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Article THE Freemason ← Page 2 of 2 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article AN ADDRESS BY COMP. TEW, 1st A.G.S., AT DONCASTER. Page 1 of 2 →
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The Freemason
Charities do ; I think wc may be proud if by-and-by we can annually give the revenue of a sum equal to j'our yearly grants . Thus we have paid our debts—our first duty ; and thus we propose to do in the way of charity—our next duty ; and
having so done , I need not assure you that , this having first been fuliy accomplished , there will be found Masons in Scotland who will turn their attention to the other points you often refer to , and endeavour to raise the Grand Lodge of Scotland to that position which even now some of her sons are silently working for . —Yours fraternally , ALEX . INKSON McCONNOCHlE , P . M . 54 , Treasurer of the Aberdeen City P . G . Lodge . 74 , Union-street , Aberdeen , February nth .
THE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF QUEENSLAND . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother—In the issue of the Freemason of the 29 th September you give a long report of the first meeting of the recently formed District Grand Lodge of Natal . On
reading the following sentence , " It was then arranged that another meeting should be held at Pietermaritzbtirg as soon as might be found convenient , for the passing of bye-laws and transaction of other important business , & c , " it struck me that the formation and general conduct of business in our District Grand Lodge must differ in many and serious respects from the generality of District Grand Lodges . It
appears the Lodge at Natal believed its first duty to be the pa-sing of bye-laws for its guidance . Our District Grand Lodge ' at its formation neglected this duty . We have no bye-laws , nor are we likely to have , judging from recent utterances . Our District G'and Master evideitly considers anything beyond the Constitutions to be superfluous . A lew months ago a motion was carried increasing the
fees payable by Craft Lodges ( though the motion was unconstitutional , having "been rejected at the previous meeting , the numbers being eleven in favour and six against . Sec para . S , page 50 , Const , of 1 S 73 ) . During the discussion one brother justly observed " that any regulation for increasing the scale of fees would become a bye-law j but before they could embody that bye-law it
would be . necessary to first frame a set of bye-laws , else how could it be embodied in the bye-laws ? " I am aware of para . 5 , page 57 , which says , " District Grand Lodges may make rules and regulations for the management and conduct of their own piocetdings , " & c . I regret the word shall U not used instead of may , lor I am convinced from my experience in District Grand Lodge here it would
greatly conduce to a more amicable and satisfactory dispatch ot business . It is probable this motion will remain a dead letter as others do , or be acted upon suddenly and when the District Grand Master thinks proper . Our District Grand Lodge as at present constituted will never favour any movement for passing a code of byelaws . It would look upon it as an attempt to limit its
powers and privileges . The Constitutions have been found to interfere with its actions on several occasions . As showing its tiuly auiocratic chatactcc the Constitution has been made subservient to the wishes of the District Grand Mas'cr and his ofiio rs . It is not often that a lodge or an individual Mason will take the trouble to appeal , or open up a correspondence with the Grand Lodge in
London . During my six years of Masonic life I know only of cne appeal from Queensland , and that from the Victoria Lodce , No . nSO , re holding a lodge of instruction other than where the lodge is regularly held . In this case the decision of the District Grand Lodge was reversed . I consider English Freemasonry in Queensland has received a furlher check by the recent appointment of
D . D . G . Master . A more unpopular appointment could not have been made . I am afraid of ttcspnssing too much upon your space , but before closing would like to ask you a few questions . When our D . G . Lodge teaches one thing , and old Masons of 20 and 30 years' standing say it is wronrj , young Masons like mysclfarc ant to enquire now which is ncht ? 1 . Who is
il . Deacon or I . G ., that presents p n d to candidate on his entrance ? 2 . Can a Master Mason who has never been a Warden or Master hold an office in D . G . Lodge ? Your weekly , Mr . Editor , has more than ordinary interest to us in this far off land . 1 am thankful 1 have been enabled to make arrangements through ycur agent here , for a regular supply . —Yours fraternally , LEX .
