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Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Page 1 of 2 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Page 1 of 2 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The 76 th Anniversary Festival of this Institution was held on Wednesday evening at Freemason's Tavern . The Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Marquess of Ripon , presided , and was supported by Lord Balfour , of Burleigh , G . S . W . ; Col . Burdett , Prov . G . M ., Middlesex
Bro . John Hervey , G . S . ; Bro . R . J . Spiers , P . G . S . B . ; Bro . T . Fenn , P . G . D . C . ; Bro . Raynham VV . Stewart , P . G . D . ; Bro . Capt . Piatt , G . P W . j Bro . J . Boyd , P . G . P . ; Bro . Goodall , Bro . Dr . J . H . Graham , G . M ., G . L . of Quebec , and many other distinguished brethren . There
were also about 400 brethren present , besides a large number of ladies , who were entertained at a separate banquet . At the conclusion of the banquet grace was sung , and the toasts were proceeded with . In giving the toast of " Her Most Gracious
Majesty the Queen , ' the Chairman said : I need not tell you what is the first toast which I intend to ask you to drink this evening . You are all well aware that that toast can only be the " Health of Her Majesty the Queen . " Good Freemasons are invariably loyal subjects , and
the " Health of Our Gracious and Beloved Sovereign" is always drunk with the utmost enthusiasm on every occasion when Freemasons meet together . But this evening , when Ave drink her Majesty's health , we do not merely drink it as Sovereign of these realms , but we drink it
also as the illustrious patroness of the Institution on whose behalf we are assembled to-night . ( Cheers . ) By graciously granting her patronage to the Boys' School , the Queen has shown both her approval of our ancient Craft , and her
interest m this valuable Institution ; and I call upon you therefoTe with more than ordinary enthusiasm , if that be possible , to drink •'' The Health of Her Majesty the Queen . " The toast having been duly honoured ,
The Chairman said : Again I rise to propose to you a toast which needs no words of mine to recommend it . It is " The Health of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " ( Cheers . ) And I am proud to think that this
toast m these fortunate times may be regarded not merely as a toast of national interest , but as also an especially Masonic toast . ( Hear , hear . ) The " Health of our Most Worshipful Brother the Prince of AVales , " is a toast which goes straight to the heart of every member of this
great fraternity . ( Cheers . ) But on the present occasion it is not impossible that our thoughts may turn even from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to think of those two illustrious members of the British Royal Family who are about to make their entry into this capital
to-morrow . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , we of the Masonic Craft are apt , though the outside world may not think so , to be beforehand with the rest of the country in all that is good . Let us show that that is true to-night , and let us be the first to welcome with a hearty welcome their
Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh . ( Cheers . ) Lord Balfour of Burleigh , S . G . W ., said : Brethren , a very pleasant task is imposed upon me this evening , at least , it would be very pleasant to me if it was a little easier for me to do
it justice . But it is not easy to chronicle the virtues of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master . ( Hear , hear . ) I know that you will receive his name with the utmost enthusiasm , and that feeling makes me the more confident that any shortcomings on my part will not detract from
the welcome you will give him this evening . It is but a very few nights ago that I was a witness to his re-election to preside over you for the ensuing year . His re-election on that occasion was conducted with a unanimity which cannot be too highly praised , and wilh a cordiality which I think can be rarely exceeded . Our
M . W . G . M . has been born to a very high station , and we can say how well he adorns that station . ( Hear , hear . ) He has chosen one of the most arduous careers which it is possible for a man to choose , that of assisting in governing his fellow countrymen , and in that he has been most succesful ; and while we cannot but feel that it is a
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
high honour to anyone to be called on to preside over a body like the Freemasons of England , we cannot but be most sensible of the fact that we are an exceptionally fortunate body of men to secure such a man to preside over us . ( Hear hear . ) But , brethren , he has
claims upon us this evening which are , perhaps I may be allowed to say , more urgent upon us than his being M . W . G . M . ¦ he is President of the Institution the 76 th anniversary festival of which we met here to-night to celebrate . I believe it is some time since we have been
presided over , I may say , by the M . W . G . M ., and I am sure it is a subject of deep congratulation to all that have the well-being of their Institution at heart , ancl I call upon you cordially to drink his health . ( Cheers . ) After a Song ,
