The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-11-04
Masonic Mission.


seem to be sufficiently answered by one under
the same caption published in the Press the
day following But as my name is used, and,
you have kindly offered me the use Of your
columns for "brief explanation" avail N.Y.
self of the opportunity.
There are three distinct points in the artl-
Gle alluded to deserving notice. A few words
upon each in their order4 rr9rrT
1st.-aQuestions relative to the disposition
of funds collected" OF this have no more
opportunity of knowing than others who read
what they who have the disposal Of them pub
lish-no more than did of the funds of the
Sanitary Commission while I was in its en-
ployment. i have ever supposed that nothing
but Legitimate, use would be made of the
funds of either of these institutions, and that
the character of the meninl charge would, in
both cases, be considered a sufficient guaranty
of fidelity, efficiency and honesty in the dis
posal of all funds collected. have heard no
complaint and shall not labor to defend an in
stitution nor individuals against merely sup
possible or possible crime of,which they are
mot accused. rs 2N9EE I9VV 10
2d.-"The intimation that the Masonic Mis-,
sion is New York State institution, in the
success Of which the fraternity Ia other
States had no special interest" here intro
duce an extract from a letter recently receiv-
edfrom R. McMuRDY,yD. D.,LL.D., GRAND
PRELATE OF GRAND ENcAMPMENT OF THE
UNITED STATES, and Editor of the National
Ffeemoson: gHG M0T2T{D 4
WASHINGTON CRY, Oct. 26, 1884
My Dear Brother; Your favor is receiv-
ed,-Ispent a day or two in New York. They
are, getting ready to do. Is 1t not well for
each one to do and thus stir up otherss 1t
appears to me if l were in your place would
go to work, dc, what could and thus lay the
foundation for a glorious practical result for
our order. From what saw in New York,
they will do and do well, and without refer
ence to local objects. = AIS Don't for a
moment think of abandoning this movement
s*ss*b - Ss3Sg Truly yours, "a r
- R. McMURDY.p
If DR.. McMurdy, the Board Of twenty-four
managers whose names have been sufficiently
before the public, and distinguished Masons
10 several States who are endorsing this
movement, together with the IA Lodges
comprising more than 10000 members In New
York City and suburbs, have. designed to in
stitute great fraud to be practised upon 9TH
era States, then woe to Masonry! This Mis-
sion has been represented from the beginning
as purely national. If it Is only local, then
1t is a base humbug, and have been most
egregiously deceived.
The Mission processes to furnish and sup
port nurses for hospitals in different and dis
taut States, and none in New York, as am
aware. At first it supplied only female nurs-
es who were most carefully selected and quail
| lied BY attending short courses of Lecturer
| given gratuitously, by eminent surgeons III
New York, and by books and private instruc-
ton; thus learning something of the theory,
before entering upon the practice Of their
profession. Now am informed that nals
nurses will hereafter be employed By the Mis-
sion, and few, if apy more females. 9 i
The next grand object Is, as Lam instruct
ed, to furnish various preyentives and miti-
giants of disease and pain, and such comforts
sins general as can be procured and given to
our sick and wounded soldiers in camp and in
hospital; and on the same general principles
as the Sanitary and Christian Commission do
their work. The furnishing Of valuable and
interesting reading for the soldiers is also.
am told, . specially Of the institution s..
| 3d.-"The Masonic bodies Of this city see
no reason why they should interest them
selves in It, but prefer that their members
should make the Sanitary or Christian Com
mission, or some other wellestablished organ
izatiop tia almoners of their charities to the
sick and wounded soldiers"
That is all very we'll. Fhey heye bad pre-
cious little solicitation from nae to interest
!! themselves insthe matter ], have putforth a
general appeal for money and supplies in kind,
but more particularly for vegetables, the first
800 or 900 barrels to Maine soldiers in Flor
Ida, suffering from scurvy. 1t has been an
nopnaed that If any more than this is sent in
it will be handed eyer to the care of the Mis-
sion or Sanitary Commission, aHd ] will now
adder Christian Commission, as designated
by the donors, When nay MIND is narrowed
down to such . degree that care Q stray
through what particular channel supplies 60
to our poor, bleeding, Suffering soldiers, II
they do but get them seasonably, let my right
arm be palsied and my tengEe be forever
| mutei s3S sa..s
Circulars were sont here, and the chief Of
all the appeals for this object were made be-
fore came. Had known the feeling In this
city certainly should not have sent any here,
if any into the state at all. But have NOT
been received With any more cold or wet
blanket than when frst came, on asimilar
errand, two and half years ago. and which
mission proved SO very successful. 10
At 4 meeting Of q small number Of the Fra
ternity some three weeks ago, the Grand Mas
ter Of the State, Wa. p. Preble, Esq,
whose good judgment, prudence and discre-
ton will not be called in question, advocated
the Mission on the ground that "too much
could not be done for the soldier who had TAX
en- his life In his hand and Yves suffering every
hardship for his country's good, and for whom
enough had never been done.n 9iao!5
He thought many might give through this
channel who would not through the Sanitary
or Christian Commissions. He alluded to the
Camp Hospital Association, supported chiefly
by those who had not fBll confidence in other
organizations. The unapini0ua decision Of
this meeting was that an appeal might With
propriety be made to all, individually. for the
support of this institution, but that lodge
funds" should rot be used for this purpose.
+ In this I heartily eoneHEred, .aolgTes /.
One word concerning my connection with
the Sanitary Commission. The rulnor that
has been whispered about, that I was dis-.
charged BY that institution icrsome fault, i,
simply an qpmitigated and malicious lie. Dur
ing the whole three yeass that Hlabored for
them, never received word of disapproSa-
ton from one Of the Board, but expressions
of commendation enough to al two columns
of your paper. l left for rest, and from i'll
health, Of my own free will in July, and in