Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of the subscribers to the Roval Masonic Institution for Boys held its regular monthly meeting on Saturday last , at Freemasons ' Hall , Bro . George Plucknett , P . G . D ., Treasurer of the Institution , in the chair . There vvere also present Bros . C . H . Webb , James Brett , P . G . P ., Senior

Vice-President of the Board of Benevolence , Gordon Smith , John Jones , H . Dickey , W . W . Morgan , H . Massey , Arthur E . Gladwell , and F . Binckes ( Secretary ) . As it was arranged at the July meeting that , on account of the Naval Review on Saturday and the August Bank Holiday on the following- Monday , very

few brethren being likely to attend this meeting , the business to be transacted should be postponed till ( to-morrow ) Saturday , the ioth inst ., the only work done vvas to read and confirm the minutes of the July meeting , and this course having been pursued , Bro . JOHN JONES suggested that the adjournment

should be advertised in the newspapers . He did not think the brethren generally understood that there was to be an adjournment . The business to be transacted vvas very important . The Provisional Committee vvas to bring up its further report , and he desired that the action to be taken upon that report should not be

adop ted at a small meeting . He hoped that no one would be able to say that it was done at a hole-andcorner meeting . He , therefore , trusted the meeting vvould be advertised in the usual way . Bro . BINCKES said it could not be in the usual way , because the meetings of the General Committees were not advertised . He thought the brethren knew of the

adjourned meeting , and , although it had not been advertised , he had seen it noticed in some newspapers . However , there vvould be no difficulty about advertising . All that Bro . Jones had to do was to make a motion that the adjourned meeting for the ioth inst ., at 4 p . m ., be advertised , and if it was seconded and carried , he ( Bro . Binckes ) would send the advertisement out at

once . Bro . J ONES then moved , and Bro . J AMES BRETT seconded , that the adjourned meeting be advertised . The motion was carried , and a vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

Report Of The Devon Masonic Educational Fund, 1887-8.

REPORT OF THE DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND , 1887-8 .

'' The time having come for the issue of the Fifth Report , and the Devon Masonic Educational Fund having been now some 10 years at work , a brief glance at the past will not be amiss . " On December 31 st , 18 79 , the sum of ^ " 400 was

deposited at interest , four children had been elected in June , and another four in December of that year , which was an excellent beginning ; and , notwithstanding unexpected difficulties in the formation of the Institution , tokens of prosperity have constantly sustained the founders and promoters from then to now .

' The Second Report , for the years 1881-2 , was not so cheering as vvas anticipated by the most sanguine , but still the receipts were slightly in advance of the expenditure ; but the Third , for 1883-4 , indicated a growing interest in the movement , and the recommendation of

the Committee , that a Charity Steward should be appointed annuall y by each lodge , has doubtless been the means of leading more brethren of late years to regularl y subscribe . " Our respected Bro . Vincent Bird , vvho had been

1 reasurer from the inaugural meeting to April , 188 3 , resi gned , and was succeeded b y the lamented Bro . Leonard D . Westcott , who had the pleasure of anouncing that the invested funds to December 31 st , 1884 , amounted to £ 484 13 s . 8 d .

ihe Fourth , for the years 1885-6 , exhibited a most gratif ying advance , the value of the Fund on December "V ! -u the latter vear bein S £ 6 i ° * s - 6 d - > and JI -Lniidren were enjoying the full benefits of the . Society . 'Now the Fifth Report is published . Through the i — - •' •*¦ «¦ * - [ " - ' * ¦ - » -J -juwuuiivui iinuutii t-nt ;

"ecease of Bro . Westcott , our indefatigable Bro . John •Lord has become the third Treasurer , and has most e "cieritl y discharged the duties of that important „ o ' his accounts being made up to December 31 st , w'nl and to the end of the same month for l 888 - h ' be ? that a remarkable increase in the Fund has 11 ¦ ¦ ¦ wiiuina lll ClOl 111 LUC LUILl llflO

,.., * " - " ••- « - . WJ- - ^ H _ ^ J . liuri " v ? e since the Fourth Report was issued , especiall y fr < '"^ u year l 88 - ' when over , £ 300 were received •it ll ! s ? bscri P tions and donations , and cash in hand and ' " TV , < , ' de P * t , & c , amounted to - £ 730 1 is . 1 id . held f , Masonic Exhibition for Devon and Cornwall ' , . Q - « the Huyshe Masonic Temnle frnm TnnP o . nrh

i > r J - ' 7 , considerably aided in this increase of vin ™ y ' The Prov * Grand Masters of the two proliedla- V - o 6 Patrons ' 44 brethren and lodges qualiso he " ,: lce " Patrons > and co-operated with the officers exhibit-c the exllibition was a great success . The lisheH * ' L wluch a descriptive catalogue was publ ; , i . J' . numbered 1001 , considerable interest bein ?

