Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

TESTIMONIAL TO DP . ST ' IVON . ; ' On Friday weeki oh the o-casiohol the visit of the House Committee to the Institution at Croydon , advantage was taken of the opportunity to present to Bro . Dr . I-I . , | . Strong the testimonial voted to him by the Committee for his

careof and attention to the aged inmates of the Asylum at Croydon , as Honorary Surgeon eif the Institution for the last seventeen years . . .. * There were present On the occasion Col . Creaton ; . Vice Patron and Truster , Chairman ; Bios . . Raynham V .. Stewart , P . G . D . ; S . Rawson , Past Dist . G . M . for China ; 1-. A . Farnfield , Dr . Stro n g , Mrs . Strong , James Terry

( Secretary ) , Mrs . Tevry , Bro . Geeirgc Foster , Mr . Hunt , Mrs . Hunt , Dr . James Adams , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , anel Bro . Nonas , Warden of the Asylum . The testimonial consisted of a handsome silver salver , engraved as follows : ¦— " Presented , together with a service of plate , of the value of one hundred guineas , by the Committee of Manap . emcnt , on behalf of Ihe Royal Alasonic

Benevolent Institution for Aged freemasons anel tbe Widows of Vreemasons , to Henry John Strong , Ksei ., M . D ., Past Provincial Grand Warden Surrey , in recognition of the gtcat attention and valuable services rendered by him to the residents of thc Institution at Cioydon during a perioel of seventeen years as the Honorary Surgeon . 31 st May , 187 S . "

Along with this salver were half a _ or . cn silver gilt Queen Anne spoons , . 1 silver coffeepot , hot milk jug , teapot , cream ewer , four salts anel spoons , dining forks , dessert forks ( 18 of each ) , two silver tazzis , four knife Vests * , and four dish covers . Prior to thc presentation thc brethren anil ladies partook of a nice little family tlinner prepared by Bliss Norris , the Matron at the Institution , and after the

dinner had been partaken of , thc Chairman , Col . Crcaton , who had Bro . Terry as Vice-Chairman , first proposed the toast of " The Institution , " anil caileel on Bro . Terry ( with whom hc coupled the name of Mrs . Terry ) to respontl . Bio . Terry , in replying , said thc Institution had done nn

incalculable amount of good , and that good had been seen by most of those present . He hoped and trusted that as it had arrived at its present proud iiesitiem of being thc first eif the three Institutions , as far as regards the amount of its subscriptions , so he hoped it might go on anel hold its own in . the hearts and affections if the brethren of the

Fiatcrnily . It had now 280 annuitants , , -i'nl thc amount paid to them was £ 10 , 300 a year . When Dr . Strong first became Honorary Surgexin of the Institution its ine-ome was something like £ 2000 t r £ 3000 per annum , and last year it totalled up 11 sum ol over £ 16 , 000 ; so that it would be seen that in thnt lime the Institution had made wonderful progress .

Thc Chairman then said—I have now lei ' preiporc the licp . tlh of an officer of the Institution who has elone gooel suit and service to it for a great many years , and I am very happy to say that those service , have not been forgotten by the Committee of Management , but that lhey fully appreciate those services , and only on thc last occasion of their meeting toted a sum of one hundred guineas

to present Dr . Strong with a testimonial . This feeble tribute of acknowledgment of his services I know is small , but I am quite sure hc will understand it , and take it for granted that it is meant in thc kindest possible spirit . The Committee , as I have saiel , appreciate very highly all that he bas done and is continuing to do ; and I go furtherthe inmates of this Institution are - usually alive to thc

Kindness and attention he pays them both by night and -y-day . 1 will not elctain you longer . I am quite sure Dr . Strong will understand what I mean , and wc , the Committee , mean , everything kind and good Inwards him . I will ask him to accept ftom mc in the name of the Committee this present of plate . On the salver is the inst-rip . tion . ( Col . Creaton read it . ) I hope and trust , Dr . Strong , that and

you your good wife may live a great many years to look upon this small testimonial whicli we present you with to-day , anil when it [ pleases T . G . A . O . T . U . to call you to Him 1 hope and trust this will he handed down lo your children , and that they will ^ cmulatc you and walk sn thc same footsteps as their father . Bro , Dr . Strong , in reply , said — There are episodes in life when

