From The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
A heart warming bit of research highlighting fraternal ties, across oceans.
THE MASONIC RELIEF ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, appears to have made contact with the Grand Lodge of Scotland, in the midst of the 1st World War
There was read to Grand Committee a letter from Right Worshipful Brother W. H. Melish of Cincinnati, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of an Association which has been organised in the United States of America, for the purpose of raising a Relief Fund to aid the needs of Freemasons and their families who are sufferers through the European War.
To THE MOST WORSHIPFUL BROTHER COL. R. KING STEWART,
GRAND MASTER OF FREEMASONS,
GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND,
MURDOSTOUN, SCOTLAND.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
I have the honour to notify you, officially, and through you the Grand Body of Masonry, of which you are the official head, that the Freemasons of the United States of America are engaged in raising a fund to aid in relieving the needs of Freemasons and their families who are sufferers from the ravages of war in Europe.
We also propose to contribute to the needs of destitute persons who are not connected with the fraternity of Freemasonry, but who have been made homeless and destitute, and are otherwise great sufferers, by the devastation through which they and their countries have passed.
Our first object is to learn, through the Grand Bodies, of the different branches of Freemasonry located in the countries at war, whether regularly organised Masonic relief Committees, or Associations, have been created, or whether they will be created, so as to distribute funds that may be sent to them from our Association.
Our organisation is called” The Masonic War Relief Association of the United States of America.” As the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Association, I am in charge of its work, and I beg to place myself and my services, and those of our Association, at the disposal of yourself and the Order over which you preside.
We will esteem it a fraternal privilege to be permitted to send funds, contributed by the Masons of this country, not only for the relief of Masons and their families who are war sufferers, but also to aid in the work of any war relief fund, or association, approved by you and other Grand Officers of Freemasonry in Europe. Asking the favour of an immediate reply, I have the honour to be, Fraternally and courteously yours,
6I2 W. SIXTH STREET, CINCINNATI. OHIO, U.S.A.,
16th January 1915
The Masonic War Relief Association, (Sgd.)
WM. B. MELISH, Chairman, Executive Committee.
The letter was received by Grand Lodge Committee with feelings of deepest appreciation, and Grand Secretary was directed, in acknowledging its receipt, to express the sincere thanks of the Scottish Craft for the noble and disinterested offer of assistance.
Grand Secretary was further directed to inform Brother Melish, that though to the present the distress caused by the war had not resulted in claims beyond the ability of Grand Lodge of Scotland to meet out of its regular Benevolent Funds, yet the fact had to be faced that more severe destitution and suffering were sure to follow in the train of the greater sacrifices in men and material which the countries at war may yet have to make.
Grand Committee therefore resolved that if and when the claims upon the funds of Grand Lodge grow to such an extent as to cause anxiety, the circumstances will be laid before the Executive Committee of the Masonic War Relief Association of the United States, and their kind offer utilised for the purposes for which they design it.
The research is incomplete because we have not been able to discover what happened subsequent to this letter being sent to the GLoS.
Any American Brethren able to assist in completing the story?