Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar01000
The Grand Master ruled that it would he out of order to d ° so . Bro . Clabon said he would puvsuo that no further . He went on to say that he beard an objection would be made to his proposition , on the ground that at the time of the uniou , this fund was created as a trust . Now he was bound in the first instance to tell them whether or not it was a trust . For the last 20
years of his life , he had devoted his attention to charitable trusts , and his education told him that his was a trust . He would read the 18 th article of union , of the 1 st of December , 1813 , which says , " The fund , appropriated to tho objects of Masonic benevolence shall not be infringed on for any purpose , but shall be kept strictly and solely devoted to charity ; and pains shall bo taken to increase the same . He said in devoting the surplus of the fund for aged Freemasons to helthe children of Masons was the
p best way of helping Masons themselves ; and that was strictly applying the fund to the cause of charity . He ventured to say that it was tbe highest kind of charity to give to those children , but still that was not necessary for his argument to prove that as ho contended it was competent for Grand Lodge , if it pleased to alter the articles of union , and it had repeatedly been done . The next article No . 19 had been frequentlalteredbut as he
y , had sakl it was not necessary for bis argument , as he said his proposition was within the four corners of the articles of union . He might be asked why he proposed to give some of the surplus to the Boy ' s and Girl ' s School , and not to tbe Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons , but in answer to that , he said they were already assisted by grants from the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter . The Benevolent Institution had a large fund ,
and they did not spend their annual income . The worthy brother then went into a historical account of the different sums required to be paid to Grand Lodge on the admission of Masons from time to time , and said that in addition to these fees a certain sum was required to be paid for the support of the schools , showing that it was clearly intended that they should be supported in some such way as he then proposed , but this was afterwards altered to a specific amount being paid , and tbe Grand
Secretary who deserved an interest from these fees was paid a fixed salary . He then referred to an amendment , of which notice had been given by the Earl of Limerick , which would empower the Board of Benevolence to grant sums to the Boy's and Girl ' s Schools , on the recommendation of the House Committee , hut he thought that brethren who attended the Board of Benevolence would agree with him that the duties of that board were alreadsufficientlonerousthey having to sit four
y y , or five hours to dispose of the business , and that there ought to be no addition to their labours . Bro . Havers , rose and suggested that as there were many brethren from the country who bad come up to vote upon this subject , they should take it at once on the main question . Bro . Clabon said he would adopt that course , and moved : — " Until Grand Lodshall otherwise directone-third of the
ge , annual surplus of the Fund of Benevolence shall be appropriated for the Royal Masonic Institution forBoys , and another third for the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , iu forming funds for apprenticing the children of Freemasons who have been in those schools , or in otherwise assisting them to commence life .
" Such one-third parts respectively shall be invested in the names of four trustees for each school , to be appointed by Grand Lodge , and the dividends paid to the treasurer of each school . " The General Committee , on tbe recommendation of the House Committee of each school , may apply the dividends of the funds respectively appropriated to the school for the benefit of children who have been at the school during the preceding twelve monthsin apprenticing them to business profession
, any or , or otherwise aiding them to obtain employment , or in applying any sum granted , by annual instalments , for a limited period , for the benefit of those proceeding to any school , college , or university . ° No sum exceeding £ 25 shall be appropriated for the benefit of any child , without the consent of the quarterly court of the schooland such court shall render to Grand Lod annual
, ge an account of the receipts and expenditure on account of the said funds . That the scheme , as recommended by the committee , be , and the same is hereby adopted by Grand Lodge , and added to the Book of Constitutions under tbe head Fund ol Benevolence , No . 16 , as Nos . 17 , 18 , 19 , and 20 . Bro . Udall seconded the motion .
