Systematic Masonic Benevolence.

fact on deciding on the amount to be bestowed on any unfortunate brethren from the United States , for w e believe such benevolence— -though not always so systematically distributed—is a general feature . of the Craft throughout the " Union . " On

looking over our Grand Lodge proceedings for the last four years , we find that £ 72 was voted from the " Fund of Benevolence " for the relief of indigent brethren from the United States , which would give for the same period , as the foregoing figures

include , the sum of £ 324 ; and including Scotland and Ireland , the total would not likely exceed £ 600 , which amount , be it remembered , could be bestowed upon brethren hailing from all parts of the United States , whereas the £ 500 contributed by

the "Relief Lodge No . 1 " was provided by the lodges . in New Orleans alone ! Surely these facts should be known , and in some way a recognition be made of so generous a treatment of our distressed members , when they come within the

hospitable homes of the Now Orleans' Craftsmen . We must confess to a feeling of surprise , as well as intense gratitude on reading of such quiet unostentatious , and . yet . most efficient , aid being administered to the sick and diseased , and we are led

to hope that' our recital of a few of the advantages and objects achieved by the institution of the "Relief Lodge , No . 1 , " will act as an incentive to similar societies being formed , not only in this country , but wherever the branch of Freemasonry is unfurled .

In England , we have Almoners appointed for certain Towns and districts , in some Provinces , but generally speaking , but little system is manifested in the disposal of the funds , and scarcely any attempt is made to detect and register impostures , so

that all the Almoners of England might be advised of the whereabouts , appearances , and the circumstances , generally , of the applicants whose petitions haye been found to be unworthy . Certainly , in no part of Great Britain and Ireland are there any

Masonic bodies formed akin to . the Lodge now under consideration , which fact will be still more evident to any of our readers wdio will carefully peruse the By-Laws inserted as an appendix to this notice . Under the Grand Lodge of England , tile

members disbursing the " Fund of Benevolence " have no authority to help indigent brethren of foreign jurisdictions , unless

" to assist them to return to their native land . " In case of sickness however " Brethren under the Constitution of ¦ the Grarid Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , as well as of foreign Grand Lodges , may be . relieved on the production of certificates from their

respective Grand Lodges , or other sufficient certificates and testimonials to the satisfaction of the Lodge of Benevolence , and proof of identity and distress . " We cannot see any just reason why foreign brethren should be prevented from

obtaining temporary relief in then . ' distress even when such calamities are not occasioned by sickness , and especially when

misfortunes frequently glide away ~ as unexpectedly as they came ; if the "gap " can be but filled up by some kind hand , for a little while ; To limit the charity ofrthe Grand Lodge of England , so far as foreign brethren are concerned , to simply assist

them to return to their native land , , or helping them in sickness , while-all aid is denied to the worthy Mason in his poverty and distress , is , we think , most unwise , and assuredly not representative of the largeheartedness of the Craft . Even in New

Orleans , a city in one only of the United States , ( and , notwithstanding the " Relief Lodge , No . 1 , " expended over eleven thousand pounds , in its charitable work , in eighteen years , ) we have shown that several hundreds were bestowed upon

British subjects , who gladly availed themselves of such brotherly kindness , exclusive of the expenditure under the heading of " Tombs , funerals , and expenses attending them , " which in the aggregate amounted to nearly £ 2000 , and of which no doubt our brethren received their due proportion .