The Chairman said : I know well that I cannot rival the dulcet tones which have just excited so much erttkusiasm on your part ; but at least I can say with the utmost sincerity that I thank you heartily for this cordial reception . It is , brethren , only one short week since , by the
suffrages of Grand Lodge , I was called once more to preside over this ancient fraternity . I had then an opportunity of expressing to the Craft my deep sense of gratitude for the honour that was conferred upon me , and of laying before thera upon an occasion more suitable than the
present the principles by which I should endeavour to be guided during the time that I might hold the ofiice which I was then called upon to fill . I have , therefore , only to-night to repeat to you my hearty thanks for the reception which you have given me now , and for the
confidence which you have so lately reposed in me . The government of F ' reemasonry is a government which can only be conducted when the person who is called to the highest office in theiCralt meets on all occasions with hearty support from his brethren . So long as that
support is accorded to me I may hope to be enabled , however feebly , to discharge my duties . If that support was wanting I should not be foolish enough to undertake the duty . But , then , I appear here in another capacity as President of this Institution . Of the claims
of that Institution to your confidence and support I will say nothing at this moment , because I shall be obliged to detain you for some time presently in reference to that subject . Suffice it for me to say now that I feel it a great satisfaction to hold the office of President of the Boys ' School , and that I rejoice that I have been
enabled once more to occupy this chair at one of the annual festivals of that Institution . ( Cheers . ) His Lordship concluded by proposing " The Health of the D . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , the Prov . G . M . ' s , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . "
Col . Burdett responded , and Bro . F . Binckes presented the winners of the Good Conduct and Canonbury prizes , to be received at his Lordship's hands . This having been done , The Chairman said : Brethren , I now rise to ask you to drink " Prosperity to that excellent
Institution on whose behalf we are gathered together this evening , and I am sure it is not necessary for me to detain you at any great length in order to convince you that the F ' reemason's Boys' School is deserving not merely of being toasted on a festive occasion like this , but
of higher and more substantial proofs of your confidence and regard . Brethren , this Institution has existed now for upwards ofa quarter of a century . This , I find , is the 76 th Anniversary Festival of an Institute that was founded in the year 1798 . At that time there were only six
recipients of the benefits of this school . At the present time there are 162 , and within a very short period , if I mistake not , after the next election , the number of boys to be accommodated in it will be 176 . Now , when you reflect upon the great advance which the Craft has made
since the end of the last century , you will not regard with surprise the facts which I have mentioned ; you will only see in them a proof that the managers of the Freemasons' Boys' School have endeavoured to keep pace in the extension of the benefits of that Institution with the general pro-
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
gress of the Craft . As you are aware , the inmates of this school do not merely receive education , but they are lodged , fed , and clothed * and you must take all that into consideration when you come to compare the cost per head of this school with the cost of other educational
Institutions . I was only referring this very day to certain reports in my library in regard to the Endowed Schools of this country , with a view to seeing whether what I understand to be the average cost per boy of this Institution , viz ., ^ 45 , including everything , expenses of office ,
and everything else , was an undue and exorbitant charge . Well , most of the Institutions that I had to look at did not include , of course , as you are well aware , any item in the nature of clothing . Now , that is an important difference to be borne in mind , and the result of my examination
I am bound to say , was this , that I do not think it appears from figures that have been placed before me , that any just charge can be made against the managers of this Institution for undue extravagance in respect of it . I doubt not that they will bear in mind that as an Institution increases
in numbers it may be possible to make reductions in the cost per head . There is no doubt that very large schools of this kind can be conducted more cheaply than those which are much smaller •and that is a point which should be borne in mind as the Boys' School increases ;
but as I have said the impression left on my mind has been that we have no right to make any charge against those who are engaged in the management of this School , such as those which we have heard on some occasions made by persons who may not possibly have considered all
