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Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. ← Page 2 of 3 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
results . The details of this proposed system have yet to be determined , but they will receive the most attentive consideration . The hall we have before described as " a well-found , substantial structure , spacious and lofty and well-proportioned , unpretending in its general character , yet a goodly comfortable building to look at , and one that has evidently been designed
and put up by skilled masters in the art of Operative Masonry . Architecturally it harmonises well with the older School premises to its left , and the new block in progress of erection to its right . " It will be used chiefly for divine service and important gatherings , and , having regard to the very considerable increase which there is good reason to believe will take place
in the numerical strength of the School , it is undoubtedly a wise act on the part of the executive of the School to provide for the future rather than the present requirements of the Institution by the erection of this new Hall . The special fund raised for the Preparatory School was somewhat over £ 14 , 000 , and by the time the whole of the work is completed the outlay
will have amounted to about £ 19 , 500 . Of this sum £ . 3200 has been expended in the purchase of freehold land and houses , while an additional amount of £ 2000 represents the outlay on a new laundry , boiler-houses , heating and cooking apparatus , and other necessary appliances , which will be of service to both the old and new premises .
Shortly before three o ' clock the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , who was accompanied by Bro . Ashmead-Bartlett , M . P ., Hon . Mrs . Stuart-Wortley , and the Misses Henderson ( daughters of Sir Edmund Henderson ) , arrived at the Institution , and were received by the Chairman of the House Committee , Bro . A . F . A . Godson , Deputy Prov . Grand Master of
Worcestershire ; Bro . F . Binckes , Secretary of the Institution ; Bro . Rev . Dr . Morris , Head Master of School ; Bro . R . Bsrridge , P . M . 21 , P . G . S . ; Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . M . 1471 , P . G . S . B . ; Bro . T . Cubitt , P . M . 157 , P . G . P . ; Bro . H . W . Hunt , P . M . 29 , P . G . S . ; Bro . J . L . Mather , P . M . 65 , P . P . G . D . Herts ; Bro . C . F . Matier , P . M . 645 ; Bro . T . H . Miller , P . M .,
P . P . G . D . Middx . ; Bro . J . Moon , P . M . 48 ; Bro . J . Murray , P . M . 1703 ; Bro . W . Paas , P . M . 28 ; W . Roebuck , P . M . 29 , P . G . S . : Bro . Dr . C . Saunders , P . M . ; W . A . Scurrah , W . M . 204 S ; Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . M ., P . G . D . ; Bro . E . F . Storr , P . M . 22 ; Bio . A . Torkington , W . M . 60 ,
P . G . S . ; Bro . H . Venn , P . M . 23 , P . G . S . ; Bro . A . Williams , P . M . 49 ; and many others . Amongst the ladies who honoured the proceedings with their presence were Mrs . Bowyer , Miss Crutch , Miss Soppet , Mrs . llogard , the Misses Binckes , Mrs . Venn , Miss Venn , Mrs . Batting , Mrs . Storr , Mrs . Mason , Mrs . Culmer , Mrs . Clever , Mrs . Hall , Mrs . Morris , and others .
The gymnasium , which was prettily decorated with banners and tro phies of flags , contained a goodly company of ladies and gentlemen as the Baroness and party entered , and as they appeared on the dais they were greeted with hearty applause .
Bro . F , BINCKES , in introducing her ladyship , referred to her presence on the occasion of laying the foundation-stone of the main building 23 years ago , and in the name of the Executive he thanked her for again appearing in their midst , accompanied by so many of her friends . ( Loud applause . )
ihe CHAIRMAN * then explained at considerable length the object of the assembly and the work which the committee were endeavouring to carry out . He referred to the existing accommodation as quite inadequate to meet the present requirements of the Institution , and in view of the rapid spread of Freemasonry , and the inevitable pressure there would be upon the
resources of the Schools the Executive had done wis ely in making a special appeal to the Craft in carrying out the work which they had now in hand . ( Hear , hear . ) Education was undergoing a change , and they wished to provide themselves with the means of educating the lads entrusted to their care , and bringing them up to the requirements of the age . Hitherto the
School had been successful at the University examinations , but provision would shortly be made for the introduction of certain branches of technical education , notably printing and carpentering . He then described the old buildings which were to be superseded by those of which the corner-stone
was to be placed to-day , and said that £ 6000 was still required , mainly attributable to the purchase of additional property , not originally contemplated . They also desired to establish a swimming-bath , similar to that at the Girls' School at Battersea-rise , and he felt sure the Craft would
determine to carry out the work in its entirety . A portion of Scripture ( 1 Kings viii . 22-30 ) was then read by the Acting Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C , after which the anthem , " Hail ! Universal Lord , " was sung by the pupils' choir , under the direction of Bro . Dutton .
