Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
New Year's Entertainment At The Benevolent Institution.
NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT AT THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
IN political circles we are accustomed to look upon the annual banquet of the Lord Mayor of London as producing a foreshadowment of what is to be expected during the ensuing year from the heads of the Government ; in like manner we may regard the Annual New Year ' s Entertainment at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at Croydon , as likely to afford an insight into the possible
future of that Charity . Bro . James Terry , the energetic Secretary of the Institution , usually takes the opportunity of unfolding the programme for the year on this occasion . This year ' s entertainment proved no exception to the rule , for Bro . Terry , in responding to the toast of " The Institution , " which was proposed in the course of the evening , gave some particulars which may profitably be studied by all who are interested in the future of this noble Charity .
He said—The Institntion was exceptionally fortunate lasfc year in procuring the money for the New Year ' s entertainment ; but this year unfortunately it was £ 31 less , which meant a material difference . Their good friends afc Manchester were holding a similar entertainment at
their Masonic Hall , in Cooper-street , afc five that evening ; and they had sent £ 5 for this entertainment , congratulating the brethren , the inmates , and the visitors . The Manchester brethren incurred large expenses in their entertainment , because they brought together fche Lancashire annuitants . Some eight years ago he was
there , and he mentioned to the brethren the fact of the New Year ' s entertainment at Croydon . They said they had never thought of that , bnt they raised £ 20 and sent it to him as a contribution to these expenses . That enabled him to give the residents £ 20 in equal proportions , The Board of Grand Stewards for 1884-5 , as he had
already mentioned , last year presented him with £ 13 9 s , which sum was supplemented so as to make ifc up to ten shillings for each resident . When he went round to-day and distributed a packet of tea for every person in the Institution , and every male a packet of tobacco , they looked as if there was something more to follow , and
he hoped that in the end they would not be disappointed . He had to acknowledge the kindness of Bro . Bowyer for presenting the two turkeys , and also tho fruit , which would be served during the evening , and the good things he had distributed at the homes . He had likewise to acknowledge the great kindness of Bro . Hastinn * 3 Miller
in sending two nice hams , and Dr . Strong and his wife for the plum puddings . Brother Berridgo had got tbe Company of Playing Card Makers to send half-a-rlozen packs of cards , and Bro . Matier sent a dozen packs . These would bo greatly appreciated . He had to thank those brethren , and also brethren of
Lodges of Instrnction who had contributed to tho Entertainment . He had hoped to present half-sovereigns as ho did last year . To some ifc would be a priceless boon . He hoped it would come ; if nob he should personally present it ; they should nofc lose ifc . With inspect to the Institntion . This meeting was looked npon as one at
which he was to issue a manifesto for the Festival . He had no doubt the brethren had read with somo concern and interest the amount of contributions lasfc year to the three Masonic Institutions . They would find there was a falling off of nearly £ 8 , 000 . Tho Benevolent Institution was the greatest loser , having £ 3 , 200 less
than it had received in 18 S 5 . The Girls' School approached very nearly their old amount . Tho Boys' Institution was a considerable loser . The Benevolent Institution announced £ 15 , 000 at its Festival , ancl they collected in round figures £ 14 , 300 . Bufc when he said there were on three lists alone over 1 , 000 guineas
outstanding they would clearly see that if that amount had como in the Institution receipts wonld have turned the scale by that amount . Now with a diminished income to the extent of £ 3200 , with a largely increased number of candidates and fewer vacancies than they ever yet had had at this time of the year the brethren
would see that it was a moment of great consideration . What was to be dono ? The only way he had of getting out of the difficulty •was this . He had received a letter from Cornwall , suggesting that it would be well if tho Committee conld see its way within a short time to make somo positive announcement with respect to the Jubilee
Fund . He hoped when next Wednesday came the Committeo would seo its way to clo thafc , because in the Province of Cornwall they were prepared to come forward largely to augment their previous gifts , to do hononr to tho 50 th year of Her Majesty ' s reign , to do something on behalf of tho widows , tho Queen herself being a
widow , and the patroness of this Institution . It would therefore bo an acceptable offering of thankfulness for tho many years she had reigned over ns , if they ccnld get a certain number of widows to be known as the Vice rian Jubilee Annuitants . How was tho question to be solved ? At the first meeting of the Festival Stewards on
Tuesday , the number of Stewards who hacl accepted up to that time was 60 in advance of what it was this time lasfc year ; this certainly betokened better prospects as far as regarded amounts than they hid in the past . There was a something being done which he hoped on tho 22 nd February would be worthy the exertions of the
Stewards , and justify the expectations of the Committee . If he could only get a promise from certain Provinces that they would givo during the course of fche year 1887 snch an amount as would justify tho Committee in taking on , say twenty additional
annuitants beyond every additional vacancy which might occur between now and May , he ventured to think ifc would ' he a most acceptable offering for tho Jubilee year of tho Queen . He hoped it would be so , and that next Wednesday he should obtain some such assurance from tho Province- ' . If no , ho would pledge himself
New Year's Entertainment At The Benevolent Institution.
