Correspondence.

School ; that a similar donation be given to the Boys School ; and that the Provincial Grand Lodge become subscribers of two guineas annually to the Boys School ; two guineas to the Girls School ; and similar sums to the Annuity and Widoivs' Funds . " A committee AA-as appointed to consider the matter , and they were of opinion that thc Provincial Grand Lodge could not pledge itself to annual subscriptions . The Provincial Grand Lodge , he it remembered , has granted one hundred and fifteen pounds to tlie

Annuity Fund , and thirty-five pounds to the Widows' Fund , including the handsome donation of the Bight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . With respect to the Boys and Girls Schools , the committee did not detract from their merits , but at the same time considered a local fund better adapted to fche wants of this province . Fees of honour were recommended to be doubled , and annual dues to be increased , on which , with the aid of subscriptions and donations , the committee hoped to found a fund for the education , clothing , and advancement of children of brethren of inadequate means .

The report of the committee was received , and the Provincial Grand Master very handsomely promised to add fifty pounds when the sum subscribed reached one hundred and fifty pounds . So far the matter was plain enough ; but a motion was made and seconded , instructing the committee to consider how the fund could be placed on a wider basis , and include relief to indigent Masons , their ivives and families . On the Sth of January , 1859 , a Provincial Grand Lodge ivas called , and the fees of honour doubled

, as well as the dues increased . Many brethren voted for this on the understanding they were to form an educational fund , if not entirely , yet especially ; and so certainly thought the Provincial Grand Master . Hoivever , the name of the fund ivas changed from its former one to that of the Devon Provincial Fund of Benevolence , and many clauses introduced which considerably widened its scope . Of this the Provincial Grand Master disapprovedjustlconsidering that such a course

, y would tend to sever the connection of this province with the rest of tbe Craft . There is a great difference between educating our own children , or granting small sums to assist in that purpose , and establishing a fund ivhich will absorb the greater part of the money ivhich now reaches the central charities—I mean the Annuity and Widows' Fund .

At a Grand Lodge , held April 5 th , the by-laws of the association were revised , and its original character restored ; and it is but justice to thc brethren ofthe province to say that , although many wished the larger scope ofthe association to he carried out , yet they yielded to the express wish oi the Provincial Grand Master , and to the good reasons he urged . The fund , as now established , is exclusively for the education , clothing , and advancement of children , and as such camiot interfere with the charities , which have been in existence

so long , and have done so much good . There is no rival scheme—I believe there are very few brethren in the province who would wish such a thing . Some there are who do not express sanguine hopes of success , but ive will trust to their good feeling for aid , and ask them to give the association a fair trial . Let us once see it work , and how far it answers its purpose ; it ivill be easy some time hence to enlarge its basisand ive temporary relief to the distressedprovided that

, g , is always done in a manner not to offer inducements to the idle and worthless to join our order , or to interfere with the receipts of the central institutions . Brethren do not consider how efficiently they aid a poor man by educating and advancing his child ; for nofc only do they take a weight off Ms shoulders , but they contribute toivards enabling the child to earn his own living . I freely acknowledge , that a fund for relief of dis . frress