nmnit ^nmtB 
 
 EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 
 AND COGNATE CHARITIES 
 
 lY FRANK J, THOMPSOf^, P/.G/.M;,, GfANO SECRET.i«-i 
 
§ttxnt\l Iftnivetsitg JiteJH 
 
 ■^ % 
 
 'i.J^uR^vJk.. 
 
 .K.:!,2:i:iU. '-^/^^ 
 
 '"^5, 
 
 2236 
 
HS471 T47"°" ""'"'""^ "^""^ 
 
 ""^**iiHi™iiiii?iiliiSSfciS?H?^''°"^' Institutions 
 
 oiin.J ^924 030 273 415 
 
B Cornell University 
 S Library 
 
 The original of tliis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030273415 
 
Masonic Homes 
 
 Educational Institutions 
 
 and 
 
 Cognate Charities 
 
 REPORT MADE TO 
 
 The Grand Lodge A.*. R '. & A. '. M. 
 
 North Dakota 
 
 JUNE, 1908 
 
 FRANK J. THOMPSON, P. '. G. •. M. 
 GRAND SECRETARY 
 
 ?. 
 
A. -51x^71 
 
»d«n«MB«im MiaB«gM»iiiMinn«iamiii<iauaii«muHmiiMi<wiigllg|gag|giaii«iiMi»ii«ilg | 
 
 illas0tttt Ifomps 
 
 I „__ ^ 
 
 llal»lalallallKll«llHllalalaya»alallalallallallay«yallalall«llallayatellallglMI«llall«lalallallayalayalli< 
 
 It is easy to say do, but it is another thing to do. 
 When we were directed by our Grand Lodge, at its an- 
 nual session in June, 1906, to give a write-up on Ma- 
 sonic Homes, the magnitude of the task doubtless was 
 obscured by the sentiment which begat the thought. 
 It is one thing to soar on the wings of generalities, and 
 another thing to work out the mechanism of flight. 
 That we did not incorporate an artide on this subject 
 in the printed proceedings for 1907, is because we ap- 
 preciated the difference between the inspiration of the 
 moment, when words fall coruscating like burnt-up 
 meteors, and the blackness of cold type unless animated 
 by facts in detail. "We cannot do as well as we would 
 like, for even in the delay there has not been sufficient 
 time to present so important a topic as Masonic Homes, 
 and satisfy our own mind, for the nearer we came to 
 the subject the greater it grew. 
 
 It may, perhaps, be well first to spread before the 
 reader a general picture of this phase of masonic char- 
 ity ; then follow with a general survey of masonic char- 
 ities which obtain in the different countries of the 
 world, closing with figures in detail of the amounts in- 
 vested in real and personal property, annual cost of 
 maintenance, and number of inmates. The former pre- 
 sents a historical interest on which sentimet sits crowed 
 
 "As shut of evening flowers," 
 while the latter may furnish a practical basis on which 
 to found action. 
 
 It is needless to draw the Mason's attention to the 
 fact that Masonry has always been the patron of the 
 liberal arts and sciences, and has founded its good 
 
works on the thought of helping mankind. The first 
 public manifestation of this thought was projected into 
 the educational field, perhaps due to the impulse given, 
 as the American Mason finds, from the lectures of the 
 FeUow Craft degree; but, primarily because of the in- 
 fusion of scholars and students into the operative Ma- 
 son's guild, thereby taking the operative guise to con- 
 ceal their speculations and studies from the persecu- 
 tions of those who differed from them. 
 
 We appreciate, not only the necessity of charity, 
 the softening influence it brings to those who give, and 
 the lift it extends to those who fall behind in the march 
 of life, but the fact that ehariy must not be weighted 
 with efforts that tire and bring discontent. In an or- 
 ganization so extensive as Masonry, misfortune will 
 overtake many. To these must our attention be given, 
 not so much from a sense of duty as from a spontaneity 
 of mutual interest ; yet having in mind how we can the 
 best serve without the service degenerating to obliga- 
 tion, and the plasticity of the sentiment crystallizing 
 into routine detail, at the same time so gently lifting 
 the misfortune from the recipient that self respect is 
 preserved, and his belief in himself is, at least, not made 
 doubtful. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT. 
 
 Public education not being universal, masonic 
 schools were established in England and Ireland. As 
 early as 1788 the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 
 was founded by the brethren of the United Grand 
 Lodge of England. This institution is now located at 
 Wandsworth, England, and has more than three hun- 
 dred students. And to Brother Bartholomew Ruspini, 
 an Italian by birth, but an Englishman by adoption, 
 should credit be given for the inception and consumma- 
 tion of the idea. 
 
 In this connection, we might present one of the rules 
 of this institution, which we found in reading its history, 
 as illustrative of the ideas our brethren, of more than a 
 
century ago, had on dietary matters, and in contrast to 
 the attitude of our grand lodges on the beverage ques- 
 tion, and the wave of prohibition that is rising, not only 
 in the United States, but in Continental Europe. It 
 may serve also to modify some brother's opinion, who 
 may, in the future, otherwise declare that total absti- 
 nence from all fermented liquors is a masonic land- 
 mark. ^ 
 
 A Diet for Children. 
 
 BREAKFAST 
 
 Sunday 
 
 Monday 
 
 Tuesday 
 
 Wednesd'y 
 
 Thursday 
 
 Friday 
 
 Saturday 
 
 Rice Milk 
 Water Gruel 
 Milk Porridge 
 Rice Milk 
 Water Gruel 
 Milk Porridge 
 Rice Milk 
 
 Roast Beef, Vegetables. 
 
