Only the regalia and records, and full register of members belonging to the Grand Lodge were saved. The magnificent library of over four hundred volumes, many of them rare and scarce, and the most complete thing of the kind in the Dominion, was burned. In the work of collecting these books, the Grand Secretary, W. F. Bunting, Esq., spent many years; and the destruction of the noble volumes is a serious and irreparable loss to Freemasonry; many of the books destroyed can never be replaced. Besides this, a good many were of incalculable value, on account of certain associations connected with them, and each one had a little history of its own. Some of them were presentation volumes, others again were out
of print, and not a few were high-priced modern text-books, especially valuable to the masonic student. All the blank forms and certificates, fyles of documents and books of constitutions, and all copies of printed proceedings were swept away in the common ruin. Grand Lodge has suffered severely, and her total loss above insurance cannot be less than one thousand dollars; while the loss she has met with which money cannot replace is enormous. Even Carleton Union Lodge, which met on the other side of the harbour, did not escape. Her beautiful banners, which she had lent St. John Encampment at the time of the late ball, were in the lodge room when the
fire was sweeping all before it, and they were consequently burned.
The walls of the Lodge-room were always tastefully decorated with well executed engravings on Masonic subjects. These all perished, as well as the handsome auto-type of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales in full Masonic regalia, which was presented to the craft last year, by Thomas Furlong, Esq., and which was greatly admired. An oil painting of P. G. M. Balloch, by Holman, in full Masonic clothing, which hung near the Master's Chair, and a fine picture in oil of "The Ascension," by Dr. T. A. D. Forster, formerly of St. John, were burned along with everything else. Indeed the fraternity will find it impossible to replace a tithe of the useful and ornamental things with which it was surrounded. The order in this city was well equipped, and amply provided with everything.
Notwithstanding, however, that they had suffered so largely themselves, publicly and privately, as individuals and as masons, the leading members of the fraternity at once organized a board of relief and proceeded to care for the wants of the brethren who had met with reverses. The general masonic board of relief is a special organization which grew out of the present calamity, and is separate and distinct from the regular or ordinary relief board of the city. It is composed of city members of the Board of General Purposes of the Grand Lodge, and the presiding officers of all the Masonic bodies of the city. Grand Master R. T. Clinch is Chairman, Grand Treasurer Jas McNichol, Jr., is Treasurer, and Grand Secretary William F. Bunting is Secretary of the board. R. W. Bro. Edwin J. Wetmore is clerk, and has charge of the office and attends daily from three to five o'clock in the afternoon, to receive applications from brethren in distress. The board meets every day, in the office rented for the purpose, from four to five o'clock to consider applications and grant such relief as they deem advisable. In the administration of the fund at their disposal the board exercises great discretion and discrimination. Not only are brethren of the craft helped, but the hearts of their widows and orphans are made glad. Often the board does not wait for a distressed brother to make application for relief, but other means are taken to find out his necessities and aid is sent to him whenever this can be ascertained. All benefits are granted in money, and range from sums of twenty to fifty dollars, payable by check signed always by the treas
urer, and one other officer of the board. As soon as money is received it is deposited in the Bank of British North America, in the names of the Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. The system works admirably and already a great amount of good, in really necessitous cases, has been done. The gentlemen at the head of the board are men of sterling character and reputation, and any funds placed in their hands are judiciously and properly disbursed. Every provision is being made for the coming winter months, when it is expected that sore distress will prevail in the city, and with this in view the board feel the necessity of having a good fund at their disposal to meet the wants of worthy but unfortunate members of the fraternity. Thus far the craft abroad have responded to the needs of the suffering brethren quite liberally. Up to late date these sums have been received:
| From | Craft in Chicago, Ill. | $930 00 |
| " | Grand Lodge of Canada | 1,000 00 |
| " | " " Illinois | 237 75 |
| " | Craft in Charlottetown, P. E. I. | 300 00 |
| " | " Newfoundland | 336 44 |
| " | Masonic Relief Board, Memphis, Tenn. | 94 75 |
| " | St. Andrew's Lodge, Bangor, Me. | 95 00 |
| " | St. John's Lodge, Bathurst, N. B. | 50 00 |
| " | Star in the East Lodge, Oldtown, Me. | 66 50 |
| " | Alexandria Lodge, St. Mary's, York Co., N. B. | 20 00 |