Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
tions "be respectfull y submitted to the Governors and Subscribers and to the Lodges in General , and that they be requested to co-operate with the Committee in rescuing it from its present difficulties . " We have seen that an almost equall y urgent appeal had been successfully made only two years before , but on this occasion thc circumstances were less favourable , while a greater amount of ground hacl to be made good . And as though there were
not enough to harass the minds of the well-wishers of the Chanty , an unforeseen difficulty occurred in filling Bro . Lindo ' s place . At the Special General Meeting on the ioth February , 1 S 23 , Bro . Ramsbottom , M . P ., P . G . S . W ., was elected Treasurer , but at the Quarterly Meeting on 7 th April a letter was read from liim to the Secretary , in which he explained the impossibility of his undertaking the office , and another Special Meeting was held on the
251 I 1 of the same month , when on the motion of Sir F . G . Fowke , Bart ., P . G . S . W ., seconded by the Hon . Washington Shirley , Bro . Frederick Win . Pott was unanimously elected Treasurer . Meantime , the Committee had evidently determined upon being cautious . In June , we read " It was resolved ( after mature consideration ) that if the Receipts at the ensuing Festival should amount to £ 300 , the number of children at present on the
establishment should be increased to 50 at the Quarterly Meeting in July , but if that sum be not collected then that no election should'take place until January next . " The proceedings of the Committee on this occasion , when they were submitted for confirmation at the said Quarterly Meeting on 7 th July , appear to have been neither confirmed nor rescinded , nor are wc vouchsafed any information as to the amount raised at the festival , but we infer
it must have becn an appreciable sum , as , notwithstanding the opposition ofthe Hon . W . Shirley , who proposed that only 12 candidates should be elected , thc number placed on the establishment was 17 from a reduced list of 41 candidates . At the same meeting a Special Committee consisting of Bros . F . VV . Pott ( Treasurer ) , R . F . Mestayer , James Agar , Sir F . G . Fowke , Bart ., Benjamin Rouse , W . H . White , Edwards Harper , W . H .
Thisclton , and Wm . Harris—three to form a quorum—was appointed to revise the Bye-Laws and to suggest such alterations and amendments as might seem necessary and report them to a general meeting . In September the Secretary announced his intention of retiring , and in October tendered his resignation , which was accepted , and arrangements were made for thc election of his successor on the third Tuesday in November , the salary to be attached
to the oflice being £ 40 per annum . Owing , however , to a suggestion thrown out by thc Duke of Sussex that the election should nol take place till all the Governors had received notice , the Special Meeting for the purpose was not held till the ist December , when Bro . Thomas J . Jackson was elected over Bro . Moxon by 172 votes to 20 . At the same meeting the resignation of Bro . Aldhousc , as Collector , on account of his advanced age , was accepted ,
and he was allowed a pension of £ 6 6 s . as well as a salary of _ £ io ios . a year for the services he would still continue to render as messenger . At the Committee Meeting held on thc 15 th of thc same month steps . were taken to remedy certain irregularities "which had occurred * ' in thc removal of the children in the Institution from the schools in which they were originally ' placed , " in consequence of which a correct account of thc boys could not
be procured without an investigation . Al the Quarterly Meeting held on 5 th January , 1824 , the office of Collector was filled up , there being two candidates , Messrs . Cooper and Soley , ' of whom the former was elected by 118 votes to 65 cast for his opponent . It was also unanimously resolved "that the thanks of this Quarterly Meeting be and are hereby given to Bro . William Hancock for the very able , faithful , and zealous manner in which
hc has fulfilled thc duties of the situation of Secretary to this Institution for a period of iS years , " and also " that a copy of this resolution , when fairly transcribed , be presented to Bro . Hancock . " In July , when eleven children were elected from a list of 43 candidates , a very sensible resolution was adopted , to the effect " that prior to the monthly meeting next but one preceding each election a letter shall be addressed to thc Parents or Relatives of each candidate to inform them of the day of election and to inquire
whether any . alteration has occurred in their situation or circumstances , and lhat answers to such letters be laid before the said Committee ; and in case the ' parties to whom such letters arc addressed cannot be found that thc name of the candidate be struck out of the list . " In October , Bros . Ramsbottom , M . P ., and James Agar , were elected Trustees in place of Bros , Gill and Scott , deceased , and in the following January , Bro . Pott resigned the Treasurership , undertaking , however , to continue the duties until a successor had been-chosen . Bro . Pott ' s tenure of the office had been a brief
