Cheshire Charity.

J . Cookson as P . P . G . J . W ., and Bro . W . J . Nash as P . P . G . S . D . He again thanked them for their support that afternoon . He regretted that the weather did not allow more of them to visit the grounds at Tatton , but he hopsd at some future and more favourable opportunity to see them in much larger numbers .

Later on Bro . Alan de Tatton Egerton expressed his appreciation of the interest that had been shown in his travels in South Africa , where of late years Freemasonry had progressed by leaps and bounds , faster in fact than in any Province he knew in England . It was true they were for a short time in great danger When shut up in Gwelo , but they made the best of the

circumstances by which they were surrounded , and did all they could to promote confidence and comfort . He had heard with very great pleasure of the progress of Freemasonry in England * and especially in their own Province , but he did not think there was a place in the world where Freemasonry was going so strong as in South Africa . He thanked them all for the very kind way in which the toast of his health had been received .

The last toast on the list , the Cheshire Educational and Benevolent Institutions , was submitted by Lord Egerton . His Lordship said that the amalgamation of the two had already been fraught with profit and advantage by getting large numbers together , and by stirring up an excellent spirit in every Lodge in

the Province . The best proof was found in looking round that room . His Lordship proceeded to cite the excellent work the Institutions had done and were doing , and coupled with the toast the name of Bro , Clayton , who , as Chairman of the Committee , had rendered a most invaluable and unselfish aid to the Institutions .

Herefordshire Charity.

HEREFORDSHIRE CHARITY .

THE nineteenth annual meeting of the members of the Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association was held at the Green Dragon Hotel , Hereford . In the unavoidable absence

of Bro . Thos . Smith P . P . S . G . W . President , the chair was taken by Bro . H . C . Beddoe D . P . G . M . ; other members of the Association present being Bros . G . E . Sinclair , Edwd . Maddison , and the Hon . Secretary W . Earle .

The following report and statement of accounts was read and adopted : — " The Committee have the pleasure of submitting their report for the year 1895 , and have again to thank Bro . T . G . Chance P . M . 120 , and his partner , Mr . Tangye , for 200 copies of the report for 1894 . At last year ' s meeting the ballot for

votes resulted in six life subscriberships , which were obtained by the Palladia E . A . Chapter and Bros . W . W . Eobinson , A . J . Gifford , W . C . Whitfeld , W . T . Marvin , and W . J . Grant , all of whom elected to take votes for the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys . Since the formation of the Association , in August

1878 , it has remitted the following sums to the Masonic Institutions , viz .: —To the Boys School , £ 372 15 s ; to the Girls School , £ 283 10 s ; to the E . M . B . Institution , male fund , £ 162 15 s , female fund , £ 141 15 s ; total £ 960 15 s . An average of £ 53 a year . These remittances have secured 170 life subscriberships ,

giving yearly 340 votes for the Masonic Institutions , of which few only would have been obtained without the aid of this local Association , as previously the number of votes in the Province did hot exceed 100 . The additional sum of £ 42 , now in hand , will make £ 1 , 002 15 s , and the Committee are much gratified

that by the exertions of the Hon . Secretary the sum of £ 1 , 000 has been reached , which for some years past has been his aim . Sir J . E . Bailey , Bart ., E . W- Prov . G . M ., who has always been a warm and generous friend to the Institution , has this year increased his subscription , and in his letter to Bro . Earle says

'It seems to me an excellent plan of securing votes for the Province , and I only wish it had more support . ' This Province certainly ought to do more than it has done for the Masonic Institutions , inasmuch as our successful candidates have received much more than we have ever remitted . The Treasurer ' s cash statement for 1895 is presented herewith .

T . Smith P . P . S . G . W . President for 1895 . W . Earle P . P . S . G . W . Hon . Secretary . " Cash statement for year ending 31 st December 1895 : — Subscription account : To balance from last account , £ 3 3 s ; to

members' subscriptions , £ 38 17 s ; £ 42 . By Secretary of the Boys School , £ 36 15 s ; by balance carried forward , £ 5 5 s ; £ 42 . Management account : To entrance fees , 5 s ; by postages , & c , 5 a . Audited and found correct this 31 st August 1896 .

