Original Correspondence.

been fully anticipated , thus , since August last the Provincial Grand Ledge of Devon has voted thc sum of £ 100 to the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution , the Provincial Grand Alark Lodge of Devon £ 10 , various private lodges and chapters in the province have since August last voted sums to the same Institution , to be placed on the lists of Bros . Charles Godtsehalk and J . E . Curteis , Stewards for

their province for this year . The amounts so voted from these private lodges and chapters in the aggregate , doubtless reach £ 200 , and will be augmented before the date of the festival in February next . Out of the monies voted by the province since August last the sum of £ 110 was actually in the hands of Bro . James Terry , the Secretary , at the moment Bro .

Constable asked the question . Allow me also to remark that if Bro . Constable will refer to th- published list of the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution , he will find our beloved Provincial Grand Alaster , thc Rev . J . Huyshe , is a larger supporter of that particular Institution than any other Provincial Grand Alaster in Enp-land . he beinn- in nossession bv self and

family alone , of 150 votes , and that he is handsomely represented on the lists of our other Alasonic charities , and that his name is another word for benevolence . Believe me , yours fraternally , CHARLES GODTSCIIALK , P . AI . 70 and 1255 , P . G . D ., Steward for R . M . B . I . 1 S 76-7 .

YET ANOTHER CHARITY . To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — At this festive season of the year , the Freemason ' s heart , ever open to the reception of the message " goodwill towards man , " participates with a peculiar warmth in the feelings of the outer worldthus neriodicallv

awakened to the abiding glory of charity and mercy . It seems to me , then , to be a time of the year not inappropriate to the ventilation of a new scheme of philanthropy , designed to cover ground not yet occupied by our noble institutions of benevolence , and I proceed to do this , even at the risk of hearing the despairing chelation of our already heavilv charitably taxed brethren , " The cry is ,

still they come . " The organised charitable associations of the Craft may be classed under four heads : 1 . The fund of Benevolence administered by Grand Lodge , to which every member of a private lodge under its jurisdiction in this country is , ipso fa : to a contributor .

2 . Seni'ires priores ( though thc maxim must be limited to the participants in the benefits ) , Thc Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution . 3 . The Royal Alasonic Institution for Girls . 4 . The Royal Alasonic Institution for boys . I piopose to add a fifth association tothe list , and to call it , should the necessary assent to the first adjective of the

title and support of the scheme be obtained , " The Royal Philanthropic Association for thc relief of Freemasons , their wives and children , when temporarily incapacitated through casualty , sickness , or other infirmity . " I will at once frankly confess that such an organization would have no claim to support should it be shewn t *

conflict with thc other institutions ! have enumerated . Foo the purposes of argument I will divide these into one in . voluntary and three voluntary bodies . Of course this definition is not technically accurate , inasmuch as Alasonry being free , the first—the official—mode of administering distress is as voluntary as the other three . But it will suffice for my purpose to point out this very

broad distinction , that while thc means of effecting its avowed ' object possessed by the official scheme are secured by Alasonic law , and must be enhanced as the Craft increases in numbers , thc machinery itself can , therefore , only relatively be termed voluntary ; the other three are absolutely dependent upon the good-will of the brethren , and must , therefore , be deemed absolutely

voluntaiy . Of these institutions while voluntary in the latter meaning , only one demands my examination just now . The Royal Benevolent Institution , wliich , as is well known , is defined as being designed for thc benefit of " Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons , " and is understood to desiderate making a permanent provision , to a greater or less extent , for thc recipients of its bounty . The

essential features , then , of this Charity are , its limitation to age and its extension to permanency , both elements entirely absent from the scheme I am endeavouring to commend to the notice of the Craft at large . The other association with which my idea would seem to clash is the official mode of administering relief by the Board of Benevolence . How thc plan , so far from

clashing , would prove the complement of thc system professed by this body can be most briefly shown , I think , by an exposition of its scope . It must often have occurred to brethren that amongst thc many " circumstances of unforeseen misfortune , " daily reducing some , at least of our brethren , from a position of if not opulence , at least , comparative comfort , " to the

lowest state of poverty and distress , " their attention has been drawn to the sudden stroke of sickness , or accident , paralysing thc strong right hand of a brother bread-winner , or depriving his little ones of the tender care of the gentle house-mother . Some temporary provision for a case of distress of this kind seems to me to come peculiarly within the definition of the second item of t ) ie creed we are all

taught to profess . Surely this would be " relief " in its most literal sens :. I know it may be urged—it may indeed be sincerely believed—that such a case would be peculiarly one for the interposition of the Board of Bcnevoknee—theoretically perhaps it may be—but is it so practically ? In thc first place there is the application , to a certain extent , at least so far as thc Craft is con-

Original Correspondence.

cerned—the publicity of an application—which , to the self respecting supplicant , must , whatever theorists may say , be humiliating . Then , although of course no personal attendance is required in case of sickness or accident , it is almost impossible for the Board of Benevolence to administer adequate relief . A dole of money , proportioned , as it must necessarily be

proportioned , rather to the years during which the applicant lias contributed to the official fund than to the real necessities of his cases , the form of relief e . v necessitate rei adopted ; the Board have no machinery by which they can secure that assistance in kind , adapted to the exigency and incidents of the" misfortune , can be promptly , and liberally , and continuously , and systematically rendered .

