The Recent Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

THE RECENT FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The following new lists and additions to lists have been received since our report of last week ; Chap ter LONDON . £ s . d . " 4 Comp . Blanco White , additional 42 o o his list to £ 115 10

( raising s . ) Lodge * 2 Bro . Braham , additional 6 lS 0 ( raising his list to , £ 60 iSs . ) 145 Bros . Duff and Murray , additional 20 S 0 ( raising their joint list to £ 272 7 s . 6 d . ) Chap ter 753 Comp . Allison , additional 10 10 o his list to £ 32

( raising us . ) 753 " Kempton , additional 31 10 o ( raising his list to £ 107 12 s . 6 d . ) Lodge 107 6 Bro . Dorton , additional 1 1 0 ( raising his list to £ 32 1 is . ) 1276 „ Anley , additional 0 10 6 ( raising his list to £ 54 is . Gd . ) 134 s » ^ - S- Brennan , additional 3 3 0

( raising his list to £ 6 $ 5 s . ) jvj . ] 3 . —To be transferred from Lodge 134 S to Unattached Lodge 159 1 Bro . Lieut .-Col . Cook , additional 41 o 0 ( raising his list to £ 441 . ) 1641 „ Roe , additional ' 5 5 °

( raising his list to £ 53 1 is . ) 1677 „ James Speller , additional 52 10 o ( raising his list to £ 105 . ) 2395 » Nicholson , additional 16 g o ( raising his list to £ 15 6 9 s . Cd . ) Unattached Bro . Staggs , less 10 10 o ( withdrawn from list of Stewards . )

PROVINCES . Lodge BERKSHIRE . 795 Bro . C . Dee ring , additional 21 S 6 ' ( raising his list to £ 61 Ss . Cd . ) 795 „ Capt . Finch , less ... _ 13 2 6 ( reducing his list to £ 14 3 s . 6 d . ) DERBYSHIRE . 353 1 . G . Tarver , less __ 5 5 °

( reducing his list to £ 131 5 s . ) 353 » C . Spalding , new list 1010 o ESSEX . 21 S 4 „ F . J . Eedle , less 5 5 0 ( reducing his list to £ 6 S 5 s . ) HERTFORDSHIRE . 404 „ George E . Lake , additional 10 10 o

( raising his list to £ 77 3 s . Cd . ) NORTH WALES . „ E . Roberts , additional G 0 0 ( raising his list to £ 95 13 s . ) SUFFOLK . SI „ Capt . Cartheiv , additional 10 16 6 ( raising his list to £ 33 16 s . 6 d . )

SUSSEX . S 51 „ C . W . Jemmett , additional 5 5 0 ( raising his list to £ 36 15 s . )

Annual Ball Of The Selwyn Lodge, No.1901.

ANNUAL BALL OF THE SELWYN LODGE , No . 1901 .

The sixth annual ball in connection with the Selwyn Lodge , No . 1901 , was held at the Peckham Public Hal 1 on Thursday , the 28 th ult ., having been postponed from nth February on account of the loss sustained by the Craft and the nation generally by the lamented death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale . The

postponement had in no way diminished the enthusiasm of the devotees of Terpsichore , for when Mr . George Martin ' s excellent band struck up the first dance there was a good attendance , which was considerably increased as the hour advanced . The Public Hall had been beautifully decorated for the occasion , the floral

decorations being tastefully executed under the guidance of Messrs . E . D . Shuttleworth and Co . The Secretaries IBtos . L . E , Eagle and T . Gay ) had been indefatigable ln their exertions , and every arrangement had been maclcconducive to the happiness of the pleasure seekers . Bros . J . Lightfoot , J . M .-Wimble , and H . R . Hobbs divided between them the onerous duties of M . C ., and succeeded in a difficult task with kindliness and

geniality . Bro . VV . Wills , I . P . M ., presided at the supper table , an d after ample justice had been done to the good fare provided , the few toasts usual on such occasions were du jy honoured . the Queen " having been heartily received , Bro . WWILLSIPMsaid he red before * ««« — « —

