Our Charities—A Year's Work.

OUR CHARITIES—A YEAR'S WORK .

THE support given to the three central Masonic Charities during the year that has just closed brings the total receipts for the twelve months up to an amount unprecedented in the history of the Institutions , and this notwithstanding the fact that as year by year goes round the sums contributed for Provincial local Masonic Charities

are greatly increased . The total of the income of the three which may be termed universal—if not by reason of the support accorded to them , at least from the fact that their aid is sought for and partaken of universally—amounts to £ 44 , 731 9 s 3 d , a splendid result , and one of which

English Masons may justly be proud ; for it must be borne in mind that this represents the receipts of three only of the Masonic charitable organisations . We are occasionally told that the amount annually raised for these Institutions is but a small sum per head , and that , compared with

the expenditure on banquets , jewels , and other luxuries , it is very insignificant . We are quite prepared to admit , if taken amount against amount , without any consideration as to the objects , that there is a wide difference , but we think it is hardly justifiable to say that

every Mason is necessarily compelled to support these three particular Charities—whether they are worked according to his ideas or not—to the extent that he does the banquet table of his Lodge . The experience of the past few weeks has led many good-hearted brethren to ask

whether the subscriptions aro in all cases judiciously applied , while the ever increasing number of rejected candidates renders it imperative that something special should be done in order to assist a greater number , oven if only partially , and yet to this course there seems to be a

strong feeling of opposition . It is not always policy for a majority to assert their supremacy , for by so doing they may drive the minority away altogether . To prevent this taking place in connection with the central Charities , we again advise a spirit of co-operation rather

than opposition , on the part of those brethren who , because they think themselves able to whip up a majority for a particular meeting , seem determined to have their own way , without any consideration for the opinions of others . At the present time , everything must be worked in accordance

with the go-a-head business spirit of the age , and when it is imagined that our Charities are to bo an exception to the rule , a grave error is committed , which can have but one result—the diminution of the subscriptions , if not entire withdrawal by sections or districts . The whole question of

Masonic Charity should be carefully inquired into , and as it is thought that beneficial results may be obtained by outside education—even though it may be the idea of a small minority—a trial shonld be made of that system , in order practically to decide the matter .

The following are the actual figures for 1879 . From these it will be seen that the Benevolent Institution again takes the lead with a total of £ 17 , 781 12 s . lOd . or £ 2 , 901 10 s . 3 d . in excess of that realised in 1878 , the amount that year being £ 14 , 880 2 s . 7 d . The second position is this

year secured by the Boys ' , with a total of £ 13 , 924 4 s . 4 d ., as compared with £ 13 , 130 18 s . 7 d . in 1878 , an increase of £ 793 5 s . 9 d . The Girls' Institution brings up the rear , following pretty close on the Boys' with £ 13 , 025 12 s . Id ., this is the only case where a diminution in the total of

1879 , as compared with that of 1878 , takes place . The sum realised in the latter year was £ 13 , 360 Is . 8 d ., so that the falling off really amounts to but £ 340 9 s . 7 d ., a somewhat insignificant amount in proportion to the whole , but still of sufficient importance to demand particular attention , lest the deficiency be allowed to increase .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

£ s d Donations and Subscriptions 14 , 123 10 G United Grand Lodge ( Grant from ) ... 800 0 0

Supreme Grand Chapter do 150 0 0 Dividends ( 1 | year ) 2 , 080 4 4 Sundries 21 18 0 £ 17 , 781 12 10

Royal Masonic Institution Fob Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOB BOYS .

£ s d Donations and Subscriptions 12 , 051 2 3 United Grand Lodge ( grant from ) ... 150 0 0 Supreme Grand Chapter do 10 10 0

Dividends 301 5 0 Legacy 103 10 1 Purchased Admissions 714 0 0 Life Presentation 525 0 0 Miscellaneous ... 68 17 0 £ 13 , 924 4 4

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

£ s d Donations and Subscriptions 11 , 179 18 0 United Grand Lodge ( grant from ) ... 150 0 0 Supreme Grand Chapter do 10 10 0

Dividends 1 , 207 10 0 Legacies 123 9 1 Purchased Admissions 178 10 0 Miscellaneous 175 15 0 £ 13 , 025 12 1

West Smithfield Lodge Ball.

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE BALL .

A VEEY pleasant evening was spent by the members of this Lodge and their friends on Thursday , the 11 th ult ., on tho occasion of the first Annual Ball . As is well known , the Lodge meets at the New Market Hotel , West Smithfield , of which Bro . Butt is the proprietor . He has recently succeeded in securing a license from the City authorities , allowing Masonio Balls afc his establishment , and of this privilege tho members of No . 1612 were the first to avail themselves .

Dancing was kept up until a late hour to the strains of Cohen ' s band , and altogether the arrangements proved mosfc satisfactory . Bro . T . Meekham acted as M . C ., and presided at the supper table . The few toasts usual on such occasions were duly honoured , Bro . Meekham , iu giving that of the host , wishing that every success might attend the efforts recently made by that brother to cater for the enjoyment of his brethren .

Lodge Of Industry Ball.

LODGE OF INDUSTRY BALL .

A BALL will be given by the members of the above Lodge , on Thursday , 8 th January 1880 , at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Qneen-street , Lincoln ' s Inn . The W . M . and brethren desire to make this an opportunity for friendly and fraternal greeting . Bros . W . H . Hook W . M . and D . J . Eobinson P . M . will act as M . C . ' s , and the following comprise the Board of Stewards , —Bros . W . Mann P . M . and

Treas ., C . W . Noehmer P . M .. W . W . Philp S . W ., J . J . Taffs I . G ., G . Hook Organist , 6 . F . Stutchbury , F . Alexander , G . J . Dyer , A . Leon , J . Seex P . M ., It . Allison J . W ., H . J . Johnson J . D ., J . G . Horsey W . S ., S . Earl , H . C . Day , W . B . Marcus , H . Stubbing ? , A . Nagle , and T . Mackness . Dan Godfrey ' s Quadrille Band is engaged .

"United Masonic Ball."

" UNITED MASONIC BALL . "

THE Committee have pleasure in announcing to the brethren and their friends that they have made arrangements for the Second Annual United Masonic Ball , to take placo at the Freemasons ' Tavern , on Wednesday , 4 th February 1880 , and thafc they have secured tho entire suite of rooms for tho purpose . Relying upon the hearty co-operation of the brethren , and iu order to secure the most perfect

success , the Committee havo determined to limit the number of Tickets . It is therefore necessary that an early application for tho same be made . Bro . T . Goode is the Treasurer , and Bro . F . S .

Rothschild tho Hon . Sec . The brethren will be permitted to appear iu Masonic Craft clothing ancl jewels . Mr . Dan . Godfrey and his celebrated Baud havo been retained . Bro . T . Meekham P . M . 1288 will act asM . C .

R . W . Bro . W . W . Beach , M . P ., P . G . M . of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , on Monday consecrated the new Masonic Hall erected by the Southampton Masonic Hall Company . There was a large gathei-ing of brethren from

all parts of the Province . The building is situated iu Albion-place , and embraces a very fine Lodge room , banquetting-hall , chapter room , and usual offices . —Portsmouth Times ,