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Article ROYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND. ← Page 2 of 3 Article ROYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.
thought woll to call the attention of our readers specifically , if shortly , to it . " " As the Society increases in size and commences its work in good earnest , as we doubt not wo shall have much pleasure in reporting . " ... I think you will agree with mo that the " Society " has increased . Compare the list of patrons , & c , and I feel you mnst agreo I havo worked in " good earnest ; " I have
pnshed forward as fast as possiblo , and but for tho nnfortnnato cause of adjournment of first meeting the modus operandi ere this would have been before the Craft . A rough plan of " working , " has long been drawn np ; part of the modus operandi is to enlist the services of the Boys' and Girls' Schools' Committees , and had yon referred to tho Earl of llosslyn's speech , this is plainly mentioned ; but , as I
have repeatedly explained , nothing will bo decided upon without tho careful deliberation of a committee . On page 3 G 5 Freemason , 13 th September , a report of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Boys proves I submitted the scheme and received unanimous support . I cannot find tho report of tho Royal Masonio Institution for Girls , but my memory tells me
the Chairman moved that tho application should " lie on the table . " Does this not contradict all assertions that I am striving to work without the Committees ? Surely my first letter proves I am desirous some one should take it up , and nothing would have given me greater pleasuro than to have seen the Fund started by the Committees , for 1 shonld havo been saved much work . On page
369 , col . 3 , line 49 , of Freemason , 20 th September 1879 , appears the following : — " Bro . Binckes desired to bo allowed to say one word on tho subject of the Pupils' Assistance Fund . He wished every one to understand that it was not intended to be competitive with any Fund for tho Masonic Charities . " Without wishing to criticise , or say anything to hurt yonr feelings ,
I cannot bnt feel yon have been misguided in your late criticisms . In your issue of 30 th August , yon land the scheme and print the prospectns , which has always remained the same except the addition mentioned last week , which must meet your approval , as it so thoroughly accords with the work being done by yon with the London Masonic Charity Association .
In your issuo of 20 th March , yon withdraw , and suggest tho scheme being abandoned , giving no reasons . Had you forgotten yonr leader of 30 th Augnst ? In your issue of 27 th March , yon again approvo the Fand as a necessary supplement to onr well managed institutions . How can you reconcile all these contradictions ?
And in yonr issno to-day yon still suggest tho work being carried on by the Committees . Why did they not take it np from tho first ? Lord Leigh suggested this ; but how are they to get tho funds ? will tho Committees join the list of patrons ? I know Lord Rosslyn and the other patrons would bo delighted to see them supporting . Now as to the mode to be adopted , as to working , it is most unfair to criticise or
even assume that action is taken to shut out the Committees , and Earl Rosslyn's speech fully points in a contrary direction . As to " P . M . ' s " letters in tbe Times and your papers , if ho will disclose his name , and favour me with a call , I shall be glad to show him the wholo of the Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund correspondence , books , & c , & c . As to Bro . While ' s assertions , I shall take no troublo to
answer them further than to inform him I havo never yet done any . thing to warrant his attacks . I deny having any knowledge of the correspondence that troubles him ; I have never replied to his letters on any subject bnt the Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund . I certainly wrote to tho Times , as did also others ; those letters were not inserted , proving how one-sided an opinion i 3 formed
by answers not being allowed , as readers consider the attack is so genuine tho " attacked" have no power to reply . I appeal to all if my letters warrant the remarks contained in Bro . While ' s letters , and in answer to Bro . While's " charitable" P . S ., please send him a copy of your paper of 30 th August , refer him to pages 34 S and 351 ; I have not compared the paper , but if reported correctly he will
find the " charitable" did venture to ask , and yon very kindly did publish and approvo tho prospectus . To conclude , in justice to all concerned , and to repair a wrong you have done tho " Fund , " which aims at nothing but doing good , I must ask yon to publish this , and hope you will inform your readers thero is no contradiction , nor second Dick Radclyffe . He who endeavours to promote a schemo yon
have so kindly and favourably approved , still continues to do so , but for some little time , owiug to tho political duties to be per . formed by tho patrons , it will not bo possible to havo a meeting ; though it certainly will bo called as soon as possible and convenient to the illustrious chairman . In the meantime , tho same Dick Radclyffe is organising a Bazaar which is receiving most cordial
support , and I hope will receive yours , as some rotnrn for the damage you have , I feel unintentionally , dono the good cause . As I am pledged to tho patrons of the scheme to do all in my power to promote the Fund , I cannot afford to waste more time answering attacks and " monstrous exaggerations" that the Fund is to " sap the energy , self-reliance and self-dependence of tho children . " To
provide " marriage portions for girls , and look after them through life , and to the vaccination of their children , to stand in position of mothers-in-law to them {? Fathers ) , " & c . Yonr leader of 30 th August is the best contradiction to the opinion you hold of the " charity run-mad" correspondent . On page 312 , your article " Keep your
Temper " I would commend to Bro . While , especially the concluding lines , "How very charming ; see how those Freemasons , always talking brotherl y love , like to abuse each other . " I sincerely hopo I havo not abused or hurt our Brother ' s feelings . I aim simply at repairing an injustice done to my patrons and supporters . Yours fraternally , DICK RADCLI ' ITE .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —It would bo useless my asking your contemporary for space in its columns in order to reply to Bro .
Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.
While ' s letter which appeared last week , for tho Editor , in the exercise of that discretion with which ho is very properly vested , has ruled that " the discussion must uow cease . " I must ask you , therefore , to permit mo to make certain comments on that communication , as I thiuk it contains statements which it wonld bo extremely nnjust to tho promoters and patrons of tho above Fund to allow to pass unnoticed . I promise you I will bo as brief as possiblo under tho circumstances .
I can well understand that Bro . While will never attempt the folly of answering what he is pleased to describe as "tho painfully illogical , uncertain , and irrational communications which havo appeared . " I presumo ho has lived long enough to know by this tiroo that abuse is not argument . It is tho latter , not tho former , which i 3 necessary to enable a man to answer communications with
something like effect . He may , if ho chooses , call them "illogical , uncertain , and irrational , " just as I , if I have tho bad taste to do so , may describe A , B , C , or X , Y , Z , as a fool , but in neither case will the mere description constitute a fact . It is true , they may bo all he has affirmed thoy are , and a great deal else besides , in his estimation , but he must allow others the right ho exercises of judging for
themselves , and oven he , I venture to say , will hardly havo the effrontery to say thero is no ono else in tho world , except himself , capable of deciding what is logical , certain , and rational , or tho reverse . I shall willingly submit to bo written down a fool when Bro . While has souse enough to provo I am ono . Till then , however , I claim to bo as capable of forming an opinion on this or any other subject of which I
have some knowledge as ho is . Tho reason Bro . While gives for not deigning or attempting to answer communications which , if thoy are what ho describes them , require no answer at all , is that ho has " drawn out tho fact , which is now patent to all , that behind tho princely , tho noble , aud the worshipful patrons of tho many-handed bautling which is to be
brought into the world , behind oven Bro . Radclyffe , thero stands a ' charitable' clique , whose idea of charity is , * Let ns raise subscriptions ; othors mnst bo called upon to subscribe , in order that we may arrange how it shall be spent . '" There is only ono word in tho English language for this amazing fact , which Bro . Whilo claims to have discovered , and for the discovery of which , as far as I am
personally concerned , I am sure ho will havo tho entire credit—it is a " maro's nest . " Sinco Saturday I have asked every one I have met , who and what manner of men they aro that constitute this "' charitable ' clique , " and the answer in every case has been , " I know of no clique . " Therefore , it is clear that if this fact , which ho boasts with so much self-complacency of having drawn out , has any
existence at all , it mnst be in Bro . While ' s playful imagination . At all events , I can vouch for this much , that thero aro some among the " nil , " of whom ho speaks to whom tho fact is not patent , and it is moro than probablo that others will bo able to record the same experience as myself . Let him tell us who form this cliquo , and then every one will bo able to judgo for lum 3 clf what foundation thero is
for tho charge he has made . Bro While speaks with an attempt at sarcasm , which on <> ht to bo very withering , of certain " eminently ' charitable' persons , " who " havo thought-fit to assail "him "in tho most violent terms , " and "have not scrupled even to attempt injury" to him in his " profession . " "The slanders thus published , " he says , " are contained in
a paper which claims to have ' authority from Grand Lodge , ' and tho personal attack which has been made npon mo is the frnit of my late successful efforts to prevent tho printing of those matters which Masons are bound to hele , as well as of the proofs I have given that , for one , I will not allow the pnblic or tho Craft to bo misled by the subtle or the foolish , or , as is sometimes the case , by both together ,
withont raising a word or two of warning , " and he tells us ho has been " pressed into the service of combating folly and cunning by tho varying phases of this gigantic scheme , as well as by the abuse which has been levelled " at him . Passing by without comment the egotism which is conspicuous in these sentences , I may observe in tho first place that if he has been assailed in violent terms ho has
only himself to blame . Ho began the abnso by saying as regards the proposals in tho circular he alludes to , that " tho common sense of every one plainly expressed that , when not Qnixotic , " they were " idiotic . " He it was who said he would havo nothing to do " with any cut and dried organisation , " his experience in such case being that "all tbe Committee" were " merely so many puppets for some
