New Year's Entertainment Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT OF THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual winter ^ enlertainment the annuitants the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution resident in the buildings at Croydon was given on Wednesday last , when the following ladies and gentlemen assisted in the festivities ofthe day : Bro . James Terry , Secretary of the Institution ; Dr . H . J . Strong , Bro . Charles E . Keyser , Bro . Good , Bro . George F . and Mrs . Cook , Bro . John Woodman , Bro . W . H . Hubbert , Bro . and Mrs . David Hills , Bro . John Newton and

Mrs . Newton , Bro . F . Dunn and Mrs . Dunn , Bro . A . II . Hickman , Bro . J . Curtis , Bro . T . Hastings Miller , Bro . Charles Kempton and Mrs . Kempton , Bro . A . Start and Mrs . Start , Bro . H . Massey and Miss Massey , Bro . E . J . Anning , Mrs ., and Miss Anning , Bro . J . Wayte ( Hon . Surgeon to the Institution ) , Bro . A . J . Berry , P . M . 1695 , a \ id Miss Berry , Miss Mary E . Raikes , Miss Lilian Raikes , Miss

Katharine Curtis , Miss Kate Terry , Mrs . Maria Hills , Miss Maria Marshall , Bro . W . P . Warren and Mrs . Warren , Bro . R . Parish , Mrs . Parish , and Miss Parish Bro . ' W . Englefield , P . M . 1321 , Bro . John Davis , 1288 , Mr . A . T . Faull and Mrs . Faull , Mrs . A . M . Terry , Bro . W . J . Crutch , Mrs . James E . Terry , and Bro . J . G . Stevens .

Most of the above went down from London in spec ially reserved saloon carriages of the South-Eastern Railway , and were received on their arrival at the Institution by Bros . James Terry and John G . Stevens , who greeted them heartily . By two o ' clock the annuitants were summoned to dinner , which was provided , as usual , in the commodious hall of the Asylum . Bro . Dr . H . J . Strong ,

who for many years was Honorary Surgeon of the Institution , presided , and \ yas supported on his left by Mrs . Terry , and on his right by Miss Norris , the Matron . The ladies of the visiting party sat down to dinner with the annuitants , while the gentlemen officiated as carvers of the turkeys , fowls , and joints , and in waiting on the dining party .

At the conclusion of the dinner there were a few toasts , Bro . Dr . STRONG startingby proposing "The Queen , " and when this toast had been drunk offering for acceptance , " The Founders of the Feast , " informing the company that all the expenses of this entertainment were found by voluntary subscriptions , and did not come out of the founds of the Institution . He said he knew that in very many Charities the cost of such a dinner was paid out of money that was subscribed to be spent in other ways , but it was not so here . He named as the founders of the feast , Bros . Thomas Hastings Miller , David Hills , and Good .

Bro . T . HASTINGS MILLER , in his reply to the toast , said that from the day of his initiation his first care was the Benevolent Institution , although he did not forget the Boys' and the Girls ' . That course he should always follow . He was a member of the House Committee , and consequently paid many visits to the Institution , apd it gave him great pleasure to go down to Croydon and see the

happy , smiling laces of the residents in that building . God grant that those resi dents might live for many years , and that the Royal Masonic Benevolent Insti tu ' . ion might live and flourish , root and branch ( as they said in the City Com panies ) , for ever I Bros . HILLS , P . M . 185 , and Goon also replied .

Bro . J AMES TERRV , responding to the toast of " Success to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " proposed by Bro . Dr . STRONG , said it was his duty as well as his pleasure to give in a few words some idea of what had been done for the Institution during the past year , and of the expectations for the future . The past year , as they were all aware , had been a most eventful one in the history of that Institution , as well as in

the history of the other two Masonic Institutions , for the simple reason that one Institution took the lion ' s share , and more than the lion ' s share , of the money out of the pockets of the brethren . It was only to be expected , when it was known last year that the Prince of Wales would preside at the Centenary Festival of the Boys' School , that the majority of the subscriptions would go lo that Institution , and the consequence was that the enormous sum of

£ 141 000 had been announced as collected for the benefit of that Institution . The effect naturally was that when the Festival of the old people took place , instead of getting £ 17 , 000 or £ 18 , 000 , they got only . £ 9000 , and consequently , in September , they had not enough money to pay the quarter ' s annuities . By the prudence of the Committee , however , there was a reserve on which they could draw , and when December 31 came round they found that , instead of . £ 9000 , the

Craft had increased its subscription to £ 11 , 200 , so that £ 1800 more had been paid in than was announced at the Festival . The total for the year was brought up to over £ 19 , 000 . That was no inconsiderable sum , considering the £ 140 , 000 to the Boys ' . The Girls' School announced £ 9 , 500 , but their total subscription was £ 11 , 400 , and their grand total £ 16 , 000 odd . There were no Charitable Institu . tions in the world , so far as he knew , speaking of them as Charities , that could show anything like an approximate amount collected from one source , for in Masonry

it practically came out of the same pocket . ( Cheers . ) As to the future , he hoped it would be even brighter than 1898 . He had already 200 Stewards , and he hoped , in consequence of the exertions , they would be able , at all events , to get on without drawing on a reserve fund . He thanked Bro . Strong for the way in which he had spoken oi him , and he thanked also those friends who had provided the funds for the present entertainment . There was a balance , which he would hnnd over to the Matron for a Samaritan fund , which she dispensed to those of the residents who were not well .