• a man ' s speech-making becomes a necessity , anil there arc episodes in a man ' s life when it becomes almost in impossibility . I dare say to most of you who are here present , some opportunity has occurrcel of making a speech at some time or other—some , perhaps , as young men , when returning [ thanks for thc ladies , perhaps when they have been manied , or some other period eif their lives ;

but I do not know any period morccnibarrassing , perhaps , than an occasion of this kind , when one has to re-turn thanks for a kinil offering , and ' to express oneself in terms of proper ( hanks to the chairman for that which he has so "icely expressed . It is true tlvat I have been connected with this Institution for over seventeen years , anel I ttust it may be a very long time before the connection which

exists between this Institution and myself may become severed . J trust also it may please T . G . A . O . T . U ., who rules ovci us all , that the connection which exists between you , sir , as Chairman of the Institution , and those whom 1 see around me , who are mostly connected with the governing ootly of thc Institution , may still go on in that career ol usefulness

and good whieh you have hitherto pursued . I can assure you that it is a labour of love with me to « o anything which I have done for the good of tne inmates of this Asylum . I must say that w 1 have a hobby and a pet subject , it is "ie interest and welfare- eif this Institution , anel anything witch lean do to fuither i . s interests , either in the buildin ^ or abroad , I think those who know me wilt say I n-ver nave allowed an opportunity to pass without trying to do 'he best lean . I do feel that whatever claims the other

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

Institutions may possess ( and there is no doubt they have very great claims ) , to solace those who are aged , and who are here through ami- tipp , and from , causes over which lllcy . l ' ave no Control ' , is the du **' , ant ! Ihe pHiiiary eluty of all freemasons . That being my idea , I have endeavoured to carry it out . Of crurse , sir , time , which is . always on the wing , anel is always working great

changes , has worked great changes m this Institution ; and when wc Consider what Bro . Terry hii 3 told us , that thc member of our annuitant - has vastly Increased , that Where wc have hitherto been spending £ 306- or £ 4066 a year -ivc arc now spending £ t 0 , 000 , it shows thc ilecessity for increased exertion . I am not going to detain you long , but this handsome present

which you hive kindly given to me this evening will be an incciitive to me to go on in thc future as I have done in the past . 1 think it shows thc kind way in which this has been brought about , Und the amount of thought which has been given to tile matter , that it should have been prcscntcdLo mc here In the sphere of my labours , and surrounded cll ' my tight Hnd Ifcft by those t-, whom I have

becn able to administer . I take it not only its a very great compliment , but as a very great honour , that 1 should have been selected for this very handsome and magnificent present , and 1 have to Ihank you , sir , and Bro . Baynham Stewart , who I believe was thc proposer of the testimonial , that he should have done me the honour to propose it at thc Committee cf Management , t trust

that the same Oimtailtcc of Management who have manlfesteel so great an intciest in this Institution , aiid who have done so much for it—who have not only maintained its prestige , but have ihcrc'is . tl its benefits to those who arc here—may long continue Hi grj cm in tllat career of usefulness which they have begun . There is another thing , sir , which has given me a great ileal of pleasure

this evening . Not only by your testimonial have you shewn mc that you appreciate any little humble efforts that I have been able to make for thc benefit of the inmates of this Asylum , but I am sure you will not think mc egotistical—you Will excuse me for saying it , it iS one of the most pleasing ( ncidenU of my life—that it was in January , 1-7 ** , lhat the inmate ' s of this Institution

presented rnc with this handsome watch ( produV . ilig il ) , which I now have the pleasure anil hcinouf of weaiing ; anel not only wilh the watt '* , but wilh a handsome locket which niy Wife now wears , anel with a miscro-copical lab'MCt . That tells me that not only have my efforts becn gratifying to you , but also to th ese who nre ihe objects of any little c ; ood I can elo under Ihe will of our

Divine Master . As I am not going to inflict e . u you a long speech , 1 have only to thank jou , anel if you think I have not elone so sufficiently you must atuibute it rather to a want of cloc | Uencc em my part , anel remember that there ale times when thc gift of language is denied us and our tongues ate dumb . Bro . llavnham Stewart V . reposed "The Health of the

