Durham Charity.

another . To his brethren of the faith who were also present he said they had there a lesson for the times . He had endeavoured to delineate shortly the principles of the union of Masonic Brethren . Was it presumptions to suggest that the world wonld be more united if it took a leaf out of the

book oi f reemasons ? He spoke as unto wise men . Judge they what he said . The service lasted a little over an hour . Afterwards the Brethren dined in two divisions—at the Castle and at the Town Hall—the former section being presided over by the Provincial Grand Master Sir He'd worth Williamson , and the latter by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Canon Tristram . :

Sir Hedworth Williamson Prov . G . M . presiding over the meeting at the Castle , proposed the toast of the Queen , and that of the Prince of Wales and Officers of Grand Lodge present and past , to the latter of which Bro . the Hon . Victor Williamson P . G . W . responded .

The Prov . G . Sec . Bro . R . Hudson then read the list of donations secured by the Stewards , and their respective Lodges , as follow : No . of Stewards . Amount of Donations . Lodge 48 Industry , Gateshead ... ... ... . 8 . 22 14 0

80 St . Jobn , Sunderland ... ... . "' 8 23 1 0 94 Phoenix , Sunderland ... ... ... 6 22 10 97 Palatine , Sunderland ... ... 12 30 13 0 111 Restoration , Darlington ... ... 29 • 52 0 0 124 Marquis of Granbs * , Durham ... ... 14 . 3115 0 240 St . Hilda , South Shields ... ... 7 '" 30 15 6 ¦

375 Lambton , Ohester-le-Street ... ' ... 6 * 112 6 0 424 Borough , Gateshead ..... . * . * .. -.-. : * . ; .. :: ... 18 . . r ¦ .-65 19 6 509 Tees , Stockton ... ... ... : 18 . * 25-14 0 531 St . Helen , Hartlepool ... ' ..... ' 27 " . '; :, 92 ! 8 ... 0 661 Fawcett , Seaham Harbour . ... . " ... /' ' 2 * . * " - '" 4 l < t ' 0 764 Harbour of Refuge , West Hartlepool ... * 35 '< - 11 ' 2 17 6

940 Philanthropy , Stockton * . > ... - ; .. * ,. *; 31 . - ¦ -29 : < ' 8 v 0 . 949 Williamson , Sunderland ... ... :: 13 , .... , 3014 0 1119 St . Bede , "farrow ... '"' ... ... '" " 13 ' ' 45 10 " 6 1121 Wear Valley , Bishop Auckland ' * ... 25 * ' - 55 2 , 0 1230 Barnard , Barnard Castle ... ..... : 6- . 32 9 0 1274 Earl of Durham , Ohester-le-Street ... 8 12 . 1 . 0

1334 Norman , Durham ... . ... ... . 17 , , . 32 15 , . 0 1379 Marquess of Ripon , Darlington ... ' 7 54 12 ' 0 1389 Fenwick , Sunderland ... ¦ ¦ . a ' -. : ¦ * : 12 - , * ¦ . 17 19 6 1418 Fraternity , Stockton . , . , ... 24 . 48 .-2 . 6 1643 Perseverance , Hebburn ... " ... 9 31 2 . "' . 6 1650 Rose of Raby , Staindrop ... ... 21 33 9 0

1862 Stranton , West Hartlepool . ; . .......:.- 16 52 10-0 1932 Whitwortb , Spennymoor .... ........ 4 . .. 25 ¦ 4 .. 0 1970 Hadrian , South Shields .... .... . . , 7 ' . ' 125 36 2019 Crook , Crook .... ... ... 72 132 10 " 0 2039 Londonderry , Sunderland ... ... 8 ' 45 10 0 2104 Whitwell , Stockton .... ... ... ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . 9 . 36 10 0

2135 Constance , Consett ... ... , ... 13 . . 17 . 1 0 2352 Universities , Durham ... ... 1 1 19 0 2415 Tristram , Shildon ... ... ... ' 0 19 1 6 2418 Hedworth , South Shields '¦ : ... ... : - 7 " 4110 0 2462 Clarence , West Hartlepool ... : ' .: ... ¦ : ' 16 ; 61 80 2674 Ravensworth , Gateshead ... . 10 , 15 6 6

Vigilance Chapter ... ... ... 1 11 11 0 Fawsett Chapter ( 764 ) * ... ... 1 - 15 " 15 0 P . G . Lodge of Durham ... . ' .. ' : * ¦ 210 0 : 0 P . G . Chapter of Durham ... .... | ¦ : 26 ; 5 , 0 Visitors ., ... ..... ... .... ' .. ' _ " . 9 5 .. . 6 The guineas of stewards ... ... ' 'i ' ¦¦ ¦" ¦ " - ' - 582 15 ' 0

- Total ¦;* . £ 2 , 479 ' 8 6 Donations ... . ... . ..... . ' . ¦ - -.., ... , 50 0 0 Collections at the Cathedral : ... [ ' ' _ ... " 'J' ; ' 29 10 ' 2 * , •¦• ¦ ' Total . ' ¦ : ' - ' £ 2 , 558 18 8 The Provincial Grand Master , in proposing "Success to

the Durham Masonic Charities , " said the result ; which was most satisfactoiy in every way , was that the Durham Masonic Education Fund was raised to £ 3 , 000 and the Hudson Benevolent Fund to £ 2 , 700 invested capital . He thanked all who had contributed to such a noble-result , ' and referred very felicitously to the presence of the Lady Stewards . : '

Bro . R . Hudson Prov . G . Sec . suitably responded to the toast , and illustrated the value of the two Funds . Lord Barnard P . G . W . proposed the toast of the Chairman , which was enthusiastically received . ' ' ' . ** ' . '"* : i :

Sir Hedworth Williamson replied , and referred to the Festival in most gratifying terms . He also expressed thanks to the Cathedral authorities , and the University Warden and Senate , who had so generously placed the Castle and its magnificent rooms at their disposal .

