Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : THE MARK BENEVOLENT FUND 227 COLONIAL ITEMS 228 MASONIC " POET ' S CORNER " 229 OUR TRESTLE BOARD 229

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE 230 & 231 PROVINCIAL 231 & 232 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 232 "B ITTER-SWEET" 232

NOTIFICATIONS 232 METROPOLITAN LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS FOR THE CURRENT WEEK 282 ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , 22 ( 5 , 233 , 234 , 235 , 236

The Mark Benevolent Fund.

The Mark Benevolent Fund .

HE Twenty-first Anniversary Festival of the Benevolent Fund connected with the Degree of Mark Master Masons , is to be held at Freemasons' Tavern , London , on the 24 th

July , on which occasion the Grand Mark Junior Warden , the R . W " . Bro . Sir Lionel B . Darell , Bart ., will preside .

This Fund is divided into three branches , the Benevolent , Educational , and Annuity , the first dating from 18 G 8 , the second from 1878 , and the last from 1885 . Its growth

during the twenty years which have elapsed since its origination has been proportionate to the progress of the Degree of Mark Masonry itself in the estimation of

English Freemasons . In our last week ' s issue we inserted a letter from " LIFE GOVERNOR , M . B . F ., " which briefly but forcibly points out some of the most striking advantages of this Institution , and to this we refer our readers for the

text of our present remarks . It is at a critical moment in the history of our Masonic Charitable Institutions we read , that one of the advantages

set forth is that " the entire cash donated is applied to the relief and educational purposes for which it is contributed , " and , further , that the subscriptions " are not sunk in

expensive building speculations , nor wasted on secretaries nor collectors , the entire expenses for printing , postages , and secretary ' s or office expenses ( which include

everything ) , being only about 4 per cent , on gross receipts . " The method adopted for securing this very satisfactory result is explained in the letter referred to ; our present

business is with the statement alone in respect of the disposition of the contributions of our brethren to the three Craft Charities . It naturally gives rise to the

reflection that proportionately more good is being done to those who require assistance , by the Mark Benevolent Fund without establishment and its concomitant charges , than by those institutions which deduct from the contributions

The Mark Benevolent Fund.

of their subscribers a large percentage to " build , support , sustain , amend , and keep " places of habitation for those relieved .

We treat this question in the abstract , and seek to know what is gained in the way of charitable relief by the possession of extensive domiciles , year by year increasing

in extent , and necessitating very considerable annual outlay , in addition to the loss of interest on capital expended in construction ? Are there so many fatherless

children , widows of our deceased brethren , or aged Freemasons , respectively succoured , educated , or assisted by annuities , as might be , were it not for the first cost of

elaborate buildings , the annual expenditure in sustentation , the charges of an executive , and the inevitable waste attaching to the provisioning of large establishments ? In

part we have that question answered by the Mark Benevolent Fund , and the answer is in the negative . For in

the comparatively smaller scope of its operations it provides for the expenditure of £ 90 out of every £ 100 subscribed to its funds for relief and education . At the

moment we cannot delay to make the computation , but have no hesitation in expressing our belief that not so much as £ 80 out of every £ 100 is directly applied in

either of the other institutions to the purposes for which the gross amounts are donated . If this really be the case would it not be well to consider now , for probably no

better opportunity may arise , whether or not a limit should be placed on the receptive capacity of each of the masonic charitable establishments , and that the tendency

should become rather towards a reduction than an extension of accommodation " within the walls . " The arguments for and against the aggregation of children in the

one direction , and of the aged in another ( for with some advantages therewith connected there are also a multitude of evils ) , can be left for future consideration .

With the better management of each of the institutions ( Boys , Girls and Aged ) which may be expected after the present agitation is at an end , the existing

establishments might be continued to advantage , and provision yet be made for " out door" assistance , after the manner originally contemplated by the promoters of the respective

institutions , and still observed by the Mark Benevolent Fund , and some Provincial and District Masonic Charitable Associations . Let it not be supposed that we desire the

suppresion of any of the advantages , if they be advantages , enjoyed by the children or the aged ! We do not ; on the contrary would rather increase them . But we cannot

think that what is given in the cause of charity by our craftsmen is always so " faithfully applied" as it should be ; not from any intention to do other than is honest and just , but from neglect of that superintendence and care