Our Silver Jubilee.

OUR SILVER JUBILEE .

TWENTY-FIVE years in the history of a Lodge or any other organisation seems a very light matter to regard from a distance , but when one sits quietly down and looks back for so long a time , or attempts to anticipate the possibilities of a similar period in the

future , the feeling changes ; and there are probably very few among us who can repress a feeling of awe and respect for the " brief span , " when they associate their own life with it .

Twenty-five years ago this week we saw the publication of the first issue of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , and we do not think a number has appeared since that time but we have had some share

in its production . Only a quarter of a century , it is true , but what a vast amount of Masonic work has crowded upon us in that period . We well remember

looking on the first number with pardonable pride ; we regard this , our Silver Jubilee issue , with feelings equally tender ; aye , even more so—with actual veneration . We are thankful for all that has been done for the

CHRONICLE m the past , and are content to let it stand out on its own behalf as a monument to the zeal and continuous personal solicitude of its founder , and those who have continued to work on the princi p les he laid down for it . We have striven hard in the

past , and we hope to have the opportunity of working on behalf of the paper for many years yet to come , not only to our own satisfaction , but with beneficial results for the world-wide Organisation in whose

interest the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE has always striven to act . We trust many of our present readers may be among our supporters should we , in the course of time , have the opportunity of doing honour to a Golden Jubilee .

West Lancashire Charity.

WEST LANCASHIRE CHARITY .

A MEETING of the members of the General Committee entrusted with the arrangements in connection with the annual Masonic Festival and Ball in aid of the funds of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , was held on the 29 th ult , at the Hall in Hope Street , Liverpool , under the presidency of Bro . G . A . Harradon , in the

unavoidable absence of Bro . Forbes Bell P . P . G . W . Chairman . Bro . Plumpton ( the Hon . Secretary ) reported that 120 Patrons and upwards of 100 Stewards had been secured for the ball , which takes place at the Town Hall on the 17 th January , under the patronage of the Prov . Grand Master

the Earl Lathom , the Lord Mayor Bro . L . S . Cohen and the Lady Mayoress , who have promised to be present . The catering has been entrusted to Messrs . Gait and Capper , and the music will be supplied by Bro . G . Eyton and Son . Arrangements with regard to details were made , and before

the close of the meeting it was resolved to send a letter of condolence to the widow and family of the late Bro . Dr . Robert Robertson , who took a warm interest in the cause of Masonic Charities generall y , as well as in the yearly Charitable Festival .

Our Silver Jubilee.

OUR SILVER JUBILEE .

THE following is a summary of the relief afforded by this Board during the year just ended : Number of Total amount

Month . cases relieved . granted . January - - 18 £ 4 60 February - - - 22 53 ° March - - - 39 930

April - - - 24 515 May - - - 25 785 Tune - - - 15 515

July - - - 2 4 690 ' August - - - 13 395 September - - 13 3 ^ 3 October - - 25 895

November . - - 42 1075 December - - 26 700 Total - 286 £ 7 , 803

Masonic Benevolence In The Past Year.

MASONIC BENEVOLENCE IN THE PAST YEAR .

THE totals we are to-day able to publish , of the receipts during the past year by the three great Charities of English Freemasonry are eminently satisfactory . It is true they fall short of the results secured in the previous year , but . that is easily explained when we call to mind that the figures

of 18 9 8 included the Centenary returns of the Boys School . The gross total for 18 99 shows the handsome amount of £ 81 , 294 10 s 5 d as actually received , and for the purpose of showing how this compares with the past we give a summary of the incomes of the past four years :

18 9 6 Benevolent £ 25 , 650 16 6 Boys 23 , 603 2 o Girls 19 , 664 3 ir £ 68 , 918 2 5 18 97 Benevolent 27 , 129 o 1 Boys 23 , 303 5 7 Girls 21 , 405 14 3 7 ^ 837 19 n

18 9 8 Benevolent 19 , 170 4 4 Boys 126 , 276 19 1 Girls 16 , 478 14 10 161 , 925 18 3 18 99 Benevolent 28 , 620 1 9 Boys 26 , 408 6 8 Girls 26 , 266 2 o 81 , 294 10 5

A glance at these figures shows 18 99 almost £ 10 , 000 in advance of its immediate predecessors , always excluding the exceptional year associated with the Boys Centenary , and hence it is quite easy to offer the most hearty of congratulations to the different Secretaries , and all who have worked

with them in the good cause , on the result of their labours during the twelvemonth just closed . As usual we put the three Institutions in order of their totals , the Benevolent securing the first position for the year , the Boys the next , and the . Girls coming last—though it

should be noted that less than £ 150 divides the two Educational Institution totals , While if we look at the very important item of " Donations and Subscriptions " we find it truly a case of the last being first , as the Girls School is well to the fore in that respect , nearly . f 1 , 000 in advance of either of its

companions . But we do not propose to continue comparing the results—they are excellent , and nothing can be said to their disparagement . Figures can be made to prove

anything , and whether we have to congratulate one Institution or the other on individual results it is very certain that taken as a whole there can be but one opinion—1899 has proved a most successful year for the Charity Funds of the English