Bro . R . BKRRIDOK ( the architect ) addressed the Baroness , briefly recapitulating his instructions , and announced that the work , so far , had been carried out by the contractors ( Messrs . Prestige and Co ., of Cambridge Wharf , Grosvenor-road , S . W . ) according to the plans and specifications agreed to by the Committee .
The Baroness BURDETT-COUTTS said as she was presiding here to-day and understanding , as far as she was able to do , the plans laid before her , they seemed to be calculated to promote the objects the Committee had in view , and she sincerely hoped every blessing might rest upon the undertaking . She assured them of her best wishes for the good of the pupils . ( Cheers . )
The anthem , " Behold ! how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity ( Psalm exxxiii . ) was then sung , followed by an invocation by the Chaplain , after which a number of ladies and " Lewises " presented purses in aid of the Building Fund , whilst Miss Eadilh Soppet , who was the only lady Steward on the occasion , presented to her ladyship a
handsome bouquet . The proceedings in the hall closed with the glee , " Hail , smiling morn , " by the pupils' choir , after which a procession was formed , headed by the band of the School , conducted by Mr . W . Whare , and including the Board oi Stewards , the House and Audit Committees , the pupils of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , to a marquee , where the cere
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
mony of placing the corner stone was performed . The phial deposited in the cavity of the stone contained several newspapers and coins of the realm , to which was added , by special desire of the Baroness , the medal
presented to the late General Gordon . The mallet used in the ceremony was the same as that employed in laying the foundation stone of St . Paul ' s Cathedral by King Charles II . The stone having been adjusted in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe , -
The Baroness BURIIKTT-COUTTS , who was received with applause , said she would not detain the company even for a few minutes , only that she had a few observations which she should like to make upon this School . ( Applause . ) She would not dwell upon the inherent significance of the acts which had just been performed , they were too well known to the body now
present . They knew , better than she could tell them , that the foundation of the noblest temple ever raised for the worship of the Divine being must be built upon the same staple foundation as was the humblest church in the quietest spot , " Where the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep . " ( Hear , hear . ) The smallest house and the largest , if it was to stand , must
rest upon those principles , and be carried on in the same loving spirit in which the ceremonials of this day had been conducted . She wished for a moment to explain why it was that she had added the medal of Charles George Gordon to the other coins that were placed in the cavity of the corner stone . This was a year that had been full of grief to England—of
grief that would last throughout history—at the death of the heroic Christian and the heroic soldier . ( Applause . ) But it was not entirely for that she had placed the medal there ; it was to mark his deep affection and love for boys . General Gordon was a man who , long before he was known to fame , had worked in the spirit of the Masonic Craft in every position in life in
which he had been placed . ( Loud applause . ) Nothing could have been more striking than ihe grief that was exhibited at his death , or the anxiety that was manifested during the many months of torture that preceded his death . Nothing could be more striking than the feeling which arose from all classes , on behalf of one unknown at one time to those amongst
whom he had worked , and to whom he had nevertheless done every kindness in his power . ( Applause . ) She ought to avail herself of the opportunity of expressing her appreciation of the honours they had accorded her in the programme of the da }' , of being both the wife and daughter oi Masons . She might on that plea have thanked
them that , being a poor woman —( laughter)—she was entitled to their consideration . She could not do that , but she would put it in another sense . Having been elected to preside over this interesting gathering , she would make a few observations , because they had mentioned in their records that , by the sanction of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of England , she
was the only lady who had been present at a lodge sitting . Perhaps therefore she might say a little more than if she was an ordinary lady , and quite out of the pale of Freemasonry . ( Applause . ) The advantages of an Institution similar to this had some little chance of not being thoroughly estitimated at the present time . ( Hear , hear . ) It was 80 years since this
School had been in . existence , and she thought between 1000 and 2000 boys had left it during that period . These were little figures , representing very little of the real history of this Institution . ( Hear , hear . ) When they thought that those So years represented a very long average of human life , they would recognise that the boys who had left the School at the beginning
of its history had either passed away or had fought the battle of life successfully , and were now in extreme old age , living still amongst them . When they remembered what these 80 years had been in their own history and in the history of the world , they would find these little numbers she had quoted did not at all represent what had
