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Article FOREIGN FREEMASONRY IN 1878. ← Page 2 of 2 Article ULTRAMONTANISM AND FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article ULTRAMONTANISM AND FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article IN MEMORIAM. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article THE MASONIC CHARITIES. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Foreign Freemasonry In 1878.
So sang Dibdin of old , and so say we in 1879 . May the old Craft keep still to the fore in this year of grace and light , 1879 .
Ultramontanism And Freemasonry.
ULTRAMONTANISM AND FREEMASONRY .
The restless spirit of Ultramontanism just now cannot leave Freemasonry alone . It is , to use a French expression , its " bete noire , " or , as we should put it , its "bit of red rag . " The mere mention of its name suffices to make its Popes , its cardinals , archbishops , bishops , to say nothing
of its " seminary priests , " lose their heads , their reason , and their charity . The last deliverance of this kind , which 1878 has witnessed , is the very foolish , and we may add , mendacious " mandement" of the Bishop of Nismes , Monseigneur Besson , in which he reproduces , and repeats all
the calumnies , all the shameful libels , which Ultramontane traducers and Jesuit accusers have so industriously circulated and heaped upon Freemasons . According to this most charitable and correct Bishop Besson , Freemasonry is a vast secret political body , an aggregation of assassins
and revolutionists , whose one mission is to destroy the Roman Catholic Church and to uproot society , the l aw , and all social organization . Therefore in the words of previous Jesuit calumniators for whose ly ing words there is not the slightest pretence or even excuse , he proceeds
gravely to assert—in an episcopal charge—that since 1785 Freemasonry has been a combination to destroy society and religion , to murder monarchs , and to revolutionize nations . The extraordinary jumble of accusations , with which he " piles up
the agony , " is alike amusing and absurd in the hig hest degree . At the Convent of Wilhelmsbad , in 1785 , he declares the Freemasons decided to destroy Louis XVI . ; the Freemasons were the cause of the death of Gustavus the III . of Sweden
at the masked ball , the Freemasons imprisoned Pope Pius VII . at Valence , and made Napoleon III . go to war with Italy . Freemasonry has recently poisoned , ( so says this good man ) , the Archbishop of Quito , and the President of Equador , and has driven Brazilian and German bishops into
exile and p lundered them . Can any one believe that a Roman Catholic Bishop could talk such nonsense , such absolute rubbish , in a so-called serious charge > Yet , there it is , as you can see , in La Semaine Franr . aise , and page 58 1 of the Freemason . Without taking the trouble ,
( for it would be an insult to our readers ) , to wade through this tissue of " malice and mendacity , " we will take two points , as facts of history , to shew how utterly ignorant Bishop Besson is of what he so complacently chatters . The Convent of Wilhelmsbad in 1782 ,
was a purely Christian movement of the so-called Strict Observance , presided over by the wellknown Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick , at which a large number of noblemen and gentlemen assembled , most anti-revolutionary . At this convent the Templar Order of the Strict Observance
and the Clerical Observance , which Von Hund and Starck had founded , was changed into " Knig hts of Benevolence , " but purely Christian , andhaving nothing in common with Freemasonry . Starck some say was a Jesuit , atany rate eventually a Roman Catholic , and died one , and Von Hund
died in the odour of Roman Catholic sanctity and is buried before the high altar of Melrichstadt . Be it also remembered that the " Illuminati , " with whom Freemasonry is confounded , were not Freemasons , but were established by a Roman Catholic professor , who died at Gotha ,
a Roman Catholic , an exile from his native land . In this sense , to Roman Catholicism as the origin rather than to Freemasonry , ( which has ever ignored them ) , must fairly be attributed the creation of those pernicious secret societes , like the Illuminati with their countless ramifications and
developments , which , in former days brought such evil on society and on the world , and which as "Lothair" tells us , are still at work , and potent for evils many and great . It is no concern of ours , ( neither does it affect the argument ,
let us observe , ) that in some countries , just now , Fieemasonry seems to be laying itself open to the charge of becoming a secret society . That is a very deplorable fact , per se , but it is one which does not affect Freemasonry in general , however
Ultramontanism And Freemasonry.
it may disgrace it m particular . Cosmopolitan Freemasonry , we repeat , knows nothing of such teaching or such revolutionary ideas . It is a religious , benevolent , God-fearing , lawobserving , Order , and is always to be found , where it is faithful to its abiding principles , on the side of peace , order , and . egality , and an
opponent of social anarchy , and intestine commotion . It is a loyal , genial , tolerant , friendly , brotherhood , and thus goes on its way , heedless alike of the curses or the praise of men , disregarding Ultramontane impertinences , and laughing heartily at such puerile opponents as Monseigneur Besson .
