The Approaching Election Of The Boys' School.

974 votes already enrolled on behalf of this lad may be increased to such an extent on the 18 th as to place him on the list of those successful . No . 2 , Joseph Wood , has also made three previous applications , and as the result thereof has 726 votes to his credit . His father was

initiated in the Finsbury Lodge , No . 861 , London , in 1881 and subscribed thereto until tho time of his death , four ye / irs later . There are . six children dependent on the mother who , we hope , will soon be relieved of the care of

one of her children , fto . 7 , William Collinson , was u candidate in October last , and on that occasion polled 364 votes . He is one of three dependent children , whose father was initiated in the Portsmouth Lodge , No . 487 ,

Hants and Isle of Wight , subscribing thereto until his death , in August 1878 . No . 4 , Harold Gray , has 235 votes brought forward from the two elections of last year . His father was an initiate of British Kaffrarian Lodge , No . 853 ,

King William s Town , filling therein the offices of Secretary and Junior Warden . This applicant is an only child , dependent on the widowed mother . No . 8 , Charles William Green , comes forward for the second time , with 59 votes to his credit . He is one of two children

dependent on a widowed mother , the husband of whom was initiated in St . Peter ' s Lodge , No . 1024 , Essex . No . 10 , Frederick William John Scott , had 41 votes polled on his behalf last October . He is one of three fatherless children

of an initiate of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 828 , Cape of Good Hope , who remained a subscribing member until the time of his death . No . 1 , George Cannon , represents one of those cases which have happil y become rare of late , in which

a candidate makes application after application without any appreciable appearance of ultimate success . This lad now comes forward for the sixth time , with only 40 votes to his credit . He is an only child , dependent on a widowed

mother ; the father , who died in 1881 , was initiated in St . Peter ' s Lodge , No . 481 , Northumberland . If the child is really deserving of help we should like to see him admitted ; if not , his name should bo

withdrawn from the list of candidates . No . 9 , Edgar Holmes Burgess , is another north country case , the father having been made a Mason in the Palatine Lodge , No . 97 , Durham . This lad and two other children are now

dependent on their mother , who secured 39 votes on behalf of her son at the last Election . We hope tho close of tho coming contest will see her son ' s total considerabl y augmented . No . 6 , John Crossman , was a candidate in

October last , but no votes were then polled on his behalf . He is one of two dependent on a widowed mother . The father was admitted to Masonic light iu the St . Anne ' s Lodge , No . 970 , Cornwall , and afterwards joined St . John ' s

Lodge , No . / 0 , Devon , so that there are two strong Provinces from which to look for aid . We hope that each will do its share , and that eventually the widow of this deceased brother may receive the aid from the Craft to which she is entitled .

The remaining cases are all new to the present list , and , as may be imagined , the claims presented b y each are of a very varied character . The families of which the boys are members range in number from ten dependent

children , down to tho one now applying for admission to tbe Boys'"Institution . In two cases , No . 17 , Francis Pater Turner , and No . 32 , Horatio Albert Patience , the

boys have sisters in the Girls' School , and in three others the father of the applicant is still living , although in one case an affliction , perhaps worse then death—lunacy—is recorded .

In conclusion we can but regret it is not in the power of the Freemasons of England to take charge of all the lads at present considered eligible for the benefits of the Boys ' School , but at the same time we must not lose sight of the

fact that what is contemplated in connection with this month's Election is most gratif ying . That the Institution is able to offer a home for twenty-five of the forty-five applicants is sufficient evidence that the Craft is not

unmindful of the claims of those who , from calamity or misfortune , are compelled to appeal for the help of the charitable , and which , in the case of Freemasons , is so readily and amply accorded .

Ad00202

MASONIC LECTURE . KNOBS AND EXCRESCENCES . BRO . JAMES STEVENS P . M . P . Z . is open to accept invitations for the delivery of bis LECIUHE in MuTBOPOLiiAif or PROVINCIAL LODGES , or LODGES OF IKSMUCIIOIT . £ Jo Lecture fee ; travelling expenses only accepted , Address—Clapham S . W .

Egyptians.

EGYPTIANS .

THE world is full of Egyptians—men who are ever ready to lay upon their fellows burdens grievous to be borne , who expect the performance of tasks well-nigh impossible . The Egyptians of old laid heavy burdens upon the children of Israel , and required the execution of

unachievable labours . In the field , under the scorching sun , they were urged on by the master ' s whip to do their slavish work . They went to their daily tasks bearing their loads as best they could . Afc last the masters

compelled them to make bricks without the proper materials . The straw was taken from them , and when the product of their labours was unfit for use , they were scourged . Then

they cried to Heaven for relief , and it came , and it was terrible to the Egyptians . The world is full of Egyptians .

We see a brother struggling with adversity . We say he must overcome the difficulties and rise above them . He

must make bricks without straw . He tries , and he tries hard , too ; but , like those of the Israelites , his bricks are worthless ; -they do not accomplish the purpose of bricks . He fails again and again , and we say , " Poor fellow ! " So

far we are better than the Egyptians , but some of us do not even do that much , but add to the burden by absolute neglect and failure on our part to do what is in our power ,

without loss to ourselves . Of what good is " poor fellow to a hungry man , if we shnt up our bowels of compassion and fail to feed him ? " Poor fellow " in such a case is but

an Egyptian whip , and it stings , too , when applied to a fellow ' s back . We cannot get out from under responsibility . It will confront us sooner or later , and it may be our cheeks will tingle with shame at the revelation .

" Ye knew your duty , bnt ye did it not , These are the words to which the harps of grief Are strnng ; and to the chorns of the damned , Tho rocks of hell repeat them evermore . "

There are many unnecessary graves in tbe world . There are many unnecessary breaking hearts around us , find they may be very near to us . There are many needlessly desolate hearthstones , and they may bring desolation

to our own souls , because we know our duty and do it not . We bring sorrow to our hearts by neglect . Neglect is sometimes criminal . The cries of those around us , strugiing amid the trials of life , may give us many heartaches ,

because we do not heed them . Many a broken-hearted man has gone to an untimely death because the proud spirit could not stand the " whips and scorns of outrageous fortune . "

We may commit murder by neglect . It is not right that we should cause a fellow-man to be humiliated . We

ought to help him np , and not by act or word try to keep him down , or by neglect force him to struggle unaided . " Whoso is the fault if this one stumbles , If that laments a hopeless bruise ? Or if another sits despairing ?

Yours—mine—who timely aid refuse . As long as we are in the world we are more or less " our brother ' s keeper . " Ties of humanity bind the whole world together . We cannot help the whole world , but we can

help the one near us . Who is my neighbour ? Who is my brother ? He it is that I must help . I must learn to speak a word where a word will do ; give of my time where time will aid ; open my purse when that is needed ; lend a helping hand whenever duty calls .

" The little children they shall teach us 'Tis easier taking hold of hands . " We should help each other .

A blind man once met a lame man limping on the street . The blind man hoped the lame man would conduct him safely on his way .

"Me help you ? " said the lame man ; "I cannot walk ; but you look strong and able to carry me . Now , if you will bear me on your back , I will guide you . Your strong feet shall be miue , and my good eyes shall be yours . "

The blind man accepted the proposition and carried ihe lame man , crutches and all , and both accomplished together what neither could have done alone . And so it is

in the world . A brother needs help , and with a little hel p he can soon be able to help himself , and in turn hel p others . When a man loses his money he finds the clouds of adversity hide completely the friends of his sunshiny days .