attend ^ .. y by the Craft ' but h Y non-Masons , who consist ;? , , ™ mine the numerous objects of value , the 111 " j Masonic bcoks , medals , engravings , & c , hitherlrf •° . , 'f has never been collected or seen * he neces" WeSt ° En ^After payment of owing- to tb ? P enses > wh * ch were exceptionall y li ght , halance of " ¦ econoni y exercised , the substantial Tr eaSurpr . \ r ° i , [ , ; ""emained , and was handed to the ^ und . ehalf of the Devon Masonic Educational " advan ce has again taken place in the total Funds ,

Report Of The Devon Masonic Educational Fund, 1887-8.

the year ending December 31 st , 1888 , showing the sum ° f * 7 85 os . 2 d . ; but the ' subscriptions and donations , have fallen down to . £ 224 16 s . 7 d . " On behalf of the mothers of numerous candidates who are seeking admission , or are desirous of so doing when sufficient vacancies occur , it is to be hoped that

more brethren will become subscribers , and that old friends of the Institution will again aid the funds , and thus increase their qualifications . If each member in the province vvould give but five shillings annually and regularly , there would be a sufficient income , with the help of the lodges and chapters , to elect all eligible

candidates , as well as permanently to raise the invested capital . More energetic means might surely be taken to secure the interest of the hundreds of new brethren admitted from year to year , and every lodge , chapter , and other Masonic bod y in Devon should make it a point of honour to be well represented on the

list of subscribers . " Be it remembered that our good friend and Bro . John B . Gover has freely given his invaluable services as Honorary Secretary from the foundation of the Society ; that there is not a penny paid in salaries of any kind ( the costs incurred being simply for '

incidentals ' ); that the whole of the money is raised and spent in the province for the ' education , clothing , and advancement in life of children of distressed or deceased Freemasons ; ' that 29 have been elected to its benefits from 1870 to 1888 , that 11 are still on the

Fund ; and that if the help needed is forthcoming , two more will be elected in October , and the same number in April next . "In view of these facts , may I not fairly conclude with the words , Brethren , do your duty 1 " W . J . HUGHAN . " Torquay , June 27 th , 1889 . "

Red Crass Of Rome And Constantine.

Red Crass of Rome and Constantine .

GRAND CONCLAVE OF KENT . The annual meeting of the Divisional Grand Conclave of Kent was held at the Sun Hotel , Chatham , on Friday , the 19 th ult ., under the banner of the Pentangle Conclave , No . 147 . The Pentangle Conclave having been been opened and its business transacted , the Intendant General of

Kent , Illustrious Sir Knight F . Wood , and his Deputy , Sir Knight Dr . Penfold , and the Divisional Grand Officers were received under the arch of steel . The Intendant General having assumed the throne , declared Divisional Grand Conclave duly opened . The muster roll was called , and the minutes of the last meeting

( held at East Greenwich , 2 nd July , 1888 ) were read , and , on motion duly made and carried , were confirmed and signed . Letters of apology for absence were read from several Divisional Officers and members , including Sir Knights the Baron De Ferrieres , the Grand Recorder , Rev . Hayman Cummings , Lake , and others . A

telegram arriving announcing the unavoidable detention of Grand Treasurer , the D . G . Recorder read his cash statement , and it vvas decided that Sir Kni ght Holmes be appointed Auditor , and that the accounts be submitted to the Intendant General and each

Recorder in the division when duly audited . The Divisional Grand Treasurer , Sir Knight Dr . Burney , was then unanimously re-elected , no other name being brought forward . The following officers vvere appointed ancl invested : Sir Knight Dr . Penfold (

re-appointed for 3 years ) Deputy I . G . ,, C . V Cotterell ... Viceroy Eusebius . „ C . Jolly ... ... Senior General . ,, C . R . Cobham ... Junior General . „ Rev . H . Cummings ... Hi gh Prelate . ,, W . C . S . Burney ... Treasurer . ,, A . H . Bateman ... Recorder . „ S . J . Brice ... ... Chamberlain . „ A . Holmes Marshal . „ J . Ovenden ... ... Prefect . ,, W . C . Weiss ... ... Insp . ofReg . J . W . Nash ist Std . Br . „ C . Kennedy ... ... Swd . Br . „ W . Kipps ... ... Organist . „ G . Church ... ... ist Herald . ,, J . S . Gibson-Sugars ... 2 nd Herald . A . H . Bateman ... D . C . ,, J . Oram ... ... Sentinel .

The by-laws passed at last D . G . C . vvere presented in proof , and subject to certain trilling alterations . They vvere accepted and confirmed , and ordered to be printed when funds permit . Nothing further offering for the good of Christian Masonry in general , or this D . G . Conclave in

particular , the same was closed in the usual manner , and Pentangle Conclave vvas thereafter closed in imperial form , and the sir knig hts adjourned to refreshment , provided by Sir Knight Spurrier . At the conclusion of the banquet the toasts usual to Christian Masonry vvere duly honoured , and the sir

knig hts separated with entire fraternity and in perfect harmony . It was understood that the next meeting would be held at Belvedere , July , 18 90 , under the banner of Saye and Sele Conclave ; also that a meeting , or meetings , for " instruction" be held at Belvedere , as the most central position , at an early date .

