Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of the Committee of the Royal Masonic Benevo lent Institution was held on Wednesday at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . H . B Marshall , G . Treasurer , Treasurer of the Institution , was called to the chair The other brethren present were Bros . J . M . Case , C . F . Hogard , C . A Cottebrune , H . Moore , C . H . Webb , T . C . Walls , J . L . Mather , L . G

Gordon Robins , T . Hastings Miller , Edgar Bowyer , J . A . Farnfield , E . M Money , W . March , W . Daniell , W . J . Murlis , James Brett , J . Bulmer , J Newton , C . Belton , T . W . C . Bush , L . Stean , C . Daniel , C . Lacey , A . H Tattershall , W . H . Goodall , A . Barfield , G , P . Gillard , Jabez Hogg , VV Hilton , C . Dairy , H . Cox , G . P . Festa , and J . Terry ( Secretary ) .

After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , the SECRETARY reported the death of two annuitants , one of whom was the late Warder , of the Institution—Bro . James Norris . Bro . J . A . FARNFIELD moved a vote of condolence with Miss Norris on the death of her father .

Bro . BULMER seconded the motion , and said he was raised to the Third Degree by the late Bro . Norris . The motion was carried . The Warden ' s report was then read . It stated , among other things , that the annual New Year ' s entertainment to the old people took place at

Croydon on the 7 th inst ., and that Bro . Bowyer and Mrs . Bowyer , Bros . Cutbush and Hastings Miller , and Bro . James Terry and Mrs . Terry , and others had sent most liberal contributions to the feast . It also stated that the Carolina ( Original ) Minstrels gave an amusing negro entertaiament in the evening , which was highly appreciated , as well as the entertainment in the afternoon .

On the motion of Bro . TATTERSHALL , seconded by Bro . MURLIS , a vote of thanks to the several donors of contributions to the entertainment was passed unanimously . A vote of thanks to the troupe of Carolina ( Original ) Minstrels , for the entertainment provided in the evening of the 7 th inst ., was also carried unanimously , on the motion of Bro . EDGAR BOWYER , seconded by Bro . T . HASTINGS MILLER .

The Finance Committee ' s report was then read and passed , and the Chairman was authorised to sign the cheques for the sums recommended thereby . Before proceeding with the petitions , Bro . C . H . WEBB asked the Secretary how many petitioners were on the list for May election up to the present lime , and how many vacancies there were ?

Bro . TERRY said there were 31 men and 19 widows . There were vacancies for 12 men only . There were no vacancies for widows . The petitions were then considered . The new list contained the names of 27 petitioners , of whom 12 were females . Twelve male petitions were accepted , and three rejected , Of the female petitions , two were withdrawn , and one was deferred . The remaining nine were accepted . Bro . TERRY , before the proceedings terminated , desired to say that the

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution acquired the very proud position in 1884 of obtaining the largest amount it had ever yet got in one year , viz ., £ 19 , 900 . Nevertheless , the calls on the funds were very heavy . At the next election in May there would be 42 men and 81 widows seeking the annuities . For the men there would be but 12 vacancies , but for the widows there was not at present a single vacancy . He hoped the brethren would redouble their efforts on behalf of the Institution . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

A Point Of Law.

A POINT OF LAW .

A curious question vvas raised last week in the concluding paragraph of our Melbourne Correspondent ' s "Jottings from the Antipodes . " An English brother , who had been " initiated and passed in a North of England lodge , " went out to Australia , and , having settled in Adelaide , was " raised in a lodge an hour subsequent to the said lodge agreeing to join the Grand Lodge of South Australia , " and our Correspondent is anxious to know— " What is

his present and future standing ? and will the Grand Lodge of England grant him a certificate ? " The position is certainly a novel one ; but , though we are not competent , or , if we vvere , should have no desire to lay down the law authoritatively , it strikes us that there should be no great difficulty in satisfying the very natural anxiety of the querist . Assuming our Correspondent has stated the facts correctly , we find that the raising of the