. , ..., appea . L . -.-.., ........ .. rr - .-" ¦ em in a SOmewhat invidious position , for , although " 'uinan that night , and to all purposes among Masons as the W . M ., he was not in reality the W . M . on that ecasion . He would , however , ask them to consider iltmselves back at the original date on which that j > snould have been held . He would ask them to

"j "The Health of the W . M . " They were all I eased to tee Bro . Lightfoot present , and would receive ra toast with the utmost enthusiism . In their W . M . j . ' of them had a friend and neighbour , and the ( , "masons had a very worthy and good brother whom ( .. A ppreciated for his conduct and energy in everyj ; n j £ a Ppertaining to the good of the Craft . Bro . » h i ' ' enlered on : l )' ear ° ^ ofiee as W . M . Wol d be unique in its prosperityand the 111 lis i \ dii

of it , ' , success Of fl , "'« uc uuivjue fjiuapci . y , u mc SUVVCJB great occas ' on at which they had assembled was in a rt . Jj measure due to him for the assistance he had en < iered , gen - ° - ]• LIGHTFOOT , W . M ., returned thanks for the 5 a Jin remarks of the ' - - - He had no hesitation in 8 that the present gathering was an exceedingly

Annual Ball Of The Selwyn Lodge, No.1901.

pleasant one . He was closely identified with the first that met in that building and was very pleased to see that the present evening had been such a great success . If they fell in any way short in numbers they had the elite of the neighbourhood with them . He had great pleasure in proposing " The Health of Bro . W . Wills , l . P . M ., the Chairman , " wishing him health

and prosperity . Most of those present were aware of Bro . Wills' wonderful vitality , the enormous influence he had , and the genial manner he possessed . Bro . W . WILLS , I . P . M ., in reply , expressed his gratification at seeing so many present . He hoped that in years to come the custom of giving a ball would be maintained and that as pleasurable an evening would

be spent . "The Ladies" was next given in an excellent speech by Bro . BOLANDER , and was responded to by Bro . W . W . LEE . The company then returned to the ball-room , where dancing was resumed and kept up with vigour until the small hours of the morning . It was daylight when

most of the company returned home , one and all congratulating themselves on having assisted at the most successful ball yet held by the Selwyn Lodge , and hoping that the funds of the Masonic Charities will be largely augmented by the evening ' s pleasure . Among those present were Mr . and Mrs . Wills , Bro ., Mrs ., and Miss Lightfoot , Bro . and Mrs . L . Eagle , Bro .

and Mrs . Glanville , Bro . and Mrs . Fraser , Bro ,, Mrs ., and Miss Scammel , Bro . and Mrs . Ashton , Bro . and Mrs . Holdsworth , Bro . and Mrs . James . Bro . and Mrs . Frampton , Bro . and Mrs . Pow , Mr . and Miss Holmes , Mr . and Mrs . Woodwill , Bro . and Mrs . Ferris , Mr . and Miss Grace , Mr . and Mrs . J . A . May , Bro . and Mrs . Howard , Mr . and Miss Hayward , Mr . and Mrs .

Warwick , Bro . and Mrs . Jackson , Bro . and Mrs . Lee , Bro . and Mrs . Chapman , Bro . and Mrs . Lawrence , Bro . and Mrs . Davenport , Bro . and Mrs . Clarke , Mr . Lander , Miss Smith , Mr . and Mrs . Mansfield , Mr . Evans , Mr . Morphew , Mr . and Mrs . Burkmar , Mr . Morgan , Mr . Evans , Mrs . Stone , Mr . Hobbs , Miss Woodman , Mr . Hack , Mr . Tunstall , jun ., Mr . C . H .

Hook , Mr . W . Davies , Dr . Adams , Mr . Cordner , Miss Mann , Mr . R . H ., Mrs ., and Miss Frost , Mr . A . Smith , Mr . and Mrs . Sperring , Mr . Gay , Mrs . Maynard , Miss Stevens , Mrs . Hiscox , Mr . Bolander , Mr . Lightfoot , jun ., Mr . Hobbs , Mr . Fisher , Miss Fort , Mr . and Mrs . Shepherd , Mr . H . Hook , Mr . Wimble , Mr . Pointon , Mr . Pearson , Bros . Webster , Dunlop , and Frank Swinford , Miss Griffin , and Mr . Bridger .

