New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06
MASONIC CHARITY Is TRUE MASONiV
WORK

Tho Masonic Boe.d Of Relief met IN the Oon-
r,,aer,, y,cono last Saturday night at It's resu-
,s~ ouarteSy session, and much business was
transacted. Brother Pope presided the meet
Ing was welI> attended, which Is encourasihs "
the members, and those who nave this e"0e''"|
Masonic chrity at heart
The many applications made to us by s'fa"-
rers FOR work or assistance. claiming a'e'i'
on Masonic grounds. excite our SERIOUS s'
ns.hy and consideration. The Masonic ne'
Board OF this city have no way OF aioine '"e
,,o,r ora unfortunate except by giving dollars
end cents o,n Of the treasury. rms he'nou
of cisbursng funds or giving relicf Is not al
WAYS the best. What is $40 or s2o 10 lai'i'y
without employment, starving end lree|Nis
Work is what they want; suitable enp'o' 'ii'i.
IS he demand. 1t is not for US 10 theor.ze A'iO
condemn the bad management ana ioohsh ~
ton OF a father. with children nan Oiau Civ
fed. asking shelter and relief. It is poor con-
ISOLATION to tell p man that he ought 10 nave
known better than 10 come here and seek en en-
ployment when he can find none; that ne shoutu
have known better than TO come mere Win PEI
haps large family, with only enCHsnn rd o en-
70 get here. supposing that he would ma en-
rloyn,ent as soCn he arrived lie Is d
brother IN good standing with his looee, 0ul VI
money. without food without work W,'ho ,;iS
ehelfer All the theor.zing in the WoEid Mn
no. relieve his distress or YOU from your oDh-
gation che poor man is before you destitute,
holding up his hands for bread for YORK; Wn VIVA,
arc vou to DO: Sh.ftless, worthless ne may
have bean but that does not relieve you from
vopr solemn VOWS. A stupid or ignorant lodse
NAV have fo!s;ed this man or his famlly upon
the fraternity. but that does rot Jusuly Aou
Ia all ,,vinc them 10 starVe and suffer You
are forced to act. The demands upon the Masonic
order in this city are as ten 10 one eIseW mere
II 10 we'll known that this city is called
"dumping-ground." and Masonry does not es-
cape this appellauon. and the Masons OF liIis
city are called upon to assSst Masoiis rom an
the world. and We are the largest gIahu IouSs
IN The universe hence our responsibility should
come I'D 10 the highest standard or Masonic
chlrity The present Board is doing good work
but still is often poweriess 10 grant 1ns re ieI
demanded by applicants. True the Board sdFeS
the Masonic fraternity and the citizens gener-
ally thousands of dollars by her system or char-
ity relieving them from many demands upon
their purse and sympathy, protecting the order
from many of the unworthy seeking aid guard
ing lodges from imposition, yet with all TINS the
Masonic Relief Board Of New YORK City IL pow
eress in many cases where IL ought TO act
The Shelter Fund has been before the brethren
of this city for some years. True. II Is growing
but m, = too slow. We need a tempors ~ Home
y,eht chs, in New-York where we can house,
feed and care for The stranger stranded in our
city and either lind employment for him. or
send him 10 his intended destination or
20 his home AS II stands now the Board
gives the applicant money IN most cases
whereas If We had the temporary shelter, We
could care for him easier, better and much
cheaper All this has been so often explained 10
the craft that one stands amazed at the slow ac-
ton OF the brethren who claim 10 be good
Masons.
Will not the brethren think Of this and suggest
some plan to expedite this good undertaking 10
establish temporary shelter? II would be the
pohlest charity ever undertaken. 1t would he
the highest type Of Masonic charity. The
brethren composing the Board are the delegates
from the various lodges belonging 10 the Board.
and every lodge in the city should belong to II.
and should contribute toward the esta bshment
Of this Shelter Fund. and above all. brethren. do
II now.