I readily concede that the sufferer ' s private lodge will probably eagerly step in to supplement the grant ofthe board , but it is , no more than the board itself , provided with the machinery I have indicated to be necessary . Now assume the carrying out the project I propose . A fund would be created by the voluntary contributions of the various lodges , and of individual brethren . The

administrative body of the charity would place themselves in communication with all the hospitals , dispensaries , and infirmaries of the kingdom . By disbursing the greater part of its funds in the purchase of patronage in these institutions in the shape of life governorships and other forms of membership involving presentations to participations in their various benefits

the institution itself , the official Board of Benevolence and the various lodges and individual members and donors would be furnished pro rata with the means of providing professional assistance , hospital care . extra infirmary comforts—including provision for a period of convalescence —for great numbers of our brethren without those necessaries , and who at present can only procure a temporary

relief to their necessities by the necessarily limited pcc _ - niary aid of the Board of Benevolence , or of their private lodges . I want , in short , to place every lodge in the kingdom in the position , in the case of an afflicted brother , to do what is so well expressed in ordinary colloquial phrase , " set a man nn his legs again . " I believe that we could at once put ourselves e «

rapport with the various hospitals , dispensaries , and infirmaries of the country : that they would hail our cooperation , because although our benefits would directly be restricted to the members of the Craft , indirectly they would contribute to the means of usefulness of many a deserving institution . I may be told that this scheme would tend still further

to complete the analogy sometimes sought to be instituted between Freemasonry and a mere benefit society—to this I would reply that it is a feature of a benefit society incapable of being abused and capable of conferring indirect benefits beyond the sphere of its immediate recipients . A man would be even less likely , 1 opine , to join Freemas . inry in thc hope of participating in its

benefits in the event of his breaking a leg or catching a fever than with the view of procuring an education for his orphan children , or a home and pension for himself or widow . But supposing such miserable aspirations existed , would that fact constitute an argument against our performing the duty we owe of doing all the good wc can to those of the household of faith . Our

refuge against such an abuse is not by buttoning up our breeches pockets , but by opening our eyes very wide at the name of every proposed initiate , and not forgetting the wholesome and legitimate use of the black ball . I do not claim to be the sole originator of the idea I have thus feebly endeavoured to explain . It has occurred to other brethren , members , with myself . ' of the B > ard of

Benevolence , in the working of which during the past year as an elective member I have from , constant attendance , acquired some experience . For the title , which I admit might be abbreviated with advantage , I am solely responsible . I only stipulate for the retention of the Philanthropi as being dis tinctive from the descriptive adjective of thc institution for the relief of our aged brethren

and their widows , and as being a word eminently applicable to the universal character of the charity of our Craft . The institution need not be ambitious , save in obtaining the patronage of some illustrious prince crlady taking an interest in the fraternity . No expense need be incurred save for a little printing ; no office rent need be payable . A Secretary could be readily found who would perform the duties

honorarily . An annual festival would ultimately be a necessity , but a prompt communication with every lodge and individual member of note , and every hospital and infirmary in the kingdom , would be the first step to be taken after a committee was once formed , on a favourable reception of t he scheme by the Craft at large . A good firm of bankers could be at once found to act as Treasurers , and the

ensuing year could be utilised by making thc scope and objects of the organisation known much more in detail than I can do by means of a single letter , at every lodge banquet table in thc kingdom , and by the medium of a now widely circulated and influential Alasonic press . In conclusion , ! d . > not propose to divert one single penny

from thc already liberally flowing stream of Masonic bounty , to the suggested Institution . I do not believe its most complete success , of which when once started I am supremely confident , would do so . In Alasonic charity , thank God—as in political economy demand , induces supply . Thc only question I desire by your kind help to ask my brethren of the Craft is , is there room for such an

association ? If ever there was an appeal which illustrated the wisdom of the command " Let your light so shine before men , _ * c , " surely I think it must be conceded it is the present , and therefore I do not propose to shrink from the imputation of egotism by concealing my identity under a nom de plume . Your numerous readers who know me will , I am assured , acquit me of the desire of self-glorification . Those of my brethren with whom I have not the

Original Correspondence.

honour to be personally acquainted , will appreciate the object I have in publishing my personality when I ask them to communicate freely to me at 5 , Essex Court , Temple , London , E . G ., their views as to the practicabilit y or advisability of ray proposals , and their willingness , or the reverse , to co-operate in the proposed enterprise , and if any other vindication of the course I take in letting the

Alasonic world know the name of the writer of this letter be necessary , surely I may plead that unless I did so the offer I hereby make . to be not only a contributor according to my means to the fund proposed to be raised , but cheerfully and indefatigably to undertake ihe duties of Honorary Secretary

so long as my services can be of use to the designed association , would be obviously idle . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , SAMUEL POYNTEH , P . AI . and Treas . Burgoyne , 902 ; Atlicna-um , 1491 .

