A Desperate Case.

A DESPERATE CASE .

HPHERE now remain but a few clays ere the first anniversary meeting of the year in connection with the Central Masonic Chanties will be numbered with the events of the past , the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Fre emasons ancl Widows of Freemasons having been fixed for Wednesday , the 29 th instant , when it will be celebrated at the Freemasons' Tavern , London , under the Chairmanship of Sir George Elliot , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . Provincial Grand Master South Wales ( Eastern Division ) .

We assure our readers the outlook in connection with this celebration is far from being as cheerful as it might be ; indeed , we are more than ever convinced this year ' s contributions on behalf of the Benevolent Institution will produce a result bordering on failure , as viewed in connection with the experience of the last few years . It is not , however , too late for something to be attempted , in order to lessen the disaster which appears so imminent , and we take the opportunity of once more impressing on

our readers the urgency of the case , and the actual necessity which exists both for united and personal activity . At the present time the Board of Stewards for this month ' s Festival is far short in point of numbers to what it has been at similar periods in recent years , and although we believe that all who have undertaken the ofiice of Steward are desirous

of doing their very best on behalf of the Old Folks , there is no gainsaying the fact that there is such a strong counter attraction at present before the Craft as to all but nullify the efforts which are being put forward . So far , we believe , there is no " premier " list even dreamt of from a London Steward , and the Provinces this year present an all but complete

absence of " grand totals ; the one absorbing topic among charitable Craftsmen being the Centenary Celebration of the Girls' School , and until that event is passed , and honoured as we feel sure it will be , there seems to be little hope for anything else being thought of which may require the exercise of that most excellent Masonic attribute—Charitv .

We have headed these remarks with the title " A Desperate Case , " and our present purpose is to make a " desperate " appeal for help on behalf of the aged of both sexes , who are unfortunately compelled to crave assistance from their brother Masons . The number of brethren who have already given their names as Stewards , and who are working on behalf

of the Festival , forms but an insignificant proportion of those who are eligible for the ofiice . Still the Institution is thankful to them , and they will reap a reward . We will not ask these brethren to do as much as lies in their power—that they have done , and Jill continue to do ; but we ask them to go further . Their number , as we have already said , is smaller than has been the case in years gone by , but if each one will endeavour to secure a sum of ten guineas

A Desperate Case.

at least beyond what he had hitherto considered the limit of his list , they might make up in quality for what they lack in quantity , This is bold advice , and having realised the difficulty there is in securing donations for our Charities we are prepared to hear that its general adoption is an imoossibilitv . but

under such circumstances as at present exist nothing should be impossible , and we hope there are many who will prove that our suggestion is far from being an impossibility . There is but one matter to which we need refer , to impress on our readers the necessity which exists for the adoption of such a plan

as that we now propose—there are over one hundred and thirty approved applicants for the next election , and the number of vacancies at present available will not allow of even one in seven of these applicants being elected to the benefits of the annuity they seek , and , in the opinion of experienced Craftsmen , fully deserve . On the efforts of the Stewards for the forthcoming Festival depend to a very considerable extent the extension of the benefits which these figures prove to be so desirable .

To the large majority of English Craftsmen , brethren who have not yet enrolled themselves among the Stewards , we also make a " desperate " appeal . It is true there are now but two clear weeks in which to make up a list , but what might be accomplished in that brief period provided a band of enthusiastic workers could be induced to undertake the work ? Wfi xvill tint V ( . i _ pfl .+. f . hfi rnn . nv flroTimp / nf . s wln ' r . l . ara

used to induce brethren to enter upon an advocacy of the cause ; this year they have not realised as good a return as is desired , and therefore we must adopt other methods , although we think the figures given above , —of the number of approved candidates and the number of available vacancies , — should be

sufficient for the purpose . The grounds on which we base our special appeal is that the needs of the Institution and of the Craft require increased support year by year , whereas , on the present occasion—in consequence of the great efforts being made on behalf of the Girls' School—there is every appearance of a tremendous falling off in the returns of the Festival .

To lessen this , and to strive to remove it altogether , should be the desire of all who read these lines , while to assist in doing so they should enrol themselves among the Stewards for the Festival . They may not be able to do much during the few days yet left for them to work in . but everv contribution

secured—be it an annual subscription of only five shillings , a Life Governorship , or a three-figure listwill all go towards securing the desired end , which we sincerely trust is not so far off as many would tne

have us believe ; indeed , we can never imagine Masons of to-day will forget the claims of those who have borne the heat and burden in years gone by , or that they will leave a stone unturned to render them all the assistance their present necessities require . If we have not succeeded in accomplishing the task