Leeds Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.

LEEDS MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual meeting of this prosperous Institution has just been held at the Masonic Hall , Great Georgestreet , Leeds . The Society was shown to have been carried on most successfully . All applications made to it have been most generously met , and there remains a handsome and growing balance to meet future

contingencies . Bro . Warren vvas elected President for the ensuing year ; Bros . C . L . Mason , first Vice-President ; Christopher Anderson , second Vice-President ; Cowbrough , sen ., Treas . ; and Charles Lowrey , Secretary . A large and representative Committee vvas elected ;

and composed of an equal number of brethren from each of the ei ght Leeds lodges . The annual report of the Committee , which vvas unanimously adopted , is to the following effect : "Your Committee now beg to present their thirteenth annual report of the working of this Institution , and in

doing so have again to congratulate the Patrons , Governors , subscribers , and friends on the undiminished interest taken in the Society , and the success vvhich has attended their labours during the past year . "The capital account , which stood last year at £ 1585 13 s . id ., has now been increased to £ 1650 15 s . id .

by the following means , viz .: Two Life Governors—Bros . Thomas Turner , P . M . of Lodge 1311 , and Henry Cowbrough , W . M . of Lodge 1042 , have increased their payments £ 5 5 s . each , becoming thereby Patrons . Bro . J . J . Booth and Bro . Wm . Bingham , P . M ., both of Lodge 1042 , have each subscribed £ 10 ios . in order to

constitute themselves Patrons . Bro . H . Cowbrough has subscribed afurther £ i 5 i 5 s ., therebyconstitutinghisson , Mr . Jas . Cowbrough , a Lewis , £ 10 ios ., and Mrs . Cowbrough , a Patroness , £ 5 5 s . Bro . Timothy Newby , also of Lodge 1042 , and Bro . J . K . Blakey , of Lodge 304 , have each contributed £ 5 5 s ., in order to

constitute themselves Life Governors . Bros . J . K . Hattersley and James Yates , of Lodge 304 , have each paid £ 1 is . on account of their Life Governorships , and completed the amount under Rule 14 . Bro . Suddick , of Lodge 304 , has paid £ 1 is . on account of his Life Governorship , and Bro . R . H . Fowler , of Lodge 1042 , £ 1 is .,

vvhich , with £ 3 3 s . previously paid , makes a sum of £ 4 4 s . under Rule 14 . "This capital is invested as follows , viz .: . £ 1000 Leeds Corporation 4 per cent . Stock , cost £ 1036 ns . 8 d ., and £ 450 si per cent . Stock , cost £ 454 18 s ' lid ., and the balance in the Leeds and County Bank . "

_ " The revenue account for the year is as follows , viz . . * Balance brought over from last year , £ 152 8 s . gd . Interest received from the Leeds Corporation , £ 54 7 s . 2 d . ; Subscriptions , £ 6 3 os . 6 d . ; Bank interest , £ 4 ios . ; making together the sum of £ 274 6 s . 5 d . The payments for education , & c , had

been £ 72 9 s . 5 d ., and incidental expenses , £ 12 19 s . gd ., leaving , to carry over , the sum of £ 188 17 s . 3 d . " " There are on the funds of the Institution 10 children , viz ., six boys and four girls . Two of the boys , however , vvill shortly cease to be chargeable , leaving

four boys , of the respective ages of 9 , 11 , 12 , and 13 years , and four girls , of 9 , 10 , 11 , and 12 years . " The Committee appointed at the last half-yearl y meeting for the purpose of taking into consideration the revision of the rules have completed their labours . "

Life Saved Through Freemasonry.

LIFE SAVED THROUGH FREEMASONRY .

On the 17 th of November , 18 70 , I left Southampton in order to proceed to San Domingo , in the West Indies , to examine and report upon the proposed Dominican Railway from Santiago to the Bay of Samana .

