Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-12
MASONIC MUTUAL BENEFIT.

"ASUNAC A A BEEN
 Fifteenth AnnaI Meeting At lhe Athe-
 neum Last EvenIng-The Secretary's
 Keport-A Prosperous Year-The
 Finances of she Association.
 The fifteenth annual meeting of the Ma sonic Mutual Benefit association was held at the Atheneum last evening. Precisely at 7:30 the meeting was called to order by the president, Most Wor Bro Eli S Quintard
 The. secretary, in beginning his report, stated that the year had been the most prosperous one since the association was or gauized. His report summarized was as fol- lows: $14 ,006 have been paid in death claims from the surplus and accumulations from dues and assessments during the past year, although the assessments have been less in number and amount than during the previ- ous three years, and $14, ,000 have been paid from the surplus, our contingent fund has been increased nearly $S,O00. This surplus is invested in safe securities, paying interest. No investments are made in securities which the laws of the State prohibit the savings banks from investing in, thereby putting our funds on a savings bank basis. The in~ terest on our investments and deposits dur
 ing the past year has amounted to $1 ,544. 85. At no time since our organization has the association been on so sound a footing 6nan- cially as at the present time, our cash assets amounting GO $55, 374. 50. Over $1000O has been received from interest.
 There are organizations springing up almost daily which pretend to offer better induce ments for becoming members than the old established associations. This is because the applicants are just from the physician's hands who have pronounced them in good health, and it must necessarily take three or d kr cIorry f{oa1f, &1a,, %ho death rate and assessments begin to be the same as the older associations. Such is the experience of all associations and insurance companies. The death rate is fixed stand ard, and so many persons will die in every 1000 of equal ages, no matter what associa- tion or company they may be members of. Therefore the proper advice to give one who wishes to become a member of benefit asso- citation is to place his membership of the old- CT and well established associations that have few dollars for an emergency. This association offers as good inducem ents as any, and much better than many. Is it not the duty of every brother Master Mason who make provision for such dependent in the event of death. These associations offer such provision, and in addition to provid- ing for his dependents, it also affords chance to contribute to the relief of the fami- ly of brother who has passed away. There are many cases which have come to the mo- tice of your officers and many of the mem- bers, where the payment of $1 ,000, $2, ,000 or $3. .OOO, as the case may be, has also saved the lodge the payment of funeral expenses and care after death of those left behind.
 The reports of the Grand lodge show that from 400 to 600 men become members of the lodges in this State annually. It is fair to presume that nine-tenths of them are eligible to membership in this association It is by in h1ool hot expect to thrive and prosper.
 There are lodges in the State that are being called upon to pay funeral expenses and to provide for the families after the provider has passed away. One of the objects of our association is to relieve the lodges of this burden by providing for funeral expenses and pecuniary relief after the death ot the head of the family.
 During the past year another case has gone to the courts for adjudication. One of our members who died made transfer of the moneys due payable to friend not rela- tive. In the original application the amount was payable to his wife. Subsequent to his with us he and his wife had mutually agreed to separate, but were not divorced. At the death of the brother the friend who had been designated by the transfer made claim for the amount due, and the widow also made demand from the association for the 5000. The association laoAo uo cAaltu ou Lne Iuonoys, put WISH LO have it paid to the proper parties. They have filed a bill of interpleader through Brother L. P. Deming, it's attorney, placing the money in his hands, to be paid out as the courts may determine
 There has been net loss of membership during the year of two. There have been enough applications forwarded to be acted upon at the next meeting of the board Of directors to make net gain in membership.
 The average age of new members, 1888, is 36 years, 3 months, 4 days; of lapsed mem bers, 43 years, days; of deceased members, B years, 5 months, 23 days. The average amount paid by deceased members, 1888, was s25621. Largest amount paid by any one member since organization, on $2, ,000 bene- it, is $299. Total amount of outstanding certificates, $4, ,969, 900; Total amount paid oy lapsed members, $40, 1858. 73; total amount paid by deceased bers, $46, ,5O6 S5: total interest received since organization, S10,- HISS. The total number of deaths since organization is 331; total amount paid bene- its since organization is $656, TOT; without s117, 1000. Number of persons benefited by this amount, 1,003 Members resident of New Haven, 602
 The membership of class A is 2,402, of class B is 164, total membership being 9 566 | The number of deaths during 1888 was 21, to 54 for 1887. The total receipts, including O,023 on hand from last year, were $79,- )79. .32. The total disbursements for death claims were $53,0 900; total expenses, $66,- 3s9.9S. leaving $11, ,1S9.34 as cash on hand | The average cost per member of current ex- oenses was SLIP. The finance committee F. $. Anthony, H. w. Crawford and L. H. Johnson corroborated the secretary's report as given. Treasurer John P. Futile stated hat he had in his possession $55, 375. 50 of he aSSOciatiOn'S pr0T,erkv