 Bread and Beer 
 Suet Puddings and Beer 
 
 Boiled Mutton, Vegetables, 
 
 Bread and Beer 
 Suet pudding or East dump- 
 lings, potatoes, bre'd & beer 
 Boiled Beef, Vegetables, 
 
 Bread and Beer 
 Rice Pudding and Beer 
 
 Boiled Beef, Vegetables, 
 Bread and Beer 
 
 Bread and Butter and 
 
 Beer 
 Bread, Cheese and 
 
 Beer 
 Broth and Bread 
 
 Bread and Butter and 
 
 Beer 
 Broth and Bread 
 
 Bread, Cheese and 
 
 Beer 
 Broth and Bread 
 
 In 1798 the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 
 was established by the Ancient or Atholl Masons, and 
 is located at Bushey, Herts, England, with more than 
 four hundred in attendance. These schools consist of 
 magnificent buildings, and beautiful surroundings, ri- 
 valling in size and grandure of architecture any of the 
 American Colleges. It may be news to learn that the 
 Grand Lodge of Ireland has an institution of learning, 
 the Masonic Female Orphan School, founded in 1792, 
 in Merrion County, Dublin. In 1866 a Masonic Orphan 
 Boy's School was established in Clonskeagh County, 
 Dublin, Ireland, which is magnificently housed, and 
 beautifully surrounded. 
 
 Along about 1870 the Grand Lodge of Mark Ma- 
 sons of England created what is known as the Mark 
 Benevolent Fund, and which is divided into "The Be- 
 nevolent Fund" and "The Educational Fund." Out 
 of these funds is given, not only aid to the distressed 
 masonic widows, but during its existence some one hun- 
 dred and six children have received schooling. 
 
Out of the Grand National Mother Lodge of the 
 Three Globes of Germany sprang a Freemason's Board- 
 ing School at Dresden, Striessen, and which has now 
 been in existence one hundred and twenty-six years. In 
 1899 a new school building was erected on fifty-four 
 thousand square feet of land, which cost $500,000. In 
 this school, those who are able, pay tuition, and those 
 whose financial condition wiU not permit, are accepted 
 free, and all have the privilege at maturity of serving 
 only one year in the army instead of three. 
 
 The Grand Lodge of Sweden also maintains a school 
 for the children of deceased or indigent Masons. The 
 value of the property is about $300,000. 
 
 In the United States, the school movement among 
 the masonic grand bodies began about fifty years ago. 
 Altho some schools were started, the needs of these in- 
 stitutions were so much anticipated by our public school 
 system that they were not successful. 
 
 From 1809 to 1814 the Grand Lodge of New York 
 paid the tuition fee of fifty children of Masons in the 
 city of New York. Thereafter the schools becaime free, 
 and such payment was unnecessary. 
 
 At present the Grand Lodge of Texas has a sort of 
 manual training school in connection with its Masonic 
 Home. In Kentucky, printing is taught, and consider- 
 able work done in this line by the children of the Home. 
 Ohio maintains school in its Masonic Home, which is at- 
 tended by about fifty inmates, and all grades from 
 first to eighth, inclusive, are taught. In Virginia Ma- 
 sonic Home, English, mathematics, music, typewriting, 
 and other studies are taught. In fact it is customary 
 in the administration of Masonic Homes to give the ju- 
 venile inmates the benefit of the public schools. This 
 is notably so in New York where a large number of 
 children at the Home are taught the elementary branch- 
 es, and when of proper age will be sent to the public 
 schools in the city of Utica, as are other children who 
 have advanced in knowledge sufficiently to do so. "The 
 avenues of advancement are found by any boy or girl 
 
in a Masonic Home who gives evidence of a desire for 
 a higher education than the Home provides. " 
 
 We have given this short sketch of the educational 
 movement among grand lodges that it may be seen that 
 Masonry does not alone provide for the physical needs. 
 And we have good reason to believe that, thru the in- 
 fluence of masonic connections, hundreds of young men 
 and women, of which no public record is made, are be- 
 ing helped to acquire educations, and that in many in- 
 stances this aid comes thru local lodges. 
 
 MASONIC RELIEF. 
 
 Relief to the needy, the care for the aged and the 
 infirm, have, no doubt, received more universal consid- 
 eration from Masons than the education of their juve- 
 nile dependents. Our teachings, our promises, our 
 close relationship with one another, have served to en- 
 list us all in a brother 's welfare. So long as Masonry has 
 existed, so long has this material aid gone forth. When 
 Masonry became more centralized, by the formation of 
 the Grand Lodge of England in 1717, masonic charity 
 began to assume a more systematic form. Yet we may 
 go back to 1118, when Hugh de Payens, Geoffrey de St. 
 Aldemar, and other Hospitalers, or Knights of St. John 
 of Jerusalem, founded the Order of Knights Templar, 
 and whose great purpose it was to aid the destitute wid- 
 ow, the helpless orphan and their aged members. The 
 work of these founders of our masonic order of knight- 
 hood, so well begun, has continued through all the cen- 
 turies, rising and falling with the ebb and flow of their 
 prosperity and adversity, and doubtless has served as 
 an inspiration to those of the Hiramic legend. 
 
 England. 
 
 The first organized effort among modern Masons 
 toward masonic charity dates from 1723, when the Earl 
 of Dalkeith, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Eng- 
 land, originated the idea of a Charity Fund. In 1724 a 
 Committee on Charity was appointed by that Grand 
 
Lodge under the Grandmastership of Charles, Duke of 
 Richmond. It was several years before the Fund was 
 assembled and administered. This Fund has ever since 
 continued, and is distributed by the Lodge of Benevo- 
 lence, which meets montjily and relieves all worthy ap- 
 plicants. It is replenished by a per capita assessment 
 upon all members of its Craft holding membership in 
 lodges in England under the United Grand Lodge of 
 that country, and which in the aggregate amounts at 
 present to nearly $500,000 per annum. 
 
 In 1835 the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged 
 Freemasons, and the Widows of Freemasons, was or- 
 ganized, and is now located at Croydon, England. The 
 buildings of this institution are imposing, and in 1904 
 its inmates numbered 592, and about $112,000 is expend- 
 ed annually in support of the institution. 
 
 The Royal Masonic Institution for Girls, founded 
 by the United Grand Lodge of England, which is men- 
 tioned among educational institutions, is also a Home 
 as well. It is the oldest charities of that Grand Lodge, 
 the institution for the aged Mason not being crystalized 
 into buildings until subsequent to 1788. 
 
 Ireland. 
 
