Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.
As far as hc was concerned he assured the brethren that he never gave any decision until he had thoroughly gone into thc matter under consideration . One matter suggested itself to his mind , on noticing Bro . Binckes , the Secretary e f thc Boys' School , present , namely , the manner of electing the ofliccrs in connection with the Alasonic charities . It vvas only right that all thc brethren in the provinces should
have an opportunity of voting in the election of the officers , and he hoped that ere long some steps would be taken to introduce a scheme by which the brethren might vote without being put to the expense and inconvenience of going to London . He concluded by proposing " The Health of the W . D . P . G . M . of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , Bro . W . Hickman , P . A . G . D . C . England , " saying that in Bro
Hickman he had an efficient and able coadjutor , who was ever ready to render all the assistance he could . Bro . W . Hickman acknowledged the compliment , and , speaking of thc chairman , said all cases involving questions of Masonic law and constitution which came before him he had thoroughly investigated before coming to a decision . —The Chairman gave " The Wardens and Officers of the
Provincial Grand Lodge , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Frost , who responded . —Bro . J . E . Lc Feuvre , Prov . G . S ., proposed the next toast , " The Worshipful Masters , Officers . fand brethren of the lodges in the province . " It was a great gratification to him , as P . G . S ., that these lodges were all working to the same end , and trying to carry out the principles they professed—the principles of brotherly
love and charity . They were exceeehngly fottunate in having to preside over them one so able as their chairman , who give due consideration to every communication and representation that was made to him . He strongly advised the members of the various lodges to take care only to receive persons into their ranks who would be likely to do honour to the Craft , and not to keep solely in view the
object of increasing their numbers , and in conclusion expressed his gratification that the Provincial Grantl Lodge had been helel this year in the good old town of Southampton . ( Applause . ) Bros . Faulkner , P . M . of the Cowes Lotlge , and C . John Phillips , as W . M . of the senior entertaining lodge ( the Royal Gloucester ) , responded , the hitter , alluding to a remark from the P . G . M . as to thc
difficulty of distributing Grand Lotlge honours , suggesting tli . it when thc exigencies of the case were such that but two nf the Masons in the entertaining lodges , out of six in the luwii and neighbourhood , received Grand Lotlge honours il w . t-ibut lair lo expect lhat thc rule of thc lodge shoultl be strictly enforced , that only those in attendance shoultl iveeiic those honours . ( Hear , hear . )
" 1 he Masonic Charities was next given , anil acknowledged hy Bro . Binckes . Bro . Morris Miles , P . M ., as Secit tary of the Southampton Masonic Benevolent Institution , also acknowledged the toast , and as Prov . G . Director of the Ceremonies for the tlay . antl one of the Entertaining Committee , cordially thanked Bro . Nichols for the gratuitous use of the rink for that gathering . The meeting then
separated . In connection with thc above , the W . M . of one of the entertaining lodges writes us as follows : —P . G . Lodges being moveable bodies , it may be of service to some brethren to give them a hint , by way of warning , based on our experience . To provide the banquet we contracted with one of the best known caterers in Hampshire to supply a
coltl collation at 7 s . Cd . per head , " including a pint of wine . " This " pint" some of us afterwards fountl to be the trade term for half a bottle . Content , the majority sc cmed to be , to accept that designation , and placing two wine tickets together , to secme a " bottle " of hock , claret , or sherry . Others , however , were somewhat more exacting , anil one brother , who appeared profoundly versed in
thc mystery of how many ounces formed a pint , and how many a " bottle" of wine , on finding that he could not secure his " pound of flesh , " roundly accused tbe entertaining lodges of having obtained money from him under false pretences . 1 leave your readers to judfie alike thc justice antl ihe reasonableness of that not very Masonic accusation , by saying that the four entertaining lodges placed
nn the tables fifty bottles of Moct ' s anel Perrier Jouet ' s champagne , between exactly 120 brethren , to supplement the following bill of fare , with " a pint of wine" to each brother for ; s . 6 d .: —Mayonnaise of salmon , lobster salad , dressetl crabs , roast lamb , roast chicken , tongue ,
ham , veal arid ham pies , pigeon pics , roast beef , spiced beef , galantine of veal , wine jelly , strawberry cream , French pastry , liqueur jelly , Crystal Palace puddings , fruit tarts , ami tlessert . The moral of this communication is that you will never satisfy some men , and that inexperienced brethren should not trust to technical trade terms in
re-£ * ivd to a wine supply , but place beyond cavil what is the ii . lentitmof their caterer , even though , as in our case , that would seem obvious enough , remembering that the ordinary hotel price of a bottle of wine is 5 s ., which would leave 2 S . ( id . fur the dinner ami its provision and serving .