The Earl of Limerick then rose to move the amendment of which be had given notice : — " The Lodge of Benevolence , on the recommendation of the House Committees of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls respectively , may grant sums to aid children , who have been at such schools during the previous twelve months , in commencing life . Providing
always that the total amount so granted , in any one year , shall not exceed one-half of the surplus of the Fund of Benevolence for the previous year . No sum exceeding £ 20 shall he appropriated for the benefit of auy child , without the consent of Grand Lodge ; and such consent , given at a Quarterly Communication , shall suffice without any further confirmation . " Although he could not go the length of the arrangements of Bro . Clabon , he agreed with him so far , as being exceedingly
anxious that these children , on leaving' school , should get on , well in the world , but he had very great doubts whether Bro . Clabon had got the best scheme to promote his object . He would first refer to the consideration under which the scheme was originally proposed , and it is there said— " Considering the large amount of tbe reserve Fund of Benevolence , and the annually increasing surplus of that fund , that no reason exists for continuing this accumulation , and that without diminishing the principal of the reserved fund , the annual surplus may he applied with advantage for the benefit of this generation . "
As far as that went , he eould not agree with it that no reason existed for continuing this accumulation , for , as they were an increasing body , their responsibilities increased likewise . Bro . Clabon had expressed no doubt that the Grand Lodge was actually competent to deal with the funds of the Bourd of Benevolence according to the articles of union , but he knew not whether or not he was right , for articles of union did not go for much just now . He felt strongly that the funds of the Board
of Benevolence should be devoted to charity , and if they were to be applied to the support of their children , that ought to be done under the coiiti-ol of the Grand Lodge . His objection to Bro . Clabon's scheme was that he wanted to take two-thirds of the surplus funds from the control of the Board of Benevolence and give it to a body over whom they bad no control whatever . That was one of his objections to that part of the report in which it was said that " the annual surplus might be applied
with advantage for the benefit of this generation . " He did not think , too , that it would be the best way to take one-third of the surplus to be invested for the use of the schools , as for years it would be unappreciable to tbe few children leaving the schools , and it would be constantly varying in amount . He did not see either why there should be devoted one-third to each of the schools , unless it was to prevent jealousy between them , hut he looked upon it as a one-sided measure , and saw no reason why a favour should be conceded to one side more than another . After
a few other observations , he concluded by submitting the amendment he had proposed . Bro . Stebbing , P . Q . D ., said he disagreed with both the propositions then before the Grand Lodge . His object in doing so was not to run a tilt with his learned brother ( Clabon ) , who had with great pains and assiduity prepared the report which had been presented to the Grand Lodge . That report had been prepared with great ability and research . He ( Bro . Stebbing )
would not go into the law of the case , as to whether or not they could send their children to the universities , but be would contend that that was not the charity for which that fund was created , and which would not serve the best interests of Freemasonry . The Board of Benevolence only possessed the small sum of £ 27 , 000 , which be looked upon as a reproach to Freemasonry . That nas all the fund that was under the protection , of Grand Lod to relieve Masons and their widowsand
ge poor , the last class could only knock once at their doors . Why it was onl y the other day that he heard one small lodge in London had a fuud of benevolence of between £ 11 , 000 and £ 12 , 000 , whilst their poor children were looking forward at some future time for relief from a fund of £ 27 , 000 , which was producing only £ 1 , 500 a year . In his own town they had a fund of benevolence which was upwards of £ 1 , 000 , but they had passed a resolution that it should never be touched until it amounted to
£ 2 , 000 , and any calls in the meantime that might be made upon it they grant out of their own pockets . He did not think that the sum of £ 27 , 000 was wdiat tho Board of Benevolence ought to be , and he said at tho last Grand Lodge that as large numbers were then joining their Order they brought larger claims upon them . The surplus of the Board of Benevolence in 1867 was £ 2 , 200 , whilst in 1868 it was only £ 1 , 200 , thereby
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar01000
The Grand Master ruled that it would he out of order to d ° so . Bro . Clabon said he would puvsuo that no further . He went on to say that he beard an objection would be made to his proposition , on the ground that at the time of the uniou , this fund was created as a trust . Now he was bound in the first instance to tell them whether or not it was a trust . For the last 20
years of his life , he had devoted his attention to charitable trusts , and his education told him that his was a trust . He would read the 18 th article of union , of the 1 st of December , 1813 , which says , " The fund , appropriated to tho objects of Masonic benevolence shall not be infringed on for any purpose , but shall be kept strictly and solely devoted to charity ; and pains shall bo taken to increase the same . He said in devoting the surplus of the fund for aged Freemasons to helthe children of Masons was the
p best way of helping Masons themselves ; and that was strictly applying the fund to the cause of charity . He ventured to say that it was tbe highest kind of charity to give to those children , but still that was not necessary for his argument to prove that as ho contended it was competent for Grand Lodge , if it pleased to alter the articles of union , and it had repeatedly been done . The next article No . 19 had been frequentlalteredbut as he
y , had sakl it was not necessary for bis argument , as he said his proposition was within the four corners of the articles of union . He might be asked why he proposed to give some of the surplus to the Boy ' s and Girl ' s School , and not to tbe Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons , but in answer to that , he said they were already assisted by grants from the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter . The Benevolent Institution had a large fund ,
and they did not spend their annual income . The worthy brother then went into a historical account of the different sums required to be paid to Grand Lodge on the admission of Masons from time to time , and said that in addition to these fees a certain sum was required to be paid for the support of the schools , showing that it was clearly intended that they should be supported in some such way as he then proposed , but this was afterwards altered to a specific amount being paid , and tbe Grand
Secretary who deserved an interest from these fees was paid a fixed salary . He then referred to an amendment , of which notice had been given by the Earl of Limerick , which would empower the Board of Benevolence to grant sums to the Boy's and Girl ' s Schools , on the recommendation of the House Committee , hut he thought that brethren who attended the Board of Benevolence would agree with him that the duties of that board were alreadsufficientlonerousthey having to sit four
y y , or five hours to dispose of the business , and that there ought to be no addition to their labours . Bro . Havers , rose and suggested that as there were many brethren from the country who bad come up to vote upon this subject , they should take it at once on the main question . Bro . Clabon said he would adopt that course , and moved : — " Until Grand Lodshall otherwise directone-third of the
ge , annual surplus of the Fund of Benevolence shall be appropriated for the Royal Masonic Institution forBoys , and another third for the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , iu forming funds for apprenticing the children of Freemasons who have been in those schools , or in otherwise assisting them to commence life .
