not desirable that any portion of the interest arising from the capital invested to the credit ofthe Fund of Benevolence should bo treated as surplus income , but that it should be added trom time to time to the capital , and he invested accordingly . "
Bro . MASON had much pleasure in seconding the amendment . The M . W . G . Master then put tlie amendment , which was carried almost unanimously . It was afterwards put to the brethren as an original motion and carried .
The other business , in consequence of the lateness of the evening , was put off for consideration to the next Grand Lodge . The M . W . G . Master then closed Grand Lodge in ample form , the Rev . Grand Chaplain offering up prayer to the G . A . O . T . U .
ROYAI . Pi . ANT AO KNOT ENCAMPMENT . —A special meeting of this Conclave was held on the evening of June 1 st , for the purpose of admitting to the Order a Companion from the Sister Isle , who had crossed the Channel for the purpose . The ceremony was performed hy the P . G . Commander of the
Province , who was well supported hy the officers of the Encampment . Sir Kt . Barber , P G . O . presided at the organ , and the whole ceremony was performed in a most satisfactory manner , and much to the gratification of the newly-installed Knight . MASONIC HAM ,, IPSWICH . —The Victoria Chapter
of Rose + met on May 20 th , when two brethren from Ireland were admitted to the Order . This Chapter although so young , being privileged by haying real good working Masons for the various officers , the whole of the long ceremony was performed in a most sublime and beautiful manner , the arrange incut of tha hall affording every facility
for working this degree such , we believe , as no other provincial chapter can boast of . The brethren admitted expressed the delight they had experienced in being received , and at onco joined the chapter as subscribing members . AVc have never before seen the ceremony so well done as it was on this occasion , and the introduction of music iu the various parts had a splendid elfect . Bro . Barber , as usual , presided , first at the harmoi ium and afterwards at tho organ .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.
" The Lodge of Benevolence , on the recommendation of the house committees of the Roynl Masonic Institution for Boys , and of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , respectively , may grant sums to aid children , who have been at such schools during the previous twelve months , in commencing
life . Providing always that the total amount so granted , in any one year , shall not exceed one-half of the surplus of the Fund of Benevolence for the previous year . No sum exceeding twenty pounds shall be appropriated for the benefit of any child , without the consent of Grand Lodge ; and such
consent , given at a quarterly communication , shall suffice without any further confirmation . " He was exceedingly anxious the children , on leaving the school , should get on well in the world , but he had great doubts whether Bro . Clabon had got the best scheme to promote his
object . When the scheme was orig inally proposed it was said , " Considering the large amount of the reserve fund of benevolence , and the annually increasing surplus of that fund , that no reason exists for continuing this accumulation , and that without diminishing the
principal of the reserve fund , the annual surplus may be ajsplied with advantage for the benefit of this generation . " As far as that went he could not agree with it that no reason existed for continuing this accumulation , for , as they were an increasing body , their responsibilities also were increasina . His Bro . Clabon had
expressed no doubt that the Grand Lodge was really competent to deal with the funds of the Board of Benevolence according to the articles of union ; but he knew not whether he was right , for articles of union did not go for much just now . ( Laughter ) . He felt strongly that the funds of the Board of Benevolence should bo
devoted to charity , and if they were to be applied to the support of their children , that ought to be done under the control of the Grand Lodge . His objection to Bro . Clabon ' s scheme was that he wanted to take two-thirds
of the surplus funds from the control of the Board of Benevolence , and give it to a body over whom thry had no control whatever . That was one of his objections to that part of the report iu which it was said that " the annual surplus might be applied with advantage for the benefit
of this generation . He did not think that it would be the best way to take one-third of the surplus to be invested for the use of the schools , as for years it would bo unappreciable to the few children leaving the schools , and it would be constantly varying in amount . He did not see
either why there should be devoted one-third to each of the schools , unless it was to prevent jealousy between them ; but he looked upon it as a one-sided measure , and saw no reason wh y a favour should be conceded to one side moro than another . He concluded by moving the
amendment ho had proposed . Bro . STUBBING disagreed with both propositions before the Lodge . His object was not to run a tilt with his learned Brother Clabon , who had , with great pains and assiduity , prepared tlio report which had been presented to the Grand
Lodge . That report had been prepared with great ability and research . He ( Bro . Stebbing ) would not go into the law of the case , as to whether or not they could send their children to the Universities ; but would contend that that was not the charity for which that fund was created , and
