Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management held their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday . Bro . J . A . Farnfield , P . A . G . D . C , Treasurer of the Institution , occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . James Brett , P . G . P . ; W . H . Hubbert , S . Vallentine P . G . P . ; W . J . Murlis , Robert Griggs , C . J . Perceval , C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . S .

Cumberland , G . E . Fairchild , W . J . Crutch , R . C . Cummings , A Durrant , S . V . Abraham , G . P . ; S . Cochrane , H . J . Strong , A . G . D . C . ; C . Kempton , C . H . Webb , James Bunker , Alfred Moore , F . Mead , P . G . S . B . ; and John Mason ( acting Secretary ) . The minutes of the preceding Committee having been read and verified , the ACTING SECRETARY reported

the death of one widow annuitant . The Warden's report for the past month was read . The Committee having taken into their consideration and approved the petitions of five candidates ( three men and two widows ) and directed their names to be entered on the lists for the election in May , 1893 , Bro . W . j . MURLIS proposed , and Bro . C . F . HOGARD seconded , and it was unanimously agreed " that in

consideration of the purchase of , £ 50 , 000 India 3 per Cent . Stock having been effected by Bro . James E . Terry without any commission being charged , saving the Institution a sum of over £ 140 , and in pursuance of Law 26 , he be elected Honorary Vice-President of the Institution with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto . " The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

Laying Foundation Stone By The P.G.M. Of Suffolk.

LAYING FOUNDATION STONE BY THE P . G . M . OF SUFFOLK .

The final step towards the completion of All Saints ' Church , Ipswich , was taken on Wednesday , the 3 rd inst ., when the foundation-stone of the tower was . laid with Masonic ceremonial . For this purpose the Prov .

G . M ., Lord Henniker , held an especial Grand Lodge at the Parish Room , at which the Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers present included Bros , the Deputy G . M ., Rev . J . C . Martyn ; S . R . Anness , P . PJ . G . D . ; VV . P . Mills , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . C . Norman , P . P . S . G . W . ; H . J . Wright , P . G . D . C . ; George Cornish , P . P . S . G . W . ;

C . H . Woods , P . P . G . P . ; Rev . J . H . Pilkington , P . G . Chap . ; George Booth , P . G . P . ; C . G . Hayward , P . ff . G . R . ; Geo . P . Price , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; B . J . Hunt , P . ff . G . P . ; Rev . S . Maude , P . P . G . Chap . ; Alfred Ba | nes , P . P . G . S . B . ; John Talbot , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . B . Jefferies , P . P . G . S . of W . ; Rev . L . D . Nenyon-Stow , P . G . Chjap . ; Charles H . Downes , P . G . Stwd . ; J . C . Hills ,

P . P . J . G . W . ; George R . Quilter , P . G . Stwd . ; W . Cuckow , P . G . Stwd . ; B . P . Grimsey , P . P . J . G . W . ; Andrew Boa , P . P . G . S . of W . ; A . W . Cook , P . P . G . P . ; H . Miller , jun ., P . P . G . P . ; T . J . Noble , P . P . A . G . D . C ; Geo . Abbott , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Walesby , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . J . Wilton , P . P . G . S . ofW . ; F . C . Atkinson , P . A . G . S . ;

W . Inglis Mason , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Sergeant , P . G . S . B . ; H . Efwes , P . S . G . W . ; N . Tracy , P . G . S . ; and Sir Charles Dalrymple , M . P ., Deputy G . M . ( Scotland ) , also attended , together with a large number of members of the Ipswich and other lodges . The Grand Lodge having been opened , the brethren ,

in full Craft clothing , marched in procession to the church , the body of which was reserved for them , the rest of the building being filled by the public . Amongst the surpliced clergy present were the Rev . J . Sheldon Jones ( incumbent ) , Rev . Vthil Barrington , Rev . R . H . Cautley , Rev . A . H . Hayes , Rev . W . F . Clark . Rev . E .

