Penalty Of Failure.

PENALTY OF FAILURE .

IT is no new idea to reward the successful and punish * those who are unfortunate , but we do not know that the venerable age of the principle , or the frequency of its application—either or both—entitle it

to respect at our hands , or warrant its more general adoption in the ordinary affairs of life . We may even go to the Bible for an amplification of our text , for we therein read that " whosoever hath , to him shall be

given . . . but whosoever hath not , from him shall be taken away even that he hath . " This seems to be the spirit that has actuated our worthy Bro . J .

S . Cumberland P . A . G . D . C ., and led him to give a notice of motion in connection with the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution to the effect " That the name

of any Brother or Widow of a Brother who has not been elected after four applications shall be struck off the list of Candidates , and cannot again be replaced . " Now , we know Brother Cumberland as a kind

hearted , genial Mason ; one who would do anything to lessen the sorrow , or alleviate the sufferings of the distressed ; a man who not only professes the Brotherhood of Freemasonry , but practices it ; and yet we

find him fathering such a harsh proposal as that of which he has given notice for the next annual meeting of our Aged Folk ' s Institution . The action is so foreign to the nature of Bro . Cumberland that we can

only imagine he has for the moment sacrificed his finer feelings , to a desire to attempt something in the way of reforming a recognised blot upon our systemthe evil that permits old folks , Brethren or their

Widows , recognised as worthy of receiving the benefits of the Institution , to apply year after year for the annuity which it is not in their power , or in the power of their friends , to secure . We recognise it must be

very galling to the Brother who likes to speak of the great Charitable Institution which the Craft provides for its old people , to be told that this or that worthy old Brother , 01 a deserving old widow , has been working

for six , eight , ten , fourteen , fifteen , or sixteen years , buoyed up with the promises and boasts of some members of the Masonic Brotherhood , only to find election after election pass without the much desired

and deserved aid being secured ; but recognising that such things must be , it were far better to boldly face them , than attempt to stifle our feelings by so rigid an application of the closure as here suggested .

We can quite believe the proposition is put forward with good intentions , but we shall be very sorry if it meets with even the semblance of support , and we further question whether such a rule could be

legally enforced , if it were once approved . Brethren and others acquire votes in return for certain cash payments , and to forfeit them in the wholesale manner

it is proposed would , it seems to us , not only be extremely harsh , but little short of a confiscation of property to which might be applied a very unpleasant term- The proposal should be immediatel y vetoed .

The Girls School Festival.

THE GIRLS SCHOOL FESTIVAL .

IT is very gratifying to be in the position to announce that the prospects in connection with the Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls are of a most promising character , and this in spite of the many calls of a patriotic and other

outside nature that have recently been made upon Lodges and individual Brethren . The Board of Stewards is happily large , and will no doubt number at least 700 , the Chairman ' s own Province of

Staffordshire supplying about 200 of this assemblage , the enthusiasm in that important county in support of its Masonic chief being one of the most pleasing features of the preparations thus far for the Festival .

But this large number of Stewards from one Province is at once a weakness , as well as a sign of strength , and the same may be said , without any disparagement of the workers , in connection with the

entire Board for this year ' s celebration , as a considerable number of the Stewards are simply making a personal donation and paying the fee , and then using their efforts to swell representative lists , rather than

work on behalf of individual ones . It may be argued that such a system of procedure makes little or no difference in the end , and of course , given a normal condition of affairs , the average should work out the

same whichever course is adopted , but experience shows us that large numbers of Stewards from one Province or section of the countrv have a tendency to

reduce the average contribution per Steward , although naturally we can well afford a reduced average if it is compensated for by a sufficiently increased number of workers .

It is always difficult to prophesy as to the Masonic Festivals , but we think it perfectly safe to predict that there is no cause for anxiety so far as the Girls Anniversary for the present year is concerned . As

we have said , the prospects are excellent , and , the needs being great , we can most cordially wish that the best anticipations may be fully realised at the celebration which takes place on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., under the presidency of the Earl of Dartmouth .

The Benevolent Institution.

THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

THE annual meeting of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons will be held on Friday next , for the general business of the Institution , and for the election of Annuitants . The only notice of motion to

be considered is that by Bro . Cumberland , already referred to . There are eighteen vacancies on the Male Fund , with forty-six candidates ; and

twentythree on the Widows Fund , with fifty-nine candidates . As usual the number to be elected will be increased , to fill any vacancies caused by death since the voting papers were prepared .