Iho , Thomas Jlrassey s able lecture on ' A Colonial Naval Volunteer Force , " delivered before the : Royal Cnlonial Institute on June 7 , has been republished in pamphlet form by Messrs . Longmans , Green , and Co . A sea serpent has been captured at Penguin . It is described as fourteen feet long , antl fifteen feet deep inches the widest part ofthe hotly . It has a mane twenty in . long , and the skin is like" polished silver . " The creature is now on view .
Mr . F . Fowler , an American , essayed to walk from Boulogne to Folkestone on Tuesday | in a kind of water boots shaped like canoes , antl about eleven feet in length . The experimentalist propelled himself by means of a long pitl . lle . He accomplished about eleven miles of 'ds task when , in consequence of the roughness of the sea , he got into the pilt t boat and landed at Sandgate .
Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association.
HEREFORDSHIRE MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .
Freemasons are in duty bound to do all they can , by precept and example , in order to increase tbe donations and subscriptions to the several Masonic Charities , and we have much pleasure , therefore , in recording that the Masons of the small province of Herefordshire" have just
buckled on their armour for this good work . As many provinces are still without a charity scheme for the support of the Masonic Institutions , we think an ' account of the preliminary proceedings of the Herefordians will lo ; of interest—and we hope suggestive too—in lodges and provinces where hitherto but little has been done by way of obtaining personal votes for our Charities .
The first step vvas the proposition in the Palladian Lodge ( 120 ) , Hereford , that a Masonic charity scheme should be established—the general nature and object of the association having been first explained—and the names of assenting brethren were enrolled .
The W . M . ( Bro . W . Earle ) afterwards called upon other Masons in the city and obtained their concurrence , and having received from the Secretaries of four lodges in the province lists of their members and of non-subscribing Masons in their locality , sent to each brother a copy of the following circular -.
—, , THE ROYAL MASONIC CHAIUTIES . Palladian Lodge , No . 120 . Hereford , August 1 st , 1 S 78 . Dear Sir and Brother , — You are aware that the Province of Herefordshire stands far behind other provinces in those charitable exertions necessary for the maintenance of these Charities ,
so much so , that whenever we have attempted to secure the election of a candidate , we have been dependent mainly on the generous assistance of other provinces , which we have been unable adequately to repay . We feel it our incumbent duty to endeavour to remedy this state of things , and to give proper expression to the principles wc profess . We , therefore , the undersigned
members of the Pallatlian Lotlge , have mutually pledged ourselves to each other to become " Life Subscribers " to one or more of the Charities , on the plan set forth in the annexed rules . This plan has been found vcry efficient in the adjoining Province of Gloucestershire , and in other provinces , and wc believe it will commend itself to your approval , as you
will observe that every subscribing member will obtain a life subscribership . To give our brethren the oppoitunity of uniting with us in this good work , we have resolved on calling a meeting of the lodges , and wc earnestly invite you to favour us with your presence and support at a public meeting to be held in the Palladian Lotlge Room , Green Dragon Hotel ,
Hereford , on Friday , the oth of August , 1878 , at four p . m . precisely , when Bro . Thos . Jowitt , D . P . G . M ., will take the chair . The business before the meeting will be : — To adopt the rules herein stated , or such other rules as may be then agreed upon .