the circumstances of the case . And you must recollect this , that boys arc very expensive things . ( Laughter . ) Boys , somehow or other , take a great deal more to teach and to clothe , and , I was going to say , and I believe I might say , to feed , than girls ; but somehow or other
there is no doubt that schools exclusively devoted to the education and maintenance of boys must cost more than Institutions which are in any degree of a mixed character . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , brethren , I feel peculiar satisfaction on this occasion in taking the chair at the festival
of the Boys' School , because my mind goes back to five years ago which was the last occasion when I had the honour of presiding at this festival . At that time this school was very heavily in debt of at least £ 10 , 000 upon the Institution at that time . On that occasion , in the year
1 S 6 9 , a very great effort was made to sweep off that debt . Since then it has been extinguished , and I have now the pleasure to stand before you to advocate the cause of the Boys' School when by the efforts of the Freemasons of England that debt has been cleared away , and the
school stands free from all such incumbrance . ( Cheers . ) So far so good •but then this must be borne in mind , that although the debt has been cleared away , and the Institution can now proceed upon what I trust will be its long career of prosperity and usefulness without that terrible
drag and encumbrance of indebtedness , nevertheless , if I am not mistaken , this Institution , in that respect less fortunate than its fellows among Masonic Institutions , has nothing in the nature of an endowment , nothing in the nature of funded property , to fall back upon .
Therefore , though you have cleared off the debt , though you are , as I trust , ready upon this and upon every annual occasion to meet the annual expenses of this valuable Institution —and I understand that the estimate is , that to provide for 176 boys no less a sum than
. £ 7 , 000 a year will be required , though I have no doubt whatever that that sum will always be forthcoming . I cannot think that we shall have done our duty to this most important Institution , unless over and above providing for the annual expenses which year by year so come forward in its support to an extent which will
enable it to lay by something out of its annual income to provide for the necessities of difficult times , and to establish it upon a basis of secure permanence . ( Cheers . ) And , surely , brethren , there can be no doubt in these days that the Boys' School—the Freemason ' s Boys' Schoolwhich is intended to provide means of education
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The 76 th Anniversary Festival of this Institution was held on Wednesday evening at Freemason's Tavern . The Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Marquess of Ripon , presided , and was supported by Lord Balfour , of Burleigh , G . S . W . ; Col . Burdett , Prov . G . M ., Middlesex
Bro . John Hervey , G . S . ; Bro . R . J . Spiers , P . G . S . B . ; Bro . T . Fenn , P . G . D . C . ; Bro . Raynham VV . Stewart , P . G . D . ; Bro . Capt . Piatt , G . P W . j Bro . J . Boyd , P . G . P . ; Bro . Goodall , Bro . Dr . J . H . Graham , G . M ., G . L . of Quebec , and many other distinguished brethren . There
were also about 400 brethren present , besides a large number of ladies , who were entertained at a separate banquet . At the conclusion of the banquet grace was sung , and the toasts were proceeded with . In giving the toast of " Her Most Gracious
Majesty the Queen , ' the Chairman said : I need not tell you what is the first toast which I intend to ask you to drink this evening . You are all well aware that that toast can only be the " Health of Her Majesty the Queen . " Good Freemasons are invariably loyal subjects , and
the " Health of Our Gracious and Beloved Sovereign" is always drunk with the utmost enthusiasm on every occasion when Freemasons meet together . But this evening , when Ave drink her Majesty's health , we do not merely drink it as Sovereign of these realms , but we drink it
also as the illustrious patroness of the Institution on whose behalf we are assembled to-night . ( Cheers . ) By graciously granting her patronage to the Boys' School , the Queen has shown both her approval of our ancient Craft , and her
interest m this valuable Institution ; and I call upon you therefoTe with more than ordinary enthusiasm , if that be possible , to drink •'' The Health of Her Majesty the Queen . " The toast having been duly honoured ,
The Chairman said : Again I rise to propose to you a toast which needs no words of mine to recommend it . It is " The Health of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " ( Cheers . ) And I am proud to think that this
toast m these fortunate times may be regarded not merely as a toast of national interest , but as also an especially Masonic toast . ( Hear , hear . ) The " Health of our Most Worshipful Brother the Prince of AVales , " is a toast which goes straight to the heart of every member of this
