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Article ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
THE Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonio Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and Widows of Freemasons was held , on Wednesday , at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street . The Lord Mayor of London had promised to preside at the gathering , bat at the last moment he was prevented , through ill-health , from attending , and his place was taken by the Earl of Euston , Provincial
Grand Master of Norths and Hunts . There was a very large attendance of Masons from all parts of the country , and the result of the gathering proved most gratifying to those associated with the Institution . At the conclusion of the banquet the chairman gave the usnal loyal and patriotic toasts . Before introducing the first , he apologised for bis presence in the chair tbat evening . He regretted ,
as he felt they must all do , that ill-health had caused the absence of the Brother who had so kindly promised to preside at the meeting . They conld but hope that he would speedily be restored , and be enabled to continue the good work he had hitherto performed in the cause of Freemasonry . It was no easy task that devolved on him , at a moment ' s notice , to take the place of so well known and respected a
Mason , but be felt sure that in their sympathy for the absentee thoy would support tbe deputy . The first toast was that of Her Majesty the Queen . Masonry enjoined loyalty to the throne and obedience to the laws of the country , but without this the chairman was sure the company before him would heartily honour the tcast of the Queen , who had commenced her subscriptions to the Masonio Benevolent
Institution as far back as 1845 , with a donation of £ 50 . Her Majesty took an interest in all works of charity , and was , in many ways , really one of the best women the world knew . The toast of the Most Worshipful Grand Master the Prince of Wales was one also sure of a hearty reception . Among the varied and innumerable calls on the time of the Prince of Wales , he never forgot the claims of Freemasonry . He knew
as well what was going on in the Order as any one among them , and really took a personal interest in the work of the Craft . With suoh a Grand Master they conld bnt regret tbat his many other claims precluded his giving more of his time to the attendance of Masonic gatherings . The next toast on the list was not a difficult one to propose on ordinary occasions , because tbe work of the Grand Officers was known and
appreciated throughout the Craft , bnt it was difficult on the present occasion to speak to the faces of men who bad dono good and faithful service , and say how well they had performed thoir work in Grand Lodge . Lord Euston knew he had only to mention the names of the Pro and Deputy Grand Masters—each of whom wore doing good work for Freemasonry at large , as well as in the Provinces with which
they were more intimately associated—to ensure a hearty welcome to the toast , bnt he had around him no less than four Past Grand Treasurers , men who had won distinction through the suffrages of their fellows , and who were as ranch respected now as ever they were . There were other Grand Officers present , to all of whom he was sure tho thanks of the brethren would be given for their encouragement
of the meeting of the day . Their attendance gavo practical proof that they maintained their interest in the doings of the Craft long after their term of office had passed away . Bro . J . Derby Allcroft , as tbe senior of the Past Grand Treasurers , was called upon to reply , which he did with infinite pleasure . Those who were promoted to Grand office did not then cease to be active members of the Craft .
Many of them took great interest in private Lodges , as Lord Euston had pointed out ; their presence there that day showed they still bad the welfare of the Institution at heart . The Earl of Euston next submitted the toast of the evening—Success to the Royal Masonio Benevolent Institution . He did so with great diffidence , because he was sure the brother who was to have presided over the meeting
would have done far more justice to the toast than he conld hope to do . He regretted the absence of the Lord Mayor , because he had looked forward — as he felt many others had also done — to hearing a speech whioh he should enjoy , and whioh would be worth taking away , for it was well known that Sir Henry Isaacs was uot only an enthusiastic Mason , an able worker of its ceremonies ,
but also a ready and brilliant speaker . He sketched the rise of the Charity , whioh had been started in 1842 by a grant of £ 400 a year from Grand Lodge , and compared it with its present position , when close on £ 15 , 000 was being expended year by year in annuities alone . This , he felt , was reliable and solid proof that Freemasonry was doing all that was right and just for tbe aged of the Craft wbo
needed help through misfortune , accident , or other disaster . Daring the time of its existence the Institution had paid away some £ 200 , 000 in annuities alone , and had been a great solace and comfort to many aged members of the Order . There were , unfortunately , a very large nnmber of candidates seeking admission to the Institution who could not be accommodated , as there were but few vacancies .