In Memoriam.
IN MEMORIAM .
The Craft at large , and the metropolitan brethren in particular , will hear with deep regret , the lamented departure from amongst us of our worthy ¦ Bro . Benjamin Head , who died on the 24 th December , in his 7 8 th year . Bro . Head , whose services to Masonry , to Grand Lodge , and
the Chanties , above all , are well known , will be a very " missed man" amongst us . When many read these lines of ours they will sincerely regret to think , that they no more shall greet the " pleasant presence " or clasp the warm hand of Bro . Head , that it will be theirs no longer to
profit by the singularly matured wisdom and kindly moderation of his energetic mind and warm heart . Bro . Benjamin Head has , we understand , been for some time ailing , and had not long ago recovered from a severe illness , but though he leaves us in a
" green old age , " his place will be hard to fill , and his loss will be long sincerely mourned and felt by all who knew him , all who valued him , and all who loved him . Thus the close of 18 7 8 will ever appeal to all London brethren especially , with regretful memories , in the realization of the
loss of so wise a counsellor , so true a friend , and so sincere a brother Mason , as Bro . Benjamin Head . We have also to mention another name , as added to the list of our Masonic worthies departed , which will be a name most familiar to London Masons , and well known to the Craft .
We have to announce with sincere regret the death of our lamented Bro . John Boyd . His services as a Masonic Preceptor , especially in the Royal Arch Grade , are too well known to need comment or encomium , but we feel sure that we express the feeling of our entire fraternity
and of our London brethren in particular , when we say , that his valuable labours for Masonry will long be gratefully remembered by his friends and companions and that his memory , will always be endeared to them , as a true , a honoured , a most worthy and kindly brother .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
PROFESSION AND PRACTICE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Bro . Kenning , — Though I think your Editor is quite light in leaving the " Grand Orient" to itself , as it seems doubtful whether it is really any longer a true Masonic jurisdiction ,
I am of opinion that it is equally proper in your cosmopolitan and impartial pages to call attention to what 1 deem a most melancholy proof of the real decadence of French Freemasonry . This , according to my view , ( though unlike thc Grand Orient and the Pope , I do not profess to claim infallibility ) ,
is to be found in the last " Budget , " and anything more absolutely unsatisfactory , I have never perused , or more suggestive of its present abasement , more symptomatic of its future fall . ' Its accounts have long since been pointed out as most peculiar and dubious , and I will defy anyone to tell me on
the present statement , whether the Grand Orient is in a state of solvency or insolvency . The Grand Orient bepan with a balance , in March ,. 1877 , of 1167 . 50 francs , or £ 4 6 19 s . 8 d . The receipts from all sources for the 12 months amounted to 133 , 954 . 6 5 francs , or £ 5414 15 s .
in round numbers ; its expenses to 131 , 782 . 50 francs , or £ 5320 , in round numbers . The balance on the 28 th February , 18 7 8 , was 2175 . 15 francs , or £ 87 3 s ., in round numbers . Of this amount £ 5414 15 s ., the only sum devoted to charity that I can find , is 12 , 822 . 75 francs , or £ 518 , 15 s in round numbers , and this is paid by collections , specia '
Original Correspondence.
