Charity And Relief

reality and a blessing . We must have enquiry , fair proper , courteous enquiry , but we also renuire the granting of temporary relief , not the forcing of a person into the workhouse , not the mistake , too often committed , of ignoring the commendable independence in English women

and Eng lish men and the dislike to seek the workhouse unless in absolute necessity . VVe have known a most useful charitable society , where the active agent was empowered , having ascertained the truth of the statement , to grant temporary reliet , and that is

the system we wish to see adopted , instead of the superabundance of enquiry , but the negation of relief now in fashion . There is no reason why the two systems should not work together , and we trust ere long to hear of a needful reform in this respect . But in the meantime let

none of us be ashamed to give , when we feel convinced that the case is a good one , and that a little timely help may aid a poor brother or sister in the hour of need . The gentle and genial teaching of Freemasonry bids us compassionate the wants of a suffering brother or sister of the

dust , and provided the applicant has a " fair claim " on our consideration , and we feel sure is but a too true emblem of " honest poverty , " then may we well call to mind language familiar to us all , that charity is twice blessed , in that it blesses him who gives as well as him who receives .

Perfectly Right

PERFECTLY RIGHT

A worthy correspondent , signing himself " Delta , " whose letter we published last week , seems rather to object on grounds of " Masonic service" to the presentation of a diamond ring by some brethren of a lodge to a fair sister of ours . We are always willing to recognize Masonic ser vices and Masonic merit , but we do not see what

they have to do with the matter in the case before us , as the presenters offered the valuable token of regard to the gentle " presentee " offered it on no such grounds , and for no such reasons , we may well believe . Whatever may have been the reason which prompted this act of Masonic gallantry , it

clearly could have nothing to do with Masonry proper , and therefore we think , in the first place , that our excellent brother , the complainant , is " nonsuited , " and completely " out of court , " and in the second place we venture to hold that such presentation was in very " good form , " and reflects no little credit on the sound sense of those

who stepped a little out of routine to offer a token of regard and affection to their sister . We often , it appears , to us , ignore too much , not only how friendly our lady friends are to Freemasonry , but how much they do for it , in various quite feminine ways . Some wives could tell a tale of latish

hotirs , & c , but they are most discreet , and say nothing . Not a few might fairly complain of solitary evenings , when Bro . Jiggins is illuminating the lodge with his wisdom , when Bro . Horner is charming it with his song , and when Bro . Jackson is returning thanks for the "dear creatures . " As a

rule ladies are most interested in Masonry , ( as all sensible women should be ) , and often display the warmest and kindest feelings towards the lod ge of which their husbands , or brothers , or cousins—yes—and " young men "—form a part .

In one good lodge we could name , ( and the list could soon be lengthened ) , much of the workable furniture of the lodge was prepared by the read y hands of kindly sisters . When this last presentation was made and we think wisel yit was

, no doubt the consequence of some prevailing feeling on the part of the donors . Perhaps those good brethren thought the gift to the wife would give pleasure to the husband . Some husbands like presents to their wives . Perhaps those good

brethren themselves had pleasing memories of that gracious hospitality which woman always so charming ly dispenses , and could recall many evidences of interest in them , and , many pleasant of

uays yore , many long hours of Masonic acquaintances . So as those brethren , like their worth y P . M ., valued aright " animae dimidium if' . } Y very properly presented that good rVZ i . diamond ring ^ token of brotherly regard and Masonic good-will . And , pace our good f „ end » Delta , " we think that such an ex-

Perfectly Right

ample deserves to be followed , rather than to be found fault with . Such an act merits praise rather than criticism . We know not a few fair sisters of ours who like Freemasonry , and do not object to Freemasons ; and we can conceive no better development of the chivalry of our young Masons , than to offer to those smiling faces , those

warm hearts , and those taper fingers , the Masonic souvenir of a diamond ring , which we trust to be able to record in the friendly p 3 ges of the Freemason , from time to time , as a proof , if proof be needed , that woman ' s grace and woman ' s friendliness , and woman ' s goodness can still find grateful brethren to recognize their worth , and blessing to our good old Craft .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do nut hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving ol the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , lu a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . 1

