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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
©Rtgtnal Correspondence.
our leading provincial Masons—consider it a feather in Bro . Hedge ' s cap that he docs not frequent lodges and the heavy dinners that follow , but | keeps his stomach and therefore his head clear for the morrow ' s work . Years ago , when the sound of our great charities was hardly heard beyond the home counties , it was necessary
ome of the Secretaries should visit the provincial lodges , in order to explain what the charities were doing and ask for support ; and no one did that so well as the worthy and able Secretary of the Boys' School : but now , when their cause is so ably supported by yourself , and the provinces have , most of them , a sound organised system to help ,
support , and benefit by the charities , the presence of the Secretaries is no longer necessary ; we think they are better seen in their respective offices . Wishing each charity may have a bumper this year , visiting Secretary or non-visiting Secretary , —I remain , dear sir and brother , yours very fraternally , AN OLD PROVINCIAL MASON AND A VICE-PATRON .
THE GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — It is with surprise , regret , and pleasure I have read your interesting article in last week ' s Freemason under the above heading . The Grand Lodge of Ireland vvas founded
on 3 rd February , 1729 , theday the foundation stoneof the present Bankof Ireland ( formerly Irish Houses of Parliament ) was laid Masonically , and is the senior Grand Lodge of the world , not the " second in point of antiquity . " The " second in point of antiquity" is the Grand Lodge of Scotland , which was founded on 3 rd November , 1736 . Both
these Grand Lodges can prove from their records continuous and united working from these dates ; also that they have always used and borne the same coats of arms from their foundation to the present day . I am quite aware that as in England Freemasonry existed in both Ireland and Scotland for many long years prior to
1729 and 1736 ; but it was only on those dates the Grand Lodges were founded . I am also aware that the Grand Lodge of England claims to be the premier Grand Lodge of the world , but to this title it is not entitled . There vvas a Grand Lodge in England founded in 1717 ; but this body vvas split into two
Grand Lodges , styled Antients and Moderns , each granting warrants to hold lodges . These two Grand Lodges worked in opposition until the happy union into the present Grand Lodge of England on 1 st December , 1 S 13 , now going only 70 years ago . •Each of these Grand Lodges had their own coats of
arms , as can be seen by the frontispiece of the " Ahiman Rezon " of 1764 . Those of the Moderns being the same as the Grand Lodge of Ireland ; those of the Ancients being the arms of the Operative , or stone , Masons . The arms of the present Grand Lodge of England are an amalgamation of these , those of the Ancients being on
the left and those of the Moderns on the right . The history of these two English Grand Lodges and of their union on 1 st December , 1 S 13 , will be found in the valuable and most interesting work on the subject , "The Masonic Register , " by R . W . Bro . W . J . Hughan , who also gives as a beautiful frontispiece the present arms of the
Grand Lodge of England . The Grand Lodge of Ireland by its first Constitutions of 1730 was to meet " on the four great feasts , " and Grand Stewards were to arrange the Festival . The quarterly meetings were continued until 3 rd November 176 S , when the meetings were arranged to be held on the
first Thursday of each month at seven o ' clock , and the Grand Festival seems then to have ceased to be held . In 1 S 3 S the hour of meeting vvas changed from seven to eight o'clock , and since the 1 st November , 1 S 75 , the meetings in August and September have been given up . This will show that the Grand Lodge of Ireland has worked
continuously for 154 years , regularly meeting for nearly 12 S years of that long period on the first Thursday of the month . These monthly meetings have been found fault with for some years past as being one of the causes for the nonattendance of Provincial Grand Officers and brethren , and
a movement is at present on foot to return to the good old style of 150 years ago of holding quarterly Grand Lodges-The Irish "Ahiman Rezon " of 1 S 03 gives a complete and perfect list of lodges then in existence in Ireland—being , as you state , over one thousand lodges , but the same "Ahiman Rezon " gives a very long and sad list of lodges struck off at that period for non-payment of arrears . Some years
afterwards a long list followed , and hence the great reduction you allude to . Between 1 S 71 and 18 S 1 the Grand Lodge of Ireland has issued 84 new warrants , being at the ratc . of eight per annum . During the same period 36 warrants have been- returned , being only an average of little over three per annum . The accounts for 1 SS 2 ( last year ) will not be published until next
month . The only way in my opinion of reviving Irish Freemasonry is by the quarterly meetings and by official visitations to Provincial Grand Lodges such as the Antrim ( Belfast ) ,
Munster ( Cork ) , North Munster ( Limerick ) , and Londonderry . Of course no one could expect the M . W . his grace the Grand Master at his age to undertake such work , but 1 understand that he is not only an actual subscribing mem-
©Rtgtnal Correspondence.
