The Girls' Festival.

question was not settled a little earlier , as we should then have had a better opportunity of working the matter up , and bringing it under the notice of the brethren . However , it is perfectly certain that the acceptance of the chairmanship by Lieut .-Col . Creaton has given a large amount

of satisfaction in all quarters . As the Treasurer and second Trustee of the Institution , he gallantly stepped into tbe breach and relieved the Committee of a little difficulty which had been unavoidably caused ; and this is only another proof of his strong interest in the cause he has so

close at heart , and of his readiness to perform any duty to enhance its prosperity . At the risk of being continually harping on one string , we urge upon our brethren everywhere to unite in doing what they can to make the approaching Festival a splendid success . By so doing it

will prove to the outer world that our Masonic benevolence is no empty boast ; and , moreover , it will increase the means , which the executive so ardently crave for , of spreading the advantages of an Institution which is one of the brightest gems in the Masonic coronet , and ono of the noblest landmarks of Charity in the British nation .

Our Benevolent Institution And The Approaching Election.

OUR BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION AND THE APPROACHING ELECTION .

THE time has once more reached us when it becomes necessary to draw attention to those Institutions which form so important an element in our Masonic system , and are the objects of so much solicitation at the hands of those who have the true interests of the Order close at heart . Now , as we glance down the lists , noting the

deserving claims upon our sympathy and care , we are compelled to revert to the oft-repeated regret that so much genuine distress has , perforce , to be met by means most inadequate to the requirements of the situation . It is the old , old story , told again . As the floor upon which the

Mason treads is chequered , so do wo find the lives of those amongst whom we mingle in the course of our every-day experience . If ifc were of any avail to draw a harrowing picture of misery from the long array before us of those who , descending from comparative affluence and comfort ,

are compelled to seek our aid , such a tale could be unfolded as should move men to nobler deeds than have ever yefc been recorded in our annals—such a display of pz-aciical self-denial and generosity as would make the world reverberate in praise of ourvaunted virtues . Charity is represented

to us as an attribute that has no bounds save thafc of prudence ; yefc what a commentary might be made of the two sections of sheets on which the annual lists of our candidates are printed ! One , emblazoned with the names of the great and noble of our land , from the Sovereign

doAvnwards , with all the intermediate indications of rank , wealth , luxury , and ease . The other , revealing a tale oi woe that might well make Samaritans of us all , and yefc the oil and the twopence will not half go round amongst the needy circle who are loudly calling for our aid . It is a

sad and sorrowful picture that is annually presented , and yet who shall say that it is unrelieved by a bright halo of sunshine lighting up the glorious principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth which are the pillars of our Masonic faith ? This year , in the list of aged brethren who are

stretching forth the beseeching hand , there are thirty-three , for whom only seventeen places aro vacant , and some of these candidates have been looking askance for a considerable time , meanwhile enduring privations of the severest kind , and experiencing the meaning of that hope

deferred which maketh the heart sick . One of these , we observe—the first on the list—had paid to the funds of his Lodge for upwards of thirty years during the time that he was enjoying a good position as boat-builder ; but now , verging ou the age usually considered to be the

allotted span of human life , he finds himself and his aged wife totally without the means of support . Amongst the other third applications we find one who some years ago filled the civic chair of the borough of Peterfield , but who , through failure of business and

illhealth , is fain to seek the assistance of his brethren in his declining days . There are no fewer than seven who come to the ballot a second time , and each with a certain

number of votes to his credit . Several of these have filled high office , and have subscribed many years to the funds of their respective Lodges , bufc having been overtaken b y age ^ and physical infirmities , are compelled to seek that

Our Benevolent Institution And The Approaching Election.

haven of rest which in their more palmy days they regarded as their peculiar care , and which they assiduously helped to support . Out of the twenty-two first applications thero are some remarkable and deserving cases ; and although it is not for ns to take an invidious view of the candidates

who are appealing for our consideration , yet one or two may be pointed out as especially eligible for whatever compassion we have at our command . We have alread y alluded to our Bro . Richard Henry Marsh , the once eminent tragedian who , under the name of Henry Marston ,

was one of the leading actors in the company of the late Samuel Phelps , in the palmy days of the Sadlers Wells Theatre . When in the vigour of health our esteemed brother did his utmost for the Institution whose aid , we regret to see , he has been compelled now to seek , the ills

that flesh is heir to having prevented him from following his profession , and thereby depriving his wife and daughter , who are dependent on him , of that source of maintenance which was once not lightly to be estimated . His onl y

means of support is a small annuity from the Court of Chancery , which , if this application on his part be successful , will do some little to keep his wife and daughter from actual want . In another instance—No . 21 on the

list—is a brother who at various times has been connected with several Lodges , and his contributions were so well kept up that in the aggregate they were made to represent no less than 75 years' subscriptions . He has been a Steward , and is Lifo Governor of the three Masonic Institutions .

Another , against whoso name is the remark " By proof 79 years of age , " had paid nearly 42 years , but through want of means he was compelled to relinquish business , and has now to support an aged wife on a pittance of £ 15 a year . A third , 72 years of age , who when in good

circumstances had subscribed to his Lodge over 40 years , has become reduced to great poverty and is enfeebled by rheumatism ; whilst still another , aged 77 , and for 40 years a subscribing member of his Lodge whilst in good business as an engraver , has beeu prevented by failing

sight from obtaining a livelihood , and is now dependent on the small earnings his wife obtains by washing . Aged brethren , once well-to-do , bufc compelled from " unforeseen circumstances of calamity and misfortune " to appeal to the only altar of mercy open to them ,

figure on the list before us—some dependent on friends , others on children who can ill-afford the burden , or on wipes more aged and incapacitated than themselves . We can imagine some of those who in the prime of life went up as Stewards , perhaps with lists of subscriptions of which

they are justly proud , exerting themselves in such a way as to obtain Life Governorships , looking back over their past career and deriving happiness from the thought that before misfortune came with crushing effect they were instrumental in perhaps alleviating the sorrows of others ,

without even dreaming of the day of calamity that was reserved for themselves , though Avisely hidden from their ken at tbe time . How should ifc stimulate those who are now in the vigour of life , and surrounded by temporal advantages of every kind , to strain tho utmost nerve to see

that instead of half our unfortunate petitioners being sent empty away who apply at the recurring elections , every yearning heart should be satisfied , and every sorrow assuaged ! Riches may take to themselves wings and fl y away , but good service rendered in a beneficent cause

should build up a heritage of the deserving , to be remembered when times like these arrive , and there are claims in handicap for the rewards of labour done . Looking at the widows' list , we see that for the fourteen prizes there are nearly thirty blanks , and here , too , are claims which , if

manipulated , would make the mind thoughtful and the heart sad . In one case—that of Mrs . King , who is sixfcy-Ihree years of age—we find that her late husband subscribed 47 ^ years , and that after his death , six years ago , she took a situation as housekeeper , but has been compelled

to retire in consequence of age and ill-health . One old lady , aged seventy-two , makes application for the third time , and bases her claim upon her deceased husband ' s continuous payment to his Lodge funds , extending over 34- * - years . There arc no less than sixteen who failed at the

last election , and who come up this year with renewed hope after disappointment . They cannot all succeed , and therefore renewed regrets must be recorded .

And yet , amongst the first applications there are some which must commend themselves to our most thoughtful consideration . In the case of No . 37 upon the list , we find thejwidow ^ of a pensioned master founder of Woolwich