individually to the Committee thafc shonld they see their way elear to the payment of this £ 640 a year , they would take twenty widows on at £ 32 a year without troubling them any further in the matter . There was a balance to the credit of the Widows' Fund of abont £ 2000 , after defraying all the expenses of the year . The Male Fund
had unfortunately been overdrawn considerably beyond £ 500 . They were £ 800 to the bad last year , making a present total deficit of £ 1300 . Therefore to attempt to increase the number there wonld be out of all character ; bufc when they had sixty-seven candidates and only two vacancies for the widows , it certainly behoved them to do
being provided for the annuitants and this was followed during the evening by an entertainment by Herr Frikell , who greatly amused the company with his conjuring feats .
their best to augment the number of those to be elected in May next , and no more appropriate way of celebrating the Queen ' s Jubilee could be found than by taking on say twenty " or thirty additional annuitants . He implored the brethren to assist him as far as they could . The entertainment was of the usual character , a dinner
Life-Boat Services In 1886.
LIFE-BOAT SERVICES IN 1886 .
DURING the pasfc year splendid service in saving life was rendered by the gallant crews of fcho life-boats of the Eoyal National Life-Boat Institution , resulting in the rescue of 601 persons from imminent peril , and in most cases from a watery grave . As many as 33 vessels were saved by fche life-boats from total destruction , or were helped by them into a haven of safety . Besides launches
resulting in the saving of life , the life-boats put to sea as many as 147 times in reply to signals of distress , only to find either that their aid was nofc really required , or that tho signals had been made in error or improperly . In the year tho Society also gave rewards for the saving of 160 lives by means of shore-boats , fishing-boats , and other
means , so that tho Institntion was instrumental in rescuing a grand total of 761 lives during 1886 , bringing up the number of lives ifc haa saved since its foundation to 32 , 671 . The Committee mosfc earnestly appeal to the British public for funds to enable them to place lifeboats , with the latest improvements , on the coast , to maintain in
thorough efficiency their 293 stations , and to reward their bravo crews . The Institution is entirely dependent on voluntary contributions , and a very heavy expenditure is necessarily involved iu
carrying on its great work , tho vital importance of which none can deny . Contributions are received by all the London and country bankers , and by the Secretary , Charles Dibdin , Esq ., 14 John Straer , Adelphi , W . C .