The weather soon became most violent , and so stormy and rough that our voyage extended far beyond the expected time . The coal vvas all used up , and they had to burn some of the ship timber , and it had been decided that some of the passengers' baggage would have to be sacrificed , and , although the storm

abated and the weather bri ghtened , vve did not cast anchor at St . Thomas until the 7 th of December . In consequence of this terrible voyage , and our being so long overdue , all the corresponding packets had departed , and we were assured there vvas no alternative but to remain until the arrival of the next steamer from

Southampton . The amount of illness , and frequent deaths from yellow fever in St . Thomas was something awful . We tried every means to get away from the place , and even endeavoured to hire a small ship , but the cost was so great that I could not afford it myself , nor tax my business with the cost .

At this time a certain ship came into the harbour , proceeding on its own business to San Domingo . Every effort was made by my friends to nduce the officers to take me with them , but as it vvas not a passenger shi p the proposal could not be entertained .

Meeting the captain at a dinner hospitably given to us , I discovered that he was a Freemason , and when he found that I was one also , he immediatel y agreed to take me along with him to San Domingo ; and never was I more thankful in my life than when I got away from

the low l ying and unhealth y place vvhich vve had '" habited at St . Thomas , although before reaching our destmation the ship struck upon a rock , and but for the fine weather vve might have all been lost , as vve had to leave the ship and reach the harbour in small boats .

Life Saved Through Freemasonry.

After these voyages of great peril , I reached the Island of San Domingo , and prepared to cross from the city of San Domingo to Porta Plato to examine and report upon Samana Bay , and consider the route for the line of railway vvhich I had gone to inspect . There vvas no means of travelling except upon

mules and horseback for all purposes , men ancl goods , and when I started on my journey across the country , I hired at the city three horses , and engaged two men as guides , and an interpreter , and loaded the horses with instruments , baggage , provisions , and water , and at an early hour in the morning vve started off upon our

journey . On the second day out we had to cross the River Nieva , and attempted to do so , being assured by the guide that it vvas a place where it would be safe to cross over on horseback . No sooner had we got well into the stream than we all suddenly sank in the depth of

the water . We managed to save our lives by swimming , but the horses vvere all drowned , and some of our baggage and the whole of our provisions were carried away and lost . Having got our clothes dried , we started on our journey on foot , carrying what was left , and after

walking through a dense forest of prickly trees until next day , without any food or drink , we became quite exhausted , and saw no hope of getting to the end of our journey . While all sitting in despair , my interpreter said to me , " The other night at San Domingo Hotel I heard you talking to a gentleman , and I gathered from

your conversation that you are a Freemason . " Yes , " I said , " I am . " Then said he , " I know there is a famil y of tobacco growers up among the mountains over there , " pointing towards the hills , " who have been expelled from Cuba in consequence of their being Freemasons , and , if vve can manage to get there , perhaps they

would assist you with vvhat you require to continue our journey . " So after a long day ' s struggle through the forest , without food or drink , we succeeded in getting up to the house , and , upon inquiry , we found the proprietor , and explained to him the sad accident which had occurred , and the fearful state vve were all in , and

begged him to give us help . He supplied us with a little food and drink , but refused anything further . We were in such a fearful condition that it seemed quite impossible for us to proceed . I found that my guide had not mentioned the Freemasonry . He now said to me , " May I explain to him that you are a

Freemason ? " I said , " Yes , do , do . " And vve went again up to the house , and , after a little delay , the proprietor appeared , and my guide told him that I vvas a Freemason , and that he had heard that he was one also , and , if so , perhaps he would render us the assistance vve required . His answer ( in Spanish ) was , " No , I am not a

b reemason , but my daughter is , and if she will assure me that you are a Freemason , I will give you the assistance you require . " After a short delay the daughter was introduced to me . Dolores Torres was her name , and I shall never forget her , for she vvas handsome in appearance , and

most kind and intelligent . She conducted me into a chamber , closed and fastened up the door , and put me through a most strict examination , and even corrected me in the termination of one word . After she had completed her investigation she took me down and introduced me to her father , and told him

that she had proved me to be a member of the Craft , and told him that he must provide me with horses and provisions and everything necessary to proceed on the journey . After a further stay of about two hours we received three horses and lots of good food and drink , and after an affectionate farewell we started off on our

journey . M y guide told me that he had ascertained that Dolores Torres had been made a Mason in Texas , in the United States , where it is possible for a lady to enter the Craft .