 The Grand Lodge of Ireland did not make any or- 
 ganized efforts to provide for destitute Masons until 
 1887, when was founded the Victoria Jubilee Masonic 
 Annuity Fund. The number of annuitants on Dee. 31, 
 1907, had reached 40, of whom 8 were aged and infirm 
 brethren, and 32 were needy widows of brethren, who 
 formerly were in comfortable, if not affluent circum- 
 stances. During the year 1907 there was expended 
 $4,250. This fund on Dec. 31, 1907, had an invested 
 endowment of $68,640. In 1792 it established its Fe- 
 male Orphan School, which on Jan. 1st, 1908, had 100 
 pupils, and an expenditure of $14,430, for the year of 
 1907, also an invested fund of $79,255, and $2,050 on 
 hand. This school is a Home as well as a school for 
 masonic female orphans, which is also true of the Ma- 
 sonic Orphan Boy's School, founded in 1866, at Rich- 
 
view, Clonskeagh, which, at the close of 1907, had 86 
 pupils, and an expenditure of $16,525 for the year. 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 So far as we can find, the Grand Lodge of Scotland 
 has no institution for its superanuated and destitute, 
 nor schools for orphans of Masons, but has two funds. 
 One is known as the "Fund of Scottish Masonic Be- 
 nevolence," instituted 1846, and maintained from three 
 sources: 1 — The annual contributions of the officers 
 and members of the Grand Lodge ; 2 — from a deduction 
 from the registration of every initiate to Scottish Ma- 
 sonry, and 3 — by voluntary donations. It is distribut- 
 ed by a committee consisting of certain present and past 
 grand officers of the Grand Lodge. To obtain the bene- 
 fits of this fund, the applicant must petition thru the 
 lodge of which the petitioner derives the right. The 
 sums granted run from $25.00 to $125.00. 
 
 The other source of relief is the Annuity Fund 
 which is managed by an Annuity Board, holding au- 
 thority from the Grand Lodge. This board meets in 
 April and October of each year for the selection of 
 those entitled to benefits, and who are designated an- 
 nuitants. The fund is made up from one-half of the 
 free income of the Grand Lodge, and such other sums as 
 it may see fit to appropriate ; also donations from lodges 
 and brethren, and of the proceeds of annual collections 
 on St. John's Day, Dec. 27th, and from lodges on the 
 day of the election and installation of officers or office 
 bearers, as the Scotch call them. The donations and 
 one-half of all sums received from the Grand Lodge, are 
 reserved as capital; the other half, and the income 
 which has accrued from the capital during the preced- 
 ing year, after deducting the expenses of management, 
 are disbursed to annuitants. 
 
 The Board has power to grant twenty annuities of 
 $75.00 each, ten of $100.00 each; five of $125.00 each, 
 and all others of $50.00 each. Every Master Mason on 
 the roll of the Grand Lodge, every parent, widow or 
 
 9 
 
child of a duly registered Master Mason, is qualified 
 for a place on the roll of annuitants. 
 
 Every individual lodge is required to have a be- 
 nevolent fund maintained and derived from annual con- 
 tributions of members, and other voluntary sources. 
 And it is required that a lodge must give a donation to 
 the applicant before he applies to the Grand Lodge Be- 
 nevolent Fund. 
 
 The Supreme Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scot- 
 land also has a Benevolent Fund which is administered 
 in almost the same way as the Benevolent Fund of the 
 Grand Lodge. 
 
 The idea of Scottish Masonry is to distribute its 
 charity to the individual, thus permitting him to remain 
 at home or to seek his own environments. 
 
 We have taken up the methods of English masonic 
 charity, for that land is the mother country of Masonry, 
 especially of the so-called York Rite branch, and nat- 
 urally Masons turn to that source to find precedent for 
 the institution in its present form. Ireland and Scot- 
 land have been considered on account of their approx- 
 imation to England. 
 
 CONTINENTAL MASONIC CHARITIES. 
 
 Masons of other lands and tongues than ours have 
 not been unheeding to the calls of charity; but, with 
 the same bounteousness as characterizes the English- 
 speaking Mason, they have relieved the wants of those 
 whose misfortunes brought about the necessity. Among 
 the most prominent we find Egypt with a general char- 
 ity fund, and a school for girls ; the Old Prussian Grand 
 Lodge of Germany with an Asylum in Dahme, and an 
 old peoples' home at Einberg. In Westphalia a society 
 for the care of orphans, especially for the backward 
 and sickly children of Masons; the Grand Lodge at 
 Frankfort on the Main has an Eleetic Society of united 
 lodges, taking especial care of weak children of Masons. 
 This Grand Lodge has a Palm Sunday Fund amountiug 
 to about $50,000. The interest is used for the educa- 
 
 10 
 
tion and assistance of poor children from fourteen to 
 sixteen years of age. A hospital for Masons was found- 
 ed at Hamburg one-hundred and nine years ago. Then 
 there are numerous other masonic societies, whose pur- 
 pose is to relieve the needy brother and his masonic de- 
 pendents, scattered thru this country with commenda- 
 ble profusion. 
 
 In Bavaria, with lodges in twenty-one cities, eighty- 
 six masonic charities exist. 
 
 The Grand Lodge of Hamburg maintains no Ma- 
 sonic Home. It has a benevolent fund, but among the 
 subordinate lodges eighty-eight different charitable in- 
 stitutions and funds exist. 
 
 The Grand Lodge Symbolic of Hungary maintains 
 a "General Freemason Charity Fund." This fund is 
 but little called upon, the particular lodges furnishing 
 all sufficient relief. 
 
 In India, a Scottish Masonic Benevolent Association 
 exists, which makes allowances for maintaining old and 
 dependent Masons and their widows, and educating the 
 children of deceased or indigent Freemasons. 
 
 In the District Grand Lodge of Calcutta there are 
 two funds devoted to benevolence and the education of 
 children of the poor of the craft. 
 
 Jamaica, West Indies, maintains what is known as 
 the Jamaica Benevolent Association, the purposes of 
 which are the extension of masonic charity. 
 
 The Grand Lodge of Alpina, Switzerland, has a 
 Central Benefit Fund. And nearly all of the local lodges 
 maintain separate benefit institutions. 
 
 Australasia. 
 