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . —OUR LUNCHEON . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dent Sir and Brother , — ^ . For the information of your readers , and , I also trust , to lead to an improvement in future in respect of courtesy to the ladies , allow me to trespass upon your

valuable space . On Monday , June 25 th , the Stewards and friends visited our Masonic Boys' School , for the purpose of witnessing the examination of the bo ) S , distribution of prizes , & c . That all present were delighted with the improvement and great progress the boys have made under their excellent master , Dr . Morris , there is no doubt . That brother

deserves the warmest thanks for his great care in not only educating , but in the production of happiness to our dear orphan children ( " May Heaven bless and prosper them , " I heard a lady say ; and another " How well they look —happy , chee . rful , and full of life . " ) To this I could only say Amen , and may their after course in life be marked by honesty and perseverance , never

forgetting in their prosperity the institution that reared them . But I am diverging from my subject— ,-Our Luncheon . " On the occasion of the annual visit of Stewards the fair sex , consisting of wives , daughters , mothers , and sisters of Masons , form a large majority , and properly so , for there are few opportunities in Masonry for the ladies to take any share in the pleasure ofwork and interest , and knowing how

full the heart of a good woman is of charity , we cannot , as Masons , show her too much of the excellent working of our institutions . Now it must be admitted that however well the management of our institutions may be , without the annual Stewards , who work hard , the receipts would be very different . Therefore , I think that no trouble should be spared by all concerned to endeavour to make the ladies

welcome . On the annual visit a quiet and inexpensive luncheon is prepared ( and properly so ) for the ladies , & c . This luncheon could be prepared by the permanent staff of cooks , who every day have to provide for over 200 , including boys . Last Monday , after a rush , we are seated at a table , with plenty of good things , including empty glasses for

champagne , hock , & c . ( no ale glasses ) . I was seated opposite some ribs of lamb , which 1 immediately carved foi the ladies , and the meal commenced , without a sign of drink . A small card now showed itself , headed " Institution , & c . —Wine List—Bertram and Roberts , " which informed us , Moet's champagne , gs ., and Bertram and Robert ' s ( very kind of them to send their own ) , 6 s . ; Claret from 3 s .

upwards , and lemonade ( Taylor ' s ) only 6 d . per bottle ; ale , is . and 6 d . per bottle . There was also a room in the playground , where you could obtain refreshment at similar prices . Now , Mr . Editor , I have told all , and it is off my mind . What do you think of it ? Why not get a wine merchant ' s licence , and make our dear Master not only Head Master ,

( a position never better filled ) but our Wine Steward . See what a profit we can make . Let me repeat , as this gathering is for the ladies , I think that this is a very uncomfortable state of things , and ought to be differently provided for , as it is both annoying to our fair sisters , and places many of us in an invidious position . Cannot the Stewards on some future occasion

provide the small quantity of wine needful for the ladies , without causing the gathering to assume the appearance of an outing to a " restaurant ? " or are there no brtthren to be found in this age of chivalry who will readily assume the part of special ladies' Stewards for the day ? I believe that no want of volunteers would be found in so good a cause . Yours fraternally , A SPECIAL STEWARD . ( Summoned at three o'clock . )

MASONIC LOTTERIES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have read Bro . Binckes ' s letter with the attention it deserves , and hasten to send to you a few friendly comments upon it . I hope to write in the aame spirit as

he has written , and I shall be glad to think that we shall , ( let us hope ) , carry on a fraternal controversy in that kindly temper which especially becomes Freemasons . He , like myself , has frequently heard the same remark , " You are wonderfully fine fellows for talking about ' brotherly love , ' but whenever you get into print you are no better than other people . * Indeed , I think you become the most

Original Correspondence.

uncharitable dogs I know of anywhere . " For once let our astute censors be proved to be mistaken . Bro . Binckes , though he deems my views " exaggerated and untenable , " admits them to be honest in themselves , which they certainly are , and did I nu think that there certainly was something in them , I would not obtrude them on your readers . But I know that many of

my brethren , equally with myself , have looked with regret on this growing combination of charity and chance . If I understand Bro . Binckes aright , he objects to the term " gambling , " as applied to Bro . Constable ' s lottery , on account of the absence of actual personal gain . I admit that there is some difference apparently , as between the man who at Monaco puts down one