gifts , temporary special payments , and £ 200 interest on certain funds . The " cours gratuits" of instruction cost £ 160 , towards which the Grand Orient receives 5 , 8 9 8 . 125 francs , or £ 237 iod . The travelling expenses swallow up 16 , 000 francs , or £ 640 . The office expenses cost 28 , 000 francs in round numbers , or £ 1120 . But I cannot understand what is the exact position o
the Grand Orient and the Societe' Civile . Thc Grand Orient lets out lodge rooms for 20 , 092 . 15 francs , £ 802 16 s . but it also pays for " loyer , " or rent , in 1878 , and will pay the same in 1879 , 15 , 000 Irancs , or £ 600 . I can only suppose that the Grand Orient " sublets" to thc lodges from the " Societe Civile . " Perhaps some French brother can explain this fact . I fear that French Freemasonry under the
Grand Orient has many troubles to •contend with , owing to its suicidal policy and dark days before it , under the patronage of political partisans ; but'I think it well to point out to your readers , as the moral of this letter , that a great body which spends £ 640 on the travelling expenses of its members , and only gives for all purposes of Masonic relief £ gi 8 10 s ., seems to ] the reflecting mind a burlesque on the name of Freemasonry . For it will be then seen that the
travelling expenses and the office expenses cost £ 1760 , as against charity £ 518 . There is a payment to the Societe ? Civile , in addition , of 24 , 000 . 60 francs , £ 9 60 . I have put these figures as clearly before your readers as I can , but they still seem to me very obscure , and if any French brother can throw light upon them , simply as a matter of fact , I shall be greatly obliged , and I have no doubt your readers will too . I am , dear Bro . Kenning , yours fraternally , MASKELYNE .
The Masonic Charities.
THE MASONIC CHARITIES .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I think it may safely be affirmed that there are few members of our Order better acquainted with Masonic statistics than my esteemed friend , Bro . James Terry , and those who , like myself , have long enjoyed the pleasure of
knowing him , will readily concede that from the ingenuous frankness of his character , he would not make any statement incapable of proof . These premises being granted , it follows as a natural corollary that any serious utterance of Bro . Terry commands and deserves attention . In the interesting report , given in your issue of the 28 th
ult ., of the consecration of the Kennington Chapter ( vide Freemason , vol . XI ., page 601 ) , Bro . Terry is reported to have made a statement which ought to be printed in letters of gold and be placed in thc hands of every brother throughout the length and breadth of the land . The statement was as follows : — " If every Mason gave five shillings a year to
each Institution , the Institutions would never require a festival or an election , as they would be able to meet every demand made upon them . " Consider , for one moment , what this short sentence implies . Five shillings to each Institution means fifteen shillings a year—in other words , one half-penny per day I Can it be supposed that anyone among us is unable to
afford this trifle ? If so , I venture to think that it would be well for himself , as also for his family , if he withdrew from our Order . Bro . Terry tells us that , if every member of the Craft made this small contribution , no festivals would be required . Now it will , I think , be universally admitted that we can well dispense with the festivals , provided the object
of them ( raising lunds ) be attained by other means . The festivals entail a vast amount of labour to the sev - eral Secretaries ; to a certain extent they bring , I fear , discredit to the Craft , as the outside world naturally imagines the £ 10 , 000 or £ 12 , 000 collected is in some way or other due to the festivity , than which a greater error cannot exist , the fact being that the Stewards' lists arc made up and
handed in before the banquet . Therefore , if the income of the Institutions be otherwise secured , the abolition of the festivals will be a loss to no one excepting to the tavernkeeper . But it is Bro . Terry ' s second point to which I would especially draw attention . Fifteen shillings a year from every Mason would obviate the necessity of elections 1
Wnat does this not mean ? A brother dies—his widow , in straitened circumstances , seeks the election of her child to one of our Schools —or , a poor widow is a candidate for the Benevolent Institution . How many weary journeys do they take ? How many ill-afforded postage stamps do they employ ? How many anxious hours do they spend in their endeavour to
secure the election ? If all this can be avoided , by so small a sacrifice from each of us , surely it ought to be done ; and if Bro . Terry's speech be the means of accomplishing it , he will gain thc gratitude cf hundreds of present and future applicants for the benefits of our noble Institutions . Bro . Terry has touched upon a weak point in our system .
We need only look at the several lists of subscribers to see that the Institutions are supported by a comparatively few . What is wanted is not only the guineas of the few , but the crowns from all . Let it be remembered that " unity is strength , " and every Mason should feel it a duty incumbent upon him to make , at least , a small annual contribution to each of the Institutions . If the whole Craft
were to co-operate as Bro . Terry suggests , the lists of the subscribers would form three portly volumes . In concluding this letter ( for the length of which I apologize ) I venture to hope that means may be devised lor bringing this subject prominently before e \ ery ledge under the English Constitution . If every W . M . were to use his influence how much might be done 1 Faithfully and fraternally jours , P . M . OF A LONDON LODGE .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Foreign Freemasonry In 1878.
