Masonic Benevolence In The Past Year.

Craft . That the splendid results of the past year may be eclipsed by those of the present is our sincerest wish . The following are full details of the income of the different Institutions for the year 1899 : Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

Donations and Subscriptions - - £ 21 , 260 12 o Dividends ----- 4 , 288 11 5 Donation , Grand Lodge - - - 1 , 600 o 0

Donation , Grand Chapter - - - 150 o o Perpetual Presentation - - - 1 , 260 o o Interest on cash at call - - - 36 16 5 Profit on Fire Insurance Premium 7 years 24 1 11 Total £ 28 , 620 1 9

Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Donations and Subscriptions - - £ 21 , 023 J 3 2 Grand Lodge Subscription - - - 150 o 0 Grand Chapter Subscription - - 10 10 0 Dividends and Interest on cash at call - 4 , 884 8 6

Income Tax on Dividends for 3 years , refunded 107 7 4 Music Fees - - - - - 56 60 Science and Art Department ( Grants earned ) 41 2 1 Prize Funds - - - - 14 5 0 Sundry Receipts - - - - 50 14 7 Rent of Bushey Grove Park - - 40 o 0 Maintenance refunded - - - 30 o 0

Total £ 26 , 408 6 8 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Donations and Subscriptions - - £ 22 , 177 x 5 4 Subscription from Grand Lodge - - 150 o o Subscription from Grand Chapter - - 10 10 o

Interest on Investments ... 2 , 661 10 10 Interest on Deposits - - - 11 4 15 10 Receipts for Musical Instruction - - 131 10 o Legacy - 1 , 000 o o Receipts under Law 104 - - - 20 0 o Total £ 26 , 266 2 o

The Kentish Club of Instruction will resume its meetings after the Christmas vacation on Monday , when the Officers will perform the various duties . Bro . C . F . Quicke P . M . is the Preceptor , and Bro . H . Pickett P . M . Deputy Preceptor . o o o Anyone who has seen Bro . Herbert Campbell as a

gigantic , naughty cherub in a Drury Lane pantomime—and they may see him in this guise again this year in " Jack and the Beanstalk "—will find it hard to believe that off the stage he is rather a serious and impressive man . As a Mason of high degree , he has had a great deal of experience in presiding

at banquets and meetings , and is in constant demand for such functions . He is an accomplished chairman , and makes an excellent , if serious , impromptu speech . On one occasion , at a Masonic banquet at which ladies were present , Mr . Campbell not only said grace most impressively , but later

made a strong , earnest , and sincere speech about the orphaned children of Freemasons to such effect that the women began to wipe their eyes , and the men to take out their pocketbooks and look for blank cheques . On another occasion , at the close of last year ' s pantomime at the " Lane , " Mr . Campbell scored in a similar way . He made the presentation

speech for the company , who were giving a piece of plate to Arthur Collins . He did it in terms so homely and sincere that everyone was moved , and even the cool , impenetrable Arthur himself rose to reply with a tear in his eye . — "M . A . P "

Following time-honoured custom , the members of the Sheffield Masonic Amateur Dramatic Society organised another merry New Year ' s party last week , the venue again being the Peak Hydro , Buxton . Upwards of forty members and friends journeyed thither on Friday , 29 th ult ., and the

visit , which terminated on the 3 rd inst ., proved not the least successful of the many delightful gatherings of the Society . The party contained within itself the elements which go to make such a visit a- success , and these qualities were displayed to full advantage in the numerous entertainments

Masonic Benevolence In The Past Year.

of various character which were got up during their stay . The pieces performed were "A Golden Wedding , " and the ever welcome farce , "Ici on Parle Francais . " Dancing took place every night excepting Sunday , when an admirable sacred concert was given by members of the party and

several talented visitors . Monday night was devoted to the annual staff ball , which proved an entire success . In every respect , says the " Sheffield Daily Telegraph , "—save , perhaps , that of weather—the visit was entirely enjoyable , and much of this result was due to the excellent arrangements made by Bro . C . F . Lawton .

Boxing Day has once more come and gone , and with it the annual dance and social held under the auspices of the Bayons Lodge , No . 1286 , Market Rasen . This event is always looked forward to with pleasurable anticipation by devotees of Terpsichore both in the town and the

neighbourhood . The proceeds are in aid of Masonic Charities , and it is gratifying to note that although the attendance was not quite so large as we have seen on former occasions , says the local " Mail , " yet the amount to be devoted to the Charities will be greater than has been the case for some years . This

seeming paradox is easily explained . On former occasions those who have had the management have gone to considerable expense in securing the services of some talented humorist , and have also further added to the outlay by engaging a band from Lincoln . This time , however , the

musical portion of the programme was given entirely by local talent , and was not a wit less enjoyable , whilst the dance music was provided by Bray ' s Band ( Market Rasen ) , whose performance gave every satisfaction . There are several things which accounted for the decreased assemblage , in

which counter attractions played not a small part . The absence of the Caistor Brethren was noted , a gathering of a somewhat similar character at Caistor on the same evening depriving the Lodge of their presence . The atmospheric condition under which the gathering was held was not of the

happiest , for it was of a most murky character . Probably this would deter many from the outlying districts from * attending . The interior of the " Mart , " where the dance was held , presented a very bright and inviting appearance .

Interspersed with the dances was an excellent programme of music , the artistes being purely local . The onerous duties of M . C . were very efficiently discharged by Bros . A . J . Tillett and R . Fletcher , and dancing was maintained with vigour until well on into the morning .

Masonic Sonners.

Masonic Sonners .

A SILVER JUBILEE ! O BBETHBEN mine come sing with me , , A song of Silver Jubilee ! For in our annals it appears That now tis' five and twenty years Since first the " F . C . " met our sight To give to us Masonic Light : To shed a glamour on our Art And all good influence impart 1

For Masons proudly recognise That reading makes them good and wise ; And well Masonic Craftsmen know What store of knowledge they do owe ; Knowledge that makes them often think The debt they owe to printers' ink—To scribblers all who wield the pen , To benefit their fellow men !

Mine be the task to-day to raise To our Art ' s Press a song of praise : A song of justice long delayed , Commands that now must be obeyed ! Give , O my Brothers , willing ear The while you sing in accents clear—And hymn with me our grateful thanks' The " Chronicles " that raise our ranks' !

That raise our ranks and elevate All who would join our good estate ; With Heaven-born thoughts our minds they fill And faith and charity instil ! Their cause is high—it is imbued With prudence , temperance , fortitude ; With love , relief , and mighty truth , Making us feel a lasting youth 1

With such a force—but born to bless , We cannot , Brethren e'er do less Than freely , frankly , gladly say , — We'll help Masonic works TO-DAY 1 Support , and find supporters too

To aid the aim we have in view—That aim—for our beloved "F . C . " A glorious Golden Jubilee ! CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D , Bradford .