been done through the refreshing and purifying influences that had passed from this School into the outer world . ( Hear , hear . ) Nor did she think she should be rash in saying that the 1000 or 2000 boys who had left the School did not represent the influence for good which had been shed abroad by men who had acted nobly in life through the
instrumentality of this School . They would be very , much in the same underestimate if they endeavoured to judge of the influence exerted by each boy in the workshop , or otherwise , for good . And when they thought how much they might have influenced others for good , the amount of good done by this School before the century ended , of which the last 80 years had been
the beginning , could not be estimated by any human mind . It was known only to Him to whom we must render all honour , all reverence , and every kindly feeling we had in this world . At the present moment they wanted to observe that , eighty years ago , to be illiterate was not a disgrace , certainly not a discredit , and at times it was not a great disadvantage . In
those days there was many a master , many a person , who would rather have trusted the ready wit , the willing hand , and the good conduct of a boy than to his having been well taught and well informed . That was not so now . It was a disgrace and a discredit now not to be educated ; and the legislation of the country had made it such . Whether the legislation of the country
carried out its laws effectually she did not know , but it provided that children should be looked after up to the age . of fourteen years and properly educated . That made an immense difference in the position of children of the present day in respect of the meansof education possessed by them as compared with the boys of the time to which she had alluded , or by the girls either ,
whom she had had the pleasure of seeing under circumstances which would never be effaced from her memory . ( Applause . ) That difference could not be calculated by any one in the present day . There was , however , great danger that the education of the country might lead people to
think that because a boy was put to a good school and taught-in such a place as this , nothing else was required . They had very able masters who were most desirous to do their work , but it was impossible , in the Board Schools of the country that those habits could be formed which
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
results . The details of this proposed system have yet to be determined , but they will receive the most attentive consideration . The hall we have before described as " a well-found , substantial structure , spacious and lofty and well-proportioned , unpretending in its general character , yet a goodly comfortable building to look at , and one that has evidently been designed
and put up by skilled masters in the art of Operative Masonry . Architecturally it harmonises well with the older School premises to its left , and the new block in progress of erection to its right . " It will be used chiefly for divine service and important gatherings , and , having regard to the very considerable increase which there is good reason to believe will take place
in the numerical strength of the School , it is undoubtedly a wise act on the part of the executive of the School to provide for the future rather than the present requirements of the Institution by the erection of this new Hall . The special fund raised for the Preparatory School was somewhat over £ 14 , 000 , and by the time the whole of the work is completed the outlay
will have amounted to about £ 19 , 500 . Of this sum £ . 3200 has been expended in the purchase of freehold land and houses , while an additional amount of £ 2000 represents the outlay on a new laundry , boiler-houses , heating and cooking apparatus , and other necessary appliances , which will be of service to both the old and new premises .
Shortly before three o ' clock the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , who was accompanied by Bro . Ashmead-Bartlett , M . P ., Hon . Mrs . Stuart-Wortley , and the Misses Henderson ( daughters of Sir Edmund Henderson ) , arrived at the Institution , and were received by the Chairman of the House Committee , Bro . A . F . A . Godson , Deputy Prov . Grand Master of
Worcestershire ; Bro . F . Binckes , Secretary of the Institution ; Bro . Rev . Dr . Morris , Head Master of School ; Bro . R . Bsrridge , P . M . 21 , P . G . S . ; Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . M . 1471 , P . G . S . B . ; Bro . T . Cubitt , P . M . 157 , P . G . P . ; Bro . H . W . Hunt , P . M . 29 , P . G . S . ; Bro . J . L . Mather , P . M . 65 , P . P . G . D . Herts ; Bro . C . F . Matier , P . M . 645 ; Bro . T . H . Miller , P . M .,
P . P . G . D . Middx . ; Bro . J . Moon , P . M . 48 ; Bro . J . Murray , P . M . 1703 ; Bro . W . Paas , P . M . 28 ; W . Roebuck , P . M . 29 , P . G . S . : Bro . Dr . C . Saunders , P . M . ; W . A . Scurrah , W . M . 204 S ; Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . M ., P . G . D . ; Bro . E . F . Storr , P . M . 22 ; Bio . A . Torkington , W . M . 60 ,
P . G . S . ; Bro . H . Venn , P . M . 23 , P . G . S . ; Bro . A . Williams , P . M . 49 ; and many others . Amongst the ladies who honoured the proceedings with their presence were Mrs . Bowyer , Miss Crutch , Miss Soppet , Mrs . llogard , the Misses Binckes , Mrs . Venn , Miss Venn , Mrs . Batting , Mrs . Storr , Mrs . Mason , Mrs . Culmer , Mrs . Clever , Mrs . Hall , Mrs . Morris , and others .