THE OLD YORK WORKING . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As I note Bro . Hollon ' s query in the Freemason , I beg to remind him that he has never answered my question as lo the "York Ritual" he professes to have or to have seen . I would , therefore , again ask him in the Freemason , is he
quite sure of the fact , and of what date and authority is the MS . he mentions ? So much has been called " York Working" which clearly is not , and so many assertions are made as to the York Rite and the like , which are all " Muthos , " that I for one , after long and careful searches in vain , am very sceptical of the existence of any such pure York Working . —Fraternallv yours , THE WRITER OF THE ARTICLE ON
YORK WORKING
THE ORDER OF ROSICRUCIANS . To the Ed'tor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I was pleased to read your appreciative letter on the York College of R"sicrucians . Such a body of Masons deserves notice , as a literary and intellectual department is added to ihu usual Masonic labour and refreshment .
I cannot attend the gathering at York on the 20 th , but if any L mdon brother ( not necessarily a member of our particular Order ) will give me a call I shall be pleased to give him a ticket . — Yours , & c , 25 . Budge-row , E . C . HENRY LOVEGROVE . P . S . —I suggested in your columns that Wardens should cease to attend Grand Lodge weeks before Bro . Letchworth wrote his letter . —ILL .
A ROSICRUCIAN BOOK . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , If Uro . Cumber ' and will kindly write to the editor of the Freemason he will put him in the way to obtain Vaughan ' s litt c book , and perhaps one or two more for the York Conversazione . —Fraternally , ROSA CRUCIS .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
299 ] STARTLING STATEMENTS . In a German tract printed about 1 S 03 , and bound up with another tract of Fessler , called " Geschichte der Freimaurerei , " occur the following startling statements , which I give to Masonic students for what they are worth . 1 . The Yemplars worked with the so-called "Magical Brethren " at an early period of their existence . 2 . A Rosicrucian MS . states that at Cologne , with the motto
"Non omnismonar , this "Magical Union " was created there in n 15 . 3 . A MS . of Michael Mayers still exists in the University Library at Leydcn which sets forth that in 1570 the society of the old Magical Brethren , or " wise men , " was revived under the name of " Brethren of the Golden Rosy Cross . " 4 . It is asserted that in 1563 the Statutes of the Brotherhood were on the 22 nd September at Basle , at a meeting of 72 Masters of lodges , revised , set forth , and
printed ; that the lodges of Swabia , Hesse , Bavaria , Franconia , Saxony , Thuringia , and those on the Moselle , acknowledged the headship of the Grand Lodge of Strassburgh . That in the eighteenth century the lodges of Dresden and Nuraberg were fined by the Grand Lodge of Strassburgh , and that the Grand Lodge of Vienna of Hungary and Steirrmark the Grand Lodge of Zurich , which ruled the Swiss lodges , referred to the mother lodge of Strassburgh in all difficult and doubtful matters . iMASONIC STUDENT .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
'The General Committee held the usual monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , when there were present Bros . Col . Crcaton , Past Grand 'Treasurer , in the chair , John H . Leggot , John D . Allcroft , John Uulmcr , II . B . Marshall , C . G " . Dillcy , T . VV . C . Bush , G . Bolton , Jas . Brett , VV . II . Goodall , Edgar Bowyer , VVm . Stephens ,
A . 11 . Tattershall , W m . Clarke , Henry Moore , Lewis Stcan , Charles Lacey , C . H . Webb , VVm . March , 'Thomas Cubitt , Charles Bclton , L . Robbins , Julius Quitmann , Wm . F . Nettleship , J . Hastings Miller , G . L . Moore , and E . C . Massey ( Freemason ) . 'The minutes of the meeting of nth January were read and verified . The SECRETARY reported the deaths of four annuitants ,
and of one candidate who died suddenly on receipt of official information that his name had been placed on the list of candidates . 'The report of the Warden informed the Committee among other matters that Bro . Cuthbush had sent a present of standard rose trees fur the gardens of the Institution at Croydon , and that Dr . Strong and some of his friends had given a musical evening to the inmates of the Institution
on the occasion of the Warden attaining the age of 94 . On receiving the ollicial intimation that Uro . Allcroft had consented to preside at the ensuing Festival a vote of thanks to Bro . Allcroft was passed by acclamation . The SECRETARY read a list of sums becoming due for annuities , salaries , and expenses , which were approved , and the Chairman was authorised to sign the necessary cheques .
