Systematic Masonic Benevolence.

lief was formed during the following month . The Masters for the time , being of as many lodges as would join the movement , were entrusted with the distribution of the funds , which were to be paid by all contributing lodges to the extent of a sum

equal to one shilling for each Master Mason , and a - like sum for every member monthly thereafter . The Board was required to present a full statement of all its transactions quarterly , and empowered

to elect a Chairman , Secretary and Treasurer , bi-annually . Should the sum expended at any thne exceed the amount contributed , a levy was agreed to be made , provided the sum so called for , did not exceed one shilling per member for each

lodge , or be made payable more frequently than once in any one month . Article X of the "Original Constitution ' also empowered the officers to apply to the several lodges in the different parishes of the State of Louisiana for their co-op ' eration . The By-laws of the Board were aclo 2 ) ted

January 26 th , 1852 , under which the charitable mission was continued for three years . It had , hoivever , Uo efficient existence with respect to the Grand Lodge or the Craft at large . This fact was found to obstruct its usefulness , and to detract

from the respect so justly due to so excellent an enterprise . In its private and unofficial character , it was found , at times , difficult to properly preserve and administer the funds committed to its charge ; and it being in the power of the Grand Lodge

to give to the Board the advantages of a corporate body , and an official status , a Warrant was asked for , and duly granted ,

as we have already informed our readers . The lodge was constituted and By-laws adopted , A . D . 1854 , embodying the main features of those formerly in use by the Board , and under these regulations the lodge has continued for more than eighteen

years to perform its grand mission of general Almoner for its constituents . In 1854 the " Reliof Lodge " consisted of ten Craft lodges ; but at the present time there

are sixteen , eight lodges of which have been connected with this admirable institution from the commencement , or in other words , their adherence to the Board or the lodge has been constant and uninterrupted for upwards of twenty years . May Faith ,

Hope and Gliarity , bo their ' guiding- stars in the future as in the past ! In the concise address printed as an introduction to the Bj ' -laws , the whole scope of the lodge , ( and previously of the Board ) is clearly set forth and explained .

New Orleans being the great commercial emporium of the south-west , attracts to her limits large numbers from every quarter of the globe , among whom are a fair proportion of the Craft . The vicissitudes of fortune , the effects of disease and climate ,

together with the epidemics which sometimes ravage the beautiful city , render many of these sojourning Craftsmen , ' objects for fraternal care and charity . But while the claims were so repeated and claimahits so numerous , even the best

disposed , and most liberal could not satisfy all their wants ; hence it was found advisable to form an association which had for its objects , uniting the funds provided by the lodges for charity , with such means as the bountiful and benevolent might contribute ,

hito one common treasury . It was also designed to save the lodges the labour of investigating all the applications for relief , either from brethren , then - widows , or orphans in Louisiana , or hailing from other jurisdictions ; to afford prompt attention

to worthy cases of suffering and destitution , to see the sick properly cared for , to give decent interment to those who die in the city , in short to carefully distribute the funds through one thoroughly organized channel , and to detect impostors and the .

unworthy . Before the advent of "the Relief Lodge " it was found that on relieving the distressed , there were , a large number of skilled inipos tors who succeeded in imposing upon the unwary , and absorbing the charity funds of the various lodges , until forbearance