CHAPTER XV.

Masonry as a Charitable Institution.
THE slate of human existence is such f that mankind are in some respects depen- dent on each other in most, if not all, of the relations in civilized life. As the/ have mutual wants, and stand in need of mutual assistance, no one can be placed in absolute independence of circumstances- Each individual, in the midst of all hi? af- fluence, is still dependent. Hence arise those mutual obligations, by which, not on- ly the members of a neighborhood or so- ciety, but the citizens of a nation, and the* inhabitants of the world, are bound, mutu- ally to subserve each other's interest, and to promote each other's happiness. Tlii* obligation corresponds with the very na~ ture of things, and is necessarily binding on all mankind. But, not withstanding this, multitudes of the human family seldom feel its force, or comply with its requisitions* The unfortunate sufferer often wanders through the world unpitied &nd forloiru There are unfortunate sufferers, and suck there will be till the end of time. Not- withstanding all human foresight, orudenc© and provident care, individuals are expo- sed, in numerous ways, to be suddenly pre—
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ated from a state of affluence to penu- nd want. The virtuous citizen may irown into Circumstances, in which he have a just claim for charitable assist- . It is the glory of a nation or soeie- > have its citizens or members kindly >sed, mutually to rejoice or sympa-
together. A charitable disposition e view of the world, marks a charac- f true worth, and draws kind benedic- i on the memory.
asonry therefore as a charitable Insti- n, aside from all other considerations, itly entitled to the approbation of mau- . Individuals, in their private capaci- ire never expected promptly to meet le exigencies of innocent sufferers. A n of individuals for benevolent purpo- will generally afford the more sure is of effecting this important objert. i, in a special manner, is our Instil u- Here is a charitable society ; here unds expressly reserved for charitable •oses. Although indigent members,
widows and orphans, are first to be idered, and first to be relieved, jet r>nic charity is not wholly confined to ircle of brotherhood. VVherever siif- ig humanity is found, there is an object, h fniu'ties the Masonic heart with sym- y, excites compassion, and is promptly
154 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
relieved. Such has been the uniform pre* tice of our society, time out of mind, and such, it is known to the world, is the liberali- ty of individual members*. The experience of ages can testify to this excellent practice in a manner never to be forgotten. No stin- ■ ted pittance of cold hearted charity de- grades the brother, who acts in character as a Mason ought. Ask those wretched men- dicants of the eastern hemisphere,. Whose hand has contributed to their necessities t Ask the inhabitants of those cities, desola- ted by unpitying elements, Whose bounty has afforded them timely aid ? Ask the war- worn soldier, who by the fate of arms, ha* been dragged from the country he loved, and the family he adored, Whose interfe- rence has released him from captfrity? Whose charity nourished his famishing life, and restored him to the dear objects of his- affection ?
Much, very much has been done by this Institution to relieve the unfortunate, to supply the destitute and lessen the aggre- gate of human misery. In England spe- cial provision has in every age been made, since the first introduction of Masonry, or as early as any records have been preser- ved. On some of the first records of Ma- sonry in that island, we find donations to individual. objects of distress, from five t»
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twenty pounds sterling- As early as the fifteenth cerriury the whole attention of the brotherhood was engaged to improve the system of charity, so as to meet the exi-
Snces of every unfortunate member. In >rmany were similar exertions and dona- tionfe. In Switzerland, Italy, France and most European countries, very liberal as- sistance has been afforded to the indigent, Dot merely of the fraternity, but to many others without distinction of nation, colour, «ect or country.
In America we need only look into Ma* «onic records to satisfy ourselves of the charities of the Institution. In no country has this society been more liberal, or more cheerfully and promptly administered to the relief of the unfortunate, than in our own. It is confidently believed, not a Lodge or Chapter is here to be found, whose organized state has been sufficient- ly long to acquire the means, but has wi- ped from the cheek of sorrow at least one tear, or thrown a friendly mantle over one naked wanderer, or fed one famishing suf- ferer. But how many institutions, whose age is great, and whose means are ample, have contributed largely and repeatedly for the relief of suffering innocence !
Such charitable acts, however, are not •penly proclaimed to the world. The per-
156 SPECULATIVE MASONRY.
son in distress applies to bis brethren j if his case is such as justly to demand atten- tion, bis wants are supplied, and tbe on)/ remaining testimony, is the records of the Lodge, and the grateful heart of thesuA feier. Let every person who wishes fur- ther evidence of this fact, examine the. re- cords of tbe Lodges and Chapters in the ci- ties of New- York, Albany, Hudson, and every other city or viibge in the slate where a Masonic Institution is -established.
In the city of New- Y oik, calls are nu- merous, and thousands of dollars are annu- ally appropriated to e.ducate the orphan, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and supply the destitute. In Albany, and all other places where proper objects of cha- rity are found, the same liberal hand af- fectionately supplies their wants. Auk the grief-worn, brexken heai ted widow ; a^k the wandering, famishing orphan, naked, friend- less and destitute, who has fed and clothed) provided for, and protected him ? Ask suchf who has been a lather to the fatheilessi— $V ith emotions of gratitude, which neaily foi bid utterance, will they falter out tbe name of Mason, and point to their bene- factors.
It will be but just, in this case, to name one instance, from its geneial publicity. In consequence of that disastrous event at
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iuffalo, in the lale war, most of the citi- zens in that unfortunate place were noton- y deprived of house and home, but even stripped of all the comforts, as well as ne- cessaries, of life. An application, recom- mended by the Hon. De Witt Clinton, Grand Master, was made to the chapters and lodges in the state in behalf of our brethren, and collections made. It is, therefore, stated, from certain knowledge Bf the fact, that contributions were made throughout the state, by individual lodges *nd chapters, from ten to seventy -five dol- ors each according to their several ability. Nothing more need be said in relation o the fact. It is well known to the world, hat the Institution is a charitable one, and is such is justly entitled to all that merit vhich can arise from affording relief to the listressed. If charity to the destitute is a luty, and a charitable society a blessing o a country, then the Masonic Institution 'escrves the patronage of every benevolent, umane and charitable person, and the ap- lause of mankind in general. It is a wise, universal and a permanent establishment. lot circumscribed, as to charitable dona- ons, by country, or confined to nation, jet, age or condition. It considers all ankind the children of one common Pa- Tit, and brethren in one great family. It
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shields from danger, and on some degrees will even feed an enemy at the point oi a sword, should his necessities absolutely re- quire it. Such charity is God-like. It for- gives an enemy, and renders good for evil. It covers a multitude of faults. Such be- nevolent charity, if universally exercised, would restore and perpetuate universal peace to the world. Hence the principles of Speculative Free-Masonry, when carri- ed into practice, aim directly at the alle- viation % of human misery, and the advance- ment of the peace, harmony and happiness of society, and the friendship and unanimi- ty of all the inhabitants of the earth.