great fraternity . ( Cheers . ) But on the present occasion it is not impossible that our thoughts may turn even from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to think of those two illustrious members of the British Royal Family who are about to make their entry into this capital
to-morrow . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , we of the Masonic Craft are apt , though the outside world may not think so , to be beforehand with the rest of the country in all that is good . Let us show that that is true to-night , and let us be the first to welcome with a hearty welcome their
Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh . ( Cheers . ) Lord Balfour of Burleigh , S . G . W ., said : Brethren , a very pleasant task is imposed upon me this evening , at least , it would be very pleasant to me if it was a little easier for me to do
it justice . But it is not easy to chronicle the virtues of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master . ( Hear , hear . ) I know that you will receive his name with the utmost enthusiasm , and that feeling makes me the more confident that any shortcomings on my part will not detract from
the welcome you will give him this evening . It is but a very few nights ago that I was a witness to his re-election to preside over you for the ensuing year . His re-election on that occasion was conducted with a unanimity which cannot be too highly praised , and wilh a cordiality which I think can be rarely exceeded . Our
M . W . G . M . has been born to a very high station , and we can say how well he adorns that station . ( Hear , hear . ) He has chosen one of the most arduous careers which it is possible for a man to choose , that of assisting in governing his fellow countrymen , and in that he has been most succesful ; and while we cannot but feel that it is a
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
high honour to anyone to be called on to preside over a body like the Freemasons of England , we cannot but be most sensible of the fact that we are an exceptionally fortunate body of men to secure such a man to preside over us . ( Hear hear . ) But , brethren , he has
claims upon us this evening which are , perhaps I may be allowed to say , more urgent upon us than his being M . W . G . M . ¦ he is President of the Institution the 76 th anniversary festival of which we met here to-night to celebrate . I believe it is some time since we have been
presided over , I may say , by the M . W . G . M ., and I am sure it is a subject of deep congratulation to all that have the well-being of their Institution at heart , ancl I call upon you cordially to drink his health . ( Cheers . ) After a Song ,
The Chairman said : I know well that I cannot rival the dulcet tones which have just excited so much erttkusiasm on your part ; but at least I can say with the utmost sincerity that I thank you heartily for this cordial reception . It is , brethren , only one short week since , by the
suffrages of Grand Lodge , I was called once more to preside over this ancient fraternity . I had then an opportunity of expressing to the Craft my deep sense of gratitude for the honour that was conferred upon me , and of laying before thera upon an occasion more suitable than the
present the principles by which I should endeavour to be guided during the time that I might hold the ofiice which I was then called upon to fill . I have , therefore , only to-night to repeat to you my hearty thanks for the reception which you have given me now , and for the
confidence which you have so lately reposed in me . The government of F ' reemasonry is a government which can only be conducted when the person who is called to the highest office in theiCralt meets on all occasions with hearty support from his brethren . So long as that
support is accorded to me I may hope to be enabled , however feebly , to discharge my duties . If that support was wanting I should not be foolish enough to undertake the duty . But , then , I appear here in another capacity as President of this Institution . Of the claims
of that Institution to your confidence and support I will say nothing at this moment , because I shall be obliged to detain you for some time presently in reference to that subject . Suffice it for me to say now that I feel it a great satisfaction to hold the office of President of the Boys ' School , and that I rejoice that I have been
enabled once more to occupy this chair at one of the annual festivals of that Institution . ( Cheers . ) His Lordship concluded by proposing " The Health of the D . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , the Prov . G . M . ' s , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . "
Col . Burdett responded , and Bro . F . Binckes presented the winners of the Good Conduct and Canonbury prizes , to be received at his Lordship's hands . This having been done , The Chairman said : Brethren , I now rise to ask you to drink " Prosperity to that excellent
Institution on whose behalf we are gathered together this evening , and I am sure it is not necessary for me to detain you at any great length in order to convince you that the F ' reemason's Boys' School is deserving not merely of being toasted on a festive occasion like this , but
