The Masonic Charities At Home And Abroad.

THE MASONIC CHARITIES AT HOME AND ABROAD .

LONDON , SATURDAY , APRIL 11 , 1868 .

Amongst tlie many useful efforts to aid our noble Masonic Charities , we have recently had our attention called to one which is well deserving of imitation , and with that object we have now great pleasure in giving publicity to the

institution and rules under which the association in question has been formed , and for some time carried on .

The South-Eastern Charitable Association was formed some two years ago , the object of its founders being to obtain for its members a life governorship in one of the Royal Masonic Charitable Institutions , subject to certain rules , Avhich

we here propose to give in extenso . The association is governed by a President , Bro . Wingfield ; ' a Yice-president , Bro . H . Moore ; a committee of seven , consisting of Bros . W . Andrews , G-. Bolton , A . L . Dussek , H . Nowlan

J . Patte , J . T . Tibbals , and J . Whiffen . Besides these active and zealous brethren , the Treasurer , Bro . J . H . Searle ; and the Secretary , Bro- H . J . Wells , take an active part in the conduct of the business , with what useful results we will presently

show . The rules under which the association is governed are as follows : — 1 . That this Association shall be governed by the following officers , viz .: —A President , Vice-President ,

Treasurer , Secretary , and a Committee of seven ( five to form a quorum ) , to be elected by the subscribers ( who are members of the Craft ) on the third Friday in January of each year .

2 . That the subscription of each member shall be at the rate of one shilling per week , payable on the third Friday in each month at the place hereinafter named . 3 . That when the Treasurer is in possession of the

sum of ten guineas , a chance of obtaining a Life Governorship in ono of the Eoyal Masonic Charities , shall he drawn for by the members ofthe Association .

4 . That the successful member shall have the privilege of selecting to which of the Eoyal Masonic Charities the Treasurer shall pay the amount . 5 . That such member be permitted to transfer his Life Governorship to any brother ( belonging to the Association ) who is about to become a Steward at either of the ensuing Masonic Festivals .

6 . That any member being in arrear will not he allowed to draw for a Life Governorship . 7 . That the members of this Association shall not be confined to the Craft only , but any lady or gentleman may be proposed as a member ; hut if elected ,

will not be entitled to any voice in its management .. 8 . That a promise in writing shall he given hy the successful member to pay his or her subscriptions to the Treasurer for the time being , until the fee paid

by him to either of the Eoyal Masonic Charities , together with the working expenses of the Association , shall have become liquidated . 9 . That the business of this Association shall he conducted in connection with the " Temperance Lodge

of Instruction , " held at the Victoria Tavern , Victoriaroad , Deptford , until otherwise determined by the members at a meeting properly convened for such

purpose . 10 . That no person be permitted to join after the 23 rd February , 1866 , unless duly proposed and seconded at one monthly meeting , and balloted for at the next ; and , if on the ballot three or more black halls appear against the candidate , such result shall exclude him . or her from admission as a member of this Association .

11 . That no person shall be admitted a member of this Association except upon payment of all subscriptions that may have accrued since its commencement . 12 . That all moneys subscribed shall become the bona , fide property of the Association ; and that all

members shall , on admission , sign an agreement to that effect . We are pleased to find that this excellent idea , the South-Eastern Masonic Charitable Association , although of only recent formation , has proved

a thorough success ; it is highly creditable to its originators and founders , and worthy of imitation in other metropolitan districts , for why should we not have a South-Western , a Great Western , a North-Western , a Great Northern , and Great Eastern

associations , founded upon a similar basis and goveimed by similar rules , having- similar objects and managed in the same inexpensive and excellent manner . In adopting tlie titles the South-Eastern , South-Western , & c , we believe much of the

3 xisting feeling , association , and combination ittaching to the Masonic elements associated with hhe lines of railway bearing those names would oe at once available iu aid of the formation , and naterially assist in insuring successful action , if me or two zealous brethren iu each district would ) ut take the initiative . On the Lon don and South