Committee Meeting Of The Benevolent Institution.

COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

THE monthly meeting of the Committee of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institntion was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons ' Hall . There were present Bros . Col . Creaton Grand Treasurer ( in the chair ) , Richard ITerve Giraud , W . Hilton , William Halo , C . A . Cottebrnnp , Thomas Cnbitt , Charles John Perceval , Raynham W . Stewart , John Henry Leagott , William March , John 0 . Stevens ,

Thomas W . C . Bush , J . M . Case , Edgar Bowyer , Charles Daniel , Charles Lacey , J . R . Gallant , C . H . Webb , Henry Maudslay , and James Terry ( Secretary ) . The death of six annuitants was reported . Bro . Terry reported that Bro . Richard Barnes , an annuitant , had been sentenced to a month ' s imprisonment for stealing Masonic jewels , and it was resolved to deprive him of his annuity . On the motion ,

however , of Bro . J . G . Stevens , seconded by Bro . W . Hale , it was resolved to pay Bro . Barnes' current quarter's annuity to his wife , who with her family were starving . Bro . Terry also reported that the alterations in the laws of the Institution had been sanctioned by Grand Lodge , which had also acceded to Bro . Raynham W . Stewart ' s proposal to grant £ 1600 instead of £ 800 a year to . tho Institution ,

The Committee authorised Bro . Terry to send in a notice of dissent to the proposal of the London , Brighton , aud South Coa > t Railway to take part of the land of the Institntion at Croydon , as scheduled to their Bill , for next Session , to increase tho railway accommodation at Croydon . It was also resolved to remove ono male annuitant from the building at Croydon , who had rendered himself very

objeotionable to the other annuitants there . The Chairman was authorised to sign cheques , and it was announced that the New Year ' s Entertainment to the Old People wonld take place on tbe 4 th of January . Tho Committee voted £ 20 towards the expenses of the Entertainment . One widow was granted half her late husband ' s

annuity , and the Secretary was authorised to buy tho furnitnre necessary for the enlarged Hall of the Institution , which is now complete . Fourteen male petitioners and nine widows were placed on the list for the election in May next , and tha Committee then adjourned .

Funeral Of Capt. Sinclair, At Shoreham.

FUNERAL OF CAPT . SINCLAIR , AT SHOREHAM .

THE body of Alexander Sinclair was , on Wednesday , 7 th instant , consigned to the grave in Old Shoreham Churchyard . The deceased was found dead in his bedroom , in an Hotel at Ramsgate , and the coroner , convinced that death was caused by apoplexy , did not deem it necessiry to hold an inquest . Beyond this we do not care to dwell upon the melancholy event , but prefer to call to mind

the life and good works of Captain Sinclair . Like many another who has made a name and position in the world , he conld not boast of a great beginning . A Scotchman by birth , he came first to Shoreham as an able seaman . His excellent qualities , his knowledge of navigation , and his general capacity for every sort of work soon brought him to the fore . His rise was rapid from one post to another ,

until , in 1853 or 1851 , he was appointed to the command of a ship owned at Shoreham . From that time he was for many years afloat , and proved himself ono of the most able captains who ever sailed from England . His voyages were principally into tho Mediterranean , and in many of them he was accompanied by Mrs Sinclair . Tho present writer , for the editorial " we" must for tbe moment be

dropped , can say that , in the four years I have known Shoreham , I have never met with greater kindness than from Captain Sinclair . Ho was a man who could be ill spared , aud will be long missed by all who knew him . The death took place at Ramsgate on Friday , and the body was removed from there to Shoreham . Long before tho time fixed for the burial crowds had assembled in the old chnrchyard ,

and punctually at noon the funeral cortege , which had assembled at the residence of the deceased , in South Down Road , arrived at the gates . The procession was organised b y Mr . Brown , of Lancing College , as follows : —The Tyler , with his sword ; the Stewards , with white rods ; the brethren , ont of office , two and two ; the Secretary , with a roll ; the Treasurer , with his badge of office ; the Senior and

Junior Wardens , band in hand ; tho Past Master , the Master ; the Lodge to which the deceased brother belonged in following order ; all the members had flowers or herbs in their hands : —The Tyler , the Stewards , Martial music ( drums muffled and trumpets covered ) , the members of the Lodge , the Secretary and Treasurer , the Senior and Junior Wardens , tbe Past Master ; the Holy Writings on tho cushion ,

covered with black cloth , carried by the oldest member of the Lodge , the Master , choristers , singing an anthem ; the clergyman , the body with the regalia placed thereon and two swords crossed , the chief mourners , assistant , the Stewards , and Tyler . The York Lodge was well represented , and led the procession , headed by Mr . W . Marchant and Mr . J . Curtis , the oldest P . M . ' s present . In their ranks

were Messrs . Ey les , Burrows , Paige , Grinberg , Anderson , Dalimore , Hughes , Ridge , C . Saunders , O . Weston , and many others who wished to pay a tribute of respect to their late brother . They were followed by the coffin , which was borne by the coastguards , and covered with the Union Jack

The chief mourner was Mr . J . Sinclair , of Edinburgh ( brother of tho deceased ) . The Vicar ( tho Rev . Dr . Harris Smith ) , performed tho duty in the church and at tho gnave . The service in the church was impressive , Mr . Rowell presided at the organ , and the choir rendered the opening hymn and tho " Dead March " most excellently . Tho coffin bore the following inscription : —

ALEXANDER SINCLAIR , Died December 2 nd , LSS 1 , Aged 55 years . Bro . C . J . Smith P . Prov . G . VV . and I . P . M . of the Lodge , then addressed the Masonic Brethren most , impressively , as follows : — Brethren—Fioin time immemorial it has been a custom anions tbo

Funeral Of Capt. Sinclair, At Shoreham.