'The application of a widow for a moiety of her late husband ' s annuity was granted . The SECRETARY presented a statement of receipts and disbursements for 1 SS 3 , and reported that , on looking over the books , he was of opinion that the receipts would not be so large for the current year , but sufficient to meet the same amount of disbursements , though possibly not enough to leave a margin lor investment at the end of the year .
1 here was , however , a considerable balance over at the end of 1883 , which had been invested , and that sum was available if the Committee decided to increase the number of annuitants . At the present time there were 38 male candidates and only 14 vacancies , and there were as manv as S 2 female candidates and only eight vacancies to be filled up . The CHAIRMAN said that it was very desirable to incicasc the number of female annuitants , and it had been suggested
that 10 more widows might be elected , at all events , in the present year . That would make the number iS female annuitants to be elected ; but the brethren must not take it for granted that the increased number of annuities would be continued in future years ; that must depend upon their funds ; but if they were so disposed 10 widows might be added to the list on this occasion . 'The proposal was agreed to . Bro . MOORR said he had seen a statement in the
Frpcmason that the working cxpensesof the Institution amounted to as much as £ 3000 , and that that sum as against about £ , 000 of annuities was , in his opinion , an excessive proportion for that purpose , and he thought that the matter required examination . ttto . TERRY observed that he could not accept the figures that had been stated as correct because they were alleged to have appeared in the Freemason . He could
guarantee the accuracy of the official statement of accounts , and from that statement he had just taken out the items of working expenses , and they came to £ 2 \< f > 7 s . Bro . MOORE said he considered that a large proportion , and inquired whether the commission paid to the collector included commission on moneys paid at the ollice . Bro . TERRY replied that commission was not paid on accounts paid to himself at the office ; that there might
be sums for which the collector had made many personal applications ; but it was paid on sums brought to the collector at the office . Bro . MOORE said he did not think that should be so . For some years past there had been associations formed which had been the means of collecting thousands of pounds for the three Institutions . All the work of collecting those association funds fell upon their Secretaries and
Treasurers . 'The 1 reasurer . ; of those associations paid the money into the office , and in his judgment the official collector had no right whatever to a percentage on the money so collected . The CHAIRMAN said that the collector was paid commission in terms of regulations that had been agreed to , but it was open to any brother to give notice of motion on the subject .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
Bro . MOORE thereupon stated that he would give notice of a motion for next meeting , so that the matter might be discussed next month . The SECRETARY submitted to the meeting the report of the Sub-Committee appointed to consider Bro . Webb ' s motion . 'The Committee had met and considered the matter , and had come to the conclusion that there was no cause for the alteration proposed .
Bro . WEBB bowed to the decision of the Committee with pleasure ; the great increase of the Craft since 1 S 75 had not as yet brought about its natural results , but a steady increase in the number of candidates was inevitable , and he thought that in time to come the alteration he had proposed would be a considerable benefit . The petition of Bro . STARR , which had been deferred for further information , was reported on by the Secretary and
accepted by the Committee . Upon the report of the SECRETARY as to the result of the inquiries , the name of Bro . N . H . Lotinga was ordered to be expunged from the list of candidates . Bro . LACEY said that he had intended to submit to the Committee a notice of motion , but he desired first to ask the advice of the brethren present upon it . It had to some extent relieved his mind to find that they intended to
increase the number of female annuitants at next election . He had thought very seriously whether it would not be well to alter the amount of the annuity in order to increase the number to be benefited . What he proposed was that the amount of the men's annuities should be made £ 32 10 s . instead of £ 40 , and that the widows' annuities should be reduced from £ 32 to £ 26 . He did not propose that the alteration should affect the election in the present year but
only those annuitants coming on after the ( election of 1 SS 5 ; so that should it be passed they would be able to say that whereas the present rates of annuity would satisfy 100 annuitants , 123 would be provided for at the new rates proposed . He regretted the necessity , but it appeared to him more advisable to spread the money they had to give over a larger number than to send so many empty away . The scale he had mentioned would give the male annuitants
16 shillings a week and the widows ten shillings a week . A conversation followed , during which several suggestions were made , one being that the age of eligibility of candidates should be increased from Co to 65 , and it was unanimously conceded that the matter was a very proper subject for a notice of motion , which accordingly Bro . Lacey said he would give in to the Secretary . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .
An Address By Comp. Tew, 1st A.G.S., At Doncaster.
AN ADDRESS BY COMP . TEW , 1 st A . G . S ., AT DONCASTER .
On Friday evening , the 1 st inst ., the regular monthly convocation of the Magdalen Chapter , No . 242 , was held under the presidency of Comp , Dclanoy , M . E . Z ., for the first time in the new Masonic Rooms , Nether Hall-road , Doncastcr , and there was a very large attendance of companions . By way of specially marking the occasion M . E . Comp . Tew , J . P ., ist Asst . G . So ) ., P . P . G . H ., attended and delivered an able and interesting address in
honour of the event . Comp . Tew was accompanied by Comps . Henry Smith , Prov . G . Scribe K ., and Samuel Slack , P . P . G . Asst . Soj . Comp . Tew , who is exceedingly popular thioughout the province , received a most cordial welcome on entering the chapter , and subsequently delivered the following address : Companions , —I have been informed that the old Town Hall rooms of the fjrand and ancient St . George's Lodge at Doncastcr , as constituted 4 th July , 17 S 0 ,
and the centenary festival of which was held here in Doncastcr in 1 SS 0 with much public ceremonial , has found its local habitation hardly commensurate with the demands and requirements of Freemasonry of 18 S 4 , and that for some little time past a movement has been made for a removal to more commodious quarters in the town . This is a movement which has affected the history of several chapters and lodges in the West Riding , ft is a bcalthy
movement and one which I hope may be interpreted as indicating a life of vigour in the Masonic history of the St , George ' s Lodge and the Magdalen Chapter attached to that lodge . II the old rooms were miserable in comparison with what one sees in more modern and newer constructed lodges in this division of county of York , it is only a natural consequence that the brethren and companions located here should be actuated by a desire to imitate the precedents of
lodges and to re-establish themselves in more commodious apartments , where the ritual of the Craft in all its branches can be reverently and appropriately worked with comfort to the brethren assembled . This expansibility , it is gratifying to notice , is continually being resorted to , and 1 believe that Freemasonry is now more comfortably housed in the CC lodges of this province of West Yorkshire . This improvement and extension of premises the R . W . Prov .
Grand Master and M . E . Comp . Grand Superintendent of West Yorkshire is always most anxious and willing to promote . It is one that I , as the Deputy of this province , always feel it a pleasure and a privilege to participate in , and to teport to the gallant commander-in-chief , Lieut .-Col . Sir H . Edwards , who is most anxious for the progress and prosperity of every degree in the province over which he has the honour to preside . It was most cratifvine
to me that I received a communication last December from Past Master Delanoy , your Z . to-day , and who was W . M . in 1 S 80 , that he and Bros . Hartley and Walker had taken upon themselves on behalf of the Cralt to lease for the period of 10 years this handsome suite of rooms for the purposes of Blue Craft and Royal Arch Masonry . 1 have now come with the Provincial Grand S . E ., Comp . Henry Smith , to witness together the
accomplishment of this energetic action . These rooms , so adaptable for these purposes and so suitably furnished , have not only cost thought in their various arrangements , but have cost a sum of money besides . I hope all that has now been done meets with the cordial approval of the brethren and the companions , and that I and Provincial Scribe E . may offer to all concerned our hearty congratulations on the achievement of a vast improvement to your renowned
old lodge and chapter , and that I may report your approbation to the Grand Superintendent at Halifax . 1 presume the minutes of Lodge 242 of the 3 rd January , 1879—to raise a sum of money by shares to build a Masonic Hall in Doncastcr to commemorate the 1 S 80 festival—have not been able to be carried out , and that these new rooms entered into to-day arc a substitution thereof ; because on the 2 nd May , 1879 , a minute was passed , after receiving a report , that" the present time was inopportune to proceed
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason
Charities do ; I think wc may be proud if by-and-by we can annually give the revenue of a sum equal to j'our yearly grants . Thus we have paid our debts—our first duty ; and thus we propose to do in the way of charity—our next duty ; and
having so done , I need not assure you that , this having first been fuliy accomplished , there will be found Masons in Scotland who will turn their attention to the other points you often refer to , and endeavour to raise the Grand Lodge of Scotland to that position which even now some of her sons are silently working for . —Yours fraternally , ALEX . INKSON McCONNOCHlE , P . M . 54 , Treasurer of the Aberdeen City P . G . Lodge . 74 , Union-street , Aberdeen , February nth .