which would not serve the best interests ot Freemasonry . The Board of Benevolence onl y possessed the small sum of £ 27 , 000 , which ho looked upon as a reproach to Freemasonry . That was all the fund that was under the protection of Grand Lodge to relieve poor masons
and their widows , and the latter class could only knock once at their door . It was only the other day he heard that one small lodge in London had a benevolent fund of between £ 11 , 000 and £ 12 , 000 , whilst their poor chilrden wero looking forward at some future time for relief from a fund of £ 27 , 000 , which WM producing only
£ 1 , 500 a year . In his own town , a small one , they had a fund of benevolence which was upwards of . £ 1000 , but they had passed a resolution it should never be touched until it amounted to £ 2000 , and any calls in the meantime that had been made upon it they had paid out of their own pockets , tle did not think that the sum of . £ 27 , 000 was what the Lo-. lge of Benevolence
Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.
onght to be , and he said at the last Grand Lodge that as large numbers were then joining their Order they brought larger claims upon them . The surplus of the Board of Benevolence iu 1867
was . £ 2 , 200 , whilst in 1863 it was only £ 1 , 200 , thereby dropping down £ 1000 , although the receipts were greater than in the former year ; the surplus being diminished by the extra claims of distressed masons and their widows . He
would ask them to let the words of Bro . Clabon sink deep in their hearts when he said that a part of his proposition was to further educate girls of sixteen years of age . He would ask the brethren how many of their own children were removed from educational studies before they
arrived at sixteen years of age . As it was , parents then knew that their children were in schools were they would receive a good education , and they generally took care to provide something for them , although they could not all send them to the Universities . ( Hear , hear , and
laughter . ) He did not think they would go to the Universities , but they would receive a good education . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . Clabon had said that if they provided too much for old Masons they would induce men to come into Masonry , but on that point he joined issue with
him , for men did not come into Masonry with such objects . They come into it with hi gh hopes and feelings , seeking a position in the world , and did not come into it , as was suggested , for the purpose of asking the charity ot the Grand Lodge . He trusted that they would
not make their schools so rich as to dazzle the eyes of men , and induce them to join Masonry , so that in five or ten years they would be able to send their sons to the Universities . ( -Sbar , hear . ) Why , if they did that it would he a good thing for a young man with a family to join them , with a prospect in four or five years
ot having the whole of his family educated at the Universities , at the expense of the Craft . Let him expose another fallacy of Bro . Clabon ' s , when he said this surplus fund would be devoted to charity . It might be Bro . Clabon ' s reading of charity , but it was not his ( Bro . Stebbing ) . To help the poor old Mason and the poor old woman in their hour of distress was to him
( Bro . Stebbing ) more like real charity fhear , hear ) than in spending their money in further educating children after they had arrived at sixteen years of age . The clause of the Articles of Union referred to , said " that this fund should not bo infringed on for any purpose , but should be kept
strictly and solely devoted to charity ; and pains shall be taken to increase the same . " He ( Bro . Stebbing ) challenged him upon that proposition , as Bro . Clabon had set it forth it would never be increased If they took one-third of the surplus for the Boys' School , and another third for
tho Girls' School , they would never be able to increase the fund ofthe Royal Benevolent Institution for the old men and women , who would go away from an election disappointed , and who would wait in deep anxiety often fatal , as to whether they would be elected in the next year ,
or continue in that hope which makcth the heart sick . Thoy would be spending their funds in pampering youth , whilst tho old mi ght waste away through anxiety from year toyear . und at lastdiein despair . That might be going on , as he said from
year to year , whilst the young wonld be sent to tho universities , lie wished further to call the attention ofthe brethren to one or two things , for Bro . Clabon had said he would touch but the surplus of the Benevolent Fund , and he was anxious to uso his exact words , lie said that
no necessity exists for continuing the accumulation without diminishing the principal of the reserved fund , the annual surplus may be applied with advantage for the benefit of this generation . Now , without referring to the law regarding that proposition , as it was always his desire to call things by their proper
name—to call a spade a spado— and it was not in his nature to offer offence to any one , he would ask whether that proposition was an honest one . Who provided the Fund of Benevolence ? Not the present generation , for it had conic down to them from years past—from the time of the union , when a £ -1 , 000 or £ 5 , 000 was devoted to benevolence , and that sum had
Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.
