"Help, Aid and Assist"
"To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Masons, who profess to be linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere friendship,"
These words are familiar to every Mason, and as the minutes of July 24, 1856 show, one of Eureka Lodge's first acts as a chartered Lodge was to "choose a committee to visit the sick and attend to applications from worthy distressed Brothers, their widows and orphans."
Freemasonry is not a beneficial society, and relief to the distressed member is not his right or his due. Charity in its broadest sense is one of the principal Masonic tenets however, and was so long before welfare and relief were considered to be human rights. The Ancient Charges going back to medieval days, required that if a Brother Mason was in want, "you are to relieve him if you can, or else direct him how he may be relieved."
Recourse to the minutes of Eureka Lodge show that Masonic Charity has been extended not only by financial help to the distressed, but in its broad sense as well. A few of the many examples will serve to show the extent of these concerns.
Opportunities to extend charity and relief were frequent in the early days of the Lodge. One of the first occured in 1857 when an Entered Apprentice member died of yellow fever in Charleston, S.C. The Lodge arranged with the Lodge there, for the remains to be returned to St. George for burial, and financial help was extended to his widow.
Not long thereafter, the minutes show that "it was voted to procure a suit of comfortable clothing for each of the children" (of another Brother who had been lost at sea). Financial help was also extended to the widow, and later a cord of wood was sent to her. Another instance noted that a bill was paid "for goods delivered to the orphan children of Brother—."
Financial help was extended to widows on many occasions. The amounts given were not large by today's standards, but before life insurance and social security became commonplace, many of the widows were nearly destitute, and the Lodge's help meant a great deal to them.
The 1878 minute book shows that thanks were voted to Union Lodge, Nantucket "for their kindness in ministering to the necessities of our Brother James H. Davis and his family, and for their special care of the body of our deceased Brother George K. Davis."
Several instances are noted where the Lodge sent barrels of flour to widows of deceased members, and in another, it paid for a casket and funeral expenses for one who evidently died penniless. On another occasion, discussion was held as to whether or not to pay for a gravestone, but it was apparently voted down, as the grave is still unmarked.
Frequently entries show the Lodge voted sums of money to members who were sick and unable to work. Not always limited to Masonic relief, on one occasion a contribution was made "for the relief of sufferers from the forest fires in Michigan", and on another, one "for Masonic sufferers at the great fire in Galveston, Texas" (1885).
The 1889 minutes show a bill paid to Moses Webster Lodge, Vinalhaven for "services rendered Brother — while sick at Vinalhaven", and on another, to Seaside Lodge, Boothbay Harbor for "caring for our Brother —."
An unusual case showing the high sense of integrity of some of those old time Masons, is recorded in the minute books. A member of another Lodge loaned a sum of money to a member of Eureka Lodge. The latter defaulted on the loan, and was suspended for non-payment of dues. The Lodge voted to reimburse the injured Brother for his loss.
In 1923 minutes show that coal was purchased for a sojourning Brother, and that it was "voted to help him otherwise if needed."
One widow was helped financially by the Lodge and by Grand Lodge for over 14 years, and a committee was charged to keep a discreet eye on her needs and condition.
The decade of the 1930's brought about a gradual change in the pattern of Masonic charity and relief. The records show that the Lodge applied more often to the Grand Lodge Charity Fund for assistance, rather than rely on its own resources only. This was undoubtedly due to depressed economic conditions, a declining membership and the increased cost of providing worthwhile relief.
Government was beginning to assume an increasing role in dispensing welfare and public assistance, and there were fewer requests to the Lodge for financial help.
Other avenues for providing relief to the distressed were utilized however. As an example, the records show benefit suppers held on one occasion, to help a member "who had lost his barn by fire," and another "whose garage was destroyed by fire."
In more recent years, relief has been extended through such channels as blood donations to ill members and gifts to sick and hospitalized veterans. 1974 Grand Lodge records show 24 pints of blood given to the Masonic Blood Bank by Eureka's members, the fifth highest number of any lodge in the State.
Annually since 1976, special fish chowder suppers have been held, with the proceeds given to the Shriners' Crippled Children's Hospitals.
While provision is still made for financial relief through a Charity Fund established by the Lodge in 1962, present day costs practically limit it to emergency uses only.
Adapting to changing times and conditions, the members of Eureka Lodge can feel a sense of pride in its record over the years, of extending a helping hand to "worthy distressed Brothers, their widows and orphans."
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