The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

'Continued , from page 66 f , vol . xvi . ) But satisfactory as was thc result of this meeting , there were still obstacles to be overcome before thc union was at length consummated . Bro . Hardwick , the then Grand Supt . of Works , sent in a report highly condemnatory of the site chosen , on the ground that it could not easily be drained , and Bro . Havers condemned the site as " unhealthy and altogether

unfit for human habitations , " and these reports would seem to have exercised some influence on the Annuity Sub-Committee , the members of which , though they did not look upon the question of site as an insuperable one , regretted they were unable at the moment to press forward their recommendation for the union . On this the Asylum Sub-Committee set to work to ascertain thc accuracy or otherwise of these reports , and succeeded in

obtaining a mass of evidence from residents in Croydon and thc neighbo urhood , as well as from the whole medical . staff of the town , in favour of the site selected . It was consequently proposed that Bros . Hardwick and Daukes should appoint surveyors to draw up reports , which reports , if opposed to each other , were to be referred to an umpire whose judgment was to be final . As Bro . Hardwick refused to appoint a surveyor , the

Annuity Committee ultimately obtained the services in that capacity of Bro . W . Titc , while to Bro . Pare were entrusted similar duties by the Asylum . Bro . Tite ' s report was satisfactory in all respects except as to thc drainage , which , however , he pointed out , could be properly effected by the adoption of a plan he described . As a consequence , Bro . Hardwick's report , which the Asylum Committee had been unable to obtain a copy of ,

was thrown overboard . Mr . Pare ' s report was equally satisfactory , and as a result the Sub-Committee determined to do all they could toput an end to the differences which delayed thc union , and to ask for a special meeting of the General Committee . In thc meantime thc progress of the building was delayed , and Mr . Patrick , the builder , wrote to the Secretary complaining of the suspension of the works , and stating he should expect to be

remunerated for any loss he might sustain in the event of the building not beingprocceded with at once . A question was also raised as to the power of the Sub-Committee appointed so far back as 1845 to enter into such negotiations and intercept thc progress of the works which were under thc control of the Building Sub-Committee , but thc wise counsels of Bro . Alston prevailed , and it was aerrced that Bros . Crucefix , Sangster , Wright , Faudel , Savage ,

and Wilson should continue their negotiations with thc Annuity Sub-Committee , and subsequently that thc work of building should be further suspended until thc nth June . At thc Annual General Meeting on the nth July , Bro . Crucefix , the Treasurer , was unable to be present in consequence of illness , and for thc same reason the Auditors reported that they had been prevented auditing his accounts . He was re-elected Treasurer ,

however , with Bro . Hodgkinson as co-Trcasurcr , while , as regards the audit , it was agreed that the meeting at its rising should adjourn until the Treasurer ' s health enabled him to submit his accounts . 'I his was subsequently done , thc result being , as on all previous occasions , most satisfactory . The other officers and the Committee were elected , and it was reported that thc Anniversary Festival , which had taken place on thc 20 th

June , under thc presidency of Lord Dudley C . Stuart , M . P ., had turned out very productive , the exertions of thc Caaogan , L ' niversity , and Bank of England lodges being thought worthy of some special commendation . After passing thc customary votes of thanks to the Chairman and thc Stewards , the meeting accepted a resolution approving of thc steps which had been taken to bring about thc union of thc two Charities , and referring tlie confirmation of their further proceedings to thc General Committee .

Wc arc now fast approaching the closing scenes of the Asylum as a separate Institution . No more meetings of any kind appear to have been held during the year 1849 , nor is it till thc 16 th January , 1850 , that thc thread of our story is resumed . On that day thc Quarterly Meeting took place , and the Building Committee submitted a report of their proceedings which was received and ordered to be entered en the minutes . So much of

it as relates to the difficulties they experienced at the commencement of their labours owing to the unfavourable reports circulated as to the unhcalthincss of the site chosen and thc improbability of , draining it properly has already been set forth , as likewise has thc triumphant disposal of all such allegations , It is unnecessary , therefore , to say more than thai under lhc auspices of this Committee , lhc work of erecting the Asylum had been carried forward

satisfactorily , and that , when this meeting was held , they were able to announce that thc north wing and centre building were nearly completed and that it was hoped thc dwellings would shortly be ready for occupation ; that an effectual system of drainage had been carried out ; and that a sum of £ 2000 had been paid on account to the builder , Mr . Patrick . On this it was moved by Bro . John Hervey and unanimously agreed "That thc

objections raised by thc Sub-Committee of thc Annuity Fund to an amalgamation with lhc Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons , viz ., thc drainage , being now removed , the Sub-Committee of thc latter Charity be requested to communicate with that of the former and take such other steps as may be deemed necessary for carrying the amalgamation into effect . " These proceedings were confirmed at a Special Meeting- on the 2 nd