one , but he had been personally most attentive to thc interests of thc Charity , and it is not surprising therefore lhat the Governors and Subscribers should have unanimously resolved "That the resignation of Brother Pott be accepted with every feeling of regret , respect , and gratitude towards him for the great and strenuous exertions which he has made for the general interests of the Charity , and that thc thanks of this General Meeting be . riven
to him for the same . In April a new Treasurer was found in the person of Bro . Benjamin Rouse , who was elected over Bro . William Harris by 14 to 11 votes . In July nine children were elected , one of them being the son of a Life Governor and Past Master of several lodges , who had been overtaken by misfortune and was thus compelled to seek help from a Charity hc had assisted when in affluent circumstances . In September a letter was
received from Bro . I . J . H . Coe , as President of the Nore Executive Committee , enclosing a cheque for £ 68 os . Sd ., being the proceeds of the first of a long and highly profitable series of excursions made for the express purpose of benefiting the Charity . As a matter of course , so useful a contribution was not allowed to pass unrecognised , and a cordial vole of thanks was passed to the President , Treasurer , and members of the Excursion Committee . In ¦
October , it was agreed " that the Treasurer of this Institution for the time being shall , if present , take the chair at all meetings of the Charity , unless ' One of the Patrons of the Institution be present , in which case the chair shall be first offered to each Patron . '" lt was also determined that the byelaws of the Institution should undergo revision , and that Bros . Lythgoe , Pott , Rouse , Mestayer , Agar , White , U . S ., Edwards Harper , G . S ., Coe , and
Humphreys should be a Committee for the purpose of carrying out the revision . In January , 1826 , this Committee handed in their report , which was approved subject to confirmation by the next quarterly meeting , and a vole of thanks ' was unanimously recorded to Bro . Lythgoe for the "pains and trouble" hc had taken in drawing it up . In March , after a slill briefer tenure of the office than his predecessor , Bro . Rouse sent in his resignation ,
and it was resolved that the resignation of Bro . Rouse . be accepted with every expression of regret at his loss , and thai the Committee feel hi ghly sensible of thc services which he had rendered the Institution since hc accepted the office of Treasurer . It was also resolved—and we can well understand that in the dismay caused by two successive resignations of the office within three years such a step would seem advisable to the Com-. mittec—that Bros . Rouse , Lythgoe , and Sattcrley should be a deputation "to
History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
wait upon such individuals respectivel y of rank and consequence in Masonry as they may think proper , to solicit an acceptance of the office of Treasurer of this Institution . " . It may not-have been altogether the most dignified course to pursue , this going about , as it were , "informa pauperis , " soliciting the help and countenance oi a brother of rank and weight in Masonry ; but it will be seen a . little later on that there was a very sufficient reason for the
adoption of this course , though we confess we think this might have been done without mviling the recommendation of the Grand Master . For the Governors and Subscribers to go thus far was tantamount to their sacrificing altogether the independence of their position as the governing body of the Institution , and we are strongl y inclined lo believe that thc healthy progress of the Charity was materially delayed by their thus placinsr themselves .
almost helplessly , under the thumb of his Royal Highness . ' No'doubt thc Grand Master was a large-hearted supporter of this , as of all our Charities , and was most anxious for its welfare ; but hc was likewise most tenacious , even to obstinacy , of his opinions , and , as we shall see in more instances than one , was very chary of countenancing suggestions which did not originate with himself . But of this anon . The question who ' was to be the next
Treasurer was referred to his Royal Highness , who was requested to nominate a gentleman for the office , the result of these preliminary negotiations being made apparent at the Special Grand Meeting held on Ihe iSth April , when Bro . Thomas Moore was unanimouly elected to the vacant post . The only intermediate events worth recording are the election of a new Collector , Bro . George Paradice , and the adoption of certain tentative measures in
connection with the Festivals of the Institution , wilh a view to recovering for them a greater and more regular increase of success . To this end it was proposed that circulars should be addressed to the several lodges , requesting them to appoint Stewards for the ensuing Anniversary , and also that the list of Stewards should be made known every year at the General Meeting in January , so that there mi ght be ample time for completing it , as well as for organising the necessary arrangements for thc celebration ' .