" Such one-third parts respectively shall be invested in the names of four trustees for each school , to be appointed by Grand Lodge , and the dividends paid to the treasurer of each school . " The General Committee , on tbe recommendation of the House Committee of each school , may apply the dividends of the funds respectively appropriated to the school for the benefit of children who have been at the school during the preceding twelve monthsin apprenticing them to business profession
, any or , or otherwise aiding them to obtain employment , or in applying any sum granted , by annual instalments , for a limited period , for the benefit of those proceeding to any school , college , or university . ° No sum exceeding £ 25 shall be appropriated for the benefit of any child , without the consent of the quarterly court of the schooland such court shall render to Grand Lod annual
, ge an account of the receipts and expenditure on account of the said funds . That the scheme , as recommended by the committee , be , and the same is hereby adopted by Grand Lodge , and added to the Book of Constitutions under tbe head Fund ol Benevolence , No . 16 , as Nos . 17 , 18 , 19 , and 20 . Bro . Udall seconded the motion .
The Earl of Limerick then rose to move the amendment of which be had given notice : — " The Lodge of Benevolence , on the recommendation of the House Committees of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls respectively , may grant sums to aid children , who have been at such schools during the previous twelve months , in commencing life . Providing
always that the total amount so granted , in any one year , shall not exceed one-half of the surplus of the Fund of Benevolence for the previous year . No sum exceeding £ 20 shall he appropriated for the benefit of auy child , without the consent of Grand Lodge ; and such consent , given at a Quarterly Communication , shall suffice without any further confirmation . " Although he could not go the length of the arrangements of Bro . Clabon , he agreed with him so far , as being exceedingly
anxious that these children , on leaving' school , should get on , well in the world , but he had very great doubts whether Bro . Clabon had got the best scheme to promote his object . He would first refer to the consideration under which the scheme was originally proposed , and it is there said— " Considering the large amount of tbe reserve Fund of Benevolence , and the annually increasing surplus of that fund , that no reason exists for continuing this accumulation , and that without diminishing the principal of the reserved fund , the annual surplus may he applied with advantage for the benefit of this generation . "
As far as that went , he eould not agree with it that no reason existed for continuing this accumulation , for , as they were an increasing body , their responsibilities increased likewise . Bro . Clabon had expressed no doubt that the Grand Lodge was actually competent to deal with the funds of the Bourd of Benevolence according to the articles of union , but he knew not whether or not he was right , for articles of union did not go for much just now . He felt strongly that the funds of the Board
of Benevolence should be devoted to charity , and if they were to be applied to the support of their children , that ought to be done under the coiiti-ol of the Grand Lodge . His objection to Bro . Clabon's scheme was that he wanted to take two-thirds of the surplus funds from the control of the Board of Benevolence and give it to a body over whom they bad no control whatever . That was one of his objections to that part of the report in which it was said that " the annual surplus might be applied
with advantage for the benefit of this generation . " He did not think , too , that it would be the best way to take one-third of the surplus to be invested for the use of the schools , as for years it would be unappreciable to tbe few children leaving the schools , and it would be constantly varying in amount . He did not see either why there should be devoted one-third to each of the schools , unless it was to prevent jealousy between them , hut he looked upon it as a one-sided measure , and saw no reason why a favour should be conceded to one side more than another . After
a few other observations , he concluded by submitting the amendment he had proposed . Bro . Stebbing , P . Q . D ., said he disagreed with both the propositions then before the Grand Lodge . His object in doing so was not to run a tilt with his learned brother ( Clabon ) , who had with great pains and assiduity prepared the report which had been presented to the Grand Lodge . That report had been prepared with great ability and research . He ( Bro . Stebbing )
would not go into the law of the case , as to whether or not they could send their children to the universities , but be would contend that that was not the charity for which that fund was created , and which would not serve the best interests of Freemasonry . The Board of Benevolence only possessed the small sum of £ 27 , 000 , which be looked upon as a reproach to Freemasonry . That nas all the fund that was under the protection , of Grand Lod to relieve Masons and their widowsand
ge poor , the last class could only knock once at their doors . Why it was onl y the other day that he heard one small lodge in London had a fuud of benevolence of between £ 11 , 000 and £ 12 , 000 , whilst their poor children were looking forward at some future time for relief from a fund of £ 27 , 000 , which was producing only £ 1 , 500 a year . In his own town they had a fund of benevolence which was upwards of £ 1 , 000 , but they had passed a resolution that it should never be touched until it amounted to
£ 2 , 000 , and any calls in the meantime that might be made upon it they grant out of their own pockets . He did not think that the sum of £ 27 , 000 was wdiat tho Board of Benevolence ought to be , and he said at tho last Grand Lodge that as large numbers were then joining their Order they brought larger claims upon them . The surplus of the Board of Benevolence in 1867 was £ 2 , 200 , whilst in 1868 it was only £ 1 , 200 , thereby