been added to slowly , from year to year During his Lordships reign in the Craft there had been a rapid increase in numbers , and there might be said to be a plethora of money , but it was their great charities that bound them together . Their origin was concert , and Freemasonrv was a
great institution , but it was their noble charities that bound them to each other . Still , they might not always be so prosperous , for those who had just come among them mi ght become a legacy upon them , and therefore they ought to make a provision for some time to come after them . He was inclined to be liberal to the
schools , but he trusted that while they were supported they would not rob the fund for those who would come after them . He hoped the fund would go on increasing , and in that spirit
he should move an amendment he had placed on the paper , for the purpose of stopping that unworthy object . ( Loud cheering . Bro . GREGORY spoke in favour of the ori ginal motion .
Bro . JOHN HAVERS opposed the motion and said that £ 27 , 000 was not too large a sum to meet a rainy day , for a time of adversity might come upon them . If they once gave a sum to any charity , however badly it mi ght be used , they could not take it back again . It was said
that men entered their society for the purpose of making themselves " more extensively serviceable to their fellow creatures ; " but the princi ple would be reversed and they would make their fellow creatures more extensively serviceable to them , if they held out a bait to them that their
children would not only bo well taken care of whilst they were in the school , but would receive a handsome sum on quitting it . That would be a great inducement to many to come amongst them , for the purpose of receiving those benefits
which would be open to them . Col . L . COLE opposed the motion Bro . CLABON said a few words in reply , and the Earl of Limerick consented to withdraw his amendment .
Bro . STEM RING moved the following amendment : — " That in the opinion of this Grand Lod ge , it is not desirable that any portion of the interest arising from the capital invested to the credit ofthe Fund of Benevolence should bo treated as surplus income , but that it should be added trom time to time to the capital , and he invested accordingly . "
Bro . MASON had much pleasure in seconding the amendment . The M . W . G . Master then put tlie amendment , which was carried almost unanimously . It was afterwards put to the brethren as an original motion and carried .
The other business , in consequence of the lateness of the evening , was put off for consideration to the next Grand Lodge . The M . W . G . Master then closed Grand Lodge in ample form , the Rev . Grand Chaplain offering up prayer to the G . A . O . T . U .
ROYAI . Pi . ANT AO KNOT ENCAMPMENT . —A special meeting of this Conclave was held on the evening of June 1 st , for the purpose of admitting to the Order a Companion from the Sister Isle , who had crossed the Channel for the purpose . The ceremony was performed hy the P . G . Commander of the
Province , who was well supported hy the officers of the Encampment . Sir Kt . Barber , P G . O . presided at the organ , and the whole ceremony was performed in a most satisfactory manner , and much to the gratification of the newly-installed Knight . MASONIC HAM ,, IPSWICH . —The Victoria Chapter
of Rose + met on May 20 th , when two brethren from Ireland were admitted to the Order . This Chapter although so young , being privileged by haying real good working Masons for the various officers , the whole of the long ceremony was performed in a most sublime and beautiful manner , the arrange incut of tha hall affording every facility
for working this degree such , we believe , as no other provincial chapter can boast of . The brethren admitted expressed the delight they had experienced in being received , and at onco joined the chapter as subscribing members . AVc have never before seen the ceremony so well done as it was on this occasion , and the introduction of music iu the various parts had a splendid elfect . Bro . Barber , as usual , presided , first at the harmoi ium and afterwards at tho organ .