'Vaternity of Ancient Fire and Accepted Masons , at the rooi . esfc of a " . rothor , to accompany his corpse to tho grave , and there deposit , his remains with the usual formalities . U ' o attend to-day at the special equest of our departed Bro . Sinclair to pay our lust tribute of affectionate esteem for him ; and although wo are not clothed in the badges and insignia of that Order which he so greatly loved , our sorrow

is not loss , nor our regret less deep . This Iamb ' s-ski :., or white ; ipron , with which 25 years ago he was invested , when initiated into our ancient Craft , is tho emblem of innocence and tho badge of a Mason . It is more ancient , than the golden lleocc and Roman eagle , more honoured than tho Garter—it is tho bond of friendship when it is worthily worn . This emblem I now deposit in th'' grave of our

deceased Brother . ( Hero the apron Avav . deposited in tho grave . ) Ry it wo are reminded of the universal dominion of Death . The arms of friendship cannot interpose to prevent his coming ; the wealth of tho Avovld cannot pnrohaso our release , nor will tho innocence of youth or tho charms of beauty propitiate him . Tho colliu and tho gvavo admonish us of onv mortality , and that sooner or

later theso frail bodies must moulder in tho tomb . Tho Bctluen , now following tho example of tho speaker , saluted tho remains of tho deceased in duo form . Brethren—tho occasion on which wo are assembled this day reminds us of our frailty and mortality . " Man goeth to his long homo , and tho mourners go about the . streets . " Often are we impressively reminded that "It is appointed unto all

men onco to die , "—that "There is no discharge in that war , " that tho dust must return to tho prime of life and full activity of manhood AVo hoped , for those connected with him by the most tender ties hoped , that ho Avonld still live for many years . The great disposer of events has , in His infinite Avisdom , and no doubt in His goodness as well as in Ilia

wisdom , ordered it otherwise . It is for us reverently to bow our heads and adore . Weave reminded also Mint life is very uncertain , and warned not to set our hearts too strongly on tho things of tho present world , but ever to live in preparation for death , that wo may bo ready , however soon , however suddenly AVO may bo called away . May wo so live that all our days are spent in doing some good

work , of which others may enjoy tho benefits when we are gone , oven if we live not to see much of its results ourselves . It is not necessary that I should say much of our late brother as a Freemason . You all know how attentive ho was to all his duties as a member of the Lodge , and how admirably he conducted himself in the various offices which he filled , and never were tho harmony and

prosperity of his Lodge promoted more by the manner in which any member discharged tho duties of rffice . If the death of our brother has made a blank in our Lodge , how much more grievous must be tho blank in the family of Avhich he was tho head ? We are required by that law which is all summed up in love , to weep with those who weep , and surely tho present occ . ; sicn must call forth our

sympathy . Tho widow has a right to expect our kind regard , not only now in the time of deepest affliction , but henceforth continually , and whatever we can do to soothe her distress or to promote her welfare , we will do—I am sure I speak the sentiments of yon allwith cheerfulness and alacrity . Aud now , in conclusion , let mo only express the hope that the lesson taught us may contribute

not a little to our good , making us wiser , and moving us to greater assiduity in oil the duties of life . " The time is short , " how short wo knoAv not , but at most it can be but a little while till the last survivor of us all shall descend to the house of silence , the placo appointed for all living . Let us listen , therefore , to the voice that says to us , " WhatsooA'er thy hand findeth to do , do it with thy might : for there

is no work , nor device , nor knowledge , nor wisdom , in the grave , whither thou goest . " But " now is tho accepted time , now is the day of salvation , " now is the time for earnest prayer and for earnest work . Let us resolve , whilst the remembrance of our brother and of bis grave is thus fresh in our minds , to be henceforth more

religious than we have heretofore been , aud also more diligent in business ; redeeming the time for every good ancl useful purpose , so that we may press steadfastly along a path that ends not in gloom and darkness , but conducts fco a land of brighter light than over shines in this world— a land where the . ro is no darkness ov shadow

of death , no night , no sin , no sorrow—aland of which tho inhabitants shall no more say , "I am weary , " and where all tears arc wiped away from their eyes ! Bro . Smith then took the sprig of acacia from his coat and proceeded , —This evergreen , which once marked tho temporary resting place of the deceased , is an emblem of our faith in the immortality of the soul . By this wo are reminded that wo

have an immortal part within us that shall survive the grave , and which shall never , never die ! By it wo are admonished that , though like our brother whose remains Ho before ns , we shall soon be clothed in the habiliments of death and deposited in the silent tomb , yet through our belief in tho mercy of God Ave may confidently hope

that our souls may bloom in eternal spring . Tin ' s , too ( the acacia ) , I deposit in tho grave , with the final exclamation , ' Alas ! my brother . '" All the brethren in order now passed tho grave , casting therein their sprigs of acacia , with the touching words with which the ceremony was concluded . —Brighton Gazette .

We anticipate there Avill lie a strong muster of brethren at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , on Wednesday next , tho 21 st instant , of the Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction , 1288 . A highly interesting paper on the all-a ( tractive subject of " tho Masonic Charities " Avill be read by Bro .

W . W . Morgan , Secretary of the St . Michael ' s Lodge , No . 211 . Brethren are specially invited to attend . They will meet Avitli a cordial reception . If further inducement to put in an appearance is needed , it Avill be found in the fact that our Worthy and Worshi pful Bro . Pearcy is . the Preceptor of the Lodge .