Our Institutions.

was the amount of the gro 33 result of the year ' s work . This gave him the opportunity of saying that during the last seven years the Benevolent Institution had received in all £ 121 , 645 , tho Boys' School £ 109 , 010 , and the Girls' School £ 99 , 785 , whioh gave the following averages—the Benevolent Institution £ 17 , 300 a-ycar , the Boys '

School £ 15 , 500 , and the Girls School £ 14 , 200 a-year in round numbers . That was a very proud position for the Benevolent Institution to have attained , when they recollected it was at first tho most neglected of all , for it was then he might say , as it were , nnder the ban of the Grand Master , as it was only permitted to havo a

Festival once in three years . After a great amount of persuasion they were permitted to havo a Festival once in two years . When it was found it would not interfere with the Schools they were permitted to have an annnal Festival , and since then it had gone on and prospered . What was the result ?

The Girls School had prospered more than it had ever done . Whenever a Secretary of one Institution visited a Lodge , if the other Secretaries were not there , he spoke for them as well as for himself . But great as had been the success of the Institution he hoped it would be greater . He believed the Benevolent Institution would be the

Institution of the future . It was founded on a small beginning . It was an Institution which in the future they must look to for providing a homo and a refuge for the aged . The boys and girls of the present day would be , aud were educated , and their prosperity was going on at a higher rate than it had hitherto done . But take tho

other side . When a man came to the decline of life there was very little energy left , and if he was a Mason and wanted a home this Institution afforded it . Let them look at the lists for the coming elections . For tho Girls' School there were thirty girls on the list and twenty-two to be elected ; for the Boys' School there were

fortyfive candidates ( the smallest number for years ) , and twenty-five to be elected . For tho Benevolent Institution there were something like one hundred and twenty candidates . At the present moment there was but one vacancy for a widow , and twelve vacancies for men . Therefore , unless in February next the Institution achieved

as great a result as in 1884 , he really did not know what would be the fate of the poor widows , of whom there were seventy-five on the list , with only one vacancy , and forty-fonr men on the list with only twelve vacancies . If they created only twenty additional vacancies —fifteen being widows—there was still a most appalling prospect .

He relied upon the Craft , and looked forward with the same amonnt of confidence to the liberality of the brethren as in the past , * and be ventured to think that in February next snch answer would be given to their appeal , under the presidency of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , whose Province of Gloucester was supporting him most nobly ,

with forty-seven Stewards , as would show that this confidence was not misplaced . He appealed to those brethren who were not yet Stewards , to make themselves Stewards , and enable the Committee when they met to say that they found themselves in a position to place additional annuitants on their list .

Thoy had now 375 men and women on their funds . When he first was connected with the Institution there were 180 , who were receiving , the men £ 26 a year , the women £ 25 . The men were now receiving £ 10 , and tho widows £ 32 , and for all that they had , by the liberality of tho Craft , moro than doubled tho number of annuitants .

Ho was certain that these fact 3 need only bo brought to the notice of the brethren for them to see that , while not neglecting their duty to the other Institutions , it was their first privilege to think of tho aged . While doing that they wore taking care of themselves . Tho children were educated , but what was to become of the aged if it

was not for this Institution ? There was nothing but tho workhouse for them , and surely the Craft would not allow that , when thero were so many thousands who had never contributed anything to one of the Charities . In June next he would havo been twentv-one

years connected with the Institution , and he hoped and trnsted that whatever the success of the past twenty-one years had been he would be spared to achieve greater results and triumphs , and to seo it placed in the position of first of the three Institutions .

The health of Bro . Shadwcll H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , was also proposed and responded lo , after Avhich the company partook of tea , followed by an Ethiopian entertainment , by the Carolina ( Original ) Minstrels , whose performances Avere evidently much appreciated and

enjoyed . During the evening a telegram Avas read by the Secretary , conveying " Hearty congratulations from the East Lancashire brethren and friends , Avishing you all a Happy NOA-V Year , ample present enjoyment , and future

prosperity to Croydon Institution . Bro . Terry stated that a similar clay's entertainment Avas being given to the Old People at Manchester , and that the brethren of East Lancashire had contributed five guineas to the Croydon Entertainment . An admirable portrait of the late Warden .

Bro . Norris , drawn by Bro . John Mason , Avas handed round for inspection , and was much admired by all prosent . After the interchange of heartiest good wishes for a " Happy New Year , " the visitors returned to toAvn by train , hnving spent a most enjoyable day amongst the " Old People . "

HOLT . OWAT ' riti . s . —Dismiss your doubts ; let no one be any longer oppressed ¦ with the notion that his or her malady is incurable till these purifying Pills havo had a fair trial . AVhere ordinary preparations f : i il theso Pills produce tho best results . A course of this admirable medicine cleanses the blood from all impurities , and improves its finality . Tho whole system is thus benefitted

through the usual channels without reduction of strength , shock to tho nerves , or any other inconvenience ; in fact , hcahh is renewed , by natural menus . Tor curing diseases of the throat , windpipe , and chest those Pills have pvc-c . mnent ' y established a world-wide fame , and in complaints of the stoma . ' . di , liver , anil kidneys they are equally efficacious . They are composed of rare balsams , without a single grain of mercury or any other deleterious substance .

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

LA TOLERANCE LODGE , No . 538 . A NUMEROUS assemblage of the brethren of this excellent working Lodge , with a large body of visitors , met on the 1 st inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street . The Lodge was founded in 1818 , and was originally worked in the French language , bafc nnder the English Constitution ; however , it has since adopted the English working . Tho W . M ., Brother S . G . Langdon , presided ; Bros .

