Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of the Committee of Management of this Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday afternoon . Bro . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., presided as Chairman , and there were present * Bros , ( ames

Brett , P . G . P . ; J . Newton , Samuel Brooks , W . A . Scurrah , Charles Kempton , A . H . Tattershall , Alexander Forsyth , M . D ., Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; C . H . Webb , W . Hilton , Hugh Cotter , H . M . Hobbs , J . J . Berry , and James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read

and confirmed , the Secretary reported the deaths of three annuitants ( two men and one widow ) , and the Warden ' s report for the past month was read . The Committee then took into their consideration the petitions , vvhich were 15 in number , ten being from men

and five from widows , the result being that seven of the former were accepted , two rejected , and one deferred , while four of the latter were accepted and one rejected . The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close .

The Poet Burns.

THE POET BURNS .

In face of repeated testimony recorded in the minutes and other documents subsequent to the event , and a'ter a lapse of over 100 years after the occurrence , during which it has never been contradicted , it is , I think , absolutely absurd to question the fact of Burns' connection with Canongate Kilwinning as its Poet Laureate . Whilst

making every allowance for the apparent truth of some of the assertions advanced by my friend , Bro . W . Officer , in the Freemason oi the ist inst ., I may be excused for here quoting lints written by Burns with reference to one of his most valued patrons—by way of introducing his name as a Past Master of the lodge—the Hon . Henry Erskine , advocate , who died in October , 1 S 17 * .

" Collected , Harry stood awee' , Then open'd out his arm , man ; His lordship sat wi' ruefu' e ' e , And ey'd the gathering storm , man ; Like wind-driv ' n hail , it did assail , Or torrents owre a linn , man ; The Bench sae wise , lift up their eyes , Half wauken'd wi' the din , man . "

It is recorded that he was elected to the chair on 24 th June , 17 S 0 , but the records may be searched in vain for any minute of his having joined the lodge , yet he must have done so constitutionally . This is but another regrettable instance of the omiss-ions resulting from thebievity of the minutes at this period , and for many years subsequently .

'I he work , published in 1846 , entitled " A Winter with Robert Burns , " is referred to in my History of No . 2 as giving a faithful exposition of the picture of Burns' Inauguration , which is repioduced by me ; but Bro . Officer states that it is the picture that "is referred to as a faithful representation " of what actually took place on March ist , 17 I 57 , and my object in mentioning the names of the persons

who signed the minute of that date is to point out that one of them—the Dep . Master , Charles More—was the same individual who seconded the motion anent the lodge ' s subscription to the mausoleum on gth June , 1 S 15 , when it is minuted that the Poet was referred to as " the lamented Bard , Robert Burns , who had been Poet Laureate of the Lodge . " As this important fact is not noticed in

Bro . D . Murray Lyon ' s "History of Freemasonry , I fail to unders'and how my calling attention to it isa " reflection made " on the esteemed author of that famous work . At a meeting of the lodge held on 12 th November , 1 S 45 , Bro . W . Campbell , W . S ., alluding tothe motion for painting the inauguration picture , said that he had " spent two ofthe most happy days with him ( Burns ) at Auchtertyre

Castle , that he "had many opportunists of giving testimony in favour of the particulars , " and concluded his remarks by stating that " he was happy that he had lived to second such an admirable motion . " But , besides the statement of the R . W . Master , Bro . Alexandra McNeil , advocate , that he had "no doubt" on the subject , a statement which Bro . Officer asserts " amounts to little , "

the following extract from a letter in my possession ought , 1 think , to be considered as satisfactory proof that Robert Burns was spoken and written of—or " recognised " and " acknowledged " -as Poet Laureate of Canongate Kilwinning by men who must have associated with him , and proves also that there is documentary evidence in existence , signed by the highest officials in the lodge— " distinguished

lawyers , " all of them—which clearly establishes the fact of the office in question having been held by the Poet . This letter is dated " 2 nd January , 5817 , " is written and signed by " Geo . Simson , WS ., Past Master , " and addressed to "George Burnet , Esq ., Advocate , M . of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge . " . ... " I beg leave to report to you that having been furnished by your Secretary with the sum of Twenty Guineas voted by the Lodge as a

