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Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

CHARITY AND CLAIMANTS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —It is not easy to discuss tho merits of the various claimants to our Charities , without being open to the charge of hostility to a person or of nnkindness . Yet cases arise occasionally which demand more than a passing notice , even at the risk

of being misunderstood . At the last Qnarterly Court of the Masonic Institution for Boys , Bro . J . S . Cumberland called attention to tho case of William Edward Tappenden , and proposed that tho lad ' s name should be removed from the list of candidates , on tho ground that the boy ' s father had not left him penniless , but had provided for

him . This objection elicited from the Chairman , Bro . Eaynham Stewart , and others the remark , " that the School was not infceuded for the receptiou of paupers . " I had a slight acquaintance with the late Bro . Tappenden , and I kuow well some of the supporters of his son . The former was very much respected in the Lodge to which he

belonged , and I can vouch for the latter that they are men of high character and deep sympathy . Iu making these admissions , I am not finite sure whether Bro . Cumberland was not right in raising the question of claim , although I do not see how he could expect to " succeed in the case of the boy Tappenden , seeing that he is only the t

ype of many . It would bo unfair to single out one boy , when there are others in a similar position . Tho value of Bro . Cumberland ' s action in this instance consists in the attention ho has called to a Matter that ere long will have to be considered . The necessity for s ° mo alteration is continually occurring , and tho remark of the

Correspondence.

Chairman will tend to hasten the time when the whole system of candidature must be revised . I recollect being taken seriously to task for calling the Institution at Croydon " Almshouses , " but my offence was venial compared with that of Bro . Stewart ' s . In both cases no harm was meant : at least

there was none in mine , and I feel sure that Bro . Stewart would not wilfully hurt the feelings of any brother , mnoh less those of the widow and orphan . But these cases only show how tender are the susceptibilities of the brethren , and how cautious all ought to be in

the use of words and phrases . What strikes me forcibly is that Bro . Stewart's remarks point to the assumption that tho benefit of the Charities is circumscribed by the financial position of the claimants , and those outside of the charmed circle—tho most pitiable and often

the most deserving—must look elsewhere for help . Thomas Noel , in his " Pauper's Drive , " has the following refrain : —

" Rattle his bones , over the stones , He's only a pauper , whom nobody owns . " Practically , that represents the unhappy condition of the very poor Freemason , although it may shock the sensitive nerves of some to

have it so bluntly stated . Looking at the question in a broad and common-sense light , the whole case presents itself to me in something like tbe following form . When a man becomes a Freemason , he is accepted as having complied with the financial requirements as well as the moral conditions

of tho Order . He meets on the level , and is the equal of princes and peers , and he does not lose that equality unless he violates his obligations . His acceptance into tho body covers his failings as well as hia virtues ; the former should be the object of solicitude , independent of any narrow limitation , while the latter should be regarded as the

common property of all . A brother ' s success in life increases hia responsibilities to others ; his failure demands sympathy alnd succour . His claim is altogether independent of social status ; were it otherwise , class distinctions would be set up , a state of thing 3 utterly subversive of the fnndamental principles of the Craft . Charity , we are

taught , is " the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart , " and I nowhere find that its exercise is limited , except by self-preservation , aud the duty that is owing to relatives . I go farther , and say that the ritual points to those " redaced to the lowest state of poverty and distress " as objects of the special regard of the

brethren . It may be urged that it is impossible to relieve in every case , and that therefore some rule of choice must be laid down . No doubt this is so , but a rule that shall , in the case of charity , exclude the most wretched cases , while it helps those capable of helping themselves , is a direct violation of tho principles and of the teaching

of the Fraternity . I deny the right of any body of mon to frame laws that are opposed to the constitution , to the spirit of charity , which is the essence of Freemasonry . Their first duty is to the poorest , working upwards , and their object should be to select the most hel p , less cases for relief . It is not for them to define the social status of

candidates , nor even of the inmates of the Schools . In the latter case that is a matter for the pupils themselves . All that the Governors are called upon to do is to afford the best facilities they can for their charge , leaving distinctions to assert themselves , as thoy always do in any body of human beings .

There is a good deal of social cant among Freemasons . I am holier than thou , " is as clearly expressed iu the actions of some as if they wore the phylacteries of their ancient type on their foreheads . They are the Pharisees of the Order , who observe its forms with

rigid exactness but reject its spiritual teachings . The time is near , if it has not come , when the word " pauper " shall be unknown among Freemasons , when the principle of equality shall assume its rightful position , and when the exercise of charity shall no longer be limited to class , but be as free as its genius is pure and unbounded . Youra fraternally , WATCHMAN ;

One Of The Unemployed.

ONE OF THE UNEMPLOYED .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAU SIR AND BROTHER , —Will you kindly grant me space in your columns to make an appeal to the brethren of tho Order to solicit their assistance and intluenco to help me in obtaining some kind of employment whereby I shall be enabled to earn my living . I have

tried my utmost to obtain a situation since the first week in January last . I have advertised , answered advertisements , and applied personally , but all to no purpose . I have been told by a great many employers that they require young men , and one gentleman ( a partner in a firm to whom I have paid some

thousands of pounds when in more prosperous circumstances ) told mo that there was always a homo open to mo by applying for admittance to the workhonse . With the above results , after my daily endeavours to obtain an honest living , I think it is sufficient to crush the spirit of the strongest . I am happy to state that I can

"ive food references , and can also refer to Brothers iu the Craft to whom I have been known for many youis . I shall be pleased to answer any inquiries , either personally or by letter , that might be required of ine . Trusting you will excuse mo for taking up so much of your valuable space , in making this appeal as my last resource ,

I remain , Dear Sir aud Brother , Yours fraternally ,

MASTER MASON . Any communications addressed to M . M ., care of Messrs . Kerbey , Stationers , & c , 113 Whitechapel Road , E ., will bo most thankfully received and gratefully acknowledged .