TRAPPED HY THE INDIANS . —O i tha 8 th of July Braddock oncamtel within ten miles of Fort Duquosne . Colonel Dunbar was now forty miles in his rear ; and his officers , but moro especially Sir Peter Halkett , entreated him to proceed with caution , and employ tho friendly Indians who were with them as an advanced guard , in case
of ambuscades . In spits of this he resumed his march next clay , without sending a single scout iito the dense woods which now surrounded his slender force . About noon tho troop 7 entered a hollow vale , on each side of which there grow a dense primeval forest and thick brushwood . Suddenly tho echoas of the solitude
wore wakened by a fatal ancl appalling whoop , the war-cry of the native Indians ; and iu a moment thero was opened upon the front and all along the loft flank of Bradd- ' -ck ' s force a deadly and disastrous fire , from an enemy so skilfully and artfully disposed thdt not a man of them could bo seen , tho flashing of their musket i
alone indicating where they lay . These assailants we e the native Indians , assisted by a few French troops from tho fort . Tho advanced guard instantly foil back on the main body ; the panic and confusion became general , ancl most of fcho troops Bed with precipitation ; and , notwithstanding thafc all their officers behaved
with the most brilliant gallantry , it was impossible to stop their career . And now General Braddock , instead of opening a fi ** o of grape from the ten pieces of cannon he had with him , and so scouring tho placo whence this f ' tisilado was coming , or dispatching any of his Indians to take tho ambush in flank , obstinately
remained upon the spot whero ha was , and gave orders for tho few bravo mon who remained with him to julvanoe . Thickly fell tho dead ancl dying around him , and all the officers were singled out in succession and shot down , as tho marksmen could distinguish them by their dreas , their gorget . * , and sashes , whioh Were now
worn iu tho German fashion , round tho waist . At last Braddock , whoso obstinacy , pride , an 1 courage seemed to increase wifch tho peril around , after having no less than five horsos killed undor him , received a mnskefc-shot through the right arm and lungs , of which ho died in a few hours ufror being carried off tho ( laid by his
aidedo-camp , tho Uonountb ! e Cjloncl Gage , and somj soldiers , whom , according to Lord Mahou , that officer had to bribe by offering them a guinea aud a bottle of rum each . Gage , son of tho Viscount of Unit name , died a L ' oufcenarit-Geuoral , in 1788 . —Front "British Battles on Land and Sea " for January ,
Bro . Edwin E . Sago , the first Grind Rocir-lr-r of the Grand Cjmmaudery of Dakota , die ; I Kith November . Bro . Sages wis City Treasurer of Sioux Falls , Dakota , and highly esteemed by a largo circle of friends and brethren . Out * brother fell a victim to that fell : destroyer—consumption . His remains wero interred with Masonic lvjuoura .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
New Year's Entertainment At The Benevolent Institution.
NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT AT THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
IN political circles we are accustomed to look upon the annual banquet of the Lord Mayor of London as producing a foreshadowment of what is to be expected during the ensuing year from the heads of the Government ; in like manner we may regard the Annual New Year ' s Entertainment at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at Croydon , as likely to afford an insight into the possible
future of that Charity . Bro . James Terry , the energetic Secretary of the Institution , usually takes the opportunity of unfolding the programme for the year on this occasion . This year ' s entertainment proved no exception to the rule , for Bro . Terry , in responding to the toast of " The Institution , " which was proposed in the course of the evening , gave some particulars which may profitably be studied by all who are interested in the future of this noble Charity .
He said—The Institntion was exceptionally fortunate lasfc year in procuring the money for the New Year ' s entertainment ; but this year unfortunately it was £ 31 less , which meant a material difference . Their good friends afc Manchester were holding a similar entertainment at
their Masonic Hall , in Cooper-street , afc five that evening ; and they had sent £ 5 for this entertainment , congratulating the brethren , the inmates , and the visitors . The Manchester brethren incurred large expenses in their entertainment , because they brought together fche Lancashire annuitants . Some eight years ago he was
there , and he mentioned to the brethren the fact of the New Year ' s entertainment at Croydon . They said they had never thought of that , bnt they raised £ 20 and sent it to him as a contribution to these expenses . That enabled him to give the residents £ 20 in equal proportions , The Board of Grand Stewards for 1884-5 , as he had
already mentioned , last year presented him with £ 13 9 s , which sum was supplemented so as to make ifc up to ten shillings for each resident . When he went round to-day and distributed a packet of tea for every person in the Institution , and every male a packet of tobacco , they looked as if there was something more to follow , and