Thanks to her , therefore , I finally accomplished the journey , though not without further adventures . WILLIAM WILSON , M . Inst . C . E ., Burlington Lodge , No . 96 . 2 i , Little Queen-street , Westminster .

Centenary Of Lodge St. John, No. 175, Greenock.

CENTENARY OF LODGE ST . JOHN , No . 175 , GREENOCK .

The brethren of Lodge St . John , No . 175 , celebrated the centenary of the lodge ' s existence by holding a grand banquet in the Town Hall , Greenock , on Friday afternoon , the 14 th inst . The large hall was comfortably filled , and was most profusely decorated with banners , shields , and floral wreaths . The company

consisted of brethren of the lodge , brethren of sister lodges , and a fair sprinkling from the " neutral world , " and was presided over by the R . W . M . of the lodge , Bro . D . Mclnnes , who vvas supported by a large and influential party , consisting of Bros . Sir Michael R . Shaw-Stewart , Bart ., Bailie D . J . Dunlop , and several

of the town's dignitaries and officials . The dinner card was in itself a work of art , and consisted of 10 pages , all of which were speciall y designed . The first page consists of the names of members of Centenary Committee . Page 2 has a fancy border , enclosing a copy of an old transparency in the

possession of the lodge , showing the kneeling figure of St . John , while on a pedestal at the foot is the motto"All the world a lodge , ancl every man a Mason . " Pages 3 and 4 are devoted to the menu , vvhich is enclosed b y a bold scroll designed border . Pages 5 and 6 contain portraits of the R . W . M ., S . W ., J . W ., P . M ., _ and Chaplain . Pages 7 and 8 are treated with an

Centenary Of Lodge St. John, No. 175, Greenock.

emblematical border , wherein is printed the toast list . Page 9 shows the tesselated pavement—two pillarspedestal , with Bible , square and compasses , and other Craft emblems , while Page 10 gives a continuation of the names of Centenary Committee . The whole is bound in blue covers , on the face of which is printed

" Lodge Greenock St . John , No . 175 , centenary dinner ; charter grantedi 7 go . " After the banquet the usual loyal , patriotic , and civic toasts were given and heartily responded to . The toast of the evening vvas placed in the hands of Bro . BAILIE D . J . DUNLOP , who did the subject every

justice , and it was of course responded to by the R . W . M ., who gave a very interesting resume of the history of the lodge . Before the finish of the toast list , the J UNIOR WARDEN stepped forward , and in the name of the

Centenary Committee presented to the lodge a handsome silk-painted banner , specially designed and executed by Bro . George Kenning , of Glasgow and London . The old lodge banner dates from about 1829 , and has seen some considerable service on the occasions of the

many foundation-stone layings , & c , in which the members of the lodge have assisted . After the completion of the toast list the Masonic portion of the company joined a large gathering of the brethren who vvere in waiting outside the hall , and formed , with them , into a torchlight procession , vvhich

wended its way , to the great delig ht of the vast concourse of people who had turned out to witness the proceedings , along the busiest thoroughfares of the town , till they arrived at the Town Hall again , where the lodge was duly opened , and the brethren enjoyed themselves in their usual harmonious manner . The

whole festival was a pronounced success , and reflects the hig hest credit on the committee appointed for its arrangement .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

CONSECRATION OF THE EMPRESS OF INDIA CONCLAVE , No . 16 .