m CHA PTER VI . THE TREASURERSHIP or BRO . THOMAS MOORK , 1826—1 S 41 . We are not allowed to remain long in the dark as to the circumstances which had had the effect of inducing- Bros . Poll and Rouse to resign thc charge which had been successively entrusted to them . Bro . Aloore took his seat , and fulfilled the preliminary obligations of his office on the ist May , and at the Quarterly General Meeting in July Bro . Rouse rose in his nlace
and distinctly charged thc Secretary with a general course of misconduct , but more particularly with having retained in his possession thc sum of £ 20 2 s . after he had bcen ordered to pay it over to the new Treasurer . Bro . Jackson admitted the charge ; but pleaded poverty and unforeseen losses in extenuation of his conduct , and in tendering his resignation threw himself unreservedly on thc mercy of the Court . Thc resi gnation was accepted , Bro .
Jackson was ordered to hand over all books and papers to Bro . Moore , and thc quarter ' s salary due to him was retained towards making good his defalcations . Moreover , a Committee , consisting of the Treasurer and Bros . Rouse ( Past Treasurer ) , T . R . Smith . 'Lythgoe , Mestayer , and Finlaison , was appointed to inquire into thc duties and emoluments of thc office of Secretary , and to report any improvements they might deem nccessarv to a
Special General Meeting . I his Meeting was held on thc 4 th September , when the Treasurer having reported that the late Secretary had handed over to him most , but not all , of his books and papers , without , however , satisfying-his pecuniary liabilities , thc Committee handed in a very exhaustive report , which will be found in the Appendix , and which clear ! v shows
how the falling off in the resources of the Institution had arisen . This report was accepted on thc motion of Bro . Past Treasurer Pott , while , on the motion of Bro . John Finlaison , who had kindly undertaken to act as Secretary in thc interval that must elapse before a new one could be appointed , thc following were added to thc Standing Orders and Regulations of thc Institution :
1 . That the Secretary give Bond in £ 100 with two Sureties . 2 . That no Candidate for thc office of Secretary shall be admitted to the ballot until his qualifications for the office and the sufficiency of his Sureties be approved by a Select Committee to be appointed previously to the election . 3 . That the Secretary do consider thc directions of the Treasurer to be imperative on him in all cases relative to the affairs of the Institution .
4 . lhat the Treasurer be entrusted with the power of suspending thc Secretary under thc circumstances and with the provisions specified in thc said report . 5 . That the Secretary be restrained from interfering or canvassing in elections , directl y or indirectly , and that hc be deprived of the privilege of voting at General and Committee Meetings . 0 . That the said Meetings be in future held at Freemasons' Tavern , agreeably to thc suggestion of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex , and in conformity to the report of the Committee . '
7 . That the Treasurer be authorised to engage accommodation for the Secretary in some central situation , whereon , at least , one stated day in the week he may be constantly found by all persons having business to transact with the Institution during certain hours to be named by the Treasurer . Thc arrangements for the election of a new Secretary were then made , and a Committee appointed for the purpose of examining into the quali - cations of the different candidates , the result being that Bro . Aug . U .
Thiselton was chosen out of the five candidates by a large majority of vote ' s , Bro . XV . Farnfield , who afterwards became Secretary , first of the Asylum for Decayed Freemasons and afterwards of the Annuity Fund , being one of his opponents . A cordial vote of thanks to Bro . hinlaison was also passed unanimously , and having been inscribed on vellum was personall y presented to that worthy brother at the Quarterl y Meeting in October . The following is the text of this complimentary vote :
At a Special General Meeting of the Governors and Subscribers to the Royal Masonic Charity for Educating , Clothing , and Apprenticing the Sons of Indigent and Deceased Freemasons , held at the Freemasons' Tavern , London , on Monday , the 4 th day of September , 1826 / Thomas Moore Esq ., in the chair / Treasurer .
