Masonic Intelligence.

to the Widows and Orphans of their own brethren , but though on ordinary occasions that might be true , he begged them to remember that the principles of Freemasonry were founded upon universal charity and benificence , and that an institution so important as theirs should not be behind other Corporations in supporting its honour , and assisting the Widows and Orphans of the soldiers , sailors , and marines , many of whom AA'ere , no doubt , members of the Craft . He knew that many private Lodges had liberally subscribed towards the Patriotic Fund , and it Avas only the other day that he in

received a letter from the Zetland Lodge , Montreal , inclosing a cheque for ^ 10 aid of that fund . He was aware that many other Lodges at both sides of the Atlantic had liberally contributed to the Patriotic Fund , and he hoped tho Grand Lodge would not be behind hand in endeavouring to support the honour and dignity of the Craft . He would not longer delay the time of Grand Lodge , but at once propose thati £ l 000 be voted from the Fund for General Purposes , as a subscription from the United Grand Lodre of England to the Royal Patriotic Fund .

The R . W . D . G . M . rose to second , the motion , feeling quite satisfied that the Grand Lodge would not refuse to A'ote . £ 1000 to so holy and . sacred a purpose . He thought it required but little to prove that it Avould be unwise to show to the world that they Avere actuated by feelings of charity only to members of their Order , the more especially at the present moment , Avhen the case before them was so purely exceptional , " chat it had enlisted the feelings of OA'eiy class of the community in its favour . He thought that under the circumstances , they might safely so far entrench upon their

funds as to make this A'ote to the Patriotic Fund , the more especially as it had gone forth through the columns of the Press that they intended to do so . But he AA'as at the same timo of opinion , that the vote ought to be so guarded as not to be drawn into a precedent for the future . He was certain that the M . W . G . M . Avould not have proposed any motion to them without due consideration , and being fully conA'inced that they could not only legally pass it , but that it would be of ach'antagc to the Craft—{ hear hear ) . He therefore trusted that the motion would be unanimously carried , feeling assured that it would reflect honour on the Grand Lodge , and their A'aluable Institution .

Br . Chas . Purton Cooper , Q . C ., PI . G . M . for Kent , next rose , and expressed his opinion that it would be most unbecoming in Grand Lodge to adopt any proposition , merely because it had become known through the medium of the Press that it Avas to be brought before them . As a Mason , he was determined to exercise his OAVU judgment free and unfettered , without reference to the daily or any other Press —( cheers ) . The subject now before them , Avas one of great importance , and he could conscientiousl y say that it , had occupied a large portion of his attention , both by day and by night .

He had considered Avhether they could properly devote any portion of their funds to other than purely Masonic purposes , and whether if they did so , it AA'as likely to tend to any results favourable to tho interests of Masonry . He had had grave doubts whether they could so divert their funds , and he had searched through their records for seventy or eighty years back , Avithout being enabled to find a single instance in which such a course had . been pursued . The M . W . G . M . had , however , truly stated that this occasion was one of a peculiar and exceptional kind , inasmuch as it Avas the

first occasion in which a Patriotic Fund had been collected under the authority of a Royal Commission , and that Her Majesty had called upon all classes of society to support it . If , therefore , it Avas not inconsistent with the principles of the Order to vote a sum of money to other than truly Masonic purposes , then ought they to adopt this resolution , Iu aiding the widows and orphans of those gallant men Avho mi ght fall in the Crimea , it must be ' recollected that many of them would probably be connected with their brethren , Avhom it would be their bounden duty to support , and he asked them

whether they might not go a little further to aid the relatives of those , AVIIO , if not so immediately connected Avith the Craft , were fighting the battles of their country in defence of civilization and freedom . Might not such a consideration enable them to resolve their doubts , if doubts they had , as he admitted he had on the subject , and give their A'ote in favour of the more extended principles of charity —( cheers ) . He believed that the M . W . G . M . Avould never have proposed the resolution , had he not been full y convinced tiiat it was consistent with their principles , and with the regulations of Grand Lodge , and therefore after Ihe deepest consideration , he ( Br . Cooper ) , had come to