 In Australasia the Grand Lodge of South Australia 
 has a benevole^nt fund of approximately $10,000.00. The 
 United Grand Lodge of New South Wales has not only 
 a benevolent fund, but a Masonic Convalescent Home 
 at Camden, and a Freemason's Benevolent Institution 
 for the relief of the distressed or infirm Freemasons, 
 their wives and widows, under the patronage of the 
 
 11 
 
Grand Lodge, but supported by Toluntary contribu- 
 tions. To these charities must be added the Freema- 
 sons' Orphan Society with a cash capital of about $150,- 
 000. The charities of the United Grand Lodge of Vic- 
 toria consists of eight Homes for the Aged. They are 
 small institutions, and should judge from the number 
 of inmates, viz., 16, that wherever a Mason or his wife 
 is supported it is called a Home. The Grand Lodge of 
 Western Australia has secured lands to erect a Home, 
 and has about $15,000.00 in a benevolent fund. 
 
 It will be seen that our brothers of that wonderful 
 island in the antipodes, are full of the great breath of 
 human love which tries to make for humanity a great 
 brotherhood. 
 
 MASONIC CHARITY. 
 
 Masonic Charity may be divided into three great 
 classes : 
 
 I. That given to the individual as a -pension or 
 annuity. 
 
 II. That given to individuals collectively where 
 they are housed, fed, clothed and attended in sickness 
 in an institution designated a Home. The sources of 
 the funds for these purposes coming thru the Grand 
 Body, Symbolic, Capitular, Cryptic, Templar, or East- 
 ern Star of the grand jurisdiction. 
 
 III. The individual charity expenditures of partic- 
 ular or subordinate lodges. Inasmuch as each lodge in 
 its charity work is an independent factor, and is not re- 
 quired to report its expenditures for this purpose, there 
 is no way to obtain accurate data of the amounts used. 
 But many years of experience in masonic work, and 
 close touch with this phase of our institution, gives am- 
 ple and cogent reasons for saying that the total expend- 
 itures for charity by grand bodies will fall very much 
 short of the charity outlays of the subordinate masonic 
 bodies of the world. 
 
 The Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Scotland 
 stand as the great exponents of the first class, for their 
 
 12 
 
methods are based upon the principle of individualism. 
 Other grand masonic bodies are extending charity in 
 the same way, but not so much upon principle as upon 
 expediency, having in mind the more socialistic idea of 
 the Masonic Home, either in existence, or to be estab- 
 lished at some future time. 
 
 Yet it is found that the individualistic idea obtains 
 in the Grand Lodge of Canada, whose jurisdiction is 
 over the province of Ontario; in the Grand Lodges of 
 Manitoba, Colorado, Iowa, and Maine ; that during the 
 accumulation of funds sufficient to establish a "Home," 
 grand lodges extend their charities upon the individ- 
 ualistic principle; that in a few states the old idea of 
 educational benefits have been carried over from the 
 past. Michigan, Nebraska, and New Hampshire, in ad- 
 dition to maintaining Homes, have also an educational 
 fund, which is kept separate from the Home fund, but 
 for what reason no explanation is found. The Grand 
 Lodge of Oregon had an educational fund, June, 1907, 
 of $136,000. All admit that the ample opportunities 
 for education have emasculated the necessity of such a 
 fund; but tradition insists in holding past expedience 
 in the hands of present futility, The educational fund 
 of Oregon is so hedged about that unless some solvent 
 can be found to dissolve the hypertrophy of old legisla- 
 tion, and some stimulant be administered to excite that 
 grand lodge to action, it will stand an ever increasing 
 monument to a past generosity that failed because one 
 generation would not trust the next. 
 
 In all countries, so far as we know, masonic charity 
 is entirely divorced fr'om state except in North Carolina. 
 "While the "Oxford Orphan Asylum," as the institution 
 is called, is the property of the Grand Lodge of Masons 
 of that state, it gives refuge to "the really destitute and 
 homeless children of North Carolina," whether the child 
 of a Mason or not, and in consideration of which re- 
 ceives from the state an annual appropriation of $10,- 
 000. 
 
 The state of California, however, by legislative en- 
 actment, allows annually $14.00 for each full orphan, 
 
 13 
 
and $10.00 for each half orphan, but the Grand Lodge 
 has never demanded it for orphans of Masons in the 
 Home. This statement, coming from one in authority 
 in that state, might lead one to believe that part of the 
 inmates of that Home were not the orphans of Masons. 
 
 Self-Supporting. 
 
 Generally no attempt is made to make the Home 
 self-supporting, or to furnish any definite duties to the 
 inmates, yet usually imposing some duties more to avoid 
 idleness, and the discontent and demoralization attend- 
 ing an idle life, than for profit. However, some grand 
 lodges are breaking away from this idea on the princi- 
 ple that, if health and strength will permit, a brother 
 feels less the adversity of misfortune if means are fur- 
 nished to make him wholly or in part self-supporting, 
 altho living at the Masonic Home of his state. Texas, 
 perhaps, is taking the lead in this departure. Its Home 
 is situated on a fine tract of land, and furnishes a re- 
 treat only for females and boys, that state having no 
 aged Mason's Home. The farm has produced latterly 
 considerably more than the cost of running it. Here 
 boys are taught industrial trades, and the product from 
 the more skilled is sold and the proceeds help to main- 
 tain the school. 
 
 In Kentucky a printing office is in operation where 
 the boys do the work connected with the establishment. 
 This institution is also educational. The girls are re- 
 turned to the lodge from which they were sent at the 
 age of sixteen after completing the eighth or grammar 
 grades. The rule in this institution will not permit the 
 entrance of a child of sixteen. The thoughful men of 
 that grand jurisdiction lament the fact, for when habits 
 are crystaKzing, and character assuming trend, then is 
 the time to mould the child, and this age seems the plas- 
 tic one which makes for good or bad in after years. 
 
 In one of the Homes of Connecticut the children are 
 employed according to their age and capacity in some 
 household work, mechanical or agricultural labor, and 
 
 14 
 
those who are able attend the public school in Walling- 
 ford, where the institution is located. 
 
 To recount the educational system of each institu- 
 tion would be almost a "vain repetition." "We see the 
 necessity of education appreciated, and observe, that, 
 with few exceptions, some note of the same chord is 
 sounded to awaken the intellectual faculties of the 
 young, and to harmonize them with the diapason of 
 modern demands. 
 