of higher and more substantial proofs of your confidence and regard . Brethren , this Institution has existed now for upwards ofa quarter of a century . This , I find , is the 76 th Anniversary Festival of an Institute that was founded in the year 1798 . At that time there were only six
recipients of the benefits of this school . At the present time there are 162 , and within a very short period , if I mistake not , after the next election , the number of boys to be accommodated in it will be 176 . Now , when you reflect upon the great advance which the Craft has made
since the end of the last century , you will not regard with surprise the facts which I have mentioned ; you will only see in them a proof that the managers of the Freemasons' Boys' School have endeavoured to keep pace in the extension of the benefits of that Institution with the general pro-
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
gress of the Craft . As you are aware , the inmates of this school do not merely receive education , but they are lodged , fed , and clothed * and you must take all that into consideration when you come to compare the cost per head of this school with the cost of other educational
Institutions . I was only referring this very day to certain reports in my library in regard to the Endowed Schools of this country , with a view to seeing whether what I understand to be the average cost per boy of this Institution , viz ., ^ 45 , including everything , expenses of office ,
and everything else , was an undue and exorbitant charge . Well , most of the Institutions that I had to look at did not include , of course , as you are well aware , any item in the nature of clothing . Now , that is an important difference to be borne in mind , and the result of my examination
I am bound to say , was this , that I do not think it appears from figures that have been placed before me , that any just charge can be made against the managers of this Institution for undue extravagance in respect of it . I doubt not that they will bear in mind that as an Institution increases
in numbers it may be possible to make reductions in the cost per head . There is no doubt that very large schools of this kind can be conducted more cheaply than those which are much smaller •and that is a point which should be borne in mind as the Boys' School increases ;
but as I have said the impression left on my mind has been that we have no right to make any charge against those who are engaged in the management of this School , such as those which we have heard on some occasions made by persons who may not possibly have considered all
the circumstances of the case . And you must recollect this , that boys arc very expensive things . ( Laughter . ) Boys , somehow or other , take a great deal more to teach and to clothe , and , I was going to say , and I believe I might say , to feed , than girls ; but somehow or other
there is no doubt that schools exclusively devoted to the education and maintenance of boys must cost more than Institutions which are in any degree of a mixed character . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , brethren , I feel peculiar satisfaction on this occasion in taking the chair at the festival
of the Boys' School , because my mind goes back to five years ago which was the last occasion when I had the honour of presiding at this festival . At that time this school was very heavily in debt of at least £ 10 , 000 upon the Institution at that time . On that occasion , in the year
1 S 6 9 , a very great effort was made to sweep off that debt . Since then it has been extinguished , and I have now the pleasure to stand before you to advocate the cause of the Boys' School when by the efforts of the Freemasons of England that debt has been cleared away , and the
school stands free from all such incumbrance . ( Cheers . ) So far so good •but then this must be borne in mind , that although the debt has been cleared away , and the Institution can now proceed upon what I trust will be its long career of prosperity and usefulness without that terrible
drag and encumbrance of indebtedness , nevertheless , if I am not mistaken , this Institution , in that respect less fortunate than its fellows among Masonic Institutions , has nothing in the nature of an endowment , nothing in the nature of funded property , to fall back upon .
Therefore , though you have cleared off the debt , though you are , as I trust , ready upon this and upon every annual occasion to meet the annual expenses of this valuable Institution —and I understand that the estimate is , that to provide for 176 boys no less a sum than
. £ 7 , 000 a year will be required , though I have no doubt whatever that that sum will always be forthcoming . I cannot think that we shall have done our duty to this most important Institution , unless over and above providing for the annual expenses which year by year so come forward in its support to an extent which will
enable it to lay by something out of its annual income to provide for the necessities of difficult times , and to establish it upon a basis of secure permanence . ( Cheers . ) And , surely , brethren , there can be no doubt in these days that the Boys' School—the Freemason ' s Boys' Schoolwhich is intended to provide means of education