When Brother Winston, W. M. of Am Lodge,
No. 18, had his shop and all his stock destroyed by fire, he was
reduced to total poverty, the more distressing because his wife
and seven daughters were dependent on him for support. The Lodge
held many anxious and protracted discussions upon the subject
of relief. All desired to give him a lift; all were determined
to aid and assist him so far as they could do it without injury
to themselves and families. But to replace his stock, so that
he could resume his trade, would require a capital of two thousand
dollars; and this was far beyond their reach. A neighboring capitalist
offered to loan the amount at an easy interest, on their joint
security. But suppose Brother Winston "Masonry is now an
index of political and civil liberty. In Spain, Portugal and Italy,
it is forbidden, under pain of death; in Germany and Russia, under
penalties less severe; it is tolerated in constitutional France;
protected in England; ardently cherished in the United States."
They were to die? While he lived they knew he would work two divisions,
on the twenty four inch gauge, out of every three, but what they
should be secure; but every Mason is taught the frequent lesson
that life is insecure, and the noon time of life as uncertain
as any other time; and sup pose he were to die? The matter, however,
was brought to a focus by a proposition from Brother Sam. Talley,
who had been reading an advertisement of a Life Assurance Company,
and who proposed that the Lodge take out a policy on brother Winston's
life, and then borrow the two thousand dollars. After conquering
the objections of a few old brethren, who "rather thought
it looked like tempting Providence," the plan was adopted
and a policy of three thousand dollars secured by an outlay of
seventy dollars, to be paid year by year.
Brother Winston himself advanced the premium for two years; then
he died. The Lodge forthwith appointed a committee to take legal
evidences of his decease, drew the whole sum at the end of ninety
days, paid up the loan, sold out the stock, and then handed sister
Winston the snug little amount of three thousand four hundred
dollars as a widow's and orphan's fund, all made clear profit,
without costing the brethren a cent. How easy for twelve hundred
of those who read this memorandum to go and do likewise!
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