 HOME SITES. 
 
 The prevailing idea in the selection of the site of 
 the Home is to have plenty of ground and away from 
 the congestion of the cities or towns. The farm idea 
 dominates, for it furnishes greater opportunities and 
 simpler means in helping, not only to support the insti- 
 tution, but to furnish work for those who are able to 
 be employed. Yet this idea can easily be carried too 
 far, for certainly the isolation of country life, especially 
 in the northwest states, would ever be a source of dis- 
 content to the inmates, a taking away of opportunities 
 of schools for the children, and adding an unecessary 
 monotony to those in charge. Contiguity to a city of 
 some size would relieve these objections, furnish school 
 facilities to the children, lodge, chapter and command- 
 ery privileges to the men, and social relief to the wo- 
 men. Man is a gregarious creature, and isolation is a 
 horror which he ever seeks to avoid ; it breaks the main 
 spring of life, and leaves the hands inane over the face 
 of time. A present idea, which is receiving some con- 
 sideration, is that known as the Cottage plan. What 
 this plan is may be seen in the following quotation from 
 a letter received in answer to queries we sent out. While 
 not going into all its details, or phases, the general plan 
 is tersely told : 
 
 "A Masonic Home should be made as nearly what 
 the word implies as possible. To this end I have in 
 mind the Cottage plan, as against the large institutions. 
 It seems to me that a central building for administra- 
 tion, with hospital and some dining room facilities and 
 
 15 
 
quarters for single and decrepit men, should be estab- 
 lished; but that most of those who go there should be 
 established in cottages by themselves, perhaps husband 
 and wife, or a daughter to take care of her father, etc. 
 They would do much of the work themselves, and it 
 would be more truly a Home to them. It would leave 
 them more home life and more freedom of individual 
 action, while, of course, reasonable supervision would 
 have to be maintained to see that everything was done 
 'duly and truly'." 
 
 Our own criticism of the Cottage Plan is the im- 
 practicability of heating cottages, except at a great ex- 
 pense, in states of rigorous winters, the increased cost 
 of maintaining supervision over inmates, and the de- 
 centralizing of efforts. In the southern, or western 
 coast states, the plan could be better carried out, yet 
 many thorns would be along the pathway of this beau- 
 tiful theory. Our own thoughts are not animadversive 
 to the exception, but to the plan in general, for doubt- 
 less there are instances when the exception would work 
 well. 
 
 Our excursion thus far has been a sort of panoramic 
 view of the subject. The following is a more detailed 
 aspect of the theme, and while not so much with "ver- 
 dure clad," yet should possess an equalled interest. 
 
 In May, 1907, from latest reports of the various 
 Grand Lodges, there were in the United States 1,130,360 
 Masons, members of lodges. Using the multiple of three 
 for each Mason, we find a masonic population of 3,391,- 
 080 who, thru possible misfortune, could be entitled to 
 the benefits of masonic charity. To be more particular, 
 nineteen grand lodges in the United States maintain 
 Masonic Homes, whose grand lodge membership on the 
 date given above was 719,075, making a masonic popu- 
 lation of 2,157,225. These grand lodges have an invest- 
 ed interest in freehold lands and buildings, exclusive of 
 personal property values and furnishings (which reach 
 into the hundreds of thousands of dollars), of $2,789,- 
 780, aad an aggregate endowment or other fund of $1,- 
 475,326. Three of these grand lodges have an educa- 
 
 16 
 
tional endowment fund of $200,873.00 It cost these 
 grand lodges to maintain their Homes for the year end- 
 ing (generally) December 31, 1907, $415,160. Indian 
 Territory maintains a Home, but does not own the build- 
 ing. On account of the impending consolidation of this 
 Grand Lodge with that of Oklahoma, by virtue of the 
 recent admission of this territory with that of Ok- 
 lahoma as one state, it was deemed advisable not to in- 
 vest in freeholdings for this purpose until the consoli- 
 dation had been consummated. Indian Territory had 
 a fund on hand at the end of 1907, of $65,000. 
 
 Recapitulating we find at the close of 1907 : — 
 
 Freehold lands and buildings $2,789,780 
 
 Endowments or other funds 1,475,326 
 
 Expenses of maintaining Homes, 1907 415,160 
 
 Indian Territory Fund - 65,000 
 
 Total... -. ..$4,745,266 
 
 The number of indigent inmates in these institu- 
 tions at the close of the year of 1907, was 2,250. Nine- 
 teen grand lodges had on hand at the close of 1907 for 
 the purpose of building Masonic Homes, $383,665, and 
 which, through tax annually levied upon the several 
 memberships, will increase by the thousands each year. 
 Seven grand lodges had at this time widows and orph- 
 ans, or charity funds, and in which the building of a Ma- 
 sonic Home is not contemplated, the sum of $266,825. 
 That it may be seen at a glance the enormous sum se- 
 questered for the laudable purpose of aiding the unfor- 
 tunate, the following recapitulation is made. All fig- 
 ures here, and previously given upon the sugject under 
 Masonic Homes refer to the United States of North 
 America only. 
 
 Freehold land and buildings $2,789,780 
 
 Endowments or other funds 1,475,326 
 
 Masonic Home building funds 383,665 
 
 "Widows and Orphans or Charity Funds , 266,825 
 
 Educational Endowment Fund. — 200,873 
 
 Total -...- -..- $5,113,469 
 
 17 
 
With one exception, New Jersey, the values of land 
 and Home buildings only represent the cost of the land 
 plus building. In nearly all, if not all, instances, the 
 present value of these landed properties, is very much 
 greater than the amount actually invested in them ; per- 
 haps $500,000 could be added to the sum given as in- 
 vested in land and buildings, and not be far out of the 
 way. And $100,000 could be easily added to the gran 1 
 total as representing cash on hand, permanent and otlier 
 kinds of funds set aside for benevolent purposes, and 
 not included under endowments or other funds, and ed- 
 ucational funds. 
 
 PRACTICABILITY OP MASONIC HOMES. 
 