To elect a President , Vice-President , Treasurer , Secretary , and Committee . To receive subscriptions from brethren present and absent . If you should be unable to attend , may wc request the kindness of your reply , addressed to Bro . W . Earle , Castlcstrcet , Hereford , and wc hope it will contain your consent
to become a member . We are , dear Sir and brother , yours truly and fraternally , W . Earle , W . M . Thomas Birch , P . S . Thomas Smith , J . W . Ja * -. Beavan . T . T . Smith , P . M ., Chaplain . Wm . Barber . H . C . Beddoe , Treasurer . E . J . Baker . William Davis , Secretary . Jno . Barnes .
Elijah Shaw , S . D . Henry Bond . John Maichant , J . D . George Cole . O . Shcllard , P . M ., D . C . Edward George . A . W . Bezmt , Organist . G . 11 . Garraway . John Davies , I . G . H . S . Marchant . Joseph Thomas , ~ | St Thos . Jas . More . William ThorneJ Mewar < ls - Thos . Maund .
Grcnville Myer , I . P . M . H . W . Oswin . Henry Gurney , P . M . Jas . Pcmbridgc . F . R . Dillon , P . M . Walter Young . The rules referred to in the circular are given below . On thc qth August the meeting was accordingly held in thc lodge room of the Green Dragon Hotel , Hereford , under the presidency of Bro . Thos . Jowitt , D . P . G . M . for
the province , who was supported by Bros . Orlando Shcllard , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . E . S . Hewitt , Prov . G . J . W . ; J . C . Gregg , P . M . ; John Bodenham , P . M . ; Henry Gurney , P . M . ; W . Eaile , W . M . ; Grcnville Mycr , I . P . M . ; J . Marchant , J . D . ; Joseph Thomas , S ., and other Masons . The President introduced thc object of the meeting , and matle an urgent appeal to the brethren to support the
proposed scheme , and to do all in their power to induce others lo join it , and , having mentioned that letters had been received from Bros , the Rev . John Buckle , P . G . S . W . ; II . C . Beddoe , Treasurer ofthe Palladim Lod ge ; Major Griffiths T . Smith , J . W . ; Wm . Thurne , S . ; G . St . Garraway , and others , warmly approving the proposed scheme , and regretting their inability to be present at that meeting , he called upon Bro . Win . Earle , the W . M . of thc Palladian Lodg < -,
to propos : the first resolution . On rising to do so , Bro . Wm . Earle said that before making the proposition entrusted to him he shoultl like , for the information of the younger brethren present , to give a short sketch as to the nature , extent , antl cost of thc great Masonic Charities , three of which they hoped to benefit by the proposed association ; and hc proceeded to say that , in addition to numerous lotlge and provincial j : haritics , thc funds of which were raised and dispensed
Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association.
in their several localities , there werc four great Masonic charity organisations , all centred in Freemasons' Hall , London , antl ably managed by separate Boards and officers . The first was the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , for the relief , by a single donation , of cases of temporary distress , and which institution extended its aid to all Freemasons , and to their widows
and children . The grants so made varied in amount from £ 3 to £ 200 , and were voted by the Board of the Institution after a thorough local investigation , the facts of each case having to be vouched for by the lodge which endorsed the application of the petitioner . This institution annually dispensed about £ 6000 , and its funds were almost entirely supplied by the yearly contribution from each lodge of 2 s .
