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Article A FORECAST FOR 1889. Page 1 of 2 Article A FORECAST FOR 1889. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Forecast For 1889.
A FORECAST FOR 1889 .
AFTEE a storm comes a calm . We must not , therefore , be surprised if the storm of enthusiasm which was raised throughout the country in the earlier months of the present year , on behalf of the Masonic Charitiesis followed bv a calm which
, will tax to the utmost the resources of the Institutions , and play havoc with the surpluses they have been able to accumulate . Our opinion is that the benevolence of Freemasonry has a limit , so to speak , and
we believe that if at one Festival an exceptional amount is contributed , the totals of subsequent ones are likely to suffer , if not in proportion , at least to an annreciable extent . For the same reason we believe
that an exceptionally prolific year is likely to be followed by a series of meagre ones , although we hope fhn / f ; in Mis rAsmApaf nnr snrmisfi mav nrnvfl wrnnof _ ^ bJ MAJ AWP * 4 yj \^* UW IUW fts ^^
vuv v - ~* .. ** « ruwu v « . a . ^ j vrw r r a . VJ _» W * In face of the splendid results , however , which have been achieved in connection with the Institutions in 1888 , it is hardly to be supposed that next year's
returns will be up to the average , and , as a consequence , trouble will result . Although the Institutions are in the happy position of being able to meet those troubles bravely , it must not be supposed that a
gloomy aspect can be regarded wholly with indifference , or that a falling off in the returns—however slight—can be passed over without anxiety . No matter whether the storm of enthusiasm or the calm of indifference prevail in connection with the
Masonic Institutions , there is no getting over the fact that a given sum has to be raised to meet the current expenses of the year . It is not a question of cutting the coat according to the amount of material , but rather the necessity of finding enough material to
provide a coat of a given size , and if , after this has been done , it is possible to put by a surplus for the future , so much the better ; but the fact remains that a given amount must be provided , and it is this necessity which has to be faced at the present time .
There are some who will , no doubt , think it time enough to worry about next year ' s charity when this year has run out , but such is not the case . It is now late enough in the year to bid adieu to what has been
done m lttob , and commence active operations lor 1889 . Accordingly , we this week take up the cause of the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , which , as usual , will hold its Anniversary Festival in
February , the 27 th of that month being the day fixed for the event ; when , under the presidency of the Eight Hon . the Earl of Euston , Provincial Grand Master Norths and Hunts , we hone the fondest wishes of the
friends of the Institution will be amply realised . To ensure this , it will be necessary for the members of the , Craft to co-operate , as they have so often done
, bejfpre , and urge the claims of this Charity among their friends , and all who they think are able to contribute to its funds . Saving thus introduced the subject , our readers
A Forecast For 1889.
will believe us when we say that the tale we bave to tell is one which has often been told before , and they will excuse us if what we have to say is somewhat stale , or is but a repetition of what we have said in
years gone by . We have one very important point , however , to impress upon them , and one which we hope will excuse for any shortcomings , and that is the
urgency of the case for which we are pleading , and the absolute necessity which exists for enlisting all possible aid in the cause . At the present time the
Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution is pledged to the payment of something like £ 15 , 000 per annum in annuities alone . This sum has to be provided to
meet the next year ' s calls of the aged brethren and widows who have been elected on the funds of the Charity . It is not a question of asking for a large sum and being able to do with less—that amount is
required for annuities which have been promised , and that amount will have to be raised by some means or other . Either it will be contributed by the Craft freely and voluntarily , or it will have to come out of the invested funds of the Institution , an alternative
which is almost as bad as stopping the annuities altogether—it would really come to the same thing in the end ; and as the invested funds are not very great the end would not be far off . It will never do to
entertain such a proposal , and therefore the only course open to the Craft is that of subscribing for next year the amount necessary to continue the work as it has been carried on in the past , and not only that , but if possible extend it , so as to admit a few of
the many applicants who are now appealing for assistance with but little or no chance of ever receiving it . The actual claims on the Institution do not , however , cease with this ^ 15 , 000 of annuities , there are the
working expenses of the Charity to be provided in addition , and it may well be imagined that with so extensive a field of operations as exists in this case
the working expenses are of no trivial amount . It is to assist in raising these necessary sums that the Eight Hon . the Earl of Euston has kindly consented to preside at the next Festival of the Institution , and we are convinced he has the heartiest of / -- — - — —
good wishes from the members of the Craft for the success of his enterprise . Fortunately he has a strong and generous Province at his back , and we
shall be much surprised if the brethren of Norths and Hunts do not rally on this occasion , and show their loyalty by splendidly supporting the efforts of their chief . If every district did as much , in proportion .
as they will accomplish , we do not think there would be any cause for anxiety in regard to next year ' s maintenance of the Benevolent Institution , but such support as may be anticipated from the Chairman ' s Province can hardly be expected from those outside ,
else what would be the advantage of a chairman calling upon his followers for special co-operation ? All we can hope for is , that each and every Province will do its best , and raise as much as possible for the support of the aged of both sexes , whose needs .,. in
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Forecast For 1889.
