Visiting Our Charities.

VISITING OUR CHARITIES .

A FORTNIGHT back we reported a visit of some ¦ * ** Irish Provincial Brethren to the Boys and Girls Masonic Charities of their Jurisdiction , and we felt at the time that the idea—in itself a novelty so far as our

experience went—was an excellent one , and that it might advantageously be copied in this country , in connection with the two Educational Institutions of

English Freemasonry . It will be remembered that in the report we gave it was stated on very good authority that the system of Provincial visits—of which this was one—was

inaugurated a year or so ago , and had been found to be of incalculable efficacy in bringing home to members of the Order scattered throughout the country the scope of the working of the Schools , and the admirable results flowing from their teaching . We can well

believe the truth of this verdict , and see no reason why like satisfactory results should not follow the adoption of similar practices in this country . Why then , may we ask , should not something of this sort be attempted in connection with the English Masonic Schools ?

It may be urged there are very few members of English Lodges but are acquainted with the work being done by the Boys School at Wood Green and the sister Institution at Battersea . Much has been said

in regard to them in almost every Lodge in the country , and the good work is being energetically pushed on day by day throughout the year , but " seeing is believing , " and no matter how zealous a speaker

may be it is impossible that he can paint a picture which shall be nearly so impressive—even though he be gifted with the most fluent and convincing of language—as that provided by an actual visit and inspection of the work being carried on .

It appears that some two hundred and fifty ladies and Brethren from the Masonic Province of Down took part in this excursion , and from what we know of the Irish Schools , coupled with our personal knowledge of

the similar Institutions in this country , it is fair to say there was not one of that large party but went home interested in the work , and determined to do everything in their power to further it and extend it as far as

possible . In no other way , we venture to urge , could such admirable results be achieved , and again we may ask , is it not possible for us here in England to profit by the work of our Irish Brethren and copy their

example in this respect ? In these days of cheap special trains for large parties the expense should be a matter of no serious moment , and , viewed in connection with the possible results , would hardly

deserve more than a passing thought . We do not wish to deprive the Secretaries of their special duty of making known the splendid work and the many claims

of the Schools , what we here suggest would be rather of a supplementary nature , and , we believe ; would lead to most beneficial results .

Cheshire.

CHESHIRE .

THE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Wednesday , " 28 th ult ., at the Literary Institute , Altrincham .

Earl Egerton of Tatton Provincial Grand Master presided , and amongst a large number of present arid past Provincial Officers on the dais were His Honour Sir Horatio

Lloyd D . P . G . M ., and the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., P . P . G . W . There were upwards of 500 members of the Order present .

The roll of Lodges was called , and it appeared that all were represented .

The minutes of the last annual meeting and of special meetings held within the year were confirmed , and on the motion of Bro . Colonel Dean , seconded by Bro . H . Jackson , the annual reports of the Committee of Benevolence in relation to the Provincial Fund of Benevolence the Cheshire Masonic

Benevolent Institution , and the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution , were approved and adopted as part of the proceedings of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The accounts of the Provincial Grand Treasurer Bro . H .

Holloway were agreed to on tbe motion of Bro . Colonel Dean , seconded by Bro . F . Broadsmith , and the thanks of the Province were tendered to Bro . Holloway and the Auditors , on the motion of Bro . Sir Horatio Lloyd , seconded bv Bro . the Hon . Alan Eererton . M . P .

Bro . Holloway having briefly replied , Bro . G . Ibeson , one of the Auditors , reported that the accounts of the Province were accurate ! } ' kept , and that everything was found in perfect order .

The Provincial Grand Master , in his address , said the large attendance was not to be wondered at , seeing that Masonry was flourishing in Cheshire , and that their numbers

were increasing year by year . During the past twelve months three new Lodges had been consecrated . Cheshire now possessed fifty-two Lodges , with 2 , 466 subscribing members , an increase of ninety-six on the preceding year . They had

not only reason to be satisfied with the work of their own Committee of Benevolence , but they could also look back with great satisfaction upon the splendid contribution which that Province had made to the fund initiated by their Grand

Master the i-rince ot Wales in connection with the Koyal Masonic Institution for Bo } _ . He had the pleasure of supporting His Royal Highness at the Annual Festival of that Institution , and he thought that those who were not

Freemasons must have been struck on that occasion with the extraordinary power of combination exhibited by their body in furtherance of a charitable object , seeing that they raised at that Festival the large sum of £ 134 , 000 . Of that amount

Cheshire contributed £ 3 , 000 . The Province had also done a great deal in educational work . It might be said that as education was now so largely taken up by the State , that support would not be so much required in the future as it

had been in the past , and that therefore it might be necessary for them to look out for some new channel into which Masonic Benevolence might be directed . His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was deeply interested in the support of the

hospitals—those of London in particular—and there was no doubt that that was a work of charity and benevolence which might fitly be associated with Freemasonry . They had done so much for charity during the past year that he did

not think the present a suitable time for launching a scheme or suggesting a subscription , but it was a matter worthy the consideration of members of the Masonic body as to whether they could not also show their sympathy with suffering and

with those who were in distress , by extending aid to the hospitals . The meeting then proceeded to the election of a Provincial Grand Treasurer , and on the motion of Bro . F ,