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Article CORRESPONDENCE. ← Page 2 of 8 →
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Correspondence.
tions to the Building Fund , entitling the donors to votes , to those who are already Life Governors , and in like manner , annual subscriptions to those who are already Life or Annual Subscribers . We cannot , therefore , hope for any very considerable receipts from this source . But , whilst it may be unreasonable to expect donations of any extent from our Brethrenwhen we cannot offer them proportionate
, privileges in return , it yet appears to me , that means might be found , by which an immense progress would be made at an individual cost scarcely more than nominal . To do this , however , a general effort is indispensable , and surely if any object ever deserved a general effort from a body united by principles like those of Masonry , it is the object which I , too feeblyadvocate .
, The course I venture to suggest is , that each Lodge or Chapter disposed to lend a hel ping hand , should at some of its meetings , either pass round or place in a conspicuous position , a box or bag , to receive such contributions as the members may be disposed to place therein ; and that the amount so given , should be remitted by the Master or Principal for the Building Fund , under the name of " Free Gift from the [ Brethren or Companions ] of the [ Lodge or
Chapter ] , No . " I further propose that the whole should be inserted in the published accounts in one sum , as " The Free Gift Collection , " and that the numbers of the Lodges or Chapters contributing shall be printed , but not the separate sums given hy each ; thus none would he deterred by the apprehension of giving less than others . And in order to ensure the whole being properlbrought to account
y , I propose that all such receipts shall be entered in a book , which shall be open to the inspection of any member of a contributing Lodge or Chapter , at the office every Saturday . I do not know the exact number of active Members of Lodges and Chapters , but I do know that the former alone exceed 15 , 000 ; and when I state this , it is clear , that should my plan so far find favour as to be at all generally adoptedeven if the average contributions of
, Brethren did not exceed one shilling each , a very considerable sum would be added to the Fund ; and a great advance made towards the accomplishment of our object ; for it must be remembered that all receipts for this fund are immediately invested , and thus afford means of further increase .
It may be vanity that attaches me to my scheme , but I am confident its motive is pure . I think it is in accordance with the spirit of Masonry . And I have its object so deeply at heart , that I cannot resist submitting it to my Brethren . In a Masonic life of nearly twenty-two years , I have never received from them aught save kindness , and 1 do not now fear to be considered as giving them cause of offence ; to strangers such an appeal as this might apjjear a libertybut notI trustto Brothers .
, , , I will only further add , that if any adopt my suggestion , I shall be most happy to be the medium of receiving and acknowledging the collections , paying them to the bankers , and keeping the account . And I should deem it a personal favour , if any such remittances are sent in time for the amount to be announced at the next Festival , which is generally held early in March ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
tions to the Building Fund , entitling the donors to votes , to those who are already Life Governors , and in like manner , annual subscriptions to those who are already Life or Annual Subscribers . We cannot , therefore , hope for any very considerable receipts from this source . But , whilst it may be unreasonable to expect donations of any extent from our Brethrenwhen we cannot offer them proportionate
, privileges in return , it yet appears to me , that means might be found , by which an immense progress would be made at an individual cost scarcely more than nominal . To do this , however , a general effort is indispensable , and surely if any object ever deserved a general effort from a body united by principles like those of Masonry , it is the object which I , too feeblyadvocate .
, The course I venture to suggest is , that each Lodge or Chapter disposed to lend a hel ping hand , should at some of its meetings , either pass round or place in a conspicuous position , a box or bag , to receive such contributions as the members may be disposed to place therein ; and that the amount so given , should be remitted by the Master or Principal for the Building Fund , under the name of " Free Gift from the [ Brethren or Companions ] of the [ Lodge or
Chapter ] , No . " I further propose that the whole should be inserted in the published accounts in one sum , as " The Free Gift Collection , " and that the numbers of the Lodges or Chapters contributing shall be printed , but not the separate sums given hy each ; thus none would he deterred by the apprehension of giving less than others . And in order to ensure the whole being properlbrought to account
y , I propose that all such receipts shall be entered in a book , which shall be open to the inspection of any member of a contributing Lodge or Chapter , at the office every Saturday . I do not know the exact number of active Members of Lodges and Chapters , but I do know that the former alone exceed 15 , 000 ; and when I state this , it is clear , that should my plan so far find favour as to be at all generally adoptedeven if the average contributions of
, Brethren did not exceed one shilling each , a very considerable sum would be added to the Fund ; and a great advance made towards the accomplishment of our object ; for it must be remembered that all receipts for this fund are immediately invested , and thus afford means of further increase .
It may be vanity that attaches me to my scheme , but I am confident its motive is pure . I think it is in accordance with the spirit of Masonry . And I have its object so deeply at heart , that I cannot resist submitting it to my Brethren . In a Masonic life of nearly twenty-two years , I have never received from them aught save kindness , and 1 do not now fear to be considered as giving them cause of offence ; to strangers such an appeal as this might apjjear a libertybut notI trustto Brothers .
, , , I will only further add , that if any adopt my suggestion , I shall be most happy to be the medium of receiving and acknowledging the collections , paying them to the bankers , and keeping the account . And I should deem it a personal favour , if any such remittances are sent in time for the amount to be announced at the next Festival , which is generally held early in March ,