Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly committee meeting of this Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 8 th inst ., Bro . Major Creaton in the chair . There were also present : Bros . W . Farnfield , Sec . ; J . Hervey , G . S . ; E . H . Patten ,

B . Head , Young , Cox , J . Smith , F . Walters , G . Bolton , C . A . Cottebrune , J . Bellerby , and some others . The minutes of the January meeting were read and confirmed . It was announced that the legacy of ^ 200

willed to this Institution by the late Miss Sarah Dowsett , of Reading , had been received . The result of the festival held on Friday last was declared to amount , with other lists to come in , to £% , tfr 14 s- The usual vote of

thanks was given to the chairman who presided at the festival , Bro . Samuel Tomkins , G . T ., and to the Stewards who assisted in obtaining the good results on their lists , as also for their exertions at the festival—both votes being carried

unanimously . It was also carried unanimously , •' That the recommendation of the Finance Committee be carried into effect by allowing a clerk to be appointed , at ^ 50 a year , to assist Bro . Farnfield in liis increased duties ; the salary

to commence from the beginning of the financial year Dec . 1 st , 1870 . " The deaths of Bros . Birdsall , of Northampton , and John Simmons , of Southsea ( male annuitants ) , and Mrs . Ann Hamer , of Chichester ( female annuitadt ) , were

reported . It was decided that fifteen male and ten female annuitants should be elected on Friday , May 19 th , Other business having been disposed of , the usual vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting .

Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benenolent Institution.

FESTIVAL of the ROYAL MASONIC BENENOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual festival of this institution was held on Friday week , at Freemasons' Tavern . Our columns have for some time past announced that Bro . Colonel Francis Burdett , Prov . Grand Master for Middlesex , would take the chair on that occasion , and it was therefore greatly to

the surprise of the Craft that our last issue informed them that he would be unable to be present . The death of one of his near relatives happening a few days ago , he was compelled to throw on Bro . Farnfield , the Secretary of the Institution , the task of finding another brother

to occupy the President ' s place . The task was not a difficult one , for , as the gallant Colonel pointed out in the letter which we published , every Freemason is ready to assist his brother in time of need . The brother who stood in the gap on Friday week was Grand Treasurer Bro .

Samuel Tomkins , and the observations which fell from him when he proposed the toast of the evening were such as to show that the institution itself and Freemasonry stand not in need of a wise and thoughtful advocate . He was supported in his office by a numerous body of

brethren , many of the leaders of the Order taking part in the festivities of the evening . The new province of Middlesex , in honour of Colonel Burdett , was strongly represented by brethren , and its Treasurer , Bro . Buss , had the satisfaction of carrying in the largest lists of

of subscriptions . Above one hundred Stewards supported the claims of the fund , and among the brethren who were present we observed : —John LI . Evans , President of the Board of General Purposes ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , G . Chap . ; Major Creaton , P . G . D . ; Benjamin Head , P . G . U . ; George

Gumbleton , P . M . 10 ; S . L . Tomkins , P . G . D ; E . H . Patten , P . G . S . B . ; R . J . Spiers , P G . S . B . ; John Hervey , G . Sec ; H . Browse , P . G . D . ; Captain Cope , P . G . S . B . ; Edward Cox , V . P . ; R . Wentworth Little , Prov . G . Sec . Middlesex ; H . G . Buss , Prov . G . Treas . Middlesex ; John

Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benenolent Institution.

Bodenham , P . G . D . Staff . ; F . A . Philbrick . V . P . ; R . Spencer , V . P . ; W . Hepworth Radley , P . P . G . W . Lincolnshire ; J . Macre Moir ; G . M . E . Snow , V . P . and P . P . G . W . Kent ; W . Farnfield , Sec . ; E . M . Hubbuck , Treas . Board of Stewards ; J . A . Rucker . President of Board of

Stewards ; James Brett , G . P . ; John Coutts , A . G . P . ; W . Ough , P . G . P . ; F . Binckes , Sec . Boys' School ; H . T . Smith , P . G . S . WestYorks . ; George Kenning , W . M . 192 , P . G . S . Middlesex ; Matthew Cooke ; Samuel May , V . P . ; George Pymm , P . M . 749 ; Barnes , P . M . 933 ; Joseph

