The Wilmingtonian., 1886-01-30
Masonic Charity.

had have no right to be considered charitable,
ious beneficial societies of modern origin
Masonry has no quarrel with any of these
| societies. on the other hand, many of her
most worthy members are found working
zealously for the propagation of their princi-
pies, and aiding by their means aud influence
The good work in which these societies are
engaged. Masonry has never claimed to be
beneficial society. No man ever gained
entrance to her sacred portals that had given
evidence that he hoped to derive benefits by
being admitted. And a committee of inves-
tigation would soon determine an applicant
unfit to be trusted with the mysteries of the
craft, who sought admission actuated by
mercenary motives.
The mission of Masonry being incompre-
hensible to many and sometimes never un-
| derstood by those who have gained admis.
sion into the fraternity, they have conalnds d
chat 1t is, or ought to be, beneficial society.
That this conclusion is erroneous will be
| seen when we remember that the premises
upon which 1T is based, are untenabe. We
| assert without fear of successful contradic-
tion, that nothing of the kind is Taught
| either by precept, or implication, from the
moment the entered apprentice treads the
checkered floor, until he arrives at the sum
nit OF ancient craft masonry. He.is taught
| the cardinal principles of temperance, forti-
tude, prudence, and justice, and to practice
charity. But at no time is he told, that if
| he pays certain amount of money for
| specified time, that he will in case of sick
ness, be entitled to receive - dollars per
| week during his illness, and that at his death,
| his heirs will reoeive-dolars as funeral
benefits, always provided he be not in ar
rears. Masonry, being neither a life nor
health insurance company, differs from ben
efcial societies in the distribution of its
| charities, and has no blame to attach to such
organizations ; but has always stood ready
to assist them, working in its own way,
| oftentimes unseen, but nevertheless, work
| ing as effectively as Others whose acts were
| seen and read of all men. That any of the
modern beneficial societies are better life and
health insurance companies than is the
| Masonic, no Mason of intelligence will deny
/ And when a Mason wishes to dimit because
he has discovered that his investment does
| not pay, it will be evident to the minds of
those who comprehend the mission Of
Masonry, that not only the brother, wishing
to withdraw, has made mistake, but that
his lodge committed greater error in ad-
mitting him to membership. The following
incident, illustrative of Masonic Charity, oc-
cured during the small pox epidemic of the
year 1S-, in the city of -, is fair exam.
pie of that charity described in Holy Writ,
'thaU suffereth long and is kind, that seeketh
not her own"
| Seated in the tilers room of - lodge,
lssaro r,anahas OF Lrathran oonversing of
Ilpast times, and of those who had met with
them, but now were among the silent major
| ity, on the other side of the river, when a
brother remarked, that widow - is re-
ported to be in destitute circumstances. A
committee Of two was chosen to call upon
the lady forthwith, and report at once. 1t
vas bitter cold night and the brethren
observed the many smiling faces of those,
who were purchasing Christmas presents,
as.it lacked two days ofthat;great Christian
festival. Arriving at the little shop, kept by
the widow, the committee held consultation
and it was agreed to ask for cigars. They
entered, only to sec "beggarly account of
empty boxes"-one dollar would have pur-
chased the entire stock on hand OF candies
and other ticles. No cigars wore to be OBJ
tanned. The lady had known one of the
committee in happier days. She informed
him how the family physician had been call
ed in to vaccinate the four children, how he
had taken the last two dollars sine possessed,
that lie had vaccinted two of the children,
ana had refused to vaccinate the Others, unless
paid at that time, that she was out of fuel
and the uescessaries of lite. These truth.
were elicied after much questioning. The
other member, after much study, coutrved
60 buy box of matches and left, as if BY
accident, small sum of money upon the
counter, just before departing.
The brethren of the committee hastened
back to the lodge, anil reported Twenty
i've dollars were at once pledged, physi,
clan was consulted who the next day vac.
cinated the children and gave one of the
little ones a five dollar bill and to the other
gave an order for u ton Of coal A brother
unknown to the widow, was authorized to
deliver the money. On Christmas eve he
walked into the little shop. The lady pre-.
senting herself, he said, as he laid upon the
counter the two ten aud the one five dollar
bills, "madam take good look at these be.
fore you light the fire with them" He i'm
mediately retired. There was no time fot
either refusal or thanks. This is but one OF
the many instances of Masonic charity
Some of the actors, In this incident have
gone to the great beyond, but there alC
those still living, who remember Christmas
eve Of IS, and how they participated in
relieving the necessities Of one, whom Mason
ic charity demands, shall continue uamcless
HOme-iiISe Methods.
Mrs Mccormick having leased the larr,
and commodious boarding house, 227 ship
ley street; (nrmerly occupied by Mrs
MoClure) is now open for proposals fol
boarders. The house has been refurnishei
throughout aud Mrs. Mccormick will civ,
her personal supervision to the interests o
her patrons. The table will be supplier
with the best the market affords and it viii
be culinared in the most approved aud
appel zng manner.
The Helping Hand.
This department of THE PHILADELPHIA
WEEKLY is devoted exclusively to informa.
ton and open discussion of subjects OF inter.