Oakley , Rev . W . Berry , and Rev . J . Best . The service "vas a shortened form of es-ening prayer , with full choral accompaniment . The lesson was read by the Rev . Ythil Barrington , and the prayers by the Rev . R . H . Cautley , the sermon being preached by the D . P . G . M .. Bro . C . I . Martvn .

who took for his text the Sth verse of the 132 nd Psalm " ~ 'Arise , O Lord , into thy rest ; thou and the ark of 'hy strength . " In the course of his observations , the preacher reminded them that in laying the foundationstone of the tower that day they were supplementing and completing the work so happily commenced six

years ago , when the foundation-stone of the church was laid . He made an earnest appeal to the congregation ™ give pecuniary assistance towards the development ? ' the church , and make it in the future , as it had been " 1 the past , a blessing and a comfort in the salvation 01 those who from time to time assembled svithin its

sacred walls . The collection amounted to £ 21 4 s . At the conclusion of the service the procession svas gain formed , headed by the choir and clergy , and prodded to the site of the building , the processional , ymn commencinp- "In the name which r-arth nnd

e aven . " Prayer having been offered by the incum-° * t > Mr . A . Wrinch ( churchwarden ) , on behalf of the vin ' 10 ! 1 Bu--aln J * * Committee , briefly addressed the Proivou ^ d Master , observing that his lordship ., •d Perhans like to know that the nonulation of

the > ar's' 1 - increased to a very large extent during chut ? " " ** y . ear 8 . Since tne foundation-stone of the the WaS * al ^ ' S ° !" ouses na * - ** been built , while Wh P ° P ' ' had increased something like 700 . pre ' tnerefore , they remembered that the church at the Sent co ?^ only accommodate 500 persons , he thought c ] u , ^ ity of enlargement was palpable . He cons ton , - asking the Prov . Grand Master to have the dul y and properly laid . The upper stone was then

Laying Foundation Stone By The P.G.M. Of Suffolk.

raised , and the lower one adjusted , and the Provincial Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . L . D . Kenyon-Stow , offered prayer , after which Bro . Tracy read the inscription on the plate , recording the fact that the stone was laid by Lord Henniker , and this was placed on the Iosver stone . Bro . Anness deposited a phial containing coins ; the cement was then spread , and the Provincial

Grand Master adjusted the same svith a silver trosvel presented to him . While the upper stone was being lowered , the choir sang the hymn commencing "Christ is our corner-stone . " The Provincial Grand Master aftersvards proved the just position and poise of the stone by the plumb rule , level , and square , which svere successively delivered to

him by the Prov . Junior and Senior Grand Wardens . The cornucopia containing corn , and the ewers with wine and oil , svere next handed to the Prov . Grand Master , who thereupon strewed the corn and poured the wine and oil over the stone with the accustomed ceremonies . The Prov . Grand Chaplain having offered

the dedication prayer , the supervising architect ( Mr . A . Field ) was presented to the Provincial Grand Master , who subsequently delivered a short address , in the course of which he expressed the feeling of interest he always entertained in the town of Ipswich , and the pleasure he had in assisting in any movement tor its benefit .

The ceremony having been concluded , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . The tower will be erected at the south-west corner of the church , rising to a height of about 100 feet . It is of octagonal design , with a small lead-covered spire . The architectural style is a free treatment of late Decorative . The foundation-stone bears the

inscription— " Erected to the glory of God , 1892 . This foundation-stone was laid by Masons of the Suffolk Provincial Grand Lodge , August 3 , 1892 . Right Hon . Lord Henniker , P . G . M . ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , D . P . G . M . ; N . Tracy , P . G . S . J . Sheldon Jones , M . A ., Vicar . A . Wrinch , C . Barrell , Churchwardens . " The inscription on the other side is— " In dedicatione ecclesiae omnium sanctorum . "

Opening Of A New Masonic Hall At Bridgend.

OPENING OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT BRIDGEND .

