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 Letter from the Editor
This issue of Freemasonry Today is
dedicated to the four central Masonic
charities: The Freemasons’ Grand
Charity, the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls
and Boys, the Royal Masonic Benevolent
Institution and the Masonic Samaritan Fund.
They are the crown jewels of our much
loved Brotherhood.
But if you discover him to be a true and genuine Brother you are to respect him accordingly; and if he is in want, you must relieve him if you can, or else direct him how he may be reliev’d: you must employ him some days, or else recommend him to be employ’d.Later that century saw the formation of the first ‘bricks and mortar’ charitable institutions: in 1788 the Chevalier Ruspini (the Prince of Wales’s dentist) founded a school for daughters of Freemasons of the ‘Moderns’ Grand Lodge; in 1798 the ‘Antients’ Grand Lodge founded a school for boys. At the Union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813 these two schools were open to the children of all Freemasons. The next year approximately 25% of the registration fee for new masons was given over for the support of these schools. During the nineteenth century other institutions were created but they all had in common a focus purely upon the Brethren of Freemasonry. This continued until relatively recently. In 1971 the Grand Master ordered a fresh approach to Masonic charity and appointed a Judge, Sir Arthur Bagnall, as chairman of a committee to pursue this. In 1974 this committee produced what is known as the Bagnall Report. It recommended firstly that ‘Masonic charity should become more outward looking and should not be confined to Freemasons and their dependants’: that masonic charities also seek to support the wider community. As a result of this report, the central masonic charities took their present form. We can see that the huge sums given by the charities each year are split between masonic and non-masonic causes; between causes with broad implications and those focussed upon individuals. This has had positive implications for the appreciation of Freemasonry beyond the walls of the lodge. The articles in this issue reflect that approach: we have the sponsorship of medical research especially through the Royal College of Surgeons; aid given to charities like ‘Help for Heroes’ which are helping our young men who are disabled as a result of military action to rebuild their spirits and their lives. And then there are charities such as the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys’TalentAid which is focussed upon individuals showing great skills which need to be nurtured professionally. But Freemasons themselves have not been forgotten: the new initiative, Freemasonry Cares aims to make this charity even more accessible. We have an article explaining the areas in which it can help every mason in need. Important in this process is the role of the lodge Almoners: Laura Chapman, Chief Executive of The Grand Charity emphasizes this in her interview. And a serving lodge Almoner in Dorset, Gerald Middleton, gives his advice and tells us of his experiences. Our charities are not only our jewels, they are our legacy for those who will follow us. They are in good heart today; we must make certain that they remain so.
One of the most popular regular features
which we have printed in Freemasonry
Today for many years has been the
‘Reflection’ by the Reverend Canon Richard
Tydeman. His writings have allowed all of us
to enjoy the fruits of his wisdom and insight.
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