This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

(Stasfehtginn, gistrid nf CnlnmbiR
Q$azc£ 3-fit, 1854-
/
Brethren :
Ineffectual efforts having been made about four years since, by the Grand Lodge of this District, through the-Grand Lodges of the several States, for assistance in the erection at this place of a central Masonic Temple, which tho brethren here, without aid from abroad were unable to accomplish, in a way suitable to the place and its uses, a ^eivr.-d convention of the Masons of the District was recently held, to devise some new plan to accomplish an object, whi -h was not only near and dear to their own hearts, but the want of which had been felt by distinguished brethren from other jurisdictions, whom business brings within our borders, and at whose repeated suggestions heretofore given, the project first above mentioned, had been started with most confident hopes of success.
At this convention it was resolved, that an appeal be made to the liberality of the individuals of the fraternity,. thnm^h the medium of each of the Subordinate Lodges, Chapters, and Encampments of the United States, for pecuniary aid in the Erection of a Masonic Edifice at the city of Washington, to be denominated the “Washington Masonic Temple,” and to be dedicated to the memory of GEORGE WASHINGTON, and that any income arising from it beyond the amount necessary for its preservation should be paid over by the Trustees, who are to be charged with its erection, to the Grand Lodge of this District, to be held by that body as a Grand Charity Fund, for the relief of affiliated non-resident brethren; such edifice to be one, which, “by its grandeur and magnificence, would be creditable to the Metropolis of the natiou, and to the Fraternity of the Union.”
The undersigned having been appointed by such convention to malce on appeal to tlieir brethren in other jurisdictions, and also constituted as a Board to receive and have the custody of all moneys contributed for the purpose
p
designed, beg leave to address themselves to every member of your Lodge, and appeal not only to his patriotism as an American, but to his pride and charity as a Mason, to cast his mite with that of others, into a common treasury, whose uses will, at so little cost, gratify every feeling so addressed. As a patriot, he cannot but feel elevated in having contributed to a structure at the Metropolis of the nation, which will add to its beauty and adornment,, and as a Mason, his pride will be gratified and his charity evinced, the former, in the reflection that he had aided in a structure, worthy of its position and object, and designed to do honor to the Order, and the latter, not only in assisting those who cannot accomplish this object without such aid, but also in having established a charity fund, to remain throughout all time for the assistance of needy and distressed Masons, of other jurisdictions, in a place where, from the nature of things, such calls are frequent, but where from the limited jurisdiction, the ability to respond is so weak..
This appeal to you, brethren, is dictated by an utter inability to accomplish tho object ourselves. The nature1 lit our population at the Seat of Government, is such as to preclude the possibility of much wealth among the-brethren, many being employees of the Government-, with limited salaries, and nearly all of means scarcely beyond' the daily wants of themselves and families, and therefore the hope of raising a suitable Masonic Edifice, at this place,, without aid from abroad, lias long ceased to be indulged. We desire not, however, to call on Hercules, without-
%
putting our own shoulder to the wheel. ,We are willing to tax our little means to the uttermost,, and feel able tO'