Mark Benevolent Fund.

nobly and worthily as these brethren had done theirs . Bro Smith ' s remarks were heartily endorsed . The R . W

Deputy Grand Master , the Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tafcton , and the Grand Officers Present and Past , was proposed by Bro . E . Letchworth , who descanted on the groat strides made in Mark Masonry during the past few years , and which could be attributed to no other cause than the

exercise of zeal , ability , and energy on the part of those who had been entrusted with the conduct of its affairs . To one of the present Grand Officers , Bro . James Moon , Grand Treasurer , he desired particularly to refer , as that brother was associated with him in connection with the

Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and with him he would leave the response to the toast . Bro . Moon acknowledged gratefully the honour to every Grand Officer , as well Past as Present , by the appointments which had been

conferred on them , and he could speak with certainty for the due performance by the present Grand Officers of the duties which devolved on them as supporters of their Royal Grand Master . Bro . Shadwell H . Clerke P . G . W ., proof

posed the next toast , t ^ at the Chairman , and eulogised the services which Bro . Godson had performed in every rank of Freemasonry . Particularly in the Mark Degree , wherein he now holds the high office of Provincial Grand

Master of Worcestershire , had Bro . Godson distinguished himself , and the Degree itself was fortunate in having secured such services . On this occasion it should not be forgotten that the presence of the Chairman was at some

sacrifice of personal convenience , for the business matters resulting from his recent election as Member of Parliament , upon the result of which the brethren would heartily congratulate him , still required attention . He

would not em harass Bro . Godson by saying all he might say with candour as to his merits , but he would add that his firm conviction was that the Chairman of this Festival would continue an honour to Society , to

the Commons House of Parliament , and to Freemasonry . Bro . Godson , ou rising to return thanks , was most cordially received , and , after the applause has subsided , expressed his thanks for the reception accorded to him . He hoped that in regard to this Festival the brethren would take the will

for he deed . Under circumstances with which they had been made acquainted by the last speaker he had done his

best , though perhaps that best should have been better , to fulfil the position in which , by their favour , he was placed . He was proud to belong to Mark Masonry , which was now a great power , and no brother could desire more than he did

to perform good suit and service in its behalf . After a few further remarks , personal to himself , Bro . Godson said he now approached the toast of the evening , which was Prosperity to the Mark Benevolent Fund , with which the name

of Canon Portal Past Grand Master must always be recognised and associated . He was the moving spirit in its origination , and since his time of office had watched over it as year by year it increased in prosperity . Last year ,

under the presidency of Lord Egerton of Tatton , the largest contribution to its funds at a Festival meeting was realised . To-day , probably , so large a contribution mi ght not be received , nor was it to be reasonably expected , for a

period of great trade depression , and tbe disturbance inseparable from electioneering proceedings , would certainly interfere with appeals of the nature put forth by this Benevolent Fund . Nevertheless , he hoped that the returns

which would presently be read might not be deemed altogether unsatisfactory . Canon Portal had said than an average of a thousand pounds a-year would certainly sustain the fund , and there did not appear to be any

reason to fear that such an amount would not be forthcoming , although times were nofc so good as they had been , and might even now be worse . No worthier object could be

placed before the brethren than the support of their Benevolent and Educational Funds , and he was sure they would have their continued assistance . He would now

call on Bro . Matier for the particulars of the subscription lists . The toast having been duly honoured , Bro . Matier announced the contributions , of which we give a list on the next page .

The Chairman , after the reading of the lists , proposed the Stewards , thanking them generally for thei * exertions in securing the subscriptions announced , and the Special

Stewards for their excellent catering for the banquet and the provision for musical entertainment . Bro . Driver acknowledged the compliment on behalf of the Stewards , and promised a continuance of their efforts on behalf of

the Fund ; Bros . Grosvenor and Henry Stone also returned

Mark Benevolent Fund.

thanks . The toasfc of the Ladies was proposed by Bro , Baron de Ferrieres , and was admirably responded to . Bro , Berridge proposed the Visitors , to which response was

given by Bros . Strachan and Sillitoe . The last toast was

that of the Special Stewards , coupled with the name of Bro . C . Matier , who , in reply , said his labour had been a labour of love . To the direction of the Chairman of tbe Board of Stewards , the Hon . Treasurer , and the

Sub-Committee , they owed much of the success of the Festival , although not quite so large an amount as last year had been received in contributions . There certainly was a difference on the wrong side of £ 200 , but the amount

promised was still £ 200 more than in 1884 , and as much as £ 1 , 423 more than was announced at the Festival ten years ago . What might be received from a similar source ten years hence none there could say , but he hoped for alike

proportionate increase , and he could wish that all now present might be spared to see such progress made . Bro . Matier ' s speech concluded the proceedings of the evening , and the company then separated , all agreeing that the

Festival had been a pronounced success throughout and in every respect . We missed several familiar faces on this occasion , notably that of the esteemed Secretary of the Mark Masons' Degree , Bro . F . Binckes , whose absence was

particularly regretted by many of the brethren ; but , with the solitary exception of " missing friends , " nothing was wanting to make the reunion complete , and satisfactory to all who had the privilege of attending .

Masonry's Mission Now.

MASONRY'S MISSION NOW .

WE are m troublous times . The sky of the commercial world is dark . Clouds have arisen . As a speck they appeared in the far west and have come eastwardly , gathering blackness and danger in their course . The

breeze of discontented labour has grown to a storm of fearful magnitude . As the hurricane that spreads desolation on every side , it threatens some of the greatest interests of the land . Unchecked it will spread its dark ,

murky canopy over our whole land , and bring distress and famine and every sort of evil upon us . The outlook is certainly unpropitious . There is perhaps no doubt that the working man has much to complain of . There is no

doubt there are many hardships they have endured . In many instauces , perhaps , necessity has compelled them to submit to indignities that they should resent . They have seen days of suffering and hard work . They have , it may

be , not had all that was their due , but how is it to be remedied ? Will destruction of property secure it ? Certainly not ; for in the destruction of property the very means of securing employment is destroyed . Just demands , made in a firm spirit , will do much more than force of arms .

What then , can Masonry do now ? Masonry teaches

peace , moderation , submission to rightful rule . It abhors discord and riot . It discountenances rebellion . It holds up the scales of justice in the face of the whole world . There are Masons on both sides of this question . There

are Masons among the capitalists , there are Masons among the labourers . These Masons ought to be brought together , for Masonry places all men on a level . All Masons , rich and poor , meet upon the level . All Masons should act by

the plumb . And if the magnates will meet with the employees and in the spirit of Masonry , yielding to what is right on both sides , the question of labour and capital will be settled on a basis of peace and unity . Masonry frowns

upon the oppression of the poor , hard-working mechanic , and equally upon the wicked revolt of the labourer , who , taking the law into his own hands , destroys property that is not his own . Masonry should now stand as a mediator

between these two mighty forces , and by the exercise of its mild , but firm policy , speak peace , and bring harmony out of discord . This can be done . The Masons in the " Knights of Labour" and the Masons in the "Knights of Money "

can meet upon a level , and forgetting the difference in a worldly point , can settle the troubles between them ; for just as surely as the Masons on loth sides look at the question from an unbiassed standpoint , and in the spirit of

justice as taught by the Order , they can agree . Masonry belts the world , and its influence can be made to be felt in every clime and among all people . Let Masonry promote peace and fraternity , and aid to bind up the wounds and

heal the breaches between labour and capital . Dispatch