per member . I mention this institution , continued Bro . Earle , that my sketch may be complete , although our proposed scheme does not , and indeed cannot , in any way relate to it ; but it is in aid of the three institutions I am now about to refer to that we hope to do more than the vcry little we have hitherto done . Of these three , the first in importance is the Institution of Aged Freemasons and the
Widows of Freemasons , which has an asylum at Croydon for about 30 inmates , and at the present time grants annuities to 143 aged Freemasons , and 146 widows of Freemasons , the males receiving £ 40 and the females £ 32 a year . These annuitants are scattered over the whole of England , and in the city of Hereford we have now one recipient from each fund . Next comes the Boys' School , at
Wood Green , in the North of London , where 211 sons of Masons areclothetl , maintained , and educated ; and , thirdly , wc have the Girls' School at St . John's Hill , Battersea Rise , which provides in like manner for 200 daughters of Freemasons . To both schools orphans and also the children of distressed Masons are admitted , and the Oxford and Cambridge Local Examinations show that the
education received by the pupils equals that of the best private schools , whilst the laws and repoits of the establishment prove the excellence of ihe dietary and general arrangements . On leaving school small grants of money arc made to the pupils , and situations arc invariably open for them in the places of business and homes of Freemasons ;" the . object being to place each
child in as good a position iu lifc as that which the father occupied . Annuitants arc electa ! yearly , anel children to the schools twice a year , by the subscribers' votes , the payment of £ 5 5 s . to either institution giving to the donor two votes a year for life . Thc amount annually required for the support of the three institutions is £ 30 , 000 , whicii they expend in nearly equal proportions ; ant ] for the large
sum of £ 10 , 000 each institution is mainly dependent upon the annual contributions of thc lodges antl brethren . The published reports show that Herefordshire gives but 38 votes to both schools—not half the number it ought to supply . Bro . Earle concluded by saying that hc believed thc Masonic charitable institutions vv <* re good , antl that their funds were justly antl wisely administered , and that he had , therefore , much pleasure in proposing thc following
resolution : — That an Association , to be called "The Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association , " be formed , anil that its object shall be the increase ofthe number of Life Subscriberships to the Royal Masonic Charities .
The President then read each of the suggested rules , which werc separately discussed , and ultimately the following rules were adoptetl ( we print them in cxtenso , because they have been settled by an able lawyer , assisted by brethren who have hatl much experience in the formation and management of similar associations ) : —
RULES . 1 . The Association shall be called "The Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association , " anil its object shall bethe increase of the number of Life Subscriberships to thc Royal Masonic Charities . 2 . Thc Association shall consist of Freemasons , sub . scribing not less than one guinea per annum , and lodges
and chapters subscribing not less than £ 2 2 s . per annum . 3 . All moneys subscribed shall become the property of the Association , 4 , The Association shall be under the management of a committee consisting of a President , Vice-President , Treasurer , Secretary , antl four other members , to be elected annually , and one member of the Association to be nomi .
natetl by each lotlge in the province . Two Auditors shall be appointed , who shall examine thc accounts previous to each general meeting . 5 . Each member shall , on admission , pay 2 s . ( id . towards a fund for working expenses , and if the sum so contributed in any year be insufficient , the eleficiency shall be subscribed by the members for that year , and be paid
at the next general meeting . 6 . Lewises ( being minors ) ami ladies shall be allowed to become subscribers , but shall not be entitled to any voice in the management . 7 . Thc first general meeting of the members shall be held in November , 18 7 8 , at Hereford , and afterwards annually in the month of July , at such place as the
cominillce for the time being shall appoint . 8 . At each annual meeting a statement of accounts shall be submitted , and a ballot shall be taken amongst the subscribers for thc priority of presentation to as many Life Subscriberships as the amount of the fund then in the hands of the Treasurer will allow , subject to the following regulations : ( a ) The Charity shall be selectetl by the successful
member , and the sum paid to it by the Treasurer , cither in his name or that of his nominee . (/•) Each member subscribing shall have one chance in the ballot for every annual subscription standing ta his credit in the Treasurer's book at the time of the ballot , hut shall be entitled only to one nomination in respect of each subscription . ( e ) Each successful member shall give a promise , in writing , to continue the payments of his subscriptions , to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.
