Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

Thc monthly meeting cf the Lotlge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . J . M . Gabon , P . G . D ., President of thc lodge , presided . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., Senior Vice-President , and Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , occupied their respective chairs . There were also present Bros . John

Hervey , G . S . ; H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary A . A . Pendlebury ; W . T . Howe , G . P . ; S . G . Foxall , P . G . P . ; H . T . Garrod , P . M . 749 ; W . Mann , P . M . 1 S 6 ; S . Rawson , P . D . G . M . China ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; C . P . Cobham , 957 ; Erasmus Wilson , S . G . D . ; Thos . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; Hyde Pullen , P . G . S . B . ; John Boyd , P . G . P . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; Col . Shadwell H .

Clerke , S . G . D . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; Griffiths Smith , P . G . S . ; C . Atkins , P . M . 27 ; R . W . Williams , P . G . S . B . Middx . ; W . Dawson , W . M . 186 ; E . H . Hewett , P . M . 235 ; W . Weston , P . M . 1536 ; F . Drummond , P . M . 217 ; Andrew Malcolm , W . M . H 27 ; Geo . Corner , P . M . 1139 ; F . B . Williams , W . M . 1538 j F . W . Levander , P . M . 1415 ; G . P . Britten , W . M . 18-jj J . H . Rowe , W . M . 167 ; T .

Deane , W . M . 77-, W . S . Killetcn , W . M . 483 ; A . Middlemas , W . M . 1641 ; Col . H . S . Somerville Buiney , P . M . 6 97 ; A . W . Woodley , W . M . 700 ; F . Adlard , P . M . 7 ; L . Cornelissen , W . M . 1441 ; J . 11 . Watts , P . M . 1201 ; A . White , W . M . 1076 ; T . W . Allen , P . M . 733 ; W . R . Phillips , W . M . 975 -, E . Terry , W . M . 1-J 19 ; G . ' Phythian , W . M . 22 ; G . Bolton , W . M . 147 ; L . B . Pillin , W . M . 180 ; ] . Nicholson ,

W . M . nq ; S . Rosenthal , P . M . 435 ; Hugh Cotter , W . M . 654 ; W . H . Cohen , W . M . 1298 ; R . Wyatt , P . M . 12 . 6 5 ; E . Kidman , W . M . 1586 ; Ii . Potter , P . M . 11 ; S . B . Phillips , P . M . 173 ; E . M . Haigh , P . M . 1541 ; J . H . Thompson , W . M . 1707 -, ] . Douglas Mathews , W . M . 6 57 ; J . Tydeman , P . M . 1437 ; * W . Allan , W . M . 1158 ; Dr . F . W . Ramsay , W . M . 1691 ; E . L . Stidolph , W . M . 1540 ; James Cowan , W . M .

1572 ; G . Fisher , W . M . 1332 ; Henry Rogers , W . M . 8 9 8 ; John Coe , W . M . 1339 ; E . C . Massey , W . M . 1297 ; C . B . Payne , G . Tyler ; and H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( Fifeinatoii ) . The agenda paper for thc next meeting ot Grantl Lotlge was first settled , after which the brethren confirmed grams to thc amount of £ 290 , matle at last Lotlge of

Benevolence . Of thc new casts there were- foiiitcen on the list , nut of whicii two were ilisniisse-d . Thc remaining twelve were it-lie vid with £ 203 , consisting ot one £ 40 ( £ 40 ); two ¦ t ' 25 ' jC 5 o ); t » o £ " * ° ( t » i I wo £ 15 ( £ 30 ) ; four £ 10 ( £ 4 ° ) ; - "I'l « " <¦ £ 3 (•*>) Lodge was then closetl .

London Masonic Charity Association.

LONDON MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .

On ThuiMlay , 15 th inst ., a meeting , convened by a notice signt . ' il by Bros . A . F . A . Woodford and A . Tisley , was held at Freemasons' Tavern , to discuss a proposal for forming a Metropolitan Masonic Charity for furthering the claims of L-ndon candidates for the Masonic Charities .

Bro . Col . Creaton jiresideel , anil there were among those jiresent Bros . Wootlford , Tisley , J . White , S . Rosenthal , E . Letchworth , J . H . Watt , J . G . Marsh , Eiasmus Wilson , Dr . Hogg , Hyde Pullen , J . H . Southwood , A . E . Shadwell , Thos . Massa , and E . C . Massey ( Fiwinj-tui ) . Letters were read from many brethren who were unable to attend , but concurred in the object of the meeting .

Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Wootlford , in response to a call from the chair , explained the object of the proposed association . He saitl that in consequence of similar societies being formed in the provinces , some of the provinces had obtained a very large voting jiower , which had now become so great as to contrast unfavourably witht he voting power of the London district , where brethren had hithcito practised

the system of unorganised voting . 1 he effect of this unorganised voting was frequently that a great many more votes were recorded for a candidate than woultl have secured thc election , antl , jierhajis , the nrxt London candidate faded in consequence , whereas , if organisation hail existed , and the votes hat ! been projitrly apportioned between the candidates , both might have been successful .

He disclaimed any intention of blaming the provinces for their action and their meritorious exertions—he recognised antl admind their organisation , and admitted lhat he was one of the organizers of the Charity Committee in the province of West Yorkshire . At thc next election feir the Girls' School there were eight Loudon cis . es and twenty-one provincial cases , and nine were to lie elected . One

provincial case was certain of success . If they had proper ¦ i ]* gaiii . <> atiiiii they coultl cany two Lot-don cases . But West Yorkshire alone had three candidates antl the other provinces hatl twe nty , antl without proper organisation in tlie metropolis the London candidates would not secure their legitimate position . A committee would be aide to tell the exact number 1 f votes that would render an

election Certain , antl would ajijily surplus voles to another deserving case , whereas , as London voting was at present carrietl on , there was altogether a waste of voting power to secure the empty honour of heading the poll . It was not tnei much lo say lhat in the hands of a competent committee thc whole of the deserving London cases could be secured . All hc wanted was to meet the provincial

organisation with a similar friendly organisation in London . By means of such an association the election of all deserving Lont . ' tin candidates might be a certainty , whereas now it vvas very doubtful , antl would soon be an impossibility . Bro . A . E . Gladwell read some statistics , showing iu the Girl ., ' fcliou ! , Irtim the icjuiil , March , 1878 , that London

Had subscribed £ 5577 , and the piovinces £ 4 891 ; while the number nf girls in tlie Institution was—London gills 7 > , " provi ! ie-ial girls 116 ; whereas the equitable proportion Would be London 102 and provinces 86 . From the Buys' School re *| ioit , 18 7 8 , London contributed j £ * 74 b' 7 i antl the province : * £ 53 1 "j ; but the number of boys

London Masonic Charity Association.

from London was 49 , antl provinces 109 ; but the equitable proportion would be London 75 antl piovinces 83 . To thc Bencvclcnt Institution London hatl contributed £ 6012 , and the provinces £ 5028 . The London candidates elected were 6 9 and provinces 169 ; but the equitable proportion would be London 129 and provinces 109 . Bro . Gladwell read also au abstract from the reports of

the Girls' School for five years , from 1873 ( close of 1872 ) . In the Girls' School 4 6 London girls , and 76 provincial . In 1 S 73 London contributed £ 5700 , antl the jorovinces £ 4000 ; when the provincial candidates elected were 17 , antl London candidates 12 . In 1874 London contributed £ 3951 , and the provinces £ 3883 ; when London elected 13 , and the provinces 18 .

In 1875 London contributed £ 507 6 , and the provinces £ 3748 ; when London elected 8 girls and the provinces 19 . In 187 6 London contributed £ 6218 , and the provinces £ 3942 ; when London elected 9 girls and thc provinces 19 . In 1877 London contributed £ 5577 , and the provinces £ 4891 ; when London elected 15 girls and the provinces 20 . Bro . Woodford , in reply to a question by Bro .

Erasmus Wilson , said he believed that if at the present moment every province had not its Charity Committee the exceptions were very few . AU the provinces as a rule had a Charity Committee , and these acted in connection with other provinces , and the consequence was that when they came up to London , two provinces like West Yorkshire and

West Lancashire aclmg together , they could secure the election of thtir canditlates . London , therefore , must do something to assist its canditlates . A Provincial Charity Committee is composed of a member from each lodge in the jirovincc ; that would not be possible in London on account of there being so great a number of London lodges , but they would be able to provide that London

Masons could be fully represented . Bro . Dr . Hogg thought thc object too narrow , and suggested that the operations of Ihe Society should not be confined to London cases , but should extend to all the most deserving cases on thc list . * Alter some further conversation , liro . Erasmus Wilson t-alli-d . attention to the fact that there vvas no motion before

the meeting . It vvas then moved by Bin . IViccv . il , anil seconded liy liro . Falkner , " That it is expedient In form a London Masonic Charity Union , " ' wliicli was put by the Chairman , and carried unanimously . Bro . A . F . A . Woodford Hex . lead a sel ol bjc-lnivs which had been drawn up fur consideration , and Bio .