T . Smith •» Thomas Blinkhorn / Auditors . The ballot was then taken , and resulted in the following life subscribers to the Masonic Institutions , viz ., Bros . Sir J . B . Bailey , Bart , ( two votes ) , A . Outfield , M . D ., G . E . Sinclair , E . C . Gurney , W .-T . Sale , and the E . A . Chapter . The Masonic Charitable Institutions are the Boys and Girls Schools , and the

Herefordshire Charity.

Institution for granting substantial annuities to Aged Freemasons and Widows of Masons , and each of the members successful in the ballots elect the Institution in which he wishes to have a life vote at all elections of candidates . The Committee for tho ensuing year was then appointed as follows : —President Bro . A . Outfield , M . D ., Vice-President Bro . Edward Bellow , Treasurer Bro . H . C . Beddoe , Secretary Bro . W . Earle ; for Palladian

Lodge , Bro . W . W . Eobinson ; for Vitruvian Lodge , Bro . Chas . Eootes ; for Eoyal Edward Lodge , Bro . W . T . Sale ; for Eastnor Lodge , Bro . E . Maddison ; for Arrow Lodge , the W . M . ; Auditors Bros . Thomas Smith and Thomas Blinkhorn . A cordial vote of thanks to Bro . Smith ( President ) , Bro . Beddoe ( Treasurer ) , and Bro . Earle ( Secretary ) brought the proceedings to a close .

It appears that until the year 1878 the Province of Herefordshire was somewhat noted in the Masonic world for the smallness of the sum it had contributed to the Institutions above referred to , although several Herefordshire children had been boarded and educated in the Masonic Schools , and some of the ancient local Brethren and their widows had for many years

received annuities from the Institutions . In the year referred to , Bro . Wm . Earle , during his mastership of the Palladian Lodge ( Hereford ) took the preliminary steps towards forming the local Association , and has since continued the Honorary Secretaryship , and the Committee ' s report showed with what amount of success . — " Hereford Journal . "

Charity Funds.

CHARITY FUNDS .

ONE of the main objects of the Masonic organisation , and the principal reason for its existence , is to afford relief to those in need of assistance . The best method for dispensing Masonic charity has been for many years a subject of much discussion in the Grand Lodges of the United States . The two principal methods adopted among the Grand Lodges are the

erection and maintenance of Masonic homes for needy Masons , their widows , and orphans , on the one hand , and the providing of a fund for the direct assistance and relief of such needy Masons , their widows , and orphans , at their homes , on the other . After a discussion on the subject in its various phases for many years , the Grand Lodge of Iowa , two years ago , unanimously

adopted the latter method . The Grand Charity Fund thus provided for has , by its judicious expenditure under the direction of the Trustees , abundantly proven the wisdom of the action of the Grand Lodge . The reports of the Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund , made at the last session of the Grand Lodge , and at this session , show that the temporary fund provided for has

been carefully expended for the relief of needy Masons of Iowa , and their widows , and we have the satisfaction of knowing that every dollar that has been paid out of this fund has been used directly and solely for the personal relief and assistance of some needy Brother or his widow , and that no part of it has been used in the erection or furnishing of costly buildings , or for the

payment of interest upon the fund invested or borrowed for the erection of such buildings , or for the payment of salaries , expenses , and support of officers and employees to manage and care for said buildings and their inmates . We have the satisfaction of knowing that the relief that has been furnished under this system has been in almost every

case by the payment of a much less sum than would be necessary for the total support of the persons thus assisted . Had the same persons been sent to a Masonic home the whole expense of their support must have been borne by the Grand Lodge . As it is , they have remained at their homes with their families , and with their own friends , and the amount paid , though much less than

would have been necessary to support them in a Masonic home , has undoubtedly been of much greater benefit to them by reason of their being permitted to remain with their families and friends . This feature of our system is one that commends it most highly to our consideration , and were the expenses as great as in a Masonic home , it would , in my judgment , still be much more

preferable , and much more satisfactory to the beneficiaries of our charity to furnish them the needed relief in their own homes , and among their friends and acquaintances , when it can be done , than to send them to a Masonic home among entire strangers , and employees who have no personal interest in their welfare . —Grand Master Geo . W . Ball , Iowa , in " Canadian Craftsman . "

What Masonry Has Been And Is.

WHAT MASONRY HAS BEEN AND IS .

By S . M . Yoran Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Oregon . FEOM a study of the history and character of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , I am forced to the conclusion that , whatever may have been the nature of its earliest or-