As far as hc was concerned he assured the brethren that he never gave any decision until he had thoroughly gone into thc matter under consideration . One matter suggested itself to his mind , on noticing Bro . Binckes , the Secretary e f thc Boys' School , present , namely , the manner of electing the ofliccrs in connection with the Alasonic charities . It vvas only right that all thc brethren in the provinces should
have an opportunity of voting in the election of the officers , and he hoped that ere long some steps would be taken to introduce a scheme by which the brethren might vote without being put to the expense and inconvenience of going to London . He concluded by proposing " The Health of the W . D . P . G . M . of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , Bro . W . Hickman , P . A . G . D . C . England , " saying that in Bro
Hickman he had an efficient and able coadjutor , who was ever ready to render all the assistance he could . Bro . W . Hickman acknowledged the compliment , and , speaking of thc chairman , said all cases involving questions of Masonic law and constitution which came before him he had thoroughly investigated before coming to a decision . —The Chairman gave " The Wardens and Officers of the
Provincial Grand Lodge , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Frost , who responded . —Bro . J . E . Lc Feuvre , Prov . G . S ., proposed the next toast , " The Worshipful Masters , Officers . fand brethren of the lodges in the province . " It was a great gratification to him , as P . G . S ., that these lodges were all working to the same end , and trying to carry out the principles they professed—the principles of brotherly
love and charity . They were exceeehngly fottunate in having to preside over them one so able as their chairman , who give due consideration to every communication and representation that was made to him . He strongly advised the members of the various lodges to take care only to receive persons into their ranks who would be likely to do honour to the Craft , and not to keep solely in view the
object of increasing their numbers , and in conclusion expressed his gratification that the Provincial Grantl Lodge had been helel this year in the good old town of Southampton . ( Applause . ) Bros . Faulkner , P . M . of the Cowes Lotlge , and C . John Phillips , as W . M . of the senior entertaining lodge ( the Royal Gloucester ) , responded , the hitter , alluding to a remark from the P . G . M . as to thc
difficulty of distributing Grand Lotlge honours , suggesting tli . it when thc exigencies of the case were such that but two nf the Masons in the entertaining lodges , out of six in the luwii and neighbourhood , received Grand Lotlge honours il w . t-ibut lair lo expect lhat thc rule of thc lodge shoultl be strictly enforced , that only those in attendance shoultl iveeiic those honours . ( Hear , hear . )
" 1 he Masonic Charities was next given , anil acknowledged hy Bro . Binckes . Bro . Morris Miles , P . M ., as Secit tary of the Southampton Masonic Benevolent Institution , also acknowledged the toast , and as Prov . G . Director of the Ceremonies for the tlay . antl one of the Entertaining Committee , cordially thanked Bro . Nichols for the gratuitous use of the rink for that gathering . The meeting then
separated . In connection with thc above , the W . M . of one of the entertaining lodges writes us as follows : —P . G . Lodges being moveable bodies , it may be of service to some brethren to give them a hint , by way of warning , based on our experience . To provide the banquet we contracted with one of the best known caterers in Hampshire to supply a
coltl collation at 7 s . Cd . per head , " including a pint of wine . " This " pint" some of us afterwards fountl to be the trade term for half a bottle . Content , the majority sc cmed to be , to accept that designation , and placing two wine tickets together , to secme a " bottle " of hock , claret , or sherry . Others , however , were somewhat more exacting , anil one brother , who appeared profoundly versed in
thc mystery of how many ounces formed a pint , and how many a " bottle" of wine , on finding that he could not secure his " pound of flesh , " roundly accused tbe entertaining lodges of having obtained money from him under false pretences . 1 leave your readers to judfie alike thc justice antl ihe reasonableness of that not very Masonic accusation , by saying that the four entertaining lodges placed
nn the tables fifty bottles of Moct ' s anel Perrier Jouet ' s champagne , between exactly 120 brethren , to supplement the following bill of fare , with " a pint of wine" to each brother for ; s . 6 d .: —Mayonnaise of salmon , lobster salad , dressetl crabs , roast lamb , roast chicken , tongue ,
ham , veal arid ham pies , pigeon pics , roast beef , spiced beef , galantine of veal , wine jelly , strawberry cream , French pastry , liqueur jelly , Crystal Palace puddings , fruit tarts , ami tlessert . The moral of this communication is that you will never satisfy some men , and that inexperienced brethren should not trust to technical trade terms in
re-£ * ivd to a wine supply , but place beyond cavil what is the ii . lentitmof their caterer , even though , as in our case , that would seem obvious enough , remembering that the ordinary hotel price of a bottle of wine is 5 s ., which would leave 2 S . ( id . fur the dinner ami its provision and serving .