Impressed with a deep sense of the important services rendered by J FINLAISON , ESQUIRE , , in thc voluntary discharge of thc duties of Secretary , pro tempore . By the exertion of his great talent in investigating and restoring to order the Accounts and affairs of the Charity and by his active co-operation with the 'Treasurer in
the proper placing of the objects of the Institution . THIS MEETING request that ( next to the lasting approbation of his own heart ) he will accept their best thanks for his gratuitous and highly meritorious services in the cause of this most interesting and useful Charity , and for his great zeal and exertions to promote and render permanent the best objects of an Institution upon which depends the future welfare of a large portion of the rising generation . ( To be continued ) .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
tions "be respectfull y submitted to the Governors and Subscribers and to the Lodges in General , and that they be requested to co-operate with the Committee in rescuing it from its present difficulties . " We have seen that an almost equall y urgent appeal had been successfully made only two years before , but on this occasion thc circumstances were less favourable , while a greater amount of ground hacl to be made good . And as though there were
not enough to harass the minds of the well-wishers of the Chanty , an unforeseen difficulty occurred in filling Bro . Lindo ' s place . At the Special General Meeting on the ioth February , 1 S 23 , Bro . Ramsbottom , M . P ., P . G . S . W ., was elected Treasurer , but at the Quarterly Meeting on 7 th April a letter was read from liim to the Secretary , in which he explained the impossibility of his undertaking the office , and another Special Meeting was held on the
251 I 1 of the same month , when on the motion of Sir F . G . Fowke , Bart ., P . G . S . W ., seconded by the Hon . Washington Shirley , Bro . Frederick Win . Pott was unanimously elected Treasurer . Meantime , the Committee had evidently determined upon being cautious . In June , we read " It was resolved ( after mature consideration ) that if the Receipts at the ensuing Festival should amount to £ 300 , the number of children at present on the
establishment should be increased to 50 at the Quarterly Meeting in July , but if that sum be not collected then that no election should'take place until January next . " The proceedings of the Committee on this occasion , when they were submitted for confirmation at the said Quarterly Meeting on 7 th July , appear to have been neither confirmed nor rescinded , nor are wc vouchsafed any information as to the amount raised at the festival , but we infer
it must have becn an appreciable sum , as , notwithstanding the opposition ofthe Hon . W . Shirley , who proposed that only 12 candidates should be elected , thc number placed on the establishment was 17 from a reduced list of 41 candidates . At the same meeting a Special Committee consisting of Bros . F . VV . Pott ( Treasurer ) , R . F . Mestayer , James Agar , Sir F . G . Fowke , Bart ., Benjamin Rouse , W . H . White , Edwards Harper , W . H .
Thisclton , and Wm . Harris—three to form a quorum—was appointed to revise the Bye-Laws and to suggest such alterations and amendments as might seem necessary and report them to a general meeting . In September the Secretary announced his intention of retiring , and in October tendered his resignation , which was accepted , and arrangements were made for thc election of his successor on the third Tuesday in November , the salary to be attached
to the oflice being £ 40 per annum . Owing , however , to a suggestion thrown out by thc Duke of Sussex that the election should nol take place till all the Governors had received notice , the Special Meeting for the purpose was not held till the ist December , when Bro . Thomas J . Jackson was elected over Bro . Moxon by 172 votes to 20 . At the same meeting the resignation of Bro . Aldhousc , as Collector , on account of his advanced age , was accepted ,
and he was allowed a pension of £ 6 6 s . as well as a salary of _ £ io ios . a year for the services he would still continue to render as messenger . At the Committee Meeting held on thc 15 th of thc same month steps . were taken to remedy certain irregularities "which had occurred * ' in thc removal of the children in the Institution from the schools in which they were originally ' placed , " in consequence of which a correct account of thc boys could not
be procured without an investigation . Al the Quarterly Meeting held on 5 th January , 1824 , the office of Collector was filled up , there being two candidates , Messrs . Cooper and Soley , ' of whom the former was elected by 118 votes to 65 cast for his opponent . It was also unanimously resolved "that the thanks of this Quarterly Meeting be and are hereby given to Bro . William Hancock for the very able , faithful , and zealous manner in which
hc has fulfilled thc duties of the situation of Secretary to this Institution for a period of iS years , " and also " that a copy of this resolution , when fairly transcribed , be presented to Bro . Hancock . " In July , when eleven children were elected from a list of 43 candidates , a very sensible resolution was adopted , to the effect " that prior to the monthly meeting next but one preceding each election a letter shall be addressed to thc Parents or Relatives of each candidate to inform them of the day of election and to inquire