 We now come face to face with the proposition of 
 the advisability of creating and establishing a Home 
 for our indigent Masons and their dependents. It 
 would seem a case where theory and practice were not 
 in the fullest accord. We would rather say theory and 
 necessity. Before entering into the other phases of 
 this question, let us hark back to conditions of the past. 
 In some ways Masonry may be compared to the plastic 
 sands which received the imprint of things that lived in 
 the ages gone, and there hardened into rock, carrying 
 from the past to the present the evidences of conditions 
 that once existed; for the mould of human thought, 
 made in past years, lies about masonic things like foot- 
 prints in Jurassic sands. No doubt the greater stress, 
 in the early days of our institution, was the necessity 
 of knowledge and the study of the arts and sciences, 
 perhaps developing out of the Fellow Craft degree, and 
 which is often called the degree of education. Inspired 
 by its teaching, and the lack of opportunity to acquire 
 knowledge, Masonry started schools and endowed col- 
 leges ; but the wave of popular sentiment came sweeping 
 up, and educational opportunities were offered by state 
 and municipalities to so generous a degree that, with 
 few exceptions, the work of Masons along these lines 
 became obliterated. Then upon the stones of our order 
 
 18 
 
we read the word charity, and heard its precepts taught. 
 The country, lagging behind in providing for its un- 
 fortunate, the Mason then, ever on the alert for good 
 deeds, turned his attention along these lines, but in the 
 soul of our civilization, we now feel the throb which 
 Masonry anticipated and provided. This wave, too, is 
 sweeping full-crested toward the higher shore, and, 
 doubtless many as Masons, are watching and wondering 
 whether our good work in this field is so vitally needed 
 as when the thought sprang into existence. Charity we 
 shall always need, as we shall always need knowledge ; 
 and Charity can never cease to be an active, cardinal 
 virtue. Yet will Masonry need the full panoplied in- 
 stitutions to protect and aid its poor, the vast machin- 
 ery, the enormous sums segregated to care for the hand- 
 ful that are left stranded by the tide of fortune that we 
 find to-day, only 2,250 out of a masonic population of 
 2,157,225. It would seem that $4,745,284 (only grand 
 lodges are now considered which have Homes) to carry 
 on the work, though lofty and ideal, represents too 
 great an effort for the result obtained, and lacks that 
 ingredient necessity which makes all work a success. 
 
 Tho it be one out of a million who needs our aid, 
 give it to him, open-handed and generously, but why 
 use leaden beams where aluminum will answer as well. 
 Why load one sack with stones to balance the grain 
 which the other contains. No wonder grand lodges 
 pause and falter before the undertaking,for the thought- 
 ful minds know the burdens to be assumed. We have 
 almost drawn a conclusion unconsciously, and while 
 not within our province, perhaps, to make any recom- 
 mendation along the lines of our subject, a.mind would 
 indeed be a barren waste if it apprehended neither its 
 environment nor the thing that touched the senses. And 
 tho we have seemingly piled Pelion on Ossa, we have 
 not forgotten that the poor are always with us, and that 
 life's highway is strewn with losses, and that the kinder 
 our so-called civilization becomes, the more it fights 
 that eternal law of nature, the survival of the fittest, by 
 extending aid to the weaker. The tendency of the 
 
 19 
 
present times is to go into our closets to pray alone, to 
 "Let not thy left hand know what thy right 
 hand doeth ; that thine alms may be in secret. ' ' 
 Does not every Masonic Home stand as a monument, 
 not alone to the generosity of our order, but to the fail- , 
 ure of those who are sheltered by it. Is there not some 
 other way to aid our unfortunate brother than to put 
 him into a gilded house, to be gazed at by curious eyes, 
 as some creature to be wondered at, and to be pitied; 
 some quieter way where self-respect will not be laid in 
 the dust, and every object that tends to comfort be la- 
 belled with the name charity; a way more unostenta- 
 tious, more in accord with the admonition we find in the 
 sermon on the Mount, and at the same time with less 
 burden upon those thru whom aid will come. 
 
 The individualistic plan has many strong adherents, 
 and we quote the following from a letter written by a 
 Grand Secretary of one of the larger grand lodges in 
 which this plan is adopted : — 
 
 "The cost of keeping a Home up and employing 
 help to keep it going and to keep it in repairs, is per- 
 fectly marvelous, and it is surprising how few inmates 
 some of these Homes have; and we learn that a great 
 many who come to these Homes are less deserving than 
 other members of the craft. 
 
 Under our plan the ones whom we assist can re- 
 main among their friends, and enjoy their friendship, 
 company and sjonpathy, and yet have enough to aid 
 them to live comfortably. We have frequently ascer- 
 tained that the ones who are the most deserving are the 
 last who desire to be put into a Home off by them- 
 selves. ' ' 
 
 It is, indeed, true that the publicity of being an in- 
 mate of a Masonic Home makes many a worthy person 
 suffer the pangs of poverty rather than the shame of 
 exposure; while the unworthy have no pride to stiffle, 
 nor conscience to appease. 
 
 We hear a note of warning in the following quota- 
 tion from the report of the Superintendent of the Ma- 
 sonic Home of Connecticut, 1908. 
 
 20 
 
"There is a very potent factor whicli will have 
 great infiuence in determining our future experience 
 in these calls upon our charity. The lodges must exer- 
 cise the utmost care to see that* they are not imposed 
 upon either by such as seek admission to the order be- 
 cause they see inside its fold, a comfortable home for 
 their declining years, and more especially, that they do 
 not reinstate those who have left their ranks, rather 
 than contribute their small share of that which the or- 
 der asks for its own support; but now, feeling the 
 weight of years, and perhaps the approach of poverty, 
 hope to return to the lodge and receive the care and 
 support to which they are not entitled, either by ma- 
 sonic principles, or ordinary justice." 
 
 Farther on in this report, we find that a little less 
 than one-fourth of the total membership of that grand 
 jurisdiction "are annually excused from giving their 
 portion of charity * « * and it is from their num- 
 ber that the majority of the calls for assistance come." 
 