So sang Dibdin of old , and so say we in 1879 . May the old Craft keep still to the fore in this year of grace and light , 1879 .
Ultramontanism And Freemasonry.
ULTRAMONTANISM AND FREEMASONRY .
The restless spirit of Ultramontanism just now cannot leave Freemasonry alone . It is , to use a French expression , its " bete noire , " or , as we should put it , its "bit of red rag . " The mere mention of its name suffices to make its Popes , its cardinals , archbishops , bishops , to say nothing
of its " seminary priests , " lose their heads , their reason , and their charity . The last deliverance of this kind , which 1878 has witnessed , is the very foolish , and we may add , mendacious " mandement" of the Bishop of Nismes , Monseigneur Besson , in which he reproduces , and repeats all
the calumnies , all the shameful libels , which Ultramontane traducers and Jesuit accusers have so industriously circulated and heaped upon Freemasons . According to this most charitable and correct Bishop Besson , Freemasonry is a vast secret political body , an aggregation of assassins
and revolutionists , whose one mission is to destroy the Roman Catholic Church and to uproot society , the l aw , and all social organization . Therefore in the words of previous Jesuit calumniators for whose ly ing words there is not the slightest pretence or even excuse , he proceeds
gravely to assert—in an episcopal charge—that since 1785 Freemasonry has been a combination to destroy society and religion , to murder monarchs , and to revolutionize nations . The extraordinary jumble of accusations , with which he " piles up
the agony , " is alike amusing and absurd in the hig hest degree . At the Convent of Wilhelmsbad , in 1785 , he declares the Freemasons decided to destroy Louis XVI . ; the Freemasons were the cause of the death of Gustavus the III . of Sweden
at the masked ball , the Freemasons imprisoned Pope Pius VII . at Valence , and made Napoleon III . go to war with Italy . Freemasonry has recently poisoned , ( so says this good man ) , the Archbishop of Quito , and the President of Equador , and has driven Brazilian and German bishops into
exile and p lundered them . Can any one believe that a Roman Catholic Bishop could talk such nonsense , such absolute rubbish , in a so-called serious charge > Yet , there it is , as you can see , in La Semaine Franr . aise , and page 58 1 of the Freemason . Without taking the trouble ,
( for it would be an insult to our readers ) , to wade through this tissue of " malice and mendacity , " we will take two points , as facts of history , to shew how utterly ignorant Bishop Besson is of what he so complacently chatters . The Convent of Wilhelmsbad in 1782 ,
was a purely Christian movement of the so-called Strict Observance , presided over by the wellknown Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick , at which a large number of noblemen and gentlemen assembled , most anti-revolutionary . At this convent the Templar Order of the Strict Observance
and the Clerical Observance , which Von Hund and Starck had founded , was changed into " Knig hts of Benevolence , " but purely Christian , andhaving nothing in common with Freemasonry . Starck some say was a Jesuit , atany rate eventually a Roman Catholic , and died one , and Von Hund
died in the odour of Roman Catholic sanctity and is buried before the high altar of Melrichstadt . Be it also remembered that the " Illuminati , " with whom Freemasonry is confounded , were not Freemasons , but were established by a Roman Catholic professor , who died at Gotha ,
a Roman Catholic , an exile from his native land . In this sense , to Roman Catholicism as the origin rather than to Freemasonry , ( which has ever ignored them ) , must fairly be attributed the creation of those pernicious secret societes , like the Illuminati with their countless ramifications and
developments , which , in former days brought such evil on society and on the world , and which as "Lothair" tells us , are still at work , and potent for evils many and great . It is no concern of ours , ( neither does it affect the argument ,
let us observe , ) that in some countries , just now , Fieemasonry seems to be laying itself open to the charge of becoming a secret society . That is a very deplorable fact , per se , but it is one which does not affect Freemasonry in general , however
Ultramontanism And Freemasonry.
it may disgrace it m particular . Cosmopolitan Freemasonry , we repeat , knows nothing of such teaching or such revolutionary ideas . It is a religious , benevolent , God-fearing , lawobserving , Order , and is always to be found , where it is faithful to its abiding principles , on the side of peace , order , and . egality , and an
opponent of social anarchy , and intestine commotion . It is a loyal , genial , tolerant , friendly , brotherhood , and thus goes on its way , heedless alike of the curses or the praise of men , disregarding Ultramontane impertinences , and laughing heartily at such puerile opponents as Monseigneur Besson .