ber to the Strabane Lodge but frequently visits it , and has lately presented to it a site , rent free , for erecting a hall for its meetings ; but surely the R . W . the D . G . M . and other Grand Officers could and should do so when the M . W . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the G . M . of England , and the R . W . H . R . H . the Duke of Albany do so ; and the
M . W . the Earl of Mar and Kellie , the G . M . M . of Scotland , has since his installation visited nearly half the lodges in Scotland . Of course the paid officers of the Grand Lodge of Ireland should have all their expenses paid by Grand Lodge similarly to those in England and Scotland .
I cannot agree with you as to the advisability of having too frequent changes in Grand Officers , but must agree with you that our Grand Lodge of Scotland law is good law—that the periods should be three years instead of two . That the Grand Wardens should also change same as the Junior Grand Officers , that the Grand Secretary should be
an active member of Grand Lodge , and in his place same as our late valued Bro . General Dunne , who was always present during his period of office . It is unpleasant to have thus to speak of Irish Freemasonry , which possesses a building and a Grand Lod ge in it second only to that in the Temple at Philadelphia , whose
meetings as a deliberative assembly cannot be surpassed for decorum and dignity , and which is generally presided over by the R . W . the D . G . M ., who has few equals in his knowledge of the rules of debate and government of such a large assembly , and only wanting that the Grand
Wardens , Secretary , and Treasurer shall take the same interest in it that their predecessors always did . —Yours fraternally , JAMES H . NEILSON . 32 , Leeson-street Lower , Dublin , 13 th February .
VOLUNTEERING AND FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Bro . Stevens has admitted that brethren who "don the uniform for purposes of parade or show in lodges which are not connected with the royal or auxiliary
services is .... though not prohibited , in exceedingly bad taste . " He also mentions that he knows of instances where such mistakes have been made and also of remarks the reverse of complimentary to those who were guilty of so doing . From the tone of Bro . Stevens ' s former letters I did not expect this admission and am exceedingly pleased
to see him so fully endorse my opinion . It is not prohibited in the Constitutions to wear uniform but I should certainly like to sec some authoritative announcement against it at least in lodges not connected with the services , except as I said by soldiers . These brethren , wherever they went ,
would have to wear uniform , but not volunteers . Unless some letters appear calling for further reply I do not intend to continue this correspondence . I think the subject has been pretty well ventilated and for my part thank you for so kindly allowing your columns to be the means of doing so . —Yours fraternally , DOUBTFUL .
RAILWAY FACILITIES . To the Editor ' . of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — A long correspondence has taken place , extending over several months , between myself and the London and North Western , Midland , and Great Northern Railway
Companies with reference to the conveyance of the members of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Leicestershire , Northamptonshire , and Derbyshire to and from the Mark lodges in the province at reduced rates . The question has been considered at a meeting of the Railway Companies' Association ( which includes all the
important lines in the kingdom ) , the result being that facilities have beenjobtained which will I trust be for the good of Freemasonry in general and of this Provincial Grand Mark Lodge in particular . I enclose some of the most important letters , the publication of which vvill show what the new arrangements arc . — 1 am , dear sir and brother , yours fraternally ,
CLEMENT E . STRETTON , P . M . Prov . Grand Mark Secretary Leicestershire , Northamptonshire , and Derbyshire . Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , February nth .