clever manipulator to conjuro with . " Ho it was who said if the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys did not tarn out hoys at sixteen capable of beginning the battle of life , it was " so much the worse for tho School , " and that it was " time to consider whether the whole itself" was " not a mistake . " He it was who used tho phrase " blessings of a paid Secretariat . " Ho refused , and for aught I can
make out to tho contrary , refuses still , to accept Bro . Radclyffe ' s explanation , that the so-called " objects" wero tho various " suggestions" that Brother had received from various quarters , and ho described Lord Rosslyn as having virtually withdrawn from the proposals or objects , after his lordship had allowed his name to be placed on the interim Committee , whose dnty it will be to
propare tho way for formulating tho objects of the proposed Fund . I say nothing of the taste which prompted such remarks , but I venture to think that calling people " puppets , " and "clever manipulators , " and describing proposals as " Qnixotic" or "idiotic , " is very much in the way of what is commonly understood by the word " almae . " And these slanders were contained in a paper " sanctioned" by Grand
Lodge , which I take is something other than having " the authority of Grand Lodge . " Well , be it so , but Bro . While ' s innocent little euphuisms appeared in your Masonic contemporary . Thus , if he attacks people in one Masonic paper , he at all events should be the last person in the world to complain that others attack him in another .
But I fail to see how it can be a slander , an assault in violent terms , or abuse , to tako a man roundly to task for tho use of language which even in what wo call the profane world , no circumstances could possibly justify . Who , I pray , is Bro . Whilo that ho should be permitted with impunity to call peoplo " puppets , " and " clever manipu-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.
thought woll to call the attention of our readers specifically , if shortly , to it . " " As the Society increases in size and commences its work in good earnest , as we doubt not wo shall have much pleasure in reporting . " ... I think you will agree with mo that the " Society " has increased . Compare the list of patrons , & c , and I feel you mnst agreo I havo worked in " good earnest ; " I have
pnshed forward as fast as possiblo , and but for tho nnfortnnato cause of adjournment of first meeting the modus operandi ere this would have been before the Craft . A rough plan of " working , " has long been drawn np ; part of the modus operandi is to enlist the services of the Boys' and Girls' Schools' Committees , and had yon referred to tho Earl of llosslyn's speech , this is plainly mentioned ; but , as I
have repeatedly explained , nothing will bo decided upon without tho careful deliberation of a committee . On page 3 G 5 Freemason , 13 th September , a report of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Boys proves I submitted the scheme and received unanimous support . I cannot find tho report of tho Royal Masonio Institution for Girls , but my memory tells me
the Chairman moved that tho application should " lie on the table . " Does this not contradict all assertions that I am striving to work without the Committees ? Surely my first letter proves I am desirous some one should take it up , and nothing would have given me greater pleasuro than to have seen the Fund started by the Committees , for 1 shonld havo been saved much work . On page
369 , col . 3 , line 49 , of Freemason , 20 th September 1879 , appears the following : — " Bro . Binckes desired to bo allowed to say one word on tho subject of the Pupils' Assistance Fund . He wished every one to understand that it was not intended to be competitive with any Fund for tho Masonic Charities . " Without wishing to criticise , or say anything to hurt yonr feelings ,
I cannot bnt feel yon have been misguided in your late criticisms . In your issue of 30 th August , yon land the scheme and print the prospectns , which has always remained the same except the addition mentioned last week , which must meet your approval , as it so thoroughly accords with the work being done by yon with the London Masonic Charity Association .
In your issuo of 20 th March , yon withdraw , and suggest tho scheme being abandoned , giving no reasons . Had you forgotten yonr leader of 30 th Augnst ? In your issue of 27 th March , yon again approvo the Fand as a necessary supplement to onr well managed institutions . How can you reconcile all these contradictions ?