A FORECAST FOR 1889 .
AFTEE a storm comes a calm . We must not , therefore , be surprised if the storm of enthusiasm which was raised throughout the country in the earlier months of the present year , on behalf of the Masonic Charitiesis followed bv a calm which
, will tax to the utmost the resources of the Institutions , and play havoc with the surpluses they have been able to accumulate . Our opinion is that the benevolence of Freemasonry has a limit , so to speak , and
we believe that if at one Festival an exceptional amount is contributed , the totals of subsequent ones are likely to suffer , if not in proportion , at least to an annreciable extent . For the same reason we believe
that an exceptionally prolific year is likely to be followed by a series of meagre ones , although we hope fhn / f ; in Mis rAsmApaf nnr snrmisfi mav nrnvfl wrnnof _ ^ bJ MAJ AWP * 4 yj \^* UW IUW fts ^^
vuv v - ~* .. ** « ruwu v « . a . ^ j vrw r r a . VJ _» W * In face of the splendid results , however , which have been achieved in connection with the Institutions in 1888 , it is hardly to be supposed that next year's
returns will be up to the average , and , as a consequence , trouble will result . Although the Institutions are in the happy position of being able to meet those troubles bravely , it must not be supposed that a
gloomy aspect can be regarded wholly with indifference , or that a falling off in the returns—however slight—can be passed over without anxiety . No matter whether the storm of enthusiasm or the calm of indifference prevail in connection with the
Masonic Institutions , there is no getting over the fact that a given sum has to be raised to meet the current expenses of the year . It is not a question of cutting the coat according to the amount of material , but rather the necessity of finding enough material to
provide a coat of a given size , and if , after this has been done , it is possible to put by a surplus for the future , so much the better ; but the fact remains that a given amount must be provided , and it is this necessity which has to be faced at the present time .
There are some who will , no doubt , think it time enough to worry about next year ' s charity when this year has run out , but such is not the case . It is now late enough in the year to bid adieu to what has been
done m lttob , and commence active operations lor 1889 . Accordingly , we this week take up the cause of the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , which , as usual , will hold its Anniversary Festival in
February , the 27 th of that month being the day fixed for the event ; when , under the presidency of the Eight Hon . the Earl of Euston , Provincial Grand Master Norths and Hunts , we hone the fondest wishes of the
friends of the Institution will be amply realised . To ensure this , it will be necessary for the members of the , Craft to co-operate , as they have so often done
, bejfpre , and urge the claims of this Charity among their friends , and all who they think are able to contribute to its funds . Saving thus introduced the subject , our readers
A Forecast For 1889.
will believe us when we say that the tale we bave to tell is one which has often been told before , and they will excuse us if what we have to say is somewhat stale , or is but a repetition of what we have said in
years gone by . We have one very important point , however , to impress upon them , and one which we hope will excuse for any shortcomings , and that is the
urgency of the case for which we are pleading , and the absolute necessity which exists for enlisting all possible aid in the cause . At the present time the
Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution is pledged to the payment of something like £ 15 , 000 per annum in annuities alone . This sum has to be provided to
meet the next year ' s calls of the aged brethren and widows who have been elected on the funds of the Charity . It is not a question of asking for a large sum and being able to do with less—that amount is
required for annuities which have been promised , and that amount will have to be raised by some means or other . Either it will be contributed by the Craft freely and voluntarily , or it will have to come out of the invested funds of the Institution , an alternative
which is almost as bad as stopping the annuities altogether—it would really come to the same thing in the end ; and as the invested funds are not very great the end would not be far off . It will never do to
entertain such a proposal , and therefore the only course open to the Craft is that of subscribing for next year the amount necessary to continue the work as it has been carried on in the past , and not only that , but if possible extend it , so as to admit a few of
the many applicants who are now appealing for assistance with but little or no chance of ever receiving it . The actual claims on the Institution do not , however , cease with this ^ 15 , 000 of annuities , there are the
working expenses of the Charity to be provided in addition , and it may well be imagined that with so extensive a field of operations as exists in this case
the working expenses are of no trivial amount . It is to assist in raising these necessary sums that the Eight Hon . the Earl of Euston has kindly consented to preside at the next Festival of the Institution , and we are convinced he has the heartiest of / -- — - — —
good wishes from the members of the Craft for the success of his enterprise . Fortunately he has a strong and generous Province at his back , and we
shall be much surprised if the brethren of Norths and Hunts do not rally on this occasion , and show their loyalty by splendidly supporting the efforts of their chief . If every district did as much , in proportion .
as they will accomplish , we do not think there would be any cause for anxiety in regard to next year ' s maintenance of the Benevolent Institution , but such support as may be anticipated from the Chairman ' s Province can hardly be expected from those outside ,
else what would be the advantage of a chairman calling upon his followers for special co-operation ? All we can hope for is , that each and every Province will do its best , and raise as much as possible for the support of the aged of both sexes , whose needs .,. in