" . Midland Railway . " Office of Superintendent of the Line . "Derby , October 23 rd , 1 SS 2 . " Clement E . Stretton , Esq ., " Freemasons' Hall , Leicester . "Sir , —In reply to your favour of the 20 th inst ., I bcrr to
inform you that it is not the practice of the railway companies to make any reduction in the ordinary fares for the conveyance of Freemasons to and from their meetings , and I am sorry I am unable to make any departure from this understanding . —I am , sir , yours obediently , "E . M . NliEUHAM . "
" . Great Northern Railway . "Office of Superintendent of the Line . " London , King's Cross , N ., "November 30 th , 1 SS 2 . "Dear Sir , —I am much obliged for your letter of yesterday ' s date , and beg to return herewith the letters
you were good enough to send me for perusal . The whole question vvill be fully discussed as soon as a meeting can be arranged between the various companies interested . —I am , dear sir , yours faithfully , " FRANCIS P . COCKSHOTI ' . " Clement E . Stretton , Esq ., Freemasons' Hall , Leicester . "
©Rtgtnal Correspondence.
" London and North-Western Railway . " Office of Superintendent of the Line . " Euston Station , London , N . W ., " February < 5 th , 1 SS 3 . " Dear Sir , —In reply to your letter of 3 rd inst ., I beg to inform you that the Associated Railway Companies have agreed to convey the Freemasons under pleasure party
arrangements—that is , a single fare and a quarter for the double journey when they are visiting other lodges than their own , and we shall have pleasure in malting any arrangements for you on these terms . —Yours truly . " G . P . NEELE . " Clement E . Stretton , Esq ., Freemasons' Hall , Leicester . "
" Midland Railway . " Office of Superintendent of the Line , " Derby , February 5 th , 1 SS 3 . "Sir , —I am sorry my letter of the 2 nd inst . was not understood to be quite so clear as I intended it should have been . What I intended to convey is exactly what vou
state you desire , viz ., that parties of Freemasons of not less than six first or 10 third-class passengers visiting any of the lodges ( for pleasure only ) shall be conveyed under our ordinary pleasure party arrangements , and what applies to members of the Leicester Lodge or lodges will apply equally to the members of lodges in other towns desirous of visiting Leicester or any other town in the district under the
same arrangements . Of course it will be necessary for the usual order to be obtained for the issue of tickets in each case , same as all other picnic or pleasure parties . The reservation as to the non-issue of the tickets applies to the issue of tickets to Londonjonly . —Ham , sir , your obedient servant , " E . M . NEEDHAM . " Clement E . Stretton , Esq ., " Freemasons' Hall , Leicester . "
MASONIC BENEVOLENCE AND CHARITY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — For some time past a great deal has been spoken and written on the question of altering the Constitutions so as to more closely assimilate the payments by provincial
and London brethren to the Fund of Benevolence , and also to supply this fund with more money to enable the board to be more liberal in their grants . These are two very distinct questions . In regard to the latter , it might even yet be possible for some very liberalminded brother to suggest that once a man is a Mason his
future means of subsistence should be guaranteed to him , so that under no combination of adverse occurrences should he or his family or those dependent on him suffer want or even become reduced in circumstances ; such a scheme would be a splendid one , and would most admirably suit a good many brethren I wot of at present , provided they were not
personally called upon to contribute to its support by any compulsory measures ; but I fear in such case their voluntary contributions would be so modestly sent in that their most intimate friend would not be able to know that they had liberally distinguished themselves ; literally , their own left hand would not know what their right hand had done .