THE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF QUEENSLAND . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother—In the issue of the Freemason of the 29 th September you give a long report of the first meeting of the recently formed District Grand Lodge of Natal . On
reading the following sentence , " It was then arranged that another meeting should be held at Pietermaritzbtirg as soon as might be found convenient , for the passing of bye-laws and transaction of other important business , & c , " it struck me that the formation and general conduct of business in our District Grand Lodge must differ in many and serious respects from the generality of District Grand Lodges . It
appears the Lodge at Natal believed its first duty to be the pa-sing of bye-laws for its guidance . Our District Grand Lodge ' at its formation neglected this duty . We have no bye-laws , nor are we likely to have , judging from recent utterances . Our District G'and Master evideitly considers anything beyond the Constitutions to be superfluous . A lew months ago a motion was carried increasing the
fees payable by Craft Lodges ( though the motion was unconstitutional , having "been rejected at the previous meeting , the numbers being eleven in favour and six against . Sec para . S , page 50 , Const , of 1 S 73 ) . During the discussion one brother justly observed " that any regulation for increasing the scale of fees would become a bye-law j but before they could embody that bye-law it
would be . necessary to first frame a set of bye-laws , else how could it be embodied in the bye-laws ? " I am aware of para . 5 , page 57 , which says , " District Grand Lodges may make rules and regulations for the management and conduct of their own piocetdings , " & c . I regret the word shall U not used instead of may , lor I am convinced from my experience in District Grand Lodge here it would
greatly conduce to a more amicable and satisfactory dispatch ot business . It is probable this motion will remain a dead letter as others do , or be acted upon suddenly and when the District Grand Master thinks proper . Our District Grand Lodge as at present constituted will never favour any movement for passing a code of byelaws . It would look upon it as an attempt to limit its
powers and privileges . The Constitutions have been found to interfere with its actions on several occasions . As showing its tiuly auiocratic chatactcc the Constitution has been made subservient to the wishes of the District Grand Mas'cr and his ofiio rs . It is not often that a lodge or an individual Mason will take the trouble to appeal , or open up a correspondence with the Grand Lodge in
London . During my six years of Masonic life I know only of cne appeal from Queensland , and that from the Victoria Lodce , No . nSO , re holding a lodge of instruction other than where the lodge is regularly held . In this case the decision of the District Grand Lodge was reversed . I consider English Freemasonry in Queensland has received a furlher check by the recent appointment of
D . D . G . Master . A more unpopular appointment could not have been made . I am afraid of ttcspnssing too much upon your space , but before closing would like to ask you a few questions . When our D . G . Lodge teaches one thing , and old Masons of 20 and 30 years' standing say it is wronrj , young Masons like mysclfarc ant to enquire now which is ncht ? 1 . Who is
il . Deacon or I . G ., that presents p n d to candidate on his entrance ? 2 . Can a Master Mason who has never been a Warden or Master hold an office in D . G . Lodge ? Your weekly , Mr . Editor , has more than ordinary interest to us in this far off land . 1 am thankful 1 have been enabled to make arrangements through ycur agent here , for a regular supply . —Yours fraternally , LEX .