Bro . Dr . STRONG responded to the toast of "The Chairman , " which was proposed by Uro . J . A . FARNFIKLD , Treasurer of the Institution . Bro . FARNFIELD responded to thc toast of "The Matron , Miss Norris , " proposed by Bro . C . E . KEVSKR , P . G . D . This closed the dinner proceedings , and the lady visitors paid a round of calls at the old people ' s homes .

At the subsequent dinner of which the brethren partook and which was presided over by Bro . C . E . KEVSER , who proposed the toast of " Prosperity to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " said he hoped the brethren would pull themselves together this year for the Benevolent Institution and the Girls ' School . He was going to do his part , and he knew his Provinces of Herts and

Btiks would give him the strongest support in his chairmanship for the Boys ' School , but no movement would be made there until after the festival of the Benevolent Institution . He hoped the "Old People ' s" claims would be well recognised . A certain sum of money must be collected every yeir to pay the HHIIUIIII s without tri-nching on capital .

Bro . J AMKS TERRY , in acknowledging the toast , said hecertainly endorsed the Chairman ' s hopes so very kindly expressed that the festival of the three Institutions of 18 99 would all be eminently successful and that the small amounts that had been announced for the past year would be the last . When

they turned to this year he hoped they would realise the expectations of all their friends for grand amounts . It was very kind of Bro . Keyser to take th . 1 hair fur the ( Jo ) . s' Institution following the Prince of Wales , taking the forlorn hope ; but he had done so before , and for the Benevolent Institution after its Jubilee celebration in 1892 . When he asked Bro . Keyser to take the chair in

New Year's Entertainment Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

1 S 93 , Bro . Keyser said , " My dear Bro . Terry , put me down as your Chairman , and you may put me down at all events for 500 guineas . " He ( Bro . Terry ) endeavoured to bleed him a little more , saying he thought as Chairman the least Bro . Keyser could do was to give 1000 guineas . He remembered Bro . Keyser's rejoinder well , and he put up with the rebuff ; it was kindly given— "willingly would I do it , but the world would talk of it , and think I was making it a profession . " The brethren knew what Bro . Keyser did last year for the Boys' entirely

at his cost to build the chapel at the new school at Bushey . After that to take the chair for the Boys' Institution the following year was in itself an evidence of his kindness . As to the Benevolent Institution , he would say that it had been a success for years past every one would confess . The list of candidates for next election had now been closed ; and there were no less than 123 on it seeking admission for 24 vacancies—12 of each sex . Close on ioo , therefore , would go away unsuccessful to wait another 12 months , and these were people over 60 , 70 , or

80 years of age . He knew he need not appeal to the brethren before him to d o their best for the Institution in their lodges ; they had done so j some round the table taking the Stewardship for the second , third , and fourth time ; therefore , on February 22 he hoped there would be a bumper festival . He knew full well what their present Chairman was going to give , but he was not going to divulge

it . With the assistance of the brethren present , and others throughout the kingdom , if they realised £ 12 , 000 or £ 13 , 000 , he thought it would be a pretty amount to announce . He thanked Bro . Keyser for the kindness he had extended to the Institution at all times , and all around the table for their generous contribution , and he was sure they would support the forthcoming Festival in such a way that they might all be proud of it .

Bro . KEYSER having responded to the toast of " The Chairman , " proposed " Bro . Terry and Bro . Stevens . " Bro . TERRY , replying , said he had been connected 35 years with the Institution , and , with the exception of his holidays in August , had never been absent from any Committee meeting . He hoped and trusted he should have health and

strength to continue so to do until pensioned off and they had a new Secretary with new thoughts , new schemes , and digging in new soil . He had a right hand in Bro . Stevens , who at all times gave his time and careful attention to the duties of his ofiice which no one other than himself could give . He was glad to add this much to the testimony the Chairman had accorded him , and he should deeply regret the day when any severance took place between him and Bro . Stevens .