Meantime however the extent of the Board ' s grants must be in a great measure regulated by the amount of money placed at their disposal , and however large Bro . Clabon ' s heart of Masonic charity may be , he ought , I humbly venture to think , be satisfied that the provinces do not hold
with him as to the necessity of providing more funds at present , for out of 41 Provincial Grand Lodges who had notice on the subject 25 voted against and only three in favour of it , whilst apparently 13 did not send any report ¦ n time for the meeting , although 1 understand several of them have since signified their desire to vote against his
motion . As to the first point , we poor provincials have no objection to the London brethren putting half their four shillings per year and as much more as they like into a local fund for purely local purposes , and to be administered solely by local brethren , provided they will grant us a fair proportion
of provincial representation on the Board of Benevolence and equalise our respective expenses in attending thereon , and also at Grand Lodge ; but if the London brethren will persist in using the great convenience of their immediate vicinity and the very trifling cost at which they can attend at Grand Lodge , to assemble in large numbers to outvote
their provincial brethren , who have in all respects equal rights with themselves , but the great disadvantage of tune , distance and cost to contend against , something very serious may be expected to occur and at a not very far distan t date . 1 trust , however , that those brethren who are at
present agitating for increased contributions on the one hand , and an assimilation of contributions on the other , vvill give heed to more temperate counsels in time to avoid occasion for a most serious contention . —Yours fraternally , P . M . Lancashire .
A CASE OF SICKNESS AND DESTITUTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you please allow us to acknowledge the result of our appeal in your columns of Dec . 23 rd , on behalf of Bro . James Shaw , Lodge 15 S , Dundee ; and also to return Bro . Shaw ' s and our own hearty thanks to you and the
brethren who kindly contributed to the fund . Cash received : —Collected in neighbourhood , £ 5 10 s . Gd . j Bros . H ., 2 s . 6 d . ; T . ( Leicester ) , 5 s . ; J . King , P . M . 3 G 2 , £ 3 ; McCubbin , P . M . 94 S , £ \ 12 s . 6 d . ; Ditto as Almoner , 94 S , £ 1 ; A . Allan , 158 ( Dundee ) , £ 2 Gs . Cd . j A . Allan ( from Scotch Benevolent Fund ) , £ y ; voted by Lodge 531 , Aylesbury , £ 3 3 s . ; Bros . C . R . Chandler , P . M . 11 S 4 , £ 2 & . Gd . ; W . J . Hughes , W . M . 1206
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
©Rtgtnal Correspondence.
our leading provincial Masons—consider it a feather in Bro . Hedge ' s cap that he docs not frequent lodges and the heavy dinners that follow , but | keeps his stomach and therefore his head clear for the morrow ' s work . Years ago , when the sound of our great charities was hardly heard beyond the home counties , it was necessary
ome of the Secretaries should visit the provincial lodges , in order to explain what the charities were doing and ask for support ; and no one did that so well as the worthy and able Secretary of the Boys' School : but now , when their cause is so ably supported by yourself , and the provinces have , most of them , a sound organised system to help ,
support , and benefit by the charities , the presence of the Secretaries is no longer necessary ; we think they are better seen in their respective offices . Wishing each charity may have a bumper this year , visiting Secretary or non-visiting Secretary , —I remain , dear sir and brother , yours very fraternally , AN OLD PROVINCIAL MASON AND A VICE-PATRON .