Iho , Thomas Jlrassey s able lecture on ' A Colonial Naval Volunteer Force , " delivered before the : Royal Cnlonial Institute on June 7 , has been republished in pamphlet form by Messrs . Longmans , Green , and Co . A sea serpent has been captured at Penguin . It is described as fourteen feet long , antl fifteen feet deep inches the widest part ofthe hotly . It has a mane twenty in . long , and the skin is like" polished silver . " The creature is now on view .
Mr . F . Fowler , an American , essayed to walk from Boulogne to Folkestone on Tuesday | in a kind of water boots shaped like canoes , antl about eleven feet in length . The experimentalist propelled himself by means of a long pitl . lle . He accomplished about eleven miles of 'ds task when , in consequence of the roughness of the sea , he got into the pilt t boat and landed at Sandgate .
Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association.
HEREFORDSHIRE MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .
Freemasons are in duty bound to do all they can , by precept and example , in order to increase tbe donations and subscriptions to the several Masonic Charities , and we have much pleasure , therefore , in recording that the Masons of the small province of Herefordshire" have just
buckled on their armour for this good work . As many provinces are still without a charity scheme for the support of the Masonic Institutions , we think an ' account of the preliminary proceedings of the Herefordians will lo ; of interest—and we hope suggestive too—in lodges and provinces where hitherto but little has been done by way of obtaining personal votes for our Charities .
The first step vvas the proposition in the Palladian Lodge ( 120 ) , Hereford , that a Masonic charity scheme should be established—the general nature and object of the association having been first explained—and the names of assenting brethren were enrolled .
The W . M . ( Bro . W . Earle ) afterwards called upon other Masons in the city and obtained their concurrence , and having received from the Secretaries of four lodges in the province lists of their members and of non-subscribing Masons in their locality , sent to each brother a copy of the following circular -.
—, , THE ROYAL MASONIC CHAIUTIES . Palladian Lodge , No . 120 . Hereford , August 1 st , 1 S 78 . Dear Sir and Brother , — You are aware that the Province of Herefordshire stands far behind other provinces in those charitable exertions necessary for the maintenance of these Charities ,
so much so , that whenever we have attempted to secure the election of a candidate , we have been dependent mainly on the generous assistance of other provinces , which we have been unable adequately to repay . We feel it our incumbent duty to endeavour to remedy this state of things , and to give proper expression to the principles wc profess . We , therefore , the undersigned
members of the Pallatlian Lotlge , have mutually pledged ourselves to each other to become " Life Subscribers " to one or more of the Charities , on the plan set forth in the annexed rules . This plan has been found vcry efficient in the adjoining Province of Gloucestershire , and in other provinces , and wc believe it will commend itself to your approval , as you
will observe that every subscribing member will obtain a life subscribership . To give our brethren the oppoitunity of uniting with us in this good work , we have resolved on calling a meeting of the lodges , and wc earnestly invite you to favour us with your presence and support at a public meeting to be held in the Palladian Lotlge Room , Green Dragon Hotel ,
Hereford , on Friday , the oth of August , 1878 , at four p . m . precisely , when Bro . Thos . Jowitt , D . P . G . M ., will take the chair . The business before the meeting will be : — To adopt the rules herein stated , or such other rules as may be then agreed upon .