At the banquet at the Town Hall , the 'Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., F . R .. S ., gave the toast of the Queen , and subsequently also submitted the Prince of Wales and Officers , of Grand Lodge present and past , speaking of the great interest which Royalty had always taken in Freemasonry . The Dean of York responded to the toast . ' * .. . , The Chairman gave the toast of the Durham Masonic Charities , and Bro . Luck replied in an eloquent speech .

East Lancashire Charity.

EAST LANCASHIRE CHARITY .

THE 23 rd annual report of the East ' Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution has just been published for distribution among the donors and subscribers . It shows that the donations and subscriptions received

during the year ended 31 st December last amounted to £ 1 , 079 i 9 s > this amount being £ 350 less than was obtained during 18 97 . The decrease might have been greater , in the

opinion of the Finance and Audit Committee , when it is remembered that nearly £ 5 , 800 was contributed by the Lodges and Brethren of the Province to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , at the Centenary Festival- in June last .

The payments for relief , education , advancement in life , and annuities during the year amounted to £ 846 19 s 6 d , as against £ 948 os 3 d , in the previous year ; 32 children benefited

by education grants during the year , and 10 annuitants through the Annuity Fund . An investment of £ 1 , 250 was made during the year , and a grant of £ 210 paid to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

'" " In the Almoner Committee s report , which accompanies the generab report , ' it is stated that the number of cases relieved during the year was 55 , and 25 refused , as against 44 relieved in 18 97 , and 72 in 18 9 6 , the amount disbursed by the Committee being £ 94 7 s , and a further sum of £ 6 3 s paid to the Sub-Almoners .

No" fewer than three impostors were detected by the Sub-Almoner at Ashtoh-imder-Lyne , and each of them was convicted and imprisoned for obtaining relief under false pretences . - Seeing that there are a great number of impostors

and 'unworthy Brethren tramping the country , the Committee again strongly recommended the Sub-Almoners to refuse relief- to any applicaiit not producing his Grand Lodge Gertificafe . ' ; " ' *• - •; ; ¦ '• .,,.. ¦ '*' ¦ ' \ :: The ' 'tbtal ' amount invested in the name of the Institution , after meeting all claims , amounted to £ 20 , 005 .

West London Charity.

WEST LONDON CHARITY .

WE were present at the meeting of the West London Masonic Election Association held at the Town Hall Tavern , Kensington , on Thursday , 6 th inst ., and were greatly pleased to notice it was so numerously attended . The chair was taken by Brother W . Hillier P . M .

President , and amongst those present we noticed Brother George Read P . M . P . G . S . B ., who takes a very great interest in the work of the Association , and is the means of obtaining a vast amount of support from many of the notabilities of the Craft on its behalf .

The Association was established in 1894 , and endeavours to prevent the waste of votes , by arranging for their systematic collection , defrays the heavy expenses of printing , postages , stationery , & c ., besides securing the attendance of experienced Brethren at the Elections .

Ever }* candidate that it has brought forward since its existence has been successful , the latest instance being the case of Marguerite Knott , returned No . 2 among the successful candidates on Thursday , at the election for the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

We wish the Association every prosperity in its meritorious work . The subscription is a mere trifle , and a post card sent to the Secretary will ensure a reply , with every information .

The Fifteen Sections

THE FIFTEEN SECTIONS

WILL be worked in the Percy Lodge of Instruction , No . 108 , at the Perseverance Hotel , Southgate Eoad , N ., on Saturday next , 22 nd inst ., commencing at 6 . 30 p . m ., by members of the Friais Lodge of lustruction , No . 1349 . The chair will be occupied by Bro . B . Da Oosba P . M . 1349 as W . M ., with D . Moss

P . M . 1349 P . D G . S . B . Transvaal as I . P . M ., L . A . Da Costa P . M . 1349 S . W ., J . Oxley P . M . 1306 J . W ., N . Goldman J . D . 1349 S . D ., J . Davis S . D . 1349 J . D ., and P . Stallard P . M . 1613 Secretary . . The following Brethren will work the different Sections :

First Lecture .-Bros . A . Scbaverein 1349 , S . Torlowsky 205 , S . Emden 1349 , I . Eichmond S . D . 205 , I . Goulstou I . G . 1349 , D . Moss P . M . 1349 , and B . Stewart P . M . 2411 . Second Lecture . —Bros . M . Moses D . C . 1349 , J . Oxley P . M . 1306 , S . B . Lotheirn 205 , N . Goldman "T . D . 1349 , and L . Simmons 2 . Third Lecture . —Bros . M . Corper W . M 1349 L . A DaCosta P . M . 1349 , and H . Harris P . M . 1349 .