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Article THE PRACTICAL BENEVOLENCE OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 3 of 4 →
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The Practical Benevolence Of Freemasonry.
the Sons of Indigent and Decayed Freemasons ; both of which are still in active beneficial operation . Other institutions which exemplify the nature of Masonic benevolence , have , from time to time , made their appearance amongst us , under the sanction of the philanthropist ; and matured by the efficient support of rank and opulence amongst the fraternity ; for it is by the union of active zealwith talent and wealththat great results are generally
ac-, , complished . The above charities are jewels of inestimable value in the Masonic crown , ivhich emanate from a practical exercise of the best feelings of the human heart ; and advantageousl y display the beauty of the system to which they are attached . It may be difficult to determine whether the giver or receiver of a benefit be the happier man ; whether the satisfaction and mental complaisance which are always attendant on a benevolent action , do not
exceed , in exquisite delicacy of feeling , those rapturous emotions of joy and gratitude which animate the bosom of him on whom an essential benefit has been conferred . Instances of such warm expressions of the intensity of gsateM . ieeVmg , w : e not uncommon to the members of those Boards ivhich are the authorized dispensers of Masonic benevolence in any of its forms , and excite in their own bosoms a corresponding sentiment of unfeigned deliht . Inopi beneficvum bis dat qui
g dat celeriter . A statement of the progress and efficacy of these funds is laid before the Lodges , in every quarterly communication ; and I know of no Society ivhich can compete with the Masonic Bod y , in the amount and extensive application of its public charities . One onl y Institution was wanting to complete the triumph of the Order . Our infant population is provided for—the wants and
necessities of our widows are met by prompt and effectual relief—but hoai y age , and virtuous destitution are still without an asylum , where tl e dregs of lii ' e may be passed in comfort and peace ; where all iViason c and Christian virtues may shed their united influence over the closing hours of a worth y Brother ' s life ; where the inmates , victims of misfortune , but not of crime , may be linked together in one universal chain of Brotherl y love , and unite their voices in praise of the Great Architect
of the Universe ; where Faith , Hope , and Charity may shine in their lives and actions with unsullied refulgence ; where Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence , and Justice may be illustrated by constant practice ; and where Peace , with its garland of olive may so preside "in unity and love , " as to give to the parting moments of existence , a confident hope of a happy immortality in the Grand Lodge Above . We have before us , as practical examples of the benefits arising from such institutions
, not only the two great National Hospitals of Greenwich and Chelsea ; but private individuals have exemplified their utility by erecting and endowing Bead Houses , where the infirm labourer , and destitute widow may pass the evening of their lives in peace ; and they stand in various parts of England , as monuments of liberality , which are honourable to the founders , and irrefragable proofs of the prevalence of Christian feeling the sordid les which pride
, over princip or avarice may have endeavoured to infuse into the heart . In emulation of such sublime and holy feelings , we are informed that an Asylum of the same nature is in progress amongst the members of our bociety I know nof _—I care not—by whom the idea was first suggested , ( although his name will undoubtedl y be immortalized , and "is memory enshrined in the hearts of his Brethren : ) but I hail the VOL . IV . '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Practical Benevolence Of Freemasonry.
the Sons of Indigent and Decayed Freemasons ; both of which are still in active beneficial operation . Other institutions which exemplify the nature of Masonic benevolence , have , from time to time , made their appearance amongst us , under the sanction of the philanthropist ; and matured by the efficient support of rank and opulence amongst the fraternity ; for it is by the union of active zealwith talent and wealththat great results are generally
ac-, , complished . The above charities are jewels of inestimable value in the Masonic crown , ivhich emanate from a practical exercise of the best feelings of the human heart ; and advantageousl y display the beauty of the system to which they are attached . It may be difficult to determine whether the giver or receiver of a benefit be the happier man ; whether the satisfaction and mental complaisance which are always attendant on a benevolent action , do not
exceed , in exquisite delicacy of feeling , those rapturous emotions of joy and gratitude which animate the bosom of him on whom an essential benefit has been conferred . Instances of such warm expressions of the intensity of gsateM . ieeVmg , w : e not uncommon to the members of those Boards ivhich are the authorized dispensers of Masonic benevolence in any of its forms , and excite in their own bosoms a corresponding sentiment of unfeigned deliht . Inopi beneficvum bis dat qui
g dat celeriter . A statement of the progress and efficacy of these funds is laid before the Lodges , in every quarterly communication ; and I know of no Society ivhich can compete with the Masonic Bod y , in the amount and extensive application of its public charities . One onl y Institution was wanting to complete the triumph of the Order . Our infant population is provided for—the wants and
necessities of our widows are met by prompt and effectual relief—but hoai y age , and virtuous destitution are still without an asylum , where tl e dregs of lii ' e may be passed in comfort and peace ; where all iViason c and Christian virtues may shed their united influence over the closing hours of a worth y Brother ' s life ; where the inmates , victims of misfortune , but not of crime , may be linked together in one universal chain of Brotherl y love , and unite their voices in praise of the Great Architect
of the Universe ; where Faith , Hope , and Charity may shine in their lives and actions with unsullied refulgence ; where Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence , and Justice may be illustrated by constant practice ; and where Peace , with its garland of olive may so preside "in unity and love , " as to give to the parting moments of existence , a confident hope of a happy immortality in the Grand Lodge Above . We have before us , as practical examples of the benefits arising from such institutions
, not only the two great National Hospitals of Greenwich and Chelsea ; but private individuals have exemplified their utility by erecting and endowing Bead Houses , where the infirm labourer , and destitute widow may pass the evening of their lives in peace ; and they stand in various parts of England , as monuments of liberality , which are honourable to the founders , and irrefragable proofs of the prevalence of Christian feeling the sordid les which pride
, over princip or avarice may have endeavoured to infuse into the heart . In emulation of such sublime and holy feelings , we are informed that an Asylum of the same nature is in progress amongst the members of our bociety I know nof _—I care not—by whom the idea was first suggested , ( although his name will undoubtedl y be immortalized , and "is memory enshrined in the hearts of his Brethren : ) but I hail the VOL . IV . '