February . At a second Special Meeting on the 27 th of the same month , after the Auditors' statement respecting the Treasurer ' s account for the latter half of the year , 1 S 49 , had been submitted and adopted , a report of the General Committee was brought before those present and , on motion duly made and seconded , it was adopted and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The principal feature of this report , indeed , the only portion of

it which need be specified , arc thc references , both direct and indirect , to the late Treasurer of the Asylum , Bro . Crucefix , whose death had occurred since the Quarterly Meeting in January , and his constant labours in behalf of the Institution . Thus at the outset and before directing attention to any other subject , thc Committee observe " It is with emotions of the deepest sorrow that your Committee have to announce the demise of your late much esteemed and respected Treasurer , Bro . Crucefix , the benevolent founder of

this Charity , a loss which will be deeply deplored not onl y by the Governors and Subscribers at large , but by an extended circle of Masonic friends , who knew and could appreciate thc many virtues which adorned his life and character . By his death your Committee feel that this Institution loses a patron and supporter whose place will not be easily supplied . They trust , however , that this melancholy event will furnish an incentive to increased exertion amongst its zealous and tried friends , and that in addition to their devotion to its cause will be superadded a desire to emulate his unceasing

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

energy . " And again , in concluding their observations , the General Committee , after stating that the funds ol the Asylum do not appear as prosperous as might have been desired and expressing their conviction that all , however will go well and that it will not be long before the Institution takes its appointed place among the other Charities of the country , go on to justify this conviction in the following terms : "But whence it may be asked arc derived these sanguine and | pleasing anticipations :- To this query your

Committee would answer , from the history of the Charity itself , a source sufficient to justify hopes and expectations far beyond any in which they have ventured to indulge . The history of this Charity in every phase of its varied and chequered career , amidst all its struggles with opposition and prejudice , shows most brightly and vividly the virtue of steadv perseverance . This one great attribute in the character of its late benevolent founder sustained and cheered him through the trying period of its greatest depression ,

provided him with a remedy lor every exigence , and enabled him to avert every threatened danger , till at length prejudice began to fade , and opposition to grow weary , the ' wisdom , strength , and beauty' of its cause became patent to the minds of the Fraternity , and now , after a protracted struggle of nearly 15 years' duration , which nothing less than thc most indomitable energy and determination would have sustained , your Committee have thc proud satisfaction of believing that throughout the entire Craft there exists

an unanimous feeling in its favour , and that hands and heads will not be wanting to complete thc noble structure , which will at once be the best monument to him whose philanthropy designed it , and the happy resting-place of the ' Worthy Aged and Decayed Freemason . ' " A handsomer tribute of respect to the memory of a brother in all respects so worthy it is dillicult lo conceive , and it is not surprising that , as soon as provision had been made for filling his vacancy by the election of Bro . John Hodgkinson as Treasurer ,

it should have been unanimously resolved "That , as a mark of respect due to the memory of the late Treasurer , it is desirable to erect a tablet or monument to his honour in some conspicuous part of the Asylum , and that thc General Meeting do authorise the erection of such tablet or monument , and request thc Building Committee to carry thc same into effect in such manner as they may determine upon . " The following resolution was also passed , namely , " That this meeting having heard with feelings of deep regret of the demise of their late much-estcemed and highly-respected Treasurer , Robert Thomas

Crucefix , Esq ., M . D ., the benevolent founder of this Charity , do publicl y record lhc expression of their warmest admiration for the talents and philanthropy which distinguished his public career , their love for the many virtues which adorned his private life , their respect and veneration for his public memory , and their grateful recollection of thc untiring energy and perseverance he displayed in advancing thc best interests of this Institution . " In May the amalgamation of lhc two Charities was effected , thc following being thc terms , which were submitted to , and approved by , the Committee and general body of Governors and Subscribers to lhc Asylum , and embodied in the scheme of the union :

