Grand Lodge Fund Of Benevolence.

the payment of subscription , shall not thereby be disqualified from obtaining assistance from the Fund of Benevolence , hut shall be considered as subscribing members of their lodges , their services being equivalent to subscription ; provided their dues to the Grand Lodge have been duly paid .

A serving brother , who , under the provisions of No . 5 of the Constitutions , under the head " proposing members , " has paid , through the lodge in which he was initiated , the quarterly dues to the Fund of Benevolence for four years at least , maybe considered eligible to be relieved in ease of distress , in the same manner as if he had been a regular subscribing member .

6 . If it shall be proved that any petitioning brother has paid to his lodge the full fees , including the register fee , and also two years quarterage , hut that the lodge has neglected to register such brother or transmit the dues to the Grand Lodge , the Lodge of Benevolence may relieve the brother , and refer the

case to the board of general purposes , that the lodge may be rigorously proceeded against for withholding moneys the property of the Grand Lodge . 7 . The Lodge of Benevolence may also grant relief to the indigent widow , or child , ' of a deceased mason who would himself have been qualified to

receive assistance ; or of a brother who shall have died Avithin two years from the period of his initiation , or of his having joined an English lodge from a foreign lodge , and Avho shall have continued a subscribing member to the time of his decease ; provided the marriage certificate and

other proper certificates and testimonials be produced . When application for relief is made on behalf of children only , such application must be made Avithin two years of the death of the father .

8 . Brethren under the constitution of the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , as well as of foreign Grand Lodges , may be relieved on the production of certificates from their respective grand lodges , or other sufficient certificates and testimonials to the satisfaction of the Lod of

ge Benevolence , and proof of identity and distress , it being understood that in the case of foreign , brethren , such relief , except in cases of sickness , is intended to assist them to return to their native land .

9 . Applications for relief must be by petition , stating the name , occupation , place of abode , and present circumstances of the petitioner ; the name ancl number of the lodge in Avhich , and the time when he ( or the husband or father , in the case of the petition of a Avidow , child , or children ) was initiated

, and the other lodges if any , Avhich he afterwards joined . The applicant , unless disabled by disease , or accident , must sign the petition . 10 . To every petition must be added a recommendation , signed in open lodge , by the master , wardens , and a majorit y of the members . then present , to which the petitioner ( or the husband or father , in the case of the petition of a widoAV

child , or children ) does or did belong , or from some other contributing lodge , certifying ( see the form at the end ) that they have known him to have been in reputable , or at least tolerable , circumstances , and that he has been not less than two years an actual contributing member paying

the stipulated subscription to the funds of a regular lodge , as Avell as quarterage to the fund of benevolence , Avith such other observations as they may think proper ; or in the case of brethren under the constitution ofthe grand lodges of Scottaud or Ireland , or of foreign lodges , a recommendation signed by a brother registered under the constitution of the grand lodge of England .

A visit shall be paid to every applicant by the master or some member of the lodge , or some other brother , who shall certify in writing the result of his inquiries ; and in addition , in all toAvn cases , the brother giving the certificate , or some other brother who has visited the case , shall'attend the

lodge of benevolence on the consideration of the petition . 11 . Before the petition of the widow or children shall be-taken into consideration , the grand lodge or other masonic certificate of the deceased brother shall be deposited Avith the grand secretary , unless it shall be satisfactorily proved that it has been lost .

12 . No petition for relief shall be presented to the lodge of benevolence , unless it has been left Avith the Grand Secretary three days at least previously to their meeting . 13 . No petition shall be read unless the petitioner attend the lodge of benevolence in

person ; except in the case of widows and children , and of sickness , lameness , imprisonment , or residence in the country beyond the London district . 14 . A brother , Avho has been relieved , cannot petition a second time within one year . A widow , Avho has been relieved , cannot petition

again . 15 . The Lodge of Benevolence may order the payment of any sum not exceeding the folioAving ( that is to say ) , Twenty pounds towards the relief of a distressed brother .

Ten pounds toAvards the relief of a widow or child ; should there be a child , or children totally dependent on the widow , or more than one orphan , the grant may be extended to any sum not exceeding twenty pounds .

lG . When cases , of extraordinary distress occur , and the sum of twenty pounds does not appear sufficient to afford adequate relief , the Lodge of Benevolence may recommend such cases to the Grand Master , AVIIO may grant any sum not exceeding forty pounds . Whenever any vote for a sum of money not exceeding fifty pounds shall be carried in Grand Lodge , pursuant to a recom-