and the Committee did not feel justified in advising an extension of benefits , preferring rather to go on as they were , and if there should be a surplus on the year to add the balance to the invested fund . It was to be regretted the reserve was uot muoh larger than it was , aa there was always tbe possibility of misfortune occurring , and if that did happen it was desirable they should in a measure be prepared for
it . The absence of the Lord Mayor was particularly unfortunate in connection with the subject . As the head of tbe most influential Civic power iu the world he was regarded as the fouutain from whom to ask assistance in all matters relating tc Charity . When tbey looked back and considered the vast amounts whioh bad been sent to the Mansion House for all classes and conditions of men , they could
but think tbe Mansion House set them an example of what they should do . There it was only necessary for a dire calamity or a serious misfortune to be mentioned to ensure a hearty response . He hoped the result of that day ' s meeting would prove that as much good would accrue through the patronage of the Mansion Honse for
a Masonio object as for the numerous and varied other causes for which it had appealed in days gone by . Speaking of the way in whioh the Institution was managed , Lord Euston paid a well deserved compliment to Bro . James Terry , the Secretary , who , he said , performed his work most zealously and faithfully . No one
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ever applied to Bro . Terry for information in vain , and he did all that lay in his power to advance the interests of the Institution , even if in doing so it was necessary for him to travel from one end of Eng . land to the other . Bro . Farnfield , Treasurer of the Institution , responded to tbe toast , thanking the Chairman , on behalf of the Committee , for his kindness in undertaking the duties of president
at so short a notice . Never before , he said , in the records of tho Institution , had the same brother presided at two of the Anniversary Festivals in succession . Bro . Terry then read the list of donations , full details of which will be found elsewhere . There were in all 326 Stewards , 153 of whom represented Provincial Lodges , and 173 Metropolitan ones . The Provinces on this occasion were led by
Kent , represented by 11 Stewards , and contributing a total of £ 743 14 s . This was a grand amount to be sent up from any district , and reflected great credit on the Masons of that Province . Next there was West Yorkshire , a district always to the front in any good cause , and whioh on this occasion contributed 500 guineas . Then followed , with equal enthusiasm , the Masons of Berks and Bucks ,
who were that night represented by 13 Stewards , with a united contribution of £ 434 12 s 6 d . Taking the Provinces in their entirety , he was pleased to announce a contribution of £ 6 , 341 13 s , while , as regarded the London Lodges , who had been equally zealous in tbe cause , there was a total of £ 6 , 753 8 s 6 d to record . The honour of collecting the largest individual list was on
this occasion secured by the Sincerity Lodge ( No . 174 ) , whose contribution amounted to £ 216 13 s , while the Merchant Navy Lodge , also of London , was a good second , with £ 202 7 s . The Lord Mayor had succeeded in raising a list of £ 101 17 s , while tbe distinguished brother who had so kindly taken tbe place of Chairman , and thus helped the Institution ont of a difficulty , had made a personal donation
of thirty guineas . This amount , and the total from Lord Euston ' s Province must be taken in connection with the handsome support rendered by Norths and Hunts last year , when Lord Euston presided in his own right over their Festival , and when the members of his Province nobly supported him with donations reaching close on £ 1000 . The total result of the Festival was that a sum of £ 13 , 095 Is 6 d
had been subscribed , with 19 lists outstanding . The total thus far showed an advance of 50 Guineas as compared with the result of last year ' s Festival , and it was but reasonable to suppose that the outstanding lists would eventually swell the total to at least £ 13 , 600 . As Secretary of tho Institntion , Bro . Terry heartily thanked the Stewards for their kind efforts , which had resulted so satisfactorily .
Brother Eve Past Grand Treasnrer proposed the toast of the Chairman . Lord Euston was a brother who had served Freemasonry on many occasions . Last year , he did them the honour of presiding over the similar Festival to that they were then celebrating , when , as the Secretary had told them , the brethreu of his Province most loyally rallied around him and supported him with
donations amounting to close on £ 1000 . The Earl of Euston tendered thanks for the hearty reception that had been accorded him as a substitute for a brother they would all havo liked to see presiding at the meeting . As an old soldier he had learnt to regard duty first and pleasnre after , bnt he felt that if a duty was not also a pleasure it had much better be left alone altogether . Whenever
he was wanted , at a moment's notice , to fill any position in Freemasonry the brethren might rely that he would work to the best of his ability , and he could only hope that in all he nudertook he should be regarded as having done his duty . He next proposed Success to the other Masonio Institutions . They were met that day to celebrate the Festival of one of the Charities , but must not forget they
had other claims equally pressing . The Charities of the Order were represented by what some regarded as the lucky number—three , and each needed aid in its turn . That night they had heard of large , munificent and wide-spread contributions to one of the number , but they must not forget the claims on the other two , whose Festivals occurred later in the year . That night they had dealt with the
claims of thoso who had passed through the troubles of life , but they had before them the calls of younger members of the community , for whose welfare Freemasonry was equally anxious . If auy funds had been spared after the strong appeals of the Stewards of the day he earnestly asked them to remember the claims of the Girls and Boys when the Festivals on their behalf came round . Brother F . R . W .