On Monday , the 25 th ult ., the nesv Hall built at Bridgend by the members of the Ogmore Lodge , No . 17 S 2 , was formally opened , when there was a large attendance of the Fraternity . The hall is situate in Adare-street , and is a striking architectural addition to the main buildings of the town . It was designed

by Mr . G . F . Lambert , architect , and built by Mr . Wm . Francis , at a cost of £ 1150 including extras . The building has a front of white brick , and is freely treated with Bath and local stone . The upper rooms consisting of spacious hall , reception and ante-rooms , offices , & c , are specially laid out for Masonic use , and on the exterior front , emblems of the Order are

displayed . On the basement are three suites of offices , all well lighted and roomy . There are two entrances , the main one leading to a flight of stairs by which the Masonic Hall was reached ; the side entrance leads to offices on the ground floor . The hall is lighted from the coved ceiling , and it is fitted up specially for the purposes for which it is dedicated . The opening of

the hall svas fixed for the installation day , or annual meeting of the brethren , when the nesvly-elected Master is always duly installed in office for the ensuing 12 months , or until his successor has been appointed and installed in his stead . The choice of the brethren this year fell upon Bro . David McLellan , the Senior Warden of the past year and from the interest he has taken in

the welfare of the lodge for some years past , there is every reason to believe that his year of office will be a successful one . Thc lodge was opened in the presence of a large gathering of members and visitors , by the retiring Master , Bro . E . T . David . After some preliminaries the ceremony of installation was proceeded with , the onerous duties of Installing

Master being ably performed by Bro . T . B . Boucher , P . M . At the conclusion the usual congratulations took place , and then Bro . McLellan invested his officers as follows : Bros . E . T . David , I . P . M . ; R . Scale , S . W . ; Wm . Francis , J . W . ; James Jones , Chap . ; J . Herdman , Treas . ; W . Jones , Sec . ; R . Conibear , S . D . ; W . H . Morgan , J . D . ; R . Emlyn Jones , I . G . ; T . C . Forrester , ¦

D . C . ; D . T . Williams , Org . F . W . Nicholls , Stwd . ; and A . D . Webber , Tyler . In addition to the members of the lodge there were present .- Bros . Marmaduke Tennant , D . P . G . AI . ; Hughes , P . M . 1753 ; J . A . Leyshon , Windsor Lodge ; T . R . Hunt , W . M . Talbot Lodge ; H . F . Clarke , P . M . 883 , P . G . S . B . ; L . Jenkins , W . M . Afan Lodge ; M . G . Roberts , Sec . Afan Lodge ; J . L . Jenkins , Avondale Lodge , U . S . A . ; T . O . Williams .

Yarborough Lodge ; D . Roberts , W . M . 36 , 1578 ; and among the company were thc follosving : Bros . J . C . Coath , P . M . ; L . Beha , P . M . ; John Hemming , P . M . ; P . P . G . Reg . ; and T . B . Boucher , P . M . At the close of the lodge the brethren repaired to the Wyndham Arms Hotel , where a capital banquet was svell-served by Mr . and Mrs . Jones , and about 50 sat down .

After the repast , the usual Masonic toasts were given and interspersed with some excellent songs , the vocalists being ably accompanied by Bro . D . T . Williams on the pianoforte .

The Duke of York , in recognition of his title of Earl of Inverness , has sent a donation of £ 10 to the prize fund of the Highland Rifle Association , the act having been received with great satisfaction north of the Tweed .

Unveiling Of A Banner Of The Tristram Lodge , No. 2415.

UNVEILING OF A BANNER OF THE TRISTRAM LODGE , No . 2415 .

On Friday , the 29 th ult ., Bro . the Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., D . P . G . M . of Durham , with several of the Prov . Grand Officers , Past Masters , and brethren of the various lodges , visited the Tristram Lodge , " No . 2415 , Shildon . The special function discharged was

the unveiling of a handsome banner presented to the Tristram Lodge by the reverend brother after whom it is named . In the course of the proceedings Bro . Canon Tristram expressed his gratification at being present , considering himself as greatly honoured by the lodge being named after him , seeing that after he had been gathered to his fathers the name " Tristram "

would thus be handed dosvn from generation to generation of Freemasons at Shildon . The rev . Canon afterwards gave an interesting explanation of the bearings on the shield depicted on the banner , part of svhich was borne by one of his ancestors , who had taken part in the third crusade . The crest , consisting

of an " Alpine Swift , " and the motto , Fortiter gerit crucem , were lucidly dwelt upon as to their bearing upon the family name of Tristram . The following officers and brethren took part in the prceedings : Bros . Babington Boulton , P . M ., P . P . G , Treas ., C . Jackson , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap ., Wm . Hobson ,