he hoped that in the end they would not be disappointed . He had to acknowledge the kindness of Bro . Bowyer for presenting the two turkeys , and also tho fruit , which would be served during the evening , and the good things he had distributed at the homes . He had likewise to acknowledge the great kindness of Bro . Hastinn * 3 Miller
in sending two nice hams , and Dr . Strong and his wife for the plum puddings . Brother Berridgo had got tbe Company of Playing Card Makers to send half-a-rlozen packs of cards , and Bro . Matier sent a dozen packs . These would bo greatly appreciated . He had to thank those brethren , and also brethren of
Lodges of Instrnction who had contributed to tho Entertainment . He had hoped to present half-sovereigns as ho did last year . To some ifc would be a priceless boon . He hoped it would come ; if nob he should personally present it ; they should nofc lose ifc . With inspect to the Institntion . This meeting was looked npon as one at
which he was to issue a manifesto for the Festival . He had no doubt the brethren had read with somo concern and interest the amount of contributions lasfc year to the three Masonic Institutions . They would find there was a falling off of nearly £ 8 , 000 . Tho Benevolent Institution was the greatest loser , having £ 3 , 200 less
than it had received in 18 S 5 . The Girls' School approached very nearly their old amount . Tho Boys' Institution was a considerable loser . The Benevolent Institution announced £ 15 , 000 at its Festival , ancl they collected in round figures £ 14 , 300 . Bufc when he said there were on three lists alone over 1 , 000 guineas
outstanding they would clearly see that if that amount had como in the Institution receipts wonld have turned the scale by that amount . Now with a diminished income to the extent of £ 3200 , with a largely increased number of candidates and fewer vacancies than they ever yet had had at this time of the year the brethren
would see that it was a moment of great consideration . What was to be dono ? The only way he had of getting out of the difficulty •was this . He had received a letter from Cornwall , suggesting that it would be well if tho Committee conld see its way within a short time to make somo positive announcement with respect to the Jubilee
Fund . He hoped when next Wednesday came the Committeo would seo its way to clo thafc , because in the Province of Cornwall they were prepared to come forward largely to augment their previous gifts , to do hononr to tho 50 th year of Her Majesty ' s reign , to do something on behalf of tho widows , tho Queen herself being a
widow , and the patroness of this Institution . It would therefore bo an acceptable offering of thankfulness for tho many years she had reigned over ns , if they ccnld get a certain number of widows to be known as the Vice rian Jubilee Annuitants . How was tho question to be solved ? At the first meeting of the Festival Stewards on
Tuesday , the number of Stewards who hacl accepted up to that time was 60 in advance of what it was this time lasfc year ; this certainly betokened better prospects as far as regarded amounts than they hid in the past . There was a something being done which he hoped on tho 22 nd February would be worthy the exertions of the
Stewards , and justify the expectations of the Committee . If he could only get a promise from certain Provinces that they would givo during the course of fche year 1887 snch an amount as would justify tho Committee in taking on , say twenty additional
annuitants beyond every additional vacancy which might occur between now and May , he ventured to think ifc would ' he a most acceptable offering for tho Jubilee year of tho Queen . He hoped it would be so , and that next Wednesday he should obtain some such assurance from tho Province- ' . If no , ho would pledge himself
New Year's Entertainment At The Benevolent Institution.
individually to the Committee thafc shonld they see their way elear to the payment of this £ 640 a year , they would take twenty widows on at £ 32 a year without troubling them any further in the matter . There was a balance to the credit of the Widows' Fund of abont £ 2000 , after defraying all the expenses of the year . The Male Fund
had unfortunately been overdrawn considerably beyond £ 500 . They were £ 800 to the bad last year , making a present total deficit of £ 1300 . Therefore to attempt to increase the number there wonld be out of all character ; bufc when they had sixty-seven candidates and only two vacancies for the widows , it certainly behoved them to do
being provided for the annuitants and this was followed during the evening by an entertainment by Herr Frikell , who greatly amused the company with his conjuring feats .
their best to augment the number of those to be elected in May next , and no more appropriate way of celebrating the Queen ' s Jubilee could be found than by taking on say twenty " or thirty additional annuitants . He implored the brethren to assist him as far as they could . The entertainment was of the usual character , a dinner
Life-Boat Services In 1886.
LIFE-BOAT SERVICES IN 1886 .