THE OLD YORK WORKING . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As I note Bro . Hollon ' s query in the Freemason , I beg to remind him that he has never answered my question as lo the "York Ritual" he professes to have or to have seen . I would , therefore , again ask him in the Freemason , is he
quite sure of the fact , and of what date and authority is the MS . he mentions ? So much has been called " York Working" which clearly is not , and so many assertions are made as to the York Rite and the like , which are all " Muthos , " that I for one , after long and careful searches in vain , am very sceptical of the existence of any such pure York Working . —Fraternallv yours , THE WRITER OF THE ARTICLE ON
YORK WORKING
THE ORDER OF ROSICRUCIANS . To the Ed'tor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I was pleased to read your appreciative letter on the York College of R"sicrucians . Such a body of Masons deserves notice , as a literary and intellectual department is added to ihu usual Masonic labour and refreshment .
I cannot attend the gathering at York on the 20 th , but if any L mdon brother ( not necessarily a member of our particular Order ) will give me a call I shall be pleased to give him a ticket . — Yours , & c , 25 . Budge-row , E . C . HENRY LOVEGROVE . P . S . —I suggested in your columns that Wardens should cease to attend Grand Lodge weeks before Bro . Letchworth wrote his letter . —ILL .
A ROSICRUCIAN BOOK . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , If Uro . Cumber ' and will kindly write to the editor of the Freemason he will put him in the way to obtain Vaughan ' s litt c book , and perhaps one or two more for the York Conversazione . —Fraternally , ROSA CRUCIS .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
299 ] STARTLING STATEMENTS . In a German tract printed about 1 S 03 , and bound up with another tract of Fessler , called " Geschichte der Freimaurerei , " occur the following startling statements , which I give to Masonic students for what they are worth . 1 . The Yemplars worked with the so-called "Magical Brethren " at an early period of their existence . 2 . A Rosicrucian MS . states that at Cologne , with the motto
"Non omnismonar , this "Magical Union " was created there in n 15 . 3 . A MS . of Michael Mayers still exists in the University Library at Leydcn which sets forth that in 1570 the society of the old Magical Brethren , or " wise men , " was revived under the name of " Brethren of the Golden Rosy Cross . " 4 . It is asserted that in 1563 the Statutes of the Brotherhood were on the 22 nd September at Basle , at a meeting of 72 Masters of lodges , revised , set forth , and
printed ; that the lodges of Swabia , Hesse , Bavaria , Franconia , Saxony , Thuringia , and those on the Moselle , acknowledged the headship of the Grand Lodge of Strassburgh . That in the eighteenth century the lodges of Dresden and Nuraberg were fined by the Grand Lodge of Strassburgh , and that the Grand Lodge of Vienna of Hungary and Steirrmark the Grand Lodge of Zurich , which ruled the Swiss lodges , referred to the mother lodge of Strassburgh in all difficult and doubtful matters . iMASONIC STUDENT .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
'The General Committee held the usual monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , when there were present Bros . Col . Crcaton , Past Grand 'Treasurer , in the chair , John H . Leggot , John D . Allcroft , John Uulmcr , II . B . Marshall , C . G " . Dillcy , T . VV . C . Bush , G . Bolton , Jas . Brett , VV . II . Goodall , Edgar Bowyer , VVm . Stephens ,
A . 11 . Tattershall , W m . Clarke , Henry Moore , Lewis Stcan , Charles Lacey , C . H . Webb , VVm . March , 'Thomas Cubitt , Charles Bclton , L . Robbins , Julius Quitmann , Wm . F . Nettleship , J . Hastings Miller , G . L . Moore , and E . C . Massey ( Freemason ) . 'The minutes of the meeting of nth January were read and verified . The SECRETARY reported the deaths of four annuitants ,
and of one candidate who died suddenly on receipt of official information that his name had been placed on the list of candidates . 'The report of the Warden informed the Committee among other matters that Bro . Cuthbush had sent a present of standard rose trees fur the gardens of the Institution at Croydon , and that Dr . Strong and some of his friends had given a musical evening to the inmates of the Institution
on the occasion of the Warden attaining the age of 94 . On receiving the ollicial intimation that Uro . Allcroft had consented to preside at the ensuing Festival a vote of thanks to Bro . Allcroft was passed by acclamation . The SECRETARY read a list of sums becoming due for annuities , salaries , and expenses , which were approved , and the Chairman was authorised to sign the necessary cheques .
