Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Public Masonic Charities Of The United States Of America.
3 , 145 needy brethren , their AVIIIOAVS and children . After all this Avas done , the committee found a surplus in their hands amounting to $ 20 , 000 , Avhich , with a delicacy of feeling and sense of honour that shed lustre upon the Mason craft , Avas
returned , pro rata , to the donors . Was there ever so marked an example as this of scrupulous regard for high princi ple ? The Craft in Chicago felt that they had a sacred trust to perform , and they administered it Avith an equity almostif not
, quite unparalleled . Charity became the prolific parent of charity , and the tide of relief which floAved out so freely , returned again to trebly bless the donors . Of the $ 9 , 600 contributed by the Freemasons of Pennsylvania , $ 3 , 457 came from
the Craft in Philadelphia . The largest single contribution Avas of $ 500 , from Shektnah Lodge , No . 246 ; the second largest was of $ 350 , from Eastern Star Lodge , No . 186 ; Concordia Lodge , No . 67 , contributed $ 100 . This record will never cease to reflect
honour upon the Mason craft . It shoAvs that while a city lay devastated and bewildered , the echoing footsteps of the almoners of Masonic charity Avere heard among its ruins , calling forth blessings mingled Avith tears from hundreds of eyes
that had never been used to Aveeping . Happy example of the manner in Avhich the Avail of Masonic distress is instantaneously ansAvered , by the voice and hand of Masonic charity .
Verses Written On Board A Lough Erne Steamer ,
VERSES WRITTEN ON BOARD A LOUGH ERNE STEAMER ,
On the Visit of the American Freemasons to Ireland . The dark-clouded sky of the morning shone fair , The sun gaily smiled , and cool Avas the air ,
As a band of Freemasons sailed o ' er thee , Lough Erne , The "Stars" at the bow , and the "Jack " at the stern . Each emerald hill , each weather-worn stone , Round th y green-girdled shores of the ages agone ,
Still Avitness to all ; and thy ruins silent and hoary , Of piety , rapine and blood tell the story . Proud chieftain ancl galloAv-glass true o ' er thy Avater ,
Have passed on to victory , revenge , and to slaughter ; On thy pebbly beach prattling children have play'd , By thy soft mossy banks tender lovers have strayed .
Thus happy and mournful are thy recollections , Side by side are they found with our human affections ; But joyous the voyage along thy fair strand . Was of genial Freemasons the light-hearted band .
Full merrily sparkled ancl vanished the glasses , Full pleasantly smiled ancl coquetted the lasses , But SAveeter still far were the Avarm hearts that strove To SIIOAV to the utmost true brotherly love .
America ' s sons and Fermanagh ' s clasped hand , The Brethren of home and that far distant land ; But distance is naught to a Brother , I know , Aud Brethren are Brethren Avherever they
In the distant hereafter Avell may it be told HOAV far severed Brethren met in good days of old ,
As a band of Freemasons Avho sailed on Lough Erne , With the " Stars" at the boAv , and the " Jack" at the stern . W . COPLAND THIMBLE , W . M . 891 .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Public Masonic Charities Of The United States Of America.
3 , 145 needy brethren , their AVIIIOAVS and children . After all this Avas done , the committee found a surplus in their hands amounting to $ 20 , 000 , Avhich , with a delicacy of feeling and sense of honour that shed lustre upon the Mason craft , Avas
returned , pro rata , to the donors . Was there ever so marked an example as this of scrupulous regard for high princi ple ? The Craft in Chicago felt that they had a sacred trust to perform , and they administered it Avith an equity almostif not
, quite unparalleled . Charity became the prolific parent of charity , and the tide of relief which floAved out so freely , returned again to trebly bless the donors . Of the $ 9 , 600 contributed by the Freemasons of Pennsylvania , $ 3 , 457 came from
the Craft in Philadelphia . The largest single contribution Avas of $ 500 , from Shektnah Lodge , No . 246 ; the second largest was of $ 350 , from Eastern Star Lodge , No . 186 ; Concordia Lodge , No . 67 , contributed $ 100 . This record will never cease to reflect
honour upon the Mason craft . It shoAvs that while a city lay devastated and bewildered , the echoing footsteps of the almoners of Masonic charity Avere heard among its ruins , calling forth blessings mingled Avith tears from hundreds of eyes
that had never been used to Aveeping . Happy example of the manner in Avhich the Avail of Masonic distress is instantaneously ansAvered , by the voice and hand of Masonic charity .
Verses Written On Board A Lough Erne Steamer ,
VERSES WRITTEN ON BOARD A LOUGH ERNE STEAMER ,
On the Visit of the American Freemasons to Ireland . The dark-clouded sky of the morning shone fair , The sun gaily smiled , and cool Avas the air ,
As a band of Freemasons sailed o ' er thee , Lough Erne , The "Stars" at the bow , and the "Jack " at the stern . Each emerald hill , each weather-worn stone , Round th y green-girdled shores of the ages agone ,
Still Avitness to all ; and thy ruins silent and hoary , Of piety , rapine and blood tell the story . Proud chieftain ancl galloAv-glass true o ' er thy Avater ,
Have passed on to victory , revenge , and to slaughter ; On thy pebbly beach prattling children have play'd , By thy soft mossy banks tender lovers have strayed .
Thus happy and mournful are thy recollections , Side by side are they found with our human affections ; But joyous the voyage along thy fair strand . Was of genial Freemasons the light-hearted band .
Full merrily sparkled ancl vanished the glasses , Full pleasantly smiled ancl coquetted the lasses , But SAveeter still far were the Avarm hearts that strove To SIIOAV to the utmost true brotherly love .
America ' s sons and Fermanagh ' s clasped hand , The Brethren of home and that far distant land ; But distance is naught to a Brother , I know , Aud Brethren are Brethren Avherever they
In the distant hereafter Avell may it be told HOAV far severed Brethren met in good days of old ,
As a band of Freemasons Avho sailed on Lough Erne , With the " Stars" at the boAv , and the " Jack" at the stern . W . COPLAND THIMBLE , W . M . 891 .