To elect a President , Vice-President , Treasurer , Secretary , and Committee . To receive subscriptions from brethren present and absent . If you should be unable to attend , may wc request the kindness of your reply , addressed to Bro . W . Earle , Castlcstrcet , Hereford , and wc hope it will contain your consent
to become a member . We are , dear Sir and brother , yours truly and fraternally , W . Earle , W . M . Thomas Birch , P . S . Thomas Smith , J . W . Ja * -. Beavan . T . T . Smith , P . M ., Chaplain . Wm . Barber . H . C . Beddoe , Treasurer . E . J . Baker . William Davis , Secretary . Jno . Barnes .
Elijah Shaw , S . D . Henry Bond . John Maichant , J . D . George Cole . O . Shcllard , P . M ., D . C . Edward George . A . W . Bezmt , Organist . G . 11 . Garraway . John Davies , I . G . H . S . Marchant . Joseph Thomas , ~ | St Thos . Jas . More . William ThorneJ Mewar < ls - Thos . Maund .
Grcnville Myer , I . P . M . H . W . Oswin . Henry Gurney , P . M . Jas . Pcmbridgc . F . R . Dillon , P . M . Walter Young . The rules referred to in the circular are given below . On thc qth August the meeting was accordingly held in thc lodge room of the Green Dragon Hotel , Hereford , under the presidency of Bro . Thos . Jowitt , D . P . G . M . for
the province , who was supported by Bros . Orlando Shcllard , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . E . S . Hewitt , Prov . G . J . W . ; J . C . Gregg , P . M . ; John Bodenham , P . M . ; Henry Gurney , P . M . ; W . Eaile , W . M . ; Grcnville Mycr , I . P . M . ; J . Marchant , J . D . ; Joseph Thomas , S ., and other Masons . The President introduced thc object of the meeting , and matle an urgent appeal to the brethren to support the
proposed scheme , and to do all in their power to induce others lo join it , and , having mentioned that letters had been received from Bros , the Rev . John Buckle , P . G . S . W . ; II . C . Beddoe , Treasurer ofthe Palladim Lod ge ; Major Griffiths T . Smith , J . W . ; Wm . Thurne , S . ; G . St . Garraway , and others , warmly approving the proposed scheme , and regretting their inability to be present at that meeting , he called upon Bro . Win . Earle , the W . M . of thc Palladian Lodg < -,
to propos : the first resolution . On rising to do so , Bro . Wm . Earle said that before making the proposition entrusted to him he shoultl like , for the information of the younger brethren present , to give a short sketch as to the nature , extent , antl cost of thc great Masonic Charities , three of which they hoped to benefit by the proposed association ; and hc proceeded to say that , in addition to numerous lotlge and provincial j : haritics , thc funds of which were raised and dispensed
Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association.
in their several localities , there werc four great Masonic charity organisations , all centred in Freemasons' Hall , London , antl ably managed by separate Boards and officers . The first was the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , for the relief , by a single donation , of cases of temporary distress , and which institution extended its aid to all Freemasons , and to their widows
and children . The grants so made varied in amount from £ 3 to £ 200 , and were voted by the Board of the Institution after a thorough local investigation , the facts of each case having to be vouched for by the lodge which endorsed the application of the petitioner . This institution annually dispensed about £ 6000 , and its funds were almost entirely supplied by the yearly contribution from each lodge of 2 s .