contribution towards the erection of a mausoleum to the memory of our late Poet Laureate , Burns , I , in obedience to the instructions ol the Committee , remitted that sum to the Rev . Dr . Duncan , Dumfries . " .... Bro . Officer repeatedly alludes to the want of any record of the poet's "installation ; " but it is a notorious fact that during last century , and even down to the present day , the minor office-bearers receive but scant notice in the

minutes , of Scotch lodges , unless , indeed , as in the case under review , where the brother attained a high standard of fame after the event ; or the reverse , as in the case of James Hogg , the "Ettrick Shepherd . " I may be allowed to explain that the statement in the correspondence referred to by Bro . Officer regarding the jewel which " had the name of Robert Burns engraved upon

it , " alludes to the date—1835—when the Poet Laureateship vvas conferred upon Hogg , the " Ettrick Shepherd . " The " tattered rhymes " and the artist's licence , with the " inauguration " picture , are two subjects which it is needless to enter upon here .

Bro . Officer says that the Poet's last visit to Edinburgh took place on 20 th October , 1787 , but this is certainly not in accordance with well authenticated facts , for he paid , at least , three subsequent visits . It is on record that Burns Wrote a letter to Robert Ainslie from Mauchline , dated 3 rd March , 1788 , and that on the ioth of the same month he

The Poet Burns.

visited Edinburgh , when , among other matters , he settled for the farm ot Ellisland . About 12 months thereafter he again visited Edinburgh—in February , 1789—when accounts with Creech , his publisher , were closed . On March 9 th , 1789 , he wrote to Claiinda— " I vvould have called on you when I was in town , indeed , I could not have resisted it . . . . but ; " and , finally , on 6 th December , 1791 , the Poet visited Edinburgh , a visit which he afterwards celebrated in an off-hand effusion ,

beginning—O May , thy morn was ne er so sweet As the mirk night 0 ' December . " It is very probable that on all these occasions Burns would have taken an opportunity of paying a visit to Canongate Kilwinning Lodge , especially as the winter meetings were in full vogue at the times specified .

A . MACKENZIE , Author of History of No . 2 . Edinburgh , 7 th December .

The Late Bro. Simeon Mosely.

THE LATE BRO . SIMEON MOSELY .

The following oration on the death of Bro . Simeon Mosely , P . M . and P . Z . 250 and 1010 , P . P . G . W . North and East Yorkshire , was delivered at the Minerva Lodge , No . 250 , by Bro . M . C . PECK , G . Std . Br . Eng ., Prov . G . Secretary North and East Yorkshire , on the 14 th ult : Once again , my brethren , has the arrow of our mortal enemy been despatched on its dread mission , and another

of Minerva's greatest Masters has fallen beneath the blow . It is but a few months since we mourned the deaths of our beloved Past Masters Kemp and Hardy ; a few weeks since we laid our Brother and Past Master Balchin in his cold and narrowed cell ; now our ranks are again broken by the death of our senior Past Master , Bro . bimeon Mosely , who was once the leading spirit and shining light in this lodge .

During many years his bodily afflictions have prevented his attendance at those Masonic meetings in which he formerly played an active part , and few , indeed , are left amongst us who knew him in his strength and power ; but of those few all can bear witness to the great value of those services he rendered to the Minerva Lodge , which may truly be said to have attained its z * nith of prosperity

under his able rule . Our distinguished brother received the light of Masonry in London , and joined this lodge and Koyal Arch Chapter in the year 1855 , being then in the full vigour of the 40 th year of his a *> e . His great ability energy , and polished manners , brought him with a bound to the front , and accordingly we find that in 1857 ( only two years after his joining ) he was elected to the Master ' s

chair . There he distinguished himself in a remarkable manner ; the great care he bestowed upon our ritual , the strictness of his discipline , the earnest and impressive manner in which the ceremonial vvas rendered by him , were the admiration of the Craft , and attracted to the lodge large numbeis of candidates of the highest respectability , no less than 47 having been initiated during his

first year of Mastership . At the following election ( 1858 J the brethren were so charmed vvith his presidency that he was unanimously re-elected , and 3 6 candidates were initiated in his second year . It was at this peiiud that I had the honour of being initiated by him , and I need scarcely say that 1 soon became his enthusiastic disciple . Being thoroughly proficient in the emulation system of

wjrking , he instituted the weekly lodge of instruction on Saturday evenings , at the Royal Station Hotel , and for the first time the authorised lectures of the Order were regularly taught in the town of Hull , and proud and happy we ought to be that our Minerva Lodge sill perpetuates ( and is the only lodge in the town that does so ) those invaluable lectures which comprise every part of