brother in question occurred while the lodge which conferred the degree upon him was under the jurisdiction of United Grand Lodge ; or , to put the matter more clearly still , the act of raising him was done by virtue of the warrant which had constituted the lodge , and authorised it so to meet and confer the degrees in Craft Masonry . Had there been no such authorisation the meeting would have been irregular , and , as a matter of course , the

whole of its proceedings irregular likewise . We have further to bear in mind that the lodge ' s resolution to-sever its connection with the Grand Lodge of England and join the new organisation , and its severance of such connection and union with the new body , were acts done not simultaneously , but successively , the latter act following the former , and being indeed , if persisted in , its inevitable consequence . Moreover , the resolution , in order to obtain

the requisite validity in the eyes of the law , would have to be confirmed at a subsequent meeting . At all events—and it appears to us to be immaterial whether the raising followed the passing of the resolution or its confirmation—the meeting at which the resolution to join the Grand Lodge of South Australia was passed —or confirmed , as the case may have been—and the brother raised to the Degree of M . M . was held by virtue of the authority conveyed in the warrant constituting the lodge—that is , under the sanction of the Grand Lodge of

England . Consequently , only suJi of its proceedings as were irregular or unconstitutional could be declared invalid by that Body . The mere accident—for such it musthavebeen—of theraising having followed the acceptance or confirmation of th resolution would not have the effect of invalidating the former . In other words , the brother in question became , in our opinion , a Master Mason under the English Constitution the moment the ceremony of raising him to that Degree was completed , and , as such , he is entitled to a Master

A Point Of Law.

Mason's certificate from United Grand Lodge . This , at least , appears to us to be the common sense view of the question , but as , unfortunately , it sometimes happens that law and common sense are at variance with one another , perhaps some of our light friends will kindly favour us with their opinions upon the subject .

Presentation To The R.W. Deputy Grand Master, The Earl Of Lathom.

PRESENTATION TO THE R . W . DEPUTY GRAND MASTER , THE EARL OF LATHOM .

The annual ball of the Masonic body of the Province of West Lancashire , which was held at the Town Hall , Liverpool , on the 9 th inst ., was rendered especially interesting by the presentation of a memorial portrait , accompanied by an illuminated address , to Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M . of England , and Prov . G . M . of VVest Lancashire . The ceremony took place in the Council Chamber at nine o ' clock , in the presence of about 500 brethren and ladies , including a very large representation of the various lodges in the province .

His Worship the Mayor ( Bro . Alderman David Radcliffe ) presided , and supporting him vvere Bros , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., P . G . M . ; E . Pierpoint , P . G . S . D . ; Councillor T . W . Oakshott , Councillor G . C . Dobell , Councillor E . Paull , P . M . 1356 ; J . B . Mackenzie , P . G . S . D . ;

G . Broadbridge , P . G . S . ; R . Morton , P . G . T . ; R . A . Davies , W . M . ; T . Salter , P . P . J . D . ; J . Beesley , P . G . S . ; T . M'Cracken , T . Whitehead , H . M . Molyneux , W . M . 155 ; J . T . Callow , P . P . G . T . ; Dr . Pitts , P . M . 1620 ; G . M . King , W . M . 823 ; R . Young , P . M . 86 ; Robt . Foote , P . M . 1505 ; J . C . Robinson , P . M . 249 ; and others .

His Worship the MAYOR , upon rising to open the proceedings , was cordially greeted . Hesaid—My Lord Lathom , ladies , and gentlemen—It needs no assurance of mine to tell you how we appreciate your company with us in Liverpool , more especially when we have you among so many of your brother Masons . I have been asked by the chairman of the Testimonial Portrait Committee to preside over this presentation , and I feel , my lord ,

very much the honour conferred upon me . There is no one , I am sure , who is more popular in these parts than the Earl of Lathom —( cheers)—and there is no one more popular in this city of Liverpool than his lordship . ( Renewed cheers . ) Our only sorrow is sometimes that we cannot retain his lordship altogether amongst us ; but the next best thing we can do is to have a faithful portrait of him hung up in one of our prominent institutions in this city , in order that at least we may have the opportunity of seeing so