Tanner , P . M . 101 ; Stedvvell , Prov . G . J . W . Middlesex ; James Terry , P . M . 228 , & c ; A . D . Loewenstark , P . Z . 73 , & c . ; Dr . F . J . Lilley , P . M . 507 ; Edward Baxter , P . G . S . ; William Smeed , Alfred Layton , S . W . 181 ; T . Cubitt , P . M . 186 ; W . Mann , P . M . 186 •; E . J . Barrow , P . G . S . ; William Clouston ; J . T . Moss ,

P . M . 169 ; Albert Glover ; Israel Abrahams , P . M . 188 ; H . Keeble , 1275 ; Thomas Meggy ; F . Walters , P . M . 73 , & c . ; A . A . Pendlebury , P . M . 1506 , CSJC ; W . Dodd , W . M . 1194 ; Boncey , Partridge Sillifant , Hill , Welch , Capt . Payne , Allan , and Roebuck . Many ladies also witnessed the proceedings .

Grace having been sung after the drawing of the cloth , The CHAIRMAN rose and said : Brethren , before I address myself to my duties as your chairman on this occasion , I have to explain to you how it is that our friend , Colonel Burdett , is not here . He

has met with a severe bereavement in his family , and he has written the letter I am about to read to you to Bro . Farnfield : — " Dear Bro . Farnfield , —As a great many of the brethren may not have an opportunity of knowing the reason of my absence at the festival this evening , I shall feel it a great

favour if you will explain it to as many as you can , especially the Stewards , how much I regret not being able to be present , as . I have looked forward to it with much pleasure , knowing how well I should be supported ; but a very severe domestic affliction will entirely prevent it . In haste to catch the post , Yours sincerely , FRANCIS BURDETT . " Our friend ,

Colonel Burdett , not being able to take the chair , it has fallen to my lot to do so . I am sure you feel sympathy for him in his affliction , and I trust you will extend your kind consideration to me . ( Hear , hear ) . The chairman then proposed "The health of the Queen , " which , as usual , was heartily drunk , and succeeded by the singing of the National Anthem .

The CHAIRMAN : Brethren , the next toast I have to submit to you will prove your Masonic loyalty to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master . We are fortunate in possessing , not only so good a Grand Master in himself , but one who endeavours to follow in the steps of a series of noblemen who have so

ably fulfilled their duties as his predecessors . During the long reign of the Earl of Zetland Masonry made a great advance ; and if it should please God that Lord de Grey ' s reign should be as long , I have no doubt the progress of Freemasonry

during his rule will be as great in proportion . Not only do we pay this compliment to him as Master of the Craft , but as President of this Institution ; and I call upon you in those two characters to drink his health .

The CHAIRMAN : Brethren , the next toast I have to propose to you is " The healths of the Right Worshipful the Past Grand Masters , the Earl of Zetland and the Prince of Wales . " That is comparatively a new toast in our Masonic meetings . Though Lord Zetland ' s health has compelled him

to retire from his post as our ruler , he still feels an interest in Masonry as a Past Master , and we shall ever drink his health with enthusiasm and affection . But not only do we now drink the health of Lord Zetland , but we express our affection and esteem for the Prince of Wales , who also takes a genuine

and sincere interest in I- recmasonry . We are very proud and happy that he should do so , and I am sure upon this and all other occasions we shall cordially unite in remembering him at our gatherings . ( Cheers . ) The CHAIRMAN : Brethren , the next toast is that

of "The Right Worshipful the Deputy G . Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , and the Present and Past Grand Officers . " Now , I think we are happy in having so worthy a Deputy Grand Master . He feels an interest in his work , and the whole Craft and the whole community owe him their thanks for the kindness and courtesy with

which he took up the question , during the dull months of August and September , of aid to the sufferers in the great Continental war . That was entirely the act of Lord Carnarvon , and in so acting he carried out his duty as Deputy Grand Master , and met our wishes . The other Grand Officers feel highly honoured by being appointed Grand Officers ,

Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benenolent Institution.