Laying Foundation-Stone Of A New Masonic Hall At Cambridge.

LAYING FOUNDATION-STONE OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT CAMBRIDGE .

At Cambridge to-day ( Friday ) , Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand Master , laid the foundation-stone of the Isaac Newton ( University ) Lodge Masonic Hall . According to the programme , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cambridgeshire was opened in the Guildhall at one o ' clock , after which the Pro Grand Master and

other Grand Officers entered and took their places . The brethren then marched in procession to the site of the hall in Corn Exchange-street , where the ceremony was proceeded with . At its termination , the Earl of Lathom was re-conducted to the Guildhall , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . It was arranged that the Pro Grand Master ' s

procession would be marshalled by the Grand Director of Ceremonies , and would consist of the Grand Tyler , the Grand Director of Ceremonies , the Grand Chaplain , three Grand Officers , bearing the cornucopia and ewers with wine and oil ; the Grand Secretary , bearing a plate with the inscription for foundation-stone ; the President of the Board of General Purposes , with mallet ; the

Grand Registrar , bearing the Great Seal ; the Grand Treasurer , bearing a phial containing coins ; the Junior Grand Warden , with the plumb rule ; the Senior Grand Warden , with the level ; the Deputy Grand Master , with the square ; the Grand Sword Bearer , the M . W . Pro Grand Master , and the Grand Deacons . At the close of the ceremony luncheon was partaken of .

Interesting Ceremony At Fleetwood Parish Church.

INTERESTING CEREMONY AT FLEETWOOD PARISH CHURCH .

On Wednesday , the 27 th ult , the ceremony of unveiling the stained-glass window at St . Peter ' s Parish Church , Fleetwood , which has been erected by the Freemasons of the Fylde district , in memory of the late Bro . Dr . J . A . Orr , P . M . 950 , P . P . G . D . P . Z .

703 , P . P . A . G . S ., P . M . M . 296 , was performed by Bro . Sir M . White Ridley , Bart , M . P ., P . G . M . Northumberland . The window was unveiled in the afternoon , and happily the elements , which earlier in the day were most unfavourable , rain falling in torrents , cleared up nicely and the procession of Freemasons from the Crown Hotel , where they assembled at 2 . 30 ,

to the church was accomplished in more favourable weather . The Prov . Grand Master permitted the brethren to wear upon this occasion their Masonic Craft clothing , and jewels , and the effect was very pleasing and aroused a good deal of attention . In response to a circular issued by Bro . B . Hainsworth , Secretary of the local lodge , there were a number of Freemasons present

from neighbouring places . The window is of a very handsome design , , having been supplied by Messrs . Ward and Hughes , through Bro . F . H . Parkinson . The total cost of procuring the window and placing it in its present position in the north transept was a little over . £ 100 . The representations , all excellently portrayed , are St . John , St . Luke , and St George .

Interesting Ceremony At Fleetwood Parish Church.

Amongst thosepresent were Bros . Sir Matthew White Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M . Northumberland , H . M . Ormsby , J . BickerstalTe , P . G . W ., Rev . E . J . Reeve , P . P . G . C , Forrester , J . Wray , P . P . G . Std . Br ., H . Gardner , P . P . G . S . B ., J . N . Carkson , WM . 950 , R . N . Horsfall , P . M ., Captain Robertson , P . M ., G . Schjoth , P . M ., B . Hainsworth , P . M ., Sec , G . Gibson , S . W ., W .

Burton , J . W ., A . Gibson , I . G ., S . Williams , S . D ., T . Clarke , J . D ., P . Williams , Mann , Dr . Penman , Dr . Faussett , J . Gibson , and the following brethren from No . 1256 : Bros . Dr . Winn , P . M ., P . G . D . C , ; H . Parkinson , W . M . ; W . Bond , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Longbottom , I P . M . ; R . Roe , S . D . ; and Rev . Geo . Leighton , Chaplain .

