Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management held their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday . Rro . J- A . Farnfield , Treasurer of the Institution , was in the chair , and there were present Bros . H . Smith , pG . D ., D . P . G . M . West Yorkshire ; C . E . Keyser , A ' . H . Tattershall , James Brett , P . G . P .: G . Bolton ,

X B Daniell , J . Newton , J . P . Fitzgerald , W . M . Rice , C A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; H . J . Strong , Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; S . C . Haslip , Chas . Kempton , Geo . E . Fairchild , R . P . Stevens , John Barnett , jun ., Henry Garrod , Charles G . Hill , Henry Cox , Louis Stean , W . H . Hubbert , W .

Hollis , Charles Lacey , W . H . Making , Hugh Cotter , C U . Carrell , W . Klingenstein , Chas . Daniel , E . M . Money , Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; H . M . Hobbs , Alex . Ridgway , and James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , the Secretary reported the deaths of

five annuitants ( three men and two widows ) . The report of the Sub-Committee appointed to prepare tor the arrangements for the forthcoming Jubilee Festival vvas submitted and agreed to , and the requisition calling a special general meeting for the purpose of altering certain laws on Wednesday next , the 20 th inst ., at

the hour of noon , was signed . The Warden s report for the past month was also read . The draft annual report vvas submitted and approved , subject to certain verbal amendments , and the applications from the widows of two recently deceased

annuitants for half their late husband's annuities vvere acceded to . The name of an accepted widow candidate vvas withdrawn from the list . The proceedings terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman .

— ? ¦ GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . The Quarterly Communication of this Grand Lodge vvas held in Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., Bro . Col . Sir Archibald Campbell , Bart ., M . W . G . M ., on the throne , supported by Bros . J . T . Elliot , of Wolfelee , acting S . G . W ., and James Dalrymple Duncan , J . G . W .

After the opening of Grand Lodge , a deputation from Lodge Melrose St . 'John was introduced to the Grand Master , who expressed his pleasure at receiving them , as their coming into the fold brought completion of the jurisdiction of Grand Lodge over all the lodges in Scotland . The minutes of the last meeting of Grand Lodge

were approved , with the exception that the ruling on the position of Provincial Grand Wardens was postponed till the August Communication . Bro . George Fisher ' s motion vvas negatived by 164 against 48 . The motion standing in Bro . W . R . Mann ' s name was postponed until next meeting as the sederunt had already been a very long one .

PHILANTHROPIC LODGE , No . 304 , LEEDS . A very interesting gathering took place at Leeds on Saturday , the 25 th ult ., on the occasion of Bro . C . Letch Mason completing his 25 th year of membership of the above lodge . Bro . Mason invited the Master , Past Masters , Wardens , and officers of the lodge to dinner

at the Masonic Rooms , together vvith a few outside members of the Fraternity , amongst whom were the D . P . G . M ., Bro . H . Smith , Past G . Deacon ; Bro . the Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., Past G . Chaplain ; Bro . W . F . Smithson , G . Deacon Eng . and Prov . S . G . W . Before proceeding to the banqueting hall , Bro . MASON said it was well known to all assembled that it

was on that day 25 years ago , on those very premises , he had passed through the portals of the lodge and received the li ght of Masonry . From that day to the present time he had received nothing but unvarying kindness from all the members of the lodge , and he thought that there vvas no better way to celebrate the

event than their dining together and , he trusted , spendln g a pleasant and enjoyable evening . But however enjoyable the evening might be , as time pissed away the recollection would gradually fade away . He had therefore determined to make a present to the lodge , vvhich

he trusted would be a more lasting acknowled gment of his gratitude . He desired to ask the W . M . accept , for the lodge , a set of appropriate brass candlesticks , which he trusted would be an addition to j" > d not detract from the handsome furniture of the lod ge .

the brethren then proceeded to the lodge room , vnere the candlesticks were arranged in proper order . he candlesticks are of brass , some four feet high , the columns being the three orders of architecture , and » the fo"owing inscription : Presented to the Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , by T \ ... V _ , _ L . «_ , mc L UllclllLULUJJlL . UUUgC , I . , ( J . a _ U _[ ., _ y brother

Charles Letch Mason , Master of the lodge ofV •^ l 871 and l 877 , on the 2 5 th ann'versary his initiation , as a slight acknowledgment for many K 1 "dnesses received . 25 th April , 1891 . " mu h TM '' Br 0- J' w' BooTH . said that he had very nf i-u P ' easure in accepting the candlesticks on behalf ne ., l -- — -. « ., _ iu ai . t ;_ i _ uuy uie uc _ ii _ i __ > _ ii _ n . b on uenau

n - ; hilanthrc . pic Lodge , the rf- ethren assembled in the banquet hall , where Saw To "" Was served hy the Hal 1 Steward . Bro . Aft , arrand , in his usual recherche sty le , inte r dinner > Bro - MASON stated that it vvas not his ntion to give them a long toast list , but there were