Craft Masonry , and afford a rational and philosophical explanation of our entire ritual . Then our worthy brother was in his glory—his means were ample , his heart generous , and his liberality and hospitality unbounded . In this lodge the refreshment arrangements were conducted on ihe simplest scale . Having no other apartment than the hall in which we are now assembled , it was customary , at the

conclusion of the business of the lodge , for a few tables to be drawn out , and a frugal supper ot cheese and biscuits , with punch , formed our humble fare . Bro . Mosely was , however , not . contented with this plain diet ; perhaps he felt it inconsistent with the class of candidates then being introduced into the Order ; and so he would frequently invite the brethren to meet him , after lodge , at the Station

Hotel , where an elegant banquet would be found ready , provided at his expense . He spared no effort to make himself popular and esteemed , and he certainly succeeded . His brilliant Mastership brought him to the notice of his Provincial Grand Master , who appointed him Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1857 . Nor were his labours confined to the Craft ; but in Royal Arch Masonry he was

equally , if not even still more , successful . He was elected to the chair of First Principal in 1859 , and again in 1 S 6 3 . Here his knowledge of the Hebrew language and his majestic style invested the ceremonial with a dignity and grandeur vvhich few have equalled , none excelled ! Having had the pleasure of acting under him many times as Principal Soj ., I can testify to the great popularity vvhich

attended the Royal Arch Meetings held here under his rule . He was appointed Prov . Grand Third Principal in 1 S 60 . I take the present opportunity of gratefully recording the kindness and courtesy which I ever received at his hands . Entering the lodge as a young man , you may be sure that the notice of my superiors was pleasing and encouraging ; and Bro . Mosely commended my work

in a manner which was very grateful to me . He vvas always my constant friend and Masonic teacher both in the Craft and Royal Arch , and vve spent many hours together at his residence , for his rehearsals of our ritual were my instruction . I should not omit to mention that the lodge elected him one of its Trustees , also a Trustee of its Benevolent and Building Funds . He was Masterof the Mark

Lodge in 1 S 58 . At the toundation of the Kingston Lodge in 1864 , he was chosen the first Master , and after this period his increasing afflictions did not permit his Masonic energies the same display as in his younger and stronger years . A consistent member of his ancient nation , he was President

of the Hull Hebrew Congregation for many years , during which his strict discipline and liberality caused him to be respected and admired . Having assisted him as Secretary in this phase ot his career , I can well remember the great tact and judgment he displayed under very serious and trying contentions vvhich then disturbed the peace of the

The Late Bro. Simeon Mosely.

congregation . Bro . Mosely took a conspicuous part in ou , local history , having been a Captain in the Artillery Corpsr a member of the Town Council , of the Microscopical Society , and the Literary and Philosophical Society , and was identified with nearly every important institution in the town . And now , brethren , he has departed ; his labours are ended , and his task accomplished . He has

gone before us , we hope and trust to a brighter world , where the pain and suffering , which were , alas ! his sad portion here for many years , may be exchanged for peace and tranquillity . As a Mason , he did his work well and squarely ; let us hope that he may form a perfect ashlar

in the Grand Temple built upon the living rock , where the world ' s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever . I shall now conclude this brief tribute of respect to departed worth by quoting the beautiful poem of a brother , also recently deceased , himself one of the noblest and most gifted of the Sons of the Widow :

" Not far from me , not far from me , When first on chequered floor I bow , in humble trust , the knee , My Maker to advire , I bow , and fervently declare , That God is all my portion there .