THE GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — It is with surprise , regret , and pleasure I have read your interesting article in last week ' s Freemason under the above heading . The Grand Lodge of Ireland vvas founded
on 3 rd February , 1729 , theday the foundation stoneof the present Bankof Ireland ( formerly Irish Houses of Parliament ) was laid Masonically , and is the senior Grand Lodge of the world , not the " second in point of antiquity . " The " second in point of antiquity" is the Grand Lodge of Scotland , which was founded on 3 rd November , 1736 . Both
these Grand Lodges can prove from their records continuous and united working from these dates ; also that they have always used and borne the same coats of arms from their foundation to the present day . I am quite aware that as in England Freemasonry existed in both Ireland and Scotland for many long years prior to
1729 and 1736 ; but it was only on those dates the Grand Lodges were founded . I am also aware that the Grand Lodge of England claims to be the premier Grand Lodge of the world , but to this title it is not entitled . There vvas a Grand Lodge in England founded in 1717 ; but this body vvas split into two
Grand Lodges , styled Antients and Moderns , each granting warrants to hold lodges . These two Grand Lodges worked in opposition until the happy union into the present Grand Lodge of England on 1 st December , 1 S 13 , now going only 70 years ago . •Each of these Grand Lodges had their own coats of
arms , as can be seen by the frontispiece of the " Ahiman Rezon " of 1764 . Those of the Moderns being the same as the Grand Lodge of Ireland ; those of the Ancients being the arms of the Operative , or stone , Masons . The arms of the present Grand Lodge of England are an amalgamation of these , those of the Ancients being on
the left and those of the Moderns on the right . The history of these two English Grand Lodges and of their union on 1 st December , 1 S 13 , will be found in the valuable and most interesting work on the subject , "The Masonic Register , " by R . W . Bro . W . J . Hughan , who also gives as a beautiful frontispiece the present arms of the
Grand Lodge of England . The Grand Lodge of Ireland by its first Constitutions of 1730 was to meet " on the four great feasts , " and Grand Stewards were to arrange the Festival . The quarterly meetings were continued until 3 rd November 176 S , when the meetings were arranged to be held on the
first Thursday of each month at seven o ' clock , and the Grand Festival seems then to have ceased to be held . In 1 S 3 S the hour of meeting vvas changed from seven to eight o'clock , and since the 1 st November , 1 S 75 , the meetings in August and September have been given up . This will show that the Grand Lodge of Ireland has worked
continuously for 154 years , regularly meeting for nearly 12 S years of that long period on the first Thursday of the month . These monthly meetings have been found fault with for some years past as being one of the causes for the nonattendance of Provincial Grand Officers and brethren , and
a movement is at present on foot to return to the good old style of 150 years ago of holding quarterly Grand Lodges-The Irish "Ahiman Rezon " of 1 S 03 gives a complete and perfect list of lodges then in existence in Ireland—being , as you state , over one thousand lodges , but the same "Ahiman Rezon " gives a very long and sad list of lodges struck off at that period for non-payment of arrears . Some years
afterwards a long list followed , and hence the great reduction you allude to . Between 1 S 71 and 18 S 1 the Grand Lodge of Ireland has issued 84 new warrants , being at the ratc . of eight per annum . During the same period 36 warrants have been- returned , being only an average of little over three per annum . The accounts for 1 SS 2 ( last year ) will not be published until next
month . The only way in my opinion of reviving Irish Freemasonry is by the quarterly meetings and by official visitations to Provincial Grand Lodges such as the Antrim ( Belfast ) ,
Munster ( Cork ) , North Munster ( Limerick ) , and Londonderry . Of course no one could expect the M . W . his grace the Grand Master at his age to undertake such work , but 1 understand that he is not only an actual subscribing mem-
©Rtgtnal Correspondence.
ber to the Strabane Lodge but frequently visits it , and has lately presented to it a site , rent free , for erecting a hall for its meetings ; but surely the R . W . the D . G . M . and other Grand Officers could and should do so when the M . W . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the G . M . of England , and the R . W . H . R . H . the Duke of Albany do so ; and the
M . W . the Earl of Mar and Kellie , the G . M . M . of Scotland , has since his installation visited nearly half the lodges in Scotland . Of course the paid officers of the Grand Lodge of Ireland should have all their expenses paid by Grand Lodge similarly to those in England and Scotland .
I cannot agree with you as to the advisability of having too frequent changes in Grand Officers , but must agree with you that our Grand Lodge of Scotland law is good law—that the periods should be three years instead of two . That the Grand Wardens should also change same as the Junior Grand Officers , that the Grand Secretary should be
an active member of Grand Lodge , and in his place same as our late valued Bro . General Dunne , who was always present during his period of office . It is unpleasant to have thus to speak of Irish Freemasonry , which possesses a building and a Grand Lod ge in it second only to that in the Temple at Philadelphia , whose
meetings as a deliberative assembly cannot be surpassed for decorum and dignity , and which is generally presided over by the R . W . the D . G . M ., who has few equals in his knowledge of the rules of debate and government of such a large assembly , and only wanting that the Grand
Wardens , Secretary , and Treasurer shall take the same interest in it that their predecessors always did . —Yours fraternally , JAMES H . NEILSON . 32 , Leeson-street Lower , Dublin , 13 th February .