Wilson moved that in order lo give Ihe brethren an opportunity of fully considering these bye-laws before proceeding lo discuss antl settle them the meeting shoultl be adjourned till Wednesday , thc 21 st iust ., at 5 o ' clock , at the same place , which , having been seconded , vvas put antl carried unanimously . Thc meeting was brought to a conclusion by a vote of thanks to thc Chairman .

f ~ The secontl melting of this Association vvas held on Wednesday evrniiig , at Freemasons' Tavern . Col . Creaton ( ire-sided . Bros , the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford and A . Tisley ( I ' rov . Secretaries , ! , I lytic Pullen , E . C . Massey , G . Bolton , George Faulkner , C . J . Perceval , J . G . Marsh , J . II . Southwood , Thomas Massa , Charles Lacey , John White , S . Rosenthal , John Newton , Dr . F . VV . Ramsay ,

antl H . Massey ( Ficcinisun ) , also attended . The Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , in opening thc business of the day , said that at the last meeting it was suggested that the rules of the Association shoultl be considered at the present meeting , anil it was also suggested that ' . hey should be carefully looked over , in order that , ascertain salient iioints which came out of thc eiiscussiou were not

agieed m by all the brethren , means could be devisetl to reconcile the views of all . Since that meeting he had seen Bro . Erasmus Wilson , who had taken great pains with tlie rules , and had suggested certain alterations which seemed admirable . Bro . Letchworth also had suggested one alteration which hc ( liro . Woodford ) thought all thc bretlrnn would agree would simjilify the rules , and make

clear what thc object of the Association was . There was one alteration suggested by Bro . Erasmus Wilson in which all the brethren woultl agree . Although "What's in a name ? " was a vcry proper question , Bro . Erasmus Wilson thought the name of " Union" had a sound whicii mighl grate on the cars of the brethren of thc mciroj-olis ; and lie proposed that instead of the won ! " Union" being

employed 111 this Society the word " Association should be usetl . liro . Erasmus Wilson , thought that some people mi ght imagine it was a Masonic Trades Union , and that some objection woultl be raisetl on that ground . He ( lliu , Woodford ) , thei' -fore , woultl now put it tu thc biclhrcn that the name eif the Association should be " The L melon Masonic Charity Association . "

Thc proposition was agreed te .. Bro . Wootlford then read the rules of thc Association . A discussion then took jilace vn the bye-laws seriatim , and whicii resulted in their being unanimously adt > pteil , with a few alterations . liro . Sluthwood sold that before passing from ihe rules proiicr he wished to mention one subject . It was in

allusion to the obligation of members ol the Association pledging themselves to send their voting paper , to thc Association . Hc had talked thc matter over with Bro . Woudford , antl he quite saw with that brother the difficulty to be encountered—that while they coultl impose no penally on a brother or member of the Association who violated

his honourable <> bligati . » i , hc thought it woultl be just as well to affirm in the rules something to the following ellVct : "That every member of Ibis Association , by virtue of hi- * ' r .-ieiiibcrshiji , pledges himself to jilace at the disjiosal of the Committee all his votes for the Metropolitan Masonic Charities . " It was a rule lhat every member could either assent to or dissent from before he became a

London Masonic Charity Association.

