The Grand Festival.

occasions on which he has taken an active part in some more or less important Masonic function , and ho himself has told ns that in the course of these years the number of Grand Lodge Certificates which have emanated from the office of tho Grand Secretary has averaged about 10 , 000

annually . We know , too , how wonderful has been the increase in the support of our several Institutions—from , in round figures , about £ •20 , 000 or £ 27 , 000 at tho Festivals in 1875 to very considerably over £ 40 , 000 at those of last year . Let us hope that in the year which commences from

Wednesday , and in all succeeding years , the picture we may be privileged to draw of the progress and position may be as satisfactory . We may be sure it will nob be the fault of the Prince of Wales , the M . W . Grand Master

of the United Grand Lodge of England , if it does not maintain , and even strengthen , its present proud position , and tho respect in Avhich it is almost universally held , not only in the United Kingdom , but among all civilized countries .

The Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

THE CHESHIRE EDUCATIONAL MASONIC INSTITUTION .

WE beg to acknowledge , with thanks , a copy of the " Eighteenth Report of the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution for the Education find advancement in life of the children of Distressed and Deceased Freemasons , for the year 1880 . " This is one of the most useful among the many similar institutions existing in the Provinces .

The good that it does is very considerable , and must have the effect of lessening very appreciably the demands on our two central schools , so far as , at least , Cheshire itself is concerned . It was founded in the year 1863 , and during the whole of its career has been managed with a due

regard to economy , and in a manner which reflects the greatest credit on the executive . This year , however , the report is not quite so favourable as usual . The Committee state that " heretofore they have always had a surplus of receipts over expenditure , but this year the contrary is the

case . A first glance at the statement of account hardly bears this out , for there are two small balances , one in a local bank , and the other in the Treasurer ' s hands ; but this apparent discrepancy admits of satisfactory explanation . It is an important element in the Constitution of the

Society , " that the expenditure shall only consist of the revenue derived from investments originated by subscriptions and donations , which are considered as Capital . " Hence , on examining the account more minutely , it will be found that , while the revenue derived from investments

amounts to £ 159 6 s lid , the expenditure for printing , & c , the education of seventeen children , and the advancement of two , as well as for stationery and other incidental outlay for the year is in all £ 173 10 s 3 d , of which £ 124 2 s 2 d was for education , and £ 10 10 s for advancement . Under

these circumstances , and especially as there are seven candidates for education , as against two whose names will be removed from the list , there is strong reason for the urgency of the Committee ' s appeal to " some active Mason to take up the cause , and originate an entertainment of such

a nature as will rehabilitate the funds , and put the Committee in good spirits . " The point indicated by the Committee is indisputable , " that an immense amount of moral , as well as intellectual good is done" by the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution , and it must be very

gratifying to them to be in a position to state that " the reports furnished by the masters and mistresses of the various scholars are really heart-cheering . " Turn we , however , without further preface , to the account for the past year , as exhibited by the Committee .

The balance brought forward from last year amounted to £ 292 Is 6 d . Donations and subscriptions from Lord and Lady De Tabley , the Prov . Grand Mark Lodge , and the different Lodges and Chapters , and brethren , represent the very satisfactory total of £ 168 6 s , while interest on

investments is , as we haye said , £ 159 6 s lid . Add to these tbe proceeds of two Mersey Dock Bonds , expired on 27 th September last , amounting together to £ 350 , and we have a total from all sources of £ 969 14 s 5 d . On the expenditure

side , we find , as before mentioned , a total sum disbursed for advancement , education , printing , audit , stationery , & c ., equal together to £ 173 10 s 3 d . Investments represent £ 782 13 s 5 d , and the balances are in all £ 10 10 s 9 d , which with another small item exactly equalises the two sides of

The Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

the account . The present funds of tho Institution , including bonds , mortgages , stock , and balances , are set down aa £ 3880 17 s , so that though the ordinary expenditure is in excess of the ordinary income , it cannot be said the Insti .

tution has not gained some additional strength in the course of tho year . It has swelled its investments very appreciably , and has therefore proportionately increased its permanent income .

A few words may be added as to the qualifications and privileges of governors , and the qualifications of candidates . A subscription of five shillings constitutes him who makes it an annual Governor , with the privilege of one vote—every additional five shillings giving an additional

vote—at the election of childron , but not at that of Officers , or in respect of resolutions connected with the government of tho Institution . Five guineas , in one or more payments within twelve months , or at two successive annual meetings , constitute the donor a Governor for life , with the

privilege of one vote for each guinea . Twenty guineas , in one payment , or in two or more payments in two years , constitute him a Vice President ; and a Lodge or Chapter making a donation of a similar amount at one time , or in the course of three years , becomes entitled to twenty votes

during its existence , the same privileges extending to a subscribing Lodge as to an individual subscriber ; while ministers of religion , who aro Freemasons , and advocate the causo of tho Institution , and have a collection made on

its behalf become Governors for life , with the privilege of five votes . As to the eligibility of candidates , the father of an applicant must have been a subscribing member for at least three years to some Lodge or Lodges in Cheshire . Ho or she must be over seven and under

fifteen years of age , except in the case of a child who has lost both its parents , when it may be admitted at six years . No one is to enjoy the benefits of the Institution after

attaining to the age of sixteen . The candidates must have their names approved by the General Committee before being placed on the list . Certificates in support of these facts , as well as of health , must be furnished .

We have before described the nature and operations of this Institution ; bnt we have been at the pains of doing so again , because the Committee are justifiably anxious for further support , and the work they have done and continue to do is so highly meritorious , that we think every Cheshire

Mason , and many who are outside the Province , but take an interest in every good Masonic work , should give it their support . We trust that the next report may be as satisfactory as the most sanguine hopes of the Governors and Subscribers can possibly desire .

Integrity Lodge, No. 163, Manchester.

INTEGRITY LODGE , No . 163 , MANCHESTER .

WE have great pleasure in noting certain particulars in connection with this Lodge as to its financial condition , and the support it so liberally gives to our Central and other Charities . The statement of accounts

extends over a period of thirteen months ended 26 th January 1881 , and opens with a balance of £ 133 Us 5 d , of which £ 100 represents the value of twenty Masonic Hall shares , the rest beino * cash in bank and treasurer ' s hands . The

general body of receipts amounts to £ 335 19 s , the principal items being for initiation and joining fees £ 134 , and for subscriptions £ 178 . Some small items in the shape of interest and dividends on Masonic Hall shares bring up the total of sums received to £ 341 8 s 9 d , making , with the

balance brought forward , the very satisfactory total of £ 475 0 s 2 d . Percontra , we have the expenses of St . John ' s Festival , £ 36 Us 6 d ; stewards' account for teas and light refreshments , £ 76 2 s 5 d ; for rent , stationery , postages , & c , £ 74 3 . 6 s 8 d ; Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand

Lodge Fees , & c , £ 35 6 s ; Benevolent Account , including to a lady , £ 20 ; to the three Masonic Charities as many small subscriptions , together with fifty guineas to the E . M . ' Benevolent Institution Male Fund , and twenty guineas to its Female Fund , with twenty guineas to the East

Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , the whole amounting to £ 122 6 s , These different items taken together leave a balance to the good , including the aforesaid Masonic Hall shares and £ 10 15 s 9 cl , the estimated value of spirits , wine , and cigars in stock , of £ 129 17 s 7 d . Turning to the particulars of tho Lodge's donations in