There was a numerous assembly at church , the service being conducted by the Rev . E . J . Reeve , and the Rev . J . B . Cholmeley . In the course of the service the hymns , ; Jesus lives ! no longer now , " and "O Lord , how jnyful ' tis to see" were sung . The VICAR selected as his text the 9 th verse of the second

chapter of Haggai : — " The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former , saith the Lord of Hosts ; and in this place will I give peace , saith the Lord of Hosts . " In the course of his discourse , the rev . gentleman said it had been the peculiar privilege , as it had been no doubt the pleasure of Masons , to be associated with the ministers of God in the

erection and the adornment of His sacred edifices . There could be no doubt their ancient brethren had no small share in the raising of those glorious monuments of art and piety to be found throughout the length of this lind , and of which , as English Churchmen , they were so justly proud . No Freemason could enter any of the old

cathedrals , abbeys , or parish churches without feeling his heart stirred within him , and without realising that the men who bestowed such reverent care , such thought and skill upon the most minute and hidden portions of their work , regarded what they did as a labour of love . Whenever any special effort is needed their Masonic brethren had done their share . Tokens of tieir livel y

interest in this work and their generosity might be found in most of their principal church buildings . They had desired to adorn that house of God , and make it in some degree more worthy of the sacred purpose for which it was set apart , ln doing this they had been animated by a pious desire to perpetuate at the same time the memory of a brother Mason , alas ! no longer

with them in tbe llesh , who , while living was happy in the possession of the affectionate regard and the esteem of all his brethren in that province , as well as of others who knew him . The solemn service in which they had been taking part in the church where he was so constant and so devout a worshipper , recalled to their minds , or the minds of many of them , the well-known form of

their venerable brother ; recalled too his reverence for holy things , his profound knowledge and love of every , thing that appertained tothe Order of Freemasonry . His continual Charity endeared him to all good Masons and many others , especially the sick and needy outside the Masonic body . Their dear brother ' s body was resting in peace , but they believed his name lived insuch a wayas

would never be obliterated , so that when he should stand before his Redeemer on the latter day he would receive a reward from the Most High . The figures which the window contained were designed to this end . St . John was , according to tradition , a Past Master of their Craft , and reminded them of an excellent Mason ; St . Luke recalled to them a beloved physician , and St .

George , patron saint of England , recalled to them the memory of the patriotic spirit which always possessed their departed brother . Let him now thank them for giving to that church and parish a memorial of a worthy man and Mason . Right glad he was to welcome it within that church . Might it be one of many pious

works in which they as Masons would engage . He concluded by reminding them that the heart of men was also the temple of God . Whilst they ceased not to care for His material House , \ et them take heed they build up , each one of them , his own heart by a right faith , having Christ as a sure foundation .

Bro . Sir MATTHEW now proceeded to unveil the window , and in doing so , said that in the name of all the brethren'he hereby unveiled that window . It had been erected by the Freemasons of the Fylde district to the glory of God , the Great Architect of the Universe , and in loving memory to their departed brother , Dr . Orr . At their request , he hereby presented

that window to the vicar and churchwardens and parishioners of that parish to be a perpetual record of those , their intentions , and it was the earnest and reverent prayer of the brethren that the blessing of God , the Great Architect of the Universe , whom they desire to serve , might rest for ever upon those who saw the window , and who worshipped within those walls until time shall be no more .

Tho VICAR , in reply , said as the vicar of that parish and parish church , and in the name of Almighty God , and on behalf of the parishioners , he accepted with very great pleasure this window which Sir Matthew had been good enough to unveil , and which had been erected to the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe , and in memory of their brother departed , whose name would ever be held in reverence amongst

the Masons of that province . He heartily thanked Sir Matthew lor his kind words , and for his kind action in having unveiled that window . After waiting until the Masonic brethren had left the church , the congregation dispersed , not , however , before many parishioners had taken the opportunity of inspecting the beautiful workmanship embodied in the window . Mr . Cowell presided at the organ .