Masonry's Beneficence.

spoke to tbem the curse of heaven , and there the desert stretched out its burning arms in mute desolation , as if it bad not dared t > break the dread silence since the Eternal

uttered His voice . " Ifc wan through scenes liko these , surviving the vicissitude of chance and change that the Order exist .- * hero to-day—not an institution frail and

feeble and fearful , under no ban as is the Order among the effete monarchies of Europe—bufc conscious of tho nobility of its purpose , with firm , commanding form , it moves along the pathway of progress , over keeping pace with the

advancing tread of civilisation and reform . By its gradual growth the Order now numbers six hundred and eighty thousand members in North America ; forty-one thousand of tho number , all good men aud true , find lodgment in Ulinoip .

Twenty-three years ago in tho coming October , the supreme Masonic authority of tho State granted a dispensation to all of tho Craffc who were residents of Evanston and vicinity , authorising tho formation of Evans Lodgo .

A year later a full charter was obtained , and on the 2 nd of November A . D . 1867 , the Lodge held its first meeting , numbering thirty-one members . Of those who were with ns then ten have dimitted to tho Lodge beyond yon

canopy , and now worship in a temple nofc made wifch hands , whose builder and maker is God ; two hundred and thirty constitute tho membership of this Lodge to-day . They are representatives of every vocation ancl every calling ;

true and faithful , worthy and well qualified , they have proved in their lives an honour to American citizenship . The Fraternity , inspired by the tenets of their cherished faith , cloaked wifch truth , fearing no evil , still face

Zionward , ancl their mission will have been accomplished only when miserv and want are exiles ; when ignorance no longer dominates , and when the heavy hand of oppression

has been lifted from its victim . The mission of Masonry ends only when tho reign of peace on earth and good will among men shall havo been universally established .

With such an object to attain , prompted by a purpose so unselfish , we await with eager expectancy the hour when wo shall find lodgment here . Then , with increased facilities and opportunities for good , plighting anew our

fealty to the principles of the Order , clad zn fche beautiful garments of peace , our doors shall be thrown wide open for tho reception of tho pure in heart of every kindred and of every tongue .

Let prejudice , born of ignorance , continue to deride and revile . They shall nofc prevail . To the taunt thafc Masonry is but an idle pageant , we ask , —Was Warren , who at Bunker Hill first taught the lesson of sacrifice to the

American people , a deluded devotee of pageantry and pomp ? Was Franklin , who brought tho lightning from heaven that ifc might be made vassal to the will of man , in his wisdom , a rapt believer in an idle show ? Was

Washington , whese memory but sixty days ago a nation hallowed , likely to lend his influence to hollow mockery and pretence ? These men were Masters in our Order , and worshipped afc a common shrine . The martyred Garfield passed from the

highest altars of our Order to the proud position of power . I say this not in defence of our Craft ; it needs no defence , for Masonry , like the sun in its daily course , circles tho earth , everywhere illuminating the nations with the purity and beneficence of its light . —Voice of Masonry .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

nnHE General Committeo of this Institution met on JL Saturday , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Richard E ve Past Grand Treasurer presiding . The minutes of the former meeting having been read and confirmed , and the

minutes of other Committees , and oi tho Quarterly Court of the 25 th ult ., having been read for information , Bro . Scurrah asked what had been dono by the Subcommittee entrusted with the arrangements as to a new head master . Bro . Bevis said the Committee had been

sitting that day . Without going into details , the result of tho meeting was really this—that the terms on which the new head master should bo appointed were discussed and

considered , and an outline of those terms was entrusted to a Sub-Committee of six , with instructions to advertise and receive applications with a view to their being considered by the Provisional Committee before tho end of the present

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

month , in the hope that the Provisional Committee might , it its meeting that day month , bring before tho General Committeo the names of gentlemen applying for the situation , in order that ono might be selected , subject to

confirmation by tho Committee . The object they had ' n view was that some kind of selection might bo mule afc fche nexfc meeting of fcho General Committee so that a gentlemen might bo appointed before tho Christmas

holidays . Tn answer to an inquiry whether Dr . Morris ' s notice had expired , Bro . Bevir said it expired in April nexfc . A large number of the under masters bad given notice of resignation . That had somewhat forced the

hands of the Committee . They must have timo for tho head master to bo selected , and give him opportunity to select assistants . It was then moved , seconded , and carried , that Lord Euston should sign cheques for tho accounts

which had been recommended by tho House and Finance Committees to be paid . Somo discussion ensued as to tho Grand Treasurer having refused to accept other amendments to the motion to give Bro . Binckes an

allowance of £ 350 a year . The Chairman said ho distinctly remembered Bro . Terry saying at the time he pufc tho motion thafc three amendments had been rejected , and therefore ho need nofc put any more . Bro . Scurrah said

he should like to ask one question with regard to tho Secretary . The Quarterly Court had voted £ 350 a year to Bro . Binckes , was it now understood that ho had resigned , ancl that he would leave at Christmas ? Was it uot made a condition that if Bro . Binckes was awarded

the pension named he would resign r In answer to a direct inquiry , the Chairman replied that that really became a legal question . Bro . Binckes said he had not resigned . Bro . Scuarah * . We understood that Bro . Binckes would

resign afc Christmas . Those were the very words made use of at that time . I want to know if an arrangement has been made that if £ 350 was voted at the Quarterly Court Brother Binckes would resign . After other speakers

had stated their views , the Chairman said the matter had been partly considered , but it involved money questions which it was very difficult to answer . The Provisional Committee would report on the firsfc opportunity .

He did not know whether they would be able to decide before the next Quarterly Court , but before they decided they would take all matters into consideration , legal and otherwise . Another Brother "would like to know in what

position the question would stand if tho minutes were confirmed . He was sorry to say the question of the retiring pension to Bro . Binckes bad been discussed as far as he had heard in that room with very great heat , but it was a

question that the brethren should not get warm upon . Ho wished to ask when , if they confirmed those minutes that day , it would have any influence whatever on the question . The Chairman : None whatever . It must be reported at

the Quarterly Court . They are only read for information . If , after taking advice , we find it is conclusive , -we may not trouble the Quarterly Court again . Bro . Scurrah said it was perfectly satisfactory to him . Five petitioners were

placed on the list for next election , one petition was deferred , and one dismissed . Bro . Binckes wished to say that tbe announcement of lists afc the last festival was £ 13 , 200 . Since then lists had come in making it up to £ 13 , 600 . He had received up tothat day £ 13 , 325 ,

leaving £ 275 still to come in , all of which he hoped was good . At the bankers there was £ 1339 . Therefore there was not much ground for the complaint that their resources were falling off , notwithstanding the unfortunate circumstances in which the Institution had been placed . Tho proceedings shortly afterwards closed .

It waa afc the Masonic Ball . They were dreadfully " spooney , " and , after their third or fourth enchanting waltz , availed themselves of the cool air of tho promenade , and eventually found themselves delightfully hidden away in a sort of cupboard nook , where the wicked ceased from troubling and the weary were afc rest . Very

delicious , no doubt . But he waa a greenhorn afc thafc sort of thing , and forgot to see thafc everything was safe around . So , before the blissful pair knew where fchey were , they found thafc some heartless wretch had closed tho door , aud locked ifc ! Oh ! horror ; what ; was to be done ? To stay thero till the ball was over was not to be

thought of ; besides mamma would miss her . So there was nothing for it but to hammer afc tho door till somebody came to know where tho firo * , vas , aud then explain that ho aud sho had gone thero to look after a lost pocket handkerchief , which , of course , everybody believed .