New Year's Entertainment To The Annuitants At Croydon.

of complaint against her would be unworthy to be in the Institution . Everyone in the building acknowledged her kindness , especially during illness . Long might she be spared , as she hoped to be , to continue to perform her kind offices . Of the Institution , he might say it had had a very satisfactory year—the most successful year that any charitable institution in the

country had had . Over _{ . Q 0 , 000 had been contributed during the year to the three Masonic Institutions , which showed that the hearts of Masons were warm on behalf of those Institutions . The Benevolent Institution had paid into the bank during the year nearly ^ 62 , 000 . The Boys' School received during the year £ 15 , 000 , and the Girls' - £ 13 , 000 . The Benevolent Institution

was in the enviable position of having paid its way . The year 18 93 did not look , nor could it be expected to look , so bright . He had for his next Festival the smallest board of Stewards he had yet had at this time of year , viz ., 102 . But they must congratulate themselves that they had such a year last year , and that they had a reserve fund to fall back upon . He had

not even got a Chairman for the next Festival , although he had written to some eight or nine distinguished brethren . One of them , the Duke of Portland , kept the letter for three weeks before answering it , but suddenly vvoke up on Christmas Day to the fact that he had not replied to it . He ( Bro . Terry ) then wrote to the Marquess of Granby , and he expected to receive

his lordship s answer on Thursday . Dr . Strong having coupled his ( Bro . Terry ' s ) name with this toast , he could only repeat what he had frequently said before , that he would do the best he could to promote the interests of the Institution , and , with the assistance of the matron , minister to the comfort and enjoyment of the annuitants . He had been round to the different

residences , and the annuitants expressed their thanks to the Committee for the benefits conferred . Bro . FARNFIELD proposed " The Chairman , " and Bro . Dr . STRONG replied , stating that he had been connected with the Institution since January 28 th , 1861 . That was a long period , but it showed the healthiness of Croydon and of the Institution . There must be a

certain amount of illness in the Institution with aged people , but , thanks to Miss Norris and her late good father , he had had but little illness in the Institution . The annuitants then left for their homes , and the lady visitors spent a few hours with them prior to the evening's entertainment . But the brethren present sat down to a separate repast , under the Chairmanship of

Bro . C . J . Perceval . At its conclusion , Bro . PERCEVAL proposed "The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " and said that support had been magnificently extended to the Institution in 1892 . Of course , they could not expect the same in the future . But the prosperity of the Institution had , he believed , by this wonderful offering ,

achieved a record , which meant that the Institution would never be allowed to diminish in popularity . Bro . TEKRY , in replying , said the toast , wherever proposed , either there or elsewhere , had always been greeted with enthusiasm , as the subject of it deserved . At the present day education was brought home to the doors of every person having a family , and it

would be wrong to refuse the education vvhich vvas placed within reach . But in Freemasonry the Benevolent Institution stood in an altogether different category to their Educational Institutions . People had now to look after one of the great problems of the age—the question of thrift , and pensions for old age . He believed that the brethren in their Masonic

Institutions solved it , and provided the best means of testing the question . A man being a Mason , and a woman the widow of one , when old age or adversity overtook him or her , they could come at once before the Committee , provided they were of the age defined by the laws of the Institution , and could comply with the requirements of it , and have their names placed on the

list of candidates for election . When elected a man received ^ 40 a yea r and a widow . 632 , and that without the slightest payment at any time . Therefore he thought that showed to tbe world at large some way , at all events , of solving the great question . Benevolent Institutions and Philanthropic Societies gave annuities in consequence of money payments to

their funds ; but the Institutions of Freemasonry did not do that , though the Benevolent Institution , if a man or a widow in their days of prosperity gave their money to its funds , provided that they should receive a certain number of votes at their election above those who had not given at all , and to that extent only they got an advantage . He ventured to think that was a

special feature in the Benevolent Institution which did not exist in any other Charitable institution in the country . Then , again , look at the advantage to the residents within the walls of the building in which he was speaking ; they had the same amount of money as those who received the annuity at their own homes ; but they had this further advantage—they lived rent

free , had coals tree for the best part of the year , gas , and medical attendance , and the most superlative kindness . No other institution gave the same amount of advantage , for they might take it that these additional benefits made the annuity reach to £ 60 to men , and ^ 50 to widows . In that there was not much to complain of . In the raising of these sums year after year

there was , of course , a great deal of responsibility and anxiety devolving on the executive officers , and that anxiety was increased this year in a very great degree by the enormous success attending the Festival of the Institution of 1892 . Of course , the Committee were prepared to receive a woelul fall down . They surpassed everything last year ; but he hoped they would not fall down so much as a kindred Institution

New Year's Entertainment To The Annuitants At Croydon.

