The Masonic Mirror:

gory field we are unhappily liable at any moment to be informed , have been able to leave behind them ample provision for the material necessities of those who may have to deplore their loss ; it is not the less true that as our fraternity embraces rich and poor , and places them all upon one common level , there are , at the same time , many brave brethren , both in the army and the navy , whose expiring moments may perchance be ruffled

by an anxious thought respecting those whom they leave behind them to lament their departure ! We have charities—the pride and glory of the craft—which may speedily be made capable of meeting the exigencies of this case . We ' have room for the ividow , and for the orphan of both sexes ; and that justice may be done—that our obvious duty may be performed—it will

become necessary to strengthen the hands of the worthy brethren wko ; support and direct the girls' school , and boys' school , and the Eoyal Benevolent Institution . The first would of course receive the female , the

second the male orphans ; while the last woidd open its benignant portals to the disconsolate widow , or perchance to some elig ible brother hopelessly disabled in the battles of his country . Let this be done with that energy , unanimity , and liberality which the case demands ; and it will shed such ' a lustre upon our noble order as for many a day it has not been our good fortune to receive .

We purposely abstain from indicating our opinions with respect to any of the details by which these objects should be carried into effect . They are matters , the determination of which are obviously within the province of the Grand Lodge , to whose earnest and immediate consideration Ave respectfully , but most earnestly commend the entire subject . If we miht venture upon an additional suggestionit would be

thisg , that the Grand Lodge should take the initiative by at once contributing , from its funds , a handsome sum in the name of the fraternity at large , to the Patriotic Pund . Having done this , it might head the subscription lists of our own charities by donations , as the commencement of

special funds to make provision for widows and orphans of our brethren who . fall in the war . If they offered for instance to provide for those who are the orphans of masons , otherwise eligible , they might be aided , perhaps ,, by funds aheady in existence . At any rate , when then * project became known , then ; generous exertions could not fail to elicit the sympathies , and to secure the pecuniary assistance of hundreds of our benevolent

fellow-countrymen , who have never had the honour of admission to our fraternity . Having said thus much , we confidently leave the matter in the hands : of those to whom , being the executive of the order , belongs rightfully the honour and privilege of carrying such projects into effect .