Elvin W . M . elect S . W ., Smale J . W ., Kench P . G . P . Treasurer , Sly P . M . Secretary , Burt S . D ., Bicknell J . D . ; also Bros . Skinner , Child , Humphrey , Cooper P . G . J . D . Middlesex , Wolters . After the minutes had been confirmed , a Board of Installed Masters was opened , and Bro . Elvin was presented to tho Lodge , and , in the presenoe of

twenty-four W . M . ' s and P . M . ' s , was dnly installed into the chair by Bro . Skinner P . M . Bro . Cooper acted as D . C . At the conclusion of the ceremony Brother Skinner was warmly congratulated by the brethren and visitors on the marked ability he had displayed . On the re-admission of the brethren , the W . M . was saluted , and in

very appropriate terms invested as his Officers : —Bros . Langdon I . P . M ., Smalo S . W ., Burt J . W ., Kench Treasurer , Sly Seoretary , Bicknell S . D ., Penn J . D ., Smith I . G ., Cooper P . M . D . C , Child P . M . and Andrews Stewards , Church Tyler . A letter was read from Bro . Bnrmeister P . M . regretting his absenoe through indisposition . He

wished the W . M . and the Lodgo every prosperity , and congratulated the members on tho continued success of the Lodge . After the customary formalities of closing , the brethren adjourned to a banquet . At the conclusion of the repast , the W . M . proposed the usual toasts , coupling with that of the Grand Officers the name of Bro .

Kench . He was one for whom they all had the greatest respeet . Whatever he undertook ho did well . Thoy were all pleased he had received Grand honours . Bro . Kench spoke of tho noble qualities of the brethren at the head of the Order . He was pleased to have his name associated with the toast . Bro . Langdon I . P . M . said it

was with great pleasure he had to propose the toast of the W . M ., who had done his duty in every particular . He had made his mark in Freemasonry , and knew his duties throughly . They were proud to seo him in his present capacity . The toast was heartily received , and the W . M . in reply thanked Bro . Langdon for his kind remarks

and tho brethren for their reception of the toast . If he had done anything for the advantage of this , his mother Lodge , he felt gratified . It gave him great pleasure to do anything he could for the benefit of the Lodge . He wished the brethren , one and all , a year of health and prosperity . He then proposed the toast of the

Visitors . They were numerous and well known and respected ; it was onl y necessary to mention their names seriatim . He called upon Bros . Venn , Dicketts , Levy , Massey , Farwig , Hnrdell , Brown , and Sharp to reply , and those brethren severally responded . The W . M . next proposed the toast of the I . P . M ., Bro . Langdon . During

his year of office he had dono his duties well . Ho had , with great pleasure , to present him with a jewel which he had well earned . He hoped he would bo among them for many years to wear it iu health and prosperity . Bro . Langdon could hardly find words to express his gratitude . Ho hoped he had dono his work to tho best of his

ability . Ho returned his sincere thanks for his kind reception and the valuable jewel presented to him . The W . M . next proposed the health of Bro . Kench Treasurer , and Brother Sly Secretary . These brethren were well known and respected ; ho might say they WOJO unequalled for tho way in which they performed their duties .

Tho W . M . hoped he should havo the pleasure of their united support during his occupancy of the chair , as they havo hitherto dono Io his predecessor . The toast of the P . M . 's was coupled with this . The P . M . ' s were brethren they were proud to see among them . They regretted the absence of one whom thoy all respected , and who

had a good kind word for all—Bro . Bnrmeister ; thoy hoped to seo him again shortly in renewed health . No better array of P . M . ' s could be found than theirs . lie hoped thoy would be among them for many years . Bro . J . Kench P . M . aud Treasurer , and Bvo . Sly P . M . Secretary , severally rospendod and said their services

wero always at the command of the Lodge , aud of every Master If spared , they hoped in tho future to continue in their respective capacities . Bro . Wolters P . M . said it aJforded him great pleasure to bo among them after an ab ? enco of 12 mouths . He had had the pleasure of initiating the present Worship ful

Master in 1868 , and was now proud to see him in the chair . Other Past Masters followed , with very excel ' ent speeches . The toast of tho Wardens wns given and duly responded to , and then the Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings . Tho Worshipful Master provided a special musical melange under tho direction cf Bro . Turle

Lee , assisted by Bro ? . Young , Marner , Wentworlli , Lyons , lievan , and Williams , whoso pinging , and tho genial presidency of the W . M ., rendered tin ' s one of the most agreeable evenings ever spent in tho Lodge . The W . M . announced that thero would bo a banquet in March , when the ladies would bo invited . He hoped to seo many

brethren and Indies present on that occasion . Among the Visitors present wore—Bros . II . Maspov G 19 and 1928 , George 9 S 7 , Smith 1503 , Faru-irr ISO , Seurrah 2078 , Turin Leo 1922 , Latriello 12 fi 0 , Addison 19 S 7 , Dnpont , Iloynolds 101 1 . Harrison 1185 , Cooper 1037 , Venn , Brown 174 and 1007 , Marx 957 , Dicketts , Hartley 740 ,

Green 1687 , Lvon 17 ( 15 , Hnrdell 1348 , Gunnell 1411 , Harrison 1185 , Hooko 4 fi 3 , King 180 , Jesso 1550 , Viokery , Wnitworth 101 , Blitz 177 , Williams 1658 , Turner 132 S , Barclay " 160 S , Eastgate 1563 , Coward 2012 , Marner 1073 , Brown 1706 , Bellamy 1 G 27 , Sharp 1 , II . M . Lew 188 .

The Richmond Lodge, No. 2032.

THE RICHMOND LODGE , No . 2032 .

A BEGULAE meeting of this young , but souud aud progressive - . Lodge , was held on Tuesday evening , at the Station Hotel , llichmond , when there was a goodly attendance of brethren , under