And in yonr issno to-day yon still suggest tho work being carried on by the Committees . Why did they not take it np from tho first ? Lord Leigh suggested this ; but how are they to get tho funds ? will tho Committees join the list of patrons ? I know Lord Rosslyn and the other patrons would bo delighted to see them supporting . Now as to the mode to be adopted , as to working , it is most unfair to criticise or
even assume that action is taken to shut out the Committees , and Earl Rosslyn's speech fully points in a contrary direction . As to " P . M . ' s " letters in tbe Times and your papers , if ho will disclose his name , and favour me with a call , I shall be glad to show him the wholo of the Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund correspondence , books , & c , & c . As to Bro . While ' s assertions , I shall take no troublo to
answer them further than to inform him I havo never yet done any . thing to warrant his attacks . I deny having any knowledge of the correspondence that troubles him ; I have never replied to his letters on any subject bnt the Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund . I certainly wrote to tho Times , as did also others ; those letters were not inserted , proving how one-sided an opinion i 3 formed
by answers not being allowed , as readers consider the attack is so genuine tho " attacked" have no power to reply . I appeal to all if my letters warrant the remarks contained in Bro . While ' s letters , and in answer to Bro . While's " charitable" P . S ., please send him a copy of your paper of 30 th August , refer him to pages 34 S and 351 ; I have not compared the paper , but if reported correctly he will
find the " charitable" did venture to ask , and yon very kindly did publish and approvo tho prospectus . To conclude , in justice to all concerned , and to repair a wrong you have done tho " Fund , " which aims at nothing but doing good , I must ask yon to publish this , and hope you will inform your readers thero is no contradiction , nor second Dick Radclyffe . He who endeavours to promote a schemo yon
have so kindly and favourably approved , still continues to do so , but for some little time , owiug to tho political duties to be per . formed by tho patrons , it will not bo possible to havo a meeting ; though it certainly will bo called as soon as possible and convenient to the illustrious chairman . In the meantime , tho same Dick Radclyffe is organising a Bazaar which is receiving most cordial
support , and I hope will receive yours , as some rotnrn for the damage you have , I feel unintentionally , dono the good cause . As I am pledged to tho patrons of the scheme to do all in my power to promote the Fund , I cannot afford to waste more time answering attacks and " monstrous exaggerations" that the Fund is to " sap the energy , self-reliance and self-dependence of tho children . " To
provide " marriage portions for girls , and look after them through life , and to the vaccination of their children , to stand in position of mothers-in-law to them {? Fathers ) , " & c . Yonr leader of 30 th August is the best contradiction to the opinion you hold of the " charity run-mad" correspondent . On page 312 , your article " Keep your
Temper " I would commend to Bro . While , especially the concluding lines , "How very charming ; see how those Freemasons , always talking brotherl y love , like to abuse each other . " I sincerely hopo I havo not abused or hurt our Brother ' s feelings . I aim simply at repairing an injustice done to my patrons and supporters . Yours fraternally , DICK RADCLI ' ITE .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —It would bo useless my asking your contemporary for space in its columns in order to reply to Bro .
Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.
While ' s letter which appeared last week , for tho Editor , in the exercise of that discretion with which ho is very properly vested , has ruled that " the discussion must uow cease . " I must ask you , therefore , to permit mo to make certain comments on that communication , as I thiuk it contains statements which it wonld bo extremely nnjust to tho promoters and patrons of tho above Fund to allow to pass unnoticed . I promise you I will bo as brief as possiblo under tho circumstances .