Chairman , " ami : __ i lhat whenever Ceil . Creaton hael an opportunity of imparting pleasure to the inmaies of thc Institution , or of doing anything which would advance its interests , he always had the greatest happiness and pleasure in taking a . Ivantagc of it » The Chairman lu acknowledging the compliment said that it was always a pleasure lo him lo do anything for

the Institution ' , but it was especially a pleasure on this occasion , when hc had to present to Pr . Strong a testimonial in recognition of his service - . Hc was afraid hc hael discharged his to sic \ ery imperfectly , but he was glad that what had been elone had given satisfaction both to Dr . Mid Mrs . Strong . Uro . Terry informed the companions that the following

day would be the anniversary nf Dr . aud Mrs . Strong ' s wedding elay , and callcel on the ladies and brethren to wish them many happy returns of lhat day . This having been done , Dr , Strong said that during thc lime hc had becn married he had been bless ; el with a very good partner , a thorough gooel working partner , who hail assisteel him very materially on many occasions-.

Thc Chairman gave " The Health of thc Visitors , " and called on Mr . Hunt lo respond-. Mr . Hunt , in reply , said he was sorry he was not able to aeldrcss the gentlemen as brethren , for he was sure if he had he should have becn frequently the guest at many such agreeable meetings as this . Hc was present through the kind consideration of Dr . Strong , who had given him

and Mrs . Hunt the opportunity of witnessing a very gratifying ceremony , thc presentation of a testimonial to Dr , Strong . As a resident in Croydon he could testify to Dr , Strong's usefulness as a public man , and better than tb _ t , he was a gootl man , and the Croydon public looked to him as one of the rising- feneration—as a man who was likely to elo tlie-m a great deal of gooel in Croyelon . The Chairman

then proposed "The Health of Bro . Norris , the Warden of thc Asylum , " and said he hoped they would all have the pleasure of seeing him there many years . They appreciated all that he elid , aelmireel him very much , and were glad to come down there to see him . Bro . Norris thanked the Chairman and brethren most cordially for thc consideration they hail kindly shown to and his residents

Inm co- , whom he had the honour now to represent . He wished it to be thoroughly understood that the presentation of to-day was a presentation as from themselves . On . 1 former occasion hc and his co-residents did that which as far as their limited means went they were able to elo , and they wer-f now highly delighted to think that the Committee had come ' , forward and supplemented that ift l ;

g . The toast of "Dr . Adams " , ( Dr . Strong's profiassional partner ) , for which Dr . Adams responded ; J be Press , " to wliich Bro , Massey replied ; and " The Ladies , for whom Bro . G Forster responded , were afterwards given ; and after the proceedings were thus brought to a close the party were . ntertained by Dr . and Mrs . Strong at their residence .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held on Saturday last at l *' re . masons' Hall , under thc presidency ot Bro . Henry Browse . Thcbrethren who attended were very numerous , and among them were Bros . James Lewis Thomas , Benj : Head , Raynham W

Stewait , Joshua Nunn , George Row , W . _' . 0 . Moutrie , S . Rosenthal , Thos . Cubitt , J . W . M . Dosell , George Kenning , W . Worrell , H . T . Thompson , Rev . Dr . Morris , D . M . Dewar , F . Walters , Thos . J . Sabine , Capt . N . G . Philips , Alfred Durrant , Hyde Pullen , W . Roebuck , Geo . J . Palmer , F . H . F . bsworth , F . M . Haigh , T . J . Sabine , Geo . Newman , R . B . Webster , Joyce Murray , Herbert Dicketts , W . Paas , J . G . Chancellor , H . Venn , H . Cox , H . Jardinc ,

F . B . Davage , Peter de Lande Long , Col . James K . Peters , , | . R , Gover , H . A ; Dubois , . D . W . Pearse , W . II . Main , Dr . Hogg , A . J . Ireton , A . D . Locwenstaik , stark , Bros . Dudley Roll ; Aug ; Braun , S , B . Wilson , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . The minutes having been read and confirmed , Bros . h . B . We-ster , Thomas Cubitt , H . Jardine , H . Cox , and Willing were appointed scrutineers of votes at thc election of members of the House Committee , which was then

proceeded with 1 The brethren their cOnsldcrcel thc petitions of candidates for election to tlie tnstitutioh . Of these there were five , all of whose petitions were passed ; £ tnd the candidates placed en the list i' or October . , , Oh the rccoihmendatibn of the House Committee t _ c salary of Mrs . Walkelcn , ire aSSistalit matron at iM