DURING the pasfc year splendid service in saving life was rendered by the gallant crews of fcho life-boats of the Eoyal National Life-Boat Institution , resulting in the rescue of 601 persons from imminent peril , and in most cases from a watery grave . As many as 33 vessels were saved by fche life-boats from total destruction , or were helped by them into a haven of safety . Besides launches
resulting in the saving of life , the life-boats put to sea as many as 147 times in reply to signals of distress , only to find either that their aid was nofc really required , or that tho signals had been made in error or improperly . In the year tho Society also gave rewards for the saving of 160 lives by means of shore-boats , fishing-boats , and other
means , so that tho Institntion was instrumental in rescuing a grand total of 761 lives during 1886 , bringing up the number of lives ifc haa saved since its foundation to 32 , 671 . The Committee mosfc earnestly appeal to the British public for funds to enable them to place lifeboats , with the latest improvements , on the coast , to maintain in
thorough efficiency their 293 stations , and to reward their bravo crews . The Institution is entirely dependent on voluntary contributions , and a very heavy expenditure is necessarily involved iu
carrying on its great work , tho vital importance of which none can deny . Contributions are received by all the London and country bankers , and by the Secretary , Charles Dibdin , Esq ., 14 John Straer , Adelphi , W . C .
TRAPPED HY THE INDIANS . —O i tha 8 th of July Braddock oncamtel within ten miles of Fort Duquosne . Colonel Dunbar was now forty miles in his rear ; and his officers , but moro especially Sir Peter Halkett , entreated him to proceed with caution , and employ tho friendly Indians who were with them as an advanced guard , in case
of ambuscades . In spits of this he resumed his march next clay , without sending a single scout iito the dense woods which now surrounded his slender force . About noon tho troop 7 entered a hollow vale , on each side of which there grow a dense primeval forest and thick brushwood . Suddenly tho echoas of the solitude
wore wakened by a fatal ancl appalling whoop , the war-cry of the native Indians ; and iu a moment thero was opened upon the front and all along the loft flank of Bradd- ' -ck ' s force a deadly and disastrous fire , from an enemy so skilfully and artfully disposed thdt not a man of them could bo seen , tho flashing of their musket i
alone indicating where they lay . These assailants we e the native Indians , assisted by a few French troops from tho fort . Tho advanced guard instantly foil back on the main body ; the panic and confusion became general , ancl most of fcho troops Bed with precipitation ; and , notwithstanding thafc all their officers behaved
with the most brilliant gallantry , it was impossible to stop their career . And now General Braddock , instead of opening a fi ** o of grape from the ten pieces of cannon he had with him , and so scouring tho placo whence this f ' tisilado was coming , or dispatching any of his Indians to take tho ambush in flank , obstinately
remained upon the spot whero ha was , and gave orders for tho few bravo mon who remained with him to julvanoe . Thickly fell tho dead ancl dying around him , and all the officers were singled out in succession and shot down , as tho marksmen could distinguish them by their dreas , their gorget . * , and sashes , whioh Were now
worn iu tho German fashion , round tho waist . At last Braddock , whoso obstinacy , pride , an 1 courage seemed to increase wifch tho peril around , after having no less than five horsos killed undor him , received a mnskefc-shot through the right arm and lungs , of which ho died in a few hours ufror being carried off tho ( laid by his
aidedo-camp , tho Uonountb ! e Cjloncl Gage , and somj soldiers , whom , according to Lord Mahou , that officer had to bribe by offering them a guinea aud a bottle of rum each . Gage , son of tho Viscount of Unit name , died a L ' oufcenarit-Geuoral , in 1788 . —Front "British Battles on Land and Sea " for January ,
Bro . Edwin E . Sago , the first Grind Rocir-lr-r of the Grand Cjmmaudery of Dakota , die ; I Kith November . Bro . Sages wis City Treasurer of Sioux Falls , Dakota , and highly esteemed by a largo circle of friends and brethren . Out * brother fell a victim to that fell : destroyer—consumption . His remains wero interred with Masonic lvjuoura .