In Memoriam.
IN MEMORIAM .
The Craft at large , and the metropolitan brethren in particular , will hear with deep regret , the lamented departure from amongst us of our worthy ¦ Bro . Benjamin Head , who died on the 24 th December , in his 7 8 th year . Bro . Head , whose services to Masonry , to Grand Lodge , and
the Chanties , above all , are well known , will be a very " missed man" amongst us . When many read these lines of ours they will sincerely regret to think , that they no more shall greet the " pleasant presence " or clasp the warm hand of Bro . Head , that it will be theirs no longer to
profit by the singularly matured wisdom and kindly moderation of his energetic mind and warm heart . Bro . Benjamin Head has , we understand , been for some time ailing , and had not long ago recovered from a severe illness , but though he leaves us in a
" green old age , " his place will be hard to fill , and his loss will be long sincerely mourned and felt by all who knew him , all who valued him , and all who loved him . Thus the close of 18 7 8 will ever appeal to all London brethren especially , with regretful memories , in the realization of the
loss of so wise a counsellor , so true a friend , and so sincere a brother Mason , as Bro . Benjamin Head . We have also to mention another name , as added to the list of our Masonic worthies departed , which will be a name most familiar to London Masons , and well known to the Craft .
We have to announce with sincere regret the death of our lamented Bro . John Boyd . His services as a Masonic Preceptor , especially in the Royal Arch Grade , are too well known to need comment or encomium , but we feel sure that we express the feeling of our entire fraternity
and of our London brethren in particular , when we say , that his valuable labours for Masonry will long be gratefully remembered by his friends and companions and that his memory , will always be endeared to them , as a true , a honoured , a most worthy and kindly brother .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
PROFESSION AND PRACTICE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Bro . Kenning , — Though I think your Editor is quite light in leaving the " Grand Orient" to itself , as it seems doubtful whether it is really any longer a true Masonic jurisdiction ,
I am of opinion that it is equally proper in your cosmopolitan and impartial pages to call attention to what 1 deem a most melancholy proof of the real decadence of French Freemasonry . This , according to my view , ( though unlike thc Grand Orient and the Pope , I do not profess to claim infallibility ) ,
is to be found in the last " Budget , " and anything more absolutely unsatisfactory , I have never perused , or more suggestive of its present abasement , more symptomatic of its future fall . ' Its accounts have long since been pointed out as most peculiar and dubious , and I will defy anyone to tell me on
the present statement , whether the Grand Orient is in a state of solvency or insolvency . The Grand Orient bepan with a balance , in March ,. 1877 , of 1167 . 50 francs , or £ 4 6 19 s . 8 d . The receipts from all sources for the 12 months amounted to 133 , 954 . 6 5 francs , or £ 5414 15 s .
in round numbers ; its expenses to 131 , 782 . 50 francs , or £ 5320 , in round numbers . The balance on the 28 th February , 18 7 8 , was 2175 . 15 francs , or £ 87 3 s ., in round numbers . Of this amount £ 5414 15 s ., the only sum devoted to charity that I can find , is 12 , 822 . 75 francs , or £ 518 , 15 s in round numbers , and this is paid by collections , specia '
Original Correspondence.