'The application of a widow for a moiety of her late husband ' s annuity was granted . The SECRETARY presented a statement of receipts and disbursements for 1 SS 3 , and reported that , on looking over the books , he was of opinion that the receipts would not be so large for the current year , but sufficient to meet the same amount of disbursements , though possibly not enough to leave a margin lor investment at the end of the year .
1 here was , however , a considerable balance over at the end of 1883 , which had been invested , and that sum was available if the Committee decided to increase the number of annuitants . At the present time there were 38 male candidates and only 14 vacancies , and there were as manv as S 2 female candidates and only eight vacancies to be filled up . The CHAIRMAN said that it was very desirable to incicasc the number of female annuitants , and it had been suggested
that 10 more widows might be elected , at all events , in the present year . That would make the number iS female annuitants to be elected ; but the brethren must not take it for granted that the increased number of annuities would be continued in future years ; that must depend upon their funds ; but if they were so disposed 10 widows might be added to the list on this occasion . 'The proposal was agreed to . Bro . MOORR said he had seen a statement in the
Frpcmason that the working cxpensesof the Institution amounted to as much as £ 3000 , and that that sum as against about £ , 000 of annuities was , in his opinion , an excessive proportion for that purpose , and he thought that the matter required examination . ttto . TERRY observed that he could not accept the figures that had been stated as correct because they were alleged to have appeared in the Freemason . He could
guarantee the accuracy of the official statement of accounts , and from that statement he had just taken out the items of working expenses , and they came to £ 2 \< f > 7 s . Bro . MOORE said he considered that a large proportion , and inquired whether the commission paid to the collector included commission on moneys paid at the ollice . Bro . TERRY replied that commission was not paid on accounts paid to himself at the office ; that there might
be sums for which the collector had made many personal applications ; but it was paid on sums brought to the collector at the office . Bro . MOORE said he did not think that should be so . For some years past there had been associations formed which had been the means of collecting thousands of pounds for the three Institutions . All the work of collecting those association funds fell upon their Secretaries and
Treasurers . 'The 1 reasurer . ; of those associations paid the money into the office , and in his judgment the official collector had no right whatever to a percentage on the money so collected . The CHAIRMAN said that the collector was paid commission in terms of regulations that had been agreed to , but it was open to any brother to give notice of motion on the subject .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
Bro . MOORE thereupon stated that he would give notice of a motion for next meeting , so that the matter might be discussed next month . The SECRETARY submitted to the meeting the report of the Sub-Committee appointed to consider Bro . Webb ' s motion . 'The Committee had met and considered the matter , and had come to the conclusion that there was no cause for the alteration proposed .
Bro . WEBB bowed to the decision of the Committee with pleasure ; the great increase of the Craft since 1 S 75 had not as yet brought about its natural results , but a steady increase in the number of candidates was inevitable , and he thought that in time to come the alteration he had proposed would be a considerable benefit . The petition of Bro . STARR , which had been deferred for further information , was reported on by the Secretary and
accepted by the Committee . Upon the report of the SECRETARY as to the result of the inquiries , the name of Bro . N . H . Lotinga was ordered to be expunged from the list of candidates . Bro . LACEY said that he had intended to submit to the Committee a notice of motion , but he desired first to ask the advice of the brethren present upon it . It had to some extent relieved his mind to find that they intended to
increase the number of female annuitants at next election . He had thought very seriously whether it would not be well to alter the amount of the annuity in order to increase the number to be benefited . What he proposed was that the amount of the men's annuities should be made £ 32 10 s . instead of £ 40 , and that the widows' annuities should be reduced from £ 32 to £ 26 . He did not propose that the alteration should affect the election in the present year but
only those annuitants coming on after the ( election of 1 SS 5 ; so that should it be passed they would be able to say that whereas the present rates of annuity would satisfy 100 annuitants , 123 would be provided for at the new rates proposed . He regretted the necessity , but it appeared to him more advisable to spread the money they had to give over a larger number than to send so many empty away . The scale he had mentioned would give the male annuitants
16 shillings a week and the widows ten shillings a week . A conversation followed , during which several suggestions were made , one being that the age of eligibility of candidates should be increased from Co to 65 , and it was unanimously conceded that the matter was a very proper subject for a notice of motion , which accordingly Bro . Lacey said he would give in to the Secretary . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .
An Address By Comp. Tew, 1st A.G.S., At Doncaster.
AN ADDRESS BY COMP . TEW , 1 st A . G . S ., AT DONCASTER .
On Friday evening , the 1 st inst ., the regular monthly convocation of the Magdalen Chapter , No . 242 , was held under the presidency of Comp , Dclanoy , M . E . Z ., for the first time in the new Masonic Rooms , Nether Hall-road , Doncastcr , and there was a very large attendance of companions . By way of specially marking the occasion M . E . Comp . Tew , J . P ., ist Asst . G . So ) ., P . P . G . H ., attended and delivered an able and interesting address in
honour of the event . Comp . Tew was accompanied by Comps . Henry Smith , Prov . G . Scribe K ., and Samuel Slack , P . P . G . Asst . Soj . Comp . Tew , who is exceedingly popular thioughout the province , received a most cordial welcome on entering the chapter , and subsequently delivered the following address : Companions , —I have been informed that the old Town Hall rooms of the fjrand and ancient St . George's Lodge at Doncastcr , as constituted 4 th July , 17 S 0 ,
and the centenary festival of which was held here in Doncastcr in 1 SS 0 with much public ceremonial , has found its local habitation hardly commensurate with the demands and requirements of Freemasonry of 18 S 4 , and that for some little time past a movement has been made for a removal to more commodious quarters in the town . This is a movement which has affected the history of several chapters and lodges in the West Riding , ft is a bcalthy
movement and one which I hope may be interpreted as indicating a life of vigour in the Masonic history of the St , George ' s Lodge and the Magdalen Chapter attached to that lodge . II the old rooms were miserable in comparison with what one sees in more modern and newer constructed lodges in this division of county of York , it is only a natural consequence that the brethren and companions located here should be actuated by a desire to imitate the precedents of
lodges and to re-establish themselves in more commodious apartments , where the ritual of the Craft in all its branches can be reverently and appropriately worked with comfort to the brethren assembled . This expansibility , it is gratifying to notice , is continually being resorted to , and 1 believe that Freemasonry is now more comfortably housed in the CC lodges of this province of West Yorkshire . This improvement and extension of premises the R . W . Prov .
Grand Master and M . E . Comp . Grand Superintendent of West Yorkshire is always most anxious and willing to promote . It is one that I , as the Deputy of this province , always feel it a pleasure and a privilege to participate in , and to teport to the gallant commander-in-chief , Lieut .-Col . Sir H . Edwards , who is most anxious for the progress and prosperity of every degree in the province over which he has the honour to preside . It was most cratifvine
to me that I received a communication last December from Past Master Delanoy , your Z . to-day , and who was W . M . in 1 S 80 , that he and Bros . Hartley and Walker had taken upon themselves on behalf of the Cralt to lease for the period of 10 years this handsome suite of rooms for the purposes of Blue Craft and Royal Arch Masonry . 1 have now come with the Provincial Grand S . E ., Comp . Henry Smith , to witness together the
accomplishment of this energetic action . These rooms , so adaptable for these purposes and so suitably furnished , have not only cost thought in their various arrangements , but have cost a sum of money besides . I hope all that has now been done meets with the cordial approval of the brethren and the companions , and that I and Provincial Scribe E . may offer to all concerned our hearty congratulations on the achievement of a vast improvement to your renowned
old lodge and chapter , and that I may report your approbation to the Grand Superintendent at Halifax . 1 presume the minutes of Lodge 242 of the 3 rd January , 1879—to raise a sum of money by shares to build a Masonic Hall in Doncastcr to commemorate the 1 S 80 festival—have not been able to be carried out , and that these new rooms entered into to-day arc a substitution thereof ; because on the 2 nd May , 1879 , a minute was passed , after receiving a report , that" the present time was inopportune to proceed