and feel much pleasure in performing their duties . I shall call only on my friend , Bro . Llewellyn Evans , to return thanks for this toast . Bro . LL . EVANS : Right Worshipful Sir and brethren , I feel very highly honoured at being called upon to respond to the toast of the Past and

Present Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of England , although there is a brother present higher in rank than myself , to whom of right it ought to have fallen to acknowledge that toast . Brethren , our Right Worshipful President has told you that the Deputy Grand Master called Grand Lodge

together last year in an autumn month , and proposed and carried unanimously a vote of money for the relief of the sufferers in France ; but he did not tell you what I tell you—that , as Grand Treasurer , your chairman came forward and said , " I will pay the money at once without waiting for the

confirmation of the vote by the next Grand Lodge . " That shows you what sort of stuff our President of this evening is made of . With regard to the other officers of Grand Lodge , both present and past , I will only say for them , and for myself as one of them , that we are all anxious to discharge our duty

to Grand Lodge and the Craft in general , and your approbation is the utmost reward we desire . ( Cheers . ) The CHAIRMAN : Brethren , the toast I have now to propose to you is one of the deepest interest on the present occasion . ( Hear , hear . ) It is

"Success to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons . " It is unnecessary that I should say one word to you as to the present Masonic charity . Your presence here is a proof that you both feel your obligations and that you appreciate the pleasure to support it .

What would Masonry be without its charities ? They are an essential feature in the institution , and to see them flourish is the most gratif ying thin <> - that can happen to any Mason . Why do they flourish ? Because a great many brethren , as they gradually rise in Freemasonry , feel an interest in

the charities of the Craft . They first take the Stewardship of one charity , then of another , and then of a third . They interest the ' r brethren and their friends ; they keep up the traditional practice of charity in the Craft ; and the noble annual subscriptions that we see announced at our various

festivals are the result . Without this good feeli noon the part of the Craft , and on the part of the brethren who come forward to work the chanties as Stewards , they would present a very different figure to what they do ; and it is a matter of profound gratification to every one in Freemasonry to

see how the chanties flourish . This charity was the last of the three charities in the date of its formation ; but without it the Masonic scheme of charity would have been at fault . It was perfectly necessary that such an institution should exist to do justice to the scope and bearing of the charity we

ought to exercise , and to the kindness we feel towards our unfortunate brethren . It is a very gratifying point that for some years past the amount collected annually for our charities has been very much larger than it used to be in times past . That is an unmixed source of gratification to

every Mason . But I think we ought not to forget that , while this is owing partly to the exertions ° of the Stewards , partly to a better feeling prevailing in the Craft , it is , to a certain sense , owing to increased numbers . And what I want to draw your attention to is , that these great numbers will

infallibly , in the ordinary vicissitudes of human life produce a certain number of brethren who will require assistance from the Annuity Fund , whose widows will require to be assisted likewise by the Annuity Fund ; and whose children—boys and girls—will alsorcquircto be assisted in the schools .

While wc congratulate ourselves on our prosperity as charities , that prosperity is largely owing to our increased numbers ; and that the increased numbers will bring more claimants on our charity we cannot doubt . All honour to the Stewards ! all honour to the Craft ! But unless we are actuated

by the same feelings of sympathy , our charity will not be in proportion to our increased numbers ; and therefore it is necessary that on this occasion this consideration should be borne in mind—that , owing to our increased numbers , the amounts raised are not at all too much ; they are very gratifying-, but

we require them not only to be kept up , but to be increased . And if we only bear this in mind ; if we are thankful for the progress wc have already made , but are determined that that progress shall only lead to further fruits , we are quite right ; if wc rest on our oars wc are quite wrong . I will not detain

you further on this topic ; but I will just give you a few statistics of our ;> : t and present position . The institution for granting annuities to aged Freemasons was suggested by the Most Worshipful Grand Master his late Royal Highness the Duke

of Sussex , in the year 1842 . Since which time 316 aged brethren have been elected on the funds , to whom have been paid up to the end of December , 1870 , the sum of , £ 34 , 845 5 s . After the election in May last there were 100 male annuitants , each