did after its centenary ; he wanted to avoid such a catastrophe as that , because it was so difficult to get brethren to take it up again with the same enthusiasm , and , therefore , he hoped every brother around the table who vvas not a Steward last year would become one this year , and prevail upon others to . do tbe same . Instead of dropping to ^ 5000 , as vvas the case with the

Girls' School , he hoped they would realise A 7000 or . £ 8000 , which , with the balance over and £ 5000 at call , not invested , out of their magnificent Festival last year , they would be able to pay their whole outgoings without trenching on their capitalised moneys . They never had withdrawn one penny after making investments . He should be sorry if , in 18 93 , such an event

should occur . In respect to their election of 1893 , when the Committee met that day week—the last day for the receipt of petitions—there would be 120 candidates seeking election . There would be only 16 vacancies—an enormous disproportion . That was another reason for help being extended to the Institution in thecomingyear . He had materially concluded

when the alterations took place there would not be so many coming forward . However , they seemed to have learned that they could come forward at 60 instead of 65 , and with ten or eleven years' subscription to a lodge instead of 38 , 40 , or 43 . That was a different thing to the Educational Institutions . He pointed this out to the brethren for the purpose of

showing the good claims the Benevolent Institution had on the generosity of the Craft at large . With respect to the management of the office , he hoped that had been satisfactory . He had not been absent six days last year , except when they gave him leave to take a holiday , vvhich he needed . Whenever there had been occasion for him to be at his post he had not

been absent one day , and he had been supported by Bros . J . G . Stevens and W . Gardner in the most handsome manner . They all regretted that the collector , Bro . John Mason , had not been in the same good health . For eleven weeks he had now been absent through serious illness , and 18 weeks during 1892 . Unquestionably all regretted it exceedingly ,

and they trusted that during the coming year he would enjoy far more robust health , vvith benefit to the Institution . In conclusion , he appreciated to the fullest extent the observations the Chairman had been kind enough to make , and the reception given them by the brethren , and he wished them all a happy and prosperous New Year , and that they might all come

down with health and strength in 1894 to see the Institution in undiminished prosperity . The proposition of the Chairman's health by Bro . FARNFIELD , Treasurer of the Institution , and the CHAIRMAN ' S acknowledgment of the compliment , brought this part of the proceedings to a close , and in the evening the old people and the visitors assembled

in the same apartment to hear a delightful concert by members of the Guildhall School of Music , who had been secured by Bro . T . Hastings Miller for the occasion , Chairman of the Committee of the School . Miss Kate Augusta Davies , A . G . G . M . ( Professor ) , was

at the pianoforte , and Mrs . Charles P . Smith was the Lady Superintendent , Mr . Charles P . Smith being Secretary . The performers were Miss Jessie Hudleston , Miss Jessie Browning , Mr . Patrick O'Connor , Mr . John Woodley , Miss Florence Bassett , and Miss Jeanne Levine .

New Year's Entertainment At The Girls' School.

NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT AT THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .

The annual New Year entertainment to the Girls who remain in the Masonic Girls' School during the Christmas holidays , vvas given on Monday . Twentytwo children were then entertained , and the list of those brethren and ladies vvho attended comprised Bro . Frank Richardson , Mrs . D . Richardson , Miss

Richardson , Bros . Eugene Monteuuis and A . Parker , Mrs . AIcAlanns , Mrs . Allport and daughters , Bro . A . Hunt , Mrs . Massey , Miss Cotter , Bros . E . C . Davies and Henry Daily , Mrs . Dr . Boswell Reid , Miss Reid , Bro . Fredk . Chas . Gates , Mrs . Connor , Bro . F . R . W . Hedges ( Secretary ) , Mrs . Dicketts , Bros . H . W . Dicketts , H . Jackson , and Sir John B . Monckton , Mrs . Roberts , Bros . T . G . Bullen , W . G . Kentish , W . B .

Garner , Wm . Vincent , and Chas . Hammerton . A very enjoyable evening was spent . The visitors partook of tea and supper provided by the House Committee , and the children had their feast as well . A conjuring entertainment was given by " The Universal Provider , " William Whiteley , and the visitors joined vvith the children in some very pleasant dances . The beautiful Alexandra Hall was used for the celebration .

Entertainment To The Poor By St. Kew Lodge.

ENTERTAINMENT TO THE POOR BY ST . KEW LODGE .