P . M ., P . P . f . G . D ., B . S . Beckwith , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., and John Bailey , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., of in ; Thos . Dunn , P . M . 121 , P . D . G . D . of C . ; J . H . Jackson , P . AL 940 , P . P . S . G . D . ; D . Dodd , P . M ., C . N . Barker , P . M ., T . Banks , P . M ., G . W . Jennings , P . M ., W . J . Anderson , F . J . Lloyd , J . T . Elliott , T . H . Thompson , J . R . Dixon , J . Bowman , Richard Thompson , W . Wilkinson , and R .

Thompson , of H 2 t ; G . Emerson , P . M ., Thomas Hardy , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., W . T . Wanless , M . Taylor , W . Addison , W . Turner , and Thomas Linton , of 2019 ; T . Farthing , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., W . J . Sanderson , P . M ., and John Teasdale , P . M ., of 1932 ; Thos . Douglas , 1230 ; B . S . Beckwith , P . M . 1650 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Reed , W . M ., P . P . G . P ., j . Barnet , E . Mutimer , S .

Fielden , T . Thompson , T . W . Richardson , G . R . Brown , J . Addison , R . Storey , Thomas Jackson , T . Tarn , J . T . Coates , W . A . Mason , C . B . Johnson , W . Chapman , T . Briggs , W . Hunter , Jos . Henderson , G . Askew , and John Garthwaite , of 2415 . At the close of the ceremony the brethren adjourned to the British Schools for dinner . The banner was designed and manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

Bro. Dr. Spark's Organ Recital At The Priory Church.

BRO . DR . SPARK'S ORGAN RECITAL AT THE PRIORY CHURCH .

On Thursday , the 4 th instant , Bro . Dr . Spark , the talented Organist at the Town Hall , Leeds , gave recitals on the grand organ built by Anneessens , of Grammont , Belgium , and afforded very great pleasure

to large audiences , not only for the beauty of the works selected , but by the expressive and brilliant manner in which they were performed . The composers represented in the programmes included Bach , Mendelssohn , Handel , Mozart , Schumann , Smart , Witz , Batiste , and the executant himself , whose "Jerusalem the Golden "

and " Repose gave much charm to those who were privileged to be present . It may not be unfitting here to conclude this necessarily brief notice by quoting from a recently written biographical sketch of the Doctor from " The Leeds Biographer : " "To him we undoubtedly owe the establishment of the first and second Leeds Musical

Festivals . Dr . Spark has now been organist of the Leeds Town Hall for a period of 34 years , and , in recognition of this and his other great services to art , he has been placed by her Majesty the Queen on the Civil List , besides being entertained by over 100 gentlemen at a public dinner , and afterwards was presented by Mayor Emsley svith a purse of £ 150 , Mrs . Spark receiving at the same time a handsome piece of plate . "

"Prince Mahomed Eusoof" Of Afghanistan.

"PRINCE MAHOMED EUSOOF" OF AFGHANISTAN .

We have been at some trouble to obtain further information concerning this personage who was the subject of recent letters addressed to ourselves and to the Freemason . As to his identity with William Robert Davis , once

an Apothecary in the Indian Subordinate Medical Service , there is no doubt . His father , who was also an Apothecary in the same service and now pensioned , resides at Hussanganj in Lucknow . The strange proceedings of Mr . Davis may possibly be accounted for on a charitable assumption of mental aberration , as we are informed there are grounds for

supposing he may have inherited an infirmity of that nature . His career , however , has , so far as we can learn , been anything but creditable . When in the Medical Department he went to England on service , and there married , under false pretences , a respectable English girl whom he ill-treated when he brought her to India . She left him and found her way back home . In 1875 Apothecary Davis was placed under arrest

for misappropriation of hospital stores , & c , and was dismissed the service in the following March . He had been dismissed on a previous occasion for absenting himself without leave , but was re-instated . It is right that the Craft , upon which he has been imposing in the most shameless manner , should know the facts and be warned against this man . —Indian Masonic Review .