Hedges replied on behalf of the Girls School , the Festival of whioh is fixed for the 14 th May , and also for the Boys' School , the Anniversary of which would follow later on . He congratulated the Benevolent Institntion on the success of the meeting , the result of which showed an average of upwards of £ 40 contributed by each Steward . The Chairman next proposed the toast of the Stewards , to whioh Brother
Horace Brooks Marshall P . G . Treasurer replied , and then the toast of the Ladies was given , Major George Lambert acknowledging it in a humorous and well-timed speech . This concluding the proceedings of the banquet , the company repaired to the Masonio Temple , and joined the ladies in listening to an excellent concert , provided
under the direction of Bro . W . D . Graves P . P . G . Sword Bearer Herts , who was assisted by the Misses Annie Lea , Otie St . Hill , Gretta Williams , Bertha Colnaghi ; Bros . Edwin Bryant , Stanley Smith , Egbert Roberts P . M . P . P . G . O . Essex , Bro . Stedman ' s choir of Boys , and Graves' Ladies' Orchestra . Brother Edward Terry acted as accompanist .
We are gratified in being able to announce that Madame Worrell , who is favourably known to many of our readers , has so far recovered from the dangerous illness from which she has been suffering since the beginning of
the year that she hopes in a few days to resume her professional duties . Madame Worrell , both as a teacher and a singer , has secured a deservedly high position , and her many friends and pupils will be pleased to hear of her convalescence .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
THE Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonio Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and Widows of Freemasons was held , on Wednesday , at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street . The Lord Mayor of London had promised to preside at the gathering , bat at the last moment he was prevented , through ill-health , from attending , and his place was taken by the Earl of Euston , Provincial
Grand Master of Norths and Hunts . There was a very large attendance of Masons from all parts of the country , and the result of the gathering proved most gratifying to those associated with the Institution . At the conclusion of the banquet the chairman gave the usnal loyal and patriotic toasts . Before introducing the first , he apologised for bis presence in the chair tbat evening . He regretted ,
as he felt they must all do , that ill-health had caused the absence of the Brother who had so kindly promised to preside at the meeting . They conld but hope that he would speedily be restored , and be enabled to continue the good work he had hitherto performed in the cause of Freemasonry . It was no easy task that devolved on him , at a moment ' s notice , to take the place of so well known and respected a
Mason , but be felt sure that in their sympathy for the absentee thoy would support tbe deputy . The first toast was that of Her Majesty the Queen . Masonry enjoined loyalty to the throne and obedience to the laws of the country , but without this the chairman was sure the company before him would heartily honour the tcast of the Queen , who had commenced her subscriptions to the Masonio Benevolent
Institution as far back as 1845 , with a donation of £ 50 . Her Majesty took an interest in all works of charity , and was , in many ways , really one of the best women the world knew . The toast of the Most Worshipful Grand Master the Prince of Wales was one also sure of a hearty reception . Among the varied and innumerable calls on the time of the Prince of Wales , he never forgot the claims of Freemasonry . He knew
as well what was going on in the Order as any one among them , and really took a personal interest in the work of the Craft . With suoh a Grand Master they conld bnt regret tbat his many other claims precluded his giving more of his time to the attendance of Masonic gatherings . The next toast on the list was not a difficult one to propose on ordinary occasions , because tbe work of the Grand Officers was known and
appreciated throughout the Craft , bnt it was difficult on the present occasion to speak to the faces of men who bad dono good and faithful service , and say how well they had performed thoir work in Grand Lodge . Lord Euston knew he had only to mention the names of the Pro and Deputy Grand Masters—each of whom wore doing good work for Freemasonry at large , as well as in the Provinces with which
they were more intimately associated—to ensure a hearty welcome to the toast , bnt he had around him no less than four Past Grand Treasurers , men who had won distinction through the suffrages of their fellows , and who were as ranch respected now as ever they were . There were other Grand Officers present , to all of whom he was sure tho thanks of the brethren would be given for their encouragement
of the meeting of the day . Their attendance gavo practical proof that they maintained their interest in the doings of the Craft long after their term of office had passed away . Bro . J . Derby Allcroft , as tbe senior of the Past Grand Treasurers , was called upon to reply , which he did with infinite pleasure . Those who were promoted to Grand office did not then cease to be active members of the Craft .