I can well understand that Bro . While will never attempt the folly of answering what he is pleased to describe as "tho painfully illogical , uncertain , and irrational communications which havo appeared . " I presumo ho has lived long enough to know by this tiroo that abuse is not argument . It is tho latter , not tho former , which i 3 necessary to enable a man to answer communications with
something like effect . He may , if ho chooses , call them "illogical , uncertain , and irrational , " just as I , if I have tho bad taste to do so , may describe A , B , C , or X , Y , Z , as a fool , but in neither case will the mere description constitute a fact . It is true , they may bo all he has affirmed thoy are , and a great deal else besides , in his estimation , but he must allow others the right ho exercises of judging for
themselves , and oven he , I venture to say , will hardly havo the effrontery to say thero is no ono else in tho world , except himself , capable of deciding what is logical , certain , and rational , or tho reverse . I shall willingly submit to bo written down a fool when Bro . While has souse enough to provo I am ono . Till then , however , I claim to bo as capable of forming an opinion on this or any other subject of which I
have some knowledge as ho is . Tho reason Bro . While gives for not deigning or attempting to answer communications which , if thoy are what ho describes them , require no answer at all , is that ho has " drawn out tho fact , which is now patent to all , that behind tho princely , tho noble , aud the worshipful patrons of tho many-handed bautling which is to be
brought into the world , behind oven Bro . Radclyffe , thero stands a ' charitable' clique , whose idea of charity is , * Let ns raise subscriptions ; othors mnst bo called upon to subscribe , in order that we may arrange how it shall be spent . '" There is only ono word in tho English language for this amazing fact , which Bro . Whilo claims to have discovered , and for the discovery of which , as far as I am
personally concerned , I am sure ho will havo tho entire credit—it is a " maro's nest . " Sinco Saturday I have asked every one I have met , who and what manner of men they aro that constitute this "' charitable ' clique , " and the answer in every case has been , " I know of no clique . " Therefore , it is clear that if this fact , which ho boasts with so much self-complacency of having drawn out , has any
existence at all , it mnst be in Bro . While ' s playful imagination . At all events , I can vouch for this much , that thero aro some among the " nil , " of whom ho speaks to whom tho fact is not patent , and it is moro than probablo that others will bo able to record the same experience as myself . Let him tell us who form this cliquo , and then every one will bo able to judgo for lum 3 clf what foundation thero is
for tho charge he has made . Bro While speaks with an attempt at sarcasm , which on <> ht to bo very withering , of certain " eminently ' charitable' persons , " who " havo thought-fit to assail "him "in tho most violent terms , " and "have not scrupled even to attempt injury" to him in his " profession . " "The slanders thus published , " he says , " are contained in
a paper which claims to have ' authority from Grand Lodge , ' and tho personal attack which has been made npon mo is the frnit of my late successful efforts to prevent tho printing of those matters which Masons are bound to hele , as well as of the proofs I have given that , for one , I will not allow the pnblic or tho Craft to bo misled by the subtle or the foolish , or , as is sometimes the case , by both together ,
withont raising a word or two of warning , " and he tells us ho has been " pressed into the service of combating folly and cunning by tho varying phases of this gigantic scheme , as well as by the abuse which has been levelled " at him . Passing by without comment the egotism which is conspicuous in these sentences , I may observe in tho first place that if he has been assailed in violent terms ho has
only himself to blame . Ho began the abnso by saying as regards the proposals in tho circular he alludes to , that " tho common sense of every one plainly expressed that , when not Qnixotic , " they were " idiotic . " He it was who said he would havo nothing to do " with any cut and dried organisation , " his experience in such case being that "all tbe Committee" were " merely so many puppets for some
clever manipulator to conjuro with . " Ho it was who said if the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys did not tarn out hoys at sixteen capable of beginning the battle of life , it was " so much the worse for tho School , " and that it was " time to consider whether the whole itself" was " not a mistake . " He it was who used tho phrase " blessings of a paid Secretariat . " Ho refused , and for aught I can
make out to tho contrary , refuses still , to accept Bro . Radclyffe ' s explanation , that the so-called " objects" wero tho various " suggestions" that Brother had received from various quarters , and ho described Lord Rosslyn as having virtually withdrawn from the proposals or objects , after his lordship had allowed his name to be placed on the interim Committee , whose dnty it will be to
propare tho way for formulating tho objects of the proposed Fund . I say nothing of the taste which prompted such remarks , but I venture to think that calling people " puppets , " and "clever manipulators , " and describing proposals as " Qnixotic" or "idiotic , " is very much in the way of what is commonly understood by the word " almae . " And these slanders were contained in a paper " sanctioned" by Grand
Lodge , which I take is something other than having " the authority of Grand Lodge . " Well , be it so , but Bro . While ' s innocent little euphuisms appeared in your Masonic contemporary . Thus , if he attacks people in one Masonic paper , he at all events should be the last person in the world to complain that others attack him in another .
But I fail to see how it can be a slander , an assault in violent terms , or abuse , to tako a man roundly to task for tho use of language which even in what wo call the profane world , no circumstances could possibly justify . Who , I pray , is Bro . Whilo that ho should be permitted with impunity to call peoplo " puppets , " and " clever manipu-