Our Masonic Charities.

Freemasons . A subscription was opened to carry this object into execution , and six children were immediately put upon the establishment . Since that period the Charity has been gradually approaching to its present flourishing state . Aided

by the very liberal contributions of the Masonic Craft , in all parts of the world , of the Grand Lodge in particular , the Right Worshipful the Grand Master , His Grace the Duke of Atholl , the several Grand Officers individually , as well as

of many others not of the Fraternity , but who have felt proud to assist so laudable an institution , its funds have generally increased , and the establishment has been extended . The number of children , who partake of the benefits of this

Charity , which was originally only six , has been gradually enlarged' ; and at the celebration of the jubilee , when all ranks of society joined in joyful commemoration of our gracious Sovereign's long and happy reign , the establishment was increased

to fifty , that being the number of years during which his Majesty had then held the dominion of these realms .

"The children admitted on this charity are clothed , and put out to school , in the neighbourhood of their residences , at the expense of the Institution , the funds not being yet extensive enough for the erection of a school-house ; which

object , however , by the aid of future voluntary contributions , the directors of the establishment hope hereafter to accomplish . The more especially as , at the present period , all classes of subjects are striving who shall be foremost in giving edu

cation to the poor of all denominations . Upon such an occasion , the Masonic body , it is hoped , will not be backward in contributing to so good a work . The impulse of charity is universal ; when therefore every other class of the community is

distributing , with a liberal hand , enlightenment and education to the poor , the principles of Masonry demand that Freemasons should not neglect theirs / ' *

The following is from " Illustrations of Masonry , selected by Bro . J . Cole , 1801 " : — " A brief account of the Masonic charity for clothing and educating the sons of poor and distressed Masons . Established 1798 ; sanctioned by

his Grace John , Duke of Atholl , 1301 . The United Mariners' Lodge , No . 23 , observing with concern the distressed circumstances of several of

their brethren , and the exposed situation of their children , at the same time viewing with pleasure the daily progress making in the Freemasons charity , in St . George's Fields , for female children , induced them at a meeting , held on the 3 rd day

of July , 1798 , to consider of means for to establish a Masonic charity for cloathing and educating the sons of indigent Freemasons , and for that purpose they immediately opened a subscription , which at their second meeting increased beyond

their most sanguine expectations , that enabled them to receive six children to the benefit of this charity ; but as it is their intention to extend the same , the fraternity at large , the humane and benevolent in general , are therefore most earnestly

solicited to contribute towards accomplishing this laudable undertaking , whose object is to cloath and instruct the sons of indigent Freemasons , and to train them up in the knowledge of virtue and religion , . and to inculcate strongly on their minds obedience to their superiors . "

For the purpose of adding to the funds raised for the support of the infant Institution , in Grand Lodge , under date " June 3 , 1812 , it was resolved and ordered , thai every lodge in and adjacent to the cities of London and Westminster , upon the

registering of every new . made Mason , shall contribute and pay the sum of five shillings ; and that every country , foreign , and military lodge , upon the registering of every new-made Mason , shall in like manner pay the sum of two shillings and six

pence ; which sums shall go , and be paid in aid of the ' Institution for clothing and educating the sons of deceased and indigent ancient Freemasons . ' "

In the year 181 o , all distinction between " ancient " and " modern " was swept away , and from that period English Masonry has flourished under one jurisdiction , "the United Grand Lodge of England ; " the only rivalry now existing

amongst the brethren being that of doing good , and particularly in using every exertion to render the Masonic Institutions the boast and pride of the Order , and the adtnu'a ' tion of the outer world .

The changes that have successively taken place in this Institution will be to some extent gathered from the following slight sketch , attention being first given to the original address as prepared by the founders : — THE MASONIC INSTITUTION . "Beneficence is generally considered a social dutyj