VOLUNTEERING AND FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Bro . Stevens has admitted that brethren who "don the uniform for purposes of parade or show in lodges which are not connected with the royal or auxiliary
services is .... though not prohibited , in exceedingly bad taste . " He also mentions that he knows of instances where such mistakes have been made and also of remarks the reverse of complimentary to those who were guilty of so doing . From the tone of Bro . Stevens ' s former letters I did not expect this admission and am exceedingly pleased
to see him so fully endorse my opinion . It is not prohibited in the Constitutions to wear uniform but I should certainly like to sec some authoritative announcement against it at least in lodges not connected with the services , except as I said by soldiers . These brethren , wherever they went ,
would have to wear uniform , but not volunteers . Unless some letters appear calling for further reply I do not intend to continue this correspondence . I think the subject has been pretty well ventilated and for my part thank you for so kindly allowing your columns to be the means of doing so . —Yours fraternally , DOUBTFUL .
RAILWAY FACILITIES . To the Editor ' . of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — A long correspondence has taken place , extending over several months , between myself and the London and North Western , Midland , and Great Northern Railway
Companies with reference to the conveyance of the members of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Leicestershire , Northamptonshire , and Derbyshire to and from the Mark lodges in the province at reduced rates . The question has been considered at a meeting of the Railway Companies' Association ( which includes all the
important lines in the kingdom ) , the result being that facilities have beenjobtained which will I trust be for the good of Freemasonry in general and of this Provincial Grand Mark Lodge in particular . I enclose some of the most important letters , the publication of which vvill show what the new arrangements arc . — 1 am , dear sir and brother , yours fraternally ,
CLEMENT E . STRETTON , P . M . Prov . Grand Mark Secretary Leicestershire , Northamptonshire , and Derbyshire . Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , February nth .
" . Midland Railway . " Office of Superintendent of the Line . "Derby , October 23 rd , 1 SS 2 . " Clement E . Stretton , Esq ., " Freemasons' Hall , Leicester . "Sir , —In reply to your favour of the 20 th inst ., I bcrr to
inform you that it is not the practice of the railway companies to make any reduction in the ordinary fares for the conveyance of Freemasons to and from their meetings , and I am sorry I am unable to make any departure from this understanding . —I am , sir , yours obediently , "E . M . NliEUHAM . "
" . Great Northern Railway . "Office of Superintendent of the Line . " London , King's Cross , N ., "November 30 th , 1 SS 2 . "Dear Sir , —I am much obliged for your letter of yesterday ' s date , and beg to return herewith the letters
you were good enough to send me for perusal . The whole question vvill be fully discussed as soon as a meeting can be arranged between the various companies interested . —I am , dear sir , yours faithfully , " FRANCIS P . COCKSHOTI ' . " Clement E . Stretton , Esq ., Freemasons' Hall , Leicester . "
©Rtgtnal Correspondence.