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

some he should ask them to drink . The first was that vvhich all true men and Masons delig hted to honour—¦ " The Queen . " "The Grand Lodge" vvas next given , and ably responded to by Bro . Dr . SMYTH . " The Provincial Grand Lodge" vvas proposed by

Bro . MASON , vvho said he was sorry that the Prov . Grand Master vvas not present , but that he had received a very kind letter from him , in vvhich he said '' I heartily congratulate you on completing your 25 th year . May you live to enjoy your 50 th admission into Masonry . " Twenty-five years was a short time to

look back upon , but a long one to look forward to ; but he hoped that they might all live to meet and celebrate the 50 th anniversary . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . H . SMITH , responded . The next toast vvas " Prosperity to the Philanthropic

Lodge . " Bro . MASON said , in proposing this toast , it recalled many very happy meetings in that room , and he hoped that their dear old mother lodge , vvhich was fast nearing her " centenary , " would long continue to prosper , and that the same happiness and goodwill would always prevail as in the past , for he believed he

was correct in saying that during the existence of the lodge it had had no internal dissensions , but that it had been one long continued unbroken time of happiness , peace , and goodwill . The toast vvas drunk with enthusiasm , and responded to by Bro . J . W . BOOTH .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in proposing " The Health of the Host of the Evening , Bro . Mason , " said Bro . Mason vvas no stranger to the Masons of Leeds and the province . He was initiated on the 25 th April , 1866 , installed W . M . in December , 1870 , and again in December , 1876 , and was Provincial

Grand Treasurer in 1 S 79 and 1880 , and was one of the founders , and third Master of Lodge Prudence , No . 2069 . He was exalted on the 6 th January , 1 S 68 , installed Z . in 1874 ; joined the Alfred Chapter in 1880 and held the office of Z . in 1880 and 1881 ; being also an active member of Integrity Chapter , No . 380 . Was

Provincial Grand Registrar in 18 75 , 1876 , 18 77 , and 18 7 8 , and was appointed Prov . Grand H . in 18 79 , the highest honour the Grand Superintendent of the province could confer on him . Bro . Mason had taken an active interest in all that concerned the welfare of the province , and vvas . a warm supporter of the Masonic

Charities . The brethren well knew his labours , and he asked them to drink his health heartily . In responding , Bro . MASON said he was extremel y obliged to the Deputy Prov . Grand Master for all the kind words he had uttered , and to the brethren for the kind manner they had drank his health . When the

Bishop of Derry was preaching the installation sermon of the Archbishop of York , he said " that no one could take an active and prominent position without his actions being at times ' misunderstood , " and he felt that in the prominent interest he had taken in the welfare of the lodge , his actions might have been sometimes

misunderstood . However , he would say this , that the brethren had at all times given the most generous construction to his views , feeling assured that he vvas solely actuated by the best motive for the welfare and success of the lodge .

In proposing the toast of " The Masonic Charities , " Bro . HILL , P . M ., dwelt upon the labours of Bro . Smithson in connection with the Boys' School , and also of Bro . Lovvrey in connection vvith the local Masonic education fund .

Bro . SMITHSON , in responding , gave an interesting account of the reconstruction of the Boys' School , and trusted that it would in future be worked in a thoroughly efficient manner . Bro . LOWREY responded on behalf of the local education fund , and pointed out the real work it had done in

the education of several families , the . parents of whom vvere unable , from various causes , to properly educate their children . Bro . MASON , in proposing the next toast , said it vvas the last one , and was also a comprehensive one" Success to the Fidelity Lodge , No . 28 9 , and the

Alfred Lodge , No . 306 ; the Prudence Lodge , No . 206 9 , Philanthropic Chapter , No . 304 ; and the Alfred Chapter , No . 306 . " The Fidelity and the Alfred Lodges vvere the only two other lodges existing in Leeds at the time he was initiated . His friend , Bro . Beck , was present , a member of the Fidelity , and he

regretted the W . M . of the Alfred Lodge , Bro . Malcolm ( with whom he had long been associated in Masonry ) , was unable to be present . Bro . Middleton , the I . P . M . of the Prudence Lodge , was present and would respond , and the M . E . Z . of the Philanthropic Chapter and of the Alfred Chapter vvere also present .

