The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-09
A new MASONIC HOME.
Subscriptions and a Site Are Now
Being Sought.
The Idea Will Be to Provide a Refuge for
Masonic Widows and Orphans and
for Infrm Masons.

1t is an axiom that Freemasonry. besides
recognizing the brotherhood of man, is the
titular exponent Of transformations charity
outside of the Christian dispen sation which
1t recognizes without reyerng, and reveres
without recognizing.
At the Masonic Grand Lodge meeting in
October last special committee reported in
favor OF the establishment of homie for
the widows and orphans Of Masons and for
infirm and INDECENT Masons.
1t was then resolved that committee OF
nine be appointed by the Grand Master to
organize Masonic Widows and Orphans
Ii ONE" association or Incorporation in the
manner as to the committee may seem best,
with full power to purchase, receive, use and
appropriate for such purposes all necessary
property, real and personal, ''or moneys
which can be obtained by the said incorpor-
alton or association by purchase, donation
or otherwise"
The committee was forthwith appointed,
and reported in favor Of the organization of
such home by Trustees rather than by in-
corporation. The Grand Master appointed
the following as Board of Trustees to take
suitable action in the matter: Z. NJ. Preston.
Grass Valley; w. +. Perry, Oakland; AL
bert Hansen. San Mateo; Z. F. Spence, Los
Angeles; Rabbi Jacob VoOrsanger, San
francisco; Nathaniel Greene Curtis, Sac
ramento; Edward Coleman, Grass Valley I;
VI. Il. w hisueys Oaklanu, ana GustaVuS
Spear, San Francisco.
THE PLAN.
The committee reported on December 10
Mt length. The plan proposed was that the
members of the board classify thems selves
into threes, the first three to serve for one
year, the second for two years and the third
for three years; ard that each year there
after, commencing at the next sess sion of the
Grand Lodge, the Grand Master newly
elected should appoint three additional
members to take the place of those whUse
terms were expiring.
The committee promptly reported in favor
Oh getting out $4,000 circulars, and these
have been sent to every Mason in the State
OF California. An appeal has been made to
lodges Tor the necessary funds, and the
nome Will be supported entirely by yolun-
tary contributions
sponded literally: California Lodge gave
$500; Fidelity. $1,000; Oakland. $1,000;
1--we Oak. $1,000; Mount Moriah. $500;
Berkeley, 500. and number of smaller
contributions have been guaranteed By
city lodges. TIE ladies of Grass Valley
have pledged themselves for $1,000. and the
ladies OF the Eastern Star have set about
arranging teas and lunches. from which
they expect TO contribute $1,000 more.
IL is said that the prospective cOntribu-
tons from local sources will be much larger
than these; that the lodges of Oakland have
agreed to make up $4,000 and that at the
next communication of the Grand Lodge,
+. and a. NJ. OF this state. the sum of $50 600
VIII be asked Tor as contribution from that
body.
\. Greene Curtis of Sacrame nto has un-
dertaken to call the Sacramento lodges to-
gether and sec what they can do Jointly.
Sacramento can probably be depended on
for $1,000 or $1,000 About the same amount
IS expected from Los Angeles and the other
large provincial towns, though not heard
from yet. will not be found wanting when
appealed 10.
NO SITE YET.
The committee have not yet made any in
spectlon of sites and the real estate agent
has no terror for them. They have not got
their minds made up as TO what they want
they are unanimC usly of tie opinion that
the site. wherever chosen. should be within
an hours ride Of San francisco, and this
limits the choice in measure TO Marin,
SOnoma, San MdteO, Contra Costa aud Ala
media counties. Napa might have a show.
and SOlanO and Santa Clara are not barred
The committee Will not move hastily in the
matter Tor there Is more than a reasonable
hope that the site may be donated, seeing
that many wealthy landowners are promi-
nent members Of the Masonic fraternity
There are about 5000 Masons in the
State of California, and on the ordinary
basis OF calculation these represent popu-
latiOn Of 90, 600
1t is not contemplated to have a large
acreage. and the institution may begin with
fifty acres. The cottage plan will be pre-
ferred TO large building, and care will he
taken IN the selection of the site TO allow
for possibilities of development. The aim
VIII be 10 teach the children practical and
theoretical farming, without making the
farming idea prominent or competitive with
existing industries. Following out the
same idea, 1t is quite possible that print
impress may be among the acquisitions of
the new home a Masonic home in Mis-
souri, is now printing the Grand Lodge pro-
ceedings OF that State, and the same prin-
eiple may obtain here; but the work would
be restricted TO this.
OFFICERS AT THE HOME.
The bylaws of the home prescribe that
the officers shall consist of President. Sec
rotary and Treasurer, elected yearly. with
ont compensation, aud with the usual
duties. All orphans and widows of de-
ceased Master Masons who at the time of
their death were members In good stand
ing shall be admitted to the home. No
orphan can be received under the age of 3
years or over IA, or any who have adequate
means OF support; nor can persons of uu-
sound mind, deaf or dumb, or suffering
from contagious diseases. be admitted. 1t
IS also stipulated that beneficiaries of the
home may be employed, according to their
age and capacity. in household work or
mechanical or agricultural work,
Regarding the possibilities of q site being
donated IL has been pointed out that in New
\ ork State inducements were held out from
all parts OF the State, not only by offers of
land, but by donations of money, and that
II was largely as the result of such action
that the size of the Masonic Home, near
Utica was selected. The cornerstone of
this institution was laid late last summer,
and the building is now well advanced
toward completion.