 In the broader and bigger aspect, an objection may 
 be urged against Masonic Homes in that they tend to 
 destroy charity by the individual, and by the subordi- 
 nate bodies, and to encourage a tendency of that impro- 
 vidence, which, more than any other factor, makes 
 asylums of charity necessary. Symbolic Masonry is 
 thoroly democratic and individualistic. Originally each 
 lodge was free and independent. The establishing of 
 a grand lodge, tho centralizing and unifying in its ef- 
 fect, abridged the independence of particular lodges, 
 but it contained so much of good, that this one inovation 
 has become a part of the masonic organization, yet not 
 without protest when first obtained. So deep has this 
 feeling of independence settled over the craft, that every 
 effort to establish a General Grand Lodge has met with 
 failure. The precepts of the institution are for individ- 
 ual rather than collective action. Thus each member is 
 taught that it is he who should make the effort to re- 
 lieve the necessities of a brother or his dependent. And 
 it is with this dominant thought that Masonry has per- 
 sisted thru vicissitudes, and has presented such a solid- 
 arity of purpose that upon its altars the sun never sets. 
 
 21 
 
To centralize our charities beyond the band of Ma- 
 sons we call a lodge, is to loosen the obligations of in- 
 dividual effort, to throw upon the whole what the Ma- 
 son was himself taught to do ; and in his loss of inspira- 
 tion, to be indeed the friend in need, he sees the van- 
 ishing hands of his brothers pointing toward the 
 "Home", should misfortune overtake him, instead of 
 feeling the strong grip to help him to his feet. With 
 this belief impressed upon his mind, all lessons of char- 
 ity become abstract things instead of concrete precepts, 
 and the soul of Masonry, a phophorescent gleam upon 
 the tessellated floor. These reasons are psychologic, 
 yet are worthy of consideration, and many hold them 
 true. 
 
 On the other hand, the Home presents many advan- 
 tages. It gives comforts and attentions which cannot 
 at all times be obtained elsewhere. It offers refining 
 environments, and brings restraining influences to bear 
 upon many who might, in the shadow of the end, see- 
 ing no hope, fall by the wayside. 
 
 EASTERN STAR HOMES. 
 
 The Grand Chapters, Order Eastern Star, of the va- 
 rious states have interested themselves in charity work. 
 In most of these grand chapters, it is a stir upon the 
 waters of good things; in some, a practical help, with 
 funds. In the District of Columbia, it is a co-operation, 
 and in Illinois and Iowa, it is a Masonic Home in full 
 operation. 
 
 At Boone, Iowa, October 18, 1905, a beautiful build- 
 ing was dedicated to the care of masonic dependents. 
 The amount invested in buildings, grounds, etc., in the 
 fore part of 1908, was $44,000, and an endowment fund 
 of $1,020. The cost of maintaining the Home for 1907 
 was $2,700, and in April, 1908, it had 12 inmates. 
 
 We quote the following from a recent statement of 
 one in the harness of Eastern Star work in Iowa : 
 
 ' ' This Home was purchased and is cared for entire- 
 ly by the Order of Eastern Star. Until the Home is full 
 
 22 
 
we admit, under certain conditions, indigent masonic 
 brothers, if they are paid for by the masonic fraternity. 
 "We admit, free of charge, the members of the 0. E. S. 
 and their children ; also the orphan children of Masons, 
 regardless as to whether their parents had been mem- 
 bers of the 0. E. S. or not. So far all the inmates are 
 adults. 
 
 The Home is really only in its infancy, and there 
 has scarcely b^en time to make proper estimates as to 
 the cost of running expenses, it being only dedicated 
 October 18, 1905." 
 
 The prosperity of the masonic craft in Iowa will be 
 brought to mind when we consider that, in 1907, there 
 were 37,838 Masons, members of lodges in that state. 
 By the multiple of three, we find the masonic popula- 
 tion was 113,514, which would more than include East- 
 ern Star members; that out of this population only 12 
 were in the Home April, 1908 ; although, from the report 
 of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, 1907, we 
 find that 43 received assistance during that year and 
 for which $4,906 was expended. 
 
 A comparison may well be here made between the 
 Home, or the socialistic idea, and the individualistic 
 idea of the grand lodge. In the 0. E. S. Home $44,000 
 is invested. For this sum (what would be equivalent 
 to) 7 per cent, per annum could be obtained, when the 
 repairs and deterioration of the buildings are taken into 
 account. This would give $3,080. Cost of maintaining 
 Home during 1907, $2,700, total $5,780, and 12 are in- 
 mates. With $4,906 the Grand Lodge gave 43 such as- 
 sistance as, we have reason to believe, was necessary. 
 
 The Grand Chapter 0. E. S. of Illinois maintains an 
 "Eastern Star and Masonic Home" at Macon. The 
 value of the property is estimated at $25,000. It was 
 dedicated in 1903. Contains 32 rooms. On June 19, 1908, 
 had 23 inmates. Cost about $5,400 to maintain it last 
 year. On October 7, 1907, had a surplus fund of $7,576. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 We have presented the charity side of our institu- 
 23 
 
tion in its historical, methodical and statistical aspect, 
 tho not so elaborate or detailed as it may well have 
 been, it should serve as a survey to those who are inter- 
 ested in the subject. We have sifted the thoughts of 
 others, and garnered the best we could. "We have tried 
 to be impersonal, and present the facts as we found 
 them. We could not well delve into this subject as 
 deeply as we have without some convictions, but we 
 have tried to refrain from expressing them as much as 
 human nature will permit. While some of the figures 
 presented may not be technically accurate, yet they are 
 sufficiently near the fact that a little more or less should 
 not change, except in minor detail, the aspect of the sub- 
 ject. If error exists, it is not because grand lodge ofiS- 
 cers, and those in charge of affairs, have not had ample 
 opportunity to correct them before appearance in this 
 report. 
 
 We have not given the various methods adopted by 
 grand lodges in the United States for raising funds to 
 maintain Masonic Homes, or to accumulate funds for 
 that purpose, or for charitable ends, for the reason that 
 the same method is used by all of the grand lodges, that 
 of a per capita tax, usually, or a certain per cent .of 
 annual income. Only in Pennsylvania are the funds 
 wholly gathered by donations; interest on accumulated 
 funds, many of which coming thru bequests. The Grand 
 Lodge of that state, as well as the Grand Chapter, and 
 Grand Commandery, contribute annually $5,000, $1,000 
 and $1,000, respectively. 
 