good a likeness of him as often as vve can . ( Cheers . ) I hope , my lord , that you will be long spared to your neighbours the citizens of Liverpool . We do estimate the privilege of having you amongst us as frequently as we possibly can , and I am sure the great interest your lordship takes in all matters in connection with us shows that at all times you will be most pleased to do all you can for us who are toiling in this great metropolis of the north . ( Cheers ) I will now ask Bro . Mackenzie , the chairman of the Testimonial Committee , to make the presentation to your lordship .

In making the presentation , Bro . J . B . MACKENZIE , P . G . S . D ., referred to the threefold interest attaching to the gathering that evening—the anniversary of his Worship's birthday , the significant compliment to one of the most popular of Provincial Grand Masters , and a festival gathering in aid of a Charity which was an honour to the Craft . After congratulating his Worship on the anniversary of his birthday , Bro . Mackenzie said that

almost exactly thirteen years ago Bro . the Earl of Lathom was installed in that building , with imposing ceremony , as Masonic chief of nearly the largest province under the sway of the Grand Lodge of England . The great responsibility attaching to the office had been thoroughly realised by his lordship , and his Masonic zeal , invariable courtesy , and hearty co-operation in all schemes for the good of the province had led to most gratifying

results . In 1873 , when his lordship's installation took place , there were 56 lodges in the province , but these had increased to 82 , with a proportionate advance in membership . Charity , the keystone of the whole Masonic fabric , had also gone hand-in-hand with numerical progress . While their three great London Charities last year received a total income of about ^ 50 , 000 , making the seven years' receipts fully - £ 330 , 000 , to which the

brethren of this province had largely contributed , the VVest Lancashire Mar sonic Educational Institution had progressed in a manner which must be as gratifying to Lord Lathom as it was to every brother who supported that noble Charity , carried out without a single farthing's official expense . ( Cheers . ) The invested capital twelve years ago was £ 9500 , now it had reached £ 18 , 000 . The annual subscriptions and donations then realised

£ S ° o , last year , they were ^ 1694 . And while in 1873 there were 42 children receiving education , which cost £ 280 , in 1884 no fewer than 164 little ones were not only educated , but several of them entirely maintained and clothed , at a cost of £ 1552 . ( Hear , hear . ) These facts gave increased lustre to his lordship ' s Masonic rule —( cheers)—and this surprising progress was largely the outcome and result of the personal influence and popularity he possessed

in general as well as in Masonic circles in Lancashire and throughout the United Kingdom . ( Cheers . ) After alluding to the work of the Committee in organising and carrying out the testimonial portrait scheme , Bro . Mackenzie said the commission had been given to an artist—Mr . Haynes Williams—whose name was a sufficient guarantee of ultimate excellence and fidelity of portraiture ; and he ( the speaker ) trusted the picture would long remain in the Masonic Hall of this city as a monument to a Provincial

Grand Master whose praise was in all their lodges because of the true nobility he had displayed in connection with the fulfilment of the duties of his most important trust . ( Cheers . ) In conclusion , Bro . Mackenzie asked his lordship to accept a magnificently illuminated address , as a further evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by every brother in the province . The portrait was unveiled amid loud applause .

Bro . R . MARTIN , P . G . Treasurer , then read the address , which was in the following terms : To BRO . THE RIGHT HON . THE'EARL OF LATHOM , D . G . M . OF ENGLAND , PROV .

G . M . OF WEST LANCASHIRE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —We , representing a very large section of the brethren in the Province of VVest Lancashire , who have the privilege of enjoying your ! ordship ' s Masonic rule , desire to put on record the deep sense of our grateful esteem , beyond that which is conveyed by the portrait of your lordship , painted as the result of the subscriptions of the members of the Craft in every part of the division . That portrait will occupy