Many of them took great interest in private Lodges , as Lord Euston had pointed out ; their presence there that day showed they still bad the welfare of the Institution at heart . The Earl of Euston next submitted the toast of the evening—Success to the Royal Masonio Benevolent Institution . He did so with great diffidence , because he was sure the brother who was to have presided over the meeting
would have done far more justice to the toast than he conld hope to do . He regretted the absence of the Lord Mayor , because he had looked forward — as he felt many others had also done — to hearing a speech whioh he should enjoy , and whioh would be worth taking away , for it was well known that Sir Henry Isaacs was uot only an enthusiastic Mason , an able worker of its ceremonies ,
but also a ready and brilliant speaker . He sketched the rise of the Charity , whioh had been started in 1842 by a grant of £ 400 a year from Grand Lodge , and compared it with its present position , when close on £ 15 , 000 was being expended year by year in annuities alone . This , he felt , was reliable and solid proof that Freemasonry was doing all that was right and just for tbe aged of the Craft wbo
needed help through misfortune , accident , or other disaster . Daring the time of its existence the Institution had paid away some £ 200 , 000 in annuities alone , and had been a great solace and comfort to many aged members of the Order . There were , unfortunately , a very large nnmber of candidates seeking admission to the Institution who could not be accommodated , as there were but few vacancies .
and the Committee did not feel justified in advising an extension of benefits , preferring rather to go on as they were , and if there should be a surplus on the year to add the balance to the invested fund . It was to be regretted the reserve was uot muoh larger than it was , aa there was always tbe possibility of misfortune occurring , and if that did happen it was desirable they should in a measure be prepared for
it . The absence of the Lord Mayor was particularly unfortunate in connection with the subject . As the head of tbe most influential Civic power iu the world he was regarded as the fouutain from whom to ask assistance in all matters relating tc Charity . When tbey looked back and considered the vast amounts whioh bad been sent to the Mansion House for all classes and conditions of men , they could
but think tbe Mansion House set them an example of what they should do . There it was only necessary for a dire calamity or a serious misfortune to be mentioned to ensure a hearty response . He hoped the result of that day ' s meeting would prove that as much good would accrue through the patronage of the Mansion Honse for
a Masonio object as for the numerous and varied other causes for which it had appealed in days gone by . Speaking of the way in whioh the Institution was managed , Lord Euston paid a well deserved compliment to Bro . James Terry , the Secretary , who , he said , performed his work most zealously and faithfully . No one
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ever applied to Bro . Terry for information in vain , and he did all that lay in his power to advance the interests of the Institution , even if in doing so it was necessary for him to travel from one end of Eng . land to the other . Bro . Farnfield , Treasurer of the Institution , responded to tbe toast , thanking the Chairman , on behalf of the Committee , for his kindness in undertaking the duties of president
at so short a notice . Never before , he said , in the records of tho Institution , had the same brother presided at two of the Anniversary Festivals in succession . Bro . Terry then read the list of donations , full details of which will be found elsewhere . There were in all 326 Stewards , 153 of whom represented Provincial Lodges , and 173 Metropolitan ones . The Provinces on this occasion were led by
Kent , represented by 11 Stewards , and contributing a total of £ 743 14 s . This was a grand amount to be sent up from any district , and reflected great credit on the Masons of that Province . Next there was West Yorkshire , a district always to the front in any good cause , and whioh on this occasion contributed 500 guineas . Then followed , with equal enthusiasm , the Masons of Berks and Bucks ,
who were that night represented by 13 Stewards , with a united contribution of £ 434 12 s 6 d . Taking the Provinces in their entirety , he was pleased to announce a contribution of £ 6 , 341 13 s , while , as regarded the London Lodges , who had been equally zealous in tbe cause , there was a total of £ 6 , 753 8 s 6 d to record . The honour of collecting the largest individual list was on
