Closing Moments.

CLOSING MOMENTS .

'TpHE year which comes to an end to-day has been * an eventful one in English Freemasonry , and will long stand out as a record period in connection with our section of the Craft , the great sum collected on behalf of the Charities of the Order being likely to

remain unbeaten for many a long day . Next week we shall present our readers with a statement of the income of the three Institutions for the year , when we believe it will be in our power to supply particulars

which may be regarded as satisfactory on the whole , although hardly what one would like to see in particular cases , for , as we have said time after time

during the twelve months , the phenomenal success of one of our Charity Funds has been secured , in a great measure , at the expense of the other two .

We need not , however , tinge our rejoicings at the moment with regret as to what is beyond remedy , as events of the past always are , but we may use the experience of 18 9 8 as a basis of operations for 18 99

and in this respect one of our first duties will be to direct particular attention to the position of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , which will close this year ' s accounts with a deficiency of something like

^ " 5 , 000 between actual receipts and expenditure . This is no light matter , although easily explained in connection with the Centenary celebration of the Boys School , and we shall most certainly revert to the

subject at an early date in the new year , even if a similar unthankful task does not devolve upon us all through the coming twelvemonth , for we are sadly

afraid the stupendous collection this year , on behalf of the Boys School , will materially affect all three of the Institutions in the near future , and even make itself felt for the next two or three years .

Another event that will mark 18 9 8 for a very long period is of a less pleasing nature , the Craft of England having suffered one of the most severe losses it has ever known , in the death of the late Earl of Lathom

but in this , as in most other affairs of human life , there is the silver lining to the cloud , in the fact that two other noblemen , distinguished in the Masonic Craft ,

have made a step onward , Earl Amherst rising to the dignity of Pro Grand Master , and the Earl of Warwick to that of Deputy . We wish each of them long life and health to enjoy to the full their Masonic preferment .

The title we have chosenTfor the head of these remarks almost precludes us from looking ahead , and perhaps it would not be necessary to do so but for one reason , and that a particular one , which we should not like to omit on this occasion . We might refer to the

present state of Masonry under the rule of the Grand

Lodge of England as most satisfactory , and but for the reason we have just hinted at we should have said there was every sign of a brilliant future before it , but these are the words of " Closing Moments / ' and at

Closing Moments.

this late hour of 1898 we avail ourselves of the possibility we have provided for , feeling there could be no better closing words than to wish our readers , and every member of the Craft in the country—as we most sincerely do' —

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

H werp bappp Deu > year

THE closing meeting of the year was held on "Wednesday , 21 st inst ., under the presidency of Bro . J . H . Matthews Pres . B . B ., supported by Bros . D . D . Mercer and Henry Garrod , the Senior and Junior Vice Presidents respectively , the latter officiating for the first time since his election to the office . A total exceeding £ 600 was voted to the different petitioners before the Board .

Nottinghamshire.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE .

IN connection with the full dress Masonic Ball to be given in the Albert Hall , Nottingham , on Thursday next , 5 th January , in honour of the installation of the Duke of Portland as Provincial Grand Master , his Grace has arranged for a special train from Retford onward , for the

convenience of the Provincial Brethren . It is timed to arrive at Nottingham at nine o ' clock , and to return at two . Both the Duke and Duchess of Portland will travel by the train , joining it at Cresswell Station . The function promises to be one of the most imposing in the annals of Freemasonry in the Province .

A handsome presentation was made to Bro . L . A . Da Costa Preceptor of the Friars Lodge of Instruction , No . I 349 > on the occasion of the annual supper of that Lodge , on the 15 th inst ., when there were upwards of one hundred

Brethren present . The testimonial , consisting of a silver tea and coffee service , a vellum , and a diamond brooch for Mrs . DaCosta , was made by Bro . Dave Moss . The Preceptor returned thanks on behalf of his wife and himself , and was warmly complimented during the evening .

At a specially convened Lodge of Mark Masons , held at Cardiff on Monday , 19 th inst ., Bro . T . P . Kerman in the chair , Bro . Sir E . S . Hill , K . C . B ., M . P . ( P . M . Glamorgan Lodge ) , and Bro . Arthur Lewis ( W . M . Prince Llewellyn

Lodge ) were advanced into Mark Masonry in the presence of a distinguished company . Sir Edward Hill has accepted the Provincial Grand Mastership , and Bro . Arthur Lewis will act as his Deputy , says the " Western Mail . "

The New Year ' s entertainment to the residents at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at Croydon , will take place on Wednesday next , commencing at 2 o ' clock . Special

saloon carriages have been reserved on the train from Charing Cross and Cannon Street for the convenience of the invited guests .

The Ivy Lodge of Instruction , No . 1441 , has been removed from the Railway Tavern , Battersea Rise , to the Half Moon and French Horn Hotel , East Hill , Wandsworth , and will meet there on Thursday evenings , at 8 o ' clock .