Bro . J . G . STEVENS said after that what had he to say ? Nothing . He was content to leave his services in the hands ol his chief , and the exordium he had given . He thanked them . He hoped he might for many years have the honour of serving the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . In the evening there was a dramatic entertainment by the Charterhouse Company . The pieces performed were " Dearest Mamma" and "Leave it to me , " with a prologue by the Master of Charterhouse , of which the following is the text :

' Whatever ills of trouble , pain or age Beset the roads of earthly pilgrimage , Care finds a solace , sorrow a relief When lovingkindness ministers to grief ; And when the Sun of Happiness displays His welcome beams , illumining our days . The secret charm of Brotherhood employs

Its subtle force to double all our joys : Such is the Masons' creed : these thoughts suggest Our presence here and bid us do our best To shed a ray of innocent delight On the cold darkness of a winter ' s night : Ask not for excellence , but let our parts Be judged not by our powers , but by our hearts :

And if the critic's penetrating eye In our interpretation faults descry Pass them indulgently , and let the will Be an apology for want of skill —• ' Dearest Mamma' explains a source of strife Which sometimes rises in domestic life : Our other piece is simple , as you'll see—Its name don ' t matter much— ' Leave it to me . "

The performers in the two pieces were Mr . N . G . Davidson , Bro . H . C . Hayward , Bro . Harold Haig-Brown , Miss Evelyn Haig-Brown , Miss Rosalind Haig-Brown , Miss Alice Haig-Brown , and Miss Marguerite Haig-Brown . The performance was very creditable , and gave general satisfaction , and the visitors returned to town highly pleased with the day ' s entertainment .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Robert Burns Lodge , No . 25 . The installation meeting of this ancient lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Monday , the 2 nd inst . There were present Bros . Wm . Baddeley , W . M . ; H . L . Davis , I . P . M . ; John Jacobs , S . W ., W . M . elect ; A . Pennington , J . W . ; W . S . Elliott , P . M ., Treas . ; J . W . Harvey , P . M ., Sec ; Victor Romilly , S . D . ; Tudney Davis , J . D . ; Chas . Lee , I . G . j Thos . Hawki . is , P . M ., D . C . ; W . S . Robins , P . M .,

Stwd . ; Robert Harding , P . M ., Tyler ; T . B . Fullwood , P . M . ; F . J . Denton , P . M . ; F . W . Robins , P . M . ; W . C . Elsdon , E . Abrahams , John Wilson , Walter Schroier , E . C . Mulvey , P . M . ( hon . member ); Louis Eister , Fred . Holden , T . J , drier , Maurice Woolf , R . C . Limpard , J . K . Boddy , L . Abrahams , A . Oiborn , and Oscar Osborn . Visitors : J . D . Hoskins , P . P . G . Org . Essex ; J . W . Burgess , W . M . 1325 , P . P . G . D . W . Lanes . ; C . Woodrow , P . M . 170 S ; E . Sinclair , P . M . 1441 ; J . R . Dixon , 2416 ; VV . T . Hooper , P . M . 1987 ; T . A . Engle , 1604 ; Rev . A . G . L .

Robertson , P . M . 2329 , Buenos Ayres , Scuth America ; A . W . Bates , 1604 ; Prof . F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . 45 ; T . R . Downs , 2 G 43 ; H . Williamson , 172 ; J . J . Smith , i ( i 22 ; Jesse Smith , 1767 ; P . E . Campbell , P . M . 1670 ; A . J . Batho , Org . 8 ; J . N , Kingwill , I . G . 2029 ; C . Hunt , P . M . 194 ; F . S . Hess , 2705 ; A . Bertrand , 1563 ; J . Ferry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; Geo . Coleman , P . M . 1 G 14 ; M . J . Garcia , 216 S ; T . Garcia , P . M . 1402 ; C . I . Timons , 1604 ; J . Watts , 15 ; Chas . Gee , 1627 ; W . Morgan , 1 G 14 ; G , F . Smith , P . G . Org . ; Edwd . Jacobs , 205 ; G . S . Elliot , 2095 ; W . A . B . Levick , 2301 ; and Gustave Luck , unattached .

The Iodge was opened by the W . M ., and the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and conlirmed . The ballot was taken for Bro . John Kleine Boddy as a joining member ; it proved unanimous in his favour . The ballot was taken for Mr . Robt . Chas . Lampard as candidate for initiation , and on its proving favourable , he was initiated by the W . M . The W . M . elect , Bro . John Jacobs , S . W ., was presented by Bro . Hawkins , P . M ., D . of C , to the Installing Master , and obligated . The I . P . M . then , by the kind permission of the Installing Master , occupied his place , and installed his friend , Bro . John J acob ,, as W . M . at a Board of

Installed Masters . The new W . M . then invested the late W . M ., Bro . Wm . Baddeley , as I . P . M . The W . M , was saluted and congratulated by all the Past Misters present . The Hjard of Installed Masters was closed . The investiture of officers then took place as follows : Bros . A . Pennington , S . W . ; Victor Romilly , J . W . ; W . T . Elliott , P . M ., Treas . ; j . W . Hirvey , P . M ., Sec . ; T . Hawkins , P . M ., D . of C . ; T . Davis , S . D . ; C . Lee , J . D . ; W . C . Elsdon , I . G . ; Robins , P . M ., Stwd . ; Morris Woolf , Asst . Sec ; and Robert Harding , P . M ., Tyler . The LP . M . gave the three addresses , and a Past Master ' s jewel was presented by the W . M . to the I . P . M ., who returned thanks .