Ad00603

ROYAL Masonic Benevolent Institution FOR AGED FREEMASONS AND WIDOWS OF FREEMASONS . Grand Patron and President : His ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES , K . G ., & c , M . W . G . M . Treasurer : —JOHN A . FARNFIEI . D , Esq . Bankers :- LONDON AND WESTMINSTER BANK ( Bloomsbury Branch ) , 214 High Holborn , London , W . C . Upwards of 1520 Annuitants have received the benefits of the Institution since its foundation in 1842 and 1849 . 200 men and 242 widows are Annuitants at the present time . 30 widows , in addition , are receiving half their late husband's annuity . Amount paid Annually in Annuities £ 16 , 264 116 Candidates for next election . THE ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL Will be held at the FREEMASONS' TAVERN , LONDON , W . C , ON WEDNESDAY , 26 th FEBRUARY 1896 , Under the distinguished Presidency of THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD GEORGE HAMILTON , IYS . P . R . W . Prov . G . M . for Middlesex . Brethren are earnestly solicited to accept the Stewardship upon this most important occasion , and to kindly forward their names as soon as possible , with full particulars , to JAMES TERRY ( V . Pat ., P . G . Swd . B . ) , Secretary . Office—4 Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C .

Ar00604

J ^ i ^ V ^^ J ^ n ^ a ^^^ ^^ . ' ^ JV ^ J' ^' i ^ Q ^ SATURDAY , 25 TH JANUARY 1896 . 5

Devon Educational Fund.

DEVON EDUCATIONAL FUND .

A MEETING of representatives of the Lodges of the Three Towns has been held to receive the Treasurer ' s report of the recent concert in Plymouth Guildhall , in aid of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund . The gross receipts were £ 136 4 s , and expenses £ 39 , leaving the very handsome balance of £ 97 4 s . A life governorship was voted to Lodge 70 , under whose banner

the concert was held ; and also to Miss Willoughby , the little daughter of Bro . Willoughby , Mus . Bac , Oxon , under whose able training the children performers achieved so great a success . The remaining life governorships will be divided amongst the various Lodges pro rata according to the value of tickets sold .

Votesof thanks were accorded to the chairmanBro . Stanlake W . M . 70 , Bro . and Mrs . Willoughby ( who did so much to make the concert a success ) , Bro . Hicks P . M . 70 , Bro . Fry W . M . 1099 ; the executive officers of the Fund , Brothers J . R . Lord Treasurer , J . B . Gover Secretary , and W . H . Dilion Assistant Secretary ; also

to Messrs . Turner and Phillips , George Street , who so admirably arranged the plan , and to the parents who contributed so much to the very pretty appearance of their children on the platform . This is the fourth concert which Bro . Willoughby has undertaken in aid of the Fund , and the four together have realised about £ 350 , says the " Western Morning News . "

West Lancashire Educational Institution.

WEST LANCASHIRE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .

THE forty-sixth annual ball promoted by the Freemasons of the Province , in aid of the funds of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , was held at the Town Hall , Liverpool , on the 14 th , under the banner of the Sefton Lodge , No . 680 . Year after year the efforts put forward to make the gathering a success , socially as financially , have become more

unstinted , and this last assembly was as large , brilliant , and enjoyable as its most cordial well-wisher could desire . Dispensations having been obtained from the various authorities , most of the Brethren appeared in lull Masonic clothing , wearing the jewels and insignia of their rank and office ; and as , in addition

West Lancashire Educational Institution.

to the ordinary Craft Lodges , the Allied Degrees and several Royal Arch Chapters and Mark Master Masons' Lodges were represented , the large variety of aprons , collars , and sashes , and the jewels and Orders , combined with the beautifully designed dresses of the ladies , rendered the ensemble extremelv brilliant .

The guests , who numbered about 800 , and included upwards of 200 Patrons and Stewards , were received by the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Derby P . D . P . G . M ., andMrs . Dr . Crawford , the wife of the Chairman of Committee , in the Mayor ' s parlour . Among the principal

Patrons , most of whom were present , were the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom Prov . G . M . West Lanes ., Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie Prov . G . M . East Lanes ., Robert Wylie P . G . D . D . P . G . M ., the Hon . Lord Stanley P . S . G . W . East Lancashire , the Hon . Claud J . Hamilton , & c , & c .

For a number of years past it has been the custom to admit non-Masons to the gathering , and that this is a privilege highly appreciated was evidenced by the large number of the general public present among the dancers this year .

The West Lancashire Institution , it may be said , now educates , clothes , and in some cases entirely maintains upwards of 200 children of deceased and distressed Freemasons , and it holds a unique position in this respect , in that its management

does not involve a single official charge . From the number of tickets sold , and from the large sum received in donations , it is expected that last week ' s festival will realise a sum larger than has been the case for many years .

As a memento of the occasion , the Chairman of Committee , Bro . Dr . Crawford , generously presented each Patron and Steward with an appropriate jewel , bearing the doctor ' s crest and motto above the usual square and compasses , the whole being surmounted by the " Liver , " and surrounded by the words , " West Lancashire Educational Institution . "— "Liverpool Mercury . "

Several other Masonic Balls have been held m different parts during the past few days , among them being one at Penzance , jointly organised by the local Lodges , the result of which , it is hoped , will be a nice little addition to the Masonic Charities . At Mold , the annual ball of the Sir Watkin Lodge

was likewise a success , and attracted a large assemblage . The Lodge of Hope , No . 302 , Bradford , arranged a pleasant re-union last week , and had a separate gathering for the juveniles on Monday last . Similar events were arranged by the Wakefield

Lodge , No . 495 , the elders being entertained one evening , and a children ' s party following the next . At Fleetwood , the annual ball of the Hesketh Lodge was well attended , and the same may be said in regard to a gathering at South Shields , when the Hadrian , St . Hilda and Hedworth Lodges united their forces .

While it is true the Institutions keep no debtor and creditor account between themselves and the different Provinces , it is well known that some districts succeed in securing more benefits than their contributions appear to warrant , although , as we have pointed out more than once , it is of course necessary they also

obtain proxies from their friends , or otherwise they could not secure the benefits . All the same , it is satisfactory to know that different sections recognise their responsibility in this direction , and hence it is we refer with satisfaction to the

remarks of the Provincial Grand Secretary of North and East Yorkshire Bro . M . C . Peck , who is reported as expressing the hope that more might be done in his district on behalf of the Charities , he remarking that there is a considerable sum owing to them from the Province .

In the diary of a " Man of the World " it is recorded that the Sphinx Club held their annual dinner . " The club is chiefly composed of Freemasons of high degree ; but no Masonic term may be used under penalty of a fine . The members , who are all cheery , for goodfellowship is a primary necessity of membership ,

are not allowed to say good of each other , and in proposing a new member an elaborate indictment is always drawn up against him , giving fancy details of his past villainous career . He is then balloted for , and if unanimously blackballed is elected .

The toasts , which are few , are drawn haphazard , and any member or visitor may find himself called upon to speak at a moment ' s notice , and the lamer his attempts to make a speech are the more they are enjoyed . The dinner took place at the Freemasons ' Tavern and was an excellent one .

The Sheffield Masonic Amateur Dramatic Society have arranged for two performances , under the management of Bro . J . A . Rodgers , on 4 th and 6 th March next , " Cups and Saucers , " " The Parvenu , " and " Sweet Lavender " being arranged for .