Napoleon , and hopes by so risking a small sum to obtain a large one , and the Mason who pays one shilling and obtains a life-governorship , value £ 10 —200 times in excess of his original stake . But the difference is very small , practically , the essence of the act is the same ; is an appeal to a risk on " chances , " and for the purpose of winning a sum of money . For

though Bro . Jenkins , who has drawn a lucky number , docs not get the money paid to him , he receives what is worth £ 10 for is . by a " fluke , " to use a common expression , and three votes for life . Surely on every ground this looks like the principle of gambling , though I do not use the word offensively . For it is a great gain , as I have before said , which the winner

in Bro . Constable's lottery obtains , though there is no considerable personal gain to himself . And if that be the true test of gambling , Hear that / logically , Bro . Constable ' s lottery can hardly be upheld , as it will require a very finedrawn discrimination indeed to separate it from any common lottery forbidden by the law on this very ground , that the excitement of the principle of cupidity is prejudicial

to the body politic , as well as to the individual mind . Whether the gain be more or less , direct or indirect , material or positional , matters nothing for the purpose of my argument . Charity , which is based upon the double principle rjf personal benevolence and self-abnegation , has nothing in common , and ought never , in my opinion , to be associated with the principles of a lottery , which onlv

appeals positively , ( regard it as you will ) to the individual love of gain—the selfishness , actually , of the " homo . " 1 do not mean to say—Heaven torbid—that all who bought shilling tickets in Bro . Constable ' s lottery were actuated by a desire of gain , or any such ignoble aim , but I am objecting to the principle of a lottery as applied to the Masonic Charities , and I am constrained to repeat

that , defend it as you will , uphold it as you may , ( because directed to a good cause ) , it does not in any sense harmonise with the true teaching and action of genuine charity—which gives as a duty , and gives on principle . II . Bro . Binckes very properly gives up at once " the end justifies the means" argument , so I will not prolong the discussion on this head , though I believe he rather

makes the end of the lottery take the " support of a deserving institution which has charity for its object , " and this is surely a gentle assertion of the old formula that you may " do evil " to bring about " good . " I have heard this defence made for the lottery system , and so I thought it needful to deal with it . III . I am not myself much concerned with the question

of " success " and " non-success " further than this— that it is to the growth of the lotteries that I object , for one , and I know with many more , and I cannot see without alarm the extension of a principle of action which I de-em e qually unsafe and unsound . IV . I confess that Bro . Binckes ' s argument , however able , does not remove my objection to the lottery system

as a matter of policy . Many of those who gain / , ' ro for one shilling and three votes for life are quite able to pay £ 10 , and I fear that the increase of the lottery system will make many say , " I will run my chance by paying one shilling rather than qualify by paying £ 10 . " But I do not wish to take an exaggerated view of the whole question , and least of all to find fault with zealous exertions .

I am only anxious to call attention to what I tnink unsound and questionable as regards the great principle of Masonic charity . I for one equally object to the " pious raffle" and the "Masonic lottery , " and though not actually , perhaps , of any great consequence , yet they constitute , in my humble opinion , an unsound manifestation , whether as relates to principle or practice .

I have said my say , " quantum valet , " and leave it to the friendly criticism of my courteous opponent and your readers . I quite agree with Bro . Binckes that Bro . Constable's exertions are alike remarkable and meritorious in the highest degiee . I note that he sent in a list of /" i 20 o , and as that

represents £ 800 for his list over and above the lottery , it necessarily represents an enormous amount of labour , and points out Bro . Constable as a most successful pleader in his own lodge and elsewhere for the Koyal Masonic Institution for Boys . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , VV . F .

To the Editor of the " Freemaiou . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I think Bro . W . F . deserves our thanks for hi-i letter in your paper of the 30 th ult ., his remarks seem to apply directly to a conversation I had with a brother a member of our own lodge , a few days after the drawing . I was asked the question if the Life Governors of the Boys ' scnooi not

were connnea to freemasons , and if anyone outside the pale of Freemasonry could become a Governor of one of our noble institutions , of couise I answered that the institution was purely Masonic . To my surprise I was told that the fortunate holder of the ticket , No . 4540 , was ^ not a Mason , nor had ever subscribed to any lodge , but that some friend had persuaded him to purchase a shilling ticket ( only a shilling ) , and that lie had