Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-01-14
The Masonic Mutual Aid Association

In these times OF growing dlsuusi as
well OF Northern Life as Fire Insurance
Companies we confess 10 no little interest
in This Association In obedience to
ca from The Lodge q, Shepherds'own is-
sued few weeks ago. there met in
Equality Lodge, No. l36,ln Msr,insburg
come sixty delegates from len Lodges IN
Maryland. Virginia and Wesi Virginia,
on Thursday lat, The 9Th inst. On mo-
,ion OF b. F. Harrison, Esq, one of the
delegates IRON Hiram Lodge, No. 81,
Rev James b. Averiu was elected chair
main OF the convention and Rev. John
Scott OF the Lodge a, Dufield's Depot,
was made Secretary. On motion OF the
delegate from Martins, burg. committee
composed of one from each lodge repre-
scented was appointed by the chairman.
whose duty 1t was TO report business al
the evening session o. the convention.
The chair. before naming the commit ee
! fully explained The object Of the conven-
lion. lie Sd that it was in the power
Of Masonry 10 dsprove the cavillngs OF
the many who are in the habi, of saying
that it was of no practical value 10 socie.
ty; tina, we had me. in convention to de-
wise some plan by which We could in
safe and ~ s,ems,ic manner aid each 9TH
er and our own widows and orphans after
we were dead. There were but few
while comparatively young end in active
business who could not spare such
amour, in small assessments as would
virtually secure to our families all the adj.
vsnlsges OF Lie Insurance with none OF
the drawbacks Of taking the money on,
of our communities and investing il re-
mole from our inspection and watchfu.
ness. That this plan for years had work
ell with Engineers, Conductors and Tel
egrsph Operators. lill had been made
to work among those bound together by
none other than ordinary ties whs, ought
not Maaons TO be sbs TO do with the
same principle, among themselves bound
together as no other men on earth ale.
He hoped the convention would co to
work in esrne., and see what could be
done. Before appointing the committee,
he hoped the Brethren present from diff
iefen, paris OF the country. would give the
convention, and especially the commit.
tee, about 10 be raised. the benefit Of
their views on the subject. There were
then delivered some half dozen speeches
presenting different phases Of the ques-
ton. a looking TO prompt and vigorous
action. The committee Was then an.
nounred and the convention Adjourned
until Il O'Clock. in order 10 give the ne
cessary time 10 mature business, &c. A,
the hour appointed. the convention met
and the committee. through their chair
man. made full and elaborate report,
which was adopted withou,a dissenting
voice. excep, such opposition as emana-
ted from Lie Insurance.
The result Of their action was this. in
nutshell None but Master Mssons in
good standing. IN regular occupation,
trade or profession. with the certificate OF
the Master Of the Lodge under seal &C
compsnied By $500. could become mem
bers. The membership vas not limited
IS to the age Of The member. and as yet
as to the number Of the Association.
When a brother died there went on! al
once an assessment Of Sl.00 on each
member. and The 81 90 from each meD-
Der, say s. 600. from membership OF
5000 members. va, in sixty days paid
by the Treasurer OF The Home Office 10
the widow OF The deceased brother and If
he left no family then to hi' legal repre-
senlaIives. and on the failure Of these, az
ter payment Of the expenses OF funeral
and las, illness, the residue went 10 the
sinking fund. The protection Of all in.
vesimenis belonging 10 the Association
was made ample By requiring the Direct
ors to require from the Treasurer a good
and sufficient bond in sum fully large
enough 70 provide against any trouble in