The gymnasium , which was prettily decorated with banners and tro phies of flags , contained a goodly company of ladies and gentlemen as the Baroness and party entered , and as they appeared on the dais they were greeted with hearty applause .
Bro . F , BINCKES , in introducing her ladyship , referred to her presence on the occasion of laying the foundation-stone of the main building 23 years ago , and in the name of the Executive he thanked her for again appearing in their midst , accompanied by so many of her friends . ( Loud applause . )
ihe CHAIRMAN * then explained at considerable length the object of the assembly and the work which the committee were endeavouring to carry out . He referred to the existing accommodation as quite inadequate to meet the present requirements of the Institution , and in view of the rapid spread of Freemasonry , and the inevitable pressure there would be upon the
resources of the Schools the Executive had done wis ely in making a special appeal to the Craft in carrying out the work which they had now in hand . ( Hear , hear . ) Education was undergoing a change , and they wished to provide themselves with the means of educating the lads entrusted to their care , and bringing them up to the requirements of the age . Hitherto the
School had been successful at the University examinations , but provision would shortly be made for the introduction of certain branches of technical education , notably printing and carpentering . He then described the old buildings which were to be superseded by those of which the corner-stone
was to be placed to-day , and said that £ 6000 was still required , mainly attributable to the purchase of additional property , not originally contemplated . They also desired to establish a swimming-bath , similar to that at the Girls' School at Battersea-rise , and he felt sure the Craft would
determine to carry out the work in its entirety . A portion of Scripture ( 1 Kings viii . 22-30 ) was then read by the Acting Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C , after which the anthem , " Hail ! Universal Lord , " was sung by the pupils' choir , under the direction of Bro . Dutton .
Bro . R . BKRRIDOK ( the architect ) addressed the Baroness , briefly recapitulating his instructions , and announced that the work , so far , had been carried out by the contractors ( Messrs . Prestige and Co ., of Cambridge Wharf , Grosvenor-road , S . W . ) according to the plans and specifications agreed to by the Committee .
The Baroness BURDETT-COUTTS said as she was presiding here to-day and understanding , as far as she was able to do , the plans laid before her , they seemed to be calculated to promote the objects the Committee had in view , and she sincerely hoped every blessing might rest upon the undertaking . She assured them of her best wishes for the good of the pupils . ( Cheers . )
The anthem , " Behold ! how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity ( Psalm exxxiii . ) was then sung , followed by an invocation by the Chaplain , after which a number of ladies and " Lewises " presented purses in aid of the Building Fund , whilst Miss Eadilh Soppet , who was the only lady Steward on the occasion , presented to her ladyship a
handsome bouquet . The proceedings in the hall closed with the glee , " Hail , smiling morn , " by the pupils' choir , after which a procession was formed , headed by the band of the School , conducted by Mr . W . Whare , and including the Board oi Stewards , the House and Audit Committees , the pupils of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , to a marquee , where the cere
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
mony of placing the corner stone was performed . The phial deposited in the cavity of the stone contained several newspapers and coins of the realm , to which was added , by special desire of the Baroness , the medal
presented to the late General Gordon . The mallet used in the ceremony was the same as that employed in laying the foundation stone of St . Paul ' s Cathedral by King Charles II . The stone having been adjusted in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe , -
The Baroness BURIIKTT-COUTTS , who was received with applause , said she would not detain the company even for a few minutes , only that she had a few observations which she should like to make upon this School . ( Applause . ) She would not dwell upon the inherent significance of the acts which had just been performed , they were too well known to the body now
present . They knew , better than she could tell them , that the foundation of the noblest temple ever raised for the worship of the Divine being must be built upon the same staple foundation as was the humblest church in the quietest spot , " Where the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep . " ( Hear , hear . ) The smallest house and the largest , if it was to stand , must
rest upon those principles , and be carried on in the same loving spirit in which the ceremonials of this day had been conducted . She wished for a moment to explain why it was that she had added the medal of Charles George Gordon to the other coins that were placed in the cavity of the corner stone . This was a year that had been full of grief to England—of
