History of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons & Widows of Freemasons, from its establishment to its diamond jubilee / [G. Blizard Abbott].

  • Abbott, G. Blizard.
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: History of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons & Widows of Freemasons, from its establishment to its diamond jubilee / [G. Blizard Abbott]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    CHAPTER. +I. a THE ASYLUM FOR AGED AND DECAYED FREEMASONS. Mosr of our readers are aware that it was Bro. R. J. Crucefix to whom must legitimately be assigned the honour of having established a permanent home for those brethren whom misfortune had over- taken and who, from having enjoyed a position of comparative affluence or comfort, had fallen into a state of indigence; but, according to the ‘“‘ Freemasons’ Quarterly Review” for 1835, Bro. the Rev. Gilbert Gilbert, of the Harmony Lodge, No. 255, Richmond, first suggested the idea of erecting an Asylum for Aged Masons about March, 1831. The proposal at the time did not meet with that degree of favour which it merited, and four years elapsed ere it was again taken up by Neptune Lodge, No. 22, and then the effort was well received. Ina subsequent number of the same Review, we find the idea was publicly mooted on the occasion of the Girls’ School Festival for the same year by Bro. Ramsbottom, M.P., who had filled the office of 8.G.W. in 1820, and who is reported to have made it the subject of lament that, ‘‘ whilst provision to some extent was made for the sons and daughters of decayed Freemasons, none of a similar nature yet existed for the direct assistance of such Freemasons themselves;”’ and we are told that so strong were Bro. Ramsbottom’s feelings on the subject “that he promised his personal support,” and expressed himself as looking forward with confidence “to the time when all the objeqts of Masonic protection would be associated under one roof.” Jt is added that the remarks of this distinguished brother, a P.S.G.W. and the then Prov. Grand Master for Berkshire, “were received in a spirit of warm cordiality” by those present, which was “well calculated to give every assurance of success to such an institution if properly founded.” Such was the effect which these remarks, the advocacy of Bro. Crucefix, and the loyal support of the Neptune and other lodges produced that, only a few pages further on, the editor announced in the following words that a subscription list in aid of the proposed Asylum would be opened in the said “‘ Review”: ‘ With feelings of unmixed satisfaction and joytul pride, we now open a regular account to the credit of this noble tribute to Masonic justice—an account which, however humble in 1ts commencement, will, we confidently predict, hereafter vie with all the existing Charities of the Order—in the patronage by which it will be supported.” And, again, we read elsewhere: ‘‘ But shall we trust ourselves to speak of the AsyLUM FOR THE AGED AND Decayep BREEMASON ; we can hardly calm our feelings in announcing that this
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