Not far from me , not far from me , In Middle Chamber led , I pass the mystic portals three , And up the stairway tread ; I pass before that mark divine ,

Whose light is Masonry's and mine . " Not far from me , not far from me , In holiest place betray'd , When human hopes all fade and flee , And there is none to aid ; And there is none to hear me cry ,

But Thee , all-pitying Deity . " Not Far from me , not far from me , These mystic Iabuuis dune , My body ' neath the deathless tree , My snul tieti-re the Throne ! Oh God ! through blest Eternity Be mine a place not tar from Thee I "

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . W . H . BIBBY , P . M . 993 , P . P . J . G . D . EAST LANCASHIRE , AND P . Z . 993 . We have most regretfully to announce the sudden death of tin ' s very highly respectei and esteemed brother , wmch took place at his home , Oakfield HJU -B , Bu-na ^ e , on Friday , the 30 th ult . Tne deceased brother wis on ¦ of the founders 01 ihe Alexandra Lodge , consecrated in iSo *? ,

and took an active part and great interest in its affairs down to the time of his deatn . His zeal for Freemasonry and highly appreciated scivices was acknowledged by he P . G . M ., some five years since , in being appoint-d Piovincial Grand Junior Deacon , an honour that he was very proud of , and whicn gave great satisiac i in and pleasure to every member of tne lodge . Bro . Biuby was

interred in the Dedsbury Harsh Churc ' i > ard , on Monday , the 3 rd instant , and over luo sympathetic peisjnal f . i . nds attended the burial service , including a large prop •* tio'i of members of the Craft , memoers of tne Levennhulme Local board , and fellow traiesmen . The coffin was of polished oak and thicxly coveied with handsome fl rai wreaths and crosses , sent by relatives and brethren of the

Alexandra Lodge . The church service was performed b y the ' -ev . Canon Eagar , of Ashton-under-Lyne , a ** sis : ed by the Rev . G . Biadicy Jones , rector of Levenshulme , and the Rev . Henry Grellier , curate . Alter the service , the Rev . Canon Eagar said he could not a . low the opportunity to pass without paying a last tribute of respect to lhe deceased gentleman who had been taken so suddenly Irom

their midst . He ( tne Kev . Canon ) had known the deceased brother for very many years , and could testify to his many merits and examplary lile . Seeing so many of his brother Masons present , he sincerely trusted all would be equally as well prepared to meet their end as their lamented brother was . The coffin was then taken to the grave , and the

brethren dispersed . On all sides we hear the most profound expressions of grief over the deceased brother ' s sudden death , and general commendation ot his amiable , courteous , and kindly manner during his life—one who delighted in doing good by steath , and blushing to find it fame .

BRO . THOMAS BOYLE , P . M ., & c . It is with the deepest regret we have to record the death , quite suddenly , on the 6 th inst ., of Bro . Thomas Boyle , surgeon , of Newquay . Our esteemed brother had been known to have been suffering from an insiduous disease for some time , but it was of such a character as not to presage a sudden termination , and it was , therefore , with much

surprise and dismay that the inhabitants of Newquay heard of his death . Bro . Boyle had been spending the evening with a friend , and , feeling unwell , left to go home , but before reaching his house he was found in a dying condition , and expired before he could be taken home . Bro . Boyle was much beloved in Newquay ; his unostentatious and quiet demeanour and attention to rich and poor alike ,

whenever called on to act in his professional capacity , had endeared him to a host of friends , while , although unmarried , his domestic virtues and devotion to the members of his family was beyond all praise . Bro . Boyle was connected with most of the philanthropic and charitable societies of the district , as well as the Orders of Odd Fellows and Foresters ; the School Boaid , of which he has

been Chairman since its formation ; the Local Board of Health , & c . He was a founder and P . M . of the Fort Lodge , No . 1528 , and has been Treasurer for some years ; also a member of the Mark and other Degrees . It is not too much to say that the death of Bro . Boyle , at the comparatively early age of 54 , will leave a void which will not be filled lor many years to come , and that all , both rich and . poor , have lost in him an excellent friend and neighbour .

Further meetings of the Select Committee of the House of Lords appointed to inquire into the Sweating System have been held , under the presidency of Bro . the Earl of Dunraven .