gifts , temporary special payments , and £ 200 interest on certain funds . The " cours gratuits" of instruction cost £ 160 , towards which the Grand Orient receives 5 , 8 9 8 . 125 francs , or £ 237 iod . The travelling expenses swallow up 16 , 000 francs , or £ 640 . The office expenses cost 28 , 000 francs in round numbers , or £ 1120 . But I cannot understand what is the exact position o
the Grand Orient and the Societe' Civile . Thc Grand Orient lets out lodge rooms for 20 , 092 . 15 francs , £ 802 16 s . but it also pays for " loyer , " or rent , in 1878 , and will pay the same in 1879 , 15 , 000 Irancs , or £ 600 . I can only suppose that the Grand Orient " sublets" to thc lodges from the " Societe Civile . " Perhaps some French brother can explain this fact . I fear that French Freemasonry under the
Grand Orient has many troubles to •contend with , owing to its suicidal policy and dark days before it , under the patronage of political partisans ; but'I think it well to point out to your readers , as the moral of this letter , that a great body which spends £ 640 on the travelling expenses of its members , and only gives for all purposes of Masonic relief £ gi 8 10 s ., seems to ] the reflecting mind a burlesque on the name of Freemasonry . For it will be then seen that the
travelling expenses and the office expenses cost £ 1760 , as against charity £ 518 . There is a payment to the Societe ? Civile , in addition , of 24 , 000 . 60 francs , £ 9 60 . I have put these figures as clearly before your readers as I can , but they still seem to me very obscure , and if any French brother can throw light upon them , simply as a matter of fact , I shall be greatly obliged , and I have no doubt your readers will too . I am , dear Bro . Kenning , yours fraternally , MASKELYNE .
The Masonic Charities.
THE MASONIC CHARITIES .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I think it may safely be affirmed that there are few members of our Order better acquainted with Masonic statistics than my esteemed friend , Bro . James Terry , and those who , like myself , have long enjoyed the pleasure of
knowing him , will readily concede that from the ingenuous frankness of his character , he would not make any statement incapable of proof . These premises being granted , it follows as a natural corollary that any serious utterance of Bro . Terry commands and deserves attention . In the interesting report , given in your issue of the 28 th
ult ., of the consecration of the Kennington Chapter ( vide Freemason , vol . XI ., page 601 ) , Bro . Terry is reported to have made a statement which ought to be printed in letters of gold and be placed in thc hands of every brother throughout the length and breadth of the land . The statement was as follows : — " If every Mason gave five shillings a year to
each Institution , the Institutions would never require a festival or an election , as they would be able to meet every demand made upon them . " Consider , for one moment , what this short sentence implies . Five shillings to each Institution means fifteen shillings a year—in other words , one half-penny per day I Can it be supposed that anyone among us is unable to
afford this trifle ? If so , I venture to think that it would be well for himself , as also for his family , if he withdrew from our Order . Bro . Terry tells us that , if every member of the Craft made this small contribution , no festivals would be required . Now it will , I think , be universally admitted that we can well dispense with the festivals , provided the object
of them ( raising lunds ) be attained by other means . The festivals entail a vast amount of labour to the sev - eral Secretaries ; to a certain extent they bring , I fear , discredit to the Craft , as the outside world naturally imagines the £ 10 , 000 or £ 12 , 000 collected is in some way or other due to the festivity , than which a greater error cannot exist , the fact being that the Stewards' lists arc made up and
handed in before the banquet . Therefore , if the income of the Institutions be otherwise secured , the abolition of the festivals will be a loss to no one excepting to the tavernkeeper . But it is Bro . Terry ' s second point to which I would especially draw attention . Fifteen shillings a year from every Mason would obviate the necessity of elections 1
Wnat does this not mean ? A brother dies—his widow , in straitened circumstances , seeks the election of her child to one of our Schools —or , a poor widow is a candidate for the Benevolent Institution . How many weary journeys do they take ? How many ill-afforded postage stamps do they employ ? How many anxious hours do they spend in their endeavour to
secure the election ? If all this can be avoided , by so small a sacrifice from each of us , surely it ought to be done ; and if Bro . Terry's speech be the means of accomplishing it , he will gain thc gratitude cf hundreds of present and future applicants for the benefits of our noble Institutions . Bro . Terry has touched upon a weak point in our system .
We need only look at the several lists of subscribers to see that the Institutions are supported by a comparatively few . What is wanted is not only the guineas of the few , but the crowns from all . Let it be remembered that " unity is strength , " and every Mason should feel it a duty incumbent upon him to make , at least , a small annual contribution to each of the Institutions . If the whole Craft
were to co-operate as Bro . Terry suggests , the lists of the subscribers would form three portly volumes . In concluding this letter ( for the length of which I apologize ) I venture to hope that means may be devised lor bringing this subject prominently before e \ ery ledge under the English Constitution . If every W . M . were to use his influence how much might be done 1 Faithfully and fraternally jours , P . M . OF A LONDON LODGE .