All these brethren had been closely connected with him in Masonry . Bros . BECK and MIDDLETON responded . Bro . RICKARD , M . E . Z . 304 , in responding , said that Bro . Mason had that evening gladdened his heart . He had long desired that the three orders of architecture

so closely connected vvith Masonry should have their proper place in the lodge , and trusted they would long remain and remind them of the labours of one vvho they all highly esteemed . Bro . TREVOR , M . E . Z . 306 , also responded . The remainder of the evening vvas enlivened with

songs and music given by the brethren . The gathering vvas somewhat unique from the fact that it was the 25 th anniversary on the 25 th day of the month , and , owing to one or two brethren being prevented b y illness from attending at the last moment , 2 . *; brethren sat down to dinner .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

At the regular meeting of the Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , held on Wednesday , the 29 th ult ., the Secretary , at the request of the W . M ., made a report of the proceedings of the Saturday previous , and the present

made by Bro . Mason . The W . M . stated that at a meeting held some weeks ago it had been decided to present Bro . Mason with an address , vvhich he called upon the Secretary to read , and vvas as follows :

" Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , Leeds . To Worshipful Brother Charles Letch Mason , Past Master , Past Provincial Grand Treasurer , Treasurer of the Lodge . " Worshipful Sir and Brother ,

' •The Worshipful Master , Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the Philanthropic Lodge salute you on the 25 th anniversary of your initiation into Freemasonry , and beg your acceptance of this address as a token of the fraternal regard and esteem in which you are held in your mother lodge .

"J WM . BOOTH , W . M . " 25 th April , 1891 . " "JAS . BEAUMONT , Secretary . The W . M . then presented the address , adding that he trusted that Bro . Mason would receive it with their sincere thanks and best wishes . Bro . Tomlinson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C , and Bro . Jose Rickard , P . M ., also spoke in similar terms .

Bro . MASON thanked the W . M ., officers , and brethren for their kind expression of feeling , and although he could speak at some length , he abstained from doing so as the evening was far advanced , and also they had present that evening a large number of brethren from

Hull , who had to return home , and vvith whom they wished to spend a social hour before the train left . The address was beautifull y illuminated , and the different jewels worn by Bro . Mason were interwoven in the design .

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE EMBLEMATIC LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1321 . The annual festival and supper of the above lodge took place at St . James ' s Hall Restaurant , on Tuesday , the 28 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . Joseph Greenway , W . M . elect of the Harrow Lodge , No . 1310 ,

and was a hi ghly successful gathering , upwards of 150 members and visitors being present . The supper was admirably served in the Regent Room . The toast of " The Queen and Craft" was received with enthusiasm .

The toast of "The Emblematic Lodge of Instruction " vvas proposed by Bro . GREENWAY , the Preceptor , in a spirited speech , relating the great progress made by the lodge during the past twelve months , and saying he had no doubt that if he continued to receive the support of the members and of the Past Masters of the mother lodge as he had hitherto done , that it had a bright future in store for it .

Bro . FENDICK , P . M ., responded for the lodge , and spoke of the excellent services rendered to it b y its Preceptor , Bro . Greenway . The following toasts were also duly honoured : "The Visitors , " "The President , " "The Vice-President , " " Executive , " and " Stewards , " and vvere briefly and

suitably responded to , being interspersed with songs and recitations , admirably rendered by the following : Bros . E gbert Roberts , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; Wm . Hoggins , W . J . Harris , Sergt . Lee , M . A . ; J . Kift , T . Moggridge , W . Yates , Arthur Fry , and T . Lever , and Messrs . J . Peachey , T . Greet , T . Shale , and H . Whitehouse .

A presentation of a purse of gold vvas made to Bro . G . F . Swan , P . M ., as a sli ght token of appreciation of his services , upon his retirement from the office of Secretary ; in which capacity he had faithfully served the lodge for many years . A most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the singing of Auld Lang Syne .

DUBLIN MASONIC ORPHAN SCHOOL . The ninty-ninth anniversary of the Masonic Female Orphan School was celebrated on the 30 th ult . in the Leinster Hall , Dublin , with great eclat . Prizes were distributed by the Duchess of Abereorn , who had come from London on purpose , and the hall and galleries were densely crowded . The Royal Standard and Union

Jack vvere draped from a cord over the dais , and smaller banners decorated the edge of the gallery , together with trails of acacia and ivy . A procession of the Great Officers of the Masonic Order passed up the hall , at one point marching between two lines of the High Kni ghts Templar , in their picturesque

costumes of white cloaks , vvith red bands ; and , just as the Grand Officers came to the lines , the Templars drew their swords , and , raising them , made an arch of steel , under which the procession passed . It vvas a most beautiful sight altogether , with the different colours of

cloaks and decorations worn by the officers , and the pretty dresses and sparkling jewels of the ladies , and , finall y , the bright faces of the children , who came up in pairs , and had seats kept for them on the front of the dais .

After the Duchess had given the prizes , a performance of music took place , followed by a vote of thanks to her Grace , moved by the SECRETARY of the Schools , and seconded b y Bro . Col . COSBY in a very neat little speech .