Consecration Of The St. Cecilia. Lodge, No. 1636.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . CECILIA . LODGE , No . 1636 .

On Wednesday last , at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , a Special Grand Lodge of the Province of Sussex was held , for the purpose of consecrating a new lodge , the St . Cecilia , No . 1636 , a warrant for the establishment of which

had been granted by the Grand Lodge on the application of the following . — Bros . Kuhe , ( Grand Organist of England ) , Everall , Sandeman , Broadbridge , Nell , Foat , Belcher , Devin , Hawkes , Nye , and H . Payne . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at three o ' clock by the Acting

Prov . G . M ., Bro . E . J . Furner ( in the absence of the Prov . G . M , Bro . Lord Pelhatn ) . The acting Grand Master was supported by Bro . Sir \ V . W . Burrell , Bart ., M . P . ( Prov . D . G . M . ) , and by his Provincial Grand Officers as follows : Bros . T . Trollone . S . G . W .: C . Pocock . 7 . G . W . : Rev .

E . Walker , G . Chaplain ; G . Tatham , G . Treasurer : C . Woolley , G . Registrar ; J . H . Scott , G . Secretary ; B . H . Thorpe , G . S . Deacon ; R . Brarnwell , G . J . Deacon ; — Tomes , G . Supt . of Works ; J . Dixon , G . D . of C . ; T . H . Cole , G . A . sst . D . of C . j Walter Smith , G . S . B .

E . Gladstone , G . Org . ; J . Everall , G . Purst . ; Bros . J . M . Read , C . Sandeman , G . Money , and T . S . Byass , G . Stewards ; and T . Hughes , G . Tyler . The brethren present included the following : —Bros . T . Penn , P . G . D . ; W . Marchant , J . M . Cunningham , J . Fabian ,

E . Bright , W . J . Harriss , H . Belcher , V . P . Freeman , A . King , A . Partridge , R . J . Pope , J . Butler , G . D _ Paris , G . B . Mc Whinnie , J . Glass , C . J . Smith , W . Kuhe , H . W . Hawswell , C . W . Arnold , E . M . Norris , G . S . Gray , J . F . Eyles , G . H .

Day , W . Wright , H . F . Mackay , J . M . Reid , H . Payne , James Curteis , G . Vickers , F . C . Woodman , R . Grey , J . F . Capon , W . V . Nell , W . A . Butt , W . Withers Moore , T . J . Sabine , W . Winn , C . Beckett , J . Hodges , H . Freeman , H . Collet , W . H . Gibson , H . Duval , J . P . M . Smith , W . T . Clarke , F . Noakes ,

L . F . Noakes , G . Smith , W . S . Evershed , J . W . Stride , C . Warwick Orme , S . G . Foxall , R . Willard , T . C . Abell , C . Butt , H . M . Jenner , J . Sergison , E . Histed , E . Byass , W . G . Poundall , H . C . Davis , S . T . Foat , J . Wood , C Winstanley , C . Hudson , S . R . Legg , W . R . Wood , J . H . Ross , J . Farncombe , S . Tanner , F . J . Holman , W . A .

Stuckey , A . Whitfield , B . Roberts , A . J . Hawkes , R . W . Willatt , T . R . White , H . W . Wells , F . Holford , B . Ford , T . Chandler , T . S . Watts , Mark Tanner , J . T . Whatford , J . C . Stratford , & c .

The brethren having * assembled in the music room , a procession of the Acting Grand Master and his officers was formed in the drawing room , and on the Acting Grand Master taking his seat , the lodge was opened with the usual formula . The petition and warrant were then read , and the petitioning brethren signified their approval of the officers named in the warrant .

The Prov . G . Chaplain ( Bro . Rev . E . Walker ) then , at the call of the acting Prov . Q . M ., delivered a short oration on the nature and design of Freemasonry . He observed that the occasion on which they were assembled was one of those

convincing proofs that the principles of' Freemasonry were generally extending . Persecution in those days , and in still later times , had done , its utmost ; yet here , thanks to the G . A . of the U . it stood holding its own , and if the brethren carried out their professions of fidelity , love , and