whether any . alteration has occurred in their situation or circumstances , and lhat answers to such letters be laid before the said Committee ; and in case the ' parties to whom such letters arc addressed cannot be found that thc name of the candidate be struck out of the list . " In October , Bros . Ramsbottom , M . P ., and James Agar , were elected Trustees in place of Bros , Gill and Scott , deceased , and in the following January , Bro . Pott resigned the Treasurership , undertaking , however , to continue the duties until a successor had been-chosen . Bro . Pott ' s tenure of the office had been a brief
one , but he had been personally most attentive to thc interests of thc Charity , and it is not surprising therefore lhat the Governors and Subscribers should have unanimously resolved "That the resignation of Brother Pott be accepted with every feeling of regret , respect , and gratitude towards him for the great and strenuous exertions which he has made for the general interests of the Charity , and that thc thanks of this General Meeting be . riven
to him for the same . In April a new Treasurer was found in the person of Bro . Benjamin Rouse , who was elected over Bro . William Harris by 14 to 11 votes . In July nine children were elected , one of them being the son of a Life Governor and Past Master of several lodges , who had been overtaken by misfortune and was thus compelled to seek help from a Charity hc had assisted when in affluent circumstances . In September a letter was
received from Bro . I . J . H . Coe , as President of the Nore Executive Committee , enclosing a cheque for £ 68 os . Sd ., being the proceeds of the first of a long and highly profitable series of excursions made for the express purpose of benefiting the Charity . As a matter of course , so useful a contribution was not allowed to pass unrecognised , and a cordial vole of thanks was passed to the President , Treasurer , and members of the Excursion Committee . In ¦
October , it was agreed " that the Treasurer of this Institution for the time being shall , if present , take the chair at all meetings of the Charity , unless ' One of the Patrons of the Institution be present , in which case the chair shall be first offered to each Patron . '" lt was also determined that the byelaws of the Institution should undergo revision , and that Bros . Lythgoe , Pott , Rouse , Mestayer , Agar , White , U . S ., Edwards Harper , G . S ., Coe , and
Humphreys should be a Committee for the purpose of carrying out the revision . In January , 1826 , this Committee handed in their report , which was approved subject to confirmation by the next quarterly meeting , and a vole of thanks ' was unanimously recorded to Bro . Lythgoe for the "pains and trouble" hc had taken in drawing it up . In March , after a slill briefer tenure of the office than his predecessor , Bro . Rouse sent in his resignation ,
and it was resolved that the resignation of Bro . Rouse . be accepted with every expression of regret at his loss , and thai the Committee feel hi ghly sensible of thc services which he had rendered the Institution since hc accepted the office of Treasurer . It was also resolved—and we can well understand that in the dismay caused by two successive resignations of the office within three years such a step would seem advisable to the Com-. mittec—that Bros . Rouse , Lythgoe , and Sattcrley should be a deputation "to
History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
wait upon such individuals respectivel y of rank and consequence in Masonry as they may think proper , to solicit an acceptance of the office of Treasurer of this Institution . " . It may not-have been altogether the most dignified course to pursue , this going about , as it were , "informa pauperis , " soliciting the help and countenance oi a brother of rank and weight in Masonry ; but it will be seen a . little later on that there was a very sufficient reason for the
adoption of this course , though we confess we think this might have been done without mviling the recommendation of the Grand Master . For the Governors and Subscribers to go thus far was tantamount to their sacrificing altogether the independence of their position as the governing body of the Institution , and we are strongl y inclined lo believe that thc healthy progress of the Charity was materially delayed by their thus placinsr themselves .
almost helplessly , under the thumb of his Royal Highness . ' No'doubt thc Grand Master was a large-hearted supporter of this , as of all our Charities , and was most anxious for its welfare ; but hc was likewise most tenacious , even to obstinacy , of his opinions , and , as we shall see in more instances than one , was very chary of countenancing suggestions which did not originate with himself . But of this anon . The question who ' was to be the next
Treasurer was referred to his Royal Highness , who was requested to nominate a gentleman for the office , the result of these preliminary negotiations being made apparent at the Special Grand Meeting held on Ihe iSth April , when Bro . Thomas Moore was unanimouly elected to the vacant post . The only intermediate events worth recording are the election of a new Collector , Bro . George Paradice , and the adoption of certain tentative measures in
connection with the Festivals of the Institution , wilh a view to recovering for them a greater and more regular increase of success . To this end it was proposed that circulars should be addressed to the several lodges , requesting them to appoint Stewards for the ensuing Anniversary , and also that the list of Stewards should be made known every year at the General Meeting in January , so that there mi ght be ample time for completing it , as well as for organising the necessary arrangements for thc celebration ' .