grief that would last throughout history—at the death of the heroic Christian and the heroic soldier . ( Applause . ) But it was not entirely for that she had placed the medal there ; it was to mark his deep affection and love for boys . General Gordon was a man who , long before he was known to fame , had worked in the spirit of the Masonic Craft in every position in life in
which he had been placed . ( Loud applause . ) Nothing could have been more striking than ihe grief that was exhibited at his death , or the anxiety that was manifested during the many months of torture that preceded his death . Nothing could be more striking than the feeling which arose from all classes , on behalf of one unknown at one time to those amongst
whom he had worked , and to whom he had nevertheless done every kindness in his power . ( Applause . ) She ought to avail herself of the opportunity of expressing her appreciation of the honours they had accorded her in the programme of the da }' , of being both the wife and daughter oi Masons . She might on that plea have thanked
them that , being a poor woman —( laughter)—she was entitled to their consideration . She could not do that , but she would put it in another sense . Having been elected to preside over this interesting gathering , she would make a few observations , because they had mentioned in their records that , by the sanction of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of England , she
was the only lady who had been present at a lodge sitting . Perhaps therefore she might say a little more than if she was an ordinary lady , and quite out of the pale of Freemasonry . ( Applause . ) The advantages of an Institution similar to this had some little chance of not being thoroughly estitimated at the present time . ( Hear , hear . ) It was 80 years since this
School had been in . existence , and she thought between 1000 and 2000 boys had left it during that period . These were little figures , representing very little of the real history of this Institution . ( Hear , hear . ) When they thought that those So years represented a very long average of human life , they would recognise that the boys who had left the School at the beginning
of its history had either passed away or had fought the battle of life successfully , and were now in extreme old age , living still amongst them . When they remembered what these 80 years had been in their own history and in the history of the world , they would find these little numbers she had quoted did not at all represent what had
been done through the refreshing and purifying influences that had passed from this School into the outer world . ( Hear , hear . ) Nor did she think she should be rash in saying that the 1000 or 2000 boys who had left the School did not represent the influence for good which had been shed abroad by men who had acted nobly in life through the
instrumentality of this School . They would be very , much in the same underestimate if they endeavoured to judge of the influence exerted by each boy in the workshop , or otherwise , for good . And when they thought how much they might have influenced others for good , the amount of good done by this School before the century ended , of which the last 80 years had been
the beginning , could not be estimated by any human mind . It was known only to Him to whom we must render all honour , all reverence , and every kindly feeling we had in this world . At the present moment they wanted to observe that , eighty years ago , to be illiterate was not a disgrace , certainly not a discredit , and at times it was not a great disadvantage . In
those days there was many a master , many a person , who would rather have trusted the ready wit , the willing hand , and the good conduct of a boy than to his having been well taught and well informed . That was not so now . It was a disgrace and a discredit now not to be educated ; and the legislation of the country had made it such . Whether the legislation of the country
carried out its laws effectually she did not know , but it provided that children should be looked after up to the age . of fourteen years and properly educated . That made an immense difference in the position of children of the present day in respect of the meansof education possessed by them as compared with the boys of the time to which she had alluded , or by the girls either ,
whom she had had the pleasure of seeing under circumstances which would never be effaced from her memory . ( Applause . ) That difference could not be calculated by any one in the present day . There was , however , great danger that the education of the country might lead people to
think that because a boy was put to a good school and taught-in such a place as this , nothing else was required . They had very able masters who were most desirous to do their work , but it was impossible , in the Board Schools of the country that those habits could be formed which