" London and North-Western Railway . " Office of Superintendent of the Line . " Euston Station , London , N . W ., " February < 5 th , 1 SS 3 . " Dear Sir , —In reply to your letter of 3 rd inst ., I beg to inform you that the Associated Railway Companies have agreed to convey the Freemasons under pleasure party
arrangements—that is , a single fare and a quarter for the double journey when they are visiting other lodges than their own , and we shall have pleasure in malting any arrangements for you on these terms . —Yours truly . " G . P . NEELE . " Clement E . Stretton , Esq ., Freemasons' Hall , Leicester . "
" Midland Railway . " Office of Superintendent of the Line , " Derby , February 5 th , 1 SS 3 . "Sir , —I am sorry my letter of the 2 nd inst . was not understood to be quite so clear as I intended it should have been . What I intended to convey is exactly what vou
state you desire , viz ., that parties of Freemasons of not less than six first or 10 third-class passengers visiting any of the lodges ( for pleasure only ) shall be conveyed under our ordinary pleasure party arrangements , and what applies to members of the Leicester Lodge or lodges will apply equally to the members of lodges in other towns desirous of visiting Leicester or any other town in the district under the
same arrangements . Of course it will be necessary for the usual order to be obtained for the issue of tickets in each case , same as all other picnic or pleasure parties . The reservation as to the non-issue of the tickets applies to the issue of tickets to Londonjonly . —Ham , sir , your obedient servant , " E . M . NEEDHAM . " Clement E . Stretton , Esq ., " Freemasons' Hall , Leicester . "
MASONIC BENEVOLENCE AND CHARITY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — For some time past a great deal has been spoken and written on the question of altering the Constitutions so as to more closely assimilate the payments by provincial
and London brethren to the Fund of Benevolence , and also to supply this fund with more money to enable the board to be more liberal in their grants . These are two very distinct questions . In regard to the latter , it might even yet be possible for some very liberalminded brother to suggest that once a man is a Mason his
future means of subsistence should be guaranteed to him , so that under no combination of adverse occurrences should he or his family or those dependent on him suffer want or even become reduced in circumstances ; such a scheme would be a splendid one , and would most admirably suit a good many brethren I wot of at present , provided they were not
personally called upon to contribute to its support by any compulsory measures ; but I fear in such case their voluntary contributions would be so modestly sent in that their most intimate friend would not be able to know that they had liberally distinguished themselves ; literally , their own left hand would not know what their right hand had done .
Meantime however the extent of the Board ' s grants must be in a great measure regulated by the amount of money placed at their disposal , and however large Bro . Clabon ' s heart of Masonic charity may be , he ought , I humbly venture to think , be satisfied that the provinces do not hold
with him as to the necessity of providing more funds at present , for out of 41 Provincial Grand Lodges who had notice on the subject 25 voted against and only three in favour of it , whilst apparently 13 did not send any report ¦ n time for the meeting , although 1 understand several of them have since signified their desire to vote against his
motion . As to the first point , we poor provincials have no objection to the London brethren putting half their four shillings per year and as much more as they like into a local fund for purely local purposes , and to be administered solely by local brethren , provided they will grant us a fair proportion
of provincial representation on the Board of Benevolence and equalise our respective expenses in attending thereon , and also at Grand Lodge ; but if the London brethren will persist in using the great convenience of their immediate vicinity and the very trifling cost at which they can attend at Grand Lodge , to assemble in large numbers to outvote
their provincial brethren , who have in all respects equal rights with themselves , but the great disadvantage of tune , distance and cost to contend against , something very serious may be expected to occur and at a not very far distan t date . 1 trust , however , that those brethren who are at
present agitating for increased contributions on the one hand , and an assimilation of contributions on the other , vvill give heed to more temperate counsels in time to avoid occasion for a most serious contention . —Yours fraternally , P . M . Lancashire .
A CASE OF SICKNESS AND DESTITUTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you please allow us to acknowledge the result of our appeal in your columns of Dec . 23 rd , on behalf of Bro . James Shaw , Lodge 15 S , Dundee ; and also to return Bro . Shaw ' s and our own hearty thanks to you and the
brethren who kindly contributed to the fund . Cash received : —Collected in neighbourhood , £ 5 10 s . Gd . j Bros . H ., 2 s . 6 d . ; T . ( Leicester ) , 5 s . ; J . King , P . M . 3 G 2 , £ 3 ; McCubbin , P . M . 94 S , £ \ 12 s . 6 d . ; Ditto as Almoner , 94 S , £ 1 ; A . Allan , 158 ( Dundee ) , £ 2 Gs . Cd . j A . Allan ( from Scotch Benevolent Fund ) , £ y ; voted by Lodge 531 , Aylesbury , £ 3 3 s . ; Bros . C . R . Chandler , P . M . 11 S 4 , £ 2 & . Gd . ; W . J . Hughes , W . M . 1206