per member . I mention this institution , continued Bro . Earle , that my sketch may be complete , although our proposed scheme does not , and indeed cannot , in any way relate to it ; but it is in aid of the three institutions I am now about to refer to that we hope to do more than the vcry little we have hitherto done . Of these three , the first in importance is the Institution of Aged Freemasons and the
Widows of Freemasons , which has an asylum at Croydon for about 30 inmates , and at the present time grants annuities to 143 aged Freemasons , and 146 widows of Freemasons , the males receiving £ 40 and the females £ 32 a year . These annuitants are scattered over the whole of England , and in the city of Hereford we have now one recipient from each fund . Next comes the Boys' School , at
Wood Green , in the North of London , where 211 sons of Masons areclothetl , maintained , and educated ; and , thirdly , wc have the Girls' School at St . John's Hill , Battersea Rise , which provides in like manner for 200 daughters of Freemasons . To both schools orphans and also the children of distressed Masons are admitted , and the Oxford and Cambridge Local Examinations show that the
education received by the pupils equals that of the best private schools , whilst the laws and repoits of the establishment prove the excellence of ihe dietary and general arrangements . On leaving school small grants of money arc made to the pupils , and situations arc invariably open for them in the places of business and homes of Freemasons ;" the . object being to place each
child in as good a position iu lifc as that which the father occupied . Annuitants arc electa ! yearly , anel children to the schools twice a year , by the subscribers' votes , the payment of £ 5 5 s . to either institution giving to the donor two votes a year for life . Thc amount annually required for the support of the three institutions is £ 30 , 000 , whicii they expend in nearly equal proportions ; ant ] for the large
sum of £ 10 , 000 each institution is mainly dependent upon the annual contributions of thc lodges antl brethren . The published reports show that Herefordshire gives but 38 votes to both schools—not half the number it ought to supply . Bro . Earle concluded by saying that hc believed thc Masonic charitable institutions vv <* re good , antl that their funds were justly antl wisely administered , and that he had , therefore , much pleasure in proposing thc following
resolution : — That an Association , to be called "The Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association , " be formed , anil that its object shall be the increase ofthe number of Life Subscriberships to the Royal Masonic Charities .
The President then read each of the suggested rules , which werc separately discussed , and ultimately the following rules were adoptetl ( we print them in cxtenso , because they have been settled by an able lawyer , assisted by brethren who have hatl much experience in the formation and management of similar associations ) : —
RULES . 1 . The Association shall be called "The Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association , " anil its object shall bethe increase of the number of Life Subscriberships to thc Royal Masonic Charities . 2 . Thc Association shall consist of Freemasons , sub . scribing not less than one guinea per annum , and lodges
and chapters subscribing not less than £ 2 2 s . per annum . 3 . All moneys subscribed shall become the property of the Association , 4 , The Association shall be under the management of a committee consisting of a President , Vice-President , Treasurer , Secretary , antl four other members , to be elected annually , and one member of the Association to be nomi .
natetl by each lotlge in the province . Two Auditors shall be appointed , who shall examine thc accounts previous to each general meeting . 5 . Each member shall , on admission , pay 2 s . ( id . towards a fund for working expenses , and if the sum so contributed in any year be insufficient , the eleficiency shall be subscribed by the members for that year , and be paid
at the next general meeting . 6 . Lewises ( being minors ) ami ladies shall be allowed to become subscribers , but shall not be entitled to any voice in the management . 7 . Thc first general meeting of the members shall be held in November , 18 7 8 , at Hereford , and afterwards annually in the month of July , at such place as the
cominillce for the time being shall appoint . 8 . At each annual meeting a statement of accounts shall be submitted , and a ballot shall be taken amongst the subscribers for thc priority of presentation to as many Life Subscriberships as the amount of the fund then in the hands of the Treasurer will allow , subject to the following regulations : ( a ) The Charity shall be selectetl by the successful
member , and the sum paid to it by the Treasurer , cither in his name or that of his nominee . (/•) Each member subscribing shall have one chance in the ballot for every annual subscription standing ta his credit in the Treasurer's book at the time of the ballot , hut shall be entitled only to one nomination in respect of each subscription . ( e ) Each successful member shall give a promise , in writing , to continue the payments of his subscriptions , to