 We trust that our labor will throw the light upon 
 the subject of Masonic Homes and cognate charities that 
 was expected, and what is done by our own Grand 
 Lodge along the lines of aid to the unfortunate, will be 
 done in the intelligence of the facts presented. 
 Fraternally submitted, 
 
 FRANK J. THOMPSON. 
 
 Grand Secretary. 
 
 24 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Investment in Masonic Homes in Actiial Operation in 
 North America for year ending 1907. 
 
 California $253,000 
 
 Connecticut 38,000 
 
 ♦District of Columbia _ 25,000 
 
 Georgia _ 30,000 
 
 Illinois _ 112,000 
 
 Kansas 57,600 
 
 Kentucky M. W. & , _ 311,478 
 
 Old Masonic Home _ 20,000 
 
 Michigan 100,000 
 
 Missouri 44,852 
 
 Nebraska _. 33,683 
 
 New Hampshire 28,000 
 
 New Jersey (value) 150,000 
 
 New Jersey Orphanage 36,400 
 
 New York. 500,000 
 
 North Carolina _ _ 125,000 
 
 Ohio 150,000 
 
 tPennsylvania Blkins Orphanage for Girls 400,000 
 
 Masonic Home 83,767 
 
 Tennessee - 50,000 
 
 Texas 161,000 
 
 Virginia '. 75,000 
 
 Total...- $2,784,780 
 
 *Fnnd8 for erection of building were raised by an Eastern Star Pair, 
 October, 1903. 
 
 tHomes built bv private fund and owned by private corporations. 
 The Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, Grand Commandery contribute annu- 
 ally $5,000, $1,000, and $1,000, respectively. Support coming otherwise 
 from donations, from persons, contributions form lodges and interest on in- 
 vested funds. 
 
 Amounts on hand by Grand Lodges in North America to 
 build Masonic Homes. — Year ending 1907. 
 
 Alabama - $ 800 
 
 Arkansas - - 40,000 
 
 Connecticut -...- - - 22,000 
 
 25 
 
Florida 13,988 
 
 Idaho 48,178 
 
 Indian Territory. _ 55,000 
 
 Louisiana - 3,500 
 
 Minnesota - 4,000 
 
 Mississippi _ 36,652 
 
 Montana - 32,058 
 
 Nevada 90 
 
 North Dakota 895 
 
 Oklahoma _ 50,000 
 
 South Carolina 17,000 
 
 South Dakota 4,135 
 
 Washington 37,000 
 
 "West Virginia 2,472 
 
 Wisconsin _.. 5,397 
 
 Wyoming 500 
 
 $383,665 
 
 Canadian Grand Lodges. 
 
 British Columbia $20,000 
 
 Nova Scotia _ $25,000 
 
 Masonic Home endowments, or other funds the interest 
 
 only on which is usually available. 
 
 Tear ending 1907. 
 
 Connecticut 72,294 
 
 Illinois 50,000 
 
 Kentucky _ $306,541 
 
 Missouri 112,000 
 
 New York 274,806 
 
 New Jersey _ 76,887 
 
 Ohio 90,730 
 
 Pennsylvania (estimated) _ 320,189 
 
 Tennessee 30,879 
 
 Texas '. 121,000 
 
 Virginia _ 20,000 
 
 $1,475,326 
 26 
 
Educational Endowment Fund, Grand Lodges North 
 America. Year ending 1907. 
 
 Michigan $ 5,000 
 
 Nebraska 51,873 
 
 New Hampshire 8,000 
 
 Oregon — 136,000 
 
 $200,873 
 
 Widows and Orphans, or Charity Fund, No Provision 
 made to Build Home. — Year ending 1907. 
 
 Arizona $18,000 
 
 Canada _.. ,. 50,000 
 
 Colorado 20,207 
 
 Iowa - - 6,000 
 
 Louisiana _.. 1,658 
 
 Maine 53,621 
 
 Manitoba 15,466 
 
 Minnesota _ 50,000 
 
 ♦Nebraska 51,873 
 
 $266,825 
 
 *Effort being made to make it available for the Masonic Home. 
 
 Annual Cost of Maintaining Masonic Homes. 
 Year ending 1907. 
 
 California $27,000 
 
 Connecticut 20,752 
 
 District Columbia 2,624 
 
 Georgia - 7,009 
 
 Illinois (Sullivan and Chicago Homes) — 30,000 
 
 Indian Territory 6,000 
 
 Kansas ...._ 9,865 
 
 Kentucky (Old Masonic Home) 5,800 
 
 Masons W. & 0. Home 33,000 
 
 Michigan 11,294 
 
 Missouri 29,484 
 
 Nebraska 6,355 
 
 27 
 
New Hampshire - 4,000 
 
 New York 65,000 
 
 North CaroUna 20,739 
 
 New Jersey 18,662 
 
 Ohio - — 34,613 
 
 Tennessee - 16,934 
 
 Pensylvania (Masonic Home) 22,971 
 
 Elkins Orphanage 5,624 
 
 Texas 27,766 
 
 Virginia ~ 9,668 
 
 Total - $415,160 
 
 NXJMBER OF INMATES. 
 
 Year ending 1907. 
 
 California 126 
 
 Connecticut ._ ,. 74 
 
 District Columbia 6 
 
 Georgia - 30 
 
 Illinois 110 
 
 Indian Territory (Building Rented) - 35 
 
 Kansas ._ — 77 
 
 Kentucky (Old Masonic Home) 21 
 
 Masons, Widows and Orphans 282 
 
 Michigan 53 
 
 Missouri - 141 
 
 Nebraska 29 
 
 New Hampshire - _ 14 
 
 New York : 301 
 
 New Jersey (Home) 57 
 
 ( Orphanage ) 17 
 
 North Carolina 276 
 
 Ohio - - 175 
 
 Pennsylvania Masonic Home _ 90 
 
 Elkins Orphanage for Girls 17 
 
 Tennessee 121 
 
 Texas ......140 
 
 Virginia - 58 
 
 Total 2,250 
 
 28 
 
i 
 
 LI 
 
 0- 
 
 I