Presentation To Bro. Captain Murrell In Leeds.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . CAPTAIN MURRELL IN LEEDS .

Bro . Captain Murrell , captain of the steamshi p Missouri , who saved 800 lives from the wreck of the emigrant steamshi p Danmark in mid-Atlantic last April , attended his lodge—Fidelity , Carlton Hill , Leeds —on the ist inst ., and vvas passed to the Degree of F . C . by the W . M ., Bro . Richard Jackson . There was

a very numerous gathering present , the proceedings being of special interest . After the ceremony , an address vvas presented to Bro . Captain Murrell by the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . T . W . Tew , on behalf of the lodge . Subsequently the brethren met for supper , vvhen the usual toasts vvere honoured .

The address , vvhich is handsomel y illuminated on vellum and bound in scarlet morocco , runs as follows : "To Bro . Hamilton Murrell , Captain of the SS . Missouri . '' Dear Sir and Brother .

We , the Worshipful Master , Officers , Past Masters , and Brethren of the Lodge Fidelity , No . 28 9 , desire to tender to you our hearty congratulations upon your recent act of great bravery in rescuing the passengers and crew of the shi p Danmark in mid-ocean on the 5 th day of April last . We feel that your action on

that occasion vvas not only characteristic of a true British sailor , but was prompted by the hi ghest instincts of humanity . Your noble exertions on behalf of those in distress practicall y illustrates one of the great fundamental principles of our ancient Institution .

We are proud to number you among the members of our lodge , and gratified to find that your distinguished action has not only been recognised by the people of this country , but also by othe * - nationalities . We wish you long life and health , and continued prosperity in all your undertakings . "

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . C . SPENCE BATE , F . R . S . Bro . C . Spence Bate , whose unexpected death on the 29 th ult . we briefly noted last week , was a Mason of considerable distinction in the Province of Devonshire , and had been connected with the Fraternity for upwards of 30 years . He was a member and , with the exception

of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , P . G . M . Cornwall , the senior Past Master of the Lodge of Sincerity , No . 18 9 , Stonehouse , having taken an active part in the revival of that now prosperous and distinguished lodge , and filled the chair of Master in 186 3 . In 1866 he was appointed Prov . G . Registrar . He was also a Past Z .

of the Sincerity Chapter , having occupied the chair of First Principal in 1865 , and vvas Prov . G . J . in 1866 . In Mark Masonry he had been Dep . Prov . G . M . M . M . to the late Bro . Col . Tanner Davey from i 860 to the date of the hitter ' s death , and had been recommended as his successor in the office of Prov . G . Master , though , through an accident , the recommendation had not been

acted upon , and the annual meeting of Prov . G . Mark Lodge had been postponed in consequence , in order that attention mi ght be called to the oversi ght . Bro . Bate had likewise taken a great interest in the local Masonic Charities , and was a Life-Subscriber to . the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . His death will be a great loss to the Province of Devonshire , as well as to the various learned societies vvith which he had been connected for many years .

The "Masonic Poem" Of A.D. 1390.

THE "MASONIC POEM" OF A . D . 1390 .

The most ancient extended and undoubted record of Freemasonry extant is the well-known British Museum MS ., " Bibl . Regius , " or " Halliwell MS . " By universal consent it is of great antiquity . Prior to thc present year , however , this invaluable " Masonic

Poem " has never been published in fnc simile . This notable vvork has just been accomplished by the Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , London , the literary Masonic lodge of the world—which has issued it in the first volume of its " Masonic Reprints , " under the title of " Quatuor Coronati Anti-Graphia . " Of the beauty ,

the interest , and the value of this fac simile , and of the entire volume , vve cannot speak in too laudatory terms . It reflects the hi ghest credit on the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , its Secretary , our esteemed friend and Brother , Geo . Wm . Speth , the accomplished Secretary of the lodge , and editor of the volume , and on Bro . Robert

1- reke Gould , the historian of Freemasonry , who is the commentator on the Masonic Poem , and the other curious contents of this reprint . We use onl y measured language vvhen we say that this volume should be in the library of every Freemason

vvho has any desire for culture . It is handsome , it is curious , it is valuable—to our mind one of the most valuable monographs ever issued on Freemasonry . We must commend , also , in the highest terms , Bro . Gould ' s thoughtful , able , and entirely satisfactory commentary on the poem . —Keystone .

The Emperor of Germany lias conferred upon the Ouecn thc proprietorship of the ist Regiment of Dragoons of thc Guard , and a deputation from the Regiment waited upon her Majesty at Osborne on Monday . The Emperor has

also conferred upon the Duke of Cambridge the proprietorship of the 2 . Sth Regiment , of vvhich the great Duke ol Wellington vvas proprietor , and in this case also a deputation has waited upon his Royal Highness the Commanderin-Chief .