The consecration of the above conclave took place at Freemasons' Hall , 55 , Bentinck-street , Calcutta . The brethren having petitioned the Grand Supreme Ruler of the Order for a warrant authorising them to hold a conclave in Calcutta , and having pointed out that Bros . P . C . Dutt , A . B . Westerhout , H . C . Blaker , J . C .

Banarjee , and S . P . Sarbadhicary , of that city , had already received the First Degree in the American manner , the Grand Supreme Ruler vvas pleased to grant them a warrant of constitution , and to constitute them into a regular conclave . On Friday , the 24 th ultimo , the founders

summoned a regular meeting , and having opened the conclave , recited the O . B . in the usual form . The following brethren approved by the founders ivere inducted in a most impressive manner by Bro . P . C . Dutt , Supreme Ruler , viz .: Bros , his Highness the Maharajah of Cooch Behar , P . M . 233 , P . S . G . Warden of

England , and D . D . Grand Master of Bengal ; H . M . Rustomjee , P . M . 229 , P . D . G . S . Warden Bengal ; W . H . T . Ayres , P . M . 825 , and P . Pres . Dist . B . of General Purposes Bengal ; E . G . Sinclair , P . M . 229 , and P . D . G . S . D . Bengal ; J . Abramovitz , P . M . 232 , and P . D . Dir . of Cer . Bengal ; D . N . Punditt , P . M . 392 , and P . D . G . Sec . Bengal ; R . G . Palmer , P . M .

6 7 , and Dist . G . Purst . Bengal ; H . Wood , W . M . 6 7 , and D . G . Stwd . ; S . N . Dutt , W . M . 234 , and P . D . G . Stwd . ; O . C . Mookerjee , S . W . 234 , and others . After the induction of the candidates , Bro . P . C D UTT brought to the notice of the brethren that the G . S . R . had been pleased to confer on him the rank of Past G . Councillor of the Grand Council of England , and authorised him to consecrate the conclave . Bro . Dutt

then requested the acting Secretary , Bro . S . P . Sarbadhicary , to read the petition and the warrant , and to enquire of the brethren if they approved of the officers named in the warrant . Bro . Sarbadhicary , after due enquiry , reported the approval of the brethren . Bro . Dutt , being assisted by Bros . A . B . Westerpout ,

H . C . Blaker , J . C . Banerjee , and S . P . Sarbadhicary , consecrated , dedicated , and constituted the conclave . Bro . Dutt then appointed and invested the following officers of the conclave for the year , viz .: Bros . A . B . Westerpout , Councillor ; H . C . Blaker , Guide ; J . C . Banerjee , Treas . ( elected ); S . P . Sarbadhicary , Sec . ;

W . H . T . Ayres , V . D . ; H . M . Rustomjee , V . D . ; b . G . Sinclair , V . D . ; R . G . Palmer , V . D . ; D . N . Pundit , D . C ; H . Wood , Guarder ; J . Abramovitz , Steward ; and N . M . Chatterjee , Sentinel ( elected ) . Bro . Dutt nominated Bro . His Royal Highness the Maharajah of Cooch Behar as a Grand Steward of the

Grand Council of England . Apologies for unavoidable absence vvere received from the following candidates , viz .: Bros . R . F . Dedrickson , P . M . 218 ; P . Mallik , P . M . 234 ; J . Ghosal , 234 ; J . P . B . Le Patonrel , 371 ( S . L .. ); A . C . Mukrjie , 234 ; F . Griinberg , 232 ; B . N . Banerjee , 234 ; H . C . Kerr ,

232 ; and N . N . Sen , 234 ; which vvere ordered to be recorded . A Committee was appointed to frame by-laws , to be submitted before the next regular meeting of the conclave ; and about a dozen candidates having been proposed for induction at the regular meeting , to be

held on Friday , the 28 th of March next , the conclave was closed . The brethren then adjourned to the banqueting hall , where an excellent repast was served , at the conclusion of which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to .