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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
Master the propriety of ordering the Craft at large to wear masonic mourning for a certain period . This would , at once , have been a decided mark of the feelings of the brethren . It may be said we have no precedent—granted ; but although not a Mason herself , Queen Adelaide was the widow of an illustrious brother , who once presided over us—she was patroness of the best of our charities , the Girls' Asylum , wherein numbers have been trained to habits of industry and virtue , who
otherwise might have fallen to the lowest depths of misery antl vice . Many have that bright ornament of the masonic character , charity , read y enough on their lips ; but the lamented Queen Adelaide had it deeply , firmly rooted in her heart . It would have violated no principle , it would have endangered no landmark of the Order , had such a mark of respect been paid to her memory . The Board of General Purposes having drawn up a plan for ing
manag the new charity , for the Widows of Freemasons , the same was brought before the notice of Grand Lodge . The discussion of the details of the plan ( containing no less than forty-one resolutions ) , was very properly postponed to the next Quarterly Communieation . Bro . Whitmore was anxious for the postponement , with a view to the new charity being dove-tailed into the expected amalgamation of two existing institutions . Nowwhatever reason there may be for uniting the Benevolent Annuity
, Fund and the Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons , they are-not applicable to the present case . The fund for the relief of widows is a totally distinct institution , and ought to be kept entirely to itself . Bro . Whitmore further advocated the postponement on the ground , that it would be only fair to give Bro . Crucefix ( who was absent on account of
ill health ) an opportunity of being present , as he was the ori ginal promoter of the charity , and had himself drawn up a plan for its management . We were then entertained with some haver-ing about no proposition of Dr . Crucefix ' s ever having been confirmed—and why ?—here the astute knight of the lancet thought proper to be silent , but I will supply the information for him , viz ., the Doctor is too independent a member of Grand Lodge to follow in the wake of certain parties who virtually arrogate to themselves the office of Grand Master . Our trul
y charitable brother met with similar opposition in the cause of the Aged and Decayed Freemasons' Institution . And so will any brother be treated in Grand Lodge who is not a tool of the clique ; they think of the man , and not the measure . Bro . Philipe , with the most astounding modesty , then claimed the merit of originating the motion , and declared that it was entirely new , and totally distinct from that of Bro . Crucefix . The M . W . Grand Master made some very just observations in favour
of postponement , as well on the ground of fairness to the ori ginal proposer of the charity , as to the brethren at large , many of whom had not had an opportunity of considering the details . Your limits will not admit of many observations on the proposed rules ; but two or three of them claim particular notice . Rule 18 says— " That should any candidate be unsuccessful at three successive elections , the Committee shall have power to place her on the list of annuitantsprovided that they
; shall not so place on the fund more than two in any one year . " I cannot for one moment suppose , that any candidate would be thrice rejected b y the subscribers at large , without good ground for such rejection . But I can easily imagine the same candidate having some friends , possessed of interest enough , to shove her through the committee in spite of the whole body of governors . It is a power far too great to be trusted in
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
Master the propriety of ordering the Craft at large to wear masonic mourning for a certain period . This would , at once , have been a decided mark of the feelings of the brethren . It may be said we have no precedent—granted ; but although not a Mason herself , Queen Adelaide was the widow of an illustrious brother , who once presided over us—she was patroness of the best of our charities , the Girls' Asylum , wherein numbers have been trained to habits of industry and virtue , who
otherwise might have fallen to the lowest depths of misery antl vice . Many have that bright ornament of the masonic character , charity , read y enough on their lips ; but the lamented Queen Adelaide had it deeply , firmly rooted in her heart . It would have violated no principle , it would have endangered no landmark of the Order , had such a mark of respect been paid to her memory . The Board of General Purposes having drawn up a plan for ing
manag the new charity , for the Widows of Freemasons , the same was brought before the notice of Grand Lodge . The discussion of the details of the plan ( containing no less than forty-one resolutions ) , was very properly postponed to the next Quarterly Communieation . Bro . Whitmore was anxious for the postponement , with a view to the new charity being dove-tailed into the expected amalgamation of two existing institutions . Nowwhatever reason there may be for uniting the Benevolent Annuity
, Fund and the Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons , they are-not applicable to the present case . The fund for the relief of widows is a totally distinct institution , and ought to be kept entirely to itself . Bro . Whitmore further advocated the postponement on the ground , that it would be only fair to give Bro . Crucefix ( who was absent on account of
ill health ) an opportunity of being present , as he was the ori ginal promoter of the charity , and had himself drawn up a plan for its management . We were then entertained with some haver-ing about no proposition of Dr . Crucefix ' s ever having been confirmed—and why ?—here the astute knight of the lancet thought proper to be silent , but I will supply the information for him , viz ., the Doctor is too independent a member of Grand Lodge to follow in the wake of certain parties who virtually arrogate to themselves the office of Grand Master . Our trul
y charitable brother met with similar opposition in the cause of the Aged and Decayed Freemasons' Institution . And so will any brother be treated in Grand Lodge who is not a tool of the clique ; they think of the man , and not the measure . Bro . Philipe , with the most astounding modesty , then claimed the merit of originating the motion , and declared that it was entirely new , and totally distinct from that of Bro . Crucefix . The M . W . Grand Master made some very just observations in favour
of postponement , as well on the ground of fairness to the ori ginal proposer of the charity , as to the brethren at large , many of whom had not had an opportunity of considering the details . Your limits will not admit of many observations on the proposed rules ; but two or three of them claim particular notice . Rule 18 says— " That should any candidate be unsuccessful at three successive elections , the Committee shall have power to place her on the list of annuitantsprovided that they
; shall not so place on the fund more than two in any one year . " I cannot for one moment suppose , that any candidate would be thrice rejected b y the subscribers at large , without good ground for such rejection . But I can easily imagine the same candidate having some friends , possessed of interest enough , to shove her through the committee in spite of the whole body of governors . It is a power far too great to be trusted in