Indiscriminate Charity.

INDISCRIMINATE CHARITY .

INDISCRIMINATE Masonic charity is many times a serious evil , instead of good , and often works harm for the fraternity . It affords too much encouragement to the professional beat , who knows he is sure of a quarter at least , for his persistence , and that he will be easily disposed of at that ; for it saves the donor the trouble of making any investigation as to his worthiness , and opens a field for quite an extensive business . For some reason these

frauds are not as common as they used to be , but they put in their appearance occasionally , and should be treated as their unworthiness deserves . It is not a good plan as a general rule to dispense Masonic charity in an individual way , for Masons in their individual capacity are not prepared with all the means , or time , for testing the worthiness of the applicants , and should refer all such cases of charity to the officers of the lodgewhose duty it is to make

investiga-, tion before dispensing alms . It is not all who can recite the lectures , and who are possessed with the secret language of the fraternity , who can prove themselves worthy , and this is an important factor to be considered before going down into your pockets for assistance . If he is not found worthy he should receive no encouragement in his nefarious raid upon the good feelings of the fraternity , who are

generally disposed to assist a brother whom they find in distressed circumstances ; but when they have been deceived a few times they harden their hearts toward all who appeal to them . The lodges should first look out for the needy ones in their own flock ; adopt the worn-out adage , " Let charity begin at home , " and practise it as liberally as their finances will allow ; but when one presents himself who is not

known , let him establish his worthiness before he is sent away replenished . A brother in another jurisdiction , commenting upon this subject , expresses his astonishment at the readiness with which American Masons are swindled ; for all our solemn and imposing machinery does not prevent the ploddingtramp to work his brazen face into our lodges , deplete our treasury , and pass triumphantly on to new fields .

And he asks : " How shall we protect ourselves ? Is there no way by which the Masonic Order can close its doors against brazen imposters ? The man who comes wrapped up in tho mantle of Masonic covenants , hailing us in the language of Heaven itself , and demanding aid ; will not somebod y tell us how to try that metal , whether it be gold or pinchbeck ?"

Experiences which have been brought to our notice during the twenty years of our connection w ith the fraternity , warrant , to some extent , the exclamations of our distinguished brother ; but we know of no other rule which will prevent the unworthy from continuing to thrive on the liberality of others , than that which has already been suggested ; and many times the mark of unworthiness is stamped so thoroughly on the individual , that little time or trouble is necessary to arrive at a safe conclusion on which to base action . A little

attention to this subject of indiscriminate charity will soon settle the business , so far as the gutters are concerned , and the fraternity will be the better for it , not only in pocket , but their benevolent disposition will not become hardened when objects of real charity shall present themselves . —Loomis' Musical and Masonic Monthly .