this occasion secured by the Sincerity Lodge ( No . 174 ) , whose contribution amounted to £ 216 13 s , while the Merchant Navy Lodge , also of London , was a good second , with £ 202 7 s . The Lord Mayor had succeeded in raising a list of £ 101 17 s , while tbe distinguished brother who had so kindly taken tbe place of Chairman , and thus helped the Institution ont of a difficulty , had made a personal donation
of thirty guineas . This amount , and the total from Lord Euston ' s Province must be taken in connection with the handsome support rendered by Norths and Hunts last year , when Lord Euston presided in his own right over their Festival , and when the members of his Province nobly supported him with donations reaching close on £ 1000 . The total result of the Festival was that a sum of £ 13 , 095 Is 6 d
had been subscribed , with 19 lists outstanding . The total thus far showed an advance of 50 Guineas as compared with the result of last year ' s Festival , and it was but reasonable to suppose that the outstanding lists would eventually swell the total to at least £ 13 , 600 . As Secretary of tho Institntion , Bro . Terry heartily thanked the Stewards for their kind efforts , which had resulted so satisfactorily .
Brother Eve Past Grand Treasnrer proposed the toast of the Chairman . Lord Euston was a brother who had served Freemasonry on many occasions . Last year , he did them the honour of presiding over the similar Festival to that they were then celebrating , when , as the Secretary had told them , the brethreu of his Province most loyally rallied around him and supported him with
donations amounting to close on £ 1000 . The Earl of Euston tendered thanks for the hearty reception that had been accorded him as a substitute for a brother they would all havo liked to see presiding at the meeting . As an old soldier he had learnt to regard duty first and pleasnre after , bnt he felt that if a duty was not also a pleasure it had much better be left alone altogether . Whenever
he was wanted , at a moment's notice , to fill any position in Freemasonry the brethren might rely that he would work to the best of his ability , and he could only hope that in all he nudertook he should be regarded as having done his duty . He next proposed Success to the other Masonio Institutions . They were met that day to celebrate the Festival of one of the Charities , but must not forget they
had other claims equally pressing . The Charities of the Order were represented by what some regarded as the lucky number—three , and each needed aid in its turn . That night they had heard of large , munificent and wide-spread contributions to one of the number , but they must not forget the claims on the other two , whose Festivals occurred later in the year . That night they had dealt with the
claims of thoso who had passed through the troubles of life , but they had before them the calls of younger members of the community , for whose welfare Freemasonry was equally anxious . If auy funds had been spared after the strong appeals of the Stewards of the day he earnestly asked them to remember the claims of the Girls and Boys when the Festivals on their behalf came round . Brother F . R . W .
Hedges replied on behalf of the Girls School , the Festival of whioh is fixed for the 14 th May , and also for the Boys' School , the Anniversary of which would follow later on . He congratulated the Benevolent Institntion on the success of the meeting , the result of which showed an average of upwards of £ 40 contributed by each Steward . The Chairman next proposed the toast of the Stewards , to whioh Brother
Horace Brooks Marshall P . G . Treasurer replied , and then the toast of the Ladies was given , Major George Lambert acknowledging it in a humorous and well-timed speech . This concluding the proceedings of the banquet , the company repaired to the Masonio Temple , and joined the ladies in listening to an excellent concert , provided
under the direction of Bro . W . D . Graves P . P . G . Sword Bearer Herts , who was assisted by the Misses Annie Lea , Otie St . Hill , Gretta Williams , Bertha Colnaghi ; Bros . Edwin Bryant , Stanley Smith , Egbert Roberts P . M . P . P . G . O . Essex , Bro . Stedman ' s choir of Boys , and Graves' Ladies' Orchestra . Brother Edward Terry acted as accompanist .
We are gratified in being able to announce that Madame Worrell , who is favourably known to many of our readers , has so far recovered from the dangerous illness from which she has been suffering since the beginning of
the year that she hopes in a few days to resume her professional duties . Madame Worrell , both as a teacher and a singer , has secured a deservedly high position , and her many friends and pupils will be pleased to hear of her convalescence .