A good example has been set for the past four years by the St . Kew Lodge at Weston-super-Mare by entertaining the aged people of the town to a meat tea and entertainment . It has usuall y been held on New

Year ' s Eve ; but as this year that was on a Saturday , it was wisely decided to hold it , in the Victoria Hall , on Friday last , Saturday being considered an inconvenient night for most of the guests . A Committee was delegated by the lodge , consisting

of Bros . Sebastian Sellick , W . M . ; W . E . Perrett , Sec . ; Webb , I . G . ; and Dart , Steward , and by these brethren were the arrangements made so complete , that nothing was wanting that could in any way tend to the enjoyment of the guests , many of whom now regard this festival as the " happy evening" of their lives . Upwards

Entertainment To The Poor By St. Kew Lodge.

of 370 invitations were issued , and so popular is this entertainment , that 340 were present . A bountiful " high tea" was provided by Bro . E . G . Huntley , of the Priory Restaurant , at 6 . 30 , to which full justice was done until about 7 . 15 . The ladies who presided at the tea tables consisted ot the wives or sisters of the brethren who subscribed to the fund , and

numbered about 48 , each lady being presented with a blue rosette , with silver Masonic emblem in centre and gold tassel . The brethren discharged the duties of waiters , and were most indetatigable in carrying out their onerous duties , affording a good example to many of the " professionals" as to allotment of work and fulfilment of the same . During the repast selections

were performed by the Orpheus Band , who kindly gave their services , and after grace had been said and cloths removed , pipes and tobacco were introduced , together with beverages , temperance and otherwise . A short address of welcome was then given by the W . M ., Bro . SEBASTIAN SELLICK , followed by songs from Mrs . Ernest Alford and Mrs . Morris ; a skilful

exhibition of conjuring tricks by Bro . Wicksteed , and songs by many of the brethren present , all of which were greatly enjoyed , and of an exceptionally high character . At 9 . 45 , the W . M . explained the evening must then close , and wishing one and all every blessing for the new year , all the brethren mounted the platform , and

forming a semi-circle , sang " Auld lang syne " and the National Anthem , the guests then departing with happy thankful hearts . Many extra ladies were admitted to the entertainment , and after all the guests had dispersed , the brethren and all the ladies adjourned to the Masonic Hall , where light refreshments , and a ; select musical entertainment vvere much enjoyed .

Thb New Masonic History.

THB NEW MASONIC HISTORY .

FROM THE " KEYSTONE . " The new history of the Free and Accepted Masons , issued by the " Fraternity Publishing Co ., " and in London by George Kenning , is having ( as it deserves ) a large sale . Twenty-five thousand have already

been circulated , and the firms expect that double that number will be subscribed for ere long . I hope their anticipations will be realised . The Keystone well said in its appreciative review of this grand volume that " there is always room for one more history , especially if it be of the character of this one . "

The fifth edition is now before me , and a sixth is in preparation , the total number then in print reaching 30 , 000 . So far as I have been able to judge , after a careful examination of its pages , all needful corrections have been made , and the single volume history is now

complete and perfect . American Craftsmen may well be congratulated on the publication by this Company of the best and most useful Masonic historical work in one volume , either in the Old or the New World .

Of course , as an elaborate treatise on Freemasonry , dealing fully and exhaustively on the subject in all its many branches , Bro . R . F . Gould ' s great work still holds , and doubtless mill continue to hold , its own ; but for a handy volume , not too bulky , -written to date by competent brethren , and rigidly condensed wherever possible , the Fraternity Company ' s handsome book

has come to stay , and richly merits the success it is achieving . It has been a real pleasure for me to co-operate with the publishers , the editor and the numerous contributors ; and I am glad to take this opportunity of expressing my entire satisfaction with the management from beginning to end .

I still think it would have been better to have omitted the "Eastern Star" portion , and substituted the " Red Cross of Rome and Constantine , " foe the latter has been known Masonically for over a century , and still flourishes in Great Britain and America . Possibly the Fraternity Company , and our good Bro . Stillson , the zealous editor , can arrange for a

chapter on this Degree to be added , and should ' they so do , it will not be long in preparation , as I would rather do it myself than let the want remain unsupplied . There are several reasons why this work should be so successful , and these also suggest the ground for believing its circulation has only just begun .

The editor has briefly described the " Old Charges of British Freemasons , " and in the " Kalendar" of these MSS . he has noted the latest discoveries to the day of going to press for the last edition . These MSS . run to over 60 , but since then five more have been found at Dumfries , Scotland , and we are on the look out for still more .

The histories of the several Grand Lodges in the United States have been written by brethren familiar with the rise and progress of these bodies , and in the case of questions affecting Pennsylvania and Massachusetts , Bros . C . E . Aleyer and Sereno D . Nickerson have ably described the distinctive , views of the two great claimants to priority of origin , as respects

Freemasonry in America . All entitled to express an opinion on the subject will agree that a better choice could not have been made , for a fair presentation of the evidence by the brethren fully informed as to the points involved . The interesting and valuable division by my friend ,

Bro . John Lane , of my own town ( Torquay ) , is a most important contribution , and for all America shows in a compact form , for the first time , the whole of the lodges warranted by the Grand Lodge of England from 1733 . Many lodges will not be found in the extensive record , beginning with the most famous of those omitted , viz .,