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GEtmtents . SA & B . FRSEMABOlfS' MAGAZIITE : — The War—Assistance to the Sick and Wounded 161 English Gilds 162 The St . Clair Charters 165 Masonic Jottings—No . 34 168 Masonic Notes and Queries 169

Correspondence 169 Masonic Sayings and Doings Abroad 170 MASOHIC Miitrton : — Grand Lodge—General Committee and Lodge of Benevolence 174 Masonic Mems 174 CPAET LODGE MEETINGS : — Provincial 174 Ireland 174 India 17 ^

New Zealand 174 Royal Arch 175 Mark Masonry 175 Masonic Festivities 175 The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 176 Masonic Incidents 179 Poetry , 180 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week isrj To Correspondents 180

The War.—Assistance To The Sick And Wounded.

THE WAR . —ASSISTANCE TO THE SICK AND WOUNDED .

LONDON , SATURDAY , AUGUST 27 , 1870 .

We find on all sides organisations for affording assistance so the sick and wounded in the fearful war now raging between two of the greatest powers of Europe . Ghastly details reach us day by day of fearful scenes of bloodshed , which must

excite pit y in the breasts of those in the enjoyment of peace and p lenty in our fair and happy land . And while rejoicing in our own immunit y from the horrors of war , it is bounden duty to alleviate the sufferings of our less fortunate

fellowcreatures . To none does this duty belong more than to the Masonic fraternity , whose bri ghtest jewels are charity and relief . In Prance and in Germany , organisations have been effected for this purpose .

As no such action has been taken b y the brethren in England , we intend to give as far as they come to our knowledge , an account of the different arrangements which have been made to afford the assistance so much needed , so that our brethren

may make their own choice as to the channel through which they may desire their contributions to be applied . We shall be happy to give publicit y in future numbers to any other organisation , and shall be obliged to any of our readers who

will kindly forward particulars . The first which claims our attention is the " Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War / '' The offices of the Central Committee are at No . 2 , St . Martin ' s-place , W . C . The Prince

of Wales is President , and the list of the Committee contains the names of the Duke of Cambridge , Prince Christian of Schleswi g Holstein , the

Secretary for War , the Duke of Manchester , Marqui 3 Kildare , Duke of Buccleugh , Earl of Shaftesbury , Earl Derby , Earl Dacre , the Marquis of Westminster , and numerous other distinguished personages . Amongst the names will be

recognised those of many influential members of the Craft . The following abstract from the society ' s prospectus will explain its objects : — - " The object of the Society is not in any way

political—it is absolutely impartial . It does not attempt to interfere with organised state machinery , or military medical staff , but only to assist them in relieving the miseries of war . " It recognises in every sick and wounded soldier of every nation a subject for its solicitude . Its aim

is to relieve the physical pain , and the mental trouble of the wounded man , from the moment of his wound to the date of his restoration to his friends . " While England is not at war , this Society will send surgeons and nurses , speaking the language of the belligerents , medical comforts of every kind , and whatever stores or supplies it may learn there is most need of for the care of sick and wounded of both

armies equally and impartially . Its agents with the head quarters of both armies will , from time to time communicate the chief wants , and they will be supplied ; and where it appears that grants of money will be the most efficacious mode of sending help , money will be sent . " The Society works under the Eed Crossadopted

, by the governments of Europe at the Convention of Geneva as the badge of neutrality . Its agents are respected as neutral , and succour the wounded of both sides alike . " If it were not self-evident that such must be the case , it is sufficiently proved by a study of the last

great wars—Crimean , 1854-5—Italian , 1 S 59—Danish , 186-4—Bohemian and Italian , 1866—as well as the American war of 1861-1864—that the medical staff of armies is invariably utterly unable to cope with the mass of suffering which follows a great battle . At Sollerino there were nearly 42 , 000 killed and wounded . Between May 4 th and June 20 th , 1864 , there were

8 , 48 / killed , and 44 , 261 wounded in the campaign in America . At Koeniggratz or Sadowa , there were upwards of 20 , 000 wounded . Three days and three nights passed before the wounded could be collected from the field after this battle . After the battle of Gitschin in the same campaign , wounded men were forty-eight hours without nourishment of any kind .

" This Society will assist the French and Prussian societies to relieve this misery—will send its own delegates to the field of battle if possible ; or will take charge of wounded men in hospitals , f ' reein ;; French and German surgeons and nurses for duty in the immediate front .

" Organisation is necessary—funds are necessary —Action must be immediate . Help given immediately is everything . Two days' delay after a battle , and the help might almost as well never be sent . The first two days' hel p is worth that of the next ten . " Finally , to guard and nourish the wounded sol . dier as he lies on the battle field—to remove him thence—to give him immediate surgical aid—to