1 . That the united Charities be called "The Royal Masonic Uoncvolcnt Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows . " 2 . That each Institution retains its own Trustees , 3 . Thc present Asylum Fund and any other sums which may be subscribed for that specific purpose shall . be appropriated to building- and repairing the Asylum , until the present building is completed , and a further sum of £ 1000 accumulated for the purposo of its sustentation . 4 . An Annual Festival beheld for the benefit of "Thc Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution ( or Aged Freemasons and their Widows . " 5 . The receipts of the Asylum Festival on thc 19 th June , 1 S 50 , shall be appropriated to thc Building tund . ^ 6 , ' . ''" turc festivals , until thc above-mentioned sum is completed , thc subscription list shall be prepared in such a form as to give thc option of subscribing to the General Fund of the Institution or thc Building Fund . 7 . That when the Asylum is in a state to receive inmates the onti . m of nrnmvmir it

shall be given to the Annuitants in thc order of their seniority . 8 . That if a number of Annuitants , sufficient to occupy the Asylum , do not avail themselves of the above option , thc Committee be empowered to offer a similar option to the unsuccessful candidates who shall respectively have polled the largest number of votes at the last election of Annuitants . 9 . In the event of thc building not being filled by the two classes above-named , the Committee shall be empowered to offer a similar option to the Female Annuitants on thc

proposed Widows' Fund , in the order of their seniority . 10 . That , in case of any Annuitant accepting an apartment in thc Asylum , the Committee shall have power to reduce , his or her annuity . 11 . That , with reference to the 32 nd Rule of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund and to the ru c of the Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons , all donors ( .. il . T-

fund of either Institution snail be entitled to the privilege ot a Life Governor tor every IS subscribed by each of them j for £ 10 to four votes , and so on in proportion according to thcamountof their respective subscriptions as shown by thc books of the two Charities . 12 . 1 he above law is applicable to all Lodges and Chapters . 13 . The privilege of brethren who have served the ollicc of Steward to a Festival , and at the same tune subscribed £ 10 , shall be preserved .

14 . All annual subscribers to both Charities shall be considered subscribers to lhc united Institution , with one vote for every 5 s . subscribed . 15 . All brethren qualified to be Vice-Presidents of cither Charity shall be Vice-Presidents of the united Institution and members of thc Committee of Management , and shall be placed on the list in rotation , according to the dates when they respectively became Vice-Presidents . ' J

, ., } . - rha j . Building Committee shall have the control of all funds Mibmittcd for building , and of the works until thc Asylum is completed . And that such Committee shall then cease and determine after having provided for the remuneration of their ollicers . ,, . ' ; - ? shall be but one President , Treasurer , Secretary , and Collector for the United Institution , the President and Treasurer to be the Grand Master and Grand Treafor the time

surer being . 18 . That the Right Hon . Lord Southampton , as President of thc Asylum , shall hold the honorary title of Past President of thc Institution . 19 . All books , papers , and documents of both Charities to become the pronertyof the officers and Committee of the United Institution when duly constituted . 20 . 'I hat in every case not specially provided for the rules of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Annuity l-und shall be the rules of the United Institution .

It remains for us to add that the Annual Festival was held at Freemasons ' Tavern on the 19 th June aforesaid . It was to have been designated thc Fifteenth Anniversary Festival of the Asylum for Worthy Aged and Decayed I ' recmasons ; but the title was subsequently altered to that of " Inaugural Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows . " The chair would have been taken by " the Karl of Zetland , M . W . G . M ., but unforeseen circumstances intervened at the last moment , and his lordship had to content himself with sending a handsome

donation , his place being taken by R . W . Bro . W . Tucker , Prov . G . Master for Dorsetshire . _ The gathering was numerous , and as a result there was a liberal subscription list amounting to upwards of £ 700 , which , scciii " - that onl y about one-half of the liabilities incurred in respect of building had been satisfied , must be looked upon as a welcome addition to thc funds at the disposal of thc Building Committee , as well as a most satisfactory conclusion to this section of our story . ( To be continued ) .