member * , but he saw before anything of the kind was done they would be in this difficulty , that some brethren who felt vcry weak over a particular case would use their influence with the Association to support the weak case , and so soon as they had gota very strong case , which , hy a little more assistance , added to the large accumulated

power which some brethren personally possessed , they would work independently of the Association , ami the past services of the Association would be lost si ght of . Hc would like to hear from Bro . Lacey , who was one of the oldest of the veterans in connection with Masonic work , what liis experience was of such a case . In working out the objects of tlie Association it was of great importance

that the members should have the experience of those brethren , who for many years had done practical work . He was not isolated in his view , for Bros . Rosenthal and Newton had the same itiea that he had , that some means should be taken to protect the Association . Bro . Charles Lacey said he should be veiy happy to respond to his esteemed brother . He could assure him that

from his little experience of Freemasonry , more especially with regard to the Institutions , which he prided himself hc had taken some little interest in , he certainly must endorse the opinion of Bro . Southwood wilh respect to brethren pledging themselves to aid thc Association , because he took it that that was the ground which the Association had to work upon . The capital was the

number of votes that could be concentrated . Unless they get the brethren to pledge themselves to aid the Association by the strength of the privileges they were entitled to iu connection with the three Masonic Institutions he feared that the Association woultl be working as it were without capital . There was indeed no doubt that if the Association undertook , which we are sure it

woultl earnestly and heartily , to assist those who were seeking admission into the Institutions , it would ask itself the question what capital it had to work with . It had to look to thc members of the Association one and all to concentrate their votes in order that it mi ght carry out what it jiroposed to do . Therefore , bethought that it would only be fair and equitable that those brethren who

came to thc Association to assist them in their good work shoultl p ledge themselves to bring their votes and concentrate them lo assist the Association . Therefore he thought it should be one of the rules that any and every brother who volunteered to become a member ol thc Association should jiromise that he woultl also bring thc Association what influence he aad in voting power for thc Institution , because

lhat brother would be misleading thc Association and ihe Association woultl be misleading the candidates unless they had something in the shajie of votes to support them in their asseilitai that they woultl carry the candidate forward , antl ait ! in obtaining admission lu the Institution , lie thought a member should volunteer to hand over his votes to the Association .

Bro . Woodford observed that no doubt it would be very desirable , but how could it be done ? Could they or , coultl any body of men—could Bro . Perceval , or Faulkner , or Southwood , or Rosenthal be forced to hand over his voting papers to the Association ? In the provinces they did not attempt that . They passed , a general resolution to the effect that all brethren were invited to send in their voting

pajiers to the Charity Committee . If this Association attempted to elo anything of the kind suggested they woultl be told that they were dictating to brethren , and that would prevent brethren joining the Association . B y leaving it under a courteous request that " all voting jiapers placed at the disposal of the Committee shall be left in the hands of thc Secretaries , to be registered and disposed of

as the Committee shall subsequently decide , " the difficulty woultl be got over . Of course it would be one of the main tluties of the Secretaries to emleavnur to obtain from the Life Governors o [ the Institutions their voting jiajiers , but it must be done by a civil request , as a fraternal wish on the part of thc Association , and a fraternal act on thc part of the brethren asked , antl nut one

which by the rules a brother pledged himself to . Hcwas quite certain , as there was much jealousy in this respect , that a rule jilcdging a brother would keep out a great number ol ihe very best men . No doubt it woultl be very desirable to secure ' . he votes by a rule , but as it coultl not be done in thc provinces it coultl not be done in London . Bro . Faulkner said that regisiering the votes woultl show

that they werc given to the Association . Bro . Newton ditl not see that it was Bro . Laccy's intention that a brother should pledge himself to give his votes to thc Association . The Chairman saitl he thought it was tantamount to it , He was afiaid it would not answer . Bro . Hnseinhal was glad some one adojitetl his view ,

lire ) . Woodford hail mentioned thc provinces . He ( Brn . Rosenthal ) hatl some cx | icricnce nf Yorkshire antl Lancashire brethren as well . Bro . Henry Smith , of West Yorkshire , had told him that that province carried all before them ; antl tlid as they liked because they hatl thc votes , If they tlid not work together they never would carry out their object ; but they worked together and got all their

children into the Institutions . The Chiirnian said no doubt the members of thc Association would send their votes ; but thc Association must not say they must jiledge themselves to do so . Bro . Woodfur . t said if Bro . Lacey would kindly draw uji a bye-law that he thought woultl meet the case it would be considered . It was le-lt nut of the rules because they had thought the thing could not be done . If liro . Lacey

tlteiv a bje-l . nv they would sec whether it was feasible . Bro . lacey s aid the , vcry fact of a brother volunteering to become a member ol the Association hc took it for granted woultl be a guarantee for his throwing iu what influence he hat ! . The Chairman observed that no doubt nineteen out of twenty would , only it must not be made one of the lules uf the Association .