m CHA PTER VI . THE TREASURERSHIP or BRO . THOMAS MOORK , 1826—1 S 41 . We are not allowed to remain long in the dark as to the circumstances which had had the effect of inducing- Bros . Poll and Rouse to resign thc charge which had been successively entrusted to them . Bro . Aloore took his seat , and fulfilled the preliminary obligations of his office on the ist May , and at the Quarterly General Meeting in July Bro . Rouse rose in his nlace
and distinctly charged thc Secretary with a general course of misconduct , but more particularly with having retained in his possession thc sum of £ 20 2 s . after he had bcen ordered to pay it over to the new Treasurer . Bro . Jackson admitted the charge ; but pleaded poverty and unforeseen losses in extenuation of his conduct , and in tendering his resignation threw himself unreservedly on thc mercy of the Court . Thc resi gnation was accepted , Bro .
Jackson was ordered to hand over all books and papers to Bro . Moore , and thc quarter ' s salary due to him was retained towards making good his defalcations . Moreover , a Committee , consisting of the Treasurer and Bros . Rouse ( Past Treasurer ) , T . R . Smith . 'Lythgoe , Mestayer , and Finlaison , was appointed to inquire into thc duties and emoluments of thc office of Secretary , and to report any improvements they might deem nccessarv to a
Special General Meeting . I his Meeting was held on thc 4 th September , when the Treasurer having reported that the late Secretary had handed over to him most , but not all , of his books and papers , without , however , satisfying-his pecuniary liabilities , thc Committee handed in a very exhaustive report , which will be found in the Appendix , and which clear ! v shows
how the falling off in the resources of the Institution had arisen . This report was accepted on thc motion of Bro . Past Treasurer Pott , while , on the motion of Bro . John Finlaison , who had kindly undertaken to act as Secretary in thc interval that must elapse before a new one could be appointed , thc following were added to thc Standing Orders and Regulations of thc Institution :
1 . That the Secretary give Bond in £ 100 with two Sureties . 2 . That no Candidate for thc office of Secretary shall be admitted to the ballot until his qualifications for the office and the sufficiency of his Sureties be approved by a Select Committee to be appointed previously to the election . 3 . That the Secretary do consider thc directions of the Treasurer to be imperative on him in all cases relative to the affairs of the Institution .
4 . lhat the Treasurer be entrusted with the power of suspending thc Secretary under thc circumstances and with the provisions specified in thc said report . 5 . That the Secretary be restrained from interfering or canvassing in elections , directl y or indirectly , and that hc be deprived of the privilege of voting at General and Committee Meetings . 0 . That the said Meetings be in future held at Freemasons' Tavern , agreeably to thc suggestion of his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex , and in conformity to the report of the Committee . '
7 . That the Treasurer be authorised to engage accommodation for the Secretary in some central situation , whereon , at least , one stated day in the week he may be constantly found by all persons having business to transact with the Institution during certain hours to be named by the Treasurer . Thc arrangements for the election of a new Secretary were then made , and a Committee appointed for the purpose of examining into the quali - cations of the different candidates , the result being that Bro . Aug . U .
Thiselton was chosen out of the five candidates by a large majority of vote ' s , Bro . XV . Farnfield , who afterwards became Secretary , first of the Asylum for Decayed Freemasons and afterwards of the Annuity Fund , being one of his opponents . A cordial vote of thanks to Bro . hinlaison was also passed unanimously , and having been inscribed on vellum was personall y presented to that worthy brother at the Quarterl y Meeting in October . The following is the text of this complimentary vote :
At a Special General Meeting of the Governors and Subscribers to the Royal Masonic Charity for Educating , Clothing , and Apprenticing the Sons of Indigent and Deceased Freemasons , held at the Freemasons' Tavern , London , on Monday , the 4 th day of September , 1826 / Thomas Moore Esq ., in the chair / Treasurer .
Impressed with a deep sense of the important services rendered by J FINLAISON , ESQUIRE , , in thc voluntary discharge of thc duties of Secretary , pro tempore . By the exertion of his great talent in investigating and restoring to order the Accounts and affairs of the Charity and by his active co-operation with the 'Treasurer in
the proper placing of the objects of the Institution . THIS MEETING request that ( next to the lasting approbation of his own heart ) he will accept their best thanks for his gratuitous and highly meritorious services in the cause of this most interesting and useful Charity , and for his great zeal and exertions to promote and render permanent the best objects of an Institution upon which depends the future welfare of a large portion of the rising generation . ( To be continued ) .