School , was increased from £ 40 to £ 50 a-year . Bro . Binckes ( Secretary ) said hc hael to rcpoit that Bro . Plucknett ( Treasurer ) bad received from Mr . Turquand , representing the late firm of Messrs . Willis , Percival , and Co ., the sttrn of £ 730 6 s . id ,, being the amount of nine shillings in the pound agree , to be pliid by the Hanta and North Wilts Banking i-ompany t . the creditors of Messrs : of

Willis , Percival , and Co ., on taking over the business the firth . That amount had been paid into the London and Westminster Bank , Bloomsbury branch , to the account of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . There was yet th . amount of £ 13 4 s . 41 I . to the credit of the Sustentatioii Fund with Messrs . " Willis , Percival , and Co ., but it hael been declined to deal with that at present , the reason being that Bro . Samuel Tomkins was a Trustee of that fund , anil It

was believed that the amount wV-uld be paid in full out nf Bro . Tomkins' private estate . Bro . Binckes then reported that hc had received a communication from thc Secretary of the Loelge of Harmony , No . 2118 , held at Annc-strect , Rochdale , transmitting to him a copy of a rcsolutibh of the loelge , congratulating thc Royal Masonic Institution for Boys on the success which thc beiyo had met with at the late Cambiielge local middle-class

examination ; Applications having been made by four ex-pupils of the Institution who hael obtained situations for the usual outfit of £ 5 each , these applications were granted ; On the motion of llro . H . A ; Dubois * seconeled by Bibs Benj . Head , £ 106 was ordered to be transferred from Ihe General Account of the Institution to the Sustentation

Account . Bro . Benj . Head rcportcel the presentation to Mrs Monckton of hcr portrait . From an amateur pcrfoimance in which she look part £ 100 had been presented lei cacll of the Schools , anelit was decided atterwaids that a . teslie ' monial should be presented to Mrs . Monckton in whatevet form she preferred ; That lady preferred that it should tako

the form of a portrait of herself , and each of the two Institutions then resolved to spend a sum not exceeding £ io from their funds for the purpose . The portrait had been painted , and Mrs . Monckton , on . its presentation to ! her by Col . Creaton ; B ? o . Peter -le 1 ; . Loiig , aiid himself ( Uro : Hf ad ) , Was much pleased with it . The whole cost of the work was £ 1 , r *_ ., ot which the Girls' School had already

handed to him £ 8 18 s , 61 I ., leaving £ 8 18 s . 6 d , for thc Boys' School to hand over . The Chairman said all thc brethren were very much indebted to Bro . Head for the trouble he had taken iu the matter , and he begged to move a vote of thanks to him . Bro . Hyde Pullen seconded the motion , which was then put and carried unanimously .

Bro . Head acknowledged the compliment , and said it had given him great pleasure to present the testimonial . She was a young lady he bad known ever since she was a little girl , and her parents anel granel parents before her . Bro . Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., saiel he wished to ask the Committee to take into their kind consideration the providing of a workshop for the use of the boys , and by that

means to cultivate a knowledge of the mechanical arts among them . He thought it would be found useful on days when the weather woulel not allow the boys , to engage in outdoor exercises . There was a quantity of scientific apparatus in thc Institution which could not be used for want of room ; anel Inbelieved if the Institution were to take steps like this the .

brethren would be very happy to add to the present stock of scientific apparatus placed at the disposal of- the boys , and that they would soon get a collection of mechanical appliances , a . knowledge of the use of which woulel be of very great service to the boys in their after life . The cultivation of the use of their fingers he held to be of very great importance , and he was sure the Committee would

agree with him in that opinion . After a slight discussion it was resolved that the suggestion should be laid before the House Committee to consider , and report upon to the next Quarterly Court . Dr . Hogg to give the Committee his ideas more in full . At the declaration of the poll thc following brethren were declared duly elected en thc House Committee . : —