Does Freemasonry Benefit The World At Large?

DOES FREEMASONRY BENEFIT THE WORLD AT LARGE ?

THE question that heads this article is perhaps one of the most frequent that' members of the Craft are called npon to answer . It may not take the exact form in which we have chosen to put it , but in ono shape or other it meets us on almost every side , and yet how few

of those who raDge under the banner of Freemasonry are able to give an answer to it , or even say a few words in defence of the brotherhood . It not unfrequently happens that the inquiry is thrown at us as a taunt , and thus it is that the brother to whom the question is addressed is for

the moment taken aback and unable to reply to his interrogator , or it may be that he is unacquainted with sufficient facts to enable him to answer in a way ^ kely to stop the flow of opposition , but , however the question may be pnt , or in whatever form the answer may be given , the reply

should unmistakably be in the affirmative . It cannot be denied that Freemasonry is entitled to be ranked as one oi the influences that work for the good of mankind in general , and it certainly does not deserve the charge of caring only for those initiated into its mysteries . The benefits offered

by the great Charities of the Order , which havo been provided , and are still maintained solely by , Freemasons , aro certainly limited in their application to members of the Masonic family who may be so unfortunate as to have to make claims on their funds , but tho Craft is justified in

enforcing this restriction , at least so long as cases of distress among Freemasons or their families remain unalleviated . Were the benefits of onr Schools and our Benevolent Institution to be thrown open to the world at laro-e very few of those who , in the days of their prosperity had

subscribed towards the funds , would bo able to avail themselves of the benefits they offer . Further than in tho case of these three institutions our exclnsivoness does not o-o , for , after providing for the requirements of our own Charities we are as ready to lend assistance to strangersas we

, are to those who come with vouchers of Masonicrelationship . We could refer to numerous instances where local claims have been recognised in preference to tho wants of either our Benevolent Institution or the Schools which rely on the Craft for their maintenance , bnt think that such a

course is quite unnecessary . This care for the outer world is especially noticeable in the grants made by Provincial Grand Lodges , a very small proportion of whose disbursements will allow of the charge of selfishness beino ' made against Freemasonry . There we find that by far the

greater portion of the benevolent bequests go to local Charities , or objects of need in the immediate neighbourhood , a veiy small proportion reaching the coffers of the great Masonic institutions ; this is also the case in very many private Lodges , more especially Provincial ones , but

wherever we go , be it to Grand Lodge or to the most nnpre tentious Lodge of Instruction , we always find a willingness to contribute to any local or national calamity , or even the most trivial occurrence which may deserve " sympathy and is brought under the notice of those assembled .

Were it possible to obtain a list of the amounts spent by English Lodges and brethren in works of charity , it would be found that the annual contribution of some thirty or forty thousand pounds , which is made

to our three Institutions , is but a small moiety of the total monies distributed . Under these circumstances , we , in turn , ask to whose benefit is the remainder devoted ? In answer , it may be urged that a great portion of it

Does Freemasonry Benefit The World At Large?

is given to distressed Masons or their families , which we agree is tho fact ; but in thus distributing its funds is not Freemasonry helping materially the world at large ? It is well known that a littlo help judiciously applied at a critical moment has saved many a poor family

from making that appeal to local authorities which by law must bo responded to . Unfortunately , when affairs have readied the climax which makes such appeals needful , it is very seldom thoy improve , unless after a considerable lapse of time . We therefore urge that

Freemasons , by making grants to cases of distress immediately they are brought before the notice of the Lodges do really perform work which , under other circumstances , would fall heavily on the various parishes . It is no very rare occurrence when the head of a family dies for the widow and children to be left with little elso than the

household furniture , and then it is that the benevolence of Freemasonry steps in and stays the distress , often long enouo-h to enable those who are left to look round and

make some provision for the future . Without aid at such a time all courage may be lost , and affairs allowed to go pretty much their own way until it is too late to stop tho downfall .

The principal canse that the extent to which Masonic benevolence extends is so little known is the fact that no fuss or parade is made when assistance is rendered . We attend a Lodge meeting , a case of distress is reported , regrets aro expressed at the calamity which has caused tho

misfortune , and , after a short discussion , or sometimes without a word beyond the actual proposal and seconding of the grant , a sum of money is placed in the hands of a brother who the next day sees it properly applied . The recipients are generally in too great distress to make

known their benefactors , while we , as Masons , justly refrain from publishing the fact more widely than has already been done . It is a part of our duty to give all the aid we can to those in want of it , and as snch our efforts to alleviate distress should be kept as private as any portion of our ceremonies . If we look at the accounts of our Lodsre of

Benevolence , the total of the' annual grants from which are perhaps unknown to the outer world , but which , as most of us are aware , amount to some thousands of pounds each year , wc find the same kind secrecy observed . In this case the recipients are described merely as " a Brother of No . — . " " the widow of a Brother of ' No . — "

and so on , while in all our undertakings in the cause we have so deeply at heart the same true spirit of Charity is observed . Can it then be wondered at that we reply somewhat indignantly when told that Freemasonry exists merely for the sake of providing enjoyment for its members ,

or that it does nothing for the outer world ? According to onr estimate no less a snm than £ 100 , 000 is annually spent in Masonic Charity in England alone , and if any other class can be found that can SIIOAV results in any degree approaching this , wo will strive to point out evils as great as are said to exist in Freemasonry .

For the reason we have already urged , —that the work we do should be kept quiet , —we object to the proposition made by onr correspondent , "A P . M ., " in our last issue . Were his proposal to receive sufficient support to warrant its being carried out , we think it would be looked upon as

a Masonic advertisement , and justly so . It would really be nothing more nor less than a public display to the world at large of what Freemasonry could do . At the best the good